- ARCHIVE -Royal Court of Castille-Leon

[KingWittelsbach]

El Reino de Castilla y León

His Most August Majesty:

Juan II de Trastamara

Her Most Serene Majesty:

Elionor de Trastamara-Plantagenet-Trastamara, Queen of Castile-Leon, Queen of Granada, Dowager Queen of England, Dowager Queen of Scotland

[KingWittelsbach]

Nation: Castille
Head of State: Juan II de Trastamara, King of Castille and Leon, King of Granada
Player: KingWittelsbach
Religion: Catholic
Culture: Iberian
Stats: 4/2/4(5)/4/4 --> [4/2/5/4/4]
Provinces: 11
Ports: 4
Owned: Castilla, Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Leon, Estremadura, Toledo, Andalusia, Granada, Gibralter, The Canaries
Annexation of Granada +1 technology



The House of Trastamara of Castile and León

The Trastamara dynasty descends from Henry, Count of Trastamara, who deposed his half-brother Pedro the Cruel and became Henry II (Enrique II) of Castile and León (1369).

Juan II, Rey de Castilla y León (King of Castile and Leon)
Born in 1405 at Toro, Juan II came to power in 1419 at the age of 14 with the support of a large element of the nobility opposed to the schemes of the Queen Dowager. Juan II is the cousin of Alfonse V, King of Aragón, who is married to Juan’s eldest sister, Maria.

Elionor, Reina de Castilla y León and Queen Regent of England and Scotland
The sister of Alfonse V of Aragon and widow of John II of England. She is the mother of Henry VI, King of England, and is Regent in his minority, as well as being the Queen Regent of Scotland during the minority of Queen Margaret.

Enrique, Prince Royal of Castilla y Leon:
The son and only male child to King Juan II of Castile-Leon. Some say the young prince royal takes more after his mother than father, but only time will tell.

Maria, Infante de Castilla
Daughter and only legitimate child of Juan II. Her mother, Margaret of Scotland, Queen of Castile and Leon, died during childbirth. Maria is the heir to the Castilian throne.

Katherine Plantagenêt, Reina viuda de Castilla y León (Queen Dowager)
Known in Castile as Catalina de Lancáster. Born in 1373 at Hereford Castle, she was the 8th child of John of Gaunt, Prince of England and Duke of Lancaster, son of King Edward III. Through her mother, Constanza de Castilla, she is the granddaughter of Pedro the Cruel. She ruled as Regent at the death of her husband, Enrique III, in 1406, for her year old son, Juan II. A powerful and extremely capable women, she eventually sought to gain the throne herself (her claim through Pedro the Cruel). When Juan II seized power from his mother and her council in 1419, Queen Katherine was imprisoned in the royal castle at Valladolid where she remains.

Sancho, Infante de Castilla, Duque de Sessa (Duke of Sessa)
Born in 1406 at Toledo. A gifted horseman, Sancho shows great promise for the martial career which has so shaped the Castilian nobility. Sancho is under house arrest with his mother in Vallodolid for his role in a conspiracy against his brother the King.

Maria, Reina de Aragón, Infanta de Castilla (Queen of Aragon)
Born in 1398 at Valladolid. She married Alfonso de Aragón, King of Aragon, in 1415.

Eleonore, Infanta de Castilla, Duquesa de Arión (Duchess of Arion)
Born in 1402 at Segovia, she bears the greatest resemblance in both body and spirit to the Queen Dowager. She is usually resident in Valladolid with her mother.

Yolande, Reina de Francia, Duquesa de Lecera, Infanta de Castilla (Queen of France, Duchess of Lecera)
Born in 1403 in Valladolid. She married Charles VII, King of France, deposed due to his madness.

