QUOTE:
Foreign Minister of Spain,
Rowan St James,

First allow me to state how pleasing it is to hear of another well written woman joining the pains of diplomacy. How tired I have grown of all the ancient male egos stomping around and beating upon their chests. It is a breath of God sent fresh air to have another woman to speak with again. It has almost grown to the point that it isn't worth it to respond to these men further. Only using their rump itching, head held high, or I am better than that male words and clean a little bit with. Perhaps Spain holds high hopes yet with such a new a fresh representation.

I shall not fool you though, my lady. You do understand much of the situation, but miss some. King Gregory and King Charles basically hate each other. Of this I have known for a long time. Both to me are in a massive tantrum. All over a little piece of God sent land called Sevilla. The silver rich lands owned by my former people of Andulsia. They and their lands were made Ireland's vassal by the former king Godfrey. It is true the people of Andulsia have fallen since asleep, and their king moved to Ireland to aide myself in life. Man can be such fickle creatures. Still the alliance and treaty was written so that it with stood the test of time and occupation.

As ruler of all these lands I turned a blind eye and bit my tongue as the nation of Castile began to grow and consume my lands. They have concured many of my shires. Still it is for Spain and King Charles that I allowed Castille to consume not only my lands of Sevilla, but also several others including Burgos. I have remained quiet, and let them consume as Charles wished a strong new neighbor. He felt Leon who is also of Irish interest could and would never be!

I sat idly by as Charles's hate for Gregory began to determine who had authority over God to hold those lands. Mostly he will not have Gregory own those lands, but he will allow this king of Castille who not only insults me, but as well stole from me, pretends to be superior in Holy knowledge, and claims to hold rights to the area that I do not. Well I am here to say Gregory did take that land of Sevilla, of which Castille stole from me, and now has it well developed.Why should I mind at all? As rightful owner of this land. In the beginning conflict when Gregory took the land back I did grant it to Castille who did not take this opportunity to reach out to my nation for friendship, but instead used it to cut us out of the area. Now as rightful owner of Sevilla I recognize the insults, and repeated attempts of Castille and Spain to cut me out. I am not happy as I worked very hard to establish what I had down there as a home for my people. A home of security and peace!

Thus why would I care if my brother England held the land? Versus to have that so called Christian who would not only steal, but insult, and remove from rights? It is still my opinion and decision that England is allowed to maintain Sevilla. Over the fact I have learned that England had invested over two thousand of their silvers to establish what they have there.

If it was Spain and Castille would still like to upset me further with objections to this then there will be war, as I already have funneled troops from my armies in the North back home. I began this before, and only just began intensifying this mere days before this conflict. Yes Gregory had a tantrum, but he is eccentric, and frankly something I agreed to take on in God's name when I first communicated with him as a mere and lowly homeless knight all those years ago. Eventually Gregory regains his composure and stands where he needs to. If we will compare deeds between that of England and Spain to Ireland I think you will find in history England far out weighs this. Can my brother of Spain even tell what is so important in my life at this moment that I am so defensive? I think not, but I know the king of England can.

The lesson that I taught Gregory all that time ago is love and forgiveness. If Spain and Castille can actually learn to tolerate their new neighbor with out letting their personal issues interfer with that of God then war they can avoid. England will stay on Sevilla even if I must come down there, and enforce this. If I do come down there though Castille will be giving up my other lands in which they have stolen. Either they learn to get along and accept, or they will loose far more. If they will preech Christianity to me, they damn well better be ready to live by it. Forgiveness and love are the most important aspects!

If Castille and Spain wish to have Sevilla I would suggest they not only consider how to diplomatically buy out England, but explain to the English fief owners who are there the cost to their lands for individual pride. Ireland stands by England on this one. As tolerance is far more important that ownership.

Yes it would be easier for me to not have Greg, but nothing of real Christianity is easy. As well he is my friend, and friendship is always worth heart ache.

May your decent words and patience continue strong,
Molly Cumhaill
Banrion of Ireland