Chapter 21

Chapter 21 - 1220 to 1231:

Æthelstan III, son of King Æthelstan II, and grandson of the past King Loup, sits down for lunch on October 13th, the year 1220. He raises the chicken breast to his mouth just as a courtier hurries up to his seat. The courtier, a woman named Beladora, tells him that his father is dead. He has been sick for more than a year, bound to his bed for most of the day, but it still comes as a shock. Now, Æthelstan finds himself King of England. He does not finish lunch.

After the inauguration, he sets to work. First is the matter of the heir. Although his preferred heir is his son, Æthelstan IV, the other vassals do not agree, leaning instead towards Prince DKM. To keep the kingdom from falling out of de Gael hands, Æthelstan is content to allow DKM to remain heir.

Many vassals, discontent with the crowning of yet another de Gael, do not support the King. With this comes a decrease in the possible levies the King can raise, as well as the tax income. Several gifts are sent to influential vassals to sway them to support the king. Within a few months, the problem of tax income is gone, although the weak army persists.

Nothing of note happens until August of 1221, when Æthelstan announces to his court that his wife Iudhent is pregnant with their 5th child. Although considered by many to be a rather unlikable woman, Iudhent has done her job of bearing many de Gael children, even passing on her unusual strength to the second oldest boy.

Still a rather unpopular King, though not hated, Æthelstan decides to go on a pilgrimage to improve his image in the eyes of his religious vassals. As much of the Holy Land is controlled by Christians, he chooses to travel there. He sets out in October, leaving DKM as regent over England.

He arrives in December. Despite the supposed divinity of the land, Æthelstan is unimpressed, even becoming something of a cynic thereafter.

He stays only a short time before leaving. When he returns, he does not tell high stories about his travels, instead becoming rather quiet when the subject is brought up. But the trip has the desired effect; the only vassal unhappy with the current ruler is Beornwulf, Æthelstan's cousin and rival.

Iudhent gives birth in March of 1222 to a baby girl. They name her Ryudraga. Unfortunately, she is born a weak and sickly infant.

In June, news arrives that an ambitious man of House Hwicce, named Ealdwine, has gathered together a host of men, intent on carving out some land as his own. He declares war on Brittany.

In April of 1223 Blitz the Dragon passes away at the age of 53. She leaves behind three children and a husband named Assiucc, who is Steward of England.

In September of 1224, Æthelstan IV comes of age. While a talented administrator, he is not particularly skilled in any other areas. However, he is a thoroughly liked and respected man.

November brings news that Iudhent is again pregnant. She gives birth in June of 1225 to a boy they name Andrew.

In 1227, in a diplomatically clever move, Æthelstan creates the title Duchy of Leinster and grants it to his known rival, Beornwulf. In this way, Beornwulf's anger is pacified, leaving no resistance to a move to increase crown authority. It takes 7 months, but the reform is finally passed.

In November, Iudhent is again pregnant. She gives birth in June of 1228 to a girl. They name her Manuela.

Soon after the birth, Æthelstan's eldest daughter, Ælfrida, comes of age. She is married matrilineally to an incredibly talented spymaster from Germany named Wilhelm. He is considered by many a genius. Upon arriving in England, he is immediately offered the post of Spymaster, which he accepts.

January of 1230 brings with it dark news. While Æthelstan is away from Norfolk, his wife Iudhent dies. She was never the most healthy woman. Æthelstan is only 37, and he remarries quickly to a princess of Lotharingia named Binhilde. She is rather untalented, devoting most of her time to the study of books.

As the year turns to 1231, the Kingdom is in good shape: the vassals are happy with the King, money is flowing, and the levies are strong. Æthelstan decides to pass a very controversial law, changing the succession from Elective to Primogeniture, as his father wanted.