Harold forced to eat a bit of crow there - perhaps the bitter taste will do him some good!
The Heavy Crown [Book the Third on the House of Wessex]
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That was the most unsuccessful successful diplomatic mission I think I've seen. Sure doesn't look like they trust Harold at all, which does seem to limit his effectiveness as a chancellor. Though in fairness, this is perhaps an isolated case given the circumstances around himself, Ada and the Duke of Kent. Which, if everyone else has heard the talk, how has the king not looked at him with greater skepticism? Is he just too preoccupied with his nephew?
Well, Harold earns his keep, even if he has to deal with some embarrassment along the way. Perhaps the humility won them over?
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To all - The next scene arrives tomorrow and is an event we have been waiting for. As for the scene above, it was interesting to delve back into Kentish history a bit as far as my story is concerned. I have really ever only focused on the Æthelmærs and now the latest Duke so I enjoyed getting a little more detail on the others. Seems like they kept all the Earldoms in the family, as it were. And I always have to remind myself that the Dukes of Gloucester are more directly related to the Dukes of Kent than simply being of Godwin. Duke Harold the 1st and Duke Æthelmær the Elder were half-brothers through their mother (she married Eadmund after her first husband Leofwine, brother to King Harold Godwinson, died.)
Excellent comments as always. Keep 'em coming.
Indeed, let us hope. He was dangerously close to some bad tidings.
As for Eadward, I would write that off as his trust in Berold being solid right now. If the master of spies suggests no worries then he is satisfied for the time. As for the "lessor Godwins of Kent" (a phrase I enjoyed quite a lot) I tried to write it as them teasing from him information just as he was teasing from them. Successful in that way in that they now feel no distrust from the King and were somewhat worried about that after not having the marriage sanctioned (though I'm not sure that is entirely a royal prerogative just yet.)
It could be that or perhaps successful in a meta way in which Harold resisted all of his urges to lash out or worse.
To all - The next scene arrives tomorrow and is an event we have been waiting for. As for the scene above, it was interesting to delve back into Kentish history a bit as far as my story is concerned. I have really ever only focused on the Æthelmærs and now the latest Duke so I enjoyed getting a little more detail on the others. Seems like they kept all the Earldoms in the family, as it were. And I always have to remind myself that the Dukes of Gloucester are more directly related to the Dukes of Kent than simply being of Godwin. Duke Harold the 1st and Duke Æthelmær the Elder were half-brothers through their mother (she married Eadmund after her first husband Leofwine, brother to King Harold Godwinson, died.)
Excellent comments as always. Keep 'em coming.
A bitter pill to swallow for the young Chancellor yet swallow it he must. I could almost feel it sticking in his craw at the end there.
A well played scene. I liked the ‘lesser Godwins of Kent’ trope too haha
A well played scene. I liked the ‘lesser Godwins of Kent’ trope too haha
Be wary of families like that. One good disease outbreak will see lots of land fall to people a dozen places removed from the line of inheritance...which favours old families widely distributed. It wouldn't be so much of a problem for a merchant republic where it's almost impossible to keep all titles within one family but for Albion the plauge tore apart the three biggest vassal families in the realm until there was almost only one...which was very problematic.
Also you might want to have a check through and see how many of the old families from the beginning of the game are still alive and kicking, I'm amazed Godwin is, considering their bad luck and general agression both OTL and TTL. Also, since you've pacified Wales early (very early for OtL England) and you personally own various bits of the east coast (east Anglia?), perhaps you could 'decommission' offa's dyke and sell/redistribute the earth to new building projects such as motte and baileys or, if you want to be ambitious, terraforming the south east so it's farmland instead of peat bogs and Wash. you can dig up the peat at the same time and use it for farms and buildings. What with the North strong and stable and very unified, making sure the south stays competitive in terms of population and food is going to be important, even if trade is always going to be better near London than it is Lancaster.
Also you might want to have a check through and see how many of the old families from the beginning of the game are still alive and kicking, I'm amazed Godwin is, considering their bad luck and general agression both OTL and TTL. Also, since you've pacified Wales early (very early for OtL England) and you personally own various bits of the east coast (east Anglia?), perhaps you could 'decommission' offa's dyke and sell/redistribute the earth to new building projects such as motte and baileys or, if you want to be ambitious, terraforming the south east so it's farmland instead of peat bogs and Wash. you can dig up the peat at the same time and use it for farms and buildings. What with the North strong and stable and very unified, making sure the south stays competitive in terms of population and food is going to be important, even if trade is always going to be better near London than it is Lancaster.
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I am pleased that came through. It was a line I needed to straddle of his saying one thing all the while thinking something entirely different.
Really, I think the only major House to have fallen since the beginning of the game is Hwicce. Morcar's line is now part of de Normandie and Eadwin's is from the Scots King (ironic that considering where he died.) Of course, Wessex has grown considerably as has de Normandie even with the Bastard's ill luck. And yes...Godwins all around, God help us all.
The Heavy Crown
Salisbury, England - November 1139
Wareham had fallen and Beorhtmaer wasted no time to push north and meet with the mercenaries harrying Wilton. Pitched battle was found at Salisbury and though the cold and early frost hardened their attempt, the encounter was a short lived thing. Eadward himself had made point to travel there so he may witness it in person and now he sat in his field tent awaiting the arrival of his nephew.
It was not long before Eadward’s nephews escorted Eadweald of Bedford into the tent and he looked forlorn and dejected in his pitiful state. Thurfrith brought him forward and pushed him to kneel as Beorhtmaer entered the tent after them. Silence filled the air as none knew where to start, but Eadward finally moved from his chair to stand over his kin.
“We had thought to find you at Wareham, sir,” the King suggested with a smirk.
Eadweald looked up with a frown, “I am not sorry that I was not to home...sire.”
Thurfrith kept hold of his cousin’s collar, “Most displeased were we to find that this man had escaped his hold, Your Grace.”
“Think no thing of it...nephew,” Eadward replied as he looked back to Eadweald with a grin, “A rat will scurry into the tiniest of places before you might catch it to snap it’s neck.”
The young Duke kept a curious gaze to his King, “You think me a rat?”
“I know not what else to call you...” Eadward moved to lift him from his kneel, “...for you have been most unkind and sully our house in every way. What might you call yourself?”
“Solid...” Eadweald was quick to reply, “...steadfast...”
Beorhtmaer moved to stand behind him, “Stupid!”
“What did you hope to gain?” Eadward grinned to his brother before offering a stern eye to Eadweald.
Eadweald held firm in his stance, “What is mine by right.”
“Your right is wrong...sir,” Eadward kept a firm eye to his nephew, “My good brother did say that we might have this argument again and in a different way. Do you find this one to be better than the last?”
“I stood for you...” Eadweald showed no remorse, “...I did kneel.”
The King shared a glance with his brother before looking back, “And then you have done this. What am I to do with you...nephew? You task me so and yet I might still wish you your freedom. You are family to me...you must know that. I am sad for your poor mother...my sister. Do you not think that you are charged a debt to be paid for her untimely demise?”
“You would put that upon me?” Eadweald showed sad eyes at the mention of his mother and moved his gaze back from Beorhtmaer to the King, “You would think that I had some doing in that?”
“I know not what to accuse,” Eadward stood firm, “Yet our dear Mathilda was alive and well prior to this sad act and now she is gone from us...all of us. Whatever punishment that I might conceive...sir...you have already given to yourself.”
“What choice did I have?!” Eadweald spit out with anger, “Left for nothing by you just as your brother did to mine own father! There was no respect...no kinship!”
Beorhtmaer stepped forward and put a strong arm to his shoulder, “Steady. I did tell you that His Grace might be forgiving, but not if you should push as so.”
