A Reminiscence Of Donnan

Poul Anderson, The High Crusade, CHAPTER XVI.

See:

A Reminiscence Of Flandry
The Second Civilization-Cluster
Human Superiority

Ethelbert of Pr?*t recommends war against the Wersgorix because he thinks that the Ashenkoghli plan to join the English against the Wersgorix;

the Ashenkoghli ambassador sends for his own fleet and invites other clan lords to send theirs when Sir Roger informs him that Ethelbert is recommending war;

when the Jairs realize that Ashenk and Pr?*t will benefit from joining the English alliance, they too must be included;

Sir Roger explains to his captains that Wersgorix rule by sheer force is simple and straightforward whereas European feudalism is complicated;

therefore, he reasons, European lords like himself have learned techniques of intrigue unknown to the Wersgorix's victims;

older and stronger races are not necessarily wiser. (See also "Backwardness" II.)