English Delegation to Burgundy

[Lucius Malfoy]

A delegation from the court of Edward IV, led by the Earl of Salisbury and Lord Montagu, John Neville, would meet with the delegates in the port city of Calais. He remembered the King's words that he would be the leader of a group comprised of the Archbishop of York, the Duke of Suffolk and the Viscount Wenlock. Quite a crowd that he had to lead, thought John, as he stood in his old office waiting for the others to arrive so that they could set off for Dijon, the capital of the Duchy of Burgundy.

[Xion]

Viscount Wenlock would arrive at the port of Calais and before meeting with Montagu, meet with his son James and several officers of Calais to discuss the current situation of the port city. The Viscount, with his son, would make his way to Montagu's former office. "Good day, my lord Montagu." Wenlock says as he bows.

[Oznerol]

Suffolk arrives with his wife, Lady Elizabeth of York, and a large retinue of knights, clerks, poets, clergymen and servants. The Suffolk liveries flood Calais, along an impresive baggage.

[Lord William]

it was early morning as the ship carrying Francis docked in the port city of Calais, he swiftly got off the ship with his luggage intact and purchased a carriage for the journey to Dijon

[Lucius Malfoy]

The Earl of Salisbury walks out with Wenlock after they chatted for a moment to see that Archbishop O'Neill and the Duke of Suffolk had finally arrived. He looks at the two, giving them their formal greetings of Your Grace and Your Eminence.

This delegation is to, once more, secure the Burgundian alliance with England as a deterrence against French aggression in the future. As such, His Grace has told me that he desires to have the granddaughter of His Highness, Philip, Mary of Burgundy, be engaged to the Duke of Gloucester, Richard Plantagenet, the King's youngest brother. The bonds of marriage will tie their two houses and our great nations closer than ever before.

OOC: Gandy, last time you rped Philip, Charles was not married to Elizabeth of York. They didn't get married until 1468 and Charles is not duke till 1467.

[Gandalfus]

OOC; true. Though the engagement was broached sometime between 1465/1466 so I think we can RP it as being in the works?


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[Jokern]

OOC: I'll RP the Burgundian side when you're ready.

[Oznerol]

Lord Suffolk storms into the room. He wore a doublet embroidered with golden thread.

"My Lords! I arrived this morning and there was an alarming lack of any kind of reception!"

No-one had rushed to welcome him! The Duke of Suffolk! Husband to Elizabeth of York!

So uncivilized.

"But I am glad to see you. We should depart as soon as posible, my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Charles de Valois, must be awaiting us already. We shouldn't forget the marriage contract between Lady Margaret and His Grace must be signed as well. A double wedding will lay the foundations of an ever-lasting alliance between Burgundy and York!"

[Lucius Malfoy]

Indeed, we should make our way to Dijon immediately. We must not delay in our task for the good of House of York.

It took some hours to prepare the baggage train and delegation to depart. Messengers being sent ahead to Dijon and the Duke of Burgundy of their impending arrival. The Earl of Salisbury's carriage was at the front of their convoy, leading all the way to the gates of Dijon and the halls of the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good. This was the first time that the Earl of Salisbury had visited the Duke personally, but the second time interacting with him diplomatically. With him came the previous emissary, Sir William Willoughby, who stood by Neville's side as they awaited for their audience to be accepted. Present with them were attendants, the Duke of Suffolk and his wife.

[Jokern]

As the delegation arrive at Dijon, they are welcomed and greeted at the gates by a steward. They are sadly informed that the gracious Duke Philip III is at the moment unavailable to meet with them, but his son Charles will gladly meet with them. The Earl of Salisbury and his party are led to the Ducal Palace, where they are told to remove all weapons before entering the throne hall. On the throne sits Charles, Count of Charolais and heir to the Duke of Burgundy. A young man in his early thirties, he dressed in dark colors and with a golden chain around his neck, wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Charles sat straight on the throne, waving forth the English delegation. His face was stern and unmoving, revealing little emotion. The Count of Charolais was known as austere, virtuous but without pity and with a strong sense of honor.

"Welcome to Dijon, honored emissaries of King Edward IV of England. I pray that you experienced no ill on your travels here, and I hope that you will not be befallen on your way home. Now, what is your business with Burgundy?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

This certainly did surprise the Earl of Salisbury. He had been told that they were to meet Philip, but something must have happened along the way. Nonetheless, John Neville bowed his head deeply to the heir of Burgundy and Count of Charolais, Charles de Valois. Without any further delays, John would get straight to business.

Your Highness, we have come on behalf of the King of England and France and Lord of Ireland, Edward the Fourth, of the House Plantagenet, to secure a stronger tie with our friendly neighbor, the Duchy of Burgundy. His Grace desires a double marriage; his sister, Margaret of York, to your Highness, and his youngest brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, with your beloved daughter, Mary. His Grace desires these strong ties due to our mutual enemy, France, and in the hopes of securing a lasting friendship for many years to come!

[Jokern]

Charles pondered Salisbury's words in silence, his fingers drumming on the armrest. It was a good offer, tying England and Burgundy even closer together. France would surely not take this news as positive, which would suit Charles well. The young count had his eyes outside of Burgundy, on new lands to conquer. There was also the fact that his father Philip III had stopped him from marrying Anne of York and instead taking the hand of Isabelle of Bourbon. Now she was dead and his father was not in a state to dictate his actions.

"If we were to find agreement here, what would the position of England be if conflict were to arise across the channel? We are already connected by blood, York and Valois, so this double marriage would surely tie our two realms together for an immeasurable long time. I have heard that King Edward is a man of honor, but I have also heard of a recent illness and that his top adviser had to rule. This would make one question the health and well-being of King Edward."

[Lucius Malfoy]

His Grace already desires to reclaim territory that was stolen and unjustly taken from England from France in the future to come. Our King Edward is a man of honor and justice, but one who is skilled in warfare and desires to punish those who dared give aid to the usurpers, the House of Lancaster. i know the Port of Calais could easily serve as a place for English troops to disembark, whether they are to war with France or aid your country, Your Highness.

Salisbury would then shake his head towards the latter statement.

Those words are false, Your Highness, conjured up by the Duke of Norfolk who attempt to seize control from the King for his own designs. A man that has been displaced and disgraced for his actions. The King is in the prime of his youth and the picture of health. I have never known such a man as our King whose health was without question and without any worries.

[Jokern]

Charles simply nodded his head, showing a satisfied smile on his lips.

"Very well, I will trust your word then, Earl Salisbury. I would be glad to tie our two great houses together, for York and Valois have been friends and allies for a long time. God willing, so it shall remain for hundreds of years. I would be honored to call King Edward brother and Richard of Gloucester son."