Lancastrian Invasion - Southern England

[Gandalfus]

At the port of Harfleur, the forces of Lancaster gather. Backed by King Louis XI of France, a force of ten thousand Frenchmen waits to cross the channel and place Henry of Lancaster back on the throne, led by their commander, the feared Duke of Bourbon. They make every preparation needed to cross the channel; gathering merchant and fishing flotilla, requisitioning supplies for the campaign, and waiting for fair winds to bear them swiftly to England as they did for William of Normandy nearly four hundred years prior.

Force:
1000 Men-At-Arms
1000 Crossbowmen
2000 Archers
2000 Heavy Footmen
4000 Light Footmen

[Mary The Quene]

Queen Margaret and her escort arrive at Harfleur port coming from Paris. Once she arrives she sees ten thousand Frenchmen preparing for the upcoming campaign. She requests an audience with Duc Bourbon to speak about the upcoming campaign.

[The Mad Skylord]

Baron Roger de Clifford arrives. He asks to see the Queen.

[Oznerol]

A group of riders arrives, they bring word from Beaufort: 7,500 men could cross the Northern border with Scotland any minute now. However, Somerset wishes to know when will Louis' army sail for England. Also, Edward of Westminster is to be married to Mary Stewart as soon as they are of age.

[Jokern]

Henry VI of Lancaster, King of England, looked around at the thousands of French soldiers that were to bring him back to his rightful place on the throne. He wore a surcoat displaying his royal heraldry, and a simplified variant of St. Edward's Crown. Henry was excited and terrified at the same time. Soon he would be home, but the road there was paved with the blood and corpses of thousands. A short prayer to the Lord was given, for the people of England who had suffered under Edward of York's rule, and for those who would lose their life for the the true king.

The king left the place where he had watched over the French army and made his way over to Queen Margaret. Two knights followed behind him, both wearing surcoats over their armor displaying the royal arms. Henry stood silent as the two met with the Duke of Bourbon, his face gazing out over the sea.

[Gandalfus]

Margaret is admitted to the Duke's presence. While he was growing more advanced in his years, he was still a formidable tactician.
"Your Grace. Good to see you have arrived."

[Mary The Quene]

Margaret is admitted to the Duke's presence. While he was growing more advanced in his years, he was still a formidable tactician.
"Your Grace. Good to see you have arrived."

Margaret made a slight bow out of respect

Duc Jean. A honor and pleasure to see you.

Margaret took a seat

England it is we are going to, quite a change from driving out the English from French lands is it not?

Baron Roger de Clifford arrives. He asks to see the Queen.

Lord Clifford is allowed to see the Queen

Henry VI of Lancaster, King of England, looked around at the thousands of French soldiers that were to bring him back to his rightful place on the throne. He wore a surcoat displaying his royal heraldry, and a simplified variant of St. Edward's Crown. Henry was excited and terrified at the same time. Soon he would be home, but the road there was paved with the blood and corpses of thousands. A short prayer to the Lord was given, for the people of England who had suffered under Edward of York's rule, and for those who would lose their life for the the true king.

The king left the place where he had watched over the French army and made his way over to Queen Margaret. Two knights followed behind him, both wearing surcoats over their armor displaying the royal arms. Henry stood silent as the two met with the Duke of Bourbon, his face gazing out over the sea.

The Queen was introducing herself to Duc Jean, but she invited her husband to take part in the conversation.

My Husband, come here and be with me, we are discussing your return to England, fantastic is it not?

The Queen gives a kiss on Henry's cheek

A group of riders arrives, they bring word from Beaufort: 7,500 men could cross the Northern border with Scotland any minute now. However, Somerset wishes to know when will Louis' army sail for England. Also, Edward of Westminster is to be married to Mary Stewart as soon as they are of age.

The Queen swiftly replies

Tell Lord beaufort that we are currently in the planning phase, that we will extensively inform him of our plans when they are finished. Tell him also that i assure that Edward will go to Scotland as soon as he comes of age

[The Mad Skylord]

Margaret made a slight bow out of respect

Duc Jean. A honor and pleasure to see you.

Margaret took a seat

England it is we are going to, quite a change from driving out the English from French lands is it not?



Lord Clifford is allowed to see the Queen

The Queen was introducing herself to Duc Jean, but she invited her husband to take part in the conversation.

My Husband, come here and be with me, we are discussing your return to England, fantastic is it not?

The Queen gives a kiss on Henry's cheek

The Queen swiftly replies

Tell Lord beaufort that we are currently in the planning phase, that we will extensively inform him of our plans when they are finished. Tell him also that i assure that Edward will go to Scotland as soon as he comes of age

"Your Grace, I have served the House of Lancaster loyally for many years. I have done my utmost to serve both King Henry and you.

I would like the opportunity to prove my worth again. Supply me with gold and allow me to raise and command a division of mercenaries in your service. I swear I shall not disappoint."

[Gandalfus]

"Indeed, my lady. We will soon be ready to sail, so you and your commanders must ensure all your forces are gathered before we cross the channel." ​Bourbon replied, folding his arms.

[Mary The Quene]

"Indeed, my lady. We will soon be ready to sail, so you and your commanders must ensure all your forces are gathered before we cross the channel." ​Bourbon replied, folding his arms.

The Scottish have gathered near the Northern Border, they are ready to strike once we move.

The Queen took a cup of wine and offered it to those present

The French are preparing themselves, meanwhile now it is a matter of recruiting mercenaries from the royal gift.

