Cartref - The Archbishops Manor and the Court of York and Surronding Lands

[Desperado †]

Cartref
The Archbishops Manor and the Court of York and Surronding Lands

After walking through the streets of the Archdiocese York, full of people and an exceptionally large amount of Priests, you come to the centre of the town. There is a mighty manor, just behind the bustling town square. Guards patroll it with mighty advanced crossbows in their hands, but nobody stops you approaching the manor.

A few ragged looking people with no shoes on their dirty feet gather around a small side door to the manor, from which the smell of fresh bread seems to be coming. Upon the stone square in front of the manor, a Scribe sits by a desk, writing as people come and ask him questions, complaining about a land dispute or a lost cow.

Priests and scribes are constantly rushing around, walking past the Scribe and in through the great double doors of the manor, guarded by two guards with mighty hallberds.

You see one, walking slightly les briskly than the rest. You call to him.

What Manor be this?

This, Sir, be the Manor of Archbishop Hywel Caradog, and Court for the Mighty Archdiocese. It's called Cartref. Welsh person he is. But the most powerfull Clergyman in England.

It's full of grand rooms, and the sound of folk music may always be heard from its windows in the night. Some say it's cellars are overflowing with Wine, but even if they are few care as he is a generous man, feeding the poor and fairly judging his subjects.

Much of his house is full of records and papers and Scribes and Priests, though parts are grand and private for him. Though he welcomes many friends there often, especially if their Welsh. Mostly matters of realm and for idle talk and banqueting. Sometimes he invites many guests, and the cook is busy for days beforehand.

If you wish to see him for whatever reason, he probably has time for a man like you. Go in and find him. But I must be on my way.

Oh - yes, if you are a Knight or higher, he is looking for a trustworthy Master at Arms. And it matters not if you own a fief somewhere else. But anyway, I must hurry off now. Good day!

The Priest hurries off towards the manor, but before he leaves you call him back.

Wait! Father! What does Cartref mean?

Home

And so you are left, staring towards the magnificent manor of Archbishop Hywel Caradog.

The Archbishop Hywel Caradog's Personal Retinue
Gerard - His Priest in training, and personal servant. Often attends to Hywels work in London when he is away to Rome or York
Ioan - A Welsh archer, and Hywels man at arms and servant. He speaks only Welsh, and is head of his bodyguard.
Hugh - Another personal Servant of Hywels, and an excellent cook
Joan - The head servant and housekeeper of his York home
Mark - Hywel's Folcaner and stable keeper. He tends to all of Hywel's beasts.
Rhodri - Hywel's messenger, loyal and fast and knows many languages.
Septimus - Hywel's head scribe, and personal record keeper

The Archdiocese of York and Surronding Lands
Master at Arms:
Northumbarland and Cumbria -
Yorkshire -

York

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[13ig_VV]

Walter the Dove walks hurriedly to the door of the manor. He calls for Hywel.

Archbishop? Be you vacant or in residence in this fine manor?

[Desperado †]

Joan, Hywel's houskeeper, comes to the door. She is a plump woman and her clothes are covered in flour.

Aye, he is. Or will be. He is just returning from the York Cathedral. I shall take you to his sitting room, and he will arive shortly.

Joan escorts the Priest Walter to a comfbortable sitting room with a warm fire and a bowl of olives on the table.

A while later a flustered Hywel arrives, surronded by fluttering scribes which he ushers away, then takes a seat by Walter, and picks an Olive from the bowl.

Mmmm. Delicous. Reminds me of Rome. Have you ever been? No? I am thinking of organising a pilgrimage there soon, for the Earls and Priests of England. Anyway, Walter! How good to see you! What brings you to my lodgings!

[13ig_VV]

He stands to greet Hywel.

And 'tis good to see you as well, Archbishop! I have come to discuss the matter of my residence in the kingdom. I have been asked by Sir Edmund to take up residence in his settlement Winchester. I, of course, replied that I would need to ask your ruling on the matter. What say you, Archbishop?

[Watercress]

henry walks down to the road to manor. 'Hmm nice place.' he says, knocking on the door.

[Desperado †]

Walter, you may of course. I shall sign and send a letter to Rome and one to Winchester with the permission for you to do so. May you serve well there. Remember, your job is to ensure Christianity is strong, the people are Pious, and the Church has it's taxes and the Pope is not forgotten. Good man.

