Great Engellex
Established Nation
The National Ambitions
Drieheerenlanden
Drieheerenlanden
17th October 1953
Kasteel Duivenvoorde, just outside Leidschendam, Lisse
Despite the fact that a smart black automobile, quite escaping the grasp of ownership for the majority of Lisser peoples, had carried the ancient gentleman of court to Kasteel Duivenvoorde (official residence of Adelheid II), the footman simply eyed the guest with a silent preoccupation - and then, after a moment, proceeded to ask who he intended to see. Hare Majesteit de Koningin, the guest replied, with such quiet, patronizing intonation which was found quite proper to a man of significance who had grown old in society and at court. He was Frederik III's representative to the court of Adelheid - Commissarie van de Koning, Hendrik Merkus de Kock. He was wearing an embroidered court uniform, of a black and sober variation quite representative of the calvinist realm under Frederik, with matching shoes and a brilliantly coloured sash. The footman declared the arrival. Excellent, Hendrik replied, without changing his voice and in a tone in which one could discern mockery.
Just as Hendrik reached the bottom of the staircase, a portly man in a more cheerful of court uniforms came marching down, it was one of Adelheid's private secretarys. He received Hendrik in silence, and with a welcomed look. What did the bishops have to say? Hendrik asked, in a frustrated monotone. They are still with the Queen, the secretary replied. Hendrik stared at the fellow, before responding to the information by shaking his head and levelling a frigid, offensive observation toward the corridor above them - where the queen held the audience. I suspect my entrance may be an ordeal that the bishops should never forgive her Majesty for, Hendrik spoke, with a calmness and courtesy that the secretary bowed. The Prince-Archbishop of Hillegom would often clash privately with Frederik III should he desire policy adoption or alteration, and so, as a natural consequence, the Prince-Archbishop focused his argument and persuasion upon Adelheid II. The frustrations of Frederik extended beyond his person, to influence his ministers and commissioners, thus it was always with resentment that Hendrik should be dutiful in representing the king at a castle guaranteed to be bustling with the intriguing catholic bishops.
As the two gentleman on the stairs conversed, they observed rather suddenly how the audience with the queen was becoming increasingly more animated - they could quite clearly hear the arguments being made by the queen's ministers and those of the bishops. The more senior of the bishops forming the small delegation from Hillegom informed Adelheid and her ministers, including Gerrit Thorbecke, Count Schimmelpenninck - the foreign affairs secretary who they explicity asked to also be there, that the Prince-Archbishop will be forming an aggressive frontier against communism in an address to the States-General. What concerned Adelheid and Schimmelpenninck especially, was that the address was to pay particular attention to suspected financial support to terror and violence by certain communist nations against Cantignia. But why should we involve ourselves in those affairs - the hazard to this kingdom is especially great, argued Schimmelpinninck. The senior bishop of the delegation was Franciscus Josefus van Vree, a tall, thin-faced grey man who supported the ambitions of his Prince-Archbishop. The reasoning is perfectly apparent, Franciscus said. The communist hydra is quite aware of the lack of cohesion amongst states of this continent, and his Highness cannot remain silent and simply observe the -ism threaten this kingdom, and the civilisation of this continent - the sacredness of our christendom, he placed empasis on the word our, as if to assure that this was not an interest solely for the catholic peoples. Schimmelpenninck slammed his palm against the table in frustration, angering the queen, you want a crusade - they always want a crusade!
Franciscus returned to Adelheid, and politely reminded her that herself and Frederik were unable to conceal matters, however casual, from the Prince-Archbishop. Should they secure a foothold in Cantignia.. he begun , then paused, to ensure he had Schimmelpinninck's attention too. What possibilities exist for a success of a colonial enterprise in the south? Adelheid refused to confirm or deny any discussions on such a topic, though foolishly cast a glance at Schimmelpinninck. The address will not be endorsed, the queen calmly informed the bishops, but it shall not be condemned by me. I do, however, request that you persuade the Prince-Archbishop to remove any and all definitions for war or confrontation from it. I should regard it as a personal favour.