[Britannia Expansion - Custom Submod] The Isles of Chaos (Roleplay Hotseat)

[zender9]

Scotland up:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...cotland_72.sav

Our advance slowly continues:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...9-35-07-74.jpg
And our ambushed army managed to repel the enemy, although the battle was costly and too many wounded, our army couldn't return to the fort.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...9-46-29-47.jpg

[Der Böse Wolf]

Sorry for the delay guys, this will be up tomorrow.

[Der Böse Wolf]

At Barnard castle...
-----------------

"Sir MacDougall, you can't go outside alone, it's dangerous. There is a master assassin roaming.
We heard reports from well connected informants that the renowned Anthony The Killer has been spotted recently and is being tracked.
He has been around here."
The bodyguards were pleading with the young general.

"Shut up, you sound like my mother. I am the second in command of the Southern army. I defeated the rebels Cornwall and Hugh. Do you think I am afraid of some coward who creeps behind people to cut their throats?
Let him come and face me!"
The cocky warrior dismissed his men and rode outside alone to inspect the surroundings.
As he stopped to drink from a nearby stream. He heard some whispering.

"Your arrogance will be your demise, young Edward MacDougall..."

Edward startled, and he suddenly saw a reflection in the water...but it was the last thing he saw as he lunged face forward in the water with the words that Nectar of Edinburgh said to him as he saved him from Cornwall's blade still resonating in his ears.

Anthony cleaned his dagger and sheathed it.
It was a routine kill for him.
But this mission was not a routine one.

The famous killer met with a new informant on his way South. He did not know the guy well but the information he gave him was very valuable: the killer of Cornwall was in the area.
So Anthony followed the information and got his kill.

But something did not feel right. Anthony was uneasy. His killer instincts were on overdrive.
Suddenly, from all over, a band of Scottish soldiers surrounded him.

"Well met there, friend!"
It was the informant.

"You?? I knew I should not have trusted you!"
Anthony reached for his sword but was struck down by a flying bolt, incapacitating him.

"Thank you for your services, friend. Lord Edinburgh is happy with your services indeed. How can he get rid of a dangerous young general without causing a problem? He lets a dog like you do the job for him of course!"
The sinister-looking man laughed.

"You see, this Edward was beloved by the men. Lord Nectan was fearing he might take over command, you see, friend?"
But here you show up. I mean you did not show up. I had been tracing you all the way from Carlisle.
You see, friend, I have been studying you passionately. Oh yea I admire you."
The informant was siting next to the badly injured Anthony, caressing his hair.

"You know what they say: the apprentice ends up surpassing his master? Well you were not my master, but you do get the idea, don't you, friend?"
The man nodded to the soldiers as he looked at the pale Anthony with eyes devout of humanity.

His gaze had no soul. He was like a creature made in hell.

"Who are you?"
Anthony asked with a voice full of fear but also anger.

"Oh, I thought you would never ask, friend."
The man stood up.

"I am Lulach Cwnyngame. Apprentice of the assassins guild and your worst nightmare for today, friend."

Lulach kneeled by the agonising Anthony, who was trembling on the floor, in a pile of blood.

"Unload the tools". Lulach gave the order and the men started unloading a cart full of torture equipment.

"I have been waiting for this moment for oh so long, friend.
Now let's play, shall we?"

----------------------

Barons next:https://www.mediafire.com/file/mmldv...ns_72.sav/file

[Turkafinwë]

Great stuff Der Böse Wolf!

A worthy send off for Anthony Baker!

[paladinbob123]

Newcastle and York , continued with their construction projects, and the people were generally happy but there was a noticeable drop in the peoples happyness , when a large Scottish army moved to the west of the large city of York , causing consternation . The people's fears were alleviated however , when scottish representatives promised to leave Yorkish farmers alone, as they had their own provisions with them , which curtains some of the fears of the people.

----------------



In the south however the rebels from the now scottish shires , had been organizing funds , calling up favours from relatives , and friends thoughout the kingdom ,selling up small landholdings , just to make one last push against either the scottish or the welsh invaders, both considered people that had done their people grievous harm, and who were responsible for the fall of Henry , and the disintegration of the northern kingdom. Many had argued to days what to do , and spies had been sent hither and thither to find the best path.

