The Privy Council of England

[Gandalfus]

THE PRIVY COUNCIL OF THE KING OF ENGLAND, EDWARD PLANTAGENET

The privy council is an advisory body to the king, with members appointed and dismissed at the monarch's discretion. Usually, the privy council is drawn from high ranking peers, members of the Commons, clergymen, and those otherwise courting royal favour. They meet when called upon by the monarch or the Lord Chancellor to dictate the policy of state; strong kings have often used the privy council to circumvent Parliament and rule by decree. Often, however, it serves merely as a more intimate body of advisers to the king, made up of those heavily attuned to matters of state.

[Jokern]

The Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Norfolk, is the first to enter the privy council chambers. He is wearing black velvet with a livery collar with a white lion badge, as well as a white rose brooch on his chest. He takes his seat to the right of the king's chair and waits for the rest of the lords to arrive. He was deep in thought with a serious look on his face. The letter that Anne of York had approached him with was still in his mind, as well as the implications of it. So far, he had not told anyone of this letter, not even the king himself. As Lord Chancellor, it was his duty to take care of such matters of the state.

Traitors could be anywhere, even close to the king himself. For this reason had John de Mowbray ordered his personal retinue to stand guard outside and inside the privy chamber. Two heavily armed knights stood outside every door, and ten knights were placed along the edge of the walls inside the chambers. Norfolk did not take any chances, for the risks were too great this time. He would protect the king from any harm, he had promised Anne of York as much.

[Gandalfus]

Having received Mowbray's message, William Neville arrives at the Privy Council meeting.

[Mary The Quene]

William Herbert arrives at the council

[Oznerol]

William Bourchier attends the meeting as well.

ooc: seriously, three Williams in a row.

[Lucius Malfoy]

OOC: Time to break the three Williams in a row!

After sailing from Calais, the Earl of Salisbury, John Neville, arrives and takes his seat to attend the meeting.

[Blastoise Groudon]

Lord Hastings walks in to join the meeting.

[Jokern]

With what the Duke of Norfolk deemed to be enough members of the privy council, though the king's absence was sticking out like a sore thumb to the Lord Chancellor. However, the matters of the day were of utmost importance and could not be delayed any longer. Another thing that the Lord Chancellor noticed was the absence of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford and Lord High Steward. Suspicion was growing in Norfolk's heart, but he let that be for now.

"My lords, I thank you all for coming today. I must excuse the king's absence, his Grace is currently in the middle of important business, though I am sure he will join us once that is finished. Now, on to the matter at hand. We have received grave news, which I urge you all to read."

Norfolk brought forth a copy of the letter that Anne of York had handed over to him and put it on the table for the privy council to read. Exeter's name had been scratched out.

Spoiler for letter: 

To Lord ____________, from the Queen of England.

Lord ________, i bid everything goes well with you? I have written this letter to ensure your support of restoring King Henry to its rightful throne. The French and Scottish are supporting us in this endeavor, we are hoping you will aid us in restoring our king to his throne.

We are willing to grant title's and lands to those who support us in our fight against the usurpers. We hope you will fly the Red banners of Lancaster upon our arrival in England.

Marguerite d'Anjou, Queen of England.

Norfolk looked with piercing eyes at all of them.

"Lancaster is planning to return, with the power of Scotland and France behind their back. Not only that, this letter heavily implies that there are still supporters of the red rose among the lords of England."

[Gandalfus]

"Then we must prepare. If they so boldly send out messages such as these, an invasion may be imminent, from both north and south." Kent folded his arms, troubled by the contents of the letter. Clifford's words seemed to add up now.
"We need more information, I daresay. We need to know where they plan to strike, and when."

[Noytary]

OOC- figured we have a weird sense of time i would like to use the dramatic effect!
A servant knocks and enters "well, look no further!" he yells full of passion. under the frowning eyes of the lords, he immediately bows "i am so very sorry your graces the duke has specially request me to say it if the time is right." he whines. "He also said to give norfolk this letter."
The letter reads:
Hello John,
I enjoyed our conversation a while ago to my heart's content. So much, in fact, i couldn't think of anything else. So, i prepared a present for you. I would like you to come to staffordshire and fetch it. His name is John Reeds and he is a messanger from Margaret Angou. Take your time.
P.C i ordered some wine after our meeting. It really is marvelous.

[Lucius Malfoy]

This is indeed something that was expected. Nonetheless, we should look to our allies, our shorelines and our castles. The moment my emissary returned from speaking with the Duke of Burgundy and reassuring of our alliance with Duke Philip, I began preparing Calais for the inevitable confrontation with French arms. I know the Lancastrians and the French will surely seek the port as a prize to steal from us. That is why it must be protected at all cost.

Salisbury taps his chin slightly, pondering on what the French would give the Lancastrians for this campaign of theirs they were plotting. Louis XI was no friend of Edward nor Burgundy after all.

[Oznerol]

"Ill news"

Said Bourchier.

"We must raise our men to both defend the Northern Marches and the Southern coast. A double-front war could be truly dangerous. However, I guess what might be our enemy's first target"

He crosses his arms over the belly.

"Calais. Not only would be Louis willing to capture the city but it could also be instrumental for an invasion. Leaving Calais behind, unconquered, could be a grave mistake and Anjou is no fool, neither is the French king"

[Jokern]

"I agree, Lord Kent and Lord Salisbury, we must prepare our defenses in both north and south. The Scots would most likely invade through the north, while I do not doubt the French would either try to land a force in southern England from Normandy or even try to conquer Calais. It is good that you've begun preparing the defenses of Calais already, Lord Salisbury, and I do not doubt you will have Burgundy's aid if a French army crosses the duke's territory without permission. Sadly, this letter is all we have at the moment."

At that moment the messenger from Buckingham entered the council chambers. The guards began drawing their swords, but Norfolk waved them off. He wondered what Edward Stafford wanted now? Had he returned successfully from Brittany? The Lord Chancellor took the letter and read it. He smiled, the Duke of Buckingham proved loyal after all. He thanked the Lord that he had remembered the Staffords and had successfully reached out a hand to them. He would have to leave for Buckingham's lands as soon as possible. Norfolk turned back to the privy council.

"There are only so many places that a French force could land; Cinque Ports and Portsmouth are the most likely landing places, as they would provide their fleet with enough room to unload their troops. How is the Royal Fleet at the moment? We need to commandeer any vessel available for this, Lord Bourchier, as you are the Admiral of the Fleet."

"So, we need to strengthen our defenses in the north so that any Scottish army is repelled, while we raise an army to meet whatever the French may throw at us from the south. However, we must also be prepared against any uprisings from Lancastrian supporters within England."

[Gandalfus]

"It would be worth garrisoning, certainly - but the city itself is well fortified and defended, and it would take a long siege to starve it out. Not to mention, it is well sheltered within our ally Philip's lands." Kent added. He had seen the city itself when Warwick had been captain. England spent no small fortune ensuring that it had the finest defences in christendom.
"They'll rely on speed if they mean to take England. Lancastrian hotbeds will raise with men to support them, of that there is no doubt. It has only been two years since Henry's army wilted at Towton, and those with an axe to grind against York have long memory. Percy's loyalty is not even guaranteed, so the Scots may be bolstered by them and the cursed Westmoreland Nevilles when they march."

[Jokern]

"I do believe Percy has been brought into the fold. His Grace King Edward have asked for Earl Northumberland's daughter's hand in marriage. This should more or less secure the north for us, so all we need to deal with now are the other possible traitors. Where is the Lord High Steward, de Vere of Oxford, for example?"

[Gandalfus]

Kent nodded, getting Norfolk's point. De Vere was a noted Lancastrian loyalist, and conspicuously absent. "All the better that he is absent, if he has turned traitor. At least he is too honourable to spy on our council meetings."
Turning to Herbert, he continued; "How are the Welsh, Herbert? The name Tudor holds great weight in those lands, and if Jasper is sent to rally them they shall march for Lancaster."

[Mary The Quene]

Kent nodded, getting Norfolk's point. De Vere was a noted Lancastrian loyalist, and conspicuously absent. "All the better that he is absent, if he has turned traitor. At least he is too honourable to spy on our council meetings."
Turning to Herbert, he continued; "How are the Welsh, Herbert? The name Tudor holds great weight in those lands, and if Jasper is sent to rally them they shall march for Lancaster."

Herbert politely answered, he didn't really care to much about what was to happen as long as Wales is safe from war he wouldn't do to much.

We have not heard anything about the Tudors for a while, they seem to have disappeared. I think Yorkist rule over Wales is safe. Wales will not fall

Herbert continued

I call that accursed French woman a spider, a spider relies on its legs to move forward, we have just to cut off its leg and she will find no allies here.

Herbert continued as a diehard loyalist to York although he would only move when Wales is concerned.

But who are those legs?, i do not trust De Vere and Holland and perhaps even Percy, even despite a marriage proposal i wouldn't rule out betrayal, such a man would do everything to gain higher positions and no doubt that French spider has promised him land and title's.

[Jokern]

Salisbury was about to speak when word was said about a Percy daughter becoming the Queen of England. He glances at his uncle, the Earl of Kent, subtly. This was concerning. Had the King forgotten the feud between Percy and Neville? Were they to begin a decline while de Mowbray and Percy took command of the realm? John made a mental note to speak with his uncle later. For now, there were pressing matters at hand concerning England's future.

If Percy's loyalty is certainly secured with this agreement, then we may not have to worry about the North as much as we thought. Calais, like London, is well-fortified for naval and land attacks. I will have to see about commissioning warships and mustering merchant vessels to be outfitted, as long as the King commands it, my Lord Chancellor. As long as we can hold Calais, the Lancastrians will be at a disadvantage.

