[MR] news from Burgundy

[Karen Setze]

Fellow citizens of Atlantia:

As I mentioned when I wrote you of the terrible murder of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, many, including King Henry of England, fifth of the name, and we in Bright Hills, have been concerned to know the mind and policy of the new duke, previously known as Philip, Count of Charolais.

The old duke, throughout his reign, had continued a trade truce between Burgundy and England, but despite yearly negotiations, never struck a political alliance with that nation. Nonetheless, while two of his brothers fought with their French relations and were among the glittering nobility cut down by King Henry’s small army at Agincourt, the duke himself was not present at the battle.

I wrote to friends in Burgundy, and fortunately they are of sufficient status so as to be privy to the counsels of Duke Philip’s advisors. Knowing their minds may be of importance for a while, since the new duke is a young man, just 23, though not without experience in ruling. He has lived at Ghent, administering the northern counties of the duchy, Flanders and Artois, for his father for the past two years.

There were four arguments presented for rejecting an English alliance. The first reason given was that the duke of Burgundy is the principal vassal of the crown of France, and has a duty to protect, not alienate that crown. The second reason is that he is the senior peer of France, and ought to summon the three Estates of the realm in this crisis. Thirdly, it was said, he could not risk making war in France on the King of England’s behalf without the authorization of the royal court currently under his protection at Troyes, for such a course of action might cause Queen Isabel to seek a settlement with her son, the dauphin, from whom she is currently estranged. And the final argument was that an alliance with England would benefit King Henry more than it would Burgundy.

But there proved to be even more compelling reasons to seek the alliance and recognize Henry as king of France. The counselors felt this would avoid further warfare, since King Henry has already declared his intention of having the crown of France in any case, by military conquest if necessary. Furthermore, if Duke Philip rejected the English offers, someone else would likely take them up to the duke’s disadvantage, so he might just as well allow Henry to have the crown of France. Otherwise, after the death of the present king, it would surely pass to the dauphin, Philip’s enemy, the man who arranged the murder of his father, or to the duke of Orleans, who is also an enemy to Burgundy. 
	  
I am hopeful that the Duke’s counselors are right, and that supporting King Henry will bring peace to France and Burgundy, and therefore believe that Martelle von Charlottenburg, Baroness of Bright Hills here in Atlantia, can further her plans to visit her manor at Troyes in the coming year, and hold a tournament and feast.

In fact, it may be possible that with our baroness’s friendships in many royal circles, perhaps she will persuade English nobles, as well as members of the French and Burgundian courts to attend our celebration, and taste of the skills of the barony's famed cooks, view the cleverness of her artisans, and know to respect and fear the prowess of the fearsome men at arms and mighty archers of Bright Hills.

By my hand on the feast of St. Cordula, 

Lady Yseulte Trevelyn