The Bishopric of Durham

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Bishopric of Durham

Bishop John Sherwood

Status: Celibate Titles: Bishop of Durham, Children: n/a Properties: 1. Brancepeth/Lumley - Sparse Income. 2. Weardale - Sparse Income. 3. Durham - Sparse Income. 4. Darlington/Aukland/Cowton - Sparse Income. 5. Sedgefield - Sparse Income. 6. Stockton - Sparse Income. 7. Easington - Sparse Income. Additional Traits (6): +2 Wealth +2 Survival +2 Battles Biographical information Born 1436(?) Biography Temperaments: Sanguine: - Confident: This character is very self-assured, brimming with confidence and difficult to shake even under pressure. However, taken to an extreme, they can show a suicidal disregard for their life and the lives of others, and fail to take...well, failure into account when planning. +1 battle rolls, +1 to rout rolls. - Sociable: This character is an extroverted social butterfly, capable of making friends left and right. However, they have little time for 'boring' matters like finances, and are more interested in buying flashy things to show off to their friends than managing their wealth. +1 to NPC reaction rolls, -2% income. Choleric: - Bloodthirsty: This character is hotheaded and loves to jump into fights, lethal or otherwise. This is not something others find endearing off the battlefield, though. +1 Battles, -1 to NPC reaction rolls.

Levy and Household Guard

Men of the Levy Standing Forces n/a

Durhamshire Improvements

1. Brancepeth/Lumley - Sparse Income. Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% province income - Blacksmith Charters: -1% troop upkeep and recruitment cost Tier II - Rented Properties: +5% province income 2. Weardale - Sparse Income. Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% province income - Blacksmith Charters: -1% troop upkeep and recruitment cost 3. Durham - Sparse Income. Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% province income - Blacksmith Charters: -1% troop upkeep and recruitment cost - Reinforced Gatehouse: +1 siege defence to castle/manor - Peasant Patrols: -1 hostile raiding rolls in this province - Increased Garrisons: Adds a garrison of twenty soldiers to the province (14 yeomen archers, 6 yeomen footmen) Tier II - Rented Properties: +5% province income - Market Charter: +5 % province income - Armourers and Weaponsmiths: - 1% troop upkeep and recruitment cost 4. Darlington/Aukland/Cowton - Sparse Income. Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% province income - Blacksmith Charters: -1% troop upkeep and recruitment cost 5. Sedgefield - Sparse Income. Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% province income - Blacksmith Charters: -1% troop upkeep and recruitment cost 6. Stockton - Sparse Income. Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% province income - Blacksmith Charters: -1% troop upkeep and recruitment cost 7. Easington - Sparse Income Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% province income - Blacksmith Charters: -1% troop upkeep and recruitment cost

Regional Bonus

Durham: Border Lords: Those whose estates are close to the Scottish border are used to dealing with raiders and invading armies. -2 raid rolls, -5% soldier cost and upkeep, +1 free knight commander. Bishop of Durham: As Earl Palatine, the Bishop of Durham can exercise extraordinary judicial and military power over the county, and rules almost as a king unto himself. He is the only clergyman able to recruit armies and hold secular lands. Provincial Bonuses: Durham: Durham Cathedral: A fine example of Norman religious architecture, Durham Cathedral was first built in 1080 and completed in the 1170s. It is famed as the resting place of Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, making it one of northern England's major pilgrimage sites. The Bishop of Durham, while technically subordinate to the Archbishop of York, can therefore consider himself a powerful cleric in his own right. +5% income, +1 Charisma, and characters may also seek refuge within the Cathedral for up to 1 in-game year; 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. River Wear: Originating in the Pennines to the west, the River Wear flows past Durham itself and is a riverine route of trade whose natural flow can take goods down to the port of Sunderland on the eastern coast. +5% income. Auckland Castle: The Fortified seat of the Bishop

[Lucius Malfoy]

Of the message sent across the North, the most notable of lords, Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland and Lord Warden of the Scottish Marches, arrives to speak with Durham.

Yet from the Nevilles, none would come as the Marquess of Montagu and his son were more concerned with issues in southern England.

Upon his arrival, Lord Northumberland would enter the residence of Bishop and makes his way to speak with him.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The assembled lords and peers would be led into Howden Manor where a large table had been set up with benches. The Bishop of Durham sat at one side of the table with a cup of ale at his elbow. He rose as he saw Percy. "Welcome to Durham." he said by way of greeting

[Lucius Malfoy]

Your Grace.

Lord Northumberland says, not entirely sure what was to be going on here. If military topics were to be spoken, Durham would be overstepping his authority in the North.

What sort of Northern policies are so vital that you call much of the North?

