4 July 984 Richmond
King Eilif left the Queen Mother Emma’s chambers quietly. He gently closed the door as not to wake her. Bishop Snorri of St Davids, the Court Physician and Court Chaplin was waiting for him in the corridor.
Eilif said, “She slips away a little more each day. In the six months since my father’s passing she had declined rapidly. She was once a strong woman now she cannot get out of bed or feed herself. And when she does feed herself it is usually with wine.”
Snorri responded, “There is little we can do. Her love for your father was great. Now that he is gone there is only emptiness. I fear that she has lost the will to live. She suffers greatly from a broken heart.”
Eilif said, “I wish Sigurðr was older. Teaching him how to be king would give her purpose.”
Snorri said, “We will pray that one day she undertakes such an endeavor.”
The two men quietly walked in silence down the corridor. They descended the staircase and entered the empty throne room. They walked across the room and entered the Council Chambers.
The other Council members were already present. There was Hjalmar Haraldrsson, the Chancellor of Jorvik. Hjalmar’s father, Haraldr, had fled from the Jarldom of Kurland to escape the cruelty of his father Jarl Hjalmar the Bewitched. Haraldr became Steward under King Sigfrið. Unfortunately lunacy brought on by the Great Pox caused Haraldr to be removed as Steward. During the Regency of Bishop Borkvard Haraldr was appointed Chancellor. Haraldr quickly resigned when Eilif became regent. When Borkvard seized the regency Hjalmar fled to Eilif. There his shrewd mind aided with the planning of the coup. He was instrumental in obtaining backing for Eilif from many lords. Eilif rewarded his service with appointing him Chancellor.
Also present was Anlaufr Hrolfrsson Hvitserk, the Marshal of Jorvik. Anlaufr’s father was Count Hrolfr of Westmoreland. Hroldr died in battle during his rebellion against Eilif’s uncle Prince Totil, Jarl of Lancaster. Anlaufr’s grandfather was the infamous Count Ragnarr the Seducer of Westmoreland. Anlaufr and Eilif are 2nd cousins 3 times removed. Anlaufr served Eilif as Marshal when he was Jarl of Lancaster. When Eilif became king he brought his trusted Marshal with him and appointed him Jarl of Powys and Count of Shrewsbury.
The Steward of Jorvik was Ingólfr Holmgersson Yngling legitimized bastard son of King Holmger of Noregr. When Ingólfr’s father died Sörkver was elected king. Sörkver would go on to earn the title the Terrible. Ingólfr fled Noregr to escape from the horrors of Sörkver’s regien. Eventually Sörkver was removed and replaced with Einarr, Ingólfr’s younger half brother. Ingólfr wondered about Lotharingia and East Francia before landing in Dyfed. Once in Dyfed he joined Eilif’s levy. He was not much of a solider but showed a knack for making money. He quickly found himself Steward of Deheubarth and eventually Lancaster. As with Anlaufr Eilif appointed his counselor from Lancaster to the same role in the kingdom. He also made Ingólfr Count of Leicester.
Bishop Snorri of St Davids rose from a simple parish priest in a small village in Dyfed. With his ken mind and understanding of Scriptures Snorri was noticed by the church hierarchy and he rose quickly within the church. A couple of years before Eilif became Jarl of Deheubarth and Count of Dyfed Snorri was appointed Bishop of St Davids. There he continued his studies and his interpretations of Scriptures bordered on heresy. Once Eilif was Jarl of Deheubarth he appointed Snorri Court Chaplain and Court Physician, Again Eilif unwaveringly appointed Snorri as Court Chaplain and when Bengt died Court Physician.
Lastly there was Count Siweard of Lincoln, Spymaster of Jorvik. Siweard was the only holdover from King Sigfrið’s Council. Siweard’s unyielding support of King Sigfrið and Queen Emma during the regency crisis earned him that privilege. It also earned Siweard’s son Cytelbearn the title Count of Mann.
When Eilif entered the chamber the Councilors all stood. Snorri walked over to his chair at the table. Eilif proceeded to the head of the table and sat down. Once he did so the other Councilors returned to their seats except Snorri. Eilif nodded at Snorri.