“Unhand the man, brother,” Eadward suggested as he peered into Eadweald’s eyes with a sharp gaze, “Allow him his rancor as I would see him in full.”
Eadweald softened only slightly, “I only wished my due...what my grandmother did grant me.”
“Ha!” Eadward scoffed, “Your grand-mama was the trickiest one of the bunch, sir! Held my Judith as a heretic and found way to see her banished from the church and then turned on all when it was a lost cause.”
“She did lose her benefactor...as you may remember well,” Eadweald answered with a squint of his eyes.
Irritated by the implication, Eadward stepped forward and towered over his nephew with scorn across his face, “You would mind your tongue should you wish to keep your head, sir. Chased you and your body all over this south and never were you there to find until now. I say again...like a cornered rat you would bite and harshly. I should have no compunction to place you into a prison never to see the light again...and yet...you remain family in all. I know not what to do with you.”
In youthful spirit, Eadweald smiled, “I would take my due and then my leave of you...Your Grace.”
Beorhtmaer moved to stand before his nephew, “You would take your attitude and stuff it down your throat, sir. If you wish any lenience from His Grace the King, you would show the respect that has been woefully lacking these last many months!”
“I think to get no lenience, uncle,” Eadweald kept his eyes to the King, “For many months I have pressed this thing long after it was done. Mayhap I should have taken your advice back to Wareham...yet now, I think not that good King Eadward would see me safely home.”
Eadward had turned from his nephew’s wily grin, but now spun back with his own, “There is another item in which you are wrong, sir. I learned many a thing from my bold brother, who you might wish to cast aspersions on, and one of them was a kindness that I think to offer you.”
“Why would you do so?” Eadweald was suddenly confused.
The King took a step show his nephew a clear smile, “Because I have already shown that I can best you. All you held dear is now mine due to your foolish instinct...not a battle won even with your poorly placed gold...and here you stand before me the loser of this match. I think to have peace and I would put it to you that you will find it welcome.”
Eadweald sighed, “I am bested, uncle. Do your worst.”
“Yes...” Eadward kept his strong gaze, “...my worst would be my best. A pardon though limited. You would be restored but without your lands of Northumberland. I would see you as the very figure of a noble Lord and one, I might add, true to his King. Think you a way of managing that?”
“Why would you be so kind?” Eadweald asked with pain in his eyes knowing there was more to the equation.
Eadward grinned, “Because you will rebel again and when done, there is not a soul in Christendom that would fault me for sending mine own kin to the oubliette. I cannot do it now for fear of suspicion, but then...oh my, my Lord...think not that I would not hasten the chance.”
“A leash you would put upon me...” Eadweald scoffed, “...and a collar. I am to be your mangy dog?”
“No, sir!” Eadward was quick to correct, “I call you rat and that you are!”
“Vermin,” Beorhtmaer suggested as he looked to his nephew with scorn, “Held closely in a confined space so we may squash it when necessary.”
Eadweald looked to the harsh gazes from his uncles and finally shrugged, “Very well...I submit. There is little else that I may do at the now. You have fairly won and I must answer...”
“Answer you will!” Eadward stood tall before him, “Be very careful in your actions, sir. I will extract my price when the time is met and until then...indeed, a very short leash.”
The Duke made motion to kneel and as he lowered his head he said in soft words, “His Grace does well.”
Beorhtmaer stood over him, “You might continue to think so for if not...it shall be your head.”
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Aha! And so it is done. Cur, rat and blackguard all at once. No real alternative than the revocation without the dreaded tyrant penalty, one supposes.
I liked the challenge of “you will rebel again”. And then, if he dares, the more drastic consequences. The only problem will be if or when there is a next time, if he can muster any significant allies that might actually have a chance of succeeding.
I liked the challenge of “you will rebel again”. And then, if he dares, the more drastic consequences. The only problem will be if or when there is a next time, if he can muster any significant allies that might actually have a chance of succeeding.
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Traitorous wretch! Begone sir!
One could not escape the feeling that Beo and the king are like a couple of cats playing with a half dead mouse...
