Chapter 10

Chapter 10 - 1136 to

On March 22 of the year 1136, Duke Ralf III of East Anglia turns 43 years of age. He has been ruling for nearly 40 years. If he should live as old as his forefathers, he still has a long life ahead of him, a life he plans to fill with conquest. He still suffers from the drink, of course, but his councilors take more responsibility in times of war because of it. At the same time of his turning 43, news of a Muslim Jihad to retake Jerusalem reaches England.

In 1137, the Jihad ends in failure. For now, the Holy City is safe in Christian hands.

The next few years pass uneventfully, except for the passing of Ralf's mother Agathe and the construction of several new jousting lists in Suffolk and Essex.

Not until September of 1139 does anything noteworthy happen, as the King of England declares war on the Scottish Duke of Lothian for the county of Lincoln. At the moment, the Duke of Lothian is in a war against his liege, the King of Scotland, as the King attempts to wrest control of Lincoln from him.

In November of 1140, a man from Brittany travels to the court, offering his services as Chancellor. His name is Guincum, and he is well known throughout the Breton Kingdom of Jerusalem as a most talented diplomat. Attalus, once the greatest diplomat in Europe, has been suffering lately from a new found shyness. Ralf tells the newcomer that Attalus should be given a chance to prove that he is still the best for the job.

In 1141, Scotland, a land that was already divided internally, surrenders to England. The Kingdom of England is whole once again.

In September, The Kingdom of Jerusalem falls to the Seljuk Sultanate, the Breton rulers forced to return to Brittany.

in November of 1143, good news reaches Ralf as he is downing another pint of ale. Attalus has succeeded in fabricating another claim. This time it is the county of Bedford.

Since the last war, the levies have recovered and the gold stores are being filled faster than ever before in East Anglican history. The entire army of East Anglia would make up over 3 thousand men, far higher than in the past. Although Ralf believes his Duchy is ready for another war, he puts it off; Norfolk is in the middle of upgrading its training grounds, and Ralf would prefer to declare war after such an engagement is finished. He sets his current sights instead on raising the centralization of the state. He passes several laws giving himself more power over the vassals.

Another Jihad is called in 1145, this time on Anatolia.

In October, Densley Blair comes of age. Although he suffers from overeating and occasional arbitrary behavior, he is a highly intelligent young man. Upon coming of age, he is given his niece EadFlæd to guardian and teach.

Densley Blair also requests that his father finds him a wife. Princess Cristina, Daughter of King Wulfgar of England, is chosen. They marry of October 11th.

Loup also asks his father to find him a wife. However, for the past few years Loup has been known as a Whoremaster, visiting brothels on an almost weekly basis. Finding him a willing wife will be more difficult.

Eventually one his found, an Occitan woman who is a particularly skilled spymaster.

As the year 1146 rolls around, East Anglia is ready for war. The training grounds are built, the levies on alert, and the stockpiles at the brim with gold. Ralf, now at the old age of 52, is ready for another war of conquest.