- ARCHIVE - Ducal Court of Brittany

[Eu_proof]

Welcome to the ducal court of Brittany. Duke Francois I de Yvernes welcomes you

National stats.
Nation: Brittany
Head of State: Francois I de Yvernes
Player: Eu_proof
Religion: Catholic
Culture: Gaelic, French
Stats: 2/2/4(5)/4/1(2) --> [2/2/5/4/2]
Provinces: 3
Ports: 3
Owned: Morbihan, Armor, Bretagne
[i]Trade Events+1 tech, +1 eco to Apr-Jun 1445

Some history:
The area were Brittany is suited today was conquered by Julius Caesar in the Gallic Wars and became part of the province of Lugdunensis. It received its modern name when it was settled (c.500) by Britons. Breton history is a long struggle for independence-first from the Franks (5th-9th century), then from the dukes of Normandy and the counts of Anjou (10th-12th century), and then from England and France.

In 1196, Arthur I, an Angevin , was acknowledged as duke. King John of England, who presumably murdered him (1203), failed to obtain the duchy, which passed to Arthur's brother-in-law, Peter I (Peter Mauclerc). The extinction of his direct line led to the War of the Breton Succession (1341-65), a part of the Hundred Years War . With the end of the Breton war, the dukedom was won by the house of Montfort .Luke VII is the nineth Duke of Brittany descended from this line.



History under Luke VII de Montfort
Became duke when his father died in February 1441. In June 1441, England and its allies declared war upon Nordmandy and Brittany choosed to join Nordmandy. After about two months, Luke signed a peace-treaty with England. In January 1442, he was killed due a conspiracy under the lead of Francois, his half-brother who he had put in prison during his father´s last days in life.

History under Francois I de Yvernes
Became duke when Luke VII de Montfort was killed. Signed the treaty of trade and support with France 1442. In 1443 he signed a tradetreaty with Aragon and one with Burgundy.


Important characters in Brittany:


Francois I de Yvernes: Son of the former chancellor who died in 1439, he is very interested in discovering the meaning of text in the bible. Was the one who first of all dicovered the conpiracy against the former duke and was loyal to him under all hi time alive. He got appointed as the duke due a letter by Luke VII de Montfort after his death. He is married to the daughter of Miguel Bespion.


Juilan Yvernes: Son to Francois de Yvernes and therefore he got called home from Wales where he was the envoy from Brittany.

Dead dukes

Luke Montfort:
Was born in 1400 by Jean VI de Montfort and Alice Montfort. Ruled Brittany 1440-January 1441. He spended most of his childhood in the castle of Montfort where his father raised him up to be a good hier for him. He never was never so interested in women, but paintings was his big interest, and he was the one that lead Jean Robteil to the castle of Montfort. In 1441, when his father died, he became the duke of Brittany. Died in a conspiracy against him in January 1442.


Jean VI DE MONTFORT:
Borned in 1366. Ruled 1399-1441, John died after a time in illness.

The Counsel
The Chansellor:

Jean Robteil:
Was born 1397 in a poor family, about his parents very little is known, but he had a brother who unfortunatly died in plauge in 1412. As Jean worked hard all days to get some money, he was a good painter and one day in 1426, a young man from the Montfort-familly (Luke Montfort, the son of the king) saw him and took him to the castle of Montfort. There he became the Court-painter and he became a close friend of Lukes. Soon the king recognized that he was a very clever man and nowadays, he rules the country of Brittany togheter with the current duke, Luke VII de Montfort of Brittany.


The universal judge:
Julius de Foton of Brest: Very little is know about this man, in 1441, duke Luke VII de Montfort made him the universal judge and count of Brest and Morbidian, although nothing was knew about him.

The marshall:
Bernard de Rois: A nobleman from Nantes, served in the army for several years before he became marshall.

The admiral:
Harald de Rotfort: A noble man from Nantes, he was born in one of the most rich families of Bretagne, the Rotfort family. He is a excellent strategiest and would not leave a battle unless he got an arrow in his heart.

The treasurer:
Eric Frisois: Born in December, 1400 as son of a general, one of the most respected in the army, owns a store in the market of Nantes.

