Bordeaux, Duchy of Aquitaine

**Gandalfus** · February 12, 2017, 01:55 PM

The Duchy of Aquitaine is the sole remnant of the Angevin inheritance which once comprised much of western France, only to be lost by English Kings such as John Lackland. Aquitaine has been whittled down over the years, particularly by French incursions, but for now it remains in the hands of the English Crown.

Duchy Information

**Gandalfus** · February 12, 2017, 01:57 PM

Having arrived finally upon English soil in Aquitaine, Gaunt immediately took up residence in Bordeaux - then summoned Beauchamp and Holland to his presence within the large townhouse.

**Oznerol** · February 12, 2017, 03:32 PM

John Holland arrived, wearing a green houppelande, his fingers were playing with a golden chain. He wears the garter around the calf, and his left hand rests on the sword pommel. Arrogant, conceited. Holland wears a chaperon, covering his dark hair, that he wears rather long, as was fashionable.

**Barry Goldwater** · February 12, 2017, 05:35 PM

Bergavenny appeared as summoned, dressed in dark reds and yellows. A black crescent-shaped brooch, matching the device he used to differentiate his own coat of arms from that of his brother the Earl of Warwick, kept his cloak closed. The baron had shown nothing but relief at finally leaving Spain and the miserable campaign there behind him, and was strongly tempted to kiss the earth out of joy when they first returned to Aquitaine.

**Pontifex Maximus** · February 12, 2017, 05:39 PM

Roger de Stafford remained in the background, adorned in his overcoat bearing the red chevron upon an orange field.

**Gandalfus** · February 12, 2017, 06:08 PM

"The Gascon nobles have neglected to pay their dues to the Crown of late." Gaunt announced to those present. "They know this; our welcome was less than hospitable. I shall force these vagrants into payment, one way or the other." With an irritated frown, he placed his hands upon his hips. Gaunt had not been welcomed as a victor, but as an oppressor; the populace had silently lined up to stare and jeer. "We're going to extort them down to the last copper, and hang every damn Gascon lord who's been consorting with the King of France."

**Pontifex Maximus** · February 12, 2017, 06:15 PM

Roger smirked, it was the kind of task he might be able to accomplish and otherwise wipe out the blemish of the unsuccessful Spanish campaign. Perhaps he could raise a small company to carry out the task all on his own, if his brother could be enticed to make the loan to him.

**Oznerol** · February 13, 2017, 06:09 AM

"Gascony is in dire need of a firm hand, my Lord of Lancaster"

Said John Holland.

"We have to remind the Gascons who truly govern these lands and once their loyalties are reassured, we will have less to fear from the French. We should also make sure the garrisons are properly mantained, like our castles and fortresses. Since Grailly died, these lands have been left on their own and his uncle Archambaud is less reliable. With your Lordship absent for so long our hold on Gascony has seemingly been weakened"

The legendary captal de Buch had died more than a decade ago, and Archambaud de Grailly was seemingly more concerned with other affairs and had remained obscure. Certainly, the loyalty of the local lords was way less uncertain than in the previous decade. And Gaunt, who had been Lieutnant for a while had remained largely absent, wrestling power with his brothers or pursuing crowns in foreign lands.

**Barry Goldwater** · February 13, 2017, 07:53 AM

"Let us not tarry in enforcing control over these unruly Gascons, then." Bergavenny added simply. He was itching for a fight since they'd all been denied one in Spain. "Who's the most troublesome of these lords? If I may, I'd advise that Your Lordship make an example of him first. The rest might be more inclined to fall in line after bearing witness to a swift example of our justice falling upon the head of the most infamous tax-evading, French-loving cur in their midst."

**Gandalfus** · February 13, 2017, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Oznerol

"Gascony is in dire need of a firm hand, my Lord of Lancaster"

Said John Holland.

"We have to remind the Gascons who truly govern these lands and once their loyalties are reassured, we will have less to fear from the French. We should also make sure the garrisons are properly mantained, like our castles and fortresses. Since Grailly died, these lands have been left on their own and his uncle Archambaud is less reliable. With your Lordship absent for so long our hold on Gascony has seemingly been weakened"

The legendary captal de Buch had died more than a decade ago, and Archambaud de Grailly was seemingly more concerned with other affairs and had remained obscure. Certainly, the loyalty of the local lords was way less uncertain than in the previous decade. And Gaunt, who had been Lieutnant for a while had remained largely absent, wrestling power with his brothers or pursuing crowns in foreign lands.

Originally Posted by Barry Goldwater

"Let us not tarry in enforcing control over these unruly Gascons, then." Bergavenny added simply. He was itching for a fight since they'd all been denied one in Spain. "Who's the most troublesome of these lords? If I may, I'd advise that Your Lordship make an example of him first. The rest might be more inclined to fall in line after bearing witness to a swift example of our justice falling upon the head of the most infamous tax-evading, French-loving cur in their midst."

"They all love the French, these Gascons." Gaunt growled. They had riled him in their attitude, their arrogance. "We'll have to collect their taxes ourselves, and make an example of the first man who protests." Lancaster agreed. He'd raised a small army of his veterans from Spain for the purpose, and soon they'd make their way through the territories levying taxes upon the populace.

**Oznerol** · February 13, 2017, 11:57 AM

"I have always been a man of exemplary punishments, my Lord"

Said Holland with a sly smile. Despite his chivalric prowess he was known as a merciless mauler to his enemies; real or imaginary.

"These territories must be controlled. His Majesty will surely appreciate your Lordship's zeal"

To be honest, Holland was eager to return home with his wife and offspring, there was much to be done.

"Since Albret betrayed us there has been little peace among the Gascon nobility"

**Oznerol** · February 14, 2017, 12:17 PM

A man, by the name of William le Scrope, arrives to Aquitaine, after a rather uneventful travel from Southampton.