One could not escape the feeling that Beo and the king are like a couple of cats playing with a half dead mouse...
Well that is one way to dispose with vermin, with the harsh light of truth with a side order of prediction should he continue with his erroneous ways.
But I like how it was all kept as a family affair. No dirty laundry aired in public.
But I like how it was all kept as a family affair. No dirty laundry aired in public.
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And yes, that is a good way to look at it - Eadward and Beo batting Eadweald around as a toy like a cat.
To all - Great thoughts, certainly. I always enjoy these scenes with the King as victor and how the vanquished react to it. The next scene will follow directly and we'll see it somewhat from a different light. It also introduces us to a newer character that will pay a role going forward and I am already having some fun there. Your comments remain the very best and I thank you so much for them!
Indeed, I wished that I could have done more as punishment but there was nothing else I could take in that peace. Thus the idea of pardon with consequences. As you will eventually see, Eadward was not wrong in his challenge.
Quite! Even this minor war with little risk took quite awhile to complete. Got to love CK for that.
Or a half dead rat!
And yes, that is a good way to look at it - Eadward and Beo batting Eadweald around as a toy like a cat. It has proved to be an interesting dynamic that this one wayward Duke just happens to be the King's nephew. I suppose very fitting for the time in OTL and adds a different layer to what otherwise would simply be King punishes rebelling vassal. Also helps explain some leniency that otherwise might not be found IRL.
To all - Great thoughts, certainly. I always enjoy these scenes with the King as victor and how the vanquished react to it. The next scene will follow directly and we'll see it somewhat from a different light. It also introduces us to a newer character that will pay a role going forward and I am already having some fun there. Your comments remain the very best and I thank you so much for them!
The Heavy Crown
Bath, England - December 1139
It was a very uncomfortable season of the Mass of Christ for Lord Eadweald of Bedford. It was the first since he had been at peace without his mother who had died a year ago this very month. Last year had been very difficult at her loss while he was also losing his war but this was the first time he truly missed her as he had never known this happy season without her doting over him and giving him so many gifts, especially after his father had died. And this year was made excruciating as the King had demanded that he show himself to Bath so he might be with his entire family for this season.
So now Eadweald sat in the last place that he would rather be...in the great hall at Bath surrounded by a family that loved him not. All eyes peering towards him with distrust and disgust, odious words said just within earshot so that he may overhear them...not one word of kindness from his uncle, His Grace the King. It was punishment, pure and simple and both Eadward and Beorhtmaer were enjoying every minute of it, Eadweald was certain.
While the Duke inwardly seethed in his rage, he did his best to hide such with his eyes as he looked to his cousins Thurfrith and Wihtræd who were proudly showing their gift from the King to all who might wish to gaze at them, which were many. Showing forth their legs, each had a fine leather garter tied around their thigh by the King himself as a showing of thanks and gratitude for their bravery and martial spirit during this previous war. It was a sign that marked them above all others even though they both were the sons of a Prince. If that were not enough, the King had likewise bestowed upon Eadræd of Rose a similar honor though he was less showing about it.
Eadweald watched as Eadward made his way from the high table at the feast and stood before his nephews, “Brave men these be! No finer nephews could a man desire!”
It was not lost on him that the King shot him a grin when he said it. Eadward then turned back to the crowded hall as he placed a firm hand to Thurfrith’s shoulder, “And this one...a long time due...long over due. You all do know the poor story of our good Marshal Thoræd...irony though it may be, while he did not fight this last war, he very much did in his mind as he assisted myself and my good brother Beorhtmaer in all of its planning. Yet it was the misfortune that he might take a most unfortunate spill from his spirited stallion and now is no longer with us. God rest his very soul!”
The entire hall save perhaps Eadweald repeated the King’s blessing and crossed themselves as Eadward turned Thurfrith towards where his father was seated, “And for you, good brother...as well as for the worth of your first born...I do now name him as Lord Marshal once again! Three cheers for this man!”
