A new golden age dawneth across the continent, forged by the triumphant will of France (2-20). The old divisions are no more, supplanted by the solitary dominion of a single consecrated crown. 'Courage and discipline have settled the matter where endless embassy failed,' noted a chancellor of France. Bishops across France celebrated high mass, chanting the Te Deum before crowded naves.
Merchants arriving from the Michaelmas fair relate that the preeminence of France (2-20) is virtually unassailable, holding 9 strongholds and seeking only 0 keeps to seal its total triumph. Desperate emissaries ride day and night seeking any power willing to resist. 'When lances strike in unison, no oak gatehouse can long bar the way,' noted a scarred man-at-arms. Foreign ambassadors met in neutral taprooms, whispering behind fur collars as couriers passed by.
Sentries upon the curtain wall report that the realm of France (2-20) hath registered an astonishing gain of 4 strongholds during the year's hostilities. Such rapid growth hath altered the calculations of every neighboring court. 'A stout heart beneath plain mail is worth a dozen gilded cowards,' grinned a veteran sergeant. The court jester observed that kingdoms are traded for glory, but a hot bowl of pottage still fetcheth the greater gratitude.
Overextension and supply failures have brought bitter reckoning to England (karashc), resulting in the loss of 2 keeps. Outlying garrisons were forced to evacuate to protect the royal core. A sombre silence descended upon the halls of England, where councillors faced the bitter reckoning of defeat. Scribes were relieved to find that the new ruler's name was three letters shorter, saving precious sheepskin on every writ.
The undisturbed solitude of Castile is no more, enrolled henceforth into the feudal rent-roll of France (2-20). Neighboring courts exchanged formal laments, but the sword upon the hearth brooks little argument. Neutral dukes summoned their chancellors to examine old rolls of lineage and boundary claims. Court poets are already discovering that the conqueror's grandfather was, by astonishing fortune, a paragon of chivalry.
In a brazen act of perfidy, warriors of France (2-20) fell upon the exposed rear of Burgundy (чемпион.) at Calais. Blood was also spilled at Dauphine, where neither side yielded ground. The betrayal hath shattered whatever remnants of chivalric trust remained between contending houses. 'Let him who boasteth of triumph take heed lest his own keep be beleaguered on the morrow,' cautioned a border castellan. Dismay seized the squires of Burgundy as shattered lances and bloodied banners were borne through the postern.
A royal messenger changing horses at the abbey post hath sworn that the bitter feud between Burgundy (чемпион.) and England (karashc) hath now raged for 3 years running, with neither sovereign willing to petition for peace. Border villages have been burned and rebuilt until only blackened stone and stubborn pride remain. Scribes in the scriptorium sigh weary prayers as parchment must once more be scraped clean to redraw the borders. 'The lines upon our sheepskin charts must be scraped clean yet again,' sighed a court cartographer.
Of all the proud castles once held by England (karashc), none remains in its allegiance save Devon. The local granaries are closely guarded, and every inhabitant capable of lifting a billhook has been summoned to the bailey. 'Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,' murmured a mendicant friar. Merchants in England withheld shipments of grain and wool, unwilling to trust credit to a shrinking crown.
Burgundy (чемпион.) loseth 1 stronghold to the foe, retaining a reduced domain of 6 strongholds. The bailiffs of England (karashc) collect lighter purses, stripped of 2 holdings to keep only 1 holding. The feudal ledger of France (2-20) swells with newly pledged homages, advancing by 4 castles to stand at 9 castles.
An intercepted parchment suggesteth that lords of England and captains of France took supper together in a neutral forest hunting lodge in 1427. Abbey chroniclers note with raised brows that chancellors of England and France shared a cordial roast swan while their archers strung their bows.
A sudden blizzard blanketeth the high passes in 1427, halting pack-mules and isolating mountain keeps until thaw.
STRAYED: A brindle mastiff answering to 'Grip,' collar of boiled leather with brass buckle. Finder rewarded with two flagons of ale.
| Power | Centres | ± |
|---|---|---|
| France (2-20) | 9 | +4 |
| Burgundy (чемпион.) | 6 | -1 |
| England (karashc) | 1 | -2 |