September 1632

[Ymbert Montgomery]

Legal News

The Trial of Guardsman Henri on charges of slander against Sieur D'Blancheur has drawn to a close, with Henri being found guilty on one count and not guilty on the other two charges.

The Court found that the "war hero" status of Sieur D'Blancheur was not a proven fact and hence disputing it could not be considered slander.

The Court also rejected claims that Guardsman Henri had, in any way, commited the crime of lèse-majesté.

However, Guardsman Henri was found guilty of slander for accusing Sieur D'Blancheur of organising an assault against his person, without proof.

The Jury chose to be lenient, imposing only a suspended sentence.

Legal analysts suggest that Guardsman Henri can be happy with the lack of punishment, considering the severity of the charges. The choice of the CPS to bring in Monsieur Balls as the prosecuting advocate, despite Monsieur Balls having no legal qualifications recognised by the University of Paris, has caused surprise in some quarters.

[Ymbert Montgomery]

Death Notices

Viscomte Lagarde de Bearne of Gascony passed away peacefully in his sleep this month. He is succeeded by his heir Hulluame who will be taking over the family estates.

Mme. Meisent Neri, the oldest daughter of the respected de la Azur family, has died tragically young. Mme Meisent was involved in a hunting accident on the outskirts of Ile de Farance and failed to recover. Her husband Guido Neri has requested wellwishers to make donations to the church in her name.

[Ymbert Montgomery]

The Social Whirlwind by Le Mole


This month started, of course with the titling ceremony of new Barons Bougiedure and De La Azur, complete with a royal ball. One does suspect it may have been rather awkward for Guardsman Henri, who was forced to work a ceremony with both his Judge and the Commissioner of Public Safety there. I suppose he can be thankful Sieur D'Blancheur spent the month in Picardy in his new role as Governor.

Baron Bougiedure and Mlle Eloise impressed everyone with their wit and fine sense of fashion. However, I regret to import that this Royal Ball may instead be remembered as the one where Mlle Eloise decided to dance like a duck. Yes, you haven't misread that dear reader. I can't think of anything else those rather splendid arm movements were meant to achieve.

I also hear that Baron Lagarde de Bearne was rather sombre, although I suppose that can be excused considering his personal circumstances.

What however is most interesting is the report from Court after, where Guardsman Henri was explicitly praised for his "honour and integrity". I suspect this may be another salvo in the seemingly endless rivalry between the Cardinal's Guard and the King's Musketeers.

I'm pleased to see new arrival Subaltern de Macque is throwing himself into the Parisian social scene with gusto. Not only does he seem to have managed to inveigle himself into the good graces of Baron Lagarde de Bearne, he was also seen getting some culture at the start of the month. I have to admit that I'm not sure the Archduke's Men are quite set up for ballet, but I hear he was seen afterwards at the first night party, making the acquaintance of the Ambassador of Holland. I suspect Subaltern de Macque is one to watch...

And finally, we come to Monsieur Durant. I'm sure he is missing his dear friend Baron d'Avranches greatly. And the fact he was seen coming out of the bank whistling a merry tune in the month that investment dividends were due does not in any way diminish his grief. He did have a rather jolly time at the Frog & Peach at the end of the month. Notorious wastrel and self styled "naval adventurer" Mile Crépin was in attendance. And it seems that "Captain" Crépin was rather unamused by a joke that Monsieur Durant made about his hat. And blood was drawn.

Whose blood? Ah, that will be for Sieur Grosjean to explain...

[Ymbert Montgomery]

For Honour by Sieur Zacharie Grosjean

Ah, it has been too long friends. Too many of you seem to think you should fight your battles in the court room rather than on the field of honour.

But this month, that changed.

I will admit, my friends, I did not hold out much hope as I made my way quickly to the Frog & Peach. A duel between that notorious fool Monsieur Crépin and Monsieur Durant, a man known more for his prowess on the shop floor than with a blade?

And when I noticed that Monsieur Crépin has chosen a cutlass, hardly a weapon of skill, my mood darkened like a thundery August day. At least Monsieur Durant was enough of a gentleman to use a rapier.

I had barely arrived when the two contestants clashed. A lunge from Monsieur Durant! Sadly, his lack of experience shone like a beacon as he failed to connect, while Monsieur Crépin's clumsy slash drew blood.

But Monsieur Durant was not fazed. He took a step back and lunged again. And ah! What a lunge! Monsieur Crépin was so shocked he instantly surrendered like the beaten dog he is!

Monsieur Crépin slunk off into the night, while Monsieur Durant calmly finished his drink and basked in the rightful admiration of his ladyfriend Mlle. Simmonet.

It seems I owe Monsieur Durant an apology. This month he proved himself a true gentleman. One only hopes his next opponent will be more worthy.

It seems I owe Monsieur Crépin no apology at all.

[Ymbert Montgomery]

Romantic Interlude

By Yvonne de Villepin

I am glad to say that at least some of you have decided the art of romance is not dead!!! I hope that the D'Blancheurs enjoyed their romantic getaway in Province even if Sieur D'Blancheur had to work for some of it and I'm pleased to see that Mlle. Valerie and Subaltern Jacques are still enjoying each other's company!!! Even better some of you plucked up the courage to pay attention to the fair ladies of Paris!!! Congratulations are due to Guardsman Henri who swept Mlle. Rohesia off her feet although I do think Mlle. Acelina was very cruel to poor Doctor De'ath who was so upset by her rejection because doctors have "cold hands" that he failed to be seen with a lady for the rest of the month!!! Perhaps Monsieur Balls will be inspired and not just spend his time at the Bawdyhouse in October and no Subaltern de Macque I do not think the Lady's Slipper is that much better thank you very much!!! I am glad that someone is looking out for those poor girls though as Father Renard spent much of the month in the red light district obviously checking on the welfare of the girls!!!

[Ymbert Montgomery]

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

Not a bad month. Could have been worse. Decent work from the lads.

Spanish Frontier

Very good month. Saw the enemy lose some of its important forts. Think we might have made a breakthrough here. More work to do, but the enemy have been broken by the invasion.

Flanders

Cowardly ambush on the Dragoon Guards. Low casualties, thankfully. Looks like the last gasp of a desperate enemy though, because they sued for peace straight after. Dragon Guards recalled home to Paris after doing their duty. Good one, lads.


Lorraine

Not much to report here. Fighting continues without any clear winner.

Savoy

Another nasty ambush, this time with real results. Looks like the enemy are planning to escalate here, so we need more troops to respond.

Next month:

Spanish Frontier HL 5 Guerilla War Field

Flanders Frontier HL 1 Peace Garrison

Lorraine Frontier HL 5 Guerilla War Field

Savoy Frontier HL 4 Raiding Defense

[Ymbert Montgomery]

Court Circular


October

Location: Fontainbleu

Week 1 - Government

Week 2 - None (Royals at the races!)

Week 3 - Hunt

Week 4 - Hunt

November

Location: Louvre


Week 1 - Parliment

Week 2 - Government

Week 3 - Government

Week 4 - None

[Director]

Lottery Results





Hello to the great and good of Paris,




This month has seen an up take in the number of lottery tickets purchased. well done to the players this month and better look next month






there was one winner among the fine people of Paris.







please dig deep and buy a lottery ticket







Yours







Director of the lottery







Baron Renald De La Azur