Eadweald wished to clap his ears such was the roar within the hall but he watched his uncle Beorhtmaer offer a wide smile and leave his seat to join with the King, “You do me proud, Your Grace, and you honor my son twice over. He is like to lord it over my younger son, his brother...but I shall keep good Wihtræd in check!”
The hall erupted with laughter joined by Wihtræd himself as he congratulated Thurfrith and they both joined Eadward and Beorhtmaer as they returned to the high table. Eadweald was glad for the calming of the crowd as they went back to their feasting and conversation. He took the chance to look around further in the hall.
Seated near to the King was his Lord Chancellor and his wife, the King’s daughter Hereswith. Lord Harold seemed to offer a pleasant enough smile, but something seemed off about him. As if it was forced. Hereswith too seemed slightly sad, about what Eadweald could not possibly know. True, he had heard some rumors but he put no stock to them. Lord Harold was such a serious man and true to His Grace in every way. He would never sully his chance with the King so much as to besmirch his favorite daughter. No...it must be something other.
And there was Lord Berold too, seated next to King Uhtræd’s bastard daughter Hextilda and his Duchess of Normandy. It had been some time since she had returned to England and her raw energy and smile was still evident though he could see that she had aged and seemed wiser. Why, Eadweald did not know. Normandy could befoul anyone. Yet she seemed very happy in her return and continually moved to speak with Hereswith. Yet Lord Berold did not seem as chummy with Harold as Eadweald last remembered. That too seemed odd.
Churning the food on his trencher with his knife, Eadweald next turned to this Eadræd of Rose sat prominently this time with his wife, the Princess Wynnflæd. She had always been so much older and had never taken a liking to him, but she was clever. That he knew. Matronly too. When as children, she was always the mothering sort to the younger ones as she was the King’s first and he was often not around as he himself was Lord Chancellor in those days. Eadweald wondered what she thought of her husband’s bravery during this war and he recalled that Wynnflæd did never think so much of battle when they were younger. Yet this night, she was all smiles as she showed forth her two young children, though they were not so young anymore.
The daughter Cyneburg was fat. It could not be said otherwise. Though only fifteen summers, her cheeks puffed out and she did never stop as she took in every portion put in front of her. And the other one...the unnatural twin...like their grandfather before them...yet where was that little scoundrel Hacon?
“Looking to my father?” came the voice behind Eadweald and he turned to find his very target.
Lord Eadweald looked to the young man’s frame, the very opposite of his twin sister. Where she was corpulent, he was lithe. Where he showed a glint in his eyes, the sister was glassy and uninterested in what was about her other than food and sleep. Even their coloring was different. Cyneburg had more favored their father and held dark hues to her hair, while Hacon took on the classic features of the men of Wessex with lengthy light locks and strong cheeks that bespoke power in their highness.
The boy was leaning against the stone of the hall and kept a grin waiting for Eadweald to speak and finally the Duke replied, “I did not think to find conversation this night.”
“The very shame of it,” Hacon suggested as he moved closer to take a seat next to Eadweald, “My good grandfather the King does punish you a second time. It must be hell...cousin.”
“I think us to be far removed...” Eadweald hesitated in his answer not knowing what the boy wished, “...yet I do thank you for the gesture. Should you not be with your parents?”
“Hmm...” Hacon looked to his mother and father and then back with a grin, “I think them to be well sated as is the King. I think not to find a reprimand from them in any way. It is too sad to find you such an outsider within your own family. I thought I must speak to you...for your sake.”
Eadweald frowned as he looked back to the crowded hall, “I need not your pity, though I thank you all the same.”
“Tis not pity, cousin,” Hacon was quick to answer, “I did have great wish to speak with you. Though mayhap a great discomfort, I am pleased that you are here. I was terribly saddened to hear of my grandfather’s sister...your mother...this must be most difficult at this time, my Lord.”
