Chapter 3 - 1084 to 1091: Bad Heir Day
The East Anglicans in the dining hall of Ipswich Castle roar in approval and gusto as Duke Ralf II finishes speaking. Ralf takes his seat at the head of the tables. To his right is the defeated Count Harold of Suffolk, now his vassal, with a dejected countenance and slumped back. The war had lasted barely a war and had been an embarrassing defeat. At the moment, the conquering duke is holding his celebratory feast in the defeated castle itself, and he is forced to sit by the victor's side, his new liege. Ralf, however, does not intend to have Harold keep the title, for Harold lacks a legitimate heir, and, upon his death, the county of Suffolk would go to his mother, queen on the Irish kingdom of Connachta.
For now, though, Ralf lacks a just claim to revoke the county and must sit by and pray for Harold's health. And anyway, he has other prey on his mind. The last 'free' county that is a de jure part of East Anglia is Essex, just south of Suffolk, and it is the next target of Ralf's conquests.
Unfortunately, The Count of Essex, Earl Skuli, is allied with not one, but two dukes, making an attack on him eligible for retaliation from both. However, it is possible that neither would come to Essex's aid, thinking that the county does indeed belong in East Anglia. After all, Harold of Suffolk had several allies, none of which came to his aid. Ralf decides that the best course of action is to wait and rebuild the caches of gold after the war for Suffolk.
Another problem arises after his victory. Rumors spread across the realm that the Duchess of East Anglia, Agathe, is barren. Despite being with Ralf for 5 years, she has failed to deliver any heirs.
In October 1085, news reaches Ralf that Earl Harold of Suffolk has finally produced an heir, a daughter named Gytha. This secures Suffolk in East Anglia, and it appears that Ralf will allow Harold to keep hold of his county.
The next month, Ralf's heir and half brother Catguethen reaches manhood. He is considered a very ambitious young man, and a suitable heir to the Duchy of East Anglia, at least until Ralf has a son.
In April of 1086, King Harold of England dies while in a coma. Unfortunately, a few weeks before his death, when it became apparent that he had not long for this world, the dukes of Kent and Mercia switched their votes around, in order to keep England out of the hands of Duke Morcar and York, and put the Duke of Essex as the next king of England. Immediately upon taking the crown, King Leofheah announces his plans to extend crown authority, asking for all his vassals to show their support. Ralf promptly ignores him.
In July, to officially forge an alliance between East Anglia and York, Ralf suggests the betrothal of his half sister Cecilia, aged 13, and Duke Morcar's son and heir, age 18. Morcar accepts enthusiastically.
In February of 1087, King Leofheah passes the extension of crown authority. vassals are no longer allowed the right to wage war among themselves.
In July, Cecilia comes of age and is married to the son of Duke Morcar. The alliance is officially forged. However, it is fairly useless while the crown authority is so high.
As the year turned to 1089 King Leofheah declares war on Scotland, citing that the county of Teviotdale rightfully belongs in the Kingdom of England. unnoticed by King Leofheah, there has been a growing faction of resistance to the high crown authority. Ralf is one of them, as is Duke Morcar and the Duchesses of Mercia and Hwicce.
Within a few months, the county of Teviotdale is in English hands.
In February of 1090, Duke Morcar dies a natural death. His Duchy of York goes to his son, husband of Cecilia, Ælfgar. His other title, Duchy of Northumbria, goes to his youngest living son, Æthelberht. With a severely weakened faction, lower crown authority slips a little further away.
Ralf, meanwhile, is leading troops in Scotland, where the war carries on. Then, in April, a messenger of the King arrives carrying a letter offering Ralf the position of Marshal of England. Ralf accepts.
In July, terrible news reaches the quarters of Ralf. A plot has been discovered by his Spymaster Ceolwulf. A plot for Ralf's life, led by none other than Catguethen. Ralf orders his capture and imprisonment. In a week's time, it is done, Catguethen is safely locked in the dungeon of Thetford Castle, awaiting the judgement of the Duke.
In 1091, a messenger reaches the front lines of the war. It is a letter to Ralf from his imprisoned half brother. An apology? Nay. It is a letter complaining about the dark and inhospitable dungeon which is his new home. Ralf throws the letter into the camp fire, not bothering to reply.
In July, Chancellor Rumon finally passes away, after nearly 30 years of service. His skill is irreplaceable, but Ralf's half brother Guoletec is made Chancellor in his place. Guoletec is a skilled diplomat, although he does suffer from occasional shyness.
Next month, the leader of the faction against crown authority sends a message to the King, demanding, on behalf of all involved, decreased crown authority. The King refuses, starting the First English Civil War.