"You will have the necessary writs as soon as possible, Lord Salisbury. I am sure the king will allow the commissioning of any vessel at Calais that you can seize if it is to stop any enemy fleet trying to cross the English Channel."

Percy. Even the name felt sour. Kent frowned at the prospect of a Percy one day being England's queen. They seemed to have out fought Neville in that regard, with Isabella only marrying the King's brother.

"The Channel is our main priority... Though I wouldn't trust Percy as far as I could throw him, marriage or no marriage. Surrey should watch his back, lest he finds Northumberland's dagger sunk into it when the Scots flood into Cumberland."

"I understand your doubts about Northumberland, Lord Kent, but we need neutralize any potential Lancaster support within England before they return to English shores. As long as we can keep the country united against a common foe, we will survive and drive these bastards back to where they came from. I am sure my son will be able to handle the north, but I thank you for your worries on his behalf."

Bourchier coughs, trying to conceal his unease at the mention of a Percy bride. He tries to steal a glance from Kent, father-in-law to both his son and daughter. Essex realized it must have been Norfolk's idea; his own brother-in-law might have crossed some boundaries there.

"Percy cannot be trusted, my nephew, Surrey, should indeed be cautious around him"

Added Bourchier, supporting Kent's stance.

"The main danger will come from France. King Louis commands thrice as many troops as anyone else and his armies has been honed in countless encounters with Burgundy. We would need the Good Duke's help to counter the French menace, but he might be unwilling to openly face the king on the field. Scotland can be countered and stopped on the borders, it might even be a good chance to recover Berwick, which the She-Wolf, that whore, sold to Stewart"

"I agree, brother-in-law, whatever army crawls out of France will be our main opponent. Duke Philip's aid would be beneficial in keeping a lot more French troops in France, I suspect he would demand that we chase after the French once we've pushed them off our shores. A renewed war with France is inevitable if we are to reclaim English lands and we have been working towards that goal, though whether we are ready to do so right now is doubtful. We will have to wait and see, though I do agree that we need to send an emissary to Burgundy and warn them."

"Lord Salisbury, you have been in contact with the Burgundian court, I trust that you will see to it that Duke Philip is properly informed of the French plans?"

Herbert politely answered, he didn't really care to much about what was to happen as long as Wales is safe from war he wouldn't do to much.

We have not heard anything about the Tudors for a while, they seem to have disappeared. I think Yorkist rule over Wales is safe. Wales will not fall

Herbert continued

I call that accursed French woman a spider, a spider relies on its legs to move forward, we have just to cut off its leg and she will find no allies here.

Herbert continued as a diehard loyalist to York although he would only move when Wales is concerned.

But who are those legs?, i do not trust De Vere and Holland and perhaps even Percy, even despite a marriage proposal i wouldn't rule out betrayal, such a man would do everything to gain higher positions and no doubt that French spider has promised him land and title's.

"Lord Holland has earned my trust, for he has been very helpful in aiding me finding the coming invasion. As for Percy... for now we can only pray that he puts his family's well being before his old oaths to Lancaster. I am sure that he was not offered a royal marriage by Beaufort or Margaret."

Hastings speaks:

Gentlemen! War is at hand. I will mobilize my forces as soon as possible. I believe Calais is our to priority along with Scotland. I will want to be at side of the King, But I'm willing to kill any Scot that turns against us. Anyone that the King has pardoned but turns against him and us again should be killed, in battle, on sight, in my opinion.

"Thank you, Lord Hastings, for reminding me. Since we are facing an outright invasion, I request that you all expand your retinue, livery and maintenance immediately. We need every able man to do his duty to the crown."

[Mary The Quene]

"Lord Holland has earned my trust, for he has been very helpful in aiding me finding the coming invasion. As for Percy... for now we can only pray that he puts his family's well being before his old oaths to Lancaster. I am sure that he was not offered a royal marriage by Beaufort or Margaret."

Herbert frowns

We will have to see, i will only believe these words once we see him on our side on the battlefield, we will see.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Salisbury was about to speak when word was said about a Percy daughter becoming the Queen of England. He glances at his uncle, the Earl of Kent, subtly. This was concerning. Had the King forgotten the feud between Percy and Neville? Were they to begin a decline while de Mowbray and Percy took command of the realm? John made a mental note to speak with his uncle later. For now, there were pressing matters at hand concerning England's future.

If Percy's loyalty is certainly secured with this agreement, then we may not have to worry about the North as much as we thought. Calais, like London, is well-fortified for naval and land attacks. I will have to see about commissioning warships and mustering merchant vessels to be outfitted, as long as the King commands it, my Lord Chancellor. As long as we can hold Calais, the Lancastrians will be at a disadvantage.