Cousin Valois

[Gandalfus]

Passage was secured from London town to Calais by the way of a merchant's ship. It took some stern persuasion for the wine-seller to part with it, but when two of the King's uncles come asking, it is very difficult to refuse.
In truth, Lancaster was glad to see the back of England once again, especially after that debacle in Parliament with Holland... It felt as if England's troubles were weighing old Gaunt down, and though he'd never loved the sea, it would perhaps not be a bad thing to spend some time away from Richard and his toxic court.
At least he hadn't retched this time, as he had on the way to Spain. The sea-sickness had claimed him on that long voyage, and the great lord of Lancaster had taken on the visage of a bedraggled hermit, hair stained with the foul bile that had erupted from his belly. This voyage was much shorter, praise God, and thus within a week or so they had docked in the sea-port of Calais, off the coast of Flanders, the town his own father had so long ago bled to capture. From there, he and his brother would ride (with a considerable escort, to be sure) for Paris, where France's King awaited: Charles VI, who had recently secured power for himself at the expense of his uncles. Like Richard, he had taken steps towards a peace with England, something that Lancaster and York had been sent here to realise, and thus they entered that vast metropolis, closing towards the meeting point: the Louvre Palace.

[General Brewster]

"What a foul stench here John" Edmund remarked on their way to Louvre Palace.

[Gandalfus]

"Smells almost as bad as London." Gaunt grinned, wrinkling his nose at the stench. It did indeed seem that every metropolis seemed to possess a unique scent; Paris' had all the charm and subtlety of a rain-soaked hound.

"Come, let us no offend our hosts." The delegation was now before the walls of the fortified palace, a large party of knights and minor nobility that were all visibly English in manner and appearance, clad in bright and garish red-and-gold colours, carrying the standard of the three leopards that was allegedly invented by the Lionheart. Gates opened, and the Duke of Burgundy emerged with a retinue of his own to greet the two...

[Lucius Malfoy]

In an alternative world, Lord Lancaster would have surely been pelted by a swarm of marmoset monkies, but this wasn't some fantasy comedy unfortunately.

=================

The gates would reveal a man dressed in the clothes of a clergyman, the coloration and patterns revealing him to be a Bishop. Next to this bishop was an aged man, who had a thicket of grey hairs upon his balding head. He was dressed not as a high noble, but rather as a court official of the French. There was no emblems nor decorations befitting men of high birth such as a Duke or even a Count. No this man was Jean de Mercier, Lord of Nouvion, and an advisor of the late King Charles V and the reigning Charles VI. The bishop was Nicolas du Bosc, Bishop of Bayeux. The two men, of low birth, bowed to the Duke of Lancaster and York. It was Jean who spoke first.

My Lord Lancaster, what brings you to the city of my master, King Charles the Beloved? Have we not kept to ourselves as promised to your father? Have we not kept to the peace that has endured during the reign of your nephew, Richard the Second?

[Gandalfus]

In an alternative world, Lord Lancaster would have surely been pelted by a swarm of marmoset monkies, but this wasn't some fantasy comedy unfortunately.

=================

The gates would reveal a man dressed in the clothes of a clergyman, the coloration and patterns revealing him to be a Bishop. Next to this bishop was an aged man, who had a thicket of grey hairs upon his balding head. He was dressed not as a high noble, but rather as a court official of the French. There was no emblems nor decorations befitting men of high birth such as a Duke or even a Count. No this man was Jean de Mercier, Lord of Nouvion, and an advisor of the late King Charles V and the reigning Charles VI. The bishop was Nicolas du Bosc, Bishop of Bayeux. The two men, of low birth, bowed to the Duke of Lancaster and York. It was Jean who spoke first.

My Lord Lancaster, what brings you to the city of my master, King Charles the Beloved? Have we not kept to ourselves as promised to your father? Have we not kept to the peace that has endured during the reign of your nephew, Richard the Second?

Gaunt dismounted, handing his horse off to a servant. A part of him was glad to not have to deal with the insufferable uncles of Valois, but these Marmousets were far more cunning.

