The Giffard Estates

[Trot]

"I say we move south first." The lands there would naturally fall under Gloucester afterwards. "Then we can strike up North agaist Powys or further to the West."

[chesser2538]

Letting his voice be heard d'Avranches spoke with a calm but reverberating tone that mirrored his serious and tactile demeanor "I would advise a northern push, we would be striking our enemy where he is weak, gaining a foothold into his lands that could be used to strike south into Powys. Furthermore a quick victory could prove to be a good morale boost for our troops, and serve as good experience as to how to handle the more capable kingdoms."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Both d'Avranches and Mar Bageard proposed a southern attack with a northern push. As prominent nobles on the Welsh Marches, William was inclined to accept their proposed attack paths.

It is settled then, the Norman forces assembled will Gwent in the far south, then push into Brycheiniog, then into Rhwyng Gwy a Hafren. It will put us on the southern border of Powys.

William knew that there were a couple individuals among them, de Clare and Perceval, that came for experience and perhaps land. William knew of his nephew's ambitions for Welsh land, but was not sure of what Perceval aimed to gain.

What I propose is that Gwent lands go to Lord Bageard. Lands of Rhwyng Gwy a Hafren will bear my banners. Lands in Brycheiniog will be divided between Roger Perceval and Gilbert de Clare.

Lord Giffard then gestures to Talbot, his vassal.

My Lord Talbot will be granted lands that I gain as a reward for his services.

He then finally looks at Lord d'Avranches.

Once we move further north, into Powys and Gwynedd, we will see to it that lands are given to you. Is this acceptable, Lord d'Avranches?

[Trot]

Word comes to Giffard that Mar Bageard is already leading his men into Gwent.

[Lucius Malfoy]

With word of the approaching Norman army, Lady Isabe departs the castle with her daughter in her arms. They are escorted from the lands and taken to the Giffard castle in Buckinghamshire.

[Gandalfus]

It was the first days of the harvest when Harold of Ewias came to call upon his liege, the Earl of Hereford, a party of a handful of horsemen appearing at Hereford Castle and requesting leave to enter and speak with William Giffard.

[Lucius Malfoy]

The old castle of Hereford was not in the best of shape, something that disappointed Lord Giffard. He had ventured to this location to examine the Saxon fortifications left by the very father of Harold who had come to see him. William stayed at a manor nearby and was presently surveying the castles grounds and structure when the Saxon tenant was brought to the Earl of Hereford.

William looks up from the table where several surveyors had been compiling a proper outline of the castle. He walks away from them to greet the young Harold. "Sir Harold, good to see you," he gestures to the old castle. "What do you think of rebuilding this structure and making it a proper castle as it was before?" He inquires as he looks at its wooden walls. "Your father had a good eye on where to place this. It will prove its worth in defense against the Welsh." A servant is brought over who gives Lord Hereford and Sir Harold some wine to drink.

[Gandalfus]

Harold de Ewias was fairly average in build and height, neither being particularly large or small for a young man of his age. A mop of dirty blonde curls came down to rest above his darker eyebrows; hair of the same colour had begun to bristle around his jaw as he had approached and surpassed the marker of manhood. Giffard's words drew his gaze to the castle, which for a few moments he squinted up towards.

"Did it not fall to the Welsh, my lord?"

He eventually replied. It was French, but heavy and strange, noticeably different to how Giffard sounded. It was a bastard child of different tongues, at once Frankish, Norman, and English. Harold took the offered cup and held it gingerly, smiling weakly at the compliment paid to his father.

"I shall pray it does not fall again if it rebuilt."

[Lucius Malfoy]

"Aye, I heard it fell to the Welsh..." William was not going to blame his father's record before his son. After being granted the lands of Hereford, he had learned of the man known as Ralph the Timid, a noble of very questionable military competency. It was widely believed that Hereford Castle because of this incompetency. "I recall the Welsh being a fierce and tenacious bunch on the battlefields I fought them. I can see why this castle fell... I intend to make it stronger than before." Giffard takes the cup and drinks from it before motioning for Harold to walk with him around the castle. A couple Norman knights walking in attendance. "I must thank you for your services on the field at Ellesmere. You and your retinue did a fine job." The Earl of Hereford had high hopes for Harold. "As a reward, I intend to make you tenant of Bredwardine, where you presently live. In addition, I promise you lands in Wales when we move against our neighbors once more." William turns to Harold, wondering how he would respond to such a reward.

[Gandalfus]

Harold followed Giffard like a shadow, consciously matching his footsteps to keep the pace.