**Gandalfus** · February 14, 2017, 01:11 PM

William le Scrope was admitted into the townhouse in Bordeaux where Gaunt had made his residence, finding the Duke sat within his solar. The word was that Lancaster's wife was heavily pregnant, some positive news amongst the backdrop of unrest and resentment that permeated the very air of the city. Lancaster looked up at the new arrival with a tired gaze.

"Le Scrope, is it? And you bring word from my nephew?" Lancaster rubbed at an eye eye lazily with his wrist, wiping away the dust that would settle there during sleep.

**Oznerol** · February 14, 2017, 01:47 PM

"Aye, my Lord of Lancaster"

Said William le Scrope.

"His Majesty is secluded at Sheen Palace, a faction of noblemen have unrightfully massacred his household and taken power. Even the sire de Burley has been put to death"

Le Scrope had a sly appareance. He was the second son of the Baron le Scrope of Bolton, yet he was poised to greater destinies than the church, as was part of the king's household. Maybe for his yet lack of importance or out of respect for the elderly baron, he was spared the block.

"Lord Gloucester publicly threatens the king with dethronement and rules as the throne was his. Who knows what might he be plotting right now, some say he's content with your lordship away in Aquitaine, out of trouble. God knows who he convinced your noble son, the earl of Derby to support him, alongside Lord Arundel and some more"

**Gandalfus** · February 14, 2017, 04:01 PM

Gaunt's face contorted as if some terrible pain had shot through him and caused such an ungainly grimace. He clutched at his temple with thumb and forefinger, his headache having only worsened with this freshly delivered pile of dung laid at his feet by le Scrop concerning the predicament in England.

"My brother Gloucester has seized the reins of government, is that it?" Lancaster and Gloucester had a natural rivalry that had only become ever more complex with the trappings of power. Both had sparred for control of Richard in the past, and it seemed this war had begun anew with his own absence in Spain. And Henry had supported him. That only worsened the blow; God knew that his nephew Richard had looked enviously and perhaps a little fearfully at Gaunt's vast network of estates and tenants. "I must return to England, then, when the Gascons are subdued. The King must be restored to his full power, out of the grip of Woodstock."

**Oznerol** · February 15, 2017, 03:45 AM

"Completely, my Lord. He is even dictating what to do or what has to be discussed in Parliament, he alone decided the appointments in the royal household and all grants for the year"

Said le Scrope.

"God bless you, sire. The king was worried about your son's choices... However, he trusts my good Lord Derby can be convinced to rejoin the king's graces, completely"

If Gaunt returned Woodstock would be undone, as fast as he raised.

**Gandalfus** · February 15, 2017, 03:55 AM

"Before the year is out I shall have returned to fair England's shores." Gaunt promised, confident that his return would dismantle them. Surely his brother York would aid him, as well as the two Holland brothers that he had tied himself to by marriage. Woodstock could not last long. Not with such a dearth of support.

**The Mad Skylord** · May 07, 2017, 06:19 AM

Duchy of Aquitane

Goverment
Duke of Aquitane - King Henry IV of England
Lord Lieutenant of Aquitane - John FitzAlan, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, 2nd Baron Maltravers, 2nd Baron Arundel, Lord Privy Seal
Deputies - Thomas FitzAlan, 12th Earl of Arundel, 1st Earl of Warenne
(Henry Beaufort, 1st Earl of Bedford?)

Taxation + Rebellion Risk
Base: 40% (10% Base + 30% Appointed Lord Lieutenant) - £1200 Income
Rate Set: 40% - £1200 Income

Total: 80% - £2400 Income

80% Tax: 9/20 Rebellion Risk

Castles and Fortresses

Bordeaux - Walled City
Headquarters of the Lord Lieutenant
Capital of Aquitane
Garrison:
100 Men
60 Yeoman Archers
40 Yeoman Footmen

Bayonne - Walled City
Capital of Gascony
Garrison:
50 Men
30 Yeoman Archers
20 Yeoman Footmen

Dax
Garrison:
50 Men
30 Yeoman Archers
20 Yeoman Footmen

Castillon
Garrison:
50 Men
30 Yeoman Archers
20 Yeoman Footmen

Coutras
Garrison:
50 Men
30 Yeoman Archers
20 Yeoman Footmen

Margaux
Garrison:
50 Men
30 Yeoman Archers
20 Yeoman Footmen

Hourtin
Garrison:
50 Men
30 Yeoman Archers
20 Yeoman Footmen

Castlenaud Castle
Garrison:
50 Men
30 Yeoman Archers
20 Yeoman Footmen

Biron Castle
Garrison:
50 Men
30 Yeoman Archers
20 Yeoman Footmen

Budos Castle
Garrison:
50 Men
30 Yeoman Archers
20 Yeoman Footmen

Curtos Castle
Garrison:
50 Men
30 Yeoman Archers
20 Yeoman Footmen

Governmental Troops
400 Yeoman Archers
300 Yeoman Footmen
40 Hobelars
720 Men

Troop Ownership

**Lord William** · May 14, 2017, 06:43 AM

Lord Thomas Stafford arrives to Bordeaux with a host of 500 men. He sailed across the English Channel in anticipation for French hostility against the English within Aquitaine and strives to prevent it. If tensions were to rise Thomas wanted to be one of the first in the action so that he my prove himself to his King and his country

**The Mad Skylord** · May 14, 2017, 05:25 PM

He is greeted within Bordeaux, and quickly escorted to the headquarters of the Earl of Shrewsbury within the city. A relatively modest walled mansion served as the governmental hub of Aquitane, with only a few longbowmen and yeomen patrolling the perimeter. The Earl of Stafford is brought to the room Shrewsbury uses as a solar.