Corruption in high places

Pierre Brulart

There are rumours swirling around the court about the financial affairs of the Viscount of Puisieux, Pierre Brulart Marquis of Sillery. Puisieux is our Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and questions have been raised as to the exact accounting of the funds of his office which amounts to many ten of thousands of Crowns. His Majesty Louis XIII's Conseil d'État et des finances has demanded a fuller accounting of the disposition of the funds.

A warm welcome

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all gentlemen recently arrived in Paris and intending to improve their situation. We are expecting great things of Sir Alex Kuzbidon, who recently took over the knighthood of his father. All the other recent arrivals that we have noted are second sons of their father and hence are unlike to inherit their father' position (for M. Transformée and M. Côte de Boeuf this is probably a blessing in disguise given their current lowly place!). Apart from Aline Yar (a member of the very wealthy Yar family) the remaining newcomers are all the sons of gentlemen of varying funds

War Preparations

Work by the Secrétaire d'État de la Guerre continue to prepare for the summer campaign of 1624. The Frontier Regiment and the Royal Highland Border Regiment will be joined by 6 regiments of Infantry. The regiments to be sent are the 13^th and 53^rd Fusiliers, the 27^th Musketeers, the 4^th and 69^th Arquebusiers as well as the Gascon Regiment. All members of these regiments will go to the front during the months of juin, juillet and aôut. The regular army units will be conducting a siege although the Secrétaire d'État de la Guerre has not yet determined where!

Late News

We hear that Groovy, the son of Marquis Groovy and a descendant of the notorious pirate Jean Boutemps has also arrived in Paris. His arrival was announced in advance by the appearance of a band of minstrels who appear to claim that he is continuing his illustrious ancestor's work and we look forward to his addition to our community spirit!².

STOP PRESS

As the weather turns colder, several more up and coming (or, at least, striving) young men have arrived in Paris. We welcome Phillipe Lemoine and Guillame De Batz (son of the Viscount De Batz (both second sons of their respective fathers both very wealthy viscounts). Also in their party was Albert Kestrel, the son of a well-to-do gentleman, Marius Thibodeaux, the first son of the late but very successful merchant, and Alembic D'Gustion, the first son of a less successful merchant who is still very much in business. We wish them all well in all their endeavours.

Also recently arrived are beautiful and well connected Gisèle Barthélemy with her companion Roseline Geffroy. We also note the arrival of Victoria Gainsbourg, a young lady who is overwintering in Paris while her father continues to accompany his trade caravan carrying English woollen carpets down to the rural south.

More financial scandals hit the Marquis of Sillery

Enquiries at the exchequer continue

The financial rumours surrounding Pierre Brulart, Marquis of Sillery, have intensified with the discovery that he had been involved in the overcharging of the fees for officer's commissions in our brave regiments. Although the amount of the surcharge is quite small (10 crowns in general¹), the combination of this new problem, together with the earlier irregularities that are still under investigation, many at the royal court are being to question whether it is time for a new Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and if so, who?

The furore over the commission charges may have been the cause for the rejection of several of our new young gentleman's applications to join a regiment. Among the affected are Albert Kestrel, Aline Yar and Marius Thibodeaux - better luck next time!

Albane Bacque's door being repainted

After several quite unsuitable suitors beat a path to Albane Bacque, the well renowned young lady, her front door is being repainted with a brilliant white finish in an attempt to discourage those suitors whom she would rather not have to send her butler to stop them from blackening her door.²

Frontier Regiments welcome new recruits

Several recent arrivals have opted to support France by becoming members of the Frontier Regiments for the winter campaigning season. Côte de Boeuf and Fourier Transformée have been accepted into the elite Royal North Highland Regiment, while Alembic D'Gustion and Harry Covert join the regular troops of the Expeditionary Regiment. M. D'Gustion looked particularly dashing in his new blue uniform³. This winter season campaign is occupied with an attempt to gain ground in the Spanish Netherlands in readiness for the main summer cmapaign⁴.

Gisèle Barthélemy's Lucky Month

Feather Fan presented by Guillame De Batz to Gisèle Barthélemy

During the first week of janvier, Gisèle Barthélemy was courted by the dashing Guillame De Batz who wined and dined the young lady in a manner that she was very happy become accustomed to. In fact, she became so accustomed to it that after pledging herself to M. De Batz, she was able to enjoy the same again courtesy of Phillipe Lemoine in the following week. Gisèle was very even handed about the affair and has now pledged herself to M. Lemoine⁵. As a result of her fickle nature, Guillame De Batz now has cause to issue a challenge to a duel with Phillipe Lemoine⁶.

