Arundel Castle has a history that stretches back to 1067, less than a year after His Majesty William the First's successful war for the crown of England. First the residence of Roger de Montgomery, the castle would pass to the FitzAlans during the turbulent 13th century. Since then, the Earls of Arundel have served with leal duty and since been rewarded with a great many gifts from the kings in London.
Thomas FitzAlan
Thomas FitzAlan, 17th Earl of Arundel
Born: 1453 (28 in 1481)
- Phlegmatic
-- Austere: +5% income, -1 charisma
-- Reserved: +1 battle roll, -1 charisma
-Sanguine
-- Confident: +1 battle roll, +1 rout roll
- Skills
-- Battle: 3
-- Wealth: 3
married to Lady Elizabeth Stanley in the year of 1471 AD.
William FitzAlan
Born: 1455 (26 in 1481)
- Sanguine
-- Confident: +1 battle roll, +1 rout roll
- Supine
-- Amiable: +1 charisma, -1 duel rolls
-- Idealistic: +1 charisma, -1 to rout/assassination/escape rolls
- Skills
-- Charisma: +3
-- Survival: +3
betrothed to Lady Joan Neville
A comitive of riders arrives to Arundel, protecting a carriage. Several knights were escorting a lady, who was none other but Lady Anne Neville herself, countess of Salisbury by her own right. Lady Anne was quite insignificant and rather plain, with reddish hair, pale complexion and unusually big eyes. She was garbed as was fashionable at the time, fur lining her gown. Her own arms were emblazoned on the carriage and banners with her heraldic devices fluttered over the countess' head. She requested to see the Earl of Arundel, to deal with matters of importance. The countess was acompanied by her own mother, the aged Anne Beauchamp, former countess of Warwick.
Last edited by Oznerol; August 05, 2017 at 04:35 PM.
Arundel, the great seat of FitzAlan, was abuzz with healthy activity. Thomas was still a young man, his career as a servant to the realm still in its infancy, and for him Arundel Castle could not wallow in the severe debauchery that afflicted men satisfied with their lot in life. The sweet scent of freshly carved wood, the rhythmic thud of hammer on anvil, and the carnival of laborers brought a youth to the once dilapidated buildings of his family's home.
The noble party was spotted by none other than Edward FitzAlan, the youngest of the Earl's brothers. With barely a cry to Thomas he was mounted, ridding off to meet the visitors. Drawing up short from the company, Edward straightened himself with a smile. "I am Edward FitzAlan." His smile dropped when his mind finally connected the sigil of the carriage to its bearer. Assessing his own humility - a sweat-stained jerkin and riding leathers - he found his voice faltering. "I would be your escort."
John FitzAlan, ever wary of his younger brother's location, sent the workers packing with a sharp crack of his voice. In their place rushed a scattering of knights and guards, drawing up as if they had not moved since sun-up. Snorting softly to himself, John watched as Edward, clearly trying to recover from some sort of injury, returned at the head of a company of english nobles. Serves you right, he near growled.
Pulling up behind John came Thomas himself, striding forward in an assortment of cloth that was better seen on the guardsmen than a noble earl. With a curt nod to his spirited kin, Arundel waited for his visitors to pull themselves into the stables. "Neville," John informed him, as if the knowledge were a fish bone stuck between his teeth. Salisbury, Thomas added silently to himself.
Striding forward, Thomas made to offer his guest assistance in departing her transport.
"You will serve me well, then, young lad. Bring your lord"
Said the countess to the young boy, with a gentle nod, her face framed by the coif and the elaborate headdress. Her eyes lost no track of the evolutions around her in Arundel castle, a buzz of activity, that clearly signaled the beginning of a new rule. In due time the excess of enthuasiasm of youth would be dulled and extinguished, but Arundel was a still a young lad. Once the earl himself arrived, Lady Anne offered him a hand to grab, delicate.
"My good earl of Arundel, I presume. I thank your Lordship for welcoming us so hastily"
Her voice was soft.
"I believe we have not been properly introduced, but we both know who each other is, so no point for further and mindless pleasantries. May I introduce you to my mother, Lady Warwick?"
Anne Beauchamp was still surprisingly nimble for her age, but she had been ravaged by time and was but the shadow of her glorious and former self, the heiress of the first earl of the realm, Richard Beauchamp. Still, she was every inch a noble and dignified lady, her hands clad in old and heavy rings, her hair covered by a golden coif.
"My Lord Arundel, I have met many of your line in the past, God preserve them"
She said with a slight smile. Neville, on the other hand, smiled more openly.
