Chapter 4

The messenger reaches Duke Ralf II in the camps in occupied Scotland a few days before August, 1091. It brings news of Duchess Ealdgyth of Hwicce's intent to go to war against the King. Ralf, as a member of the faction led by Ealdgyth, is expected to support her in the endeavor. Ralf gathers the East Anglican troops in the camp and immediately leaves for Norfolk. Sending a messenger ahead of him on horse, telling East Anglia to raise troops and prepare to march. By the time war breaks out on August 2nd, he and his troops are in York. Here, another messenger from Ealdgyth reaches him, requesting he become a commander under her and marshal of the revolt. He accepts both titles.

Within a week, he arrives back in Norfolk, where an army of 17 hundred awaits him. Harold of Suffolk, a commander of East Anglia, is given charge of the troops. He and his troops leave immediately, heading to meet and combine with the other troops of the revolt. He meets them in Northampton where they begin besieging the English Castle. To the north, an English army of 7 thousand begins besieging the Castle of York.

In February of 1092, the East Anglican spymaster has uncovered another plot against Ralf's life. This time, by his father's widowed wife. Since Ralf I's death, Gunhild left East Anglia and married one of the Welsh kings.

In July, the siege of Northampton ends, and the city of Cambridge, Northampton, is next. Further north, the Castle of York falls as well.

The next month, Ralf announces that his wife is finally pregnant. Despite the Kingdom's current state, East Anglia is overjoyed.

In September, the 8 thousand man army moves down from York and engages the rebel army. It is a close defeat, with the victors barely emerging any better off than the defeated. The entirety of the East Anglican army is scattered, the survivors fleeing in all directions.

Luckily, the gold stores of Norfolk and Suffolk are untouched, and a band of nearly 3 thousand mercenaries are hired to put the war back in the revolt's favor. They are sent to regroup with the routing revolt troops in Lincoln. Once they have, the armies move to liberate York.

In March of 1093, yet another plot is uncovered by the spymaster, this time for the life of Catguethen, traitor of East Anglia. The plot is led by Catguethen's brother, Chancellor of East Anglia, Guoletec. Ralf sends a letter demanding he ends the plot. Guoletec grudgingly accepts.

That same month, Agathe gives birth to Ralf's first son and new heir. He is named Ralf, after his father and grandfather. Ralf III, future Duke of East Anglia.

In April, Scotland surrenders, ceding the county of Teviotdale to England.

Far away in the Holy Lands, word spreads across Christian Europe of abuse against holy pilgrims. Pope Eugenius immediately calls for a crusade to reconquer the Holy Land of Jerusalem for the Catholics. Rulers from all over Europe answer the call, sending their men to war.

In August, York and Northampton are both liberated from enemy occupation. The Rebel army moves to retake Northampton. A few weeks after, Agathe is again pregnant. It appears the rumors were untrue.

Northampton falls a second time in February of 1094, and in April, Agathe gives birth a daughter. She is named Margaret.

In May, the rebel army engages England in the county of Oxford. Despite the numbers, it is another defeat. The rebels retreat to Wiltshire to recover.

In December, Oxford's castle falls. Meanwhile, every rebel troops that can be found is massing for one final attack on the English Army, and on New Years day of 1095, they assault the enemy on two sides. It is the first victory for the revolt, with three quarters of the English army dead or scattered. The rest flee to Bedford where they are eventually encircled and destroyed.

The war continues with the occasional skirmish between rebel and English armies, although the rebels always come out on top. The main army moves to besiege the capital, Middlesex.

In August of 1095, Agathe gives birth to yet another child, a boy they name Cenguethen.

In June of 1096, Westminster, the primary castle of the capital, falls to rebel troops.

1097 brings ill news, as the Duchess of Hwicce and leader of the revolt dies. The new Duke of hwicce is her son, 13 year old Cadoc. However, a few months later, King Leofheah of England dies from his injuries in the war.

Finally on June 20th, 1097, the new King Eadwig II of England, who was sympathetic to the revolt prior to kingship, offers peace with lowered crown authority. The war that started nearly 6 years before, ends.