The Republic Reborn

[LD]

[ic=Private to Manzini]

Dear friend, that is stupendous news for our cause! We could easily use the extra weight of such a fresh and upstanding citizen. Though you know I would prefer you over any other candidate, if the politics of the moment deem that we support another, then politics be praised. I suppose the question now becomes, how heavily do we support the good Senator? Should we enact our plan and support him unquestioningly or allow the chips to fall as they may? DaVinti is not a completely known quantity. He is upstanding, for sure, but can we trust the fate of Rome to his hand?

As always, I defer to your wise judgment,

Senator DeRosa. [/ic]

Sorry for the long time to reply

[ic=to DeRosa]For the time, DaVinti is a good, inoffensive choice. Time will tell what happens with the man, though.[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ooc=Election of 1154]Final Tally

Hugo De Vinti has received 19 votes.
Fortis Calafatus has received 16 votes.

There was no indication of bribery in this election.

The senatores consiliarii have reached a consensus and elected Hugo De Vinti and Fortis Calafatus as consuls.  As the recipient of the most votes, it is De Vinti's privilege to choose his portfolio.[/ooc]

[ic=A Reflection on Consul Basile]The powerful and controversial Senator Roberto Basile stepped aside as consul this year, ending a two-year rule alongside Fortis Calafatus as Rome's domestic leader.  Arguably, Basile had a more difficult job, for while Calafatus faced many belligerent foreigners, Basile had to satisfy the mercurial Roman people.  Unfortunately, in the minds of many, his accomplishments were eclipsed by the schism between the consulares and patricii that still overshadows the Senate, the responsibility for which many Romans lay on his shoulders.  Still, there are those who will admit privately in city alehouses or the palazzos of Rome's elite that his actions may well have averted a civil war.  Perhaps his graceful exit from the highest office was merely a strategic move in a longer game, to spare him the indignity of a fight with the equites and their faction?  We shall see.[/ic]

[ic=To the Roman Consuls]This is an unprovoked and outrageous assault on the liberties of an Imperial Abbey.  Civitavecchia is the lawful property of the brethren of Farfa, granted by decree of Otto the Great.  We are willing to discuss peace terms if the city is returned to us, but if it is not we will certainly be informing the coming Emperor-elect of the Imperial grants that have been unlawfully abrogated by Roman tyranny!

Anselm II, Abbot of Farfa[/ic]

[ooc=Due Date]Orders for this turn are due by Monday, June 11th.  Let me know if this date will not work for you.[/ooc]

[Magnus Pym]

[ooc=Consulship]I will be taking Basile's post as Consul of the Interior and let Fortis keep his as Consul of the Exterior.[/ooc]

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=Speech before the Senate]Senators! It is a new season, a season ripe for the harvest of glory for Rome! I beseech you all to pray for our Great Commune in the coming weeks, and beg the Almighty Lord to shelter us from the wrath of those who look upon us with envious eyes.

So too will I ask you to pray for wisdom to bless our new Consul with its thoughtful embrace! Hugo De Vinti is a good man, and has been a brother to us all in these difficult times. Please, Senators, show him the respect and patience you so graciously showed me in my time in that office.

Let us welcome our new Consul with hearty applause!

*Basile stands and begins to clap loudly*[/ic]

[ic=A letter to Fortis Calafatus]Consul Calafatus,

Congratulations on your re-election. Rome would certainly find herself in dire straits without your steady hand at the till. I am pleased to have played my own small part in such critical endeavour. I think after such a time that we have known each other, and fought shoulder to shoulder for the defence of our City, that we can indeed call one another Friend, or at the very least compatriot. Circumstances have conspired in such a way that I thought it best to abandon the title of Consul, at least for the moment, so as to better ensure a prosperous future for Rome. The equites have not yet been quieted, though perhaps now that you have been re-elected their grumblings will grow more muffled. De Vinti strikes me as a man of good intention - though clearly he has been selected for his most neutral of presentation - but I harbour some worries as to his ability in the field of execution. Time will tell.

