Goodrich Castle, The Talbot Estates.

**General Brewster** · August 09, 2017, 11:46 AM

Goodrich Castle, one of the older castles held by the Talbot family. After losing the castle after the battle of Northhampton, John Talbot, the third Earl of Shrewsbury lobbied with his friend, the Duke of Clarence and Lord Protector of the realm to get it back. Without to much haggling the Castle was returned to the Talbot family. With John Talbot being LL of Ireland he appointed his brother, Sir Gilbert Talbot as constable of Goodrich Castle in the same year.

Sir Gilbert Talbot

Sir Gilbert Talbot

*Born 1452: 29 years old.

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.

- Upbeat: Nothing seems to get this character down. They're perpetually smiling and looking on the bright side of even the darkest developments, truly the kind of optimism that can be infectious...or delusional, if the situation is bad enough. +1 to surviving non-battle death rolls, -1 to post-battle rolls (captivity, death, wounding).

Phlegmatic:
- Austere: This character disdains pomp and pageantry, instead preferring a plain & simple (the uncharitable might say 'rigidly spartan') lifestyle. +5% income, -1 Charisma.

Traits:
+3 Duels,
+4 Battles
+1 Rout rolls
+1 to surviving non-battle death rolls
-1 to post-battle rolls

Not much is known about Gilbert Talbot, beyond the family records. He was born in 1452 at Goodrich Castle, what is known is that from an early age soldiery fascinated him. It became apparent during his squire hood that he wasn’t particularly gifted, but his upbeat character combined with his Spartan lifestyle eventually made a proper soldier out of him. Some even started to say he would've made 'The English Achilles' proud. After being knighted moments after his older brother after the Battle of St Albans it became clear to Gilbert he would always stand in his brother’s, the earl’s shadow. His brother refused to give permission to Gilbert to leave for France, joining the armies heading for France as a mere soldier in disguise he was wounded in battle during the siege of Dreux. Back in England he maintained the Talbot estates in Yorkshire and resided in Goodrich Castle.

Somewhere during his young adulthood Gilbert married Elizabeth Greystoke(b.1436), daughter of Ralph de Greystoke, 5^th Baron Greystoke. The couple had two children in 1481.

Gilbert Talbot Jr (b. 1468)
Jane Talbot (b. 1480)

The Earl's Written Will

**General Brewster** · August 10, 2017, 05:21 PM

After a few weeks travel, Cecily Fitzroy, Catherine Stafford, Elizabeth Talbot and Margaret Talbot arrive at Goodrich castle. Red John and John Jr had gone a different path after landing from their travels at sea.

**Alexandrine** · August 13, 2017, 12:42 PM

She was back on English soil. Cecily FitzRoy, daughter of the late king Edward had settled in Goodrich Castle. She was in the company of her intendeds family; the Talbots of Shrewsbury. They had been kind to her. Especially the man who they called 'Red John' had proven to be a caring and supporting father-in-law and protector. Now they were guests to his brother sir Gilbert who was master in this castle, which was also the property of Earl John. "It is a fine, strong castle indeed." Cecily concluded. She was impressed by its thick walls and huge towers. Those towers seemed invincible to her. But she wasn't a student in architecture nor warfare.

**General Brewster** · August 14, 2017, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Alexandrine

She was back on English soil. Cecily FitzRoy, daughter of the late king Edward had settled in Goodrich Castle. She was in the company of her intendeds family; the Talbots of Shrewsbury. They had been kind to her. Especially the man who they called 'Red John' had proven to be a caring and supporting father-in-law and protector. Now they were guests to his brother sir Gilbert who was master in this castle, which was also the property of Earl John. "It is a fine, strong castle indeed." Cecily concluded. She was impressed by its thick walls and huge towers. Those towers seemed invincible to her. But she wasn't a student in architecture nor warfare.

Sir Gilbert stood atop the walls, enjoying the view when he saw the Talbot and FitzRoy laddies arrive. After greeting the laddies he took a moment to talk to Lady Cecily. "It is my honor to be present for your return to English soil my Lady. I hope the castle will be a safe heaven for you while you are here." After all, the FitzRoy's weren't particularly safe on English soil. Alas, the Talbot's were sure Goodrich Castle wouldn't fall to anyone.

**Alexandrine** · August 14, 2017, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by General Brewster

Sir Gilbert stood atop the walls, enjoying the view when he saw the Talbot and FitzRoy laddies arrive. After greeting the laddies he took a moment to talk to Lady Cecily. "It is my honor to be present for your return to English soil my Lady. I hope the castle will be a safe heaven for you while you are here." After all, the FitzRoy's weren't particularly safe on English soil. Alas, the Talbot's were sure Goodrich Castle wouldn't fall to anyone.

"The honour is mine," Cecily said with a curtsey, "I am sure these walls have seen bigger threats." She knew she was at risk in England, more so she was in Ireland. But she wasn't scared. Life had not been kind to her, yet she refused to believe she was in any real danger. She had laid low for many years, surely they would have forgotten her. And what was she able to do? She, who was but a maid. She was no warrior who could challenge anyone. Not that she had any appetite for it.

"Has this castle been in your family a long time?" she inquired.

**General Brewster** · August 14, 2017, 02:01 PM

Sir Gilbert smilled. "The castle has been in Talbot hands since 1326, next year it will be in our hands for 160 years. In 1404-05, my namesake Gilbert Talbot defeated several Welsh incursions into this very area. This seat has been the favorite castle of many ancestors. My brother John is the first Earl that prefers residence in Malahide." Gilbert had a thing for castle, that much was clear.