"I am honoured, Lord." He placed his hand upon his heart and stooped his to bow his head in deference. "I shall not fail you." He quickly added, as assurance. Ewias had originally only been a meagre slice of Harold's intended inheritance, but his godfather's death at Hastings and the subsequent accession of William had changed that.

[Lucius Malfoy]

"You should consider marriage immediately," William states as he looks to the side at Harold, offering him a grin. "There are plenty of good Saxon and Norman landholders in Hereford with suitable daughters, sisters and nieces that would make a good bride." The alternative was a Welsh bride, but that was a ways off and until Giffard secured lands across the border. With the war over, it was a matter of refilling his coffers and ensuring there was money to be spent for war. Not to mention that the levies of Worcestershire and Herefordshire needed time to recuperate. Only the levies of Buckinghamshire remained untouched. "I have come across an interesting fact that not even my father was aware of I believe... it surprises me that a maternal cousin of the King is left out here." Giffard had come across this bit of genealogy shortly before the war as he sought to learn more of the people and families that were landed in his domain. He even began to take up lessons in English from a noted tutor.

[Gandalfus]

"I was raised in Edward's court, as our King was."

Harold gave a nod that apparently indicated that Giffard's discovery was indeed true. He had known Edgar, once, though apparently not very well; he'd not benefited at all from his sudden rise to power, instead remaining largely forgotten. It was a miracle that none had seen him as a threat: his uncle had mysteriously disappeared in William's custody not long before the Conquest.

"Our last shared kinsman is the Unraed..." After a pause, he realised the nickname probably meant nothing to Hereford. "King Aethelred."

It had been a mocking insult used in his father's day, though never within earshot of Ethelred's kingly son. The play on words would likely be lost on Giffard, who was no master of the English tongue. The suggestion of marriage was indeed one that Harold would have to give some thought. Freedom from a spouse was to be enjoyed, though now his liege lord was asking it was not an easy thing to refuse.

"Who would you suggest, lord?" ​He asked, half-heartedly.

[Lucius Malfoy]

William Giffard rubs his chin where a beard had begun to sprout. Like other Normans, Lord Hereford was beginning to adopt some customs. Isabe wasn't so happy at first, but his daughter loved grabbing hold of it. "Aethelred you say? That would be the great-grandfather of the King if I am not mistaken." Giffard's English history was not the best, but with the war over and his responsibilities not as numerous in times of peace, he sought to fix that. "Well, we will have to fix that at some point. Someone of your ancestry deserves to have proper lands. And I figured Bredwardine would be a good start." It was a border province and would require diligence, on Harold's part, to ensure the border was secure. Now, on the matter of marriage, William had to consider for a bit. The best options were marrying someone from his newly appointed lands in Bredwardine or someone within Giffard's estates. A landholder's daughter from either Herefordshire, Worcestorshire or Buckinghamshire. "If you wish, I can make some inquires with my Norman and Saxon landholders. See if there is someone who would be willing to offer a bride to you. Otherwise, I will gladly give my stamp of commendation to whoever you approach, Sir Harold."

[Gandalfus]

"I would be grateful, my lord."

Ewias answered, once again offering an obsequious bow of the head. He did not have much of an idea of marriage, so he decided to leave it to Giffard.

"I came to ask about the Welsh, my lord."

He added, after a brief gap in the conversation.

[Lucius Malfoy]

William turns to one of his guards, giving him orders to have riders be sent to landholders within Herefordshire and Buckinghamshire, seeking a suitable bride for Harold. He then turns his attention back to the Saxon.

The Welsh you say? Well speak up then, Sir Harold. I am curious to see what you want to say.

[Gandalfus]

"We should seek revenge against them, my lord. Our last attempt was prevented by Mortain's invasion, so their crimes are still unpunished."

[Lucius Malfoy]

(Mod roll requested)

Messengers sent out to landholders in Buckinghamshire and Herefordshire make inquires for suitable Norman and Saxon brides for Sir Harold, a maternal cousin of the King and vassal of Giffard.

(Giffard has +1 Charisma)

====================

I shall call forth Lord Talbot to join us then, Sir Harold. For we must gain our revenge for what they have done to Hereford and Bredwardine. Prepare your retinue and bring it to Goodrich Castle, where we may gather and march from.

[Trot]

Giffard is invited to Dursely keep to discuss Wales.

[Mary The Quene]

Giffard is invited to Adelize's home in Cuckfield to celebrate lent and share dinner whenever he seems fit.