To other matters, Rome is as ever surrounded by enemies, and you have done much to dissuade them from visiting violence and oppression upon us, for which all Rome owes you, though they might be reluctant to show such appreciation. Your capture of Civitavecchia will no doubt encourage the Abbey of Farfa to bring their conflict with us to an end, and I am sure you can secure favourable terms for our Commune. The coming of the German Emperor grows ever more troublesome, and I think it well past time that we look to more significant preparation. By all accounts his army is vast, and he has brought with him the flower of German Knighthood, even with your military leadership I do not know that we could defeat him and his Italian allies in the field. I would so then suggest another solution.

I would ask that you, as Consul of the Exterior, appoint me as your official envoy to His Holiness the Pope. Though we have our differences as regards the temporal rights of his Office, he is a man of immense spiritual authority, and I hold him in the highest respect. I propose that I will arrange meeting with His Holiness, or an empowered representative of His Holiness, so as to find terms for our reconciliation one with the other. With peace between us, Frederick would not dare to lay our city low. As to terms, we of course could not give up our rightful authority over the citizenry and territories of the Roman Commune in principal respect. But the return of certain properties, in addition to the renewed authority over the Churches and Clergy of the Eternal City, as well as promise of protection by arms should the Pope find his domain threatened, should go some way towards mollification. My past experience in political negotiation would well lend itself to this most important of tasks.

What say you to my proposal, Consul?

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]

[ooc=Orders for Autumn 1154]- Begin investigation into the prospect of building fishing ships to operate out of the region of Gregoriopolis, and the feasibility of bringing the catch up river to be sold in Rome - smoking or salting it if necessary. Send an agent to S. Angeli in Foro Piscium to ascertain the willingness of any fishermen to relocate to the mouth of the Tiber, emphasizing the potential of earning a better living off of sea fish over river fish. Roberto is willing to invest 4 WP into this endeavour at the moment, that is, the investigation as well as the establishment of a prospective fishing industry. Additionally investigate the necessary infrastructure (docks, etc.) to support such a venture, both in Rome and Gregoriopolis.

- Depart for Tivoli with a retinue of 20 of my armsmen, so as to present myself before the College of Cardinals and initiate negotiations with His Holiness the Pope. I leave temporary management of my estate in the capable hands of my son, Ricardo, and my wife, Julia.
[/ooc]

[Llum]

[ic=Response letter to Roberto Basile]

Senator Basile

Thank you for your kind sentiments, regarding both my re-election and your thoughts on my effectiveness as a leader. Your proposal to become a special envoy to his holiness the Pope is one with merit. This will allow me more time and freedom to negotiate with Farfa and prepare for the Emperors arrival. Your suggestions for "gifts" to the papacy are sound, I would gladly lead men into battle for service to Pope again, just as I campaigned in the crusade.  My only concern would be the issue of Arnold of Brescia, I would plead with you not to agree with anything regarding his fate without first consulting myself.

Thank you for your continued exemplary service to Rome.

Your friend,

Consul Fortis Calafatus
[/ic]

[ic=Consular Decree to the Senate and the public]
I, Fortis Calafatus, bestow upon Senator Roberto Basile the position as special envoy to his holiness the Pope and backed by all the power of the Consul of the Exterior

Fortis Calafatus, Consul of the Exterior of the Roman Republic
[/ic]
[ic=Letter to Anselm II, Abbot of Farfa]
Greetings,

This bad blood between Farfa and Rome needs come to an end. Peace terms should include a provision for Roman ships to use the port in Civitavecchia free of taxation as well as an eligibility to purchase waterfront property at a greatly reduced rate to the Senators of Rome. I await your full offer.

Consul Fortis Calafatus
[/ic]

[Magnus Pym]

[ooc]Letters sent after the election, but before the Consular Decree by Calafatus[/ooc]

[ic=Letter to Roberto Basile]Signore Basile,
It is truly a honor to succeed you as Consul of the Interior. When you assumed the role of Consul, I always looked up to you. You were wise in your decisions, and it pains me that many in Rome did not appreciate your efforts as much as I have. This last political adventure of yours must have been hard to take after all you've done for Rome. At least, if it's any consolation, you can now take a bit of rest.

I'll be frank with you; I aim to invite the Pope back into Rome. To avoid the ire of this Frederick, it is important I do as such. But it also serves other purposes. The Pope commands great respect, and people from all over wish to see him. The economic and political advantages of his returning to the Lateran Palace, at the moment, far outreach the disadvantages. I'm not one for anything short term, but it's necessary right now.