"Indeed, and it is with a mind to preserving this peace for all eternity have I come, Bishop." Lancaster answered, his French permeated by the thick accent of the English. "My nephew of England wishes to strengthen the ties with his cousin of France, and thus I request for an audience with the Most Christian King of France."

[General Brewster]

York seemed annoyed he was not properly greeted or addressed like his brother.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Jean, the Lord of Nouvion glances at the Bishop of Bayeux, who had remained quiet. The Marmouset councilor decides to ignore how the Duke addressed the Bishop instead of the man who actually spoke first.

For eternity you say? That is from now till the day of Judgment when Christ, our Lord, comes down from Heaven to judge the wicked and the good?

Such a strange idea, but it was still formal protocol for negotiations such as these. Lord Nouvion ponders for a moment before deciding to accept the request made by the Duke of Lancaster.

Then let it be so. The King awaits you, my Lord Lancaster. He will be most happy to hear such desires from our northern neighbor,

Without further delay, the Dukes of Lancaster and York are shown into the main keep of Paris, where the King and his royal family resided.

=========================

Within the grand and lavish court of the French King were a number of officials dressed in fine clothing, ranging with all sorts of titles and lands throughout the known Kingdom of France. Among them stood the Dukes of Anjou, Berry and Bourbon, who were once the regents of the King when he was a minor. Yet they were only recently displaced by the Marmousets, who numbered greatly within the halls. Even one could tell by their close relation with the King as a number of highborn nobles were set further from the King than these low-born councilors. The Lord Nouvion and the Bishop of Bayeux lead the way for the English noblemen, bowing to the King of France, who remained silent and still as a statue upon his magnificent throne. A young King of twenty-two years, Charles had already garnered much love from the realm, both high and low, earning him the title Charles the Beloved. It is rather interesting that a King who had so far improved the political and economic conditions of realm so quickly would one day be remembered as a monarch with bouts of insanity.

Charles VI would beckon the English envoys forward, gesturing for them to speak first within his court.

[Gandalfus]

Lancaster, who had once been bequeathed many estates and manors in France when the two kingdoms were at war, approached the throne and offered a deep bow, from the waist. In many ways, Charles reminded him of his own King; Richard had been overshadowed by Gaunt and Woodstock during his youth, the former wrestling with counsellors and advisers for control of the government.

"Christian Majesty." Lancaster greeted with clarity, entirely at ease in the surroundings. Surely they had heard of him - perhaps the older ones even remembered him. "I come from thy noble cousin and my nephew, Richard of England, who gives his wishes of good health unto thee."

[General Brewster]

York grew impatient with being bluntly ignored by everyone in favor of his older brother. He made a significant less deep of a bow before the King.

[Lucius Malfoy]

A councilor coughs slightly when he notices York's less than satisfactory bow. The young Charles seems to not care much, keeping his focus upon Lancaster.

And we will thank him for such gracious words, Duke Lancaster. Tell me, why has he sent two sons of Edward, his uncles, to my realm? My councilors tell you want everlasting peace and to push for closer ties with my Kingdom.

Some of the older councilors grumbled, remembering all too well the ravaging of their lands by the English menace, led by Edward III and his son, the Black Prince.

Do we not already have peace, Duke Lancaster? Have our realms not been at peace? Why this sudden delegation when such terms have already been arranged before?

[Gandalfus]

"The unfortunate circumstances surrounding Woodstock's government, namely the destruction of the last agreement between Your Majesty and my nephew of England, has led to my presence here. The two Kingdoms are at peace, by my sovereign wishes to further that bond to friendship." Richard foresaw that peace with France would be more beneficial in the long term, his alliance to the Holy Roman Emperor as a countermeasure perhaps being less successful than he anticipated.

[Lucius Malfoy]

The young King's eyebrow raises for a moment, making the Marmousets murmur among themselves before the King silences them. Charles looks at John of Gaunt.

Then what do you propose should be this treaty, Lancaster? What will be different from this new friendship compared to one previously made?

[Gandalfus]

The young King's eyebrow raises for a moment, making the Marmousets murmur among themselves before the King silences them. Charles looks at John of Gaunt.

Then what do you propose should be this treaty, Lancaster? What will be different from this new friendship compared to one previously made?

"My lord of England desires defined boundaries between England and France. I am not here to dictate terms to Your Grace, but merely open negotiations between us." Clearly, Gaunt was under the impression that the French would be the ones to first issue their demands and desires.

[Lucius Malfoy]

The young Charles would tap his chin lightly, pondering upon what terms could be made. His Marmouset councilors were rather content with the arrangement at present, though his older councilors, those who had fought the English, desired lands to return to France that were rightfully theirs. Particularly the lands of Gascony and Aquitaine. He glances over his councilors, examining their faces for a moment before speaking.

I believe my councilors would desire a return of Bordeaux, as well as her surrounding territories, and England's non-intervention in Brittany in the future to come. These are the terms of France, Lord Lancaster.

France and England had been heavily involved with Brittany during the reign of Edward III. A civil war between two claimants of the Duchy of Brittany which saw the return of John IV de Montfort to his rightful place. John was an ally of England and presently the Earl of Richmond, as an honorary title granted by the late Edward. France saw this as a nuisance and desired to remove such a possible threat to their lands.

[Gandalfus]

Lancaster frowned. "My nephew of England is the Duke of Aquitaine by right of hereditary succession, and confirmed as sovereign lord by the last treaty. My Lord would be willing to reverse this, and pay homage to thee for his lands in Aquitaine., which shall in turn be fully restored." As it stood, Richard held the remainder of those lands as sovereign lord, whereas previously the English kings had held it as a vassal of the King of France. Giving up Aquitaine was not an option, in Gaunt's eyes, but perhaps restoring its previous state would be beneficial.
"My lord will surely be contented with the return of Brest, should Your Majesty so desire it. His interests do not lie in Brittany or France at this time, but he does wish to preserve his inheritance confirmed by the treaty of Bretigny."


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[General Brewster]

York interjected he was done being bluntly ignored at the negotiations.

"My brother speaks true. These are the terms. If they are ignored we will leave back to England and tell our King, Richard II by the grace of God that the French wish for no peace. " York was done with the endless negotiations with him being reduced as a minor participant in the process. He continued. "We will not intervene in Brittany or any French quarrel as long as hour demands are met"

[General Brewster]

A letter arrives at the French court destined for the Duke of York. It carries his own seal.
It reads:

For Lancaster and York

Father, While your instructions were clear I must tell you this. Our beloved King and your Nephew Richard II by the grace of God has been mortally injured in a jousting duel. His survival is not garunteed and he's not been awake since the incident. I implore you to inform my Uncle, John of Gaunt the duke of Lancaster so we may plot a course together. Signed, Edward of Norwich, KG.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Charles glances over at York, who had finally spoken. His councilors begin to murmur among themselves, this time, the King did not stop them. It was true that Richard II was more aimed at peace, but yet, those who tried to prevent the existing peace between France and England were removed from power, with the three ringleaders removed. As such, the King of France took York's threat as empty and baseless. He returns his gaze to Lancaster.

Then perhaps we can have a ceremony, where your nephew may swear his oaths of fealty to the Crown of France as the Duke of Aquitaine and Lord of Gascony. If he will perform such a duty, then we will have peace.

Charles couldn't help but smile, hoping to humiliate the King of England with this ceremony by kneeling before the King of France as a vassal.

[General Brewster]

"Never." York said simply. Thrusting the document that was delivered in Lancaster hand.

[Gandalfus]

Gaunt shrugged. Many Kings of England had been made to perform such an oath of fealty in the past, and in Gaunt's eyes, it was worth it for the entirety of Aquitaine to be restored into the hands of England.

"As my Lord's representative, I could deliver the oath of fealty now, in his place, if you so desire it." Gaunt took the document given to him, but did not read it - he would do so after these negotiations were concluded.


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