Chapter 8 - 1122 to 1133: Drinking Problems
All is calm and peaceful in East Anglia. Although England is at war with the Welsh Kingdom of Gwynedd, the wars have been long over in East Anglia. While the countryside rests, Ralf leads troops in the war... although he doesn't find peace in life, he finds peace in alcohol. He is known throughout the lands as a drunkard, drinking through the local monks' wine. Still, East Anglia is in respite.
In October, the county of Lincoln, on the northern border of East Anglia, is inherited not by an English man but a Scotsman. Chancellor Cenguethen is sent to fabricate a claim, but he is recalled soon after.
Eventually, the alcohol leads to stress, and Ralf sinks even lower into the drink.
In April of 1124, the Count of Suffolk passes away, still in prison. His son, Cenwulf, inherits the county. For now, he is content to stay in his current position.
In November, the English-Gwynedd war ends. The county of Powys is taken for Duke Morcar of Mercia.
In October of 1125, expansion of the town around Thetford Castle begins.
In February of 1126, Attalus reaches maturity. The marriage of Attalus and Wulfthryth takes place 14 years after it was arranged. With such a powerful ally, East Anglia can start looking for opportunities for more territorial gains.
Ralf's drinking reaches a low in the months after the marriage, falling asleep in church due to drinking the night before.
By the start of the year 1127, the town outside Thetford is finished.
Bad news reaches Ralf in 1128. The Count of Suffolk's only heir is the son of the Countess of Oxford. If Suffolk passes to him, the county will no longer be part of East Anglia. Immediately, Ralf sets about plotting the revocation of the county from its count. Within a month, Ralf and his supporters send the Count a letter, demanding he give up the county. He refuses, and war is declared...
2 thousand East Anglican men march to Suffolk and win a decisive battle with the enemy troops. The survivors and surrounded and destroyed. The victors then move to besiege Suffolk.
In September of 1129, Ipswich Castle falls, and the Count surrenders. All three counties of East Anglia are now directly controlled by Ralf.
In 1130, Attalus approaches Ralf, saying that he would make a better chancellor than the current one. Ralf, who loves his son, and who also agrees with him, accepts. Attalus is now Chancellor of East Anglia.
Soon after Attalus becomes Chancellor of East Anglia, Ralf becomes Chancellor of England. Despite his drunkenness, Ralf is still a skilled diplomat.
The Anguished One comes of age in April of 1130. She is married, matrilineal, to a German courtier named Gottfried, who is known for his intrigue. Soon after he arrives at Norfolk, Ralf's new son-in-law is made Spymaster.
In November, King Leofric declares war on Scotland for the County of Lincoln. As Ralf is busy with chancellor duties, he does not take part in leading troops.
In March of 1131, Ralf's wife is pregnant with their fifth child.
After a surprisingly short war, the King of England surrenders to Scotland. It appears that the first combat of the war was a complete and utter defeat for England.
In October, the wife gives birth to a son. He is named Densley Blair.
Despite the earlier troubles of East Anglia, the future looks bright in 1132. Ralf's stress becomes a distant memory, although he still drinks frequently. Better yet, Attalus sends news that he has managed to fabricate a claim on the County of Northampton.
The next years promise war for East Anglia.
NOTE:
-I will make another update in the next hour with summaries for both Attalus and The Anguished One. I forgot to take any screenshots of them for this chapter.
-Nothing has really changed in the outside world.