Impromptu Race Planned

Porte Saint-Honoré

Not content with his stunning appearance at the first showing of La Reine d'Ecosse at the Hôtel de Bourgogne (where he was showing off the latest in Paris fashion despite only recently being arrived in Paris), we are hearing rumours that Phillipe Lemoine is organising a race to be held during the first week of février at the Horsemarket (just outside Porte Saint-Honoré). However this will be no ordinary horse race as M. Lemoine has been seen inquiring of the whereabouts of unusual animals in the city and has been pointed to those private collections known as menageries as the most likely source of such creatures as ostriches, armadillos and llamas, the gentlemen also appears to be looking for mythical creatures such as kangaroos (apparently some form of giant rabbit). Also involved in this scheme, and presumably before he discovered Phillipe Lemoine's affair with Gisèle Barthélemy, is Guillame De Batz who has been telling all and sundry (or, at least, those that matter) about the scheme and has been handing out ostrich feathers (and cards) to remind people about the event. One also hopes that the Commissioner for Public Safety doesn't decide that the event is a cover for some other activity⁷.⁸

Flora Pernet and Marius Thibodeaux

After rebuffing Jean Huile's approaches earlier in the month, Flora Pernet has been charmed by Marius Thibodeaux's poetry and two have been sharing evenings together⁹. We have managed to smuggle out the following as an example of the art:¹⁰

Where Flora treads, a myriad buds burst forth
And shew their perfumed petals in her train
And I, inhaling deep, know well her worth
And pray that she will bid me not refrain

Groovy heads to Provence

The business requirements of being a pirate (or, at least, of being a pirate's descendent) have forced Groovy to head out of town and to the rural wilds of Provence for the time being. We hope to see his return to Parisian society once he has sorted out all the problems with Provence (either that or once he has drunk all the available wine!)

Regimental News

Grand Duke Maximillian Dragoons

Omer Dalors appointed captain of A troop. Roget Thésaurus joins E troop as a private.

Royal Marines

Sir Alex Kuzbidon joins C company as a subaltern.

Picardy Musketeers

Jean Huile joins D company as a private.

Personal Notices

Albert Kestrel: I'm looking to make mutual connections and explore ways of advancing our mutual standing. Looking to meet up at Red Phillips or other venues, perhaps at the fencing master¹²? -- Roget Thésaurus

L’Ark de Triomphe a success

A safer form of the ostrich racing?

Despite a low turnout for the event of the month, the grand menagerie race and the associated activities proved to be a fairly successful day for the organisers, Phillipe Lemoine and Gulliame De Batz. The day itself was overcast, but at least the mud of the street had a delightful crust for the racers to crunch through. The day started with an initial set of races to determine the fastest animal of each type. Getting the ostriches to race proved relatively easy after the stand providing mulled wine to the spectators collapsed in flames (it appears that the stallholders weren't watching over the candles used to keep the mulled wine to temperature), bu the armadillos proved to be much more reluctant to race and embarrassingly were eventually overtaken by the tortoises that had only been added to the roster as an additional late entry by a pair of enterprising bookies.

Before the main event, Guillame rose to make his challenge to Phillipe: Phillipe, you scoundrel, you leave me no choice but to challenge you to a duel, to which Phillipe quickly responded with Accepted, I choose to fight with Lances with us mounted on these Ostriches..... Although there was some mutterings as to whether this was an honourable way to settle the issue¹, the road was quickly cleared by Albert Kestrel and his quickly organised band of gofers all ably overseen by Élisabeth Beaumont. One of the nearby stalls was dismantled to be converted into lances and then Phillipe and Guillame retreated to opposite ends of the road and attempted to mount their new steeds. Their first attempt was marred for both of them when their respective ostriches dodged their dramatic leaps with the pair ending up in the mud. After their mounts had been recaptured both took a more cautious approach and eventually both were on their ostrich. They then attempted to do the run down the street towards their opponent. While Guillame was able, miraculously, to keep his balance and keep his steed on the line of the street, Phillipe was less lucky as his ostrich dove down a side street, reaching Le Pont Neuf and dodging around La pompe de la Samaritaine, dumping the unfortunate Phillipe into the Seine.

