Chapter 27 - 1274 to 1283: God's Great Pox and the Devil's Revenge
In Thetford Castle, Norfolk, Emperor Ælfweard 'the Wicked' sits alone in his chambers. For years and years he has suffered from what can only be described as possession by an evil spirit. Headaches and hallucinations haunt his waking hours, while sleep, what little of it he gets, is full of only worse nightmares. He occasionally wakes up, not remembering how he got where he is, knowing that the evil presence was in control. Due to the apparitions and voices in his head, depression set in several years ago, anger and paranoia soon after. To cope, Ælfweard took to eating his way through the large supply of food always available to royalty, but it does little to help him escape the accursed hell that is his mind.
Emperor Ælfweard is no different from Prince Ælfweard, other than a large pool of vassals contemplating him with antipathy and abhorrence in their eyes. His outward display of homosexuality has not gone well in the Empire, as if his other troubles were not enough. Luckily, Ælfweard inherited a sizable amount of gold upon ascension, which could be used to appease the vassals somewhat, but his greedy nature keeps every piece under his paranoid watch.
Within two months of taking the throne of the Empire, rumors reach Ælfweard's ears that there is a plot to see him dead.
In March of 1275, Emperor Ælfweard attempts to raise the taxes on Feudal vassals, only to be met by fierce resistance.
2 years later, Ælfweard, afraid of open revolt against his rule, decides to weaken the strongest vassal. His Council begs him not to risk the balance of order in Britannia, which is so fragile these days, but he dismisses their objections. He sends an ultimatum to Duke Æthelwine of Mercia, demanding that his vassal, Earl Ælle of Teviotdale, should no longer be a vassal of Mercia. The Duke refuses this, and Ælfweard declares war, sparking the first civil war since King Breselueu took the throne 101 years ago.
Ælfweard's personal levies are raised, totaling 5 thousand in Scotland and 6 thousand in East Anglia. Along with this, he sends word that all Irish vassals are to raise their levies, a total of 3 and a half thousand. Just as the war starts, a terrible sickness takes Ælfweard's body, Great Pox.
The 6 thousand man East Anglican army, led by the Duke of Lancaster, stops in Northampton, awaiting the arrival of the Scottish army led by the Duke of Leinster. The Irish army, led by the Duke of Cornwall, makes way for Wales, surrounding Mercia in three ways. The 6 thousand strong Mercian army, meanwhile, heads into Oxford, laying siege to the castle there.
In June of 1277, just before the Scottish and East Anglican armies attacked the Mercian army, Ælfweard dies from Great Pox. His successor, his son Cynewulf, takes the throne.
The new Emperor immediately orders the armies to stand down, and sends an offer of White Peace to the Duke of Mercia. Before even a single battle can be fought, the war ends, and Britannia is once again stable.
The vassals, so happy to be rid of Ælfweard, throw their full support to Cynewulf, making him one of the most supported rulers within weeks of taking the throne. Cynewulf cannot be more paradoxical when compared with his father; in fact, he is very much like his grandfather, Æthelstan IV. His administrative skill is second to none, and his patient and diligent attitude causes most who meet him to like him.
His family consists of 3 children, two sons and a daughter, the eldest of which is a boy named Ecgberht. His wife Brigit is sister of the Duke of Deheubarth and Northampton, a woman who won her husband's affection with her way with words. She also happens to be pregnant.
In February of 1278, Brigit gives birth to twin boys, whom they name Dom Martin and Dunaden.
In 1279, there is a brief peasant revolt in Wessex. In order to gain leadership experience, Cynewulf insists on leading the troops to battle. As he led the charge, a stray enemy arrow pierces his leg.
In September of 1280, Brigit is again pregnant. She gives birth to a son in April of 1281. He is named Khaine.
In January of 1283, Tcwoman, aunt of Cynewulf, comes of age. She is a rather unlikable woman and it is rather difficult to find a willing husband to marry matrilineal. In November, a messenger from Jerusalem (Jerusalem, Brittany) requesting that Tcwoman marry Prince Anaoc. Cynewulf graciously accepts.
Word reaches Britannia soon after Tcwoman leaves that a man named Lodin from the Norge controlled island of Orkney is gathering men for an attack on the Empire...
On the 22nd of December, 1283, Emperor Cynewulf clutches his chest in the middle of dinner, collapses, and dies immediately. Despite his young age of 31, Emperor Cynewulf passes on, leaving the Empire to his 13 year old son Ecgberht.
Since its creation 18 years ago, the Empire of Britannia has seen 3 different rulers. Now, the fourth ascends to the throne.
Long live Emperor Ecgberht!
NOTE:
-These emperors don't seem to last very long... Let's hope that this one will be like Ralf III, who, if you remember, reigned for 50 long years.
-I recall complaining about one of my wives' names ages ago. With Ecgberht, I take it all back...
-Of course, I would have ended this chapter when Ælfweard died, but it was such a short time I decided to play on.
-I've taken a look around, and the male Densley Blair branch has died out after Cearl's grandson Mauric. However, Densley Blair's daughter, Ælfthryth, although dead, still has some grandchildren and great grandchildren running around.
-DKM's branch is doing strong. His grandson, DKM II, still rules Gwynedd. DKM II's son, Fychan, also named his first born son DKM, meaning we will probably continue to see that name around.
-I've decided to do names like this: put all of the commenters' names (except those who already have characters) into a program that will randomly pick a name whenever I want. That way it is totally random, and it makes finding the next name a lot easier.