"Mine husband, Lord Winchester, has sent me with a sound proposal. We should discuss it in private, my Lord"
The courtyard was no place for dealings of such sort.
The sun was just beginning to set as a company of riders became visible from the castle walls the banner of House Hastings flying high overhead. Edward Hastings the heir to the earldom of Northhampton rode at the head of the procession seeking a meeting with Lord FitzAlan.
Thomas offered a smile, a feature that did no real benefit to his appearance. Not that he could care for such things, when England enjoyed a false peace. And yet he was in the company of women, noble women without cause to put him on edge.
"Of course," he near whispered, unsure as to how to react to the lack of pleasantries. Too long in the capital, surrounded by the death and the circling carrion. That was it had to be. "You are too kind, my lady Warwick."
When was the last time such nobility had come to his lands with a contented purpose? He could not recall. Maybe this was to be the day. "As you wish," he answered, with some weight behind his words. Such business it was to be then.
Offering his arm to the daughter, Thomas nodded softly as John made to give his to the mother. Guiding his guests, Arundel brought them into his home. While every shilling had been spent grudgingly, the interior was as bright and fresh as any other. Through simple oak and pine doors he led his visitors, past bowed servants and rooms nearly empty for lack of a purpose. He did not detour, nor waste time explaining the few choice ancestral relics which he maintained along the walls. He doubted that either party had an interest in the stories. Especially if he or his brother had to recite them.
The study was well-lit, a collection of chairs arranged around a simple platter of food and drink. For a second Thomas paused. "Thank you John."
Offering the Lady Warwick a deep bow, the young man departed.
"We have our privacy."
Originally Posted by Trot
*snip*
A guard had to muster Thomas from his studies, causing some delay from the visitor's arrival to their welcome from the earl. "My lord Hastings," he said, intrigued by the sudden arrival. "A most surprising honour." He half-turned, offering his roof to the new company. "I will have your men and horses seen to, if you wish."
John, watching from the shadows, pursed his lips at the intrusion. A regency was a time of upheaval indeed. And yet there was no war for him.
Coming from the younger Anne was a compliment, considering she owned Middleham, the fantastic Northern seat of Neville.
"My Lord, we do come here with private dealings. You see, I have a son, Lord Montagu, who is close to his thirteenth year"
"Indeed, and good lad, noneless"
Added the boy's grandmother. Her withered hands were covered in old golden rings. The countess' daughter prefered to wear none as she took great delight on her marble-like hands.
"We are both seeking a good, fitting bride of good birth for him, and we do believe there's an perfect candidate in your household, your daughter Joan"
Thomas nodded softly. His sister, ever happy to live a life of independence and freedom, had seemed happy with his complacency regarding her unwed status. Whether she would be pleased now that someone had come seeking her out, he could not say. "I would not be disinclined to such a match," the earl answered. "But I am very protective of my sister, and would ensure that she is well cared for in the years to come." He had brothers and cousins aplenty. But sisters? Mary had gone years ago, leaving only Isabelle, with dreams of being a lord like him. Or a wordsmith like William. Or a rider like John.
Originally Posted by Oznerol
*snip*
Thomas raised his eyebrow at the suggestion. Had the years truly slipped by so fast? Maybe. Perhaps he was not truly as young as he had hoped. "And how soon would you be wanting my daughter wedded to Montagu?" He eyes moved from one woman to the next, unsure as to who he was actually having to negotiate with.
Thomas raised his eyebrow at the suggestion. Had the years truly slipped by so fast? Maybe. Perhaps he was not truly as young as he had hoped. "And how soon would you be wanting my daughter wedded to Montagu?" He eyes moved from one woman to the next, unsure as to who he was actually having to negotiate with.
"In few years. Three or four, most likely"
Said the elderly countess.
"My son is twelve years of age, he will be a man grown by the time they marry. In the meanwhile, a betrothal signed by both parts would be enough to sanctify this agreement, if you do agree to marry them, my Lord"
Added the younger countess.
"Our demesnes are centered and based in the south, mostly, Lord Arundel. We do need to preserve or increase our influence in the region, and marriage would greatly cement our standing in these shires"
Salisbury's lands sprawled all over the South, including rich lands in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset: Arundel's own lands were neighboring to the easternmost posessions of her husband.
Edward smiles as he, "Thank you my Lord FitzAllen. It has been a long journey." He says greeting the Lord with a small bow. "I have come to discuss the possibility of securing a marriage between myself and the lady Isabelle."
"It is understandable that you would be protective of your sister my lord." He says putting on his best smile. "I have two sister myself after all I understand a brothers love for his sisters. Perhaps I can meet her before we go any further."