Now, there is another matter. I have two parishes, in need of governing here in the lands of York. One be Yorkshire, the other be Northumbria and Cumbria. I have allready requested Guy, and he said that he wishes you to have first choice in the matter. So, the fair fields of Yorkshire, or the rocky sea-air cliffs of Northumbria and Cumbria?

henry walks down to the road to manor. 'Hmm nice place.' he says, knocking on the door.

A busy looking Joan answers the door.

'Another visitor for his Archbishop?' She says in an anoyed sounding voices.

Henri nods, and Joan pulls him in, slams the door crosly and leads him to the Archbishops sitting room.

'Two loaves burnt, the kitchen table broken and half of Yorkshire wants to see his Archbishop...'She mutters along the way.

Then they arrive, and she oppens the dor and pushes Henri firmly in and slams it behind her. Archbishop Hywel and Walter both recognise the familliar face.

'Henri! What brings you to my lands?'

[13ig_VV]

Walter is giddy at the news. He is very delighted and his whole body seems to brighten.

My goodness, Archbishop! Are you some sort of angel? Walter chuckles to himself. Hah! For I swear to you that you have answered first not only my prayer to serve near my hermitage but also continue to serve under you at a parish. Seeing that my hermitage is already on a farm, I will choose the rocky sea-air cliffs of Northumbria and Cumbria. If you see Guy before I do, give him my thanks.

Walter gathers his things.

And, again Archbishop, you have my gratitude. The Lord bless you and grant you many a fortune.

Walter exits out of the Manor.

[13ig_VV]

Walter approaches Gerard.

My good man! 'Tis good to see you! Wouldst thou please find your master, the Archbishop? I have business with him.

[Desperado †]

Hywel shows up behind Gerard in the doorway.

I am here, Walter. Have you time to spare? I have a feast on the table, with roasted lamb and onions and cawl and all sorts of other wondourous things.

[13ig_VV]

Walter is pleasantly surprised by the invitation.
Oh of course I have time for such charity! Thank you, my friend. 'Tis most appreciated!

Speaking of charity, I have come to give a donation of my income, for God has declared that each loyal subject must; however, I am unsure where and who to give the donation to.

[Watercress]

'hmm, this is a fine lamb' says henry, while eating a peice of it 'welsh is it?'

[Desperado †]

'Aye of course, the finest there is. And Walter, as for donations, I am ordering the construction of a new seccure vault. It will be in opperation soon, and then the Church's money buisness will be settled.'

[13ig_VV]

Ah a vault you say? Excellent! A very wise decision, Archbishop! This is good--I will hopefully have more funds to donate by its completion. So how art things in the kingdom? Any news of what is happening outside?

[Djûn]

Guy hurries into the Court of the Archbishop, grasping his staff strenuously. Caradog can tell that the priest has been moving as fast as he could as Guy's face is crimson and he holds his weak leg painfully.

"Your Grace, I came as quickly as I could. I must request the arrest and trial of the diplomat Raphael. He has, on more than one occasion, renounced the Pope's word and declared our sacred work in the Holy Lands an unholy and senseless slaughter. These cannot be seen as anything short of blasphemy!"

[Desperado †]

Hywel stands, dropping his wine so that it cracks on the stone floor and throws a wine stain over his fine robes.

Dear Guy! Be this true?!! Was his tongue slackened or his head fuzzed by the drink?

Then Hywel suddenly remembers how this man was rich, yet seemed to have no fealty to the King or any obvious job. It was obvious! He was a Jew! The blasphemer must be trialed!

Guy, close the door, we must discuss. Any of us could be in grave danger, and even if we are not, we must be prepared to approach this with caution.

[Celsius]

The Kings storms into the Archbishops home.


Archbishop!!!

Henry walks fast toward the Archbishop and get right into face.

You had better give me a good reason why you would arrest Ambassador Rafael!

[Desperado †]

My King, he has insulted the Pope and all loyal Crusaders who are doing God's work here on earth. He has said utter blasphemy in our very house of commons! And I assure you his tongue was not slackened or twisted by drink. And, i also suspect that he may be a Jew.

If you dissagree with the accusation, we will have a trial on right of accusation. Though may I warn you, King, that the Pope does not take kindly to those who protect Jew's or blasphemers.

[Celsius]

a Jew? Are you aware he faught for chritianity in the last Crusade?

[Desperado †]

Or so he say's. My King, nothign is certain about this man, except for what was said in Parliment which was kept by the record keeper.

[Celsius]

huhhhhh.

Archbishop. What am I to do. Rafael is a good Ambassador and a good man. But if the acusations are true.......