Sincerely,
Consul Hugo De Vinti[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Fortis Calafatus]Greetings Consul Calafatus,
I wish to congratulate you, once again, on your re-election as Consul of Rome. I sincerely hope we can work together and bring Rome towards a brighter future.

It is my view that the Pope should be welcomed back into Rome. And it is indeed the most pressing matter on my agenda. I would like to know your stance on this before I pass onto action.

I feel that we both have grand ambitions, and that we both seek to secure our policies of prosperity and security before radicals plunge the Republic into chaos. To this end, should you be interested to hear more, I would have a few words in private with you.

Before even thinking to be a candidate for Consulship, I had made you a promise. Rest assured that I intend to keep my word. My previously designated men-at-arms will be under your command until there is peace in Civitavecchia, and I will contribute [denomination equaling 1 WP] to this end as well.
Speaking of Civitavecchia, this letter from the Abbot of Farfa concerns me. How do you plan to deal with this issue?

Sincerely,
Consul Hugo De Vinti[/ic]

[Llum]

[ic=Response Letter to Consul Hugo De Vinti]
Greetins Consul

Congratulations on garnering the most votes in these elections! I am happy that you have chosen to be the Consul of the Interior and left me with my Consulship of the Exterior. As for my plans for peace terms between Farfa and Rome, I believe it would be optimal for the Republic to secure peace with Farfa. We are in a position of strength and can gain good terms for peace. Now is not the time to continue this war, especially not with the Emperor so close.

As for my views about the Pople. Due to my situation I fear I am not on the best terms with the Papacy, even though I have fought valiantly for the Pope in the last Crusade. As such I felt it better to hand the negotiations over to Senator Basile, who has a much better relationship with the Pope. However I believe we are all in agreement that his Holiness should be welcome in Rome. As Consul of the Interior your position and responsibilities enable and required you to deal with all that passes within the walls of Rome. As Consul of the Exterior I will negotiate with all foreign powers, such as the Pope. In this case I will use Senator Basile.

Seeing as we all share the same wishes about his Holiness' relationship with Rome, prepare our city should he return. Remove those who would cause trouble and I will deal with everything beyond Romes walls.

Consul Fortis Calafatus.
[/ic]

[LD]

[ic=Letter to his Holiness the Pope]
Although some among the Senate have struck against the Papacy and others wish the Papacy to wilt and fall, please know that there are those among us who have not raised a hand against God and who have restored his Chapels and Cathedrals.

If it becomes difficult or politically untenable to work through the leadership of the Consuls, please know that I, or Senator DeRosa-who was exiled from the Senate some months past for upholding the Law- am willing to assist with negotiations. My loyalty always will be to Rome, I will make no presumptions there; but a Pope does belong in Rome--the love the people have for Arnold demonstrates that the popolo desire a popular spiritual leader, whether a Pope or a preacher. And although the Consuls command Romes diplomatic relations; it is the choice of those outside with whom they deal on the inside, so I present DeRosa or myself as an option-if you deem it worthwhile. Otherwise, I wish you good will in negotiating or dealing with Consul Calafactus, our long-standing Minister of the Exterior.
[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=Letter to Consul Calafatus]Consul,

The Archbishopric of Pisa, and the Republic therein, has full and exclusive rights over all coastal property and shipping rights into and out of Civitavecchia by the terms of their contract with our Abbey.  I cannot and will not abrogate this agreement as part of a peace deal with Rome.  To do so would mean punishing a third party that has been neutral in this war and forfeiting our good relations with the Pisans.  You may certainly make your demands of the Pisans, but they are under no obligation to comply, as they well know.

I am willing to offer perpetual, free, and unfettered access to Roman travelers and merchants on the roads between Rome and Rieti and Civitavecchia - that is, the Via Salaria and the Via Aurelia - in exchange for a truce and the restoration of Civitavecchia to our lawful control.

