Dartington Hall

[Gandalfus]

DARTINGTON CASTLE
THE HOLLAND ESTATES

Owned by the Holland Dukes of Exeter since the times of the first Duke, this Devonshire manor remains the favoured county residence of the 3rd Duke, and the focal point of the Holland estate that sprawls across several counties of England. Henry Holland, however, is rarely here, preferring to remain a presence at the royal court. In his absence the estate is managed by the stewards and lawyers Holland employs to ensure his demesne is running as efficiently as possible. In 1482, Henry Holland received licence from the Crown to turn the manor into a fortified castle, a process that by 1484 had been entirely completed.

Character Information

The Hollands HOLLAND OF HUNTINGDON DUKES OF EXETER, EARLS OF HUNTINGDON, MARQUESSES OF DORSET deceased Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter SIR HENRY HOLLAND KG 3rd DUKE OF EXETER, 3rd EARL OF HUNTINGDON, 1st MARQUESS OF DORSET, COUNT OF IMRY Age: Born in 1430, 51 as of 1481 Marital Status: Married to Anne of York, born in 1439, 42 as of 1481. Traits: +2 battles +2 survival +2 wealth Temperaments: - 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. - Ill-Tempered: This character is ornery and seems to explode at the slightest provocation. While they've gotten into enough fights to toughen them up, a person who's as easily baited as a bull that sees red won't make a good commander. +1 Duels, -1 Battles. - 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. Bio: Exeter is one of the senior figures of English politics, and it is truly quite remarkable that he has survived so long. Lancastrian by blood, he originally fought under the banner of King Henry, despite being wed to York by his marriage to Anne, King Edward IV's older sister. Following the resounding Lancastrian defeat at Towton, Exeter switched sides to York, though he notoriously aided Norfolk in his attempted coup as well as failing to show at the Battle of Wallingford despite making overtures and promises to both sides. Since then, he has ostensibly been a staunch Yorkist, though suspicion surrounds him largely due to the company he keeps - his children have all wed into prominent former Lancastrian families, such as Percy, Courtenay, and Tudor. During the rise of Woodville, Exeter supported Margaret Percy, and has since never quite been reconciled with the new regime. Holland has nonetheless remained an ever present force in London and the royal court, keen to advance his status if only to preserve his survival in the currently unstable political climate. Sly and cunning, Holland's penchant for bloodthirst and impulsive action (landing him in prison several times) has all but destroyed the noted reputation that his own father forged for the Holland family. Sir John Holland, 4th Duke of Exeter SIR JOHN HOLLAND 4th DUKE OF EXETER, 4th EARL OF HUNTINGDON, 2ndMARQUESS OF DORSET, COUNT OF IMRY Age: Born in 1461. 23 as of 1484 Anno Domini. Marital Status: Married to Elizabeth Percy since 1474. Traits: +2 battles +2 charisma +2 survival Temperaments: - 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. - Amiable: This character is a pleasant person who tries very hard to get along with everyone s/he meets. Indeed, perhaps too hard, at that...they also tend to excessively seek validation from others, and at worst can be described as clingy ticks. +1 Charisma, -1 to duel rolls. Bio: John Holland is a much more amicable man than his aggressive, domineering and sometimes brutal father, the infamously ill-tempered Duke of Exeter. An anointed knight now tempered with experience on the battlefield, the younger Holland has developed a reputation for being the Holland of more scrupulous principles. He is keen to try and rebuild the reputation for loyalty and sound judgement earned by his grandfather, though that may prove difficult; with blood ties to both York and Lancaster, his loyalties are conflicted - on the one hand, his first cousin sits upon the throne of England, but on the other, his sister's husband Tudor and father-in-law Northumberland pray for the fortunes of Lancaster to come into ascendency once again. For now, John is content to remain loyal to the Crown, but like many other nobles, the raw ambition of the Woodville family does not sit well with his blue-blooded sensibilities. Sir Thomas Holland SIR THOMAS HOLLAND Age: Born in 1463. 18 as of 1481 Anno Domini. Marital Status: Married to Isabel Courtenay since 1478. Traits: +2 battles +1 assassin +3 survival Temperaments: - 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. - Ill-Tempered: This character is ornery and seems to explode at the slightest provocation. While they've gotten into enough fights to toughen them up, a person who's as easily baited as a bull that sees red won't make a good commander. +1 Duels, -1 Battles. - 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. Bio: Thomas Holland is very much his father's son: aggressive, ill tempered, and supremely arrogant, as well as possessing a savage sort of low cunning. He is much more prone to being party to his father's schemes, and views his brother John with the envy and disdain that comes with sibling rivalry. Though not without some empathy for his fellow man, Thomas Holland can sometimes act with great cruelty and self serving ruthlessness, for he knows that when his father inevitably dies he will be left with nothing but his brother's charity. Other Hollands: Henry's Children: Anne Holland, born 1457, 24 as of 1481. Married to Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond. Sir Thomas Holland, born 1463, 18 as of 1481. Married to Isabel Courtenay. Elizabeth Holland, born 1468, 14 as of 1481. Betrothed to William Mowbray. Richard Holland, born 1470, 11 as of 1481. John's Children: Philippa Holland, born 1477, 4 as of 1481. Edward Holland, born 1481, 0 as of 1481. Thomas' Children: Constance Holland, born 1481, 3 as of 1484. Genealogy of the 3rd Duke John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who was the third Edward's third son: paternal great-grandfather. Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster, who was the Crouchback's great-granddaughter: paternal great-grandmother. Joan of Kent, who was the first Edward's granddaughter: paternal great-grandmother Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent: paternal great-grandfather. Elizabeth of Lancaster, daughter of John and Blanche, sister to the fourth Henry: paternal grandmother. John Holland, first Duke of Exeter: paternal grandfather. Anne Stafford, who was Anne of Gloucester's daughter: mother. John Holland, the second Duke of Exeter: father. Will of Henry Holland, Duke of Exeter, given in 1482 AD My eldest son John Holland shall inherit all titles and honours of mine; Duke of Exeter, Earl of Huntingdon, Marquess of Dorset and Count of Imry. He shall also be considered my chief heir with full rights of inheritance to all lands and properties of mine that are otherwise not distributed in this document. Should my son, if God wills, pass before me, then his role as my chief heir is devolved onto his eldest son, Edward Holland. Should he in turn predecease me, then the estates shall be divided between his daughter Philippa and my two sons Thomas and Richard. Should my dear wife Anne survive me, then she shall be granted the manors of Berkhamstead, St.Albans and Bedford to sustain her. Upon her passing, these lands shall descend back upon legitimate heirs conceived through her first marriage to Henry Holland, 3rd Duke of Exeter. My daughters Anne and Elizabeth shall each receive a third of mine earthly wealth upon my passing. Should my sons Thomas and Richard remain without estate of their own upon my passing, they shall be granted the estates of mine in Huntingdonshire and Dorset, to be descend upon the heirs of their own. Should all of mine heirs die before my passing, then my property and estate should descend upon the eldest son of my sister Anne; Sir Ralph Neville.

Estates and Finances

Dorset 2. Wimborne - £350 + £51 = £401 5. Sturminster - £350 income + £34 = £384 6. Dorchester - £350 income + £51 = £401 Devonshire 3. Exeter - £350 income + £34 = £384 4. Compton/Newton - £350 income + £34 = £384 5. Dartmouth/Totnes - £300 Income + £45 = £345 13. Torrington - £350 income + £34 = £384 14. Barnstaple - £350 income + £34 = £384 Hertfordshire 1. Berkhamstead - £300 +£30 = £330 5. Saint Albans -£350 income + £34 = £384 Bedfordshire 3. Bedford - £300 income + £45 = £345 Huntingdonshire 1. Buckden/Saint Neot’s - £300 income +30 = £330 4. Norman Cross/Longthorpe - £300 income + 30 = £330 Total land income from 14 provinces: £4756 Earldom of Derby Hertfordshire 2. Someries: £300 income 3. Watford: £300 income Derbyshire 1.Peveril: £300 income. Leicestershire 1.Belvoir: £300 income.

Buildings

Dartmouth Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income - Blacksmith Charters: -1% troop upkeep and recruitment cost - Increased Garrisons: Adds twenty soldiers (14 yeomen archers, 6 yeomen footmen) to the garrison of this castle/manor. Wimborne Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income Sturminster Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income Exeter Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income Compton Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income Torrington Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income Barnstaple Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income Berkhamstead Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income Saint Albans Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income Bedford Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income Buckden Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income Norman Cross Tier I - Tenant Homesteads: +5% estate income

