Chapter 1

In mid October, Ralf is married to a princess of Norge, Maria, ironically the daughter of the invading King Harald Hårdråde. Maria, while sometimes nonsensical, has a good understanding of ruling that could help Ralf in ruling Norfolk. The wedding is a big celebration to which the entire county of Norfolk, and many prestigious people outside of it, are invited. A rumor spreads that Ralf only married her to show his support for the foreign king and his opposition to the current king.

Meanwhile, the Chancellor of Norfolk, Rumon, is sent to the court of Duke Gyrth to attempt to improve relations between the liege and vassal. Ralf is heard admitting his confidence that Rumon, who has a silver tongue, can easily persuade any man, let alone the Duke. The spymaster, Deroch, is sent to the neighboring province of Northampton to begin building a spy network.

Northampton is not currently under any Duke and so is ripe for the picking. The only thing needed is a good claim.
On New Years Eve, news reaches Norfolk that King Harold's army has been defeated by the army of Normandy, though the Norman army lost thousands of its own troops.

In February of 1067, the Norman invasion officially ends, as the French declare their support for King Harold. France itself is now at war with Norge. It appears all is not lost for England.

Later that year, Ralf announces to his court that Maria is pregnant. By now, armies of Norge have taken control of several castles in Northern England, with little resistance.

In April of 1068, Ralf's first daughter is born. However, Maria dies in childbirth, leaving him wife-less once again. In her memory, he names the baby Maria.

The next month, the King's messenger arrives at the castle bringing very good news. Duke Gyrth had died without a son, so the Duchy was inherited by King Harold himself, who decided to grant the title to Ralf. However, the King chooses to keep the county of Suffolk in his demesne. In fact, the only thing that comes with the new Duchy is the title. The count of Essex, Earl Tostig, is now a vassal of King Harold directly, not Ralf. Chancellor Rumon is reassigned to King Harold's court to improve relations.

With his new title of Duke, Ralf has the honor and responsibility of voting for the next King of England. Wanting to please his liege, his throws his vote towards Prince Eadmund, son of King Harold. However, in quiet quarters, he can be heard mocking his King. Apparently he is unhappy at getting what he considers to be an insult... A single county duchy!

As the year progress, it looks worse and worse for England. Then, news arrives that King Harald of Norge died in battle against none other than William the Bastard. Without a legitimate claim, the war ends inconclusively.

At the turn of the year 1069, vikings from Sweden land in Norfolk and begin pillaging villages. A force of 800 men is mustered to meet them. After several skirmishes, the vikings retreat, having lost nearly hundred men while Ralf's forces lost about 20 men.

In a move that seems ironic to those who know Ralf best, he marries Princess Gunhild, daughter of King Harold. Gunhild is a very intelligent young woman, although Ralf's motives for marrying her are of yet unknown.

Later that year, in a move that many say is his attempt at improving his abysmal reputation as a leader, Ralf orders construction of a miniature army out of wood. Why do people laugh? However, his servants tasked with the construction made the mistake of storing the army in the shed outside that castle used to store firewood. Before long, the entire army was reduced to ashes after being mistaken for kindling.

In early 1070, to improve the economy of Norfolk, Ralf institutes a tax on Feudal vassals. Although this upsets some in his court, it should help the income of the county as a whole.

In October, Count Tostig of Essex declares war against his own liege, demanding that the Kingdom of England be inherited by the oldest member of a dynasty. Duke Eadwin, after some convincing, joins the civil war on Tostig's side. Not eager to help the King he secretly loathes, Duke Ralf sits back to watch.

In 1071, Duke Ralf discovers that his wife is pregnant. Later that year, Gunhild gives birth to a boy. Ralf names him Catguethen.

In February of 1072, Ralf is riding his steed with the Duke of York. As the Duke of York is looking away, two men grab Ralf and attempt to drag him into the cover of the nearby forest. The Duke and several guards close at hand quickly apprehend the kidnappers, whom Ralf orders to be severely punished.

Convinced that his life was in danger, Ralf begins seeing evil figures in the shadows, constantly having the food tasted for poison, and accusing anyone who makes a sudden movement of having a hidden blade. Before long, the entire castle is talking about Ralf's paranoia.

In a few short weeks, Ralf thinks he has found the culprit. He quickly starts plotting the death of his neighbor, Waltheof of Northampton. He manages to convince several people, including the Spymaster and Chancellor of Northampton. The stress, it seems, is getting to Ralf, for if Waltheof dies, the County of Northampton will go to King Harold, which will put it even further from his grasps.

At the end of 1072, Duke Ralf, sometimes called Ralf the Lustful, announces his wife is again pregnant.

In the beginning of 1073, Ralf, now aged 62, becomes depressed. Unable to kill his rival, seeing plots and assassins everywhere, it appears the stress is too much for him and he now spends hours of the waking hour sitting in his room in the shadows.

In July, Gunhild gives birth to a girl, whom she names Cecilia. This does nothing to improve Ralf's mood.

In 1074, Ralf finally cheers up, with the help of his wife. He no longer spends hours in his room, and he even plays with his youngest daughter, Cecilia.

By the end of the year, however, Ralf's stress starts increasing again, as his wife tells him she is pregnant. Ralf was attending a feast hosted by the Duke of York for the past few weeks. Full of doubt and fear, Ralf hires one of his maids to investigate.

In January of 1075, the English civil war ends in victory for King Harold. Tostig, after a fierce war, is imprisoned. The Kingdom is whole once again.

At the same time, the maid hired to investigate Gunhild returns, saying that she has found nothing suspicious. Still unsure, Ralf asks more of his servants to investigate.

After another month of investigating, the servants return empty handed.

The son he did not believe to be his is born in July of 1075. He is named Guoletec.

After a quiet year in Norfolk, rumors reach Ralf in 1077 that there is a plot to kill Gunhild. Without hesitation, he sends her into hiding with one of his distant relatives.

With his wife safe, and no more rumors of assassins against him or her, the stress starts to slowly vanish. Before long, Ralf brings his wife out of hiding.

In June of 1078, less than a year after withdrawing his wife from hiding, more rumors begin spreading, this time of an assassin aimed at his eldest daughter Maria. She, however, is currently in Toulouse being tutored by the Bishop of Corfe on the order of King Harold, and she cannot be sent into hiding.

In November, construction begins on new castle Fortifications in Norfolk. And in 1079, it is completed. A few months later, in June, Gunhild is again pregnant. This time, Ralf has no doubts about who the father is.

On September 11, 1079, Duke Ralf I died at the age of 68 in his sleep. The Duchy of Anglia, comprising only one county, is handed to his son Ralf II. With East Anglia in such a weak position, can Ralf II do anything to help his new Duchy realize its true potential?