But their thinking had been curtailed , when a giant welsh force struck at Peveril castle , smashing the english garrison there, and since a quick move, had removed one area of doubt for the rebels , as their current artillery of two mortar companies was now isolated at Conisborough castle, and would have to be left behind , lest , it slow the march of the rebel forces.

Something had to be done , however, and now a rapid decision was made to throw the last of their effort against the welsh king who had struck back against a english blow in the centre of the english lands and left himself vulnerable , as he and his army where just north of Tamworth castle.

The march was on, and with rapid and eager movement , and with vengeance in their hearts , the last of the rebel forces, moved around the welsh kings position , where disaffected welsh volunteers were bought out , from were they had been recruited , and surrounded the welsh king. But numbers were not on their side, and a desperate messenger was set out to the english nearby castle of Groby castle [to the east] , Nottingham [further east] and oxford [to the south] to lend them some aid ! Any Aid ..even if they had to purchase some mercenaries to aid them to the battle , so that could deliver some measure of pain to the welsh .

[i have'nt consulted with england with this , as i felt , the rebels having their base threatened at Conisborough would take rash [and rushed] action....so i leave it to england to wether he has any troops to spare , that can reach the battle...lest the rebels be destroyed next turn.....if they are not...they will salvage armour and weapons to sell , and fight again another day ]

----------------------

Hearing of the desperate move at Tamworth castle, Waylander felt he should support the action , and fell back eastwards, setting fire to Shrewsbury's town hall , hoping to cause wales some issues in their rear staging areas, before the battle [if indeed it was resolved] was concluded.




Turn to england
https://www.dropbox.com/s/brfge8cdob...nd_73.sav?dl=0

[Turkafinwë]

England

“I am looking for Sir of Pickering.”

“I am he. State your business.” Pickering said. The man inclined his head as much as possible while in the saddle and took a letter from his satchel and handed it over. Christopher quickly read the message. It was a letter from the loyalists from the Northern Shires. It stated that they had banded together and recruited a small army and planned on facing Maelgwn of Wales, who resided with his army near Tamworth castle but they were not sure of the strength of their forces versus that of the Welsh general. Therefore they implored any Englishman to join them so they could deal a significant blow to the Welsh. Pickering looked at the messenger who presumably waited for an answer to convey to his masters.

“Tell the good gentlemen of the North that I will ride to their aid.” The man seemed relieved and smiled.

“How many men should they expect.” the man asked eagerly.

“I will not lie to you, their won't be many Englishmen who'll be able to reach Tamworth in time. For now tell them I will ride as fast as possible and see who I can find to join me.” Pickering said. The Loyalist man's smile froze as he bowed again and sped back westward.

“Double-up men! Our friends need our aid!”

***

In the end Pickering found only a couple of mercenary companies who could travel fast enough. Christopher entered the camp of the Loyalist forces with no more than 300 man. It seemed enough for the leaders of the Northern Shires' force. After a small discussion between the leaders, many of whom had served the Crown before, they were all in agreement for attack. With so many prominent figures the battle was well coordinated and after a hardfought battle the Welsh general sounded the retreat.

Christopher of Pickering sent a message to the King, who was residing with his forces in Oxford not far from Tamworth, telling of their victory. Geiles dispatched a small force to capture the castle which they did with relative ease thanks to the help of Pickering and the Northern Shires' Loyalists.

Maelgwn was hunted down and slain after which the final remnants of their force fled back towards Shrewsbury.

I know that the victory screen does not add up to the battle deployment. That is because I had to replay part of my game because I had done something wrong and didn't save after this battle. So that's what happenend.
***

Jubilant news reached the Kingdom of England and all rejoiced. The Welsh Dragon had been stabbed in the underbelly. Lewes, together with his trusty band and the help of Welsh mercenaries had been able to take the fortress of Caernarvon. It seemed the indomitable force that was the Welsh was no more. The English again hoped for Victory!

Ireland up: http://www.mediafire.com/file/j55jz3...nd_73.sav/file


PS: I thought I had read somewhere that Maelgwn wasn't your king RP wise. Is that correct zender9? Because that is why I described him here as a Welsh general instead of King.

[zender9]

Yes, it is Tegonwy who is the rightful king with noble blood. I didn't see that coming btw, well played.

[Turkafinwë]

I'm glad I remembered correctly. Thanks! I gambled and it payed off (for now)

[PeaMan]

Before re-entering -
https://gyazo.com/da493f57042ea3211c71a654446e4f2f
After -
https://gyazo.com/62c769920e01dd55e9cd910edb77ce43

https://gyazo.com/ef56f19843947703c320cbfbce73efac

High King Griffin sends a envoy to the English proposing they lay down their arms and become a vassal of the Welsh thus ending the war..