Blanche, Infanta de Castilla, Duquesa de Nara (Duchess of Nara)
Born in 1404 in Toro, she is intellectually gifted as well as demonstrating considerable physical prowess. As a younger daughter, somewhat neglected during her mother’s scheming for the throne, she was much in the company of her soldier-guardians, from whom she learned swordsmanship. Defying her brother the King and custom, she continues to practice regularly. She speaks Latin, Castilian, Catalan, Portuguese, French, Italian, English, and German.

Katherine, Infanta de Castilla, Duquesa de Estremera (Duchess of Estremera)
Called Catalina in Castilian. Born in 1406 at Toledo, the twin sister of Sancho. She is somewhat reserved and shy, though displaying the same intellectual skills as her sister Blanche.

[KingWittelsbach]

The Church in Castilla y León


The Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo (and Madrid) is the Primate of Hispania, encompassing the Church in Aragón, Castilla y León, Navarra, and Portugal: Manrique de Lara

The Archbishop of Sevilla: Juan Pablo Enriquez

The Cardinal Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela: Alfonso de Nara

There are 27 Dioceses in Castilla y León

León:




Santiago

Astorga

Badajoz

Ciudad Rodrigo

Coria

León

Lugo

Mondoñedo

Orense

Oviedo

Salamanca

Túy

Zamora



Old Castile:



Burgos

Calahorra

Palencia

Osma



Extremadura:



Ávila

Segovia



Toledo:



Toledo

Cuenca

Plasencia

Sigüenza



Andalusia:



Seville

Cádiz

Córdoba

Jaén

[KingWittelsbach]

The Cortes and the laws of Castile and Leon


_________________________________
Succession Act, 1426

An Act promulgated by Juan de Castilla de Trastamara, Rey de Castilla y León, in his Cortes in his city of Vallodolid in the Year of Our Lord 1426, for the governing of the succession to the Crown of Castilla y León.

Inasmuch as it has pleased God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ to grant unto Juan of the House of Trastamara the Kingdoms over which he does now lawfully rule, and whereas his sworn oath constrains him to give all right care for the proper governance of his lands and peoples, with the advice of many and diverse councilors, assembled in this Cortes summoned lawfully by the King, his grace the King does lay down this law.

That the heir to the Crown of Castilla y León is foremost to be had of the natural children of Juan de Castilla, giving preference to his firstborn son and then to each son following, and afterwards to his firstborn daughter and then to each daughter following, providing such heir shall have been born legitimately.

In the case that the King shall die with no heir of his body, the Crown shall pass to the heirs of Enrique III de Castilla of late memory, King of Castilla y León, in like manner as already given; that is, first to Sancho de Castilla, Duke of Sessa, and his natural and legitimate heirs, then to his sisters, saving Maria, Queen of Aragon, and Yolande, Queen of France, for it is not the desire of the King nor of this Cortes to wed or join the Crown of Castile in union with that of France or of Aragon. Therefore, following in preference after Sancho de Castilla and his heirs are Eleonore Duchess of Arion, Blanche Duchess of Nara, and Katherine Duchess of Estremera.
________________________________

The Charter of Sevilla

Know all men and subjects of the King of Castilla and León, Toledo, Galicia, Seville, Jaén, Cordoba, Algeciras, and the Algarves, Prince of Antioch, Lord of Biscay and Molina, King of Granada that before his Cortes assemblied and with lawful and royal right, his grace the King does hereby proclaim and declare and make law binding upon all his subjects:

That in all places in our Kingdoms those who are called Mudejares and are also known as Moors (who are so called for that they do worship not as Christians nor as Jews but follow the heathen beliefs of Mahomet), are under our especial governance and custody; whereof one who is mudejar may not give his oath or pledge as bond to any man for he is peculiar to the King alone; and, furthermore, that all Mudejares shall pay a special tax into the King’s treasury, and that they shall have justice to their own courts when no Christian is involved and unto the King’s courts alone otherwise; and that no noble of the Kingdoms may exact any oath or privilege from one who is mudejar which might infringe in any sort upon the King’s rights;

That in all places whatsoever in our lands and dominions, the Jews likewise shall be under the especial governance of the King alone and shall likewise receive justice in their own courts, or in the King’s courts if a Christian is involved; in all things they shall be before the law as the Mudejares save in this alone – that with the King’s good pleasure, a Jew may take an oath of loyalty unto a Christian lord, but that the Jew shall retain his right to justice in the King’s court and the King shall retain his right to the tax peculiar to the Jews and to the head-tax at his death;

And, that those Moors who do embrace the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and do come within the courts of the Holy Church and accept baptism, and who are thenceforth called as moriscos, shall have all rights and privileges accorded to any subject of the King and may give and receive oaths as free men.

This given at Toledo by Juan de Trastamara, King, before his Cortes assembled.

[KingWittelsbach]

The walls of the ancient mosque stood silent against the setting sun. No longer did the voices of praise fill the evening sky with worship to Allah. That period of history ended abruptly when the Christian Kingdom of Castile-Leon conquered Granada. Now that the King of Castile-Leon held the title and land of Granada in his hand the mosque was forgotten, but not its vast, complex garden.

Within the walls of this complex a vast array of flowers, trees, and fountains spruced up the desolate area while the fragrance of life filtered through the air. From within this garden a faint humming could be heard over the tickling water. From the other side of the garden walls a passerby would be unable to recognize the tune as it came from the French Duchy of Provence. The tune spoke of an English Queen who was larger than life and as evil as Satan.

It was this woman who was the subject of the song who gave new life to this garden.

From the moment she arrived in Castile-Leon her life had taken one terrible turn after the next. So powerful had her will been that upon her leaving what had been her home it almost immediately fallen apart. A nations usurper had killed both of her children, and it had been called god’s will and a sickness. Losing two sons and the last remaining thread that bound her to what had been her former home was just too much. Finding solace in this quiet abandoned garden had helped her find the peace she so needed. Her new husband had tried his best to help pull her through the difficult years, but he had never been one who cared for his new wife’s needs. Shortly after she had given birth to Castile-Leon’s heir his wondering eye had failed upon more and more noblewomen and less and less on her. To him she was a marriage of great fortune and power. But upon the death of her son all that power turned out to be for nothing.

As she thought of all these things she smiled because while he tried, Juan was not the powerful man her first husband was. While he did indeed give her raise his nation to the heights of power it belonged, or at least in the mind of this long figure deserved to be. While these paints were strong they were not strong enough to bring her out of her downward spiral. That is until the recent events of her birthplace reached her ear.

The world was a far different place than the one she had known, but the time had come for her to once again take control of a nation and lead it to greatness. Her husband Juan would not mind letting her take over the control of government as long as she carefully worded her actions, and let him continue to hunt both stag and noblewomen. For it was not the sins of the flesh that so aroused this woman’s passion, but the power that came from being a major player on the world’s stage. It was time for her to once again become the Demon of the Provence tune, it was time for her to once again become Elionor de Trastamara, Queen of Castile-Leon, Queen of Granada, Dowager Queen of England, Dowager Queen of Scotland, Princess Royal of Aragon.

And with that internal realization the humming stopped and with a half smile Elionor exited the garden and the mosque. As the gaurds stood at attention Elionor spoke to them with a cool glee about her voice:

Burn this mosque’s garden to the ground. Its serenity and all that it stood for are no longer needed.


With that Elionor was back!

[Mettermrck]

The Portuguese ambassador arrives at the Castillian court, hoping to seek an audience with Queen Elinor. He speaks to the senior court official present, and is told that the Queen is not present at that time. He nods and bows. He then presents his credentials.

"Very well then. Please tell the Queen at her earliest convenience, that I, Rodrigo de Kaspar, have been sent once more to the Court of Castille y Leon to take up my duties as the eyes and ears of Portugal. Queen Adalia sends her greetings and her warmest regards for Her Majesty, Elinor, and hopes that there will soon be a period of fruitful relations between our two kingdoms."

"May the Queen please accept this small token of Queen Adalia's affection and regard, a beautiful hand-carved ivory figurine. It is said to be from the fabled Isle of Cepangu itself!"

[Zhai]

A man arrived at a court. He seems to be wearing teh latest fashion in Valencia. He walked to the court offical and spoke,

I am Don Gracios de Rujo, ambassador to this court from Aragon. King Constantine wishes to convey his warmest greeting to her majesty and his hope for the close friendship between Aragon and Castille. He is also gladden to hear that Castille is stable once again. He hopes to increase the unity of Iberia, between Portgual, Castille and Aragon.

I hope that I am accepted at this court.

he fell silent.

[KingWittelsbach]

Briskly she walked through the halls of the royal castle in Andalusia with no thought or regard to those around her. The trip from Granada had been uneventful, but had given her an idea of what the subjects of Castile-Leon were like and how they lived. One of the first things she decided to do was create a celebration to unite those who had and those who had not. While this idea was radical she knew in order to win over the Castilian Cortes she must first win over the people of the nation. Who knew what stories the peasants passed around about her, not only from her time as ruler of England but her time spent locked away in Granada. Her silence could indeed be a hurtful situation.

As she walked through the heart of the castle the sound of a lute playing made her lips come together in a tight manor and her back straighten sharply. Pushing the strong oak doors inward she stepped from a Castilian castle’s hallway into a Moorish den of sin. Scantily clad whores danced around as food, wine, and music were served to the highest nobility of Castile-Leon. All around these men were being pampered by these young women, and in the middle of this throng of heathenism sat King Juan II. Without missing a beat this small woman clad in black walked directly to the king and spoke:

My husband it seems time had not changed you from your pleasurable ways. I am returned from my seclusion in Granada with many plans that I have decided to put into play. I am Elionor, Queen of Castile-Leon, Queen of Granada, Dowager Queen of England and Scotland, Royal Princess of Aragon and I have come to make Castile-Leon a great nation that I know it can be!

After hearing his small wife speak such powerful words Juan pushed away the two women sitting beside him and grabbing his wife harshly by the arm stumbled out of the room and pulled her into a secluded hallway.

You dare come into my personal quarters unannounced and then in front of my very retinue and tell me the King of Castile-Leon how to run my nation! You uptight bitch I should slap you for your arrogance. Go back to your estate in Granada and mourn the two rotting children you left buried in England! I did not marry you for your beauty Elionor but for the vast treasury you controlled in England, but you left that like the stupid woman you are.

Shortly after hearing Juan speak such words about her dead children Elionor’s eyes iced over and her hand rose in a flash. Landing upon the King’s face she quickly recalled her hand and watched as the very inebriated King fell backward. Watching the King fall Elionor let out a yelp as his head struck the hard stone floor. Attendants and nobles all quickly ran to the Queen’s call and hurriedly took the passed out king to his chambers. As the king was known to be a rather clumsy drunk no thought was given to the incident, and the court went about its daily business. That is all members of the royal court except for Queen Elionor. As the hours turned into days she stayed beside the bed of the king she watched and waited. Finally on the fourth day of his rest the king awoke. Elionor herself darning young Enrique’s tunic hurriedly threw down her needles and ran towards her husband. Flinging her arms around him in tight embrace she cried with joy, that is until Juan asked the question:

Who are you?

Not letting the king out of her embrace Elionor’s eyes opened and a smile crept across her face. Still holding onto the king’s shoulders Elionor pushed the king back and looking deeply into the blank eyes of this man saw not a sickness but the way she would be able to control a nation. Not wanting to loose a moment’s chance Elionor said:

Oh Juan I am your loving wife Elionor, mother of your son and heir Enrique. You have just placed full control of the Kingdom of Castile-Leon, Kingdom of Granada in my hands. You wish for me to run the nation while you retire to your favorite country estate with Enrique. There you will be able to hunt, dance, and do everything but worry about the business of ruling a large and powerful kingdom. Now don’t you remember this at all my loving husband?

Nodding his head slowly up and down Juan carefully said:

Ah yes, my loving wife Elionor, you always does have what is best for my being in mind. I do love you so and know you will rule adeptly.

With that from her darning bag Elionor took out many documents, a quill and ink, and the King’s royal seal.

An overwhelming joy took over her body as she watched Juan sign and seal each one of these documents making her complete ruler of Castile-Leon. Embracing these feelings that overtook her Elionor smiled for it was a familiar feeling of days gone by. The feeling of powr had once again returned to Elionor, and how she did love it!

[Blinky]

Queen Elinor,

Cousin, I bid greetings to you from Pamplona of the Kingdom of Navarra. My sister and the King of Aragon has seen fit that I continue the regency over this kingdom as I see it done.

Seeing how you are treasured family of our great dynasty, consider yourself a welcome guest if you so choose to visit. In the meantime, I await news of your kingdom and much I'm sure we have to discuss.

Carlos
Prince of Viana

[Zhai]

A letter arrived for Queen Elinor, bearing no mark. It reads,

To her majesty, Elinor of Castille. I send this letter in hope that you would be willing to end the unlawful reign of the Greek who called himself Roman and a bitch who happens to be his wife. King Carlos of Navarra would be willing to aid us, I believe. Surely you would be willing to aid Aragon to be free from the Greek upstart. After all, you are a sister of King Joan. Better than that bitch and her upstart husband. I beg you to consider this. If you are willing to work with me, send an letter, addressing to Pierre in Roussillon. He shall foward it to me. Queen Elinor, you could save Aragon from Greek upstart and his woman who is a witch and in legend with devil. I hope that our working together would be very successful and with God on our side, it shall be so.

signed,
your friend

[Fireblade]

A letter from Queen Maria of Sicily to Queen Elionor of Castile arrives in the court.. For the Queen's Eyes Only!

"My dear, dear Queen Elionor, my sister, and friend,

It has been too long since we have talked, my sister. I am Queen of Sicily now, as you have no doubt heard, and believe me when I say, Palermo is even hotter than Iberia or Hellas! I don't know how I ever could stand such dreadful heat, especially when I am pregnant with child.

Yes, Elionor, it is true - I am pregnant! I found out as I arrived on Sicily. Truely it is a sign from God, I gain the throne our father has promised me, and I gain a child, proof that I am not "barren", as so many have claimed. I do not know what Theodore will name the child, however. I want to name him.. or her, a good Spanish name, like Pedro or Maria, but my husband wants to name 'him' Basilios, like his hero, Basilios II. I love him and all, but this ancestor worship does get tiresome. Well, perhaps my child will have the qualities of both sides of the family: diplomacy and class, such as on our side, and strength and military powress, as the Paleologus have. No matter what the name is.

Speaking of Paleologus, what do you think of the new King of Aragon, Constantine? I cannot believe King Joan gave up his throne.. to a Greek, of all people! I know how bad the Greeks murmured when I married Theodore, but I cannot even begin to imagine what the Aragonese felt like when a Greek married Blanca! Even I, who has not stepped foot in Aragon for years, felt a cold slap in the face when I heard the news. Perhaps King Joan was under the influence of a spell, or drugged, or blackmailed into giving Constantine the crown! That is terrible! I can't even bare the thought of our relative being blackmailed by.. a.. a Greek!

Which reminds me, my sister.. don't you have a far superior claim to the throne of Aragon? If the heat of this Sicilian sun does not cause me to forget, by the ancient laws of our country, you, instead of that Greek upstart, should be the Queen of Aragon. After all, you are the oldest legal heir to the Crown, and it, by the old laws and precedent, should be yours, and yours alone.

My sister, just as I struggle for my Crown, given to me by the Grace of God and the good will of our father, so you should also struggle for your rightful Crown, which belongs to you by the Grace of God. I, and my husband, would do anything and everything in my power to aid you in your quest.