Soldiery and Navy

N/A

Regional Bonuses

Devonshire: Tin mines: Devon is renowned for its tin mining industry, which is a significant contributor to the shire’s wealth. Those with their estates here gain a 20% income boost to mines. Hertfordshire: Quarries and Bricklayers: Besides being famous as the site of the first battle of the Wars of the Roses (and a much later Lancastrian victory), St Albans is also known for its sand and gravel quarries. Furthermore, much of the clay found around St Albans goes to the nearby bricklayers at Bovingdon. Thus, those who have their primary estates in Hertfordshire will have both a significant supply of building resources & many experienced builders at his disposal. -10% to building costs. Dorset: Centre of the Wool Trade: This area is one of the centres of the English wool trade, and thus those who base their estates here will have a 10% boost to income from Wool Ships. Fishing Industry: Being a very coastal county, Dorset has a strong fishing industry. Grants a 5% boost to income from both Wool and Wine ships. Bedfordshire: Quarries and Clay: Bedfordshire is rich in sandstone, limestone and clay, making building costs -10% cheaper for buildings in this province. Great River Ouse: One of the longest rivers in England, the appropriately-titled 'Great' Ouse flowing through Bedfordshire has long been important for drainage schemes in the area, as well as for commercial and transportation purposes. +5% income. Wimborne: Poole Harbour: Dorset is blessed with a large natural harbor by the town of Poole, which was made a Port of the Staple in 1433. Wide and shallow with a few islands, it makes for an excellent trading port, and Poole regularly hosts traders from as far as the Baltics & Italy. +5% province income. +10 requisitionable ships. Dorchester: Market Town: Dorchester is a thriving market town and a centre of the textile industry. The holder of this is granted +5% province income due to the trade from the nearby commerce.

Retinue

Shrewd Treasurer: Responsible for balancing the books, in the most cost-effective way possible. +5% estate income. Skilled Physician: A doctor, perhaps having studied at Oxford or Cambridge, very skilled in the field of medicine. -2 to age-related death rolls for this character. Harsh Quartermaster: this man can equip and feed a fighting force as cheaply as possible, which is a great advantage for those who are wary of the gross overspend that comes hand-in-hand with building an army. -5% troop maintenance.

Assets

4 wool ships (+15% income boost) 2 mines (20% income boost)

[Lucius Malfoy]

It took a handful of days for Lord Percy to arrive at the Holland Manor in Saint Albans, the residence of his brother-in-law, the Marquess of Dorset. His party arrives late, one afternoon, having rode as fast as they could to ensure they arrived before dusk at the estate of John Holannd. He and his men dismount in the courtyard after being let in. Henry looks around the manor, these southern lords sure kept nicer estates than the gloomy ones up North. He asks a servant where the Lord Holland and follows him in the direction of where Sir John was.

[Gandalfus]

The country abode was somewhat modest in comparison to the vast complex of Dartington, but still fairly sizeable; Percy was led by servants across the Manor's boundary, marked by a small, unevenly positioned stone wall, and into the building itself. It was spacious and homely, with servants buzzing between the multiple rooms. The doorman, a short, portly fellow, led Percy and his retinue into a sort of drawing room, where Lord of the manor and his family had been seated, partaking in a small meal. Immediately, Sir John stood, filling the room with his height. Exeter's heir was like a pole, lean but long, with prominent cheekbones and an aquiline nose. Handsome, after a fashion, with dark curls that fell to his shoulders. Through two blue eyes he gazed at Northumberland, the stare made amicable by the polite smile that accompanied it. Lady Percy also stood to greet her brother; her stomach now noticeably curved with new maternity. From another room came the noise of a child, playing, presumably the couple's only daughter, Philippa.

"My Lord of Northumberland, be welcome." Holland gave a courteous bow in greeting. As ever, he was utterly formal. "It is a pleasure, as always."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Henry Percy approaches Sir John with a raised eyebrow at the total formality displayed by the Marquess. Made the Northerner feel somewhat uncomfortable as lords in the North were more... straight forward and less formal. Lord Northumberland gives a courteous bow in return, as rough as ever, before rising to look at his good brother and sister. Then he steps forward, embracing Sir John with a good smile on his face.

For Christ's sake, John, I am your brother, not our Lord Savior. I should be bowing to you as the Marquess and future Duke of Exeter, not the other way around.

He looks at his sister, walking over to kiss her cheeks lightly before turning back to John.

So tell me, any news on if its gonna be a boy? Huh?

He seemed rather excited to have a nephew.

[Gandalfus]

"You flatter me, Harry. For now, at least, you are an Earl, and I am merely Lord of this manor." Grinned Dorset, dropping the pretence of formality. They had seen each other at the Christmas feast for the first time in many years; John had come and gone from France for the best part of five years, conceiving his sole daughter during one of his short stays back in England.

"A son, this time, I know it." Chimed Elizabeth excitedly, flashing a knowing smile at John. ​"A brother for Philippa."

"Call it mother's intuition, maybe." Shrugged Holland, barely supressing a chuckle. "Women know these things. I don't pretend to understand."