Wales up - https://www.mediafire.com/file/8pcmxl2olwbthpd/TIOC_Wales_73.sav/file

[zender9]

Scotland up:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...cotland_73.sav


Launceston captured:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...28569090/1.jpg

Maelgwyn avenged:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...94112522/2.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...85874708/3.jpg

Fort above Nottingham bribed:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...85879326/4.jpg

Lewes lost the battle but fled all the way to English border:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...03930890/5.jpg



Having some busy days guys, forgive my lack of RP please.

[Der Böse Wolf]

At the border castle, south of York, next to the border with England...
-----------------------------------------------

"Open the door, the castle is now under the protection of the King of Alba! He will protect your borders now."

The Scottish knights pushed the clerk aside and entered the castle, making it their own.

NB: A unit of Scottish knights took an empty Shires Castle.

The flag of Saint Andrews flew on top soon, overlooking the plains to Lincoln, in England.

This was the last castle before English lands.
The Scots have never been so far south.

----

"Lord Nectan, the Welsh army is on the doors of Nottingham and requests your aid as soon as possible to take on this very strong and important English stronghold."
The scouts reported back what they have encountered.

"Nottingham? Already? I thought the English invaded their lands, yet they are in the heart of England!!"
Nectan was clearly impressed with the Welsh' rapid advance.

But then his military mind switched back to the business on hands: "Do they have any artillery? The walls of Nottingham are large and strong. We cannot storm it with mere ladders. We need artillery support."

"No Lord, they do not..."

"Well then we will have to wait for ours to come down from the North....double the guards tonight. I fear ambushes."
Nectan then dismissed the men and went to his maps.

Suddenly he was thrown to the ground with a knife to his throat.

"You are lucky I was born in Perth and not in London...Oh and your guards need more training..."
Lulach smiled and let go of Nectan.

"You little scum!", shouted Nectan as he hugged his friend.

"I have a present for you...oh, make it two." Lulach grinned as he threw a bag at the feet of Nectan.

Nectan looked at the bulky bag and smiled.
He then said in a low voice: "burn Edward's and hang Anthony's on a spike."

Lulach smiled: "I would love to hang Anthony's, but I am afraid there is nothing much left of it to hang..."

Both men erupted in laughter as Nectan poured down the wine.

-----

Barons next: https://www.mediafire.com/file/5o2femsxzsqbvri/TIOC_Barons_73.sav/file

[paladinbob123]

Another of the Cornwall daughters , one Sanchia Cornwall came of age, and was sent south to the english lands to re-establish links with the english crown faction for the cornwall family, hoping to further ties that could help them regain Newcastle. A carriage was provided for her , and a small cadre of guards to escort on , on her journey south.



Scottish diplomatic pressure , forced the scottish shires to end their alliance with the english crown and a new ceasefire and trade agreement was made with the scottish kingdom , as it took time to reestablish diplomatic links with what most englishmen considered the old foe from the north as negotiations continued.

Scottish forces moved south through the scottish shires provinces capturing the now empty Pontefract castle , which had been left deserted to allow the scottish forces easy access southwards as the scottish and welsh forces moved southwards towards Nottingham. The English crown now stood alone , with the forces of Scotland , wales, ireland and the scottish shires standing against them , the scottish now stood a hairs breath away from controlling the isles [and the victory conditions] if they could but force the english crown to surrender .

Meanwhile in the south , the rebels mortar companies which were the last defenders of the castle, melted away with the victory of the welsh in the south against their commanders, leaving the Conisborough castle empty and undefended.



-----------------------

The northern shires rebels , were smashed and broken , psuhed back and now lived in small camps scattered around Nottingham , but without the supplies to move , they were at the mercy of the welsh forces that moved down from the north .Exhausted , bloody and battered , they expected little mercy from the welsh striking from the south, and indeed all expected to die in their hands in the next season.

------------------

The welsh northern force , readied itself to strike southwards , to place Nottingham undersiege , and the command staff prepared their plans , the welsh diplomat , left the tent , not a military person , such plans bored him , and he left to get some air, and perhaps nick a bottle of wine . A slight noise from the nearby woods, disturbed him and his head looