Press Release 2/2/1770

Dateline: Malmaison, Normandie, 2 February, 1770, Agence Normandie Presse
Byline: Roland Pressiot
Subject: New Castille Appeals for Normand Intervention

Chancellor d’Anger, in a special meeting with the press this afternoon, has announced the Government’s receipt of an emergency appeal from New Castille. According to the Chancellor, Prime Minister Castelman of New Castille has requested the King send troops to New Castille to intervene in the situation.

“His Majesty has taken the request under advisement and is examining the situation closely,” the Chancellor reported. The King is in consultation with his Government, as well as allies and other interested parties, in an endeavor to find the find the best resolution to the situation in New Castille.

“Neither the King nor the Normand people wish to become embroiled in the internal affairs of other nations if the vital interests of both are not served,” the Chancellor continued. “Given the previous proclamations regarding the situation, the King is trying to decide if this situation fits the criteria He has set forth, regarding New Castille.”

Readers may recall that Delphia has pledged support to Normandie if the situation requires. Attempts to contact the Ambassadors from Iberia, Kent, and Canterbury were unsuccessful. This reporter was able to speak with the Karlsburger Ambassador, Erich von Westrich, who smiled and said, “Time will tell.”

The Chancellor also informed the assembled Press that the King had been working on two major announcements to be released today, but that the rapid development of events in the west would probably push them back.

Press Release 2/1/1770

Dateline: Malmaison, Normandie, 1 February, 1770, Agence Normandie Presse
Byline: Roland Pressiot
Subject: New Castille Crisis

Responding to the news continuing to leak out of the struggling Principality of New Castille, King Richard of Normandie has released the following statement.

“Given the unfortunate situation in her homeland, the Queen has announced that she would be willing to step in to the fray. As you are undoubtedly aware, Marie-Alice is the sole surviving great granddaughter of the late Prince Roderick of New Castille, the grand-father of the late Prince Charles. Her grandfather, Clermont di Narvi, was the uncle of the late Prince.

After much soul-searching and close consultation with Chancellor D’Anger and Minister of State di Narvi, she would be willing to return to her homeland and serve as head of state, if no closer consanguineous relative is found, and if, and only, if the people of New Castille so request.

If such event were to occur, We have decreed that the Crown Prince Pierre-Paul will renounce any claim on the Principality that would fall to him under normals laws of Succession, and allow the crown to pass to his brother, Prince Mathieu-Luc. We fervently hope this action will remove any charges of dynastic ambiton on the part of Normandie

Again, let Us repeat, this situation would only be consummated should both of the requirements be met. There must be no claimant with a closer blood claim and there must be a request from New Castille that she claim the throne.

Beyond this announcement, the Kingdom of Normandie shall take no further action of any kind in regards to the Sovereign Principality of New Castille.”

Neither Chancellor D’Anger nor Minister di Narvi were available for comment. It should be noted that Philippe di Narvi is the brother of the Queen and a native of New Castille. He came to Normandie with the then-future Queen’s entourage. His keen intellect and winning personality made him indispensible to the Queen and, ultimately, the King, as well. Being the younger sibling, apparently it has been decided that the Queen’s claim takes precedence, although this is only surmise on the part of this reporter.

La Familie Royale

The Royal Family of Normandie

SMR Richard I (de Vannes), King of Normandie, Duc de Malmaison, Lord of the Isles

Second son of the late (mostly unlamented) King Leonard X, the eldest (Leonard) having died in childhood. A large man, well over 6 feet and well over 200 pds, disgustingly healthy, a great horseman, a fair general, a lover of art and peace. A patron of the Church (he funded the restoration of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Malmaison) yet a moderate on issues of the schism.

Descendant of the line of de Vannes and colatterally of the de Fetre kings, he has dynastic claims on both Kent and Canterbury, although the War of the Hundred Years pretty much put paid to those claims on the parts of both the Normand and Cantabrigian royals, as well as bits of Penn, Galway, and St Gall. A man of basically peaceful temperament, he has never made any issue over these claims and shows no signs of so doing.

Born in the spring of 1731, he is just about to turn 40.

He is married to

SMR Marie-Alice (nee Maria-Alicia di Narvi of New Castille)

The Queen is of quiet and pleasant demeanor and a great companion and comfort to her husband. She is not active in political activities, but is very involved in religious studies and activities, particularly charitable activities. She is a great hostess and the bals and soirees at Balvenue Palace are famed throughout Europa.

The Queen was born in 1730 in Bayreuth, a descendant of a grand uncle of the late Prince Charles.

Their Children

SAR Pierre-Paul, Crown Prince of Normandie, Duc d’Abrente

Eldest child of Richard and Marie-Alice, heir to throne.

Tall as his father, but of leaner builder. Highly intelligent, he is a great scholar and counted un grand philosophe. A fair horseman, excellent swordsman, he is an intuitive tactician and expected to be a brilliant general.

Unmarried as yet, although rumors swirl. Reported to have fathered (like his father, and grandfather, and great-grandfather, etc unto the mists of time) at least one bastard child, although, at this moment, known are acknowledged.

Not as religious as his parents, he is still scrupulous in his religious duties, even having studied at several of the great universities in Skion.

He is Colonel of the Guard Cuirassier Regiment, the Queens Own.

His Royal Highess is 20 years of age.

SAR Elisabeth, Princess of Normandie, Duchess of Brielle

Her Royal Highness is 18 years old and a fair beauty. Keen and insightful, she has learned much from excellent tutelage, although she has not had the same higher education as her brother, due to her fair sex. She is unmarried, yet again, the rumors swirl.

SAR Mathieu-Luc, Prince of Normandie, Count of Maine

The King’s second son is 17 years of age. As tall as his father already, he is expected to be taller by the time he tops out (‘If he ever grows into those feet…’, his mother has been heard to sigh, then shake her regal head) Burly like his father, he is a great wrestler and sportsman, a great hunter, and an avid gamesman. Not as brilliant as his elder brother, he is still a fair commander of men, his good temperament and physical nature endearing him to his men. He is Colonel of the Guard Infantry Regiment, the Guard de Vannes.

His Royal Highness is not married, and the only rumors swirling (although VERY quietly) are of his overly friendly relationship with Guy du Mont, Viscomte de Chimay.

SAR Carine, Princess of Normandie

The princess is still at her studies and blossoming into a great beauty. She is 14.

SAR Andre, Prince of Normandie

Like his sister Carine, the Prince is still involved in his studies, being only 12. He bids fair to resemble his eldest brother, and may, in time, be his equal or superior in the realm of the intellect. He is titular Colonel of the Guard Infantry Regiment, the Garde de Malmaison, but due to his age, the duties are carried out by his Lieutenant Col, Antoine de Maine, the Viscomte de Challes.

One additional child, christened Louisa-Therese, was born ten years ago, but she died before her first birthday.

Map of Normandie

Introduction

This blog will record the (mis?) adventures of le Roi Richard I, King of Normandie, in the Imagi-nation of Europa, an RPG/wargame campaign.

Normandie is one of the larger and more powerful nations in Europa, and is blessed with a wise, peace-loving king, yet one who will not hesitate to bring down the wrath of God on any foolish enough to threaten his realm.

And for your delectation, a portrait of our beloved King: