Chapter 8: The Irish rebellion of 1079
So, I figured out Brycheiniog would be easy to add to my ever-growing realm, since they're a natural part of the Duchy of Morgannwg, and are ruled by a 3-year-old.
But. He threw a tantrum and didn't want to play with me.
This inspired Herewald to do the same. Again.
*Bangs on door* Come out already, you're the spymaster, do you really think that's proper behaviour for a spymaster?
Nevertheless, my realm is going along quite nicely, efficiency is up due to me being a Duke now. I even have some claims I might consider enforcing in the near future (Argyll, Ustrad Tyvi, and Brycheiniog).
We even discover art!
Herewald comes out of his room, but asks for some money. I tell him we don't have any to spare, it's going towards building a shrubbery or forestry, I can't remember which.
It's my wifes idea, and she's my steward. Or did I make Gormflaith my steward? Probably. Anyway.
Despite being decent stewards, the Irish apparently have very strange ideas on how to raise fosterlings: this one came back with a lousy education and pneumonia, and he's even a sceptic. I take pity on him and arrange him a wife, but he soon passes away.
I knew I had forgotten some of those cousins. Ok, so their surname is Aberteifi and not Bendew, but I remembered correctly that he was a relative.
That list of my courtiers really was written shoddily, probably by my relatives to hide how many of them were living off my money.
Herewald comes to me one day and says that he's all better, but all those bouts of crazy really taught him all sorts of things about intrigue. Naturally, he gets to stay as my spymaster. He hasn't tried to backstab me so far, despite wild rumors of his disloyalty and, you know, the time he went totally insane. Not enough bats in the steeple. All that.
Efe asks for some money too, and threatens to leave otherwise. I tell her that since I didn't give my crazy, disloyal spymaster who was prone to pull out a knife at any moment that I didn't have any money to spare for him, but that it was instead going to a good use, what does she think my reply is?
Rhys refuses to die, despite intestinal worms and a dueling wound. He gets even more sick. I didn't think it would be possible.
Herefords daughter Ascelin is already living in my court (and just started school there), so he sends me one of his sons as well. Naturally, I accept. The de Breteuils will always be favored by the house of Morgan. Other normans beware.
Hm. I wonder if the problem is that they don't have enough beer or not enough sheep?
William the Dastardly has apparently passed on, and some Serbian duke is now the papal controller. I hold a feast at court to celebrate his passing. Plus, you know, lots of food and drink are always great - I find it hard to get up the following morning, and am thus unable to meet with the envoy from the new King. What a shame.
Apparently the Irish become even more outraged due to my treatment of the new King of England, don't ask me why.
Unfortunately, the local garrison has been weakened to 48 men due to rebels and widespread looting.
One of them is killed twice, or maybe that was just a counting mistake because my marshal ran like a girl before the advance even started.
*sigh*
In other news, someone REALLY fancies their luck over in Spain.
Yes, i'm sure the population really seems to be settling down.
They're in control of the province and sieging my local headquarters, I guess that's settled down compared to running around the place looting and robbing.
Apparently, you win some, you lose some on the child-raising front.
I declare my own crusade against those infidel rebels, abandoning their right and justful liege.
Just as soon as I get that forestry underway.
Hopefully this'll keep King Roberts attention elsewhere.
Yes he has. Surprisingly. Maybe it's because I never abandoned him in his time of need either. The rumours of his disloyalty are quieted somewhat.