In his deathbed

[Bjorn]

Richard in his deathbed said to the lords loyal to him The plague.... it is attacking the kingdom of england.... it is a divine punishment... against hte Usurper.... The land is crying for a King... The crown goes to whoever takes Matilda of England for wife! You may fight among yourselves or choose a King to do the marriage. Any who marry her will be King!

With these last words he died.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lothair hears those words, the last ones that Richard I speaks. He then stands up and steps back.

I am already betrothed to the daughter of my liege, Lord Marsh...another who has taken ill. I shall not break that betrothal for a claim to Matilda of England. I shall remain loyal to my liege and the betrothal he has honored me with.

He then looks at the other nobles.

With Richard I dead...we will need a new leader who will lead us against William the Usurper. Richard III is far too young, but is also the only legal heir of the Lionhearts, however his father is still a traitor in our realm...and he must prove his loyalty to England in order to become King. Who among us shall lead our armies to victory over the Usurping King?

[Gandalfus]

Is there nobody who will take the crown?

[Agamemnon]

'Ulfric can marry Matilda. If the Lords of the land will have it, I will marry her to my adopted son Ulfric and with Ulfric lead our armies.'

[Gandalfus]

Ulfric? I do not think that is the greatest choice... A lots with good standing might be better

[Agamemnon]

'He has good standing. However, I will not push it - if one of the other Lords has an eligible son and the rest of you are willing to accept that son, then he should be King.'

OOC: Forget the heresy thread. Nobody did anything with it, so I cancelled the RP. Pretend I never posted it.

[Gandalfus]

It is a big thing to ask a freedman, to be king. But with no other option presented, I am not to sure

[Agamemnon]

'He is not a freedman - he is the heir to the Barony of Northamptonshire.'

[Gandalfus]

Well maybe Matilda can become someone's ward until someone is of age to marry her.

[Agamemnon]

'I'll take her in, as well. Anything I can do for the Cause.'

[Gandalfus]

I would gladly take her in too. Even if it meant several assassins on my tail.

[Agamemnon]

'What is your rank, man? I have at my disposal a castle and many knights, unless you have the same it may be simply more practical for me to defend her.'

[Gandalfus]

I am but a knight my friend. Yet I have 5000 men at my command who remain neutral. So do not try to insult me or you may find I may have a sudden urge to do something rash

[Agamemnon]

'Five-thousand men? How in God's name did you get such a following?'

[Gandalfus]

Lord Ivo de Tallebois granted me command to rid the coast of raiders and the like. But with the ensuing chaos that followed, these men have looked to me for a leader

[Agamemnon]

'Ah, I see. I thought you were on the fence in this matter, anyway. What prompted you to decide for the King?'

[Gandalfus]

Decide For the king? One must weigh the options carefully... Neutrality has its benefits . Such as being welcomed in both courts.

[Agamemnon]

'Then you're not even with the supporters of the House of Lyon, why would you take her in?'

[Gandalfus]

Well that would be because I am trying to asses what William is up to without him being an enemy. I believe we could come to an agreement with him. If not, we shall settle it on the end of a blade. I serve the realm, and what is best for it.

[Agamemnon]

'Ah, well, that makes sense. I have a feeling though that the other lords would rather have a more... committed guardian for the King's daughter.