April 1630

[Ymbert Montgomery]

Reports from the Front by General Georges Boulle (rtd.)

This month it was felt that reinforcements were needed at the front, after our previous issues with the Spanish attack on our defences. Both the 2nd Squadron and 3rd Squadron of the Dragoon Guards and the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Foot Guards were bravely volunteered by their Commanders.

The Royal Foot Guards were sent to reinforce the 2nd Frontier Infantry regiment. This was sorely needed, as an overwhelming Spanish force smashed into our defences, sending in a storming party to finish the job.

Captain Piquet bravely lead the countercharge, only to find himself surrounded by the enemy. Bravely he fought on, despite being outnumbered by three to one. Captain Lagarde fought like a lion to try and rescue his comrade in arms, but the overwhelming numbers forced him to retreat as his compatriot was cruelly cut down.

Captain Lagarde has now been breveted to Major to fill the gaps caused by this disaster, giving him command of the 3rd Battalion next month.

Events elsewhere were less significant, with the 1st and 2nd Frontier Cavalry Regiments seeing little to no fighting. In the case of the 2nd Squadron, this was because the enemy were seemingly elsewhere. But a potentially disastoruos situation was averted by the cunning of Captain de la Azur, who's scouting party caught the enemy planning a cowardly sneak attack on the fortifcations he was defending.

Mentions in Dispatches: Major Lagarde, Captain de la Azur,

Deaths: Captain Piquet

[Ymbert Montgomery]

The Social Whirlwind by Le Mole

A better month this month socially, although the main news of the month was of course the tragic death of Captain Piquet at the front. Ah, how I will miss a man with the decency to get into duels of honour and throw extravagant parties. I understand Captain Piquet left a will, hoping to cover the costs of his funeral. Tragically, after the Shylocks took their pound of flesh there was nothing left. Perhaps one of the fine gentlemen of Paris will step in to honour their fallen brother? They could even fail to cover carousing costs in memory of dear Gervais.

Still, we must go on as normal. Captain Piquet would have wanted nothing less.

Apparent the company of the fair Helen Bacque is not quite enough for Jean-Paul Marsaud, who decided to visit the Bawdyhouse in the first week. He may have regretted this however, as he was set up by ruffians on his way home!

Speaking of Mademoiselle Bacque I understand she has been sharpening her wits this month, explaining her absence from the social scene.

But it wouldn't be Easter without an Easter party. Thankfully, Jean-Pierre Laurent stepped in to fill the gap, organising a masquerade ball along with his lovely mistress Eloise. (Perhaps this is why 2 out of 3 Squadrons of the Dragoon Guards headed to the front. How else could they deal with not being invited?) I was very impressed by the effort Captain Laurent and Eloise had put in their costumes, going as a hare and a rabbit. (Captain Laurent was the hare in case you were confused).

And a rollicking good time was had by all. Germain de Miremont and Emmelina were there. I was touched to see that Celeste and Monsieur Delecroix are still together. If they last another month I believe my dear collegaue has broken her “relationship” record.

And then we come to the 'duck of Easter', Jean-Paul Marsaud. Who turned up early and proceeded to get very drunk indeed. And then... Ah, but there are some rituals too sacred to be reported, even by your humble scribe. Bravo Subaltern Marsaud!

And finally, congratulations to Monsieur Spaghetti on his appointment as the resident doctor at the Lady's Slipper. I understand he greatly enjoyed his “professional duties”.

[Rhi]

An Ecumenical Matter


Bishop Henry Defour





It is with sorrow that we meet the demise of Capt. Piquet, may the angels of the Lord guide his spirit to its eternal heavenly abode. Amen.



His death was, however, better eulogised by Father Lachapelle in the third week, a memorial service attended by M. de Miremont, his lady Emmelina Boudon, M. Delecroix and the lovely M’elle Ludenburg. Father Lachapelle also conducted a service in the fourth week, however nobody of note was in attendance



It appears, that by the grace of God, two recent promotions have taken place within the Church in our fair city. The diocese of Poitiers has a new curate in the form of Father Lachapelle, and the diocese of St Quentin also has a new curate, Father Robin. I believe that through the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, these two promotions will maintain these areas in God’s pure graces. Amen.



Father Robin conducted his services in the first week, attended by M. Laurent and his lady M’elle Lebeau. Father Lachapelle was also in attendance, to congratulate his brother in Christ and inform him of his own promotion. It is good indeed to see such harmonious relations between the priests of Paris. At his sermon in the third week, Madame Bacque and M. Marsaud were in attendance.



May the month of May prove as godly. I hope that you had a properly reverent Easter. God bless you, dear reader

[Ymbert Montgomery]

La Gallerie Veritie



Celeste Ludenburg

Oh, my sweet Gervais, why? For one so noble to be so cruelly taken from us, it is almost unbearable for one as sensitive as myself? You know the last thing he did? He sent me some marvelous gifts of wine, sloe gin and candied fruits to make up for his previous oversight. Such a sensitive artistic soul, his blood dashed out onto the earth of the foreign soul. I fear we shall never see his like again. And I do not know if I will ever be able to move on from our close friendship.

Moving on, dear Aurèle is now the protege of the Duc of Languedoc! I am sure you will all agree that this honour is well overdue. Aurele has an artistic eye and is talented at everything he does. He is, in my unbiased view, sure to go far in the art world under his new patron. Let us hope he doesn't forget those of us who helped put him where he is today.