Only nine months to go...
Or so, I thought when I found that my new wife Swannoc was with child. The rest of 1067 passed rather quietly for the Duchy, for I was wrapped up in the impending possibility of a heir to my dynasty. As the new year approached, I felt that a few changes in the court would be worthwhile.
In the first few days of the new year, my Marshal, who was fortunate to have an ecclesiastical education, was appointed Bishop. This would hopefully keep Rome out of my hair. My sister's husband, Aedh took up the post of Marshal, although some would say he'd have a tough time fighting his way out of a paper bag...but it was a small court (and I would have never heard the end of it from sis had I not
).
With a sister that cunning, only SpyMaster would do to keep her quiet for now.
However, my real coup came with the new appointment of Robert Randolph to Steward - this man knew how to keep gold flowing to my coffers.
Second time lucky perhaps...
Ah yes, the money was flowing into the realm nicely. But there was a dark sky on the horizon, for on May 18 my future heir was no more.
It had been lost in childbirth, and Swannoc had also passed on.
The day had be marred with tragedy, but I knew that without another wife, the line would die with me. Perhaps a lady from a more powerful liege would be of better stock.
With this in mind, I asked the Svend Estridson, the King of Denmark for the hand of his courtier, Agnes Banner. And on June 5, I had a new wife, and naturally, taken duty for the marriage. With the money gained, I was able to start construction on the Forest in Moray. And as luck would have it, by October 26, my new wife was with child.