Former members of the counsel
The former treasurer:
Robert Laurence: Although he was born in England, his father was from Brittany and shortly after he was born, the family moved there as his father were a close friend of Jean Robteil. He loves money and is described as "A man who could kill his own mother for a hand of bread". Participated in the conspiracy against Luke VII de Montfort.(DEAD)

The former Marshal:
Miguel Bespion: Born in 1415 as a son of a servant of the king, he raised quickly at the court. In 1425, when the former general died, he became the state general (marshal)of Brittany.(due his involemnt in the death of Luke VII de Montfort and his disappearance, he is no longer the marshal).

[Eu_proof]

Treaties:
Non-Agression pact with Nordmandy:
ARTICLE I.
Both High Contracting Parties obligate themselves to desist from any act of violence, any aggressive action, and any attack on each other, either individually or jointly with another Power or Powers.

ARTICLE II.
Should one of the High Contracting Parties become the object of belligerent action by a third Power, the other High Contracting Party shall in no manner lend its support to this third Power.

ARTICLE III.
The Ducal Courts of the two High Contracting Parties shall in the future maintain continual contact with one another for the purposes of consultation in order to exchange information on problems which may affect their common interests.

ARTICLE IV.
Should disputes or conflicts arise between the High Contracting Parties over problems of one kind or another, both parties shall settles these disputes or conflicts exclusively through friendly exchange of opinion or, if necessary, through the establishment of arbitration commissions to the satisfaction of both parties.

ARTICLE V.
The present Treaty is concluded for a period of fives years, with the provision that, in so far as one of the High Contracting Parties does not advance it one year prior to the expiration of this period, the validity of this treaty shall automatically be extended for another three years.

Treaty of Nantes with England

The Treaty et Nantes
In Regards to Peace

1. The Kingdom of England and Duchy of Brittany shall cease to be in the state of war declared by Brittany upon England and shall have peace throughout the war in Normandy.

2. The vassals of England, being Wales, Aquitaine, and Scotland shall as their Overlord have peace as well with Brittany.

In Regards to Trade

1. Fishing rights shall be firmly established by agents of both lands who shall convene in St. Malo in several weeks time to determine the quality and depth of the channel waters between England and Brittany to set said rights.

2. Cross Channel Trade

a. Both Nations shall have a trade entrepot established at the most convenient locations in either Realm on the Channel coast. As such England shall set up a warehouse in St. Malo and Brittany shall have its choice of the Cornwall ports of Warem, Exeter, or Plymouth, Plymouth as the most likely loacation.

b. Brittany shall purchase all of its raw wool and textiles from England, via the Port at St. Malo. This shall be done at a 20% discount.

c. As well England shall import from Brittany an amount comparable in Wine and odd wares from Brittany via Brittany's trade ports at a corresponding discount of 20%

d. The spirit of these accords is to increase trade volume and profits in this sector of the Channel as well as moderate fishing disputes and stabilize the price of dried fish in the region.

In Regards to Future Relations

1. Neither England nor Brittany shall take up arms against eachother for 2 years time, lest a rightful and just Casus Belli irrefutable by God is manifested.

2. Both realms shall agree to discuss and consider treaty's of non-aggression or alliance in the immediate future, as the Breton's of Brittany and the people of the British Isles are akin and ancestor and ought to live in peace and brotherhood.

In the Year of Our Lord 1441 - Signed

[x]Regent John Stafford, for John III King of England
[x]Luke VII Duke of Brittany

Treaty with France about trade and cooperation:

I. Goods shall be traded once in a month between the noble cities Paris in France and Nantes in Brittany. .

II. Merchants from Brittany shall be treated as inhabitants of France while there, and shall pay no other taxes that local merchants do.

III. Merchants of France be treated as inhabitants of Brittany while there, and shall pay no other taxes than local merchants do.

IV. Should any nation attack Brittany or France, the other country should immediately come to its help.

V. In case of any of the signing nations entering a conflict the other country shall look in favour for requests for monetary aid.

[x]- Francois I de Yvernes, Duke of Brittany

[X]-Louis XI, King of France, Head of the House of Valois, Overlord and Protector of Provence.


Trade treaty with Aragon
"Treaty of trade between Brittany and Aragon

Article I:
a. A customer house will be build to merchants from Aragon in S:T Malo.
b. If Brittany should expand their trade in the southern and/or western Europe, Brittany will have the rights to

build a store house for trade goods in Barcelona.