After the rescue of Phillipe from the waters, and a short break for him to recover his composure (and luckily he was otherwise unhurt), Phillipe declared himself to have lost the joust on grounds that Guillame had, at least, managed a run down the course without losing his way!²

The final race of the day was then easily won by the Guillame's ostrich Gisèle Barthélemy awarded him the grand prize cup in her role as Queen of the Revels and the winnings from his bets on himself!

Marquis of Sillery dismissed by Louis XIII

His Majesty, King Louis XIII is looking to form a new council after dismissing the Marquis of Sillery from his court for the financial irregularities in the foreign affairs department. Attempts by the marquis to prevent further investigation seem to have failed and the ramifications of the plot have yet to become clear.

Mariembourg falls to the Royal North Highland Regiment

Frontier Regiments try new mentorship programme

After a furious assault, the town of Mariembourg has been taken by the frontier regiments preparing the route for this summer campaign. The assault was led by the elite Royal North Highland Regiment who broke through the town gates after a very short siege of only a couple of days. However it seems that the inhabitants had attempted to set a trap for our brave frontier forces when the main force was ambushed inside the town itself as it attempted to assert its control of the main square of the town. Control was re-established after two days of heavy fighting³.

Those concerned for the well being of our raw recruits will be relieved to hear that the frontier regiments have adopted a mentorship scheme to attempt to improve the general survivability of the regiments. In the scheme raw recruits are looked after by veterans of earlier campaigns to stop them from making simple errors of judgement and help them gain some initial experience⁴.

Guillame De Batz turns to Bernadette Cuvier's shoulder

Following his success at L’Ark de Triomphe, Guillame De Batz has been seen with the stunningly beautiful Bernadette Cuvier who has apparently already forgiven him for forgetting about Saint Valentine's Day on the 14^th. To be fair to Guillame, it seems that almost all of the gentlemen in Paris (with the honourable exception of Phillipe Lemoine) had also ignored this most auspicious day leaving the ladies of Paris somewhat disappointed.

Flora Pernet and Marius Thibodeaux

We have managed to find another example of Marius's poetry (suggestions that, perhaps, Flora is our source cannot be confirmed or denied!):⁶

Full well I know how fortunate am I
That hath the beauteous Flora hand in mine
And when apart, my thoughts to her must fly
And comfort seek in memory of her eyne

Suggestions that Marius's application to join the Picardy Musketeers was only accepted after Flora Pernet was seen visiting the Regiment headquarters are being refuted by the regiment. Colonel Henri d'Alembert⁷ is quoted as saying We do not judge recruits based on their connections even when Mademoiselle Pernet visits. On the other hand rumours suggest that Marius' application was on the verge of being rejected...

Investment opportunities abound

After the 40% investment returns from financial investments that was drawn by investors last septembre, many of the richer gentlemen in Paris are considering whether to make investments before the summer. The potential returns are high, but then so are the risks that the investments may turn sour and require yet more funds to keep the investment solvent⁸.

Le Perche du Coudray Updates

Le Perche du Coudray, the famous fencing master, offers his congratulations to Albert Kestrel, who has now completed a course of Coudray's rapier training and whose Rapier Expertise is rated at 11.

Regimental News

Picardy Musketeers

Marius Thibodeaux joins B company as a private. Aline Yar joins C company as a private.

We regret that we were unable to accept an application from Albert Kestrel - better luck next time.

Mariambourg Bravery

Alembic D'Gustion, Harry Covert, Jean Huile show off their uniforms

We can be proud of our troops and in particular the gentlemen we have been following closely. All of them were mentioned in dispatches for their bravery (and in some cases extreme bravery). In the event most of them have returned safely to Paris with their tales of bravery and with bulging purses with their gains from the sacking of Mariambourg.

Sadly we have to report the death of Alembic D'Gustion¹ whose bravery in charging the light cannon set up by the inhabitants as part of their ambush led to the outflanking of their position as they concentrated their fire on Alembic D'Gustion as he charged their position. This action allowed Harry Covert and Jean Huile to use this as a distraction to achieve positions in the adjacent building and then bravely chopped down the supports of the wall dividing them from the light cannon and they dived through the wall as the floor above collapsed².

Fourier Transformée and Côte de Boeuf gained their mentions in dispatches during the initial assault on the town. M. Transformée was assigned to the sappers that tunnelled under the town gate. He was mentioned in dispatches for his brave defence of the tunnel after it accidentally broke into the cellar of the gate³. Côte de Boeuf was assigned to the squad that followed up when the town gate was opened and rallied his squad after the death of the subaltern originally assigned to the squad⁴.

Cardinal Richelieu condemns Huguenot perfidy

Responding to the reports from the action at Mariambourg Cardinal Richelieu has condemned the treachery of the heretics who had set up the ambush of the frontier regiment as it set about arrangements for the surrender of the town. The Cardinal was very clear that this was a demonstration of the lack of honour and trust that is regularly displayed by the enemies of France, both those inside and outside of the country.

Pineapple Party is the event of the month

Presentation of the pineapple

Guillame De Batz and Phillipe Lemoine stunned Paris society with their display and subsequent consumption of a whole pineapple - especially imported from Guadeloupe in the Caribbean Islands. The display drew many admirers from across Paris, including a few from the royal court itself (it is said that the visitors from the court were attracted by the opportunity to actually taste the fruit (it being normally reserved for the royal table itself and those able to afford the hundred crowns for an individual fruit.

Among those attending the party included Albert Kestrel, Marius Thibodeux and somewhat bemused René Descartes, a young lawyer who gained his degree at the University of Poitiers and visiting Paris to learn more about potential clients.

Release for Mlle. Transformée?

One person who will be particularly pleased by the bravery shown by Fourier Transformée will be his sister, Hélène. She was detained by M. Sillery last year and her brother's letter shows that the family is most supportive of the current regime:

I hope that this reaches you, it's been such a long time. know that when I eventually make my fortune that I will see you released. With the first sign of spring weather, I find that my fine blue winter coat is now a brown-coat, mud is everywhere. There is enough wood to to keep us warm with a Fire. Fly's make life a hell here. My normal serenity is somewhat shattered as I look over the valley, mist and smoke from musket fire mask any birdsong or green fields.
For the glory of king Louis this war will see unification with the misguided enemy.
Vive La France!

The bravery of the Transformée family, together with the fall of the Marquis Sillery lends hope for the release of Hélène⁵.

Splendid oration after La Reine d'Ecosse

Attendees at latest staging of La Reine d'Ecosse were treated to an oratory written by Marius Thidobeaux as an epilogue to the play⁶:

The goddess Aphrodite wept in vain
And all Olympus marveled at her tears
The many beauteous nymphs that formed her train
Wept with her, to the wonder of their peers.
"What ails thee?", cried Ares, god of war
"Perchance some mortal fool hath slighted thee?
Tell me his name that falsely thee abhor
A bitter vengeance shall I work on he."
"Alas," the lovely goddess wailed aloud,
"I fear 'tis jealousy that makes me weep Like raindrops tumbling earthwards from a cloud
Tormenting me so that I cannot sleep.
You call me fair, whose eyes are red and wet But FLORA is accounted fairer yet!"

Victoria Gainsbourg charmed by Roget Thésaurus

Despite hints of interest from Omer Dalors, Victoria continues to be charmed by Roget Thésaurus. She was treated to an excellent picnic and conversation on the outskirts of Paris⁷.

Aurélie Pueyrredón stays single

Despite the attentions of Sir Alex Kuzbidon, Mlle Pueyrredón has, so far, rejected his advances. Perhaps his bad luck has aided the good luck of (most of) those who joined the frontier regiments!

Regimental News

Queen's Own Carabineers

We regret that we are unable to accept an application from Albert Kestrel at this time.

Picardy Musketeers

Aline Yar is promoted to Subaltern in C company.

13^th Fusiliers

Captain Omer Dalors stands accused of ungentlemanly behaviour. He is called before a board of inquiry in three months time⁸.

Mai ball details announced

Last years ball

Duke Gaston of Anjou, younger brother of his Majesty Louis XIII, has announced details of a mai ball¹. It will be held on le mercredi 1er mai at Bothwell's. All gentleman and ladies can attend on presentation of their invitation which can be obtained on application to the Duke's secretary².

Cardinal Richelieu appointed to the royal council of ministers

Following the dismissal of Marquis of Sillery, his Majesty Louis XIII has appointed Cardinal Richelieu to his council of ministers. Observers believe that his Majesty has been relying on the advice of the Cardinal for many months and expect that the current aggressive foreign policy will continue to be pursued.

Victoria Gainsbourg spurns Roget Thésaurus; seen with Jean Huile

It would seem that Victoria Gainsbourg has a new beau in the shape of Jean Huile. Victoria was won by Jean's attentions while Roget was nowhere to be seen³.

Elsewhere in Paris, Sir Alex Kuzbidon has been seen at the door of Aurélie Pueyrredón but she has not yet seen fit to let him into her home.

Praise from Le Perche du Coudray

Phillipe Lemoine and Sir Alex Kuzbidon have both improved their rapier expertise sufficiently to gain praise from the fencing master, Le Perche du Coudray: I commend both these gentlemen for their dedication to the fine skill of the rapier. I look forward to working further with them.

The Great Egg Race

Monkey stealing one of Guillame's painted eggs

Guillame De Batz and Phillipe Lemoine have continued to provide entertainment and innovation to Parisian society by adapting the La Chasse aux Oeufs⁴. Guillame provided a set of colourfully painted hen eggs while Phillipe went one better by having the master chocolatiers create chocolate eggs. The pair then hid around Le Jardin des Tuileries. Having invited all the fashionable young ladies and their partners to join the hunt after the Easter Service at Notre Dame. Great fun was had by all as they attempted to collect the greatest total of eggs, including finding those hidden in those hard to reach places on the cages of the menageries (some eggs were lost to the cages' inhabitants!)

New boy Lombard Chequers robbed in red light district

Lombard Chequers, the first son of M. Chequers (the noted banker), has had an interesting first month in our fair city. Lombard decided he had to experience the best that Paris has to offer by visiting (repeatedly) the red light district. After complaining about the play at the baccarat tables (Lombard expressed a suspicion about exactly how often the house won the card play by exactly matching his score and hence winning by the house advantage), Lombard was returning home when he was accosted by some masked thieves who then proceeded to abscond with Lombard's stake and winnings for that week. This, combined with Lombard losing streak means that Lombard has lost some of his initial status⁵. Perhaps Lombard needs to learn from Aline Yar and Sir Alex Kuzbidon, who have been able to make monthly visits inside the red light district without getting accosted by ne'er-do-wells.

One hopes that the same run of bad luck does not affect Cochon de Lait, second son of Baron De Lait who arrives in Paris in time for the Mai activities. Our best wishes to both new gentlemen.

Small housewarming party held at Descartes house

Much to the surprise of M. Descartes, a housewarming party was held at his house on 24 avril. M. Descartes was overwhelmed by the visitation by Phillipe Lemoine and Marius Thibodeaux since M. Descartes has been at his current address for several months. It turned out the house being warmed was that of Phillipe Lemoine who was moving into a new property owned by Marius Thibodeaux and the two gentlemen had been shuffled out of the house as their respective young ladies took over the management and preparations of the property.

Outbreak of Dysentery affecting our gentlemen?

An outbreak of dysentery amongst the lower classes seems to have had an effect on a couple of our gentlemen this month. No sign of Côte de Boeuf nor of Roget Thésaurus has been apparent for this past few weeks and their failure to appear has been the cause of some rumours and discussions in the bars and cafés of Paris⁶

Regimental News

Queen's Own Carabineers

Albert Kestrel joins A troop as a private.

Frontier Regiments⁷

The frontier regiments thank Harry Covert and Fourier Transformée for their somewhat surprising decision to remain with the regiments for another season⁸. Fourier continues to serve with the elite Royal Highland Border Regiment. In addition, the frontier regiments welcome Omer Dalors to the frontier for the first time.

Midsummer Masquerade

After the careful preparation and logistics set in train by Albert Kestrel, the Midsummer Masquerade held at the de Gonde estate to the south-west of Paris. Most of the great and the good of Paris attended the event, with some even managing to get into the spirit of the event rather than just hobnob with their better. Phillipe Lemoine (who had arranged the event), Guillame De Batz (who arranged the musicians and entertainment) even managed to convince the normally aloof Sir Alex Kuzbidon to attend the event along with Duke Gaston. All three were companied by the their lady-friends. Marius Thibodeaux was prevailed upon to give a short recital, although he did insist on reciting the melancholy poems from the obscure English poet, John Donne. M. Thibodeaux costume was also one of the more elaborate with a prominent broken heart motif. Also attending the masquerade was Roget Thésaurus and Colonel Henri d'Alembert.

The grounds of the hunting lodge were almost overshadowed by the marquee that had been set up for the festivities and a great time was had by all, even if the event was broken up in the early morning when a herd of wild boar, recently released into the surrounding woods broke into the marquee and started to consume the remains of the feast and charging the musicians! In the resulting fracas many of the attendees received minor injuries. Suggestions of the sounds of laughter from the hunting lodge itself have been denied by the de Gondi family.

Roget Thésaurus/Jean Huile duel quickly over

In the early morning glare of the 25^th of June, Roget Thésaurus and Jean Huile met for their duel under the watchful eye of Albert Kestrel who was acting as Roget's second¹. Both men had selected to fight with Sabres. After formally declining to withdraw either the insult or the challenge both men saluted each other and prepared for the fight. When Albert dropped his handkerchief to signal the start of the duel, Roget immediately took sprang to the attack and struck Jean soundly on his left leg causing a serious injury and deep cut which instantly started to bleed. Jean quickly offered his surrender and this was, as quickly, accepted by Roget². The local surgeon for gardens of the Palais Royale quickly moved in to bind Jean's wounds and, although he is expected to recover, he will have an impressive scar³.

Marius Thibodeaux/Cochon de Lait

As expected, Marius Thibodeaux has challenged Cochon de Lait to a duel for the fourth week of juillet. The challenge was met quite vehemently and definitely and it will be interesting to see how the skilled M. Thibodeaux will approach the duel. M. Thibodeaux has been recently praised by Le Perche du Coudray for dedication to his practice and for being one of the best swordsmen in Paris.

Dispatches from Phillipeville

We now have the reports from the frontier regiments that captured Phillipeville. The commanders of the frontier regiments had called for volunteers to lead a diversionary attack to allow sappers to lay a large bomb at the town gates and our brave gentlemen all volunteered. So, led by Captain Omer Dalors, Harry Covert and Fourier Transformée were part of a team sent to make a noisy attack on the town's water gate. The townsmen had thought that the water gate would be relatively secure since the swamp outside the water gate was also overlooked by the town wall. Indeed as the small team began to set up its light artillery piece (sadly without cannon balls since those cost real money) the townsfolk started to pepper their temporary platform with musket fire. Captain Dalors⁴ maintained order amongst the team and ensured that several large puffs of gun-smoke were seen coming their position despite several shots whizzing over his shoulders. Fourier Transformée was less lucky, but despite the musket ball in his left shoulder he was able to keep passing the charges of gunpowder to the gun crew, even when a couple of the town lads started chucking lighted torches over the wall towards them⁵. Sadly Harry Covert took several musket balls as he provided cover to the team.

Misdirected mail?

The following has been delivered to us by an anonymous contact who says that he bought the poem from a servant of Flora Pernet's household. Quite how the letter ended up there is very unclear as it is obvious that the intended recipient was not Flora, but Émilie Beaufils. That lady, however, denies receiving the poem or its covering letter. We are unable to ascertain the author.

I stand here, that hath been Love's gentle Fool
A sadder, but a wiser man become
And though my tears about me form'd a pool
My much lamenting tongue hath fallen dumb.
Those tears have washed the scales from my eyes
And clearer see I than I did before
And dazzled am I by the bright Sunrise
The pallid moon; a thing that I abhor.
I know that by aspiring to the Sun
I stand the chance, mayhap, of being burned
But faint heart never Phoebus' daughter won
And any scorching shall be gladly earned
And so, sweet Émilie, to thee I'll fly
E'en though this Icarus might fall and die.

Devils target Guillame De Batz?

Mystery still surrounds the house fire that has seriously damaged one of the houses being rented out by Guillame De Batz. Several witness report seeing strange lights in the sky during the evening before the fire and state that they saw a glowing orb descend down from above the house and touch down on the thatched roof of the property. The property was badly damaged in the incident and will need considerable work and repair before it can be rented out again.

Power problems for Aline Yar

Aline Yar was called urgently to his father's mill outside of Paris this month to supervise the repair of the water wheel that powers the mill. As result M. Yar was unable to attend any events in Paris during juin.

Regimental News

13th and 53rd Fusiliers, the 27th Musketeers, the 4th and 69th Arquebusiers

Members of these regiments are reminded that they are required to join their regiments for the summer campaign during juillet, août and septembre

Payment being taken

Ban on sale of offices?

Cardinal Richelieu has proposed to His Majesty's council that the appointment of office holders on payment of an appropriate fee be banned. The Cardinal claims that this will allow more competent office holders to be found and appointed but has not explained how the massive hole in the state finances this would be filled. In addition it is not clear not this would affect the regiments and their officers. The Cardinal has also been unable to explain how these more competent people would be found if they are unable to prove their suitability by the ability to locate and provide considerable funds to the state treasury. The measures are part of a broader set of reforms which have yet to be approved by the council.

Disappearance of Mlle. Transformée

Investigations have begun into the disappearance of Mlle. Transformée from the Bastille prison. She had been detained last year by the previous regime of M. Sillery, but had not been released by Cardinal Richelieu. She had recently been seen by her brother, Fourier Transformée, on his return from the his duties at the frontier in the support of recent assaults on Mariambourg and Phillipeville. Fourier has denied any involvement, citing, as an alibi, his visit to Victoria Gainsbourg. This alibi can be corroborated by Jean Huile who caught Fourier Transformée on the doorstep of Victoria's home and hence has cause to challenge Fourier to a duel¹.

"The consequence of not shifting the leg"

Marius Thibodeaux/Cochon de Lait duel spectacular

The early morning of the 22^nd of juillet, the appointed day for the duel between Marius Thibodeaux and Cochon de Lait, proved to be a dank and rainy morning. Despite this, Cochon de Lait was the first to the site (again the gardens of the Palais Royale) having arranged an early morning call from his regiment and an escort. Marius Thibodeaux arrived shortly afterwards and after the formal rejection of any withdrawal of either insult or challenge the two men prepared to fight. Both men were clearly determined to score on their opponent with Marius perhaps measuring his opoonent's skill to gauge his own attack. However when signal for the start of the duel was given, it appears that Cochon de Lait was unprepared for the immediate attack from Marius whose rapier lunge immediately went under Cochon de Lait's Cutlass blade and deep into the side of Cochon de Lait. With Cochon de Lait immediately offering his surrender and its acceptance honour was satisfied. Flora Pernet rushed to the side of Cochon de Lait to aide the local surgeon.²

de Gonde's Hunting Lodge affected by fire

The hunting grounds near the midsummer ball held last month have suffered from a small forest fire in the early hours of the 29^th of juillet. Luckily the heavy rain that day doused the incipient disaster and prevented the spread of the fire to the new hunting lodge of de Gonde. Witnesses claim the fire started shortly after the full moon has set while other suggest that a barbecue in the forest may have gotten out of trouble after the discovery of the remains of a small pig carcass in the ashes.

Unlucky Marius Thibodeaux

Despite discovering that Mlle. Émilie Beaufils fondness for the dishes and wines served at Lapérouse, he also discovered her allergic reaction to the day's fresh fish dish, freshly caught at Vigneux-sur-Seine. With the meal ruined, Marius was forced to escort Émilie back to her home and then had to travel alone back to his own home.

Le Perche du Coudray Updates

Le Perche du Coudray, the famous fencing master, offers his congratulations to Aline Yar, who has now completed a course of Coudray's rapier training and whose Rapier Expertise is now rated at 9.

Regimental News

Queen's Own Carabiniers

Albert Kestrel is promoted to Subaltern for his excellent military organisational skills.

Royal Marines

We welcome that hero of the Kingdom, Fourier Transformée, to D company as a private.

13^th Fusiliers

We note the late arrival of Captain Delors to lead A troop. His explanation that he was assisting the frontier regiment and the presentation of his mention in dispatch has gone some way to provide amelioration for his tardiness (the error in the janvier 1624 issue of Le Journal has also been noted!). Captain Delors' appearance before the board of inquiry is now scheduled for novembre.

New arrival from London

Earl Lightfoot, father of the newly arrived Henry Lightfoot

We welcome this month Henry Lightfoot, newly arrived from religious persecution in London. Henry's father, Earl Lightfoot was arrested for non-payment of fines for his recusancy. Henry has thrown himself into the maelstrom of Parisian society, albeit during one of the hottest seasons for both the summer temperatures and the attitudes of those below the bottom of the pile¹.

