May 1020 York
Eadweard sat in the Crown Prince’s throne to the right of his father’s throne. He looked over at his father. Rædwald, King of Jorvik, the man whose word was law throughout the British Isles. Only England, Cornwall, and a couple of independent Irish counties did not answer to him or pay him tribute. He defied the Pope and published a document detailing science behind the stars and planets contradicting the teachings of Rome. For this they call him Priest-Hater. He survived consumption some say at the cost of his mind. Like his father, Eilif, his grandfather Sigfrið, and great grandfather Knut, Rædwald was one of the most feared kings in Christendom. Eadweard looked at the heraldry of Jorvik embroidered on his father’s white tunic and wondered if he could be the king his father was.
His eyes drifted to the left of his father to see his mother in her blue gown with its gold trim. Not only was she Queen of Jorvik, she was also Queen of the Petty Kingdom of Mide and the colors of her gown reflected this. He was not only heir to the Kingdom of Jorvik but also heir to Mide. One day he would unite the kingdoms.
Eadweard looked down at the black tunic he wore. His gazed centered on the white shirt embroidered on it. The heraldry of the House of Hvitserk from Halfdan the Whiteshirt. The line that went unbroken back to Ragnar Loðbrok.
With his heart sinking Eadweard gazed upon one of the largest gatherings he had ever seen. Fearing all in this throng before him would be introduced individually a lump formed in the crown prince’s throat. His stomach churned as the Court Crier with his staff took his position at the foot of the dais. The echoing sound of the Crier’s metal tipped staff striking the stone floor seemed to suck all the moisture out of Eadweard’s mouth. To his greatest dread the ceremony had officially begun.
Full of trepidation Eadweard was worried that he would do or say something to embarrass himself or worse his parents. Looking at the size of the audience Eadweard grew fearful he would doze off and miss one of his duties as simple as they were. His main duty was to sit at attention and acknowledge each dignitary. He had nothing to say for the most part. His speech as it was would come at the end. For now, he just had to look regal.
The first introductions would be the most awkward for Eadweard. These would be the member’s of the King’s Council, men he had know most of his life.
The Court Crier cleared his throat. The introductions were about to begin. Eadweard stiffened.
“Lord Chancellor, Mayor Strula of Macclesfield.”
No wife!? Eadweard had never realized that Strula was unmarried. He had just assumed since everyone else was that the Chancellor had a wife. Strula had been his father’s faithful and trusted Chancellor since Countess Maria’s Revolt. The mayor had proven his worth time and time again to the crown. However, lately his paranoid at times was getting the best of him. He would flee to his manor and locked himself away until whatever danger he perceived passed,
Strula came to the foot of dais, smiled and bowed. Eadweard returned the smile and nodded his acknowledgement of Strula. The chancellor took his normal position on the steps of the dais.
“Lord Marshal of the King’s Armies Duke Emrys of Deheubarth and the Duchess Ingrid.”
As Emrys and his wife approached Eadweard sadly realized that he had never met Ingrid and was unsure of Emrys’ wife’s name. Much of the time Emrys was away from the duchy Ingrid was his regent. From what Eadweard had learned there were no complaints, and the duchess was considered fair and competent.
Emrys was another who took over his position as a result of Countess Maria’s Revolt. Next to Prince Hlothere Emrys was the most trusted member of the court. His advice was always treated with respect and followed. Eadweard looked at the aging marshal and thought that he showed no signs of the consumption that racked his body. The cure he had undergone recently kept him performing his duties without interruption.
The marshal and his wife approached holding hands. At the bottom of the dais Emrys bowed and Ingrid curtsied. Emrys maintained a stern face which Eadweard tried to mimic. Doing a poor job Emrys grinned at the now blushing prince.
After bowing Emrys kissed his wife of the cheek and took his position on the dais steps. Thier 8-year-old grandson Arthfoddwap ap Padren escorted Ingrid to her place in the gallery. Arthfoddwp, second son of their son and heir to the Duchy of Deheubarth, Padren ap Emrys, was in York being tutored by his grandfather.
“Steward of the Kingdom, Prince Hlothere, Duke of Gwynedd and Princess Tiburge, Duchess of Gwynedd.”
Eadweard’s heart jumped hearing his favorite uncle’s name. The recent troubles between Hlothere and Rædwald had saddened Eadweard. He could see at times his father missed his brother and the strong friendship they had for so many years. Eadweard hoped that once all the wars were done the family would return to the way things were.
Eadweard was uncertain of how he felt about the Princess Tiburge. While she had always been polite and courteous to him Eadweard never felt comfortable around her. She gave off a certain amount of aloofness that disturbed Eadweard. He was glad that when Hlothere was in York she usually remained in Gwynedd acting as regent.
As Emrys and his wife had done Hlothere and Tiburge entered holding hands. Hlothere bowed and Tiburge curtsied. As he bowed Hlothere smiled back Eadweard. Eadweard returned the smile with an even bigger one. Hlothere kissed Tiburge and ascended the steps to his place. Since Wulfhelm was in attendance, he stepped forward and escorted his mother to her spot in the gallery.
“Master of Spies, Duke Ealdmund of Powys and Duchess Ælfthryth.
Ealdmund had become spymaster when Åke Thurfrithsson of the House of Ytra left the position to become Earl of Westmoreland. Åke had replaced the great Count Siweard of Lindsey after his death. Next to Emrys Ealdmund was his father’s most trusted lord. Since the falling out with Hlothere Ealdmund had replaced the prince as the king’s confidant. Ealdmund had gained a well-earned reputation as being one of the best spymasters in western Europe over the years. Unfortunately for him and the king this meant at times Ealdmund had to go into hiding and prevented him from fully performing his duties.
Ælfthryth was his aunt by his grandmother although rumors persisted that King Eilif was her father. His grandmother had never admitted who was Ælfhryth’s father. Eadweard rarely saw his aunt as she spent much of time in Bedford raising her children.
Since she was Ealdmund’s second wife she did not hold much in the way of power in the court in the Duchy of Powys. Earl Sigeræd of Perfeddwlad, Ealdmund’s brother was normally regent. However lately, Dag Ealdmundsson, Ealdmund’s eldest son by his first wife Leofrun ws gaining more power as heir to the Duchy. Eadweard had met Dag on numerous occasions and found him to be a bore and a bully who was always ready to fight over the smallest thing. When he wasn’t fighting, he was obsessed with money.
The spymaster and his wife went through the motions. Both smiled at the crown prince. Eadweard returned those smiles particularly at his aunt. Ealdmund took his place with the other Counselors and his wife was escorted by Dag.
“Court Chaplin Beorhthelm.”
To Eadweard Beorhthelm was something of a mystery. In the midst of the consumption epidemic he had come to the court to assume the role of Court Physician vacated by the execution of Aharon of Mistretta for his mishandling of treating the king which some say left the king mad. When Bishop Wulfgar of Lichfield died from the Great Pox Beorhthelm took on the role of Court Chaplin. Eadweard found it difficult to form an opnion regarding the man they called “the Monk.” He did his duty and little else from what Eadweard could see. He knew that many including his father and mother believed Beorhthelm had cured the king of consumption.
Beorhthelm showed no emotion as he bowed at the prince. The prince returned the lack of emotion with his acknowledgement.
Beorhthelm took the final position of Counselors on the dais steps.
Eadweard took a deep breath. He had survived the first part of the introductions. Next were the dukes and earls who were direct vassals to the king. The proceedings would begin with the dukes and work its way down. Eadweard was not familiar with many of these vassals and as such his father had reminded him that this would be a learning experience.
As before it began with the clang of the Crier’s staff.
“Duke Hlothere and Duchess Ealdgyth of Man.”
Duke Hlothere and his wife were two people that Eadweard had never met in person. He knew from conversations between his father and Ealdmund, Duke Hlothere had been dabbling in factions namely Increasing the Power of the Council. Duke Hlothere was the great-grandson of Earl Siweard of Lindsey, a fact that was said with disappointment as many felt he did his ancestor’s legacy no favors.
The duke and duchess came forward and performed their introduction duties. The entire exchange was formal as this was the first meeting between them. Hlothere and his wife returned to their place in the gallery.
“Duchess Ealhswith of East Anglia and her betrothed Cenfus Offasson”
Since his father treated Ealhswith as inconsequential Eadweard knew almost nothing about her and absolutely nothing about her betrothed Cenfus other than he was 13. Eadweard had overheard Ealdmund caution the king that Ealhswith bore watching since she was becoming more and more friendly with vassals who were known to be odds with the king.
Ealhswith and Cenfus paid their respects and Eadweard returned a formal acknowledgement. They turned and walked back to their spots.
There was an awkward silence for a moment. This would be the place that Prince Hjalmar, Duke of Northumbria would be introduced but he was confined to the dungeons. Eadweard wondered if anyone would be introduced in his place or if the Duchy of Northumbria would be skipped. The answer came with the loud clear voice of the Crier.
“Earl Eadwine of Cumberland and Countess Maria”
Eadweard mentally noted that Eadwine was not referred as Regent of Northumbria even as everyone knew he was. Eadweard had met Eadwine several times in the last year. Eadweard knew he was thought as a competent commander. It was well known throughout the court that the son of Earl Siweard desired to be the next Duke of Northumbria. His desire for the duchy made Rædwald wary of the earl. His wife was a mystery to Eadweard as this was the first time, he ever saw her.
The Earl of Cumberland and his wife bowed and curtsied and return to the gallery.
“Earl Harold of Leicester and Countess Judith.”
Lately Harold had been gaining more and more notoriety due to the earl’s involvement in factions, most recently Gavelkind Succession. While Harold was the only faction member the size of his levies warranted attention.
Judith while being his aunt was now being referred to as a disappointment. She had been married to Æthelweald, son of Count Eadgar of Northampton. Æthelweald died during the consumption epidemic and she married Harold. While the marriage was arranged by her liege Earl Wulf of Northampton since she did not protest, she was now looked upon with disdain.
Harold and Judith came forward and completed their duties at the foot of dais. Judith smiled at her nephew and despite her disfavor with his father Eadweard returned her smile. Harold remained stoic but watched the king out of the corner of his eyes.
“Earl Åke of Westmorland and Countess Kristina”
Åke’s attendance was a surprise to almost everyone present in the hall. Åke had spent the better part of the last two years in hiding from several plots against his life. Most of the plots originated with Skuli, the Spymaster of Hålogaland. Eadweard had never meet the earl or his wife but knew his father was frustrated with him as a result of his hiding.
To all it appeared that Åke came close to running down the aisle to the dais. Kristina had trouble keeping up with him. Åke made a quick bow and Kristina barely finished her curtsies before the earl of Westmorland had turned and headed back. He did not stop but left the hall with his wife following.
Eadweard heard his father mumble in disgust, “Back to hiding. Perhaps I should have him killed.”
Eadweard saw his mother turn and give his father a dirty look as she slapped his hand.
“Countess Katarina of Hereford and Hafrid Vagnsdottir, Regent of Hafrid.”
Katarina and Hafrid curtsied at the bottom of the dais. Eadweard smiled in anticipation of receiving the same from Katarina but he was surprised and disappointed when she looked at him with a stern face. Hafrid shot a quick glance at Eadweard and then glared at Rædwald until they turned to go back to their assigned place.
Sitting in the throne for the entire morning was making Eadweard uncomfortable. His body was stiffening, and no amount of fidgeting could relieve the discomfort. Eadweard looked over at his father in desperation. Rædwald sensing his son’s impatience leaned over and in a low voice said, “This is the worst part of being king. Sitting here in formal court.”
Eadweard tried to smile and said, “My rear end hurts.”
Rædwald almost burst out laughing but controlled himself. “It is almost over. There is a baron and then the bishops.”
Eadweard almost fainted. Rædwald again smiled, “Don’t worry the bishops will all be announced together.”
Eadweard nodded. He was beginning to wonder if he would ever be able to sit again without pain.
“Baron Vagn and Baroness Helena of Warwick”
Eadweard knew Vagn from the war council he attended during the Scottish Tribute War. He also knew his father consider Vagn to be an excellent and trustworthy commander. Few in the court including Eadweard and his father had met Vagn’s new wife. His former wife had perished in the Camp Fever epidemic. First thing Eadweard noticed about her was she was half the age of the baron.
As Vagn and Helena completed their introduction Eadweard was thinking it is almost over.
“Bishop Eastmund of St Peters, Bishop Eormenric of Furness, Bishop Cynehelm of Halton, Bishop Wistin of Burton, Bishop Sæbert of Lichfield, and Bishop Buðli of Worcester.”
Of the bishops Eadweard only knew Wistin and Buðli and only from their roles as commanders. He had spoken with Buðli on many occasions when the Bishop of Worcester was visiting York. Wistin had taken Eadweard on a tour of the siege lines around Cupar when the young prince visited there during the Scottish war.
The six bishops approached and bowed. Together they offered a short blessing for Eadweard. Eadweard nodded and the bishops returned to the gallery.
Once the bishops were back in their places Rædwald and Crístina stood and held hands. Rædwald looked out over the audience, smiled, and said, “To the Lords and Ladies, Bishops, and people of Jorvik we present our son and heir Prince Eadweard Rædwaldsson Hvitserk.”
As the audience broke out in cheers Eadweard broke out in a full blush. Rædwald let the cheering go on for a few moments and then signaled the Crier. The Crier banged the end of staff on the floor until the din quieted.
The moment that Eadweard had been dreading most of life was now upon him. His father and mother looked at him and smiled. Eadweard rallied all his courage and stood on wobbly legs. He then stepped to the edge of dais and took a deep breath and found his mouth dry and his tongue glued to the roof of his mouth. He worked up some saliva to moisten his mouth and said, “Lords, Ladies, Bishops, and people of the Kingdom of Jorvik I thank you for your honors and well wishes.”
Eadweard breathed a huge sigh of relief. It was finally over and he had survived. Proud, he stood taller than he had before.
The gallery erupted into the cry of “Long live the Crown Prince.”
Eadweard stood on the dais wondering if anyone could see him blushing.