Elizabeth hoped it was a boy, anyway; she'd purchased herbs, brews and concoctions, hired wise women... She had been very eager to give her husband a son, in any case.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Our mother was the same way, I recall. I remember father, God rest his soul, mentioning that about our brother, Edward, when he was still unborn. 'Your mother knows better than me,' he'd always say.

Henry Percy smiles at both his sister and brother-in-law, pleased to see their happiness. Certainly the late Henry the Elder would have been pleased as well, it was unfortunate that he was not with them to meet his coming grandson.

Lord Northumberland turns to Sir John afterwards. He claps his hands together, hoping wine would be coming soon.

So tell me, what sort of celebration shall we have in honor of this momentous occasion? Will any others be joining us?

[Gandalfus]

"Unfortunately not. Much of my family remain in London, for the time being."

Sure enough, servants arrived, carrying trays of wine and food. The party would be seated, and tended to at Holland's expense. It was nothing too ostentatious, for John disliked frivolity in such things, but it was certainly good, hearty food.

"I'm certain my Father will hold another greater gathering, when his first grandson has been born. I preferred to keep this informal, due to the recent events." Holland washed down a chunk of pork with a gulp of mead. John knew that Percy was perhaps not too fond of King Edward, understandably so, given the whole mystery surrounding his sister Margaret.

[Lucius Malfoy]

"Unfortunately not. Much of my family remain in London, for the time being."

Sure enough, servants arrived, carrying trays of wine and food. The party would be seated, and tended to at Holland's expense. It was nothing too ostentatious, for John disliked frivolity in such things, but it was certainly good, hearty food.

"I'm certain my Father will hold another greater gathering, when his first grandson has been born. I preferred to keep this informal, due to the recent events." Holland washed down a chunk of pork with a gulp of mead. John knew that Percy was perhaps not too fond of King Edward, understandably so, given the whole mystery surrounding his sister Margaret.

Henry takes a seat with his sister and brother-in-law, bowing respectfully to show his gratitude for the hospitality presented. He was rather parched and hungry from the far journey south from Alnwick. He grabs himself a cup of wine, once it was filled, and began to drink from it. Percy, after setting down his cup, looks at Sir John and sighs deeply.

If our sister is truly dead, hopefully she can forgive him in the next life... where they may be happy together for all eternity.

Percy was well aware of the rumors surrounding his sister. And he began to believe they were true.

How is your father taking the recent developments in London?

[Jokern]

A messenger arrives with a letter bearing the seal of the Duke of Norfolk. He remembers the agreement made years past, and will gladly welcome Elizabeth Holland as if she was his own daughter, as well as the new blood bond between two old families of royal descent. There is also an invitation to the Holland family to Framlingham, where they may hold the wedding ceremony.

OOC: we can skip the formal wedding RP if you want.

[Gandalfus]

Dorset nodded, solemnly. Percy's fate had been a tragedy, and he couldn't help but pity the woman's eventual fate of likely being strangled or starved in some forgotten chamber of the Tower.

"I shall pray for it, I think."

Then, the topic shifted towards John's father.

"Oh, as he usually does."

Said John, drily, with an ironic smile.

"By trying to pick the winning side. I hear he's supporting Gloucester and Clarence for the regency, whilst my mother is apparently sympathetic to Wydeville."

Holland took a draught of ale.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Its a recipe for disaster then...

Henry picks up his cup, drinking the ale deeply for a moment. Percy picks up his fork, deciding to take a small bite before speaking further.

In one scenario, you have the king's brothers against the Queen and her family. On top of that, two veterans of wars against a woman, who her opponents call her a spider. And furthermore, between the two brothers, one is favored by a great number of the higher nobility for his services in Burgundy, yet the other brother, His Grace, the Duke of Clarence, has endured the hardships of Ireland for many years and has powerful allies at his side as well.

He gestures with his fork slightly, making a further point.

I hear the Duke of Clarence is a rather bitter man these days. I can hardly blame him... His Grace has lost a wife, a son and now a brother.

Percy eats some more of the venison before him, chewing quietly for a moment. His mind reflecting.

Its just a pyramid of sticks, John, with a foundation of quick sand. Even if the Queen is removed from the scene, the brothers will surely fight over the Young King and for political dominance.

[Gandalfus]

John nodded in agreement, a light grimace passing over his face; he could see the unfortunate truth behind Percy's words. On one hand, there was the Queen, and the other, the magnates, poised to tear out each other's throats. The object of their conflict was little more than a fourteen year old boy made vital by the crown that would soon be placed upon his head.

