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Post by huillaume on Jun 24, 2023 18:56:57 GMT
(April 1636)
Chère Georges,
Glad to hear the frontier situation keeps equal. As I said, we can trust the Frontier troops..
Here in Paris the Grand Duc of Chevreuse keeps accumulating the favors, and has been named also Duc of Montbeck ibn another Royal Ball. He did not attend the Downs (the horserace, I mean), despite having a horse on it… Nonetheless he allowed Brigitte and myself to use his owner’s box, where we enjoyed the race.
To finish the month, there was another Royal Ball, where Dr. De’ath has been elevated to Viscount. I also presented HM with my last painting, that depicts himself at the battle of Sant Gaudens, where he lead us last year. He seems to be pleased by the present.
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 24, 2023 18:57:16 GMT
(May 1636)
Chère Georges,
The reports of our generals in the southern border talk me about it keeping quiet, if alert. I’m glad you’re enjoying those months of relative peace.
Paris is blossoming with spring now, and Brigite and I returned the Grand Duc of Chevreuse invitation to the owner’s box for the Derby. He brought my godson Jean Luc, and HM the Queen appeared on our box to coos with him.
We also went to visit Brigitte’s family on their states. The marquises of Dampierre seem very peasant people, and received us quite cordially, I’d even say friendly.
We also attended the Envoy from the Papal States. Can you believe Brigitte started a theological discussion with him? I know she’s pious and interested in religion, but discussing it with a papal envoy? I didn’t know if feel amused, proud or ashamed…
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 26, 2023 18:23:28 GMT
(June 1636)
Chère Georges,
I’ve been told the Frontier Regiments have lowered their alert status, and all the southern border is on a calm quite rare those last times. I’m glad you may enjoy it.
Here in Paris there’s little to talk about. Brigitte and I attended another Royal Ball, and most of the remaining time was taken by and Government duty. I never thought the duties of the Minister of State would take so much time…
Just now I have stop writing you, as I have a meeting with some Maréchals about the Summer Campaign…
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 26, 2023 18:24:02 GMT
(July 1636)
Chère Georges,
Dispatches tell me situation in the Southern Border keep calm, as war has moved to Lorraine, where we’ve moved our main army…
Paris is usually quiet in Summer, with the troops out to Campaign, and this year seems not to be an exception. Nonetheless, Government duties keep on, and we received a Brandemburg envoy and had some government meetings. It’s strange how we can found allied with those Prussian protestants against the catholic Habsburgs, but so are politics… My friend Jaques is not in Paris, but Campaigning in the Lorraine border, and so I could not enjoy his company this time in the court..
I don’t expect to be able to visit you this summer, as it seems I would be busier than I’d like, as HM has decided to visit some provinces in his progress (and Gascony is not among them, I’m afraid).
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 26, 2023 18:24:22 GMT
(August 1636)
Chère Georges,
glad to know things keep calm in the Southern Border. I guess there were years without enjoying this.
This month we travelled to Milan, where we received and entertained a Milanese envoy. The King has offered him a Royal Ball, and Brigitte and myself attended it, but I have little to talk with those whose complicity allowed the killing of prisoners (I have not yet forgotten the killing of Major Marsaud, back in February 1631).
Also Jaques keeps fighting for the King, so Brigitte and I miss him, and are concerned by his welfare, though the reports of his exploits in the Lorraine border make both of us happy.
We’re now marching to Normandy (just crossing France from south to north), where HM will keep his progress, so next month I will write you from there.
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 26, 2023 18:24:48 GMT
(September 1636)
Chère Georges,
It’s true those perfidious Spaniards have infiltrated bandoliers into our country? If so be careful, though I hope the King’s army will be able to deal with them…
The court arrived to Normandy this month. I’ve been ill most of the month, though, so I cannot talk about it too much. I guess I drank from a well I shouldn’t, and my belly has near killed me, despite the best caring from Brigitte and the court physicians.
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 26, 2023 18:25:10 GMT
(October 1636)
Chère Georges,
I heard the Spaniards have increased their pressure on our forces in the border, and that some Basque refugees are asking us for help. I have told about it in the Government meeting this month, and I hope we will send reinforcements as soon as possible.
I seem already recovered from illness and retook my Minister duties. Can you believe on of my Ministers did not attend the Government meeting? Why did he want to be a Minister if he’s going to forego his duties? I had to warn him this will not be tolerated…
I’ve been invited to give a seminar in the Military Academy about Infantry tactics. I remember how it helped me to become a minimally decent troop leader, when I reached Paris being quite green on it… I hope to be able to help the newcomers, as I was helped on my day.
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 26, 2023 18:25:36 GMT
(November 1636)
Chère Georges,
Reports tell me that the newly appointed Frontier Brigadier has done his job, and the Spaniards are being checked at bay now. I hope you’re all well and war has not affected our family or lands.
H.M. has decided to keep his progress, this time to Burgundy. At least there are good wines there…
There we have had the usual Government meetings and a Ball in the Duke of Montbeck’s state. H.M. has honored me by raising our ancestral lands to the Marquisate of Béarne, You should have seen the pride on Brigitte’s face when I received the new title. I guess she’s now ashamed to have shown her pride, as she’s quite devote and feels guilty of a sin for it… Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 27, 2023 10:22:06 GMT
(December 1636)
I’ve been told situation has improved in the Border. I hope this brings again calm to the zone…
I’m sad this month. Brigitte has left me. All seemed well, as we returned form Burgundy. We attended the Reception to Lord Buckingham, but then, at the Government meeting that closed the month, it seems His Majesty insinuated to her, and she accepted. Can you believe it?
Some tell me she was afraid about his reaction against me should she refuse… Doesn’t she know I already passed for that? Hasn’t she heard about the similar situation with Emelin? I can endure the King’s wrath, as long as it’s not because of my incompetence, but this kind of treason? How can I trust her again?
And the children? What can I tell them when they ask why Brigitte is no longer with us? Doesn’t she think about all this?
Well, I’ll stop complaining now. Life keeps on, and I must rethink about my future..
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 27, 2023 10:23:17 GMT
(January 1637)
Chère Georges,
Apparently the Spaniards do not return to their winter quarters this year, and they keep raiding us. I hope the Pyrenees in winter will attrition them even more than our own troops…
HM has been keeping his progress, but I, being in no mood for court events (less so to see them together) have remained in Paris. I gave another seminar at the Military Academy, and devoted the rest of the month to the children and to painting. You know I use refuge on my paintings when in need for comfort, but this time the results were far from what I expected.
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 27, 2023 10:24:06 GMT
(February 1637)
Chère Georges,
It’s true than the Spaniards are keeping testing the Pyrenees? Walking across the snow covered mountains? I heard at least this month the Frontier Regiment has kept them at bay. Please, be careful.
H.M. has not kept me as Minister of State, trusting this post to H.E. the Cardinal Armand de Plessis again. I guess a time of retreat from politics would be even good to me, but I annot say I’m glad for it…
I decided to turn page from my relation with Brigitte. I’m afraid my trust on her is lost now, and, despite I’ll always wish her good, if she wants to stay with the King, I can only let her go. I’ve been introduced to a newly arrived lady in the court, the young Vescomtesse de Pontoise. I have started to visit her, and we attended the reception of the Envoy from Brandenburg and the horse races together. Mr. Balls, another friend of mine, invited us to those horse races, and we enjoyed them with him. I hope to be luckier with Jean Baptiste (that’s her name)…
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Jun 27, 2023 10:25:11 GMT
(March 1637)
Chère Georges,
I heard the Spaniards are advancing, and the Frontier Regiment is being unable to keep them at bay, not even with their difficulty to supply themselves through the snow covered Pyrenees… Maybe I will ask for a Command there to try to fix the situation…
In Paris, free from government duties for fist time in over two years, Jeaa Baptiste and myself accepted this month the invitation by Mr Balls to the first night of his Theater play The Worst Play Ever. It does not stand to his name, as it was a triumphant success, and everyone enjoyed it, as well as the first night party after it.
