Chapter 7

The Duchy of East Anglia is back to the largest it has been for over 40 years. While its size has increased, its strength has dwindled. Years of civil war, both of England and East Anglia, have depleted the gold stores and manpower of the land. Diplomatic relations between the vassals and the Duke are the lowest they have ever been, the Count of Suffolk even imprisoned. Soon after the victory feast in the conquered county of Essex, Ralf III sets about fixing the dire situation. A new chancellor is still nowhere to be seen, the only candidate of such low skill that Ralf refuses to hire him. But a court chaplain is found, though with very little skill, by the name of Sigeræd of Waltham. He is sent to make connections with the Papacy in Rome.

To secure a future alliance, Ralf suggests to the Duke of Mercia a betrothal between Ralf's son and his daughter. The Duke accepts. Of course, little Attalus a few months old.

In October of 1114, King Leofric of England declares war against Scotland over the county of Cumberland. In the last few years, the last Count of Cumberland died. His only heir was the Scottish Duke of Lothian.

9 thousand troops of England engage 6 thousand troops of Scotland. It is a close victory for England, although the victor came out of it with less than half his original force.

In September of 1115, Ralf's wife is pregnant. A few months later, Attalus becomes 4 years of age. Ralf decides that he should tutor his son himself.

April of 1116 brings about the birth of Ralf's first daughter. She is named The Anguished One.

In November, Ralf is offered the position of Commander of England. He accepts and makes for the lines of war in the north.

In 1117 gold is flowing in East Anglia, and Ralf orders the construction of a new Militia Training Grounds in Norfolk. With this he hopes to improve the Duchy's fighting force.

Shortly after, Scotland surrenders the County of Cumberland. England is again at peace.

In December a messenger of the King brings Ralf a formal invitation to a feast hosted at the border county of Teviotdale. Ralf accepts and sets out. All in all it is a rather uneventful feast, and Ralf heads back to Norfolk in February of the next year.

In March of 1118, the Court Chaplain dies. A new, very skilled court chaplain is found. He is named Samson of Waltham, and he was the heir of the last Court Chaplain. however, Samson passes away within the year and is replaced by his heir as Court Chaplain.

The Militia Training Ground is finished in January of 1119. The armies of East Anglia grow in size...

The wife is again pregnant in October.

In November, a traveler from the Breton Kingdom of Breizh decides to remain in East Anglia. He is a skilled diplomat and is offered the position of Chancellor, which he accepts.

A son is born in May of 1120. He is named Loup.

Later in the year, the King hosts another feast in Teviotdale. Ralf, invited, sets out for the border once again. While there, Ralf begins consuming alcohol to no end. By the end of the feast, he is known as a drunkard by all the guests there.

A month after he returns to Norfolk, the wife is again pregnant. By October of 1121, she gives birth to a daughter whom they name Saxona.

In November, King Leofric declares war on the small Welsh kingdom Gwynedd. His intent is to take the kingdom in the name of the Duke of Mercia, who has a claim to it.

As the year turns to 1122, things are looking up for East Anglia; their armies are strong again, gold is flowing, and there are plenty of de Gael children.