"I try to stay away from London for that very reason." Said the Marquess, poking at his meat with a long knife. He'd only met the young Prince - his cousin - a few times, briefly conversing with him at the Greenwich Christmas feast. Intelligent and kind, he would've made an able priest, but a king perhaps required a different sort of mettle.

"A head will roll. I pray to God it won't be my kin." A little macabre for the dining table, but it seemed that a great shadow loomed over them all since King Edward's passing.

[Lucius Malfoy]

I suppose we can only watch from the sidelines for now. Hope that they tear each other apart, while leaving us alone.

Henry looks down at his plate, cutting some more of the venison to eat for now. As he ate it quietly, his mind reflected for a moment upon his nieces and nephew, the FitzRoys of the late King Edward. He wondered where they would be in this new world under the King Edward V. If the Queen's grip remained strong, they would certainly be thrown in the Thames like their mother.

Tell me, what has your father been up to since the death of the King? I suspect he has been hard at work capitalizing this new void in our realm.

[Gandalfus]

"It shouldn't be this way, though. Everything in the royal court is poisoned."

Holland shook his head. Worse still was the fact that his father epitomised everything that was wrong with it - raw ambition taking precedence over the interests of justice and sound governance.

"I don't know. I try to avoid putting myself in his path."

Dorset took a draught of ale.

"Probably trying to get into bed either with my uncles or the Queen... Not literally for the latter, I hope, though it wouldn't surprise me."

Holland the elder had been notoriously unfaithful to his wife since the birth of their last child. Dislike between the Duke and Duchess had cooled into a vague indifference. They could not be bothered to fight anymore. And the Queen's lack of virtue spoke for itself.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lord Percy could tell that speaking of the Duke of Exeter brought a chill to the table. As he drank from his cup, Henry noted not to bring up his father in the future.

He contemplates quietly as he chews some more food, pondering on what else to talk about besides the royal court and the Duke of Exeter.

We should gather together again sometime, myself, you and and Lord Richmond. Perhaps a hunt somewhere. Maybe we can invite my Lord de Vere, my wife's brother, as well.

Henry offers a smile to Sir John, hoping the idea would please him.

A good hunt to help us forget about the world for a moment, be among friends, family and allies. To let London poison itself while we keep away from its airs and enjoy the fresh trees. Wouldn't you agree, my Lord?

[Gandalfus]

"I'd like that, I should think. I haven't had a good hunt since before France."

Dorset fought there, too, beneath his father's banner, and alongside the Earl of Richmond who had eventually elected to join them. Draining his mug of ale, he added drily:

"Yes, to forget them. Bury our heads in the sand, though it won't go away that easily."

John was one of those men that felt the burden of the world's wrongs upon his shoulders; that they were a responsibility he should be tending to. He saw himself as an honest and just man, or at least strived to be so. It was prone to putting him in a reflective mood.

Elizabeth gave him a disapproving look.

"Ah, ignore me. I am happy for my son, who shall soon be born. The rest of England can wait." He gave a thin lipped smile. A servant refilled the tankard.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Henry felt somewhat unsure of what to say till his sister managed to clear up her husband's mood with a look. Lord Percy waits for his own cup to be refilled before raising it to his sister and Sir John.

A toast to your coming son, to my niece and that both of you will live long and thrive happily. My father was right to arrange this marriage. Certainly he is smiling upon us from above, my lord.

There where many days that the rather cheery Lord of Northumberland missed his father. Many times he wished his wiser father was still around to give him advice.

I will see if I can speak to my Lord Tudor and Lord de Vere about arranging a hunt then. A gathering of us all to be merry and enjoy good sport!

[Gandalfus]

"I can drink to that, Harry." Holland raised his mug in turn, spirits lifted again, for a time.

"And to the memory of your father, God rest him. The good lord Henry Percy."
​

[Lord William]

William arrived on horseback to Dartington Hall, his arse sore and his stomach empty but most of all he wanted a drink. Though this visit may very well include pleasure, William's intentions were to procure an allies and make friends. William is well aware that if he wishes to advance within the court he must gain more influential friends.

[Gandalfus]

Worcester found Dartington to be almost deserted; the Duke and his entire household were currently located at his London residence of Cold Harborough. Nonetheless, a groom took the Earl's horse into the stables, whilst an aged retainer wearing Exeter's livery brought him into the manor itself. Fortunately for Mercer, the Duke's son and heir John Holland, Marquess of Dorset, emerged in the drawing room to greet this unexpected guest.

"Ah, Lord Worcester, isn't it? What may I do for you, my lord?" Holland, tall and thin as a rake, clasped his hands behind his lower back. He wore a polite smile.