I gave another seminar at the Military Academy, trying to teach those young officers about the importance of keeping your troops supplied on a siege. Most people only think about the supply problems of the defenders, but keeping your besieging army supplied may also be a nightmare, and many a siege has failed due to this. I just hope this will help our troops in the future, as those young officers rise from the ranks…
We also attended the races, though this time from a pavilion, where I met again Mr Balls. We enjoyed the spectacle together, while sharing some bottles of good wine.
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me
Huillaume
OOC: and with this I guess I've been able to catch up with the current time. I hope to be able to keep more on time in the future.
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Post by huillaume on Jun 30, 2023 16:58:33 GMT
(April 1637)
Chère Georges,
As I told when I visited you on my way to the Headquarters of the Spanish Border Brigade, I’ve been entrusted its command, under the command of Maréchal Bougiedure. I had to restore the Brigade’s discipline and morale, but at the end of the day, we have taught the Spaniards a good lesson. Having the Gascon Regiment on my Brigade is really a boon, as Gascony has produced good fighters since (at least) the Hundred Years War (a shame then they sided with the English), and they see me as a fellow Gascon. And, of course, our knowledge of the terrain doesn’t hinder either…
Can you believe the Grand Duc of Chévreuse challenged me to a duel claiming I offended his sister Brigitte? It seems his love to his sister has blinded him, as it was her who ended the relationship. Apparently they both expected me to wait for her when her relation with HM finished… Even after those years in Paris, I cannot understand how they see honor, if they feel offended by me for being fired…
Well, in any case I had to fight this duel, even if with broken heart to have to so confront who I still see as a friend, even though he has stated he does not share this view. I won it, but I cannot feel good for having wounded him, and less so for losing his friendship. I can only hope he will recover his senses someday, now clouded by his love to his sister, and to be there when this happens…
And to make things worse, he’s now my Commander in the Campaign against the Spaniards! Nonetheless, as I expected from him, he seems not to have his head clouded on the managing of the Campaign, and has kept himself as professional as anyone could expect from this great war leader.
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me. I’ll visit you again before returning to Paris, if at all possible.
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Aug 3, 2023 11:50:36 GMT
(May 1637)
Chère Georges,
The campaigning in the Pyrenees has ended after the victory Maréchal Bougiedure (and myself, as commander of the Frontier brigade) have achieved, so I’m coming to visit you on my way to Paris.
I have to arrange the situation with Jean Baptiste, as she seems to have become quite upset by the fact I asked her to take profit of my audience to improve her social abilities at Mme Duchesne’s school… Doesn’t she realize she has already botched it sometimes at the court? Well, if she wants to keep being the source of gossip for it, it’s up to her. She is truly a character…
In any case, I’ll have to calm her, as she is unlikely to wanting to accompany me to any social act for a while, but, as I understand her, we’ve not broken up, at least as yet… Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me.
Huillaume
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Post by huillaume on Aug 3, 2023 11:56:21 GMT
(June 1637)
Chère Georges,
I hear things keep calm in the border, and I’m glad if the Spanish take some time to venture again through it and leave you in peace…
In Paris I attended the opening night in the royal Theater. It was a very fun bawdy commend, and I really enjoyed it, even in jean Baptiste did not want to accompany me.
She has avoided me all the month, and so I could not attend the ball made to honor the Pope’s envoy, much to the upset of HM, who expected all great nobles to attend. A really difficult position…
So, with many social events closed, I dedicated the rest of the month to try to calm her, to give another lecture on the Military Academy and to painting, though it seems the musses have also abandoned me… Well, at least it seems Jean Baptiste has calmed at least…
Please, kiss our sisters and embrace our brothers for me.
Huillaume
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