[Pontifex Maximus]

John glanced towards the door. "Well we may assume the Nevilles are not coming, so we may as well begin." The Bishop had apples, bread, and mead laid out at the table, and poured his colleague a glass. "The realm has suffered a greivous loss in the death of King Edward, and we now face a regency for our new young King. The late King was a martial man, and now that he is gone, our eighbors to the north may think it a good time to test our strength and unity. I believe we should show them that the north remains strong before they probe us. I propose that we launch a series of raids along the border."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lord Percy looks curiously at the Bishop of Durham. True, in the past, occupiers of that seat had sought the path of the Marcher Lord, but it had been some time since those days. Now for the real question at hand.

Since you propose a series of raids against our Scottish neighbor, do you also propose who is to lead these raids, Your Grace? After all, these raids would need to be coordinated to have any effect.

Henry was somewhat curious now, considering the proposition's possible intent before him.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"I would be willing o lead them myself, or share joint command." John replied "I would also be willing to contribute a large portion of the men to take part. I envision more than a single encroachment, but several all across the border. As such it may not be accurate to speak of a single leader, but several leaders striking simultaneously at different sectors all along the border."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lead it yourself or joint command, thought Henry Percy, not even a mention of myself as the Lord Warden. Granted, in any circumstance, like this, one would have certain punched the other, but this was the Bishop of Durham, Count Palatine of Durhamshire. The only one of his kind within England, compared to the Holy Roman Empire, where there were dozens or so of these very same Count Palatines clergymen.

Lord Percy glances around the Lord Magnates of these northern lands, noticing such persons as de Ros, Latimer, Hilton, and Dacre, with the noticeable absences of Neville and the displaced Clifford family. Most of those present were barons for the greater magnates of the North, save Percy, had shown themselves. He returns his gaze to Sherwood after taking a long pause.

As the appointed Lord Warden of the Marches, it comes down to my authority, as a royally appointed officer, to lead and coordinate these raids, Your Grace.

There were some murmurs of agreement, mostly from those with ties to the Percy family, through previous marriages.

In order to effectively do these raids, it would have to be a handful at a time. Much easier to coordinate as Lord Warden than several all at once. Otherwise, we will give the Scots the impression we want a war and that's something England doesn't need... just yet.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Of course, I never meant to usurp authority. Given the low amount of interest I believed that it might be up to me alone to see the policy carried out." John replied casually, fingering his bishop's ring. "I envision the storming of local villages, perhaps some fortified positions, and the carrying off of wealth should be a sufficient show of strength to the Scots. If they try to launch some sort of counter attack, we would of course be ready for them."

[Lucius Malfoy]

It would be wise to raid along the Cumberland side of the Marches to the West. If we ever mean to retake Berwick-upon-Tweed, we must not let the Scottish improve their defenses in that area and focus more so on where we will be raiding.

Henry grits his teeth under his lips. They had already failed to take Berwick once before and continued to let the agreement, made by Queen Margaret the Mad, with Scotland remained enacted. It was an insult to the whole of the Northern nobility who certainly viewed Berwick as a rightful possession of the English Kingdom, rather than the Scottish throne. One day, Percy knew he would take it back for England or convince the government to do so.

Carlisle will be suitable to raid from. Plenty of tempting targets, especially given the main highways that go between our two borders. Certainly there will be wealthy villages to hit.

[Pontifex Maximus]

It would be wise to raid along the Cumberland side of the Marches to the West. If we ever mean to retake Berwick-upon-Tweed, we must not let the Scottish improve their defenses in that area and focus more so on where we will be raiding.

Henry grits his teeth under his lips. They had already failed to take Berwick once before and continued to let the agreement, made by Queen Margaret the Mad, with Scotland remained enacted. It was an insult to the whole of the Northern nobility who certainly viewed Berwick as a rightful possession of the English Kingdom, rather than the Scottish throne. One day, Percy knew he would take it back for England or convince the government to do so.

Carlisle will be suitable to raid from. Plenty of tempting targets, especially given the main highways that go between our two borders. Certainly there will be wealthy villages to hit.

"I agree with your assessment, my Lord." the Bishop replied. "A show of strength in Cumberland and some undermining of their defenses would surely aid in more concerted campaigns in the future. I have four hundred or so men that are at your disposal for these purposes." This was clearly a step to show that the palatine county would increasingly take an interest in matters of state, and not necessarily of the church. Sherwood was as much a secular lord as a prince of the church.

[Lucius Malfoy]

"I agree with your assessment, my Lord." the Bishop replied. "A show of strength in Cumberland and some undermining of their defenses would surely aid in more concerted campaigns in the future. I have four hundred or so men that are at your disposal for these purposes." This was clearly a step to show that the palatine county would increasingly take an interest in matters of state, and not necessarily of the church. Sherwood was as much a secular lord as a prince of the church.

I have an additional three hundred under my command.

He ponders for a moment, thinking of his allies and those of the Northern lords.

Perhaps I can convince my friendly neighbor, the Earl of Richmond, Lord Henry Tudor, in joining the raids. Certainly any troops he could bring might increase the impact and frequency of our raids across the borders.

Percy hides a smirk, pleased that Neville was too busy focusing southward to be of us.