Invaders in the West Country, 1484

[Dirty Chai]

Location: split between Tiverton (17 Devonshire) and Okehampton (10 Devonshire) as of 7:45 pm PST (UTC-7), Tuesday August 29

Under the banners of St George and the Red Rose of Edmund Crouchback:

• 275 Militia Footmen
• 1,010 Militia Archers
• 440 Yeomen Foot
• 445 Yeomen Archers
• 500 Men-at-Arms
• 986 Horsemen
• 2,000 Halberdiers
• 1,500 Crossbowmen
• 4 cannons

Dramatis Personae:

• Edward of Westminster, King of England, Jerusalem, France, Ireland, and Naples
• Henry de Clifford, 11th Baron Clifford, Lord of Skipton, Lord of Appleby
• Edmund Beaufort, 4th Duke of Somerset, 2nd Marquess of Dorset, 6th Earl of Somerset, and 20th Earl of Warwick
• George de Vere, brother to Aubrey de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford

Maps of the West Country

Devonshire

Dorset

Somerset

Cornwall

[Dirty Chai]

Bands of soldiers ride out in ad hoc wild bands into the west country from the estuary at Kingsbridge. They carry fire and steel and target those villages and boroughs and manors who have ignored the call to arms of the true and promised king. Many of them yell out "join or die" and variations of that.

Raid rolls on:

• Devonshire
  
• #6 Kingsbridge/Salcombe - Average Income
  
• #7 Plymouth/Plympton - Sparse Income
  
• #5 Dartmouth/Totnes - Average Income
  
• #4 Compton/Newton - Prosperous Income
  
• #3 Exeter - Prosperous Income

To each goes 200 horsemen (hobelars), who receive +4 to raid rolls.

[Dirty Chai]

Bands of soldiers ride out in ad hoc wild bands into the west country from the estuary at Kingsbridge. They carry fire and steel and target those villages and boroughs and manors who have ignored the call to arms of the true and promised king. Many of them yell out "join or die" and variations of that.

Raid rolls on:

• Devonshire
  
• #6 Kingsbridge/Salcombe - Average Income
  
• #7 Plymouth/Plympton - Sparse Income
  
• #5 Dartmouth/Totnes - Average Income
  
• #4 Compton/Newton - Prosperous Income
  
• #3 Exeter - Prosperous Income

To each goes 200 horsemen (hobelars), who receive +4 to raid rolls.

After this, the host musters together again into an organized force and marches towards Tiverton and Okehampton in equal halves with the intention to force the Earl of Devon into submission or else drive him and his affinity from the West Country, since no Courtenay has responded to the demands sent throughout the region.

[Gandalfus]

Bands of soldiers ride out in ad hoc wild bands into the west country from the estuary at Kingsbridge. They carry fire and steel and target those villages and boroughs and manors who have ignored the call to arms of the true and promised king. Many of them yell out "join or die" and variations of that.

Raid rolls on:

• Devonshire
  
• #6 Kingsbridge/Salcombe - Average Income
  
• #7 Plymouth/Plympton - Sparse Income
  
• #5 Dartmouth/Totnes - Average Income
  
• #4 Compton/Newton - Prosperous Income
  
• #3 Exeter - Prosperous Income

To each goes 200 horsemen (hobelars), who receive +4 to raid rolls.

Knightsbride: 2 (6-4), 11. £330 looted.
Plymouth: 2 (6-4), 19. £570 looted.
Dartmouth: 11 (15-4), 8, 4, 11. £330 looted, Lancaster's identity reaches the provinces owner. 8 horsemen die.
Compton: 9 (13-4), 3, 11. £385 looted. 6 horsemen die.
Exeter: 1. 8. £280 looted.

[Xion]

Montferrand disembarks from the ship, the aged Gascon still looking pale and rather ill, having come down with an illness while in Normandy and then suffering through it an sea sickness on the journey to England, with both seemingly passing by the end of the journey. He is followed by his few retainers and his family, who look around at their first glimpse of English soil. "So...this is the land of my grandfather..." Montferrand mutters as he looks around, being passed by disembarking troops and supplies.

