Suffolk House at Lombard's Street

[Oznerol]

SUFFOLK HOUSE
Lombard Street, London.

An enormous urban palace in Lombard Street, London. It had once belonged to an aldermanic family and several prominent Londoners during the early XIV century, but it fell into the hands of several Italian bankers and loaners, including the Bardi. The Bardi, Florentine, were the principal bankers of Edward II and Hugh Despencer the Younger, and such were targe of the masses' ire in 1326 and the house was ransacked. The bankers, troubled by those events and decidedly willing to leave London, sold the house to Edward III in 1328 for the princely sum of 700 pounds. The palace size was astounding, so large that was alloted to the Great Wardrobe, department responsible for the bulk of purchases for the royal household. By 1330 the house had been leased to William de la Pole and in 1339 it became a hereditary possession of the family. Taken from him in 1340 it was later restored and ever since served as de la Poles residence in the City of London. Once William de la Pole was created 1st Duke of Suffolk, the house was largely remodeled and the ducal arms (de la Pole arms quartered with Chaucer's) were carved over the gateway.

JOHN DE LA POLE, 2nd DUKE OF SUFFOLK

WIP

[Oznerol]

The house was again brimming with activity. Lord Suffolk had arrived early in the morning, parading through the streets with his hundred men-at-arms, all mounted and armored, wearing the de la Pole's livery combined with the white rose. The immense manor was now filled with armed men, part of the large affinity of the duke, who had arrived with purposes and goals unknown. As always, his presence could be felt in the city.

...

Soon thereafter, the mayor of the city was sent an invitation to meet the duke on his manor. The invitation was extended to every burgher of note that wished to have supper with the duke.

[Jokern]

The mayor of London, along with a few masters from the most prominent livery companies in the city, arrive at Suffolk House with their invitations. Most of them were large, with fat and lard wobbling about as they walked. They gave courteous greetings to the Duke of Suffolk before being seated at the dinner table.

[Oznerol]

The duke was all smiles that night. He had openned his wardrobe seeking the most splendid yet most, ironically, sober of all his attires. A purely black, and thus incredibly expensive, Burgundian gown, lined with soft, spotted ermine. The Golden Fleece on its imposing chain, crossing the ample chest of the duke. John de la Pole was well over his fortieth year, yet he remained ruddy and strong, his health not diminished in the slightest. He wasn't a weak-chinned aristocrat, his long face, high cheekbones and ruddy coloring revealed the blood of Chaucer. The strong hands, yet not the hands of a commoner, had the hint of his forebears: mercers, merchants and moneylenders. Men who plunged their hands in sacks of raw wool by the morning and piled coins by the sunset. A walking paradox, a duke and a merchant, living in the same earthly vessel, regal and grounded. He had welcomed the burghers at the end of the large stairs leading to the great hall, where a host of servants awaited. Once everyone was sitting the duke raised his cup.

"My good Londoners, I am glad you accepted my invitation"

He sips. Good red wine, coming from Southern Spain. The servants were diligent, treating the guests like they were earls and dukes.

"These are irrational, troubled times. I understand you might be worried by the events of late"

[Jokern]

The mayor and the burghers mumbled their thanks to the host as they toasted his health and gracious hospitality, nodding solemnly in agreement with the duke's statement. John Browne, Master of the Mercers' Company, spoke up.

"Sadly you speak the truth, noble duke. The last years after His Majesty King Edward IV's passing have been tumultuous and chaotic, especially for commerce in this city. We pray that our young king soon take his rightful place at the head of his kingdom, may God watch over him."

[Oznerol]

"I arrived to take care of such matters, my good burghers"

Said Suffolk gently.

"You know of my kin to the king himself, it is but only fitting that I, who have been uncommited in this sorry squabble, restore some peace to this city"

He smiled, warmly. Charming.

"Be certain, Londoners, that my lands lay close and you have my devotion. None will disturb the city if I can prevent it"

The food served was impresive, in quality and quantity.

[Jokern]

The burghers merrily enjoyed the food and drink brought forth, their noses turning reddish from the alcohol. James Hopper, Master of the Musicians' Company, chuckled and spoke.

"Does your Grace plan to patrol the streets of London on his own and keep the peace?"

The mayor of London, though seemingly affected by the wine, looked at de la Pole with concern.

"Is your Grace suggesting of garrisoning the city with your own men?"