The Duke was pleased to find some respect within the hall and hear him called as such so he looked back with a slight smile, “It has indeed been difficult and you are most gracious to consider it, young sir.”
“I know not of such loss, of course,” Hacon turned his gaze to the hall, “I am lucky to remain with father and mother both. There sits one lump dutifully listening to her with the speech of Cicero...and there my ungainly sister...why would she not put down the pastry, I ask you? Does she not see?”
“That does seem unkind,” Eadweald finally found some chivalry.
Hacon looked back with a smile, “Get me not wrong, my Lord. I do love them all, but...”
It was gone as soon as it was found as Eadweald followed the young man’s gaze, “Indeed...it is not easy to grow within the House of Wessex.”
The young man offered a laugh as did his best to point without bringing attention to them, “And look there...our cousin Æthelric. Grew up with him, I did. Very near to age. And yet...he cannot seem to find his knife. Would that my sister did find it for him...or she did steal it, I might wager.”
“You’ve a bold tongue, young man,” Eadweald shot him a raised brow.
Hacon smiled in return, “I am not that much younger...my Lord. Only some few years and I am soon to age. What am I to do but speak freely? I am no Prince, nor Lord like yourself. Yet I have a mind and I think to use it.”
“You might have a care how you use it...sir,” Eadweald replied with some consideration, “You might find it unforgiving otherwise.”
The young man looked back to the crowd without a care, “I have no fear of that. Look yon to my mother...she would not punish me. She could not at any rate. Nor my father. Battle readied though he might be...he is not one to task me with much. No...I am happy to have a free tongue. See there? There is another.”
Eadweald followed his gaze to spy the Princess Mildrith sitting near to the King but quiet. Her eyes were swollen and her complexion unwell. Hacon kept his grin, “There she sits...a Queen without her King. Yea, I’ve heard the stories though I was not supposed to...but kitchen gossip. It is always there.”
“It would seem that you do not hold a fine feeling towards your family, sir,” Eadweald tasked him with his eyes.
The young man was just as quick to return a raised brow, “Do you?”
“You might know that there is a difference,” Eadweald averted his gaze.
Hacon pressed, “Not that much...my Lord. I shall never be King myself for there are too many fences to jump. And why would one want to anyway? It should never be to my heritage in the first place. I was happy enough to have royal favor as a child, as I imagine you found as well.”
Eadweald looked sharply to the young man, “You take a fine leap right there, sir. No man has ever said that I wished to be King.”
“I would not know...” Hacon smiled as he looked back to the hall, “...I am too young. No one would speak to me. Yet...”
The brief silence held in the air and finally Eadweald pursued it, “Yet?”
“I do not know,” Hacon was quick to answer, “As I say...I am young. Yet you do have a fine heritage, my Lord. Descended from Harold the King...from Earl Godwin himself. Never have we known peace such as that as the Confessor did depend upon him...or so my studies show.”
Eadweald turned back to the crowded hall, “A different time...from my reading.”
The young man allowed another long silence before he turned to his older kin, “It is a different time. I would make no bones about that and in truth, receive it with great warmth. It is a time for youth. Look ye there to Lord Harold and Lord Berold...there is the Lady Ada to the north and her new husband as I understand from Kent. I am sorry for your loss...and yet you too remain a young man, my Lord.”
“Do you have a point, young sir?” Eadweald grew impatient with the talk even if willing to listen.
Hacon smiled to him, “Indeed I do. Love my grandfather as I may, he is old. He will not last. There will be a time of choosing and would you wish that whelp as your King?”
The Duke followed the young man’s gaze and watched Æthelric drop his knife to the floor before giving reply, “He is your uncle.”
“Sad!” Hacon stood and put a hand to Eadweald’s shoulder, “I have stolen more from him than he will ever know.”
Eadweald was quick to turn and look the youth in the eye but Hacon was smiling before he took off, “Fear not, cousin. Take it all in stride but lets us be friends. I would like that.”
