Pembroke Castle/Richmond Castle

[Oznerol]

PEMBROKE CASTLE

Pembroke was granted to Jasper Tudor in 1452 as seat for the newly created Earldom of Pembroke. Certainly, such grant acknowledged the Welsh ancestry of Tudor and the kindred with the King, because Pembroke was the largest and most powerful castle in all Wales. Such a powerful fortress serves as seat for Jasper Tudor, until his titles were forfeited in 1462, the castle was briefly owned by the Herbert family, but it was restored to Henry Tudor, as his uncle's sole heir, in 1464. A fair decision, for Tudor was born in that castle in 1456. However, Richmond Castle remains as his current residence.

• Pembroke Castle: The Welsh Marches are littered with the most formidable castles of the English, and Pembroke - originally a wooden fortress, rebuilt in stone by the famous William Marshal - is no exception. As it is built on a promontory and conveniently surrounded by the waters of Cleddau Estuary, an attacking force would have to storm its thickest walls and towers. Pembroke Castle also has a great round keep where the defenders can hold out even longer should the outer defenses fail for whatever reason. +6 Siege rolls, -6 Raid rolls, and the castle's central keep is strong enough that a defender who loses its outer walls can hold out there for half a year more (3.5 days).

• Saint David's Cathedral: The most prominent cathedral in Wales, Saint David's was originally built in the 12th century and had attracted large numbers of pilgrims since 1123, when it received a Papal privilege. These days, it is effectively the spiritual center of Wales. +5% income, +2 Charisma, +1 levy and taxation rolls. Characters may also seek refuge within the Cathedral for up to 1 in-game year and, unless permitted by the local religious authorities, anyone who would do harm unto them on its consecrated ground will certainly have to face some consequences at the Church's hands.

• Welsh March: In the past, the lands of eastern and southern Wales formed the front line of English expansion into Wales. The 'Marcher Lords' who called these territories home accordingly built up strong castles and maintained substantial forces to defend themselves against the Welsh...or take the fight to said Welshmen themselves. The controller has access to an extra 500-man upkeep-free retinue.

DEMESNE

Richmond Castle: Richmond castle, a strong fortress overlooking the homonymous village, its defenses strenghtened by several English kings through the years. It almost fell into disrepair before being granted to the Tudors, who extensively restored the castle. Pembroke Castle: Pembroke Castle is located in Pembroke, West Wales, it stands besides river Cleddau. The castle is the original seat of the Earldom of Pembroke and one of the most powerful fortresses in Britain.

INCOME

Regent: Lady Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond. Pembroke: Average Income. 30.000 +10,000 from Margaret Beafort's properties +7,500 from Richmond ----------------------------------- Total: 47,500/year

MANPOWER

Pembroke: Large Militia - 1,500 men Richmond: Average Militia - 1,000 men

BUILDINGS

Tier I: Tier II: Tier III: Tier IV:

HOUSE TUDOR

House Tudor HENRY TUDOR 2nd Earl of Richmond, 2nd Earl of Pembroke Born 1456 (16). Status: Married to Lady Anne Holland. Children: Margaret Tudor (1472-1473), Arthur Tudor (1473). Titles: 2nd Earl of Richmond, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. Seat: Richmond Castle, Pembroke Castle and Margaret Beaufort's numerous properties. Traits (5): +2 Wealth +2 Charisma +1 Survival BIOGRAPHY: The Tudors were relatively obscure and unimportant until Owen Tudor found himself in bed with a widow: coincidentally, the widow was Catherine of Valois, mother of Henry VI and wife of the English Mars, Henry V. She fathered several children by the Welshman, including Edmund, the eldest, and Jasper, who were uterine brothers to Henry of Lancaster. Around 1442 Henry VI, childless and lacking relations, acknowledged his half-brothers and both were ennobled: Edmund was created Earl of Richmond (a prestigious title formerly held by the Dukes of Brittany and more recently by John, duke of Bedford) and Jasper Earl of Pembroke. Willing to tie his living relatives closer, Henry VI married his distant cousin, Margaret Beaufort (who before Edward of Westminster’s birth was once considered his heir by the Commons) to Edmund, furthermore she was the 1st Duke of Somerset only heir, which made her an incredibly wealthy heiress. However, in 1456, Edmund died prematurely, of bubonic plague, while he was prisoner of Richard of York during the first stages of the War of the Roses. He left a very young widow, Margaret, pregnant of six months: three months later she delivered a boy called after the king, Henry. A very thin, aquiline-nosed, charming and bright child he grows under the tutelage of Jasper Tudor, his paternal uncle. The Earl of Pembroke was dispossessed of his titles in 1462, after the battle of Towton, and had to flee, unfortunately bereft of his tutor Margaret herself took the reins and assumed the regency of Richmond and all the Tudor lands. With the death of Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and Marquis of Dorset without a son, remained the issue of who would inherit whatever lands the family could retain. Finally, in 1464, both Somersetshire and Dorsetshire were granted to Kent and Exeter by royal writ, but in turn Henry Tudor was installed as Earl of Pembroke, instead of Herbert who had occupied the castle and held the title since 1462. In 1471 he married Lady Anne Holland, eldest daughter of the Duke of Exeter and his wife, Anne of York, sister to the King Edward IV. LADY MARGARET BEAUFORT, COUNTESS OF RICHMOND Born 1443 (21) Status: Widow. Children: Henry Tudor (1456) Properties: Numerous. Traits (7): +2 Wealth +3 Charisma +2 Survival BIOGRAPHY: The only child of John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset, and Margaret Beauchamp of Bletso, de suo jure Baroness of Bletso. Her father died in 1444, merely a year after her death, leading to her inheriting most the Beaufort wealth and properties, albeit a sizable part passed down to the 1st Duke’s brother, Edmund Beaufort. Still, she was a very desirable heiress, more so considered her proximity by blood to Henry VI, who had little living relatives after the death of his uncle and beyond his uterine half-brothers, Edmund and Jasper Tudor. Acknowledged as general heir to John of Gaunt’s son, John Beaufort, 1st Earl of Somerset, was somehow considered a potential heir to the childless and mentally unstable king, which led to her marriage to John de la Pole, son to the ambitious Suffolk, an union which was promptly annulled. In 1454 she married her guardian and tutor, a man twice her age, Edmund Tudor, and two years later she delivered their only posthumous son, Henry. A fourteen years old widow, the regency was assumed by Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke, who capitalized on his position as de facto ruler of Richmond. However, Jasper had to flee after Towton in 1462 and Margaret, a powerful landholder on her own right, assumed the wardship of her son and the rule over his lands; Jasper's true fate remains unknown to many. Margaret isn’t only a capable woman, learned and cultured, but also adamant on her convictions and quite zealous. She is noble, kind, courteous, gentle and largely open-handed; she treats her servants in a most kindly fashion and is revered by the smallfolk.

[Lucius Malfoy]

On his way south, Henry Percy stops at the keep of Henry Tudor, the child earl of Richmond. He knew Jasper somewhat, knowing his lands were taken away from Herbert. Yet the Tudors did not support Henry's return and surely could be returned to the good graces of Edward IV. Northumberland diverts from his path, riding up to the castle with his riders. Perhaps there was something that could be done to the benefit of both his house and that of the Tudors.

[Oznerol]

Some guards lead him to the lordly solar, where the lady of the castle, Margaret Beaufort is looking as his child is getting lectured by a priest; by looking at the tomes and scrolls over the table it was seemingly about history.

"As you very well know, sire, Brutus, descendant of Noah, founded Britania, as its name reveals. And he fathered children, one of whom was England's first king, Locrinus and from Locrinus spawned the lineage of the English Kings. Then came many rulers, such as Cadwallo and Alfred, who in turn were succeeded by the glorious lineage of Rollo, whose head was Guillaume the Conqueror. And in turn Empress Maud, last of her house, bequeathed her kingdom to Henry the Second, the first Plantagenet"

Both were looking at a very long genealogical roll.

"I know the rest: His first son Richard I married Berengaria of Navarra and left no sons, thus King John became King of England. John married Isabelle of Angouleme and left a son by her, Henry III. A most pious man he found a good wife in Eleanor of Provence, fathering Edward the Longshanks, the glorious conqueror who sired Edward II by his wife, the revered Eleanor of Castile. Edward had two sons, the eldest being Edward the Third, the King of the Good Memory, by his wife, Isabella of France from whom we rightfully came into possession of France, whose crown was usurped by Philippe de Valois. And Edward the Great, King of England and France married the sweet Philippa of Hainaut, by whom he sired many children, including Edward, Lyonel, John, Edmund and Thomas"

"And?"

Asked the clergyman, raising an eyebrow.

"And John of Gaunt became my great-grandfather when he fathered John Beaufort, First Earl of Somerset, who in turn was father to John Beaufort, the First Duke, who had only a daughter, whose name is Margaret. She married Edmund Tudor, brother to the glorious, fair, pious and magnificent Henry the Sixth, King of England and France"

"And they had a son they named Henry"

Said Margaret, who was sewing with some ladies-in-waiting.

"We don't want to bore our guest with your lessons, Harry"

Margaret wore a coif, as befitting a widow, but her eyes were light blue, just like her son's. She was thin and comely.

"Welcome to Richmond, sire, I am Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond"

Said the boy, turning on the chair to look at the newcomer.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Henry remains quiet for now, listening to the detailed genealogy that led to the House Tudor. Of how Owen Tudor would father several children by the widow of Henry V, Catherine de Valois. And how they would become royal cousins under King Henry VI and noted as such. A mixture of Welsh and English blood, highborn and with a deep history on both sides of their family. Percy looks at Margaret, the late widow of the 1st Earl of Richmond. Northumberland would bow to both lady and her son, Henry Tudor.

My Lord Richmond, I am Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland. I have come to speak with you, to see that you are well. I know your Uncle was deprived of his title and he has since disappeared. I am glad to see that you are still looked after, my Lord Richmond. Know that if you ever need a friend in the North, you can always look to my family and we will happily help in any way possible. You are a lord of the North after all.

[Oznerol]

"Haven't you killed my cousin Somerset, Percy?"

Said Margaret abruptly, raising her gaze from her labour. She was embroidering a portcullis on a silken cloth. Her maidens look in expectation. Beaufort resembled a lot her dead uncle, the 2nd Duke, Edmund Beaufort.

"We have heard about Carlisle, where you betrayed King Henry and slaughtered by own kin and blood"

Lady Margaret cold blue eyes stare at Percy, while his son focuses on how well tied are his shoes.

"So, what brings you here, Northumberland?"

She said, addressing him by his formal title.

"What kind of a friend can my son find in you? Hasn't the blood of his kinsman stained your hands?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

If I not done what I had done, my lady, Scotland would have been given land as far as this castle and perhaps more. Berwick was already given away as payment, who knows what else would be promised. For we were nothing to that Queen Margaret, we were just a pie that she could cut pieces off and give away to whomever she wanted, as long as they made her Queen again. Wales could be independent now, Irish territory returned to independent lords, Calais handed over to the French, much of the north granted to Scotland and for what? A crown? The ability to lord over us good Englishmen? To enrich herself while the rest of us become her pawns?

Henry remains stoic in his posture and confident in his words. He would not be talked down like this, not by anyone. His daughter was to be Queen after all, his little Margaret.

I did what I had to do... for the good of England, for the Crown, for King Edward and for the North.

Northumberland glances at little Henry Tudor for a moment, then returns his gaze to Lady Beaufort.

With the services rendered to the King and the connections I shall achieve shortly, I have come to offer something of value. The Earldom of Pembroke was unlawfully removed from Jasper Tudor, by the ambitions of Lord Herbert. I will see that these Welsh lands are restored to Henry Tudor instead. That's the kind of friend I offer to your son, Lady Beaufort.

[Oznerol]

"Pembroke?"

Her eyes widened. The young lady bites her lower lip, pensive.

"Isn't it uncle Jasper's earldom, mother? How could I...?"

"Be quiet for a second, dear"

The fair-haired child crossed his arms and remained silent.

"Duty"

Said Margaret.

"I respect duty, as I do respect you came here as a friend and not a despoiler willing to destroy the remnants of a fallen house"

With Somerset dead, Margaret was arguably the senior descendant of John Beaufort and his general heiress.

"Pembroke is quite an offer, Lord Percy. What do you want in return?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

Northumberland was pleased with the response by the Lady Beaufort. The promise of Pembroke surely was enough to garner her full attention and cooperation, for now.

There is one thing and one thing alone I ask for in return... for you to be a wife to my son, Henry Percy, the future Earl of Northumberland.

Henry knew that having a Beaufort as a wife would yield great potential to his family's power in the future to come.

Having a friend and marital ties with the father of the future Queen of England, through the Queen's brother, will surely go a long ways to protecting your son's inheritance and land.

[Oznerol]

"Marrying... your son? But, if I recall correctly he's several years younger..."

She had been left speechless. The offer was simply too much to be ignored or scorned. But her son already was nephew to a King, and she was reluctant to give up herself that easily.

"How do I know your words and intentions are pure, Northumberland? Maybe, you will not respect the terms offered once you get my hand (and my lands) for your son. You must show true contrition for having slayed my kinsman, because I cannot marry your son until you have done something to wash the Beaufort blood from your hands. Forgive me, Lord Percy, but my beliefs won't let me rest easily or marry willingly your son without a prove of your good will. Doing otherwise would only make God curse the marriage, rendering it childless and unhappy"

Lady Margaret was pious, that was widely known, and for example she attended masses every single day. Her alms sustained a dozen nunneries and monasteries all over England.

[Lucius Malfoy]

​Then I shall seek out the Archbishop of Canterbury to resolve this issue, Lady Beaufort.

[Gandalfus]

Henry Holland arrives to speak with his distant kin, Lady Beaufort.

[Oznerol]

​Then I shall seek out the Archbishop of Canterbury to resolve this issue, Lady Beaufort.

"Come back when you are ready. Wilfred, lead the earl to the exit, make sure his men are well-supplied before leaving"

Said Margaret. As Percy leaves she turns to her son.

"Harry, resume your lessons. And my ladies, we should resume our own labour"

Henry Holland arrives to speak with his distant kin, Lady Beaufort.

Lady Margaret was on her solar, reading her book of hours, she left the book, closed, next to her, in the stone bench before the window. Beaufort pointed to the twin to her own seat, another bench, covered with cushions:

"Lord Holland, to what do I owe this honor?"

[Gandalfus]

"My Lady Beaufort. How fares you and young Henry?" Holland asked, taking his seat. He was dressed in rich fabrics adorned with his livery.

[Oznerol]

"Growing up quickly, soon I will have to purchase more green velvet and some brocade to make him a doublet. Nice of you to worry, your Grace"

She wore a coif, as befitting a widow.

"I'm fine as well, Lord Holland. I hope your wife and children are faring well too"

[Gandalfus]

"Indeed, I have a second son now, born by my fecund wife. Thomas, is his name, for his forebear." Holland replied, before shifting the topic slightly. "It is the matter of family that has brought me here today, in fact - future marriages between our houses."

[Oznerol]

"Indeed, I have a second son now, born by my fecund wife. Thomas, is his name, for his forebear." Holland replied, before shifting the topic slightly. "It is the matter of family that has brought me here today, in fact - future marriages between our houses."

"Future marriages... interesting"

Lady Margaret looked at him quizzically, this was hugely surprising.

"Thought your Grace would rather chose another house to marry into, considering the events of late"

She said, cautiously.

"I guess you are considering a marriage between my son and your daughter Anne, doesn't it?"

[Gandalfus]

"Yours is a royal lineage, the same blood as my own. It is only natural that this blood is not diluted further among more common peers." Holland nodded, indicating that a match between Henry and Anne is what he was indeed implying. "We must indeed stick together in this new order, to prevent us important nobles being marginalised."

[Oznerol]

"Of course, for my son doesn't only descend from Edward III himself, but from Catherine de Valois as well"

Complied Margaret.

"I completely agree with your Grace. Upstarts aligned with the new regime have dare to usurp what belongs to the likes of your Lordship, even that lofty Herbert dares to soil Pembroke by naming himself earl"

Her light blue eyes stare at Holland.

"I would gladfully marry my son to your daughter, sire. I couldn't find a more desirable match"

[Gandalfus]

"Excellent." Holland clasps his hands together, smirking. "We must return England to its proper state, free from new men more serf than Lord."

[Oznerol]

"Of course Lord Holland; God's willing this fair isle shall again prosper, free from the ravages of war"

Said Margaret.

"I shall distribute alms to the poors as a way to thank God for your visit and proposal, your Grace. Perhaps, do you wish to sign a contract for the betrothal?"