HRE NES

[appleciders]

Well, Cyc, that times out well for me- I just started tech week of a show in the theatre, and while I'm merely the "Queen of the Costume Fairies*", I still have quite limited time. I may steal a moment for diplomacy, but that'll be it, probably until the weekend, maybe until a week from Wednesday or so.

*Yes, I'm straight and male. Trust me, you don't want to know.

[Cyclotron]

Oh one other note for foolish:

The Saxons, technically, administer the Mark Meissen with the condition of your approval. This means that it is up to you to set the boundaries of exactly what the Mark Meissen is. If you don't, the Saxons will assume it includes "anything that can be taken from the heathen." It's your call, I'm just noting that you have to set the limits for expansion or the Duchies will set them for you.

The same applies to Bavaria's expansion of Carinthia into Vienna and the Wachau.

[foolish_icarus]

If new duchies were to be established, what is the accepted policy for appointing a duke for the region? Is there an accepted policy? From whence would this duke typically come? Is there a smaller unit of organization than a duchy, like a baron or something, that would administer such a newly conquered region, and answer to the king, not a duke?

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by foolish_icarus
If new duchies were to be established, what is the accepted policy for appointing a duke for the region? Is there an accepted policy? From whence would this duke typically come? Is there a smaller unit of organization than a duchy, like a baron or something, that would administer such a newly conquered region, and answer to the king, not a duke?

In cases where the ducal line in pre-existing (e.g. Bohemia), it is usually accepted that the ducal line will remain valid. Generally, recognition of the current Duke's rights (and by extension, the rights of his kin) is something the King must recognize as a part of the oath of fealty from the vassal to the King, which describes the responsibilities of the King as well.

In cases where a ducal line is not pre-existing (e.g. Thuringia), or a Duchy is conquered from a Duke who is considered illegitimate by the King (e.g. if you were to forcefully conquer, say, Croatia), a Duke would be appointed by the King. The King can appoint, theoretically, whoever he wants to administer a region, though it will almost always be a Graf (count) that is then promoted to Herzog (duke). This is usually not a local, but rather a trusted friend of the King, or a noble that the King owes a favor to.

Barons (Freiherren) are the small noble landowners that exist under Counts. They cannot report directly to a King, because the feudal system isn't structured that way.

A territory could be administered by the King through a Count; because the King of Germany is also a Duke, he can have Counts reporting directly to him. Specifically, this kind of Count would be called a Markgraf (literally, "March Count," translated in other languages as "Markgrave" or "Marquis"). The King could appoint an existing Graf (which could include generals of that rank) to the administrative position of Markgraf, who would administer a territory directly for the King.

The bottom line is that the King can do anything theoretically, but is bound in practice by 1) the structure of the feudal system and 2) his relationships with and commitments to his vassals.

[Micha]

OOC: I do hope my beloved king remembers the consens reached via PM before the campaign started...

[foolish_icarus]

There's a lot of things I have to remember. But you need not worry. Unless something I've forgotten about pops up, I intend to authorize this...thing. (As you can see, a more careful second reading of the update is in order )

[appleciders]

Ah... a spare moment for diplomacy.

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Duke Vratislaus of Bohemia
My fellow Duke, I wish you my condolences at the loss of your brother, but I thank God Almighty that he returned to the light of Christianity when he did, and I greatly appreciate your desire to follow in his footsteps as a Christian Duke, and support the Holy Church.
Unfortunately, I must urge careful and cautious movement in this area. My own army is worn down and weakened by several years of campaigning, and the inconclusive battle with the Magyars this past year leaves me in a poor position to go charging off into the teeth of another battle. I hope to gain at least one year of rest to reequip my army and prepare for the final extermination of the Magyars.
I understand and admire your determination to free your people, and I admit I would make the same decisions you have were I in your shoes. I tell you all this so that you may see why I don't want to mount an agressive campaign this year. The final decision, of course, lies with my King, but I myself would rather rest a year.


Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to Duke Tomislav of Dalmatia
While I understand your actions, I urge you to enter this war against the heathen Magyars as soon as is possible for you. Your assistance will be most valued.

[Cyclotron]

God has smiled upon HRE NES, and - taking the material form of my politics prof - has given me an extension on one of my papers. This doesn't mean I'm off the hook, nor does it mean updates are certain before friday afternoon, but it does increase the likelihood of updates occuring before then somewhat.

Duke Vratislaus of Bohemia to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
Your hesitation is completely unacceptable. The Burgundinians have arrived, my Bohemian forces no longer side with the Magyars, and the Thuringian allies of the Magyar army have been crushed. There will not come a better time to strike than now! If we delay, thousands of my people - many of them Christians - will be slaughtered by the Magyars; it is a miracle they have held out so far. My brother has not died so that we can vacillate while his subjects perish. If we do not strike now we shall be answerable to God for our cowardice.

Duke Tomislav of Dalmatia to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
I will reassess the situation when my assistance is no longer required by the Roman Empire. I, for one, have no interest in seeing Simeon become master of Constantinople, and once that threat is safely removed I will deal with the Magyars in the way I see fit. For now they are useful associates of the Greeks.

[Micha]

Duke Heinrich of Saxony to the German Dukes (and King)

My liege, my fellow dukes, by the grace of god we have utterly defeated the Thuringian Slaws on the field of battle. The Mark Meissen is now under Christian German rule, while the local warlords have fled into the forests and mountains. Should King Conrad acknowledge Saxon rulership in the Mark, our main battle force will leave this year to join the German army to march against the Magyars.

Of course the new territories need to be garrisoned and cleared of Wendish resistance, but once the land is enfeoffed it shall become a strong German base to guard the homelands of all dukes against the heathen raiders.

In the name of god a good part of the land will be given to the church, as soon as it is secure for our lord´s servants to spread his word to the pagan peasants.

Signed
- Duke Heinrich of Saxony

[Cyclotron]

Note that the 915 Update has been finalized with the Duchy-specific news. There is important stuff here, so take a look.

[foolish_icarus]

I, Conrad acknowledge and appoint the Good Duke Heinrich as ducal ruler of The Mark Meissen.

My Dukes, allies, and generals must know that we will this very year meet the Magyar horde once again. Their will be little time for rest, but we must move regardless, or the decisions will be taken squarely away from us and made by the Magyar.

[appleciders]

And the miracle of updates during finals week is now realized. Wasn't there something about that in Revelations? I wonder if that makes you the Second Coming or just the Antichrist? I should check, but first, my reactions: Ouch in Carinthia, yay in Bavaria. Vratislaus won't be thrilled if I deal with Carinthia, but I may need to do that anyway. Maybe Berengar can help out, and we can squish the Magyars between our armies. Micha, does your offer of troops still stand after that update?

Duke Arnulf of Bavaria to King Berengar of Friuli
It has come to my attention that a minor Magyar army bearing much loot from their sack of my city Eppenstein has moved across my border into yours. While I may not be able to spare my entire army, I should be able to provide enough to allow us to catch the Magyar army from two directions. Would you be interested in cooperating here?

[Cyclotron]

King Berengar of Friuli to Duke Arnulf of Bavaria
Unfortunately, We will be unable to meet this raiding party in the field, as We are already preparing for the campaign into southern Italy sanctioned by His Holiness the Pope. Our border garrisons will be more than able to deal with the threat. Any pillage from the sack of Eppenstein that we recover from them will be returned to you. The problem is well in hand and your assistance is not required.

Kindly do not advance your forces onto Italian soil. We have had enough problems from your former vassal, Luitpold von Frelsing, who - as a result of your failure to deal with him properly - has turned to brigandage in Our lands. We have no desire to see any more of your "vassals" turned loose on Our estates.

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by Micha
by the grace of god we have utterly defeated the Thuringian Slaws

Your German is showing

[Ecthy]

I know it isn't around yet, but can I play as margrave of Brandenburg?

OR of Meissen maybe if you insist on avoiding anachronisms