Framlingham Castle, the Mowbray Estates

**Jokern** · February 10, 2017, 01:15 PM

Originally a Norman motte-and-bailey castle stood where Framlingham Castle now stands, which was destroyed by King Henry II in 1148. It was replaced with the current castle by Roger Bigod, the Earl of Norfolk, an unusual piece of architecture for its time since it had no central keep. Instead, it uses the curtain wall with thirteen mural towers to defend the center of the castle, along with two meres outside the walls. It is a luxurious home, surrounded by parkland used for hunting, as well as extensive pleasure gardens within the castle. Framlingham Castle serves as the heart of the estates owned by the Mowbray family.

House of Mowbray

Buildings

Demesne and Income

Livery and Retinue

Regional Bonuses

Norfolk

Yorkshire

Nottinghamshire

Lincolnshire

Suffolk (Primary Residence)

Richmondshire

Cartmarthenshire

Monmouthshire

**The Mad Skylord** · February 16, 2017, 06:16 PM

Richard FitzAlan arrives to the London house of de Mowbray - seeking his fellow Lord Appellant.

**Jokern** · February 17, 2017, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by The Mad Skylord

Richard FitzAlan arrives to the London house of de Mowbray - seeking his fellow Lord Appellant.

FitzAlan is shown into the parlor of the Earl of Nottingham, a seat and some refreshments offered to him while he waited. After a while, Thomas Mowbray showed up, smiling and offering a handshake to his father-in-law. He suspected what the Earl of Arundel was there for, but for now he kept his thoughts to himself.

"Dear father-in-law, I hope you haven't kept you waiting for too long. I didn't get to say it to you before, but that was quite a swing you threw at Woodstock at the council meeting. You did not miss much after that, everyone except His Majesty's uncle left after you did. The Duke of Gloucester now sits rotting in the Tower."

**The Mad Skylord** · February 17, 2017, 05:00 PM

Arundel was tired and haggard. "Not just the Duke. Warwick has been imprisoned as well. Bolingbroke has defected." He sighed. "For the most part, we seem defeated, Thomas."

A pause as Arundel gathered his thoughts. "I intend to free the two of them, and restore our government. Blood and steel is now the only solution - while the Duke of Gloucester was far from a competent leader for our government, he did have the right idea. Purging the sycophants and restoring order to England - destroying that ghastly treaty. Things will only get worse if the same old favourites are allowed to return to power. We have one last chance Thomas, and it is a good one, join me in achieving it."

**Jokern** · February 17, 2017, 06:00 PM

Mowbray furrowed his brow as he took a seat opposite to the Earl of Arundel. The young earl was not happy, for the words from FitzAlan were those he had suspected

"The sycophants have been mostly cleansed, my dear father-in-law, we personally saw to that. While Suffolk and Brembre escaped their punishment, enough blood has watered the tree of justice for now, no? You saw how easily our alliance crumbled to dust as soon as the King poked it with a stick. Even John of Gaunt has returned home, and he seems to have thrown his lot in with His Majesty. I think it's time to acknowledge the truth, and that is that the Appellants are over for now. I implore you to surrender yourself willingly to the King and he may show mercy yet."

**The Mad Skylord** · February 17, 2017, 06:07 PM

Arundel had a pang of sudden doubt. Thomas was a good man, loyal and dutiful - too dutiful. He smiled quietly and nodded. "Very well, Thomas, I shall set my affairs in order, should the King decide the worst, and then return to London to hand myself in." He rose and left.

**The Mad Skylord** · February 22, 2017, 09:44 AM

A band arrived to Norfolk requesting an audience with Lord Mowbray.

**Jokern** · February 22, 2017, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by The Mad Skylord

A band arrived to Norfolk requesting an audience with Lord Mowbray.

The men are greeted by the steward at the gate, before being welcomed into the courtyard. The Earl of Nottingham, Thomas Mowbray, greets his unannounced guests.

"Welcome to Axholme, gentlemen. Who wishes a meeting with me?"

**Gandalfus** · February 25, 2017, 08:53 AM

Lancaster arrives at Mowbray's estates, accompanied by a sizeable retinue. He requests to speak with the Earl of Nottingham about a matter of no small importance.

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**Gandalfus** · February 25, 2017, 11:07 AM

Lancaster handed his horse to one of the stablehands, and approached the Earl of Nottingham flanked by two knights in his livery. He seemed to pay no mind to those who were training in front of them.

"Lord Mowbray." The Duke addressed him curtly. "I heard about the passing of your grandmother, the lady Norfolk. You have my condolences." A tragedy, though the death of Brotherton's daughter would make Mowbray one of the wealthiest peers in England, bequeathing him vast swathes of land in East Anglia.

**Jokern** · February 25, 2017, 12:38 PM

"Thank you, Your Grace. I can't say I knew my grandmother well, but she was a respectable and strong lady in her own right. She will be missed dearly."

Mowbray had mourned Margaret for a while, but the truth was that they had not been close. The Countess of Norfolk had lived on her own terms in Norfolk, with Framlingham Castle as her primary seat. Thomas had heard stories of how she had defied the will of King Edward III by leaving England to ask the pope directly for a divorce from his grandfather, Baron John Segrave. The baron died before any divorce could be finalized, and Margaret could marry some knight by the name of Mauny. Thomas held sympathies for her and respected her for doing everything in her might to do what she thought was right, despite being a woman.

"Did you know her well, Your Grace? She was your first cousin once removed, if I am not confusing our family tree again."

**Gandalfus** · February 25, 2017, 02:07 PM

Lancaster scratched behind his ear in thought. It had been a long time since he'd spoken to the Countess in any social capacity; she had often preferred to simply keep to herself.

"Not overly, may God rest her soul." Gaunt replied, and promptly crossed himself out of respect. "I had not spoken to her for some years, which is unfortunate."

**Jokern** · February 25, 2017, 03:16 PM

Mowbray nodded. Considering the great expanse that was the Plantagenet family tree, intermarried with a myriad of noble houses, it was not hard to see that you could forget one or two cousins once removed. The earl turned back to a pair of knights training in the courtyard, yelling out some criticism of their sparring before continuing his conversation with Gaunt.

"Unfortunate indeed, but it does us no good to dwell on the past for too long, lest we become to stuck in our own ways to see the changing times. Otherwise, the head of your son and my own would be next to the late Gloucester, Warwick and Arundel. His Majesty has shown great mercy to us, and I am forever thankful for that. My Duke of Lancaster, how may I be of service to you? I doubt you came all the way to Lincolnshire just to give me your condolences on behalf of my grandmother's passing, however grateful I am for your words."

**Gandalfus** · February 25, 2017, 03:21 PM

"Yes..." Mused Gaunt, paying some momentary attention to those who were sparring as he gave his next words some thought. "Speaking of you Appellants, in fact, it was something that has caught my eye since that time. It is a similar concern to that which you and my dear late brother raised, concerning the grasping of power of a certain few... favourites. While I don't agree with the methods employed in the event, I believe that your cause perhaps had some merit." Lancaster uttered every syllable with calm certainty. It was dangerous ground they trod upon, but with Oxford's return being imminent, the situation as it stood could only get worse.

**Jokern** · February 26, 2017, 01:37 PM

Nottingham looked at Lancaster in silence, carefully choosing his words. John of Gaunt was the second most powerful man in England after the King himself, respected and feared by peers and commoners. There were those who said that the Duke of Lancaster could have taken the crown for himself if he wanted to, which Thomas had no doubt about. However, no matter his power, to actively work against the King in this manner... the Lords Appellant had been able to act because of the absence of the Duke of Lancaster, now it seemed that they may have been able to recruit him to their cause? Thomas Mowbray was a bit shocked, to say the least.

"The methods were definitely excessive to say the least, and it gave His Majesty the power and opportunity to depose of us within a year. I mourn for those who had to lose their lives because of our folly. However, I believe that it is our sacred duty to help guard the King against those who would undermine the prosperity and greatness of our noble England. It is disconcerting when the ear of His Majesty is open to only a few favorites, instead of listening to all of his loyal and wise advisers, like his royal uncles. While it is good to know Your Grace sympathizes with our cause, I doubt the King would ever again let someone else decide who he should listen to."

**Gandalfus** · February 26, 2017, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jokern

Nottingham looked at Lancaster in silence, carefully choosing his words. John of Gaunt was the second most powerful man in England after the King himself, respected and feared by peers and commoners. There were those who said that the Duke of Lancaster could have taken the crown for himself if he wanted to, which Thomas had no doubt about. However, no matter his power, to actively work against the King in this manner... the Lords Appellant had been able to act because of the absence of the Duke of Lancaster, now it seemed that they may have been able to recruit him to their cause? Thomas Mowbray was a bit shocked, to say the least.

"The methods were definitely excessive to say the least, and it gave His Majesty the power and opportunity to depose of us within a year. I mourn for those who had to lose their lives because of our folly. However, I believe that it is our sacred duty to help guard the King against those who would undermine the prosperity and greatness of our noble England. It is disconcerting when the ear of His Majesty is open to only a few favorites, instead of listening to all of his loyal and wise advisers, like his royal uncles. While it is good to know Your Grace sympathizes with our cause, I doubt the King would ever again let someone else decide who he should listen to."

"It is not a matter of who he wishes to listen to, it is a matter of who the King must listen to." Gaunt gave Mowbray a long look. "Instead of being misled by those who desire power for themselves, His Majesty's eyes must be opened by those who desire good for the realm at large."

**Jokern** · February 26, 2017, 02:04 PM

"Of course, of course. It is good that you are back in England then, Your Grace. You are a respected man, the eldest uncle of our King. Surely he will listen to you, where others would fail. You are right, His Majesty cannot be allowed to be surrounded by a few select men who will do all in their power to enrich themselves. You can count on me, Your Grace, to stand behind you in this matter. The King will have to see the truth one day, I'm sure of it."

Nottingham took a short moment of pause before continuing. He stared at a rider as his lance hit a target's shield, the French fleur-de-lys on it getting a scar as a decoration.

"It is good that you are here before Your Grace leaves for France, I had wished to speak with you about the matter. I do believe you know my stance on the whole matter. I support the King's wish for peace, but it has to be a treaty that will not hurt England in the long term. Our fathers, your brothers and yourself fought and bled to safeguard English lands and the French throne against the Valois pretenders and vipers. How can we let justice and righteousness go if we are to give up English soil on the continent for peace? Would the Lord Above and our ancestors not cast us down in shame for such a dishonorable peace? Your Grace, I beg that whatever agreement you settle with the French, I pray that England's interests will be secured by your wisdom and experience."

**Gandalfus** · February 26, 2017, 02:47 PM

"I will secure a peace that does not tarnish the reputation of my father's crown, Nottingham, you do not need to fear that." Lancaster replied, folding his arms. He'd heard that Richard had tried to give away Calais in exchange for an enlarged Aquitaine during his absence. A peculiar trade, given the port's importance. "The rights of England to France will be acknowledged and protected by I and my brother York, who know the value of our claims there." He'd heard Langley had recently fallen ill, and wondered if perhaps he was well enough to make the trip.

**Jokern** · February 26, 2017, 03:12 PM

Thomas smiled and nodded in agreement. Of course he could trust the son of Edward III to put together a fair peace treaty with France, Mowbray thought to himself.

"You bring relief to my heart with your words, Your Grace. I will pray for your success against those vipers then. May the Lord Above watch over you and your brother."

**Jokern** · February 25, 2017, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Gandalf.

Lancaster arrives at Mowbray's estates, accompanied by a sizeable retinue. He requests to speak with the Earl of Nottingham about a matter of no small importance.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The royal uncle is invited to the courtyard of Mowbray's manor, where the Earl of Nottingham was watching some of his retainers train with sword and lance. He made a slight bow to John of Gaunt when they met.

"Your Grace, to what do I owe the pleasure of hosting the Duke of Lancaster in my humble home?"