[General Brewster]

George Talbot disembarked the ships with huge relief. God's how he hated being on the sea. He had opted to wear some leather armor instead of his full plate. George had always detested lords with full plate that was engaged with all kinds of symbols. No his full plate had been black when it was new.. now it was full with dents and scratches from the many battles George had participated in. George felt relieved to be in England again.. Last time he was there was just before England went to war in France.. Now he could get his revenge and claim his ancestral lands for his own! If his brother would not join the Lancastrian cause that is..

[Dirty Chai]

George Talbot disembarked the ships with huge relief. God's how he hated being on the sea. He had opted to wear some leather armor instead of his full plate. George had always detested lords with full plate that was engaged with all kinds of symbols. No his full plate had been black when it was new.. now it was full with dents and scratches from the many battles George had participated in. George felt relieved to be in England again.. Last time he was there was just before England went to war in France.. Now he could get his revenge and claim his ancestral lands for his own! If his brother would not join the Lancastrian cause that is..

To the scion of Shrewsbury's probable surprise, he is summoned the night after they land, an esquire bowing before him and telling the knight that the king has summoned him into his presence and before the king's peers.

Edward Mercer disembarked the ship sniffing a huge breath of sea air, he loved the sea. His hope that should Edward win in the coming fight ahead, he would become Lord Admiral of the Royal Navy.

Mercer is also called before the king's presence.

[Lord William]

To the scion of Shrewsbury's probable surprise, he is summoned the night after they land, an esquire bowing before him and telling the knight that the king has summoned him into his presence and before the king's peers.

Mercer is also called before the king's presence.

Edward bowed before his King greeting him most graciously.

Your Majesty, you summoned me? or shall I say us?

[Dirty Chai]

Edward bowed before his King greeting him most graciously.

Your Majesty, you summoned me? or shall I say us?

"You claimed your brother was a powerful peer. This Earl of Worcester." Lancaster recalled. Somerset and the Baron Clifford were around him.

"It is time to prove this and your loyalty to my cause. Return to your brother's honours and call up arms."

[Lord William]

"You claimed your brother was a powerful peer. This Earl of Worcester." Lancaster recalled. Somerset and the Baron Clifford were around him.

"It is time to prove this and your loyalty to my cause. Return to your brother's honours and call up arms."

William was Edward's cousin though he had not the heart to correct the King

Your Majesty, upon arrival I have been informed my kin has been locked away in the tower on charges of treason and his lands raided by Lord Exeter, these charges are nothing more then a witch hunt William is too careful to leave a trail. Sire I shall go to Worcester's Estate and take whatever I can find, I shall raise an army and march by your side.

[General Brewster]

To the scion of Shrewsbury's probable surprise, he is summoned the night after they land, an esquire bowing before him and telling the knight that the king has summoned him into his presence and before the king's peers.

George was surprised, he had been among the King's men for some time but hadn't been invited to appear before the king yet... John eventually connected the dots and realized he would probably be sent out to acquire support of his brother, The Earl of Shrewsbury and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

George appeared before the king and bowed deeply. "I was summoned your Grace" he calmly said.

[Lord William]

Edward Mercer disembarked the ship holding the heel of his sword and sniffing a huge breath of sea air, he loved the sea in fact he enjoyed being on his ship more than being on land. His hope that should Edward win in the coming fight ahead, he would become Lord Admiral of the Royal Navy. England wasn't mainland Europe, emotions about Edwards return has mixed feelings amongst the upper class and now that he is on English soil his life is in grave danger at every moment. Edward is determined to protect the future King constantly keeping his eyes out for the young princeling.

[The Mad Skylord]

OOC: Assuming we're basically in perpetual war meetings.

"We must be careful with the raiding. The people of London closed their gates to your mother because of the reiving of the Lancastrian forces. It is imperative that the gates be opened. To that end, I suggest we send an emissary to the Lord Mayor, to grease the wheels, so to speak."

[Dirty Chai]

OOC: Assuming we're basically in perpetual war meetings.

"We must be careful with the raiding. The people of London closed their gates to your mother because of the reiving of the Lancastrian forces. It is imperative that the gates be opened. To that end, I suggest we send an emissary to the Lord Mayor, to grease the wheels, so to speak."

"Into the snake pit?" Lancaster seemed to dislike that. "How can I negotiate with a mayor if his city is of my enemy?"

He looked around, then, as if looking for something. "Where is the bastard Neville?"

Montferrand approaches the king while they are on the march to one of the Courtenay's castles. "Your majesty, I wish to offer an option that may allow you to take one of this Earl of Devon's castles without having to assail the walls." He had seen a banner of the land's lord while being part of those who rode against the town of Plympton, and it gave him an idea. "The lord of these lands...his banner looks very similar to that of my wife's house, the de Courtenays. Perhaps I could, with the aid of some of your English men, attempt to gain entry into the castle and open the gate at night to allow the rest of your forces in. If you think this is a worthwhile venture, of course."

"Oh?" Lancaster sounded quite amazed by the idea, wide eyed. Possibly, in disbelief.

"Truly? That is a clever and cunning strategem, my sir de Montferrand."

He called over a retainer - more of a steward, dressed not in armor, and seeming bookish.

"How many should you need?"

A rider is spotted approaching the Lancastrian army, his escort bearing the standards of the Percy family. At first, it could easily be suspected to be Earl of Northumberland, but the individual leading them looked far younger than the middle-aged Henry Percy. Upon his arrival before Edward of Westminister's army, the male introduces himself as Edward Percy, Baron Poynings and the younger uncle of Eleanor, Edward's wife. He has urgently come to speak with the King and his niece and requests an audience.

"For twenty long years I hath not stepped upon this isle..."

Somerset strode down onto English soil triumphantly, the extravagancy of his dress, in particular, the tall hat, resembling what a peacock might appear as should it ever be personified in man's flesh and blood. England had been nothing but a faded memory, but now it was restored in the mind's eye of the last Beaufort, landing not far from the lands his fathers, sons and grandsons of Old Gaunt, had called their own in years past. Over the coming days, he would busy himself once more in the Lancastrian camp, never far from the King, enjoying his rise to great importance at Westminster's side as the de facto chamberlain of the monarch and most senior peer remaining alive. As such, when Poynings entered into the King's presence, Somerset would certainly be there, too, gazing upon the son of his brother's murdered with a cold gaze that didn't at all mask his enmity.

Clifford, likewise, was present with the Duke of Simerset upon the arrival of the Percy. For whilethe Somerset was Chamberlain, Clifford was everything else, and irritation seeped from his every pore at this Yorkist dog among loyal men.

"He is not Northumberland? But you just sa-"

Silence cut and Lancaster turned with the grimace of a hound from the Duke of Somerset as the Percy entered his tent, illustrating already his lack of comprehension of the peerage.

"Be welcome into mine presence," the exiled spoke, somehow mixing the attitude of a brute and the speech of a French prince. A man whispered into his ear, and he added "Baron Poynings," at the end.

[Lucius Malfoy]

"He is not Northumberland? But you just sa-"

Silence cut and Lancaster turned with the grimace of a hound from the Duke of Somerset as the Percy entered his tent, illustrating already his lack of comprehension of the peerage.

"Be welcome into mine presence," the exiled spoke, somehow mixing the attitude of a brute and the speech of a French prince. A man whispered into his ear, and he added "Baron Poynings," at the end.

Edward Percy was brought into the presence of Edward of Westminister. He kneels and bows his head to Lancastrian King.

Your Majesty, I am Lord Edward Percy, the younger brother of the Earl of Northumberland... or rather the Earl of Cumberland.

Much had changed before the arrival of the King and certainly this would complicate matters.

Before your arrival, the former Queen Regent had the lands of Northumberland seized by attainder before they granted to Sir Ralph Neville. In addition, a warrant for his arrest went out across the realm. My brother placed under arrest by Lord Gloucester, forcing him to fight for the Lord Appellants. I have heard word of Northumberland troops fighting with them, but I doubt it was willingly.

The next set of words would certainly make the situation more complicated.