**Alexandrine** · August 15, 2017, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by General Brewster

Sir Gilbert smilled. "The castle has been in Talbot hands since 1326, next year it will be in our hands for 160 years. In 1404-05, my namesake Gilbert Talbot defeated several Welsh incursions into this very area. This seat has been the favorite castle of many ancestors. My brother John is the first Earl that prefers residence in Malahide." Gilbert had a thing for castle, that much was clear.

"160 years?" she spoke out, astonished. "That surely is a long time indeed." Cecily concluded. "Ah, as I expected. If it withstood the Welsh all these years, these stones will be able to uphold any storm."
She nodded by the name of Malahide. "The Irish landscape is very beautiful, Lord Shrewsbury is smart to favour it; his powerbase lies in Ireland, so it seems only natural."

she was silent for a while; "Do you think I am in real danger, sir Gilbert?"

**General Brewster** · August 16, 2017, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by Alexandrine

"160 years?" she spoke out, astonished. "That surely is a long time indeed." Cecily concluded. "Ah, as I expected. If it withstood the Welsh all these years, these stones will be able to uphold any storm."
She nodded by the name of Malahide. "The Irish landscape is very beautiful, Lord Shrewsbury is smart to favour it; his powerbase lies in Ireland, so it seems only natural."

she was silent for a while; "Do you think I am in real danger, sir Gilbert?"

Sir Gilbert nodded proudly. He was proud to be part of such an old noble family. He remained silent for a while, thinking about what he should say. Was she in any real danger? he thought to himself. He'd be lying if he said she was 100% safe, but to what extend was there a real thread to her life? He finally replied under sigh. "I can't honestly tell you my lady. I would feel as if I lied if I were to say you were completely safe to roam through England... Yet I feel it is unplaced to say you need to fear for your life." Gilbert honestly didn't know.

Some chit chat later... The scene had changed to the main hall where the Talbot's of Malahide, Goodrich and Lady FitzRoy were enjoying dinner when a servant gave Gilbert a peace of scroll. He read it and let out a heavy sigh. "John wrote me. The duke of Clarence is no longer one of the Lord Protectors. It seems that the Queen now acts as regent. JCatherine, little John has been appointed squire to the Duke of Clarence though."

**Alexandrine** · August 16, 2017, 03:06 PM

So the pretender Queen rules England now. She rose high, hopefully too high for her own good. That was grave and awful news for young Fitzroy here, who's fortune was dwindeled by this very same woman who had replaced her mother, the rightful Queen of England. Her appearenced must have changed from the cozy diner to this awful news. But she said nothing. She was not sure who she could trust at this table, not even at the table of her in-laws she felt completely safe.

"John will do wonderful." Cecily said curtly. Distracting the others from the news.

May God have mercy upon us all.

**General Brewster** · August 16, 2017, 05:09 PM

Gilbert smiled at Cecily before he retreated towards his study to formulate a response.

**General Brewster** · August 21, 2017, 11:59 AM

After several months where little of noteworthiness had taken place Gilbert rushes over to where Cecily is chilling.

"Lady Cecily, I have a letter from my brother. It details that your sister, Lady Eleanor has been smuggled out of the Tower.
John believes it might be useful for you to return to Ireland, your brother, Henry if I am remembering it correctly? He is also in Ireland.. As Baron Howard's squire."

**Alexandrine** · August 21, 2017, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by General Brewster

After several months where little of noteworthiness had taken place Gilbert rushes over to where Cecily is chilling.

"Lady Cecily, I have a letter from my brother. It details that your sister, Lady Eleanor has been smuggled out of the Tower.
John believes it might be useful for you to return to Ireland, your brother, Henry if I am remembering it correctly? He is also in Ireland.. As Baron Howard's squire."

"Smuggled out of the tower?" she asked puzzled. "How? Why.. I mean.. where is she now? Is she in Ireland too?"
She looked to Gilbert. "Can I meet my brother, in Ireland? Is that why Lord Shrewsbury wants me there?"

**General Brewster** · August 21, 2017, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Alexandrine

"Smuggled out of the tower?" she asked puzzled. "How? Why.. I mean.. where is she now? Is she in Ireland too?"
She looked to Gilbert. "Can I meet my brother, in Ireland? Is that why Lord Shrewsbury wants me there?"

Gilbert looked at the distressed girl, a little distressed at the level of her upset-ness. "He writes that it isn't known where she is now. Of course you will be able to see your brother in Ireland/ Now go and pack Cecily. I will accompany you to Malahide together with my family of course."

**Alexandrine** · August 21, 2017, 01:41 PM

"Yes.. Sir Gilbert." She realised something. "Now Eleanor has been smuggled out of the Tower.. The Queen will fix her eye on me." She looked at him with fear in her eyes. "We must leave, quickly." she said, as much to herself as to Gilbert. "I will pack my belongings.. you must tell your wife to leave too. The sooner we are out of here, the better."

**General Brewster** · August 21, 2017, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Alexandrine

"Yes.. Sir Gilbert." She realised something. "Now Eleanor has been smuggled out of the Tower.. The Queen will fix her eye on me." She looked at him with fear in her eyes. "We must leave, quickly." she said, as much to herself as to Gilbert. "I will pack my belongings.. you must tell your wife to leave too. The sooner we are out of here, the better."

Gilbert nodded to the girl who seemed to have grown up quite a bit since returning to Ireland.
In the following hours every one, Gilberts family, John's Wife Catherine and their daughter and last but not least Cecily all made their way to the road, to begin the journey to Ireland.

**Lucius Malfoy** · August 22, 2017, 08:51 PM

A messenger arrives to see Lord Talbot in Goodrich Castle.

**General Brewster** · August 23, 2017, 03:38 PM

With all Talbot gone, the caretaker of the castle, George who was by no well over 70 years old and saw many Talbot's been raised at Goodrich Castle opened the door for the messenger, informing him he was willing to take a message.