Article II:
a. Once every three months, a large transmission of fish, wine and naval goods will be trsnsported from Brittany to

Aragon.
b. Once every three months, a transmission of wines and silver from aragon will be transported to Brittany.

Article III: Merchants from Brittany shall pay half the local taxes of Zaragoza, as shall merchants from Aragon in

Nantes and S:T Malo.

Duration of this treaty shall be 5 years.

Signed:
[x]Francois I de Yvernes, duke of Brittany
[x]Constantine I, King of Aragon

Trade treaty with Burgundy

Brittany Burgundy Trade Agreement

About trade:
a. A large sending of wine shall be traded from Brest to Antwerp , once a month.
b. A large sending of clothes from Antwerp to Nantes.

About miltary:
Brittany and Burgundy swears not to attack each other under the duration to this agreement.

The duration shall be renegotiated every 5 years.

Signed:
[x]Francois I de Yvernes, duke of Brittany
[x]Myriam de Montainblanc, regent of Burgundy until the recovery of queen Eleanor




Alliances:
Member of the Britanin alliance with England, Wales and Scotland

Wars:




Relationships:
FRIENDLY
France
England







Ambassadours in our country:
France: Sir Louis d Rochford.
England: Hugh Courtney.
Aragon: Emmanuel de Palmo.




Our ambassadours in other countries:
In England: Louis Rosberre.
In Nordmandy: Laurent de Filles.
In Wales: Juilan Yvernes.
In France: Francis de Tryer of Bretagne.
In Aragon: Pierre Illyaume.
In Burgundy: Pierre Rubespon.

[Eu_proof]

The court is now open though it´s not really finished yet.

[Eu_proof]

It´s an early morning and a shilling wind blows as Luke Montfort walks around in the city of Nantes.

Suddenly, he starts to speak, or to say at least shout in the centre of town:

"Citiescens of Nantes!" All merchandies stop and the few people who is out starts to look at him.

"Today, a new era beginns in Brittany as I, Luke Montfort, declares myself as the new duke of Brittany" the crowds starts to mumbles.

"What about the duke John VI de Montfort?" one man says.

"The duke, my father, sadly passed away yesterday evening after a times illness".
Luke starts to walk away up to the castle of Monfort.

When he gets there, he goes of to the room of Jean Robteil.

"Jean?"

"Yes my lord?"

"Can you please tell the rest of the castle that i will be holdin a speech because the death of my father in 20 minutes?"

"Of course my lord, i´m very sorry for your fathers tragical death"

"Thanks Jean"

Luke walks up the stairs to the hall of Brittany.

[Lord E]

A letter arrives from France

[AugCaesar]

A group of three men in garb of the King of England step off a bout in the harbor of Nantes. Gathering themselves they order the sailors to arrange for their baggage to be delivered to a certain home and set off towards the castle there. Once inside they seek audience with the Duke.

"His Grace Luke Montford, Duke of Brittany we bring condolences from his Majesty John III of England and his Regent John Stafford on the death of your father. His majesty prays for your father and for you." The ambassador pauses drawing his cloak around him as a stiff draft chills him. " I am Hugh Courtney, envoy of the King and representative of him in Nantes, if you shall accept me. He sends me to offer our friendship and asks if you may be interested in negotiating a treaty of trade to set fishing rights and prices of fish along our coasts on the channel?"

The envoy awaited patiently a smile across his face for the Duke's answer.

[Lord E]

Sir Louis d Rochford once again enters the halls of the castle of Nantes. He walks forward to the Duke and bow.

"Noble Duke Luke VII de Montfort.
I am Sir Louis d Rochford and I use to serve as ambassador from France to Brittany under your father. I hope that you are willing to accept me, so that I can continue to serve as ambassador from France to Brittany also under your reign.

France has hopes for close and good relations with Brittany, and we hope that we will continue our good friendship.

If there is anything you want to talk to me about, just send for me. So will you accept me?"

He bowed again and awaited an answer.

[Eu_proof]

Duke Luke first turns to the man from France.

" Sir Louis d Rochford, i will be much pleased to see you work in our country again, and if you want to hand over this letter to king Louis XI, it will please me even more"

Hands over a letter.

"Now if you excuse me"

He turns to Hugh Courtney, takes a deep breath and say with a loud voice.