Rioting in quartier rouge

The recent hot weather seemed to have triggered trouble in the poorest district of Paris, Le Quartier Rouge. The cause of the rioting is still very uncertain, with various causes ranging from outrage at poor quality wines being sold to disappearances of some of the inhabitants being suggested. Some of our gentlemen have been caught up in the troubles, with both Aline Yar and Henry Lightfoot reporting that they had been subject of pickpockets in the crowd as they attempted to discreetly leave the area, while Roget Thésaurus claims to have avoided trouble by staying over night.

Formal Challenge

After the physicians at Hôpital de la Charité gave Jean Huile a clean bill of health, Jean Huile has challenged Fourier Transformée to a duel to be resolved during the first week of septembre. As readers will recall M. Huile discovered M. Transformée on the doorstep of his good lady friend, Victoria Gainsbourg during juin. Roget Thésaurus has offered his services as second to Jean Huile.

Relief for rumour mongers

We hear that Auriane Delaunay has been the centre of attention this month with several reports of gentlemen attempting to win her heart this month. However despite the many dinner dates Mlle. Auriane has spurned all comers this month. Perhaps fortunately for both the lady and her gentleman admirers those after her heart chose different weeks to make their attempts and hence avoided giving each other offence.

Meanwhile at the Beaumont household, Albert Kestrel² was seen delivering flowers and making dinner invitations. All perfectly normal one might imagine given M. Kestrel's love affair with the younger sister, Mlle. Élisabeth Beaumont. Rumours from the household suggest that he was visiting the older sister, Mlle. Lesly Beaumont and that he had to make significant amends to his paramour the following week.

Marius Thibodeux has managed to find the perfect recipe for the gourmand, Mlle. Émilie Beaufils, who not only enjoyed the meal, but allowed M. Thibodeux a long and complex evening of entertainment and explanations.

Plays popular, but no one play wins out

With the hot weather driving most daytime activities out of the question, many of our gentlemen were driven to the cooler night time plays at out theatre. However with the wide variety of plays on offer no one play could be described as the most popular. Perhaps in an attempt to resolve this, Guillame de Batz is sponsoring a new play, Les Boutons Manquant whose opening night will be on the autumnal equinox during the third week of septembre. With plenty of opportunity for hobnobbing with other gentry, the opening night promises to be a busy evening³.

Victory at Château de Montaigle

Reports from the front line of the summer campaign report that the main thrust of the war this year was to secure the approaches to the city of Namur. We believe that the main battle was the siege of the old castle ruins at Château de Montaigle which has been taken by our forces. We hope for a more detailed report and for information about Captain Omer Dalors' endeavours next month.

Renovations at Hunter's

The old court billiard court at Hunter's is being relaid at the expense of Phillipe Lemoine. However old hands are outraged at the changes being made with the old turf being replaced with some kind of wood and fabric construction. We'll have to take this indoors to protect it from the autumn storms fumed one old hand. Suggestions from M. Lemoine that that's actually the point didn't go over too well and Phillipe was seen recovering at the banks of the Seine with his usual cronies and friends including Guillame de Batz (when not practising at Le Perche du Coudray), Gisèle Barthélemy and Rene Descartes (who had suggested that the new billiard surface should be marked out with a grid, further outraging the old hands...).

Le Perche du Coudray Updates

Le Perche du Coudray, the famous fencing master, offers his congratulations to Jean Huile and Marius Thibodeux, who have both completed a course of Coudray's rapier training. Jean Huile's Rapier Expertise is now rated at 11, while Marius Thibodeux is now rated at 17.

Regimental News

Colonel of the Royal Marines

General

As a general note, each regiment has an unlimited number of Subaltern positions, six Captaincies, three Majors, one Lieutenant Colonel and one Colonel.

King's Musketeers

We regret that we cannot accept Henry Lightfoot's application to join the regiment at this time. Better luck next month.

Royal Marines

Congratulations to both Cochon de Lait and Fourier Transformée for their promotion to Subaltern. We particularly congratulate Cochon de Lait for the presentation of an engraving of our colonel.

Picardy Musketeers

As we continue to promote those best able to achieve the regiment's aims, we welcome both Jean Huile and Marius Thibodeux of their respective companies (D company for M. Huile, B company for M. Thibodeux).