Ashby de la Zouch Seat of House Hastings

[Trot]

The Family

House Hastings were Knights sworn and loyal to house York until the Barony of Hastings was created for Ser William. Characters William Hastings, the first Baron of Hastings, and Earl of Northhampton Born 1431 Age 50 Married Kathrine Neville Children Edward Hastings Born 1464 Anne Hastings Born 1466 Richard Hastings Born 1469 Elizabeth Hastings Born 1471 Bio William was born to Ser Leonard Hastings in 1431 A minor knight loyal to the Lords of York. He served Loyally as high sheriff of Warwikshire and Leincester in 1455, and was knighted for his bravery in the battle of Towton. After the crowning of King Edward, he was given the titles of the Barony of Hastings and the Earldom of Northhampton. After which time William went to tend to his estates providing troops to the Yorkish cause when called for. Temperament Phelgmatic Reserved : This character is a stoic who generally keeps to him/herself and exercises strict control over their emotions. While this means they're not likely to make reckless moves in court or on the battlefield, they can come across as unfeeling robots to others. +1 battle rolls, -1 Charisma. Austere : This character disdains pomp and pageantry, instead preferring a plain & simple (the uncharitable might say 'rigidly spartan') lifestyle. +5% income, -1 Charisma Melancholic Meticulous : This character loves to analyze situations down to the last minutiae before acting. On one hand this means they'll probably have a clear picture going in, on the other their decision-making abilities could easily become paralyzed as they spend too much time analyzing and not enough acting. +1 detection rolls, -5% movement spee Skills +2 Battles +2 Personal Combat +1 Survival +1 Wealth Edward Hastings, Heir to the Ealrdom of Northhampton and the Barony of Hastings Born 1464 Age 17 Unwed Bio Unlike his father Edward was born to nobility and quickly became accustomed to the social graces of court. Temperament 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 against this character. 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 Charisma, -2% income Supine Idealistic : This person is a strong believer in higher ideals and the innate goodness of man. On the one hand they tend to be inspiring and uplifting figures, on the other they can be taken advantage of by those who live well beneath their expectations. +1 Charisma, -1 to rout/assassination/escape rolls. Skills +2 Charisma +1 Battles +1 Personal Combat Richard Hastings Born 1469 Age 12 Temperament 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 Charisma. Impulsive : This character acts before (sometimes, without) thinking. They might move and decide more quickly than others, but their recklessness can lead them to disaster as well. +5% movement speed, -1 to detection rolls. Phlegmatic Reserved : This character is a stoic who generally keeps to him/herself and exercises strict control over their emotions. While this means they're not likely to make reckless moves in court or on the battlefield, they can come across as unfeeling robots to others. +1 battle rolls, -1 Charisma. Skills +1 Survival +1 Personal Combat +2 Battles

Holdings

Northumberland Glendale/Wark/Etal/Ford - Sparse Income 250 Rothbury/Edlingham - Sparse Income 250 Yorkshire Malton/Gilling - Prosperous Income 350 Leicester Ashby/Melbourne - Average Income 300 Leicester - Average Income. 300 Lincolnshire Thornton - Prosperous Income. 350

Income

Sparse Income 250*2=500 Average Income 300*2=600 Prosperous Income 350*2=700 Total 1,800*.1(skills modifiers)=1,980 ducats

Military

wip

[Jokern]

A small party arrives at Ashby, their banner that of the Duke of Norfolk. Said duke requests a meeting with Lord Hastings.

[Trot]

They are admitted into the court yard of the keep. Signs of construction and activity were all around as the newly build keep was being expanded upon. Lord Hastings stood outside with his wife by his side while servants take the riders horses and offer refreshments. Finally when everyone was sorted Lord Hastings nods respectfully to the Duke and says "Lord Mowbary it is a pleasure."

[Jokern]

Norfolk gives a courteous nod and glances around, smiling approvingly at the construction. Behind him stands a young lad, not much older than 15 by his appearance, with a striking resemblance to Mowbray.

"The pleasure is all mine, Lord Hastings. I see you're in the middle of renovations as well, so I won't bother you for too long. I hope all fares well with you and your family."

He gave a quick bow to Lady Hastings before continuing.

"Lord Hastings, I have come with a proposal of marriage between my son and your daughter, Anne."

[Trot]

Hastings smiles warmly, "It is no bother and the courtyard is not place for such discussions. I have rooms prepared for you and your company. Please rest and freshen up and then you can join me for dinner tonight." He considers the request thoughtfully though. It would be a good marriage for Anne.

He then waves to some servants who were waiting nearby to show the guests to their rooms.

[Jokern]

"Thank you, it has been quite a ride from Framlingham up north."

The Norfolk party gives their thanks to their host before following the servants to their quarters to rest and get changed into some proper clothing. John and Edmund meet up for a quick talk before joining the Hastings for dinner.

[Trot]

They were led to the large feast hall. Fires crackled warmly in the hearth and the tables are laden with foods. Lord Hastings was seated at the head of the lard feasting table with the two seats immediately to his right set aside for Lord Mowbary and his young son. Lord Hastings eldest daughter Anne was given the seat directly next to the Lords son. To his left the rest of the Hastings family was barring the eldest son Edward who was travelling in the South. "I trust the accommodations are to your liking Lord Mowbary?" Hastings asks as they are seated.

[Jokern]

Norfolk and Edmund took their seats and nodded their greetings. The young Mowbray shot glances at Anne beside him, trying to hide his nervousness by looking to his host. Norfolk smiled and answered.

