[Viola Fitzgerald (Rose)]

Ladies and gentlemen of England, we are at a turning point in our proud nation's history!

Napoleon Bonaparte is at our gates! By the end of the day England will be ruled by the French!

Everyone must unite to fend off this menace: gentlemen, enlist for your country! Ladies, you must co-ordinate to provide hospitals and other essential services for our brave soldiers.

All those of French descent will have to be careful as no doubt the Emperor will not be happy to see those who deserted the fatherland...

No doubt there will be many hasty war marriages.

Now, excuse me; I have to go brush up on my target practice. *polishes ivory pistol*

Lady Viola
President of the Ladies' Defence League

(OOC: The battles to conquer England should only last a game week so we should be able to play it out very quickly.))

[Thomas Sterne (Aida)]

I, for my part, am ever ready to mount!

I suggest all military men form their own companies and then start enlisting. Ideas?

[Georgiana Haworth (Vikki)]

Major Fotherington has already declared his intention to form a regiment of cavalry, and I believe Captain Brydges and Admiral Quartermaine might be entrusted with blockading the channel to prevent the French from resupplying their troops or bringing over yet more. With luck, we might be able to fetch more men over from the Peninsula quite quickly.

Lord Linley proposes forming a militia of gentlemen, based on fellows he knows from Angelo's who are good shots as well as good with a sword. They do however need someone with military skill to lead them. Applicants to the Gentlemen En Garde militia, please contact Lord Linley.

Anyone who has young children who ought to be shepherded to safety, please contact Lady Imogen and her family, who will happily take charge of any evacuees from London northwards.

As for myself, although I would prefer to be standing up in defence of our country, I have been forbidden to put myself under physical stress. Besides, dizzy spells are a little incompatible with shooting a pistol. But I offer to coordinate intelligence and communications, including any that can be obtained from behind enemy lines. Results of battles, casualty lists and any other pertinent news will be posted here (or if it gets too busy, a separate thread).

[Thomas Sterne (Aida)]

In that case, I will form a regiment of foot.

Lady Jane is a good shot and can provide assistance accordingly if women were called to aid; in the meantime, she will provide nursing services with the help of Miss Wriothesley - who says she will only nurse young handsome officers.

[Georgiana Haworth (Vikki)]

*LATEST NEWS*

Napoleon's forces have taken Dover, Brighton, Maidstone and Lewes. The pavilion at Brighton has been converted into a French military hospital. Country estates in Sussex and Kent have been seized and citizens of occupied counties are being forced to swear allegiance to Napoleon or face arrest and/or severe sanctions. Refugees have begun arriving in more inland counties.

A further detachment of French ships have been sighted along the Dorset coast and landings have been reported in Cornwall.

Three regiments of cavalry and five of infantry have been dispatched south from London in an attempt to head off the monster Napoleon. Local militia are being raised throughout the south coast. A few brave souls in occupied territory are forming resistance groups and attempting to sabotage French supply lines and the like. Word has been received that our remaining troops in Spain and Portugal are unable to reach Britain.

[Georgiana Haworth (Vikki)]

*MORE BREAKING NEWS*

The invading French armies have now pushed forward to Epsom and Dartford and as such their vanguard are within 15 miles of London.

English forces engaged with the enemy earlier today, but despite incredible bravery were pushed back.

Casualty List

Killed in action:
Major Hugo Fotherington
Lord Latimer

Wounded:
Captain Thomas Sterne
Mr Charles Devenish

Captured:
Mr Hamond Poore

[The London Life]

Julianne would like to offer her services as a spy. She is also willing to hand over her mother, whose own mother was a French woman who married an Englishman, for any sort of financial favors she might receive.

Kate would like to join the nurses, as would Poppy. She has sent Caroline and the children northward.

The duchess has taken Lizzie northward, and though she begged Tony to come with her, his sense of duty has forced him to remain London to protect whoever he can.

Francis, who is still feeling a little embarrassed about the aborted duel, would like his chance to fight off the frogs. Unfortunately, he's not so great with a pistol. Here's to hoping he won't stab himself with a sword.

[Jemima Palmer (Meg)]

Jemima would be much obliged if someone would teach her to shoot. *eyes Julianne* Failing that, she's happy to be a spy, having just returned from France and bearing no desire for England to become a part of that wretched county (Lady Francesca would like to add that she would very much appreciate the services of anyone who might be willing to take her daughter off her hands).

[Felicity Staunton (Betsy)]

NEW REPORTS!!

Lady Louth has been indisposed by some schrapnel, therefore the Honourable Miss Staunton takes over as correspondant.

Despite a valiant defense effort, London has fallen to the invading forces. Civilians rush out to the country, fleeing with what they can, while those brave enough stay on to fight and provide aid to the soldiers.

Killed in action:
Captain Brydges
Lord Auckland

Wounded:
Lord Linley
Mr. DeLancey
Lord Stanwood
Lady Viola Fitzgerald
Lord Leighton
Lady Cassandra Edgeworth

Captured:
Lord William Gosling
Lady Olivia Fitzgerald
Lady Julianne Grafton
The Duchess of Beaumont
Mr. Rutledge
Lord Foxford

[Jane Middleton (Aida)]

The wounded have been transferred to Middleton House, where first they were all lodged in the grand hall, but after a late-night incident, they have been divided into the following groups:

Lodged in the grand hall:
Lord Linley
Lord Stanwood
Lady Viola Fitzgerald
Lord Leighton
Lady Cassandra Edgeworth
Mr Charles Devenish

Lodged in the cellar:
Mr. DeLancey
Captain Thomas Sterne

I kindly request the Countess of Carrington, Lady Ackland and Miss Wriothesley to see to the former group's needs, while I will personally take care of the latter. More nurses will be needed soon, as well as some ladies who can cook and wash, seeing as all maids and servants have run away.