- Joined
- Aug 30, 2009
- Messages
- 2,646
- Location
- Free State of Bavaria
- Capital
- Zittau
- Nick
- ErAn, Franken, ArEn
OOC: It is set to happen on December 26th, for a number of reasons I already start today.
Gründlach Castle
Duchy of Schlesnitz
If you had to describe Burg Gründlach, which was the ancestral seat of the House of [wiki]Knýtling[/wiki], in a few words, you would probably liken it to late medieval period castle from the outside, but with the comfort of the modern age in the inside. It was a large castle with a moat and still intact drawing bridge. However, the moat was used as a park featuring beautiful plants and flowers each spring and summer. Other than the official seat of the monarchy, i.e. the Königsburg in Nürnberg, this castle was held privately by the House of Knýtling via its own Knýtling Domains Administration (KDV). Nonetheless, it was under the permanent protection of the Royal Guards, whose units had the traditional double role of combat soldier and royal body guard. Despite the law’s best intentions it was hard to keep the roles of head of house and head of state fully separate.
Traditionally the senior members of the Kingdom’s Privy Council, i.e. the so-called Great Officers of State, were treated to a royal invitation on the second day of Christmas or Boxing Day as Guianans and Anglynians liked to call it. Usually the invitation was extended to one or two nations not directly allied with Franken. This year the Potenzians were given the honour. Of course there was always a political motive; what person would be gullible enough to suspect there wasn’t one? The objective was to show Potenza how much they had to lose if they ever gave up their neutrality in Engellex’ favour. Franken’s first shot had been directed towards the Grand Duke, but that was only to ensure he wouldn’t send a puny underling as a lieutenant but senior members of the ruling elite.
As every Great Officer of State had brought his or her spouse, there were several people including the royal and princely couples. By order of precedence the Potenzians were introduced to:
It was obvious it was the nucleus of Franken’s ruling elite assembled in Gründlach Castle, whose compound was picturesquely powered with lots and lots of snow. While everyone was mingling for the initial reception before the actual banquet, Prince Regent Jakob told the two Counts and Fr. Teodoro “You see, gentlemen, Franken has been doing relatively well by merging the best of lots of forms of government. There’s the senior representative of our elected civil government, then we have the senior figure of the church as well as a prominent representative of the Catholic creed. As with every community consisting of normal men and women, there are frictions and disputes, sometimes even larger mistakes. In the end of the day it’s the Sovereign’s heavy burden to make a final decision. To make the decision as well-informed and reasonable as possible, the Sovereign receives input from several sides, as you can see. Alas, I don’t want to bore you with a long talk about our system of government. I just want to ensure you draw the correct conclusions. Please do help yourself to any drink or refreshment and talk to anyone you like to. If I’m informed correctly, the banquet will begin in about 30 minutes, give or take a few mins.”
With a polite and warm smile he and his wife moved on to talk with the Duke and Duchess of Bamberg.
(1) The Lord Chancellor is the Ministerpresident
(2) Anna von Coburg und Gotha is the Lutheran Archbishop of Nürnberg and ceremonial church leader
(3) Also reps of the premier Catholic house
Gründlach Castle
Duchy of Schlesnitz
If you had to describe Burg Gründlach, which was the ancestral seat of the House of [wiki]Knýtling[/wiki], in a few words, you would probably liken it to late medieval period castle from the outside, but with the comfort of the modern age in the inside. It was a large castle with a moat and still intact drawing bridge. However, the moat was used as a park featuring beautiful plants and flowers each spring and summer. Other than the official seat of the monarchy, i.e. the Königsburg in Nürnberg, this castle was held privately by the House of Knýtling via its own Knýtling Domains Administration (KDV). Nonetheless, it was under the permanent protection of the Royal Guards, whose units had the traditional double role of combat soldier and royal body guard. Despite the law’s best intentions it was hard to keep the roles of head of house and head of state fully separate.
Traditionally the senior members of the Kingdom’s Privy Council, i.e. the so-called Great Officers of State, were treated to a royal invitation on the second day of Christmas or Boxing Day as Guianans and Anglynians liked to call it. Usually the invitation was extended to one or two nations not directly allied with Franken. This year the Potenzians were given the honour. Of course there was always a political motive; what person would be gullible enough to suspect there wasn’t one? The objective was to show Potenza how much they had to lose if they ever gave up their neutrality in Engellex’ favour. Franken’s first shot had been directed towards the Grand Duke, but that was only to ensure he wouldn’t send a puny underling as a lieutenant but senior members of the ruling elite.
As every Great Officer of State had brought his or her spouse, there were several people including the royal and princely couples. By order of precedence the Potenzians were introduced to:
- Their Majesties, King Alfred IV and Queen Margarethe
- Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Regent Jakob and Duchess Franziska Isabel
- The Lord High Steward and his wife Her Highness Duchess Ulrike von Bamberg
- The Lord High Chancellor and his wife Her Highness Duchess Anne von Guttenberg
- The Lord Chancellor and his wife Countess Maria Solms (1)
- The Prior of the Realm and her husband Valerian von Coburg und Gotha (2)
- The Lord High Treasurer and his wife Her Highness Margravine Yolanda von Oberrhön-Greifswalde
- The Lord Great Chamberlain and his wife Her Highness Duchess Elenore von Coburg und Gotha
- The Lord Chamberlain and his wife Kristin Vogelweide
- The Marshal of the Realm and his wife Her Highness Duchess Erika von Faber-Castell (3)
It was obvious it was the nucleus of Franken’s ruling elite assembled in Gründlach Castle, whose compound was picturesquely powered with lots and lots of snow. While everyone was mingling for the initial reception before the actual banquet, Prince Regent Jakob told the two Counts and Fr. Teodoro “You see, gentlemen, Franken has been doing relatively well by merging the best of lots of forms of government. There’s the senior representative of our elected civil government, then we have the senior figure of the church as well as a prominent representative of the Catholic creed. As with every community consisting of normal men and women, there are frictions and disputes, sometimes even larger mistakes. In the end of the day it’s the Sovereign’s heavy burden to make a final decision. To make the decision as well-informed and reasonable as possible, the Sovereign receives input from several sides, as you can see. Alas, I don’t want to bore you with a long talk about our system of government. I just want to ensure you draw the correct conclusions. Please do help yourself to any drink or refreshment and talk to anyone you like to. If I’m informed correctly, the banquet will begin in about 30 minutes, give or take a few mins.”
With a polite and warm smile he and his wife moved on to talk with the Duke and Duchess of Bamberg.
(1) The Lord Chancellor is the Ministerpresident
(2) Anna von Coburg und Gotha is the Lutheran Archbishop of Nürnberg and ceremonial church leader
(3) Also reps of the premier Catholic house