[Oznerol]

"I can and will, at your request. And only at your explicit request. If you need any help in that regard, of course. If not, forget about such matters"

Said the duke, gently.

"I also have a question, who among you have a debt with the crown? How much are you indebted?"

He tilts his head.

"God knows I'm a Londoner at heart. My home is in here and my forebears walked these very streets"

[Jokern]

The mercers looked around among each other, their previous joy dampened by the seriousness of the discussion. More men on lordly payment, practically mercenaries compared to the local militias or royal troops, though the Londoners preferred if there were no soldiers at all in their city. However, with the current rebellion raging it would be important to have protection. The mayor spoke up once more.

"...Ehm, your Grace, what is the opinion of His Majesty? With all due respect, while we appreciate the offer and will consider it, more troops may unease some citizens and this city has a history of soldiers causing trouble."

OOC: Debt roll
- Let's say 20 guests or so, the mayor and 29 masters of London's Livery Companies.
- D20 to determine how many have debts
- D20*500*[mercers with debt] for the total amount of money owed

Debt roll I: 9, 9 mercers have debts to the Crown
Debt roll II: 1 => 1*500*9 = £4,500

IC:

At the question of debt, nine of the merchants declared they owed money to the King, which when added up together was a sum of about £4,500. A small sum perhaps, but Edward IV had taken out a few loans himself from the wealthy merchants of London and few still had debts to pay off.

[Oznerol]

"Then say no more, my good burghers. I will not bring a single man into the city unless you approve it or so does the king. But trust in me, my noble Londoners, in me you have a mediator in all this mess"

He said. Then, he looked at those gathered with debts with the crown.

"That sum I will personally pay from my own purse, not only to lessen the burden of the Treasury, but also as sign of my good will towards the commons. My grandsire was the longest-serving speaker of the camera, and I swear to preserve his legacy among the people of this city and the commons themselves"

[Jokern]

The merchants around the tables looked surprised at the duke's words, though most of them seemed content and joyous. They cheered his gracious hospitality and generosity.

OOC: Roll time
10/20 base chance
+2 from paying off the debt
+1 from words
+1 from actual threat of rebels
Chance: 14/20 (7-20 = success)

Rolled 11, success.

IC:

The mayor and the masters of the livery companies toasted once more, agreeing to let Lord Suffolk have some troops stationed in the city. Enough to keep the peace on the streets, they explicitly stated, though without defining the amount of soldiers that meant.

[Barry Goldwater]

At some indeterminate point in time after the summit outside London, Richard of Gloucester comes to his friend and brother-in-law Suffolk's home on Lombard Street.

[Oznerol]

He is swiftly welcomed by the valet and brought into Suffolk's presence, who eagerly embraced Gloucester in brotherly fashion. Lady Elizabeth was also at London, but she was said to be absent, visiting the new queen at Westminster.

[Barry Goldwater]

"Brother of Suffolk." Gloucester greeted, a bit surprised by the Trimming Duke's sudden embrace. "You may have remembered that I promised to call for you, as soon as whatever scheme I came up with against the Queen Mother's regency bore its first fruits. I would have done so immediately after Warblington, where that fruit indeed emerged, but some man in Salisbury or Kyriell's livery rendered me unconscious for months with a polehammer at my moment of triumph. Still, I saw that you were present at the summit regardless, at my noble nephew's side, and are now England's Lord Chancellor."

[Oznerol]

"What can I say? I couldn't waste the chance"

Said Suffolk, unapologetic.

"You must always be atentive for windows of opportunity, brother Gloucester. I wasn't going to let anyone impose their will on my nephew, it was only fair I compensated the lack of guidance and support of his mother, Lady Elizabeth..."

He smiles, mischevously.

"Now, I earned the trust of the burghers and the king. The city is peacefully quiet and a crisis has been aborted. Without me at the king's side who knows what could have happened. And without your good criteria balancing the so-called appellants"

[Barry Goldwater]

"That is all true." Gloucester conceded. The city was indeed at peace and further bloodshed within the House of York averted, which was excellent news, because..."We have bigger problems now, in any case. As you know, after twenty years in exile Lancaster has landed and marches upon us. If only we'd killed him, or had him delivered to us, at the end of the French war..."

[Oznerol]

"Unfortunately, that wasn't the case"

Said Suffolk.

"We must get rid of him, sooner than later"

He frowned.

"Luckily, if he is defeated we might get rid of that nuissance, forever. And then, we would be able to settle matters in our own lap"