Please, my sister, no matter what you do, be careful. Constantine does have many spies about, and it would break my heart to see any harm come to you.

Your loving sister,

Queen Maria of Sicily

[Mettermrck]

Queen Adalia read the letter from Elinor with interest. She felt drawn to the Castilian Queen, whom she'd heard so much about. Related to the royal houses of England, Aragon, and Castille. It was reassuring to have a strong woman in a position of power in their neighboring kingdom. She beckoned to a page to compose a response.

"To my royal sister, Queen Elinor of Castille,

I am delighted to receive your response to my letter, and I accept your gift with much gratitude and pleasure. Truly, I feel, that you and I will do great things for Iberia if we work together. My husband is currently in Rome seeing to some church business, so as Queen I am the reigning voice of Portugal.

Perhaps you could pay a visit here to Lisbon and we could discuss your proposals in person? I feel we have much in common and broaching these matters face-to-face would help cement a prosperous future.

I look forward to your response."

[Zhai]

A letter arrived for Elinor, bearing the seal of Aragon,

Dear Aunt Elinor,

I write this letter in the hope of increasing teh friendship between Castille and Aragon. Aragon desires to increase the warmth between Castille and Aragon thus lead the way to close relationship of the families.

If you would like to increase the relationship with Aragon, perhaps you could pay a visit to Zaragoza. After all, I am pregnant. I desire to see you face to face and strengthen the Iberian unity.

signed,
Queen Blanca of Aragon

[Euro-Maniac]

A letter arrives from ship. It is from far off Russia.

Great King of Iberia:

I would like us to establish diplomatic and trading ties between our two very distant realms. It would be in both our best interests. I have heard many stories of the greatness of Iberia and would enjoy to open these important ties. Please, if you feel the same, send a reply, so that I may send an ambassador down to your court.

Signed:
Tzaristsa of Rus Anatasiysa

[KingWittelsbach]

Abraham Cortez quietly turned on his side and continued to snore through the night. Being in charge of one of the largest money lending ventures in Castile-Leon was tough work, at least as tough as this wealthy man would allow it to be. After a grand feast made my his wife Miriam there was much work to be done balancing the books. He had hardly enough time to read from his torah and lead his family in prayer. The fact that he was still leading his family in prayer was not dangerous in the Kingdom of Castile-Leon, but the fact that he was still leading them in prayer in hebrew and by the Jewish tradition was.

Again Cortez snored loudly and tossed as he continued to slumber, not knowing what the night awaited him. While the Kingdom of Castile-Leon slept through the reign of Juan II so too did the persecution of the Jewish popluation. Many of the bankers, merchants, and well to do members of society had long been Jewish or converted christians whose only link to the Holy Roman Catholic Church was their baptism. However upon this silent night the slumber of Abraham Cortez and the Kingdom of Castile-Leon would forever be awoken.

After the election of his most pious Holy Father there was a mass hysteria by the upper clergy to once again start a rather large Inquisition of the rich and powerful Jewish class. One such man was Bishop Fernado Ortega heard the call of the pocket books and decided to take matters upon himself. With the church on his shoulders while the two Castilian Cardinals were in Rome he decided it was time for the Castilian Inquisition to cleanse the earth of all heretics, starting with the rich of course.

"CRACK"

The sound of his bedroom door startled not only Abraham Cortez, but also his wife and children. Straining through the dark night he did not see the faces of his abductors but only heard the soft cries of his wife and children as he was knocked over the head with a large club. After several hours of dreamless sleep he awoke in a dank cell. Before him awaited a fierce looking man in red, this was Bishop Fernando Ortega.



Heretic you have failed to hear the word of God and your sins will not go unpunished. Your people grow rich from the toil and heartache of good Christian men, and I will allow this no more. Do you fully admit to your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savoir?