As Hacon retreated, Eadweald looked after and finally found one thing good from this punishment. That it came from a fifteen year old boy mattered not. Not all was well in the House of Wessex.
So the next generation do start to play ... oh England, you shall forever be hostage to domestic squabbles.
Rather nice to have this grand occasion from the point of view of the defeated. Rather throws a different light on the feast.
Rather nice to have this grand occasion from the point of view of the defeated. Rather throws a different light on the feast.
Well we seem to have advanced from multi-family struggles and plots to one big family squabbling and plotting over power. Good in a way because the kingdom and transfer of power should be stable. However, nepotism and corruption are going to start seeping into court and some very bad decisions and leaders are going to come from it.
So, Hacon teases and hints, as does our authAAR! A harbinger no doubt of future associations, whether a game- or narrative- related friendship has been formed. And Harold still manages to evade general detection. He had better keep it in his breeches in the future or faint wondering will turn to open accusation, and breaches (pun intended) of loyalty and trust.
Yet another (future) troublesome nephew!
But there is a Something Rotten in the House of Wessex vibe going on here. Inter-family squabbles within the royal family - it seems as though they're moving on to the Angevin/Plantagenet England version of kingship. (Fighting with uncles, cousins and of course the War of the Roses, though quite strong when under the right king)
But there is a Something Rotten in the House of Wessex vibe going on here. Inter-family squabbles within the royal family - it seems as though they're moving on to the Angevin/Plantagenet England version of kingship. (Fighting with uncles, cousins and of course the War of the Roses, though quite strong when under the right king)
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To all - So now we have Hacon and his sister as new characters and they will both play into things coming up. And Eadweald is not going anywhere for the time being. These scenes after the war are a little like reshuffling the deck or arranging the board for what comes next. The next scene arrives tomorrow and gives us a great happening which I believe we shall all rejoice. And I don't mind spoiling a little bit when I say to look forward to Eadward's young betrothed Margaret as she comes of age and they finally wed. Really enjoyed writing that scene.
Your comments remain most helpful and enjoyed. Thank you for your steadfast readership!
I thought that was an interesting angle too. I have been experimenting with more strict POV like scenes a bit and while it does not come completely natural to me, I like how it shines light on a character's attitude and conceptions/misconceptions.
Some truth there. It was bound to happen given how I have been marrying into Godwin and other families for some time and the House of Wessex has grown. Believe it or not, it is even larger in Germany. Uhtræd had three sons and they each did their duty to have male children as well. Between that and Beo with his two sons, as well as the daughters marrying well, Eadward is related to quite a few of the major figures now.
Eadweald and Hacon make for natural allies for reasons that will become apparent. I also like the idea that Hacon is a rival to Æthelric having grown up together (and have one of the more abnormal uncle/nephew relationships with Æthelric being younger than his sister's children.) And as mentioned, I've had some fun forming Hacon's character as I think he will prove to be another interesting foil for our lead character.
A far cry from where we started, isn't it? From an acorn grows a mighty oak. I doubt this will get quite as brutal as the Angevin period, but there are some curious relationships coming up. I am sorely tempted to write into the next reign because of some of the more interesting things that occur but there is still time to think about it. However, I planned a trilogy, not a quadrilogy. 3 is a neater number than 4, but we shall see.
To all - So now we have Hacon and his sister as new characters and they will both play into things coming up. And Eadweald is not going anywhere for the time being. These scenes after the war are a little like reshuffling the deck or arranging the board for what comes next. The next scene arrives tomorrow and gives us a great happening which I believe we shall all rejoice. And I don't mind spoiling a little bit when I say to look forward to Eadward's young betrothed Margaret as she comes of age and they finally wed. Really enjoyed writing that scene.
Your comments remain most helpful and enjoyed. Thank you for your steadfast readership!
Which would be alright except its happening too early for the monarchy to survive it. Theres still a gigantic power disparity between dukes and kings. Infighting, even if no one else has claims and cant reasonably get them, isnt good.