Thomas smiled, his lips pulled tight from the effort. "I would be willing to agree to a betrothal then, if the contract offered is a reasonable one." The earl ran his hand along the edge of the table, letting his fingers tell the story of the wood. His daughter would be quite happy to be wedded, drunk as she was on the idea of it all. But her safety was more important than her happiness. Especially since that happiness would disappear like warmth in winter.
Originally Posted by Trot
*snip*
The earl nodded. He called for a servant, dispatching him with haste to welcome in his sister. To his mild surprise, Isabelle did not take as long as he expected. Or hoped.
The young woman had been nearby, flanked by her brothers as they discussed the arrival. John belittled while William laughed, their sister declaring loudly that he had come to see Thomas for guidance. Arundel offered the wisest and most honest council, she was sure of it. "Me?" she heard herself ask. "I knew that boy was here for that," John muttered, as happy about it as his sister.
She did not hesitate in walking into the chambers, knowing that the flutter in her heart would pass. Offering a smile to the guest, Isabelle addressed Thomas, subject to lord. "You called upon my presence?"
"This is Edward Hastings, heir to Northampton," Thomas replied, his eyes soft at the sight of her. "A potential suitor for your hand."
A suitor. She did not like it when John was right at the best of times. "A pleasure, my lord Hastings."
Thomas, Lady Elizabeth on his arm, greets the Mercers as the noble company enter Arundel. William and John, unusually absent from his side, are nowhere to be found. "A welcome surprise," the earl called. "Come."
Originally Posted by Trot
*snip*
"I would think someone of your station would have little regard for the flights of fancy of others, my lord." Even as she replied, a smile wormed its way onto her face. William had said that once to John as they argued over the Queen. Somehow it felt relevant now. "But you are kind to say such."
Thomas nodded softly as his sister kept her composure. Whether she liked Hastings or not was near moot. He doubted the youth would dare to harm her, if a union was agreed to, and that was one roadblock out of the way. The family was an equal in standing, and there would be no scandal. But do I want this man to be her husband?
Originally Posted by Oznerol
*snip*
"Two thousand six hundred pounds would be my offer of her dowry," Thomas replied. "And then I would have no interest in any of Joan's children inheriting a claim on her dower should she live to enjoy it."
Edward puts on the his best smile, and bows to the young lady. "My Lady Isabelle, the pleasure is mine. I had heard rumors of your beauty, but they do not do you justice." He pauses to judge her reaction. He had heard she was a hard woman to please and he was not the first suitor to come calling for her hand.
"Ah my lady, but are we not all entitled to indulge in flights of fantasy from time to time? For if we did not what would the bards have to sing about?" He says with a laugh.
William greeted his brother-in-law with a firm handshake and a warm brotherly embrace as the wives begin to chatter through the halls
I hope it would be William laughed as he followed Thomas
Its been a longtime, how's the family?
"As as can be expected," Thomas responded, leading the way to his solar. "Young William and Joan are taking well to their studies. And now that my brother William's betrothed has received her inheritance, we will all the better." He glanced back to Elizabeth. She had claimed Mary for her own, trying to catch up on years of household gossip. He had not seen her so animated since news of the King's death. "And yours, my lord? A blossoming future?"
Originally Posted by Oznerol
"That is a fair deal, my Lord Arundel"
Said Lady Anne.
"I believe my son-in-law, Lord Salisbury, will gladly consent to this match and sign a betrothal between your daughter and my grandson"
The earl nodded twice. "I am pleased to hear this," though his face did not seem to truly match his words. "This will surely bring great happiness to the court to see such a union."
Originally Posted by Trot
"Ah my lady, but are we not all entitled to indulge in flights of fantasy from time to time? For if we did not what would the bards have to sing about?" He says with a laugh.
She smiled, sold on his reasoning. "And the world would be quite dull without their sweet songs, would they not, my lord?" Sighing with good humor, she continued. "My brother is not one to enjoy the poets of the realm, I fear."
Thomas raised his eyebrows at that, but only inclined his head in agreement. Anyone could sing, and most would not charge such a price to make their noise.
The earl nodded twice. "I am pleased to hear this," though his face did not seem to truly match his words. "This will surely bring great happiness to the court to see such a union."
"Indeed, my Lord. My mother-in-law, the queen, will be relieved to hear such news"
Said Lady Anne.
"Now, my Lord, our clerks will hammer out the remaining details. God be merciful, we shall see our sons blissfully married"
"We thank your Lordship, for your hospitality, we must now take our leave. Fortunately, we have a manor not far from here"
Arundel Castle, seat of the Earls FitzAlan
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Originally Posted by Oznerol