Snorri bowed his head. The king and the Counselors followed suit. The Snorri spoke in Latin, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Ghost we pray. Almighty God we humbly ask you to guide our thoughts and decisions at this meeting so that we may be wise and just and do the work of your Holy Church and the Kingdom of Jorvik. We now pray as your Son taught us…” The Councilors and king then recited the Lord's Prayer. At the conclusion Snorri replied, “Amen.” He concluded the prayer with the Sign of the Cross. Once the prayer was done he took his seat.
Eilif then said, “We shall start the meeting discussing how certain lords of the kingdom feel that I am a bad king who cannot be allowed to act in the best interest of the kingdom.”
This brought a chuckle from all those present.
Siweard spoke, “I shall start with a personal embarrassment. That being my foolish son, Cytelbearn, who the king graciously granted the County of Mann now thinks he should be independent.”
Anlaufr said, “Since he has only one vassal and a levy of less than 500 we can attribute his misplaced passion to his youthfulness.”
Eilif said, “When reality sets in he will lose enthusiasm for being on his own. Being surrounded by the Scottish, Irish, and Swedes will convince him Jorvikian protection is best for him.”
Siweard said, “There is the matter of Count Þorgil of Gwent who fancies he can overthrow the king.”
Hjalmar said, “I still do not understand how Þorgil thinks that he can overthrow the king by himself.”
Snorri replied, “He is a dreamer and thinks that he is more powerful than he truly is.”
Siweard said, “There is that faction we have been dealing with for decades. That being the misguided group that feels that this council needs more power. “
Snorri said, “They seemed to forget that the Council’s purpose is to advise the king not overrule him or order him about.”
All in the Council nodded their agreement.
Siweard continued, “Jarl Waltheof of East Anglia is their leader. Count Þorgil of Gwent and Count Padern of Glamorgan are his current followers. Even now as we meet they meet in Thetford.”
Ingólfr said, “It seems Waltheof still has not forgiven you for his removal as Steward.”
Siweard said, “Without some other lords there is little hope for their faction to become any kind of threat.”
Hjalmar said, “They will gain strength during the coming war.”
Eilif said, “We must be prepared for that occurrence. A few lords may join with them. However, if we remain committed they should be of little concern to us.”
Snorri asked, “Speaking of war is the intended target still Scotland?”
Eilif responded, “It is what my father wanted. We shall make King Alpin III of Scotland tributary to us.”
Anlaufr said, “Given their performance in Gwynedd during the war against Guichard the war should not be a long one.”
Eilif said, “We shall disrupt the council power faction.”
Ingólfr asked, “How will we do that?”
Siweard answered, “Padern has a claim on the County of Powys.”
Snorri asked, “What is important about that?”
Eilif said, “We will declare a war for Padern’s claim for Powys against King Cynwrig of Gwynedd.”
Ingólfr asked, “Two wars at once?”
Anlaufr responded, “Cynwrig is very weak. Any war with him will not last long.”
Hjalmar said, “There is one more matter we need to discuss. Count Eadgar of Northampton.”
Ingólfr said, “Yes, he grows more and more hostile toward the crown. I fear he will join with the council power faction.”
Eilif said, “Perhaps I should transfer his vassalage to someone else.”
Anlaufr spoke, “I do not want him.”
Eilif smiled, “No I was thinking Jarl Waltheof.”
Snorri asked, “Won’t that make the council power faction stronger.”
Eilif said, “I doubt it. Waltheof considers Eadgar a traitor since Eadgar opposed Borkvard. Eadgar regards Waltheof a traitor because he supported Borkvard. It will be an interesting pairing. Waltheof will be too busy dealing with Eadgar to have any time to get into any mischief.”
Several of the Counselors smiled and chuckled.
Eilif then said, “If there is no other business then I declare this meeting finished.”
The counselors began to leave but Siweard delayed. Once all the other counselors departed Siweard approached the king.
Eilif said, “Count Siweard?”
Siweard replied, “Milord I am fearful of the plan. If things go wrong there could be major repercussions.”
Eilif responded, “I understand but as we discussed it must go forward for the good of the kingdom. You are the one who faces the real danger.”
Siweard replied, “I am and always will be your servant, milord.”