"Do you really think that you could insult our friends in Normdany, declare war at them and then become friends of Brittany"

He takes one more breath.

"I would like to inform you and your regent, John Stafford, that those kind of actions is not to be accepted in our country! Now, begone!"

[AugCaesar]

Hugh Courtney's face looked baffled as the Duke addressed him.

" Lord Montfort, you claim to be friends of the Normans, though they are usurpers and rebels against the crown of England?"

He stepped forward and spoke with force to the Duke, " I come here in peace from the King on matters beneficial to us all, there is no history between Normandy and Brittany, Normandy has only claimed its independence for a few scant years while the Yorkist King's laxity allowed them to do so. Now when King John asserts his rightful claims you will side with the rebellious? I beg you to reconsider and look deeper into this matter and see where the right truly lies and what would benefit you more. An alliance with a rebel Duke sanctioned by none or a pact of trade, growtn, and prospertity with the Kingdom of England. Your Grace Please reconsider."

[Eu_proof]

Luke once again turns to Hugh.

"When a land claims a country, wich has rightfully declared its independec from that land, in my opinion, that land is making a huge mistake. And not to forget, it seems that England has something against this lands as it calls themselves king of France, who knows what you have in your mind for Brittany? I think it´is you that shall reconsider this situation"

[AugCaesar]

Hugh Courtney looked to the sky and sighed, then turned back to the Duke and spoke to him.

"Your Grace the new King has not even yet been coronated as he returns from Spain. I urge you to atleast wait until he has been crowned to declare that he desires all of France or such other extravagances as you claim. The Regent John Stafford is a reasonable man and wants only to restore the Crowns long standing and right claim over Normandy what does Brittany gain by alienating a potential friend in England?

[Eu_proof]

Now, the duke was getting really tired of this man, trying to convince not to take a decision he has already made.

"I bag you now to leave as this is a decision for me to make and you shall not have any part of it, if you have any reasons for me to not make friends with whom I want i want, then please give them to me, though i must inform you that I never attended to be hotile to you but... Your behavior has made me to. "

[AugCaesar]

Courtney reviewed his letters from the King and then spoke to the Duke.

"Please your Grace I must address you in private."

[Prince Eugene]

A letter arrives from Copenhagen bearing the seal of Denmark.

"[color=sky blue]Your Grace Luke VI de Montford,

Your hostile actions towards the Kingdom of England sadden me greatly. I urge you to rescend your declaration of war against them and seek a white peace. It is naturally of your business to resent the actions of England, however it is completely unacceptable to respond equally as hostile. I view Brittany as the antagonist in this situation, unfortunately. Seek peace lest lose the favor of the Kingdom of Denmark.[/color]"

Signed,
Frederik von Schallenberg
King of Denmark, King of Norway

[Eu_proof]

The duke comes out after his talk with Courtney. Maybe he has misunderstood this situation a little bit, but... And now, Denmark has condemd his action to. All he wanted was to protect his friends in Nordmandy, though he was the only one in the Brittany courtt that supported a war against England.

He turned to courtney.

"Bring this words to your regent. I´m not changing mind in this situation if England does not take back its claims for Nordmandy, we will aid our friends there with any means posible"

Now he had only to convince the rest of the leadig men of Brittany that he as doing the right thing.

[Eu_proof]

Jean Robteil was furios. Never, had any duke of Brittany made such a foolish decision. He was on his way to a meeting with the duke and Miguuel Bespion to dicuss this matter. As he arrives to the court, Miguel and the duke is already there.

"Jean, in here"

The three men goes in to a small room with only a table and four chairs in it. The duke beginns.

"I know that both of you is very upse..."

"Of course we are! By declaring war to England, you have shown that you do not want the best for the people of Brittany!" Miguel screams and rises.

"England does not want anything but a friendly relation to us and you.. You go and ruin it by upporting the rebels of Nordmandy when England claims their rightful rule over it!"

"But Miguel, don´t you see? If England gets control of Nordmandy, who knows what they have in mind for Brittany, France and maybe the entire world after that?"

"I must admit, mylord, that i think you are making a terrible mistake here" Jean says..

"But now it´s taken and you cannot change it!"

"This is unaccepteble!"

Jean and Miguel rises and leaves the court in anger.

