Chapter 5.17.5 November 977 Jorvik
20 November 977 Jorvik
Eilif stood outside the doors nervously waiting to announced. He did not know the reason for the invitation to the throne room. Eilif and his wife Elisabeth had been ordered to dress in their finest clothes for this was a formal event. He speculated that some kind of ceremony was going to be held but he did not the nature of it.
They were announced and now proceed down the aisle As they did so he noticed that all of the Council were present as well as many of the lords of the land. They stopped before the dais atop which sat his mother and father. His father’s face was stern while his mother had a huge smile.
Sigfrið then said, “Jarl Waltheof of East Anglia, Steward of the Kingdom you may read the proclamation.”
Waltheof unrolled a scroll and read, “By the order of Sigfrið King of Jorvik and in the eyes of God the Jarldom of Deheubarth is created with the Counties of Dyfed, Glamorgan, and Gwent. The king hereby appoints Prince Eilif Sigfriðsson Hvistrek the Count of Dyfed and the Jarl of Deheubarth.”
Eilif was surprised. He knew his father had been receiving some pressure to grant some new jarldoms but he did not expect to be the recipient of one. Elisabeth was beaming with pride. She would now have a household to run.
The ceremony then continued with the swearing of loyalty and fealty. After the oaths were completed the new Jarl and Duchess were presented to the audience. There were loud cheers and applause for Eilif.
*****
With the eating and entertainment portions of the feast completed Eilif moved among the guest accepting their congratulations.
Eilif found himself talking with Jarl Ælfweard of Northumberland.
Eilif said, “I am surprised to see you here Jarl Ælfweard considering you lead a faction that seeks to weaken my father.”
Ælfweard said, “While I may disagree with your father on some matters I always respond to my obligations and when summoned to attend a royal ceremony I do so.”
Eilif responded, “My father granting land to another will turn some away from your cause as he has now acted upon their concerns.”
Ælfweard said, “Some will and some won’t”
Eilif said, “Like your coconspirator Count Eadgar of Northampton. He did not answer his summons.”
Ælfweard saaid, “Count Eadgar is somewhat passionate about his beliefs. However, I would not concern myself about the count but his son Thurcytel. He is a different story. For some reason he feels very strongly about seeing you fail. I do not understand the source of his dislike.”
Eilif said, “When we were younger and he was here at court and competed at various games I generally bested him. His father did not care for that and let Thurcytel know. I guess he blames me for whatever hardship followed because of his performance.”
Eilif and Ælfweard parted ways. Eilif then spotted someone he truly wanted to speak with. He maneuvered over to Countess Cyneswith of Bedford. Eilif knew her for as long as he could remember. She frequented court with her father Count Oswulf when he was Marshal. When her mother died and she became Countess of Bedford he saw her less frequently. Eilif had always been attracted to her and now that he saw her again even more so.
“Eilif, congratulations, “ said Cyneswith.
Eilif replied, “Thank you, Cyneswith. It has been too long since we have seen one another.”
Cyneswith replied, “that is correct. I remember the bratty little boy who would chase me when I visited court and threaten to throw me in the moat.”
Eilif blushed, “I am sorry about that I tended to be a troublesome boy back then.”
Cyneswith said, “But you are not a boy any longer. You are fine young man, a veteran of many battles, and now a count and jarl.”
Eilif said, “You are a lovely young lady and a countess of two counties.”
Eilif then heard Steward Waltheof calling his name. Eilif muttered, “Damn”
Cyneswith asked, “Is everything alright.”
Eilif said, “Yes but apparently I have to meet someone or perform some duty. It was good to see you again.”
Cyneswith said, “Yes it was. We must get together and catch up on things. We should also get together so we can know one another better.”
Eilif replied, “Yes that sounds good.’ He then took his leave to find Waltheof.
A few moments after Eilif left Ælfweard walked up to Cyneswith.
Ælfweard said, “Careful there lass. I hear he has quite an appetite.”
Cyneswith said, “So do I if you remember. But mine does not end in the bedroom I desire power. There are many ways that woman can curry the favor of those she needs.”
As she walked away she ran her finger along Ælfweard’s beard leaving him speechless and a little jealous.