"They are indeed, Lord Hastings. Your home is very warm and welcoming to us weary travelers, so I'd like to give a toast to you and your family's future health. To Hastings!"

Norfolk took his cup and raised it until all had joined in.

"It is good to finally enjoy some peace and quiet for some time, after years on horseback treading through the mud in France. Endless days of marching from one end of the country to another, with no enemy to crush in sight. You never consider that when you're young, eager to win glory and fame on the battlefield. Don't you agree, Lord Hastings? How did you experience France?"

[Trot]

Anne glance at the young boy smiling shyly while the William acknowledges the toast graciously. "I found the war to be the same as the other campaigns I've been in. Constantly sore from riding and bored more often then not. Interspersed with the occasional clash with enemy from time to time." He pauses chuckling, "When the bards tell the stories of wars and battles they conveniently forget to mention just how boring the other 90% of the time is. I can't say I miss France I'm not as young as I once was, and the saddle gets old after a time."

[Jokern]

Norfolk chuckled and sipped his wine.

"Too true. Now Towton, that was a battle worthy of song! You fought there too, Lord Hastings? You were made an earl after King Edward was crowned, if my memory serves me right. I fought on the right flank under Warwick. It's a great tragedy to lose such a man, imagine what he could have done for England had he lived."

[Trot]

"Aye I fought a Towton." Hastings says remembering the battle. "At the time I was only the sheriff of Leicester." He pauses, "we lost a lot of good men on that battlefeild."

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[Jokern]

"We did, but their sacrifice was not in vain. King Edward rightfully won his crown that day, and proved his worth time and again until his tragic passing just this year."

As much as he enjoyed talking about war memories, Norfolk had not come here to Ashby de la Zouch just to reminisce. The duke turned his head to gaze at Edmund and Anne before turning back to Lord Hastings.

"The past is certainly exciting to talk about, I am currently more interested in the future. Even though our great king has left this mortal world, there is still peace for once in England. With peace and order comes prosperity, and we must secure our place here. I see a match between our two families, so that we can secure the future of both Mowbray and Hastings."

[Trot]

Hastings glances at the two young children. They seemed to be getting along well enough, and as a duke Mowbray's son would be an excellent match for Anne. "United the future of our houses would be bright indeed." He says pausing thoughtfully. "How about a betrothal between the two to be wed this time next year. I will arrange a dowry of 3000 pounds for young Anne."

[Jokern]

"That sounds like a sound agreement, Lord Hastings. I knew we'd come to an understanding. A toast once more, to our children and the future."

Norfolk raised his cup once more to Hastings. Edmund had turned to Anne again, blushing a little but looking quite pleased.

[Trot]

Hastings joins in the toast once more taking another drink from his cup. With that settled Hastings turns back to the Duke, "I hear you have accepted the title of Earl Marshal of the realm."

[Jokern]

Norfolk shook his head before responding, a bit annoyed by the question.

"The position is mine by right, Lord Hastings. It has been passed down in my family since Thomas of Brotherton was made Earl Marshal. It is not up to our gracious co-regents to do with as they please. It would be like attaining any other title, perhaps the greatest title since its importance to the king's privy council."

It was almost a miracle that the Mowbrays had been able to keep all of their titles after the old Duke of Norfolk's coup attempt so many years prior. John had become quite defensive of his family's possessions, knowing how easy it was to lose them in the great game of thrones.

"I must congratulate you though, Lord Hastings. Lord Chancellor of Wales is a great and honorable position. You will be serving under the next Prince of Wales, once our young king sires an heir."

[Trot]

Hastings cursed silently to himself for forgetting the title of Marshal was heritary befoee responding. "Let us pray it will be soon. Until then I will manage the affairs of Wales in his graces name." He pauses taking another sip of wine. "And the Lord Clarence has gracously accepted young Richard as a squire." He says noding to his second son sitting 3 chairs down on the left. Things were looking good for the future of the Hastings. If Edward returned securing the young FitzAllen girls hand he would see the houses future secure as well.

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[Jokern]

Norfolk nods to Richard Hastings.

"Congratulations to you, Richard. Lord Clarence is a good soldier, he's survived the savage lands of the Irish clans. I'm sure you will learn a lot as his squire."

He turned back to Hastings, a bit more serious.

"Speaking of which, I wonder how the royal uncles will handle their position as regents until His Majesty can rule in his own right. There have been examples of uncles seizing the throne for themselves throughout history, though the loyalty between the brothers of York seemed particularly strong, wouldn't you agree?"

[Trot]

Hastings nods consodering the Dukes words. His fears were not unfounded. "I have not yet been given a reason to doubt their word," Hastings begins, "they always supported their brother faithfully." He pauses, "and it was Edwards dying wish that they rule until the king is of age. What are yoyr thoughts on the matter."

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[Jokern]

"I've known them, fought beside them, for years by now. I very much doubt they would do anything to sully their brother's legacy. It was indeed King Edward's will for his younger brothers to govern until his son was of age, and so far they have ably."

He pauses for a moment.

"However, the outburst of the Queen Dowager at the privy council was disrespectful towards her husband's last wishes, the king's will. I understand her reasons of course, her love for her son is beyond doubt and she wishes to see to a secure reign for His Majesty."

There were also the bad blood between Mowbray and Woodville, going back to the denouncement of Margaret Percy's marriage to the king. Even if that had during his father's time, it had been passed on.