"Poor fools, don´t they see it coming?" Luke goes back to the court to await news from Nordmandy.

[Wulfram]

A letter arrives from Aquitaine

"Duke Luke de Montfort,

In view of your regrettable and unjustified declaration of war against my King, I must inform you that you are at war with Aquitaine. I urge you to seek peace and reconciliation with England swiftly.

Acting in my Father's name during his absence,
Sir Henry Percy, Baron Poynings, Fitz Payne and Bryan, heir to Aquitaine"

[Eu_proof]

*
He looked out through the window. Now it was time for a little talk with Jean. Every since the new duke come, all he has done was nothing but madness, and he had no control of him. Though he knew that neither Jean or Miguel would dare argue with him this Luke... He was a problem. He begun riding towards the house were Jean was sleeping out the night.
*
Jean Robteil woke up by a coughing in the shadows of the room somewere in the corner.

"Jean, wake up"

"Who is this?"

Jean blinked a few times

"You!? What are you doing here"

"You didn´t do very well in convincing him?"

"No, but we will...."

"You listen to me careful now! I haven´t seen a peace with England within a month, I will have to take care of him myself"

"That´s not nescessary! He will come to his senses and seek peace... I am sure he will.. No need to take him away... No.... Certainly not..."

"Don´t tell me what i should do! Now, return to the court!"

Jean slowly put on his clothes and begun walking.
*
Luke was reading a book when he noticed Jean coming in to the court.

"What brings you here so early? Trubles to sleep?"

"I just couldn´t sleep with such a mad decision in my mind and...."

"Enough! Remember, i´m the duke i you shall not make my decision!"

Everyone seems to scream at my suggestions today, Jean thought and continued.

"But listen to me just one minute, how could Brittany and Nordmandy possibly stand up against the combined powers of the Brittish Isles?"

"This is not about fighting a war that we will win, but helping Nordmandy and their duke against the claims that the Britains had done"

"Those are just rightful claims, Luke, those rebbelious people and their land in Nordmandy belongs to England!"

"I don´t want to here more of this crap! Leave!"

"But..."

"Leave!"
*
Luke was beginning to get real mad at everyone tring to make his decision, he got in to his private room.

"Ronald?"

"Yes lord?"

"Bring me a glass of water, and a bit of the finest fish we have."

"At once"

Now it was time for a deep searching for a plan to fight this war.
*
Miguel looked at his sleeping army. Poor men, ready to fight a war decided by the duke they put so much trust in. He was surely not a good duke, his father, the former duke, didn´t make any bad decisions at least, though he didn´t make many deciosions at all as Jean had ruled country in his days.

Suddenly, Miguel thought he saw a movement outside the camp. He took his sword.

"Anybo.."

Before he had finished his centence his sword aws beaten out of his hands and he found himself staring at a black shirt.

"You were not very attentive to things behind you i must admit Miguel"

"You?!

"Yes, me. I see you obeyed the order of the duke?"

"Yes, i didn´t want to make him suspicious"

"Good, very good. Just make sure you don´t fight the Britains unless they attack you"

"Ofcourse. Did you talk to Jean?"

"Yes, he ís going to talk to Luke and try to convince him. Otherwise, i will take care of him, now, wake your troops up and continue to march"

The visitor ride towards the night.

[Eu_proof]

When the morning comes Luke is writing a letter. Jean comes in.

"Good morning Jean, as you see, i´ve made up my mind about this war and i´ve come to the decision that a war will not benefit the people of Brittany. And, the claims England had made upon Nordmandy is, though not i support it, just rightful"

"Good"

Outside the castle, a man waits for Jean.

"He has decided to get peace with them, no need to kill him! Now, go!"

"Good, but remember... No decisions will be unknown by me"

Jean sighed when he left.

"Good lord it´s over, for this time at least"

[Lord E]

Sir Louis d Rochford enters the court and bow deep for the Duke.

"Your Grace.
News has just reached us of that your Grace has decided to get into peace with the state of England and her possessions. I have been told to come here today to tell you how much this pleases us. This is a war between England and Normandy, and we are glad that you see and understand this. We hope that this might strengthen the bonds between Gaul and England once again, and we are very glad for that peace once again will settle in the Duchy of Brittany!"

He bows deep again, and walks slowly out.