My brother's attainder and warrant for his arrest still stands. As the Lords Appellant have moved to London, in force, he is certainly now within the grips of your foes... and may not live long.

[The Mad Skylord]

"Into the snake pit?" Lancaster seemed to dislike that. "How can I negotiate with a mayor if his city is of my enemy?"

He looked around, then, as if looking for something. "Where is the bastard Neville?"



"Oh?" Lancaster sounded quite amazed by the idea, wide eyed. Possibly, in disbelief.

"Truly? That is a clever and cunning strategem, my sir de Montferrand."

He called over a retainer - more of a steward, dressed not in armor, and seeming bookish.

"How many should you need?"



"He is not Northumberland? But you just sa-"

Silence cut and Lancaster turned with the grimace of a hound from the Duke of Somerset as the Percy entered his tent, illustrating already his lack of comprehension of the peerage.

"Be welcome into mine presence," the exiled spoke, somehow mixing the attitude of a brute and the speech of a French prince. A man whispered into his ear, and he added "Baron Poynings," at the end.

"The Lord Mayor is the absolute authority in London." Clifford knew well that their King was utterly ignorant and uncaring of English custom, but he had at least made the effort to learn some. "Only he may open the gates of the city, and if he commands it the City Militia will obey him. What's more, the burghers of London are craftsmen and mercers, money should sway him. Money or something such as a knighthood or baronetcy."

[Xion]

Montferrand approaches the king while they are on the march to one of the Courtenay's castles. "Your majesty, I wish to offer an option that may allow you to take one of this Earl of Devon's castles without having to assail the walls." He had seen a banner of the land's lord while being part of those who rode against the town of Plympton, and it gave him an idea. "The lord of these lands...his banner looks very similar to that of my wife's house, the de Courtenays. Perhaps I could, with the aid of some of your English men, attempt to gain entry into the castle and open the gate at night to allow the rest of your forces in. If you think this is a worthwhile venture, of course."

[Barry Goldwater]

When the Lancastrians made landfall, George de Vere strolled off his ship, looking as cool as a cucumber. Truth be told though, he had actually been quite seasick and emptied his stomach while crossing the Channel so he wouldn't vomit upon making it to the beach. Now, he was too happy - and drunk, both on actual alcohol and genuine relief - at having finally made it back to England after 20 years to complain about the journey. He was so happy, he couldn't even complain about sand and how it was coarse, irritating and tended to get everywhere every time he came near a beach.

"Home at long, bloody last." De Vere said to himself, so softly he was almost whispering, as he grinned and took in the sights of the Kingsbridge Estuary. Technically he wouldn't be home until he reached Hedingham (and could therefore rub his success in Aubrey's face), of course, but just having made it to England at all after his lengthy exile and the death of his other brother John was enough to make him feel like he'd just walked to the moon.

[Lucius Malfoy]

A rider is spotted approaching the Lancastrian army, his escort bearing the standards of the Percy family. At first, it could easily be suspected to be Earl of Northumberland, but the individual leading them looked far younger than the middle-aged Henry Percy. Upon his arrival before Edward of Westminister's army, the male introduces himself as Edward Percy, Baron Poynings and the younger uncle of Eleanor, Edward's wife. He has urgently come to speak with the King and his niece and requests an audience.

[Jokern]

As they made landfall after days at sea, Charles Somerset knelt on the beach, feeling the sand between his hands. The trip over had been terrible as the women had been few and the wine had not stayed down. Now, however... the feeling he felt was strange. He was supposed to be home, the home of his father and family that he had never known. The West Country was his birthright, had it not been for his bastardy. Yet he was a stranger, having grown up at the Scottish royal court. He was torn and confused, but most of all happy that to finally get off the bloody boats. Now he only needed some wine and a woman and everything would be perfect.

---

The Lancastrian army marched on, looting the nearby estates and villages. Somerset smiled contently at the sight of goods and treasure being brought in. They needed that money to fund their conquest, so they were more than justified in taking it from the king's subjects. Charles cheered on the horsemen that returned with loot, congratulating them on their service to the true king.