The East Anglicans in the dining hall of Ipswich Castle roar in approval and gusto as Duke Ralf II finishes speaking. Ralf takes his seat at the head of the tables. To his right is the defeated Count Harold of Suffolk, now his vassal, with a dejected countenance and slumped back. The war had lasted barely a war and had been an embarrassing defeat. At the moment, the conquering duke is holding his celebratory feast in the defeated castle itself, and he is forced to sit by the victor's side, his new liege. Ralf, however, does not intend to have Harold keep the title, for Harold lacks a legitimate heir, and, upon his death, the county of Suffolk would go to his mother, queen on the Irish kingdom of Connachta.
For now, though, Ralf lacks a just claim to revoke the county and must sit by and pray for Harold's health. And anyway, he has other prey on his mind. The last 'free' county that is a de jure part of East Anglia is Essex, just south of Suffolk, and it is the next target of Ralf's conquests.
Unfortunately, The Count of Essex, Earl Skuli, is allied with not one, but two dukes, making an attack on him eligible for retaliation from both. However, it is possible that neither would come to Essex's aid, thinking that the county does indeed belong in East Anglia. After all, Harold of Suffolk had several allies, none of which came to his aid. Ralf decides that the best course of action is to wait and rebuild the caches of gold after the war for Suffolk.
Another problem arises after his victory. Rumors spread across the realm that the Duchess of East Anglia, Agathe, is barren. Despite being with Ralf for 5 years, she has failed to deliver any heirs.
In October 1085, news reaches Ralf that Earl Harold of Suffolk has finally produced an heir, a daughter named Gytha. This secures Suffolk in East Anglia, and it appears that Ralf will allow Harold to keep hold of his county.
The next month, Ralf's heir and half brother Catguethen reaches manhood. He is considered a very ambitious young man, and a suitable heir to the Duchy of East Anglia, at least until Ralf has a son.
In April of 1086, King Harold of England dies while in a coma. Unfortunately, a few weeks before his death, when it became apparent that he had not long for this world, the dukes of Kent and Mercia switched their votes around, in order to keep England out of the hands of Duke Morcar and York, and put the Duke of Essex as the next king of England. Immediately upon taking the crown, King Leofheah announces his plans to extend crown authority, asking for all his vassals to show their support. Ralf promptly ignores him.
In July, to officially forge an alliance between East Anglia and York, Ralf suggests the betrothal of his half sister Cecilia, aged 13, and Duke Morcar's son and heir, age 18. Morcar accepts enthusiastically.
In February of 1087, King Leofheah passes the extension of crown authority. vassals are no longer allowed the right to wage war among themselves.
In July, Cecilia comes of age and is married to the son of Duke Morcar. The alliance is officially forged. However, it is fairly useless while the crown authority is so high.
As the year turned to 1089 King Leofheah declares war on Scotland, citing that the county of Teviotdale rightfully belongs in the Kingdom of England. unnoticed by King Leofheah, there has been a growing faction of resistance to the high crown authority. Ralf is one of them, as is Duke Morcar and the Duchesses of Mercia and Hwicce.
Within a few months, the county of Teviotdale is in English hands.
In February of 1090, Duke Morcar dies a natural death. His Duchy of York goes to his son, husband of Cecilia, Ælfgar. His other title, Duchy of Northumbria, goes to his youngest living son, Æthelberht. With a severely weakened faction, lower crown authority slips a little further away.
Ralf, meanwhile, is leading troops in Scotland, where the war carries on. Then, in April, a messenger of the King arrives carrying a letter offering Ralf the position of Marshal of England. Ralf accepts.
In July, terrible news reaches the quarters of Ralf. A plot has been discovered by his Spymaster Ceolwulf. A plot for Ralf's life, led by none other than Catguethen. Ralf orders his capture and imprisonment. In a week's time, it is done, Catguethen is safely locked in the dungeon of Thetford Castle, awaiting the judgement of the Duke.
In 1091, a messenger reaches the front lines of the war. It is a letter to Ralf from his imprisoned half brother. An apology? Nay. It is a letter complaining about the dark and inhospitable dungeon which is his new home. Ralf throws the letter into the camp fire, not bothering to reply.
In July, Chancellor Rumon finally passes away, after nearly 30 years of service. His skill is irreplaceable, but Ralf's half brother Guoletec is made Chancellor in his place. Guoletec is a skilled diplomat, although he does suffer from occasional shyness.
Next month, the leader of the faction against crown authority sends a message to the King, demanding, on behalf of all involved, decreased crown authority. The King refuses, starting the First English Civil War.
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