Eilif stood outside the doors nervously waiting to announced. He did not know the reason for the invitation to the throne room. Eilif and his wife Elisabeth had been ordered to dress in their finest clothes for this was a formal event. He speculated that some kind of ceremony was going to be held but he did not the nature of it.
They were announced and now proceed down the aisle As they did so he noticed that all of the Council were present as well as many of the lords of the land. They stopped before the dais atop which sat his mother and father. His father’s face was stern while his mother had a huge smile.
Sigfrið then said, “Jarl Waltheof of East Anglia, Steward of the Kingdom you may read the proclamation.”
Waltheof unrolled a scroll and read, “By the order of Sigfrið King of Jorvik and in the eyes of God the Jarldom of Deheubarth is created with the Counties of Dyfed, Glamorgan, and Gwent. The king hereby appoints Prince Eilif Sigfriðsson Hvistrek the Count of Dyfed and the Jarl of Deheubarth.”
Eilif was surprised. He knew his father had been receiving some pressure to grant some new jarldoms but he did not expect to be the recipient of one. Elisabeth was beaming with pride. She would now have a household to run.
The ceremony then continued with the swearing of loyalty and fealty. After the oaths were completed the new Jarl and Duchess were presented to the audience. There were loud cheers and applause for Eilif.
*****
With the eating and entertainment portions of the feast completed Eilif moved among the guest accepting their congratulations.
Eilif found himself talking with Jarl Ælfweard of Northumberland.
Eilif said, “I am surprised to see you here Jarl Ælfweard considering you lead a faction that seeks to weaken my father.”
Ælfweard said, “While I may disagree with your father on some matters I always respond to my obligations and when summoned to attend a royal ceremony I do so.”
Eilif responded, “My father granting land to another will turn some away from your cause as he has now acted upon their concerns.”
Ælfweard said, “Some will and some won’t”
Eilif said, “Like your coconspirator Count Eadgar of Northampton. He did not answer his summons.”
Ælfweard saaid, “Count Eadgar is somewhat passionate about his beliefs. However, I would not concern myself about the count but his son Thurcytel. He is a different story. For some reason he feels very strongly about seeing you fail. I do not understand the source of his dislike.”
Eilif said, “When we were younger and he was here at court and competed at various games I generally bested him. His father did not care for that and let Thurcytel know. I guess he blames me for whatever hardship followed because of his performance.”
Eilif and Ælfweard parted ways. Eilif then spotted someone he truly wanted to speak with. He maneuvered over to Countess Cyneswith of Bedford. Eilif knew her for as long as he could remember. She frequented court with her father Count Oswulf when he was Marshal. When her mother died and she became Countess of Bedford he saw her less frequently. Eilif had always been attracted to her and now that he saw her again even more so.
“Eilif, congratulations, “ said Cyneswith.
Eilif replied, “Thank you, Cyneswith. It has been too long since we have seen one another.”
Cyneswith replied, “that is correct. I remember the bratty little boy who would chase me when I visited court and threaten to throw me in the moat.”
Eilif blushed, “I am sorry about that I tended to be a troublesome boy back then.”
Cyneswith said, “But you are not a boy any longer. You are fine young man, a veteran of many battles, and now a count and jarl.”
Eilif said, “You are a lovely young lady and a countess of two counties.”
Eilif then heard Steward Waltheof calling his name. Eilif muttered, “Damn”
Cyneswith asked, “Is everything alright.”
Eilif said, “Yes but apparently I have to meet someone or perform some duty. It was good to see you again.”
Cyneswith said, “Yes it was. We must get together and catch up on things. We should also get together so we can know one another better.”
Eilif replied, “Yes that sounds good.’ He then took his leave to find Waltheof.
A few moments after Eilif left Ælfweard walked up to Cyneswith.
Ælfweard said, “Careful there lass. I hear he has quite an appetite.”
Cyneswith said, “So do I if you remember. But mine does not end in the bedroom I desire power. There are many ways that woman can curry the favor of those she needs.”
As she walked away she ran her finger along Ælfweard’s beard leaving him speechless and a little jealous.
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