Chapter II: The Duchy of Aquitaine
The Duke pasaed through the doors, they were all there, not many were of note at this time but a few were worthy mentioning for the prestige they held in the Duchy, some even occupying important positions
He looked at them examining each one, their sucesses and failures
Errr...(temporary) Marshal Ebles de Gourdon
"Marshal" Eubles, yes the man was pitiful on his job but he was the only man of renown on the court beside the Duke himself so for now...he was the only chance for the post, Guillaume prayed that God would eventually send someone better. Then perhaps he could serve as a steward he seemed to be good at counting the amount of men in the army and calculating how many the duchy could recruit for a war.
Archbishop Guilhèm de Turenne
The good Archbishop, he had already divorced the Duke one time, and if Matheode failed to produce a heir for him then he would have to prepare another divorce. And though he was a man of faith there were also rumours of his hundreds of bastard sons and daughters with many nuns and servants, some even said that he liked boys as well as girls so great was his lust. But all in all he was a good man that could be trusted.
Matheode de la Marche, so far still Duchess of Aquitaine
Ugly, miserable witch thought the Duke. How could he have trusted the Archbishop to find me a good new wife after his divorce ? It was folly Guilhem had certainly laughed of his face when he presented the creature.
The only joy of the marriage was the little Agnes which was now turning into a fine young woman, but it wasn't enough, the Duke needed a boy and he would divorce and marry again ten thousand times if necesary.
Agnes de Macon, mother of the Duke
The old woman was still fine and reasonably young looking in her 70s, certainly a saint no common woman could live so much and even better she was still working as Chancellor of the realm and helped organise the diplomats.
Such a good woman, she raised him well and taught his so much, ahh well, he knew she wouldn't live much longer...
Ermessinde de Lorraine, Spymistress
She could've been a fine wife, if she wasn't so fat and if she wasn't getting old, it was a decent woman to have around though, reasonably talented in mostly everything she could serve as temporary advisor in almost any function. He was glad to have the german here, though her accent still sounded horrible and after all these year both her french and her aquitainian had barely improved.
"So" said the Duke in his strong voice
"Any news from the provinces ?"
"Yes my lord, we have finished draining some marshes and fens in Saintonge and the province is prospering as a result" replied Ermessinde
"Excellent Ermessinde...now wasn't informing me of that a job for my dearest wife ?" Matheode stood silently for a moment and then with rage on her eyes and voice she spoke
"I know what you're planning Guillaume!!! You won't get aw..." but it was too late the Duke had signed the guards to take her to her room and lock her for the next few hours
"Now may we proceed, my mother do you have any news from the foreign nations ?"
"Yes my son, the Saxon Earl of Northumberland, Morcar Leofricson, is rebelling against King William of England, they say that the Earl of Lancaster may soon join the rebellion"
"Folly, this will only serve to completely eradicate the saxon influence in the island and empower the english crown, if this all then you're dismissed I'll see you all soon and hopefully without that witch"
And so the Duke left the room with the still shocked courtiers...