Château de Vincennes

[Mary The Quene]

Sir George Neville (now identified as Sir William Esturmy to disguise his bastardy) sets out from Bar to one of King Louis' favorite residences at the Chateau de Vincennes with a diplomatic mission. To confirm the will of the good Réne and to pay homage for Bar as surrogate for Edward of Lancaster. Thus so did Sir George Neville arrive with a few riders to King Louis's residence just outside Paris with an appropriate outfit to have an audience with His Majesty.

[Lucius Malfoy]

King Louis XI was an old man by the time the war with England had ended. Gone were his brown locks of hair, replaced with grey and white. He was a man in his late fifties now, closer to God than his earthly realm. However, even though greatly aged, the King of France continued on with the daily routine of his realm. He was presently at the Chateau de Vincennes, a hunting lodge created during the reign of King Louis VII. After weeks of work involving diplomacy with England and reorganizing the realm after the war with his across-the-channel neighbors, he retreated, with his wife and his 11 year old son, Charles, to the Chateau for much needed rest.

When Sir Neville, disguised as Sir Esturmy, arrived, he was presented to a steward of the castle, who, in turn, led their guest to see the King. Louis was present in the courtyard, drinking wine and watching Charles learn how to use a bow. The steward leans down, whispering to the King, who sighed visibly. He could hardly get a moments of peace apparently! The aged King rises, turning away from Prince Charles to look upon Sir Esturmy. He offers his ring hand to his guest.

My steward tells me you were sent by my good cousin, Edward of Westminister. How is my dear cousin these days?

He recalled the peace treaty made with England having a clause that handed over the only son of Henry VI to the victorious English. However, he managed to escape or the English were lazy with their payment.

[Mary The Quene]

Sir Esturmy made a courteous bow before king and the Dauphin before kissing the ring of King Louis. It appeared King Louis was an old man, likely not to be alive for long anymore.

''Ah, Your Majesty, i am happy to tell that the rightful king of England after all hardships still sound and healthy of mind.'' That was true, no lie was being said though his maternal grandfather had only recently died.

It was a good thing for France Réne was able to hold on Lorraine during the Burgundian invasion. ''Though we are all saddened by the sudden loss of His Grace, the Duke of Lorraine.''

[Lucius Malfoy]

King Louis sighs deeply, knowing of the news involving the death of his cousin, the Duke of Anjou and son of Louis II of Naples, Réne.

A mass was said for his soul in Paris a few days ago. It is unfortunate that France should lose such a pillar of our realm. He will be dearly missed.

In fact, one of the portraits that the late Duke of Anjou had painted was now within the Chateau. In his lifetime, Louis had heard, and even seen, of the art that his cousin had done.

We can only hope that God has accepted him into heaven so that I may see him when I die.

Louis sits back down in the chair he had resided in earlier.

​So why has my cousin sent you to me, Sir Esturmy?

[Mary The Quene]

Sir Esturmy could only agree with King Louis, indeed Réne was of vital importance to the French realm, the man had been king of Naples once.

''The late Duke has settled in his will that the rightful English King should inherit the Duchy of Bar votre Majesté''. How good of his grandfather to do that, he assured with the act of goodwill that Lancaster had something to live from.

''So Sa Majesté has send me here to have his will confirmed by his Majesty, the king of France, and to pay homage on behalf of the English King for the Duchy of Bar'' Sir Esturmy said with a smirk, he was confident in his abilities to handle this well.

[Lucius Malfoy]

King Louis remains silent for now before beckoning to a steward nearby. He speaks lowly into the man's ear before leaning back as the official ran off to get something. There were a number of letters and documents scattered in his study, perhaps one of them could enlighten the matter that Sir Esturmy spoke of. It took some time, but eventually the steward returned, handing the King an unopened scroll. Louis opens it and reads it calmly, noticing the stated will of the late Duke of Anjou. Upon it, written clearly was that the Duchy of Bar was settled upon Edward of Westminister, by his maternal connections to the late Duke.

Seems all is in order... the document, in hand, is legitimate. Dates to about a year before the death of His Grace.

He rolls up the scroll and hands it to the steward before returning his gaze to Sir Esturmy.

Tell my good cousin that patents of this inheritance will be created and sent to him as soon as can be. I accept him as my vassal, as the Duke of Bar, and hope that he enjoys the inheritance of the late Rene.

[Mary The Quene]

Sir Esturmy made a bow in front of the king, happy to have successfully completed his task with finesse.

''And the good House Lancaster will be always grateful for the help of Votre Majesté.'' Edward of Lancaster is now the sole undisputed ruler of Bar, no other claims could be made now on these lands.

After paying the necessary respects to King Louis he soon left, content and happy with the conclusion of his business.