Startled by the words of this man in front of him no words could pass the lips of Abraham Cortez, only a small hebrew prayer that sprang from somewhere in his memory of time past. As he sat there humming the prayer he so remembered his father praying time and again when he was a child he closed his eyes to not watch the two large men comming at him with hot pokers.

What seemed like days past as almost non stop he was stretched, stabbed, burned, and beat. Finally when the pain was too much to bear anymore he agreed to sign his confession and accept the Christians demands. Peace had finally come he thought, but yet he was still wrong.

For three days and nights he was left alone in his dank cell, his only companion being the rats that came to nibble at his feet and hands during the night. Finally on the fourth day he was bound and dragged to the surface and there he saw something that made him wished he had died. All around him were other well to do Jewish bankers and merchants. From what he could see it looked as though there were around 100 men total not to mention the many women who were there as well. Upon each of these people sat a paper cap and a sign that explained the reason for their sins.

The Inquisition had saved them only to show the people of Castile-Leon the punishment for going against the word of God. Abraham Cortez thanked god as the flames overtook him, for he was now out of his misery. But the last thing he remembered before dying was seeing the man in red sitting on a large chair watching with a rather large smile upon his face. And in his hand he was eyeing Cortez's prize possession a jewled scabard handed down to him from his father.

It seemed these men of God were not so pious as they belived.

And then the flames took him out of his misery, only to leave thousands fearing for their lifes.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As he wactched the man die Bishop Fernando Ortega sat dictating a letter to his page. This letter and a rather large baggage train would take the spoils of the Inqusition to his Holiness in Rome. After writing the letter Bishop Ortega walked to the train to see it on its way, but upon spying several Golden menorah's shining in the noon Castilian sun he ordered these trains to be taken to his own home. Truly god would allow him to keep some of the spoils for himself, for were it not him who was cleansing the earth of this garbage.


Then the rest took their leave and headed towards rome with a clear intention in mind, to impress the Pope on Ortega's skill as an Inquisitor and to line the papal pockets with more wealth.

[Lord E]

A man enters the court, the colours of France at his clothes, he bows deep and speaks.

"Noble King and Queen of Castile
I am Count Joan d Montpellier an I have arrived from France to act as ambassador here in Castile, should you choose to accept me.

King Louis sneds his best greetings to you both, and he is glad to see that his uncle and aunt has once more opened Castile to the world."

He also delivers a sealed letter.

[Euro-Maniac]

A short and round man enters the court of the King and Queen of Castilla-Leon and bows low.

I bring cordial greetings from the far away, cold lands, of Rus. I am Boris Yafov, her majesty's diplomat. Will you accept me as a diplomat of Rus? Shall you send an ambassador to her court in Rus?

He bows again and smiles, awaiting a response.

[KingWittelsbach]

Duke Carlos of Alba smiles and nods somewhat mystified by the Rus representative to the court. While Queen Elionor is away she delegated royal power to the Duke of Alba. He graciously nods and speaks:





Boris Yafov I greet you in the name of Queen Elionor of Castile-Leon. I am curious as to what mission your ruler has sent you on, our two nations being so far apart.

[Euro-Maniac]

Boris nodded and replied.

My majesty sent me hear to open Rus to the lands of the West, and we have heard in the lands of Rus, the vast riches and greatness of the Kingdom of Castilla-Leon. She wishes to learn more of what the west has, and wishes to teach the west what riches the East has as well. This is my goal, to act as a communication and trader between our two glorious realms. Your grace.

He bows again and awaits a response.

[Priam]

A message from Brittany

From Jean VI de Montford, by the Grace of God Duke of Brittany to her Majesty Queen Elinor de Trastamara of Castille-Leon: Greetings and blessings upon you.

Given the recent disturbances we have heard occured in your court, we felt it wise to reconfirm your membership in the Biscay Trade Pact. We also seek permission to include a handful of new members whose names are attached in another, sealed, note. We hope that you will continue to maintain this profitable relationship with Brittany, and we wish for the continued success of your fortunes.

Jean VI de Montford
Duke of Brittany