The Queen took her cup but did not drink yet, rather she remained stoic and looked coldly at the forces amassing even through her mind wanted her opponents to burn.

But tell me, once we have been fully assembled, what are the options?

"Your Grace, I have served the House of Lancaster loyally for many years. I have done my utmost to serve both King Henry and you.

I would like the opportunity to prove my worth again. Supply me with gold and allow me to raise and command a division of mercenaries in your service. I swear I shall not disappoint."

The Queen hesitated looking down upon lord Clifford

I need more details, i want to know what your exact plans are with those mercenaries, how do you want to use them?

[The Mad Skylord]

"It would depend on the circumstances of the war. For the most part my division would travel with the main forces until it came to a time where they needed to be deployed elsewhere.

In terms of men to hire, I believe elite Switzers and German Handgunners is a good place to begin."

[Gandalfus]

The Scottish have gathered near the Northern Border, they are ready to strike once we move.

The Queen took a cup of wine and offered it to those present

The French are preparing themselves, meanwhile now it is a matter of recruiting mercenaries from the royal gift.

The Queen took her cup but did not drink yet, rather she remained stoic and looked coldly at the forces amassing even through her mind wanted her opponents to burn.

But tell me, once we have been fully assembled, what are the options?

"We can either focus on capturing London as soon as possible, or trying to secure support in the south from those lords who are unsure of their loyalties." Bourbon didn't know much of England, he was merely discussing the most logical course of action. Wales was still a hotbed of Lancastrian support, as were the south and midlands. Lancastrians could surely find soldiers in Beaufort's old estates and in the lords who did not declare for York - there were plenty enough of them.

[Mary The Quene]

"We can either focus on capturing London as soon as possible, or trying to secure support in the south from those lords who are unsure of their loyalties." Bourbon didn't know much of England, he was merely discussing the most logical course of action. Wales was still a hotbed of Lancastrian support, as were the south and midlands. Lancastrians could surely find soldiers in Beaufort's old estates and in the lords who did not declare for York - there were plenty enough of them

There is the important Holland family in the south, close to Exeter. They seem to be hesitant to join our cause, however a surprise visit to Exeter may sway him over to our cause, such a man will join us when he sees our military might at his gates. He's loyal to only the strongest. Holland is also married to Edward's sister, that whore, i still have a matter to settle with her.

The Queen thought about the various lords

Then there is De Vere, earl of oxford, close to London, he will surely join our cause. Perhaps it would be wise to convince southern lords through a show of strength before we move to defeat that Usurper for once and far all.

The queen threw a map upon a nearby table

I advise to start the campaign in Exeter so that the Holland family will join and afterwards gather more allies in the south and then move for the decisive battle. There's a small port named Exmouth, not far from Exeter i believe....

"It would depend on the circumstances of the war. For the most part my division would travel with the main forces until it came to a time where they needed to be deployed elsewhere.

In terms of men to hire, I believe elite Switzers and German Handgunners is a good place to begin."

I see, i see the Queen proclaimed

I will ponder about your request, give me time to think about the matter.

[Gandalfus]

"That is a long route to England, madame. But if you are sure, then that is where we shall land." Bourbon would have preferred to land somewhere like Kent or Winchester, a short hop across the sea. Travelling a longer route seemed risky, and gave the enemy more time to prepare.

[Mary The Quene]

It is a long route indeed, but if we can secure the allegiance of the Holland family then the South will surely fall.

She seemed to hesitate

Give your fair opinion, what would your course of action be, don't hesitate to say your opinion?

[Gandalfus]

"I would land my force in Kent, Your Grace, and immediately move for the capital. Send Tudor to Wales to rally them for your cause, and hope that Beaufort brings the Scots down to cause disarray in the north. That is what I would do - the only objective is to seat Henry on the throne of England, anything else is frivolous and a waste of time."

[Mary The Quene]

"I would land my force in Kent, Your Grace, and immediately move for the capital. Send Tudor to Wales to rally them for your cause, and hope that Beaufort brings the Scots down to cause disarray in the north. That is what I would do - the only objective is to seat Henry on the throne of England, anything else is frivolous and a waste of time."

That was not a bad idea after all, Margaret thought, it would bring the French very close to London and disallow the enemies to prepare.

Not a bad idea Duc de Bourbon, but i am afraid that Yorkists might have reinforced the Southern coast already, what do you think about lading more inwards like Allhalows, it will take them by surprise, allow is to take the fight to the Nevilles swiftly and put us close to London.

John de Vere the Younger is present in the ranks of the Lancastrian and French chivalry amassed beneath the royal banners, patiently awaiting for the orders which he hopes will bring him closer to reuniting with his family.

The Queen summons John De Vere to have a talk.

[Barry Goldwater]

John de Vere the Younger is present in the ranks of the Lancastrian and French chivalry amassed beneath the royal banners, patiently awaiting for the orders which he hopes will bring him closer to reuniting with his family.

[Gandalfus]

Bourbon frowned, giving it some thought.

"We would have to sail past London and Calais, which is a dangerous proposition. The English fleet may notice us, and our forces could end up separated. Perhaps Sussex would be a viable option, or Hampshire."

[Mary The Quene]

Margaret pointed out the location of Sussex on the map.

Between those two option it would be wise to take Sussex, the closest threat to Sussex would be Hastings, its leader of Hasting is but a baron and does not have a large army to rely on, he is certainly no big threat whereas landing in Hampshire would bring us in conflict with the Nevilles who have a strong castle and a large army to rely on.