Abbott Anselm II[/ic]

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=Letter to Cardinal Rolando Bandinelli di Siena]Your Eminence,

When your brother Cardinal, Odone Bonecase, last wrote to the Romans he expressed a desire for tranquility and harmony among the faithful. The Senate of the Commune of Rome seeks nothing more than just that. The Romans do not forget the serenity of our Fair City when it was that Senators and Cardinals alike stood to honour the memory of His Holiness Eugenius III. We would have it always be as such. For too long has it been as if a great rift has yawned between the Commune of Rome and His Holiness, Anastasius IV. The Romans would see that rift healed, and the establishment of a permanent rapprochement between our two parties.

I have been appointed as official envoy to His Holiness as concerns the matter of relations between the Church and the City of Rome by the Honourable Consul, Fortis Calafatus. It is the fervent wish of the Romans that His Holiness return to his rightful place in Rome, and that Peace should reign in Latium. I would propose that in your role as Chancellor you convey to His Holiness our desire that he empower a representative of his choice to meet with myself on grounds that are satisfactory to us both so that we might negotiate the terms of such a rapprochement.

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Pietro Colonna]Signore Colonna,

You are widely known as an honourable Gentleman, and a man of surpassing equanimity. I have been appointed as Official Envoy to His Holiness by Consul Calafatus, and currently seek words with a representative of His Holiness so that there might be a greater peace between us. As such, I would beg a favour of you. Should I be successful in obtaining such summit, and should my proposal be amenable to His Holiness, I would have our meeting take place on neutral ground, so that both parties might feel secure in their own legitimacy. Would you consent to the holding of such a meeting on one of your estates? Perhaps Tusculum, equidistant from both Tivoli and Rome, would be most suitable.

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]

[Polycarp]

[ic=To Senator Basile]Senator,

Of course I would be happy to be of service in such a matter.  I would venture that my own Alban estate of Castrum Colonna would be preferable to Tusculum; though I own both, the Tusculuans themselves can sometimes be troublesome, especially where Romans are concerned.  My own estates would provide a much more congenial atmosphere for discussion.

Signore Pietro Colonna[/ic]

[ic=To Senator Basile]Senator Basile,

His Holiness shares this desire for reconciliation between the Holy Church and the city of Rome, for it is right and just that the heir of Saint Peter should rule in the city of his great works and martyrdom.  This desire is not diminished by the belligerent and arrogant behavior of the Roman people, for God desires reconciliation with all sinners if they truly desire the forgiveness of their sins and oneness with Christ in everlasting life.  Nevertheless, no peace that abides sin may be truly called peace, and the Romans must be prepared to admit their transgressions and make amends for their errors if they are to again receive the blessings of the Holy Church and our blessed father Anastasius.

The Curia has conferred and resolved to support further dialogue with the Roman Senate, and has appointed as your counterpart His Eminence Enrico da Pisa, Cardinal-Deacon of Santi Nereo e Achilleo, canon of the Cistercian Order.  The Curia deems it proper for you, Senator Roberto Basile, to present yourself before the Curia that presently holds court with His Holiness at Tivoli.  Mindful of the poor relationship between the commune of Tivoli and the Romans, His Holiness hereby grants Papal protection in your travels to present yourself before his court and strictly prohibits any man from interfering with you in this mission under penalty of excommunication.

His Eminence Rolando Bandinelli di Siena, Cardinal-Priest of the Basilica of St. Mark, Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church[/ic]

[TheMeanestGuest]

[ic=Letter to Cardinal Rolando Bandinelli di Siena]Your Eminence,

It is most joyous news to hear that His Holiness is of a mind to heal that most unfortunately wounded relationship between the Church and the Romans. I will make effort to present myself before the Curia as requested as soon as I am able, and I am glad to know that I shall soon confer with men of like mind on this greatest of issues. Should dialogue progress, I would propose that negotiation move to a more neutral location, so that all parties might feel utterly secure. The good Signore Colonna has humbly made available hospitality at his estate of Castrum Colonna for just such purpose. I look forward to greeting Your Eminence in person.

Senator Roberto Basile[/ic]

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=Letter to Giordano Pierleone]Greetings Patrician Pierleone,
As you must no doubt have heard, I, Hugo De Vinti, have been appointed as Rome's new Consul of the Interior, succeeding the wise Roberto Basile.
It is my understanding that you generally held good relations with my predecessor. At least until his most controversial decision in the Calafatus Affair.
His decision was surely not an easy one to take, but we must trust his judgement, for he has brought but benefits to the Eternal City.

I write to you mainly to present myself, but also in hopes that you will welcome my embracing our union. Rome is weak when divided, and is invincible when united. Together, we can elevate our great Republic to heights never reached before.
I shall do my utmost to undo the tensions between senatori and patrici, for all it brings, in the end, is misery and chaos.
Should you find yourself in need of anything, I sincerely wish you will not hesitate to contact my person so that I may provide assistance.

Most sincerely,
Hugo De Vinti, Consul of the Interior[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Pietro Colonna]Greetings Signore Colonna,
As you may have heard, I, Hugo De Vinti, have been appointed as Rome's new Consul of the Interior. Therefore succeeding the wise Roberto Basile.
As I understand it, you hold a good, if only formal, relationship with my predecessor. It is my hope that we can both enjoy the same kind of relationship in the future; one based on honesty and good will.

Should you find yourself in need of assistance on any kind of matter, I sincerely hope that you will not hesitate to contact my person so that I may provide assistance. For me, the unity of Rome is my top priority.

Most sincerely,
Hugo De Vinti, Consul of the Interior[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Arnold da Brescia]Greetings,
I hope this letter finds you in excellent health.
As you may have heard, I, Hugo De Vinti, have been appointed as Rome's Consul of the Interior in the last consulate election.
Although I have never spoken to you personally, I hold you in high regards, and always have. Your words are those of the wisest of man, and your actions as well. I wish someday the Church might be directed by wisdom the likes of which you, Arnold da Brescia, possess.
It will surely come to no surprise to you, but I will be advocating a return of the Pope in the Eternal City. The Senate is under immense pressure, and should the senatori and consiliarii decide to do otherwise but work a rapprochement with the Pope, surely doom would befall us.

This, I know, means alot to you. Your person has found itself persecuted by the Church, and no doubt you do not wish to be harmed for having but truly served God.
However, I promise to you, right here and now, that no harm will come to you. The Senate will grant you total immunity, and should they or the Church ever fail to abide by this order, my home is ever open to your person. And that until times end.

This is, indeed, a grave message that I bring to you. But I truly hope that you can stay with the Romans who need you, oh so much.

Most sincerely,
Hugo De Vinti, Consul of the Interior[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Fortis Calafatus]Greetings Signore Calafatus,
This letter is to inform you that I, as Consul of the Interior, will be ordering that Arnold da Brescia be granted total immunity. Should he be persecuted by the good people of the Church, or even the Romans, those responsible will face capital punishment.

Obviously, this is to protect his person from the Church, should we succeed in our endeavor to welcome the Pope back into the Eternal City.
I will wait to announce this until I am aware you have been informed, please do make haste.

Please accept my most distinguished salutations,
Hugo De Vinti, Consul of the Interior[/ic]

[ooc=Autumn 1154, 10th Turn]
Military Upkeep
- [Spend 1 WP to pay for my Heavy Infantry]

Promise to Calafatus
- As promised in my communications with Fortis Calafatus, provide him with the entirety of my Heavy Infantry (50 men), as well as funds equaling 1 WP (from my seasonal Wealth Income) for the purpose of re-establishing peace in Civitavecchia.
- To this end, my spy used in Civitavecchia last season is to keep monitoring the situation and come back with a report. It is especially crucial to know if this 1 WP I'm giving Calafatus needs to be used and, if yes, is used in a manner that is to ensure peace in Civitavecchia. But other important matters such as the barbaric acts committed by our Roman troops and any discovery of the Pisan "selected quarry near Rome" should also appear in the report. [Refer to the Summer 1154 (9th Turn) for more information on this]

Clearing the way for the Pope
- Hire men to clean up the Lateran Palace. [Take as much funds from the Treasury as is needed to cover this task] (I doubt it will cost more than 1 or 2 WP though)

Flax Business
- It is Autumn, so prepare for the next harvest by planting the seeds.
- Invest in the morale of the workers; their words have been heard, send them wine throughout the season. [Invest 1 WP from my seasonal income]

Drainage
- The outbreak of "ague" last season prevented any advance on draining efforts. This season, attempt to drain the flooded lands in Pontis et Scorteclariorum and reconstruct the important economic structures, such as churches and important market squares. [Spend 1 WP on this, and keep using the tricks in the De Re Rustica]

Naples Recruitment
- My Neapolitan agent is to keep trying to recruit experienced Flax workers to work my fields. As usual, monitoring the situation in Naples, but in a broader sense Sicily, also remains one of his task.

Monitoring Ostia
- Send an agent to Gregoriopolis and Ostia to lookout mainly for (increased) Pisan activity in the ruins. [Increased activity would probably mean any activity at all, since it was never reported to me in the past that they plundered in Autumn, as they prepared for the winter]
[/ooc]

[LD]

[ooc]
-2 WP to the basilica restoration (and of other small chapels in Ripe et Marmote)
-1 WP to maintenance of my properties and acquisition of more.
-1 WP to acquire a warehouse or large closed area in a cheap part of town; intent is to acquire a place to quarter troops either for the Senate or for Frederick.
[/ooc]

[ic=To Patrician Pierleone]It seems that the winds have shifted and the Consuls are now to negotiate with the Pope, as you advised long ago. Consul Calafactus recently appointed former Consul Basile as envoy to the Papacy. Are your views on Arnold still the same, or do you now see a third way of reconciliation with the Pope? I realize you do not know this pope as much as the previous one. I will try to determine what the Consuls wish to do and I can convey your ideas to them, presented as if they are yours if you prefer- or presented as if they are mine- with hopes that they have more weight in that fashion.[/ic]

[ic=DeRosa]
I have begun acquiring land for warehouses so that the soldiers-either ours, or Fredericks' have lodging while they are in Rome- it would be far better that they are housed there than in lodgings more suited for Pilgrims or Romans, would you not agree?
[/ic]

More to come later.

[Magnus Pym]

[ic=Speech before the Senatores Consiliarii, at the Lesser Council]Dear consiliariis,
I come to you today because there are two matters that concern me very much.
First, I fear that with the floods and the plagues, those who have lost much will submit to sinning to make ends meet.
Obviously, the rapprochement with the Pope and the coming of Frederick is not an affair that everyone in the popolo is happy about. And we must understand this.

To this end, I've been seriously thinking about increasing the number of men  in our Vigili. I would like to double its numbers. This would leave us without a steady source of savings for each season, and if we would to see our coffers plenty themselves; there is two solutions.
We levy a tax on the popolo or we conquer.
I will let you fine signores express yourselves on this matter before I make any final decisions.

Second, I will form the Court of Last Resort, an idea brought up by Senator Domenico DeRosa.
The main question here is who will sit as judge, and should there be only one? What I propose is that both Consuls sit on this panel along with three members of the consiliarii.
I am open to other suggestions, but this needs not tarry, for the people of Rome dearly need to be reassured as to this matter of Law.

That is all, I am looking forward to what you have to say

*sits down*[/ic]

[ic=Letter to Roberto Basile]Greetings Basile,
I have asked to the consiliariis that they weight in on important matters in the Lesser Council. Since you are away, or extremely busy, I sent you a letter instead.

I come to you today because there are two matters that concern me very much.
First, I fear that with the floods and the plagues, those who have lost much will submit to sinning to make ends meet.
Obviously, the rapprochement with the Pope and the coming of Frederick is not an affair that everyone in the popolo is happy about. And we must understand this.

To this end, I've been seriously thinking about increasing the number of men  in our Vigili. I would like to double its numbers. This would leave us without a steady source of savings for each season, and if we would to see our coffers plenty themselves; there is two solutions.
We levy a tax on the popolo or we conquer.

Second, I will form the Court of Last Resort, an idea brought up by Senator Domenico DeRosa.
The main question here is who will sit as judge, and should there be only one? What I propose is that both Consuls sit on this panel along with three members of the consiliarii.

I am open to other suggestions, but time is of the essence, for the people of Rome dearly need to be reassured as to this matter of Law, and they worry about their safety.

There is a last thing I wished to ask your person. During the perquisition of goods in the Lateran Palace, you happened to seize books. I've heard; a vast quantity, though I may be wrong.
Are there any books of military knowledge among these?

Please accept my most distinguished salutations,
Hugo De Vinti, Consul of the Interior[/ic]