The Archbishop of York

[The Mad Skylord]

Maltravers had ridden hard for days to make York, and when at last he arrived his horse had collapsed beneath him. The Baron hurried through the City and made his way toto the Cathedral, where he barged inside and demanded to be brought before his Uncle, the Archbishop of York.

[Lucius Malfoy]

One of the priests within the cathedral goes off to find the Archbishop, reporting that a man calling him his Uncle was yelling for His Eminence. The Archbishop sighs deeply, knowing well who it might be. He rises from his desk within his solar, closing the book upon his desk before walking off to see Lord Maltravers. He proceeds down into the area where he could hear someone's voice, approaching his nephew, the Lord Maltravers. He extends his hand, offering his ring to be kissed. He did seem slightly annoyed about the behavior of his nephew; what was known from London and what had been recently displayed.

Nephew, you need to learn better manners than barging into this House of God... manners get you everywhere in this world. Now, what is it that you desire, Lord Maltravers?

[The Mad Skylord]

Maltravers knew how to put on a show and he kissed the ring of his uncle with reverence. "Dear Uncle, the King has been gravely wounded and lies catatonic. The Duke of Exeter jostles to seize power - presumably to overturn the Succession. You, Eminence, are the only neutral party with enough power to hold the Realm of England from open slaughter. You must aid us in preventing England from falling into Chaos."

Maltravers took a deep breath. "Your aid, Uncle, would allow us to secure reasonable government until the King recovers - it will allow us to undo the incompetence if the current government. Especially in regards to this toleration of Lollardry - a sect that is overly heretical. With your aid, Eminence, we can curb the spreading Lollard heresy."

Ooc: The Archbishop was famous for being very outspoken against Lollards.

Also, if he agrees to join up, I intend to sign him. Just thought this way would be fairer.

[Lucius Malfoy]

The Archbishop of York quietly move another ring upon his finger. As the most outspoken opponent to Lollardy, he had been hopeful to one day convince the King of banning these heretics, yet someone very powerful stood in his way.

As long as the Duke of Lancaster is alive, Lord Maltravers, the Lollards cannot be touched. John Wycliffe has many friends among the nobility, the most powerful among them is Lord Lancaster himself. Even if I were to join you in this crusade to remove the heretics, we would be facing great opposition from much of the realm. We would fighting the angry tides of the ocean with a mere fishing boat.

It was all the truth; any time a trial had been called to persecute Wycliffe and his followers, a great number of nobles with powerful titles would show up to defend him.

Yet there is truth in your words. The Hollands grow in power every passing day and may use this opportunity to seize control of the government. Yet, my Lord Maltravers, what can I expect in return for throwing my weight behind your cause?

[The Mad Skylord]

Maltravers smiled and changed to Latin. "One need not ban Lollardry to ban Lollardry, Eminence. Is not Latin the tongue of God? We can defeat the Lollards without raising a finger against them, Eminence, by banning English translations of the Holy Bible."

This was more difficult to address, Maltravers knew. What could tempt his Uncle. "Archbishops do not live forever, Uncle, the Archbishop of Canterbury has made himself unpopular to the King over the years and he is in total seclusion. Preventing God's children from butchering each other over governance of England would be a very positive step towards Canterbury. And if you played your cards well, perhaps a Cardinal's hat if we 'convinced' the peers to Crusade against the Anti-Pope. These are things that can only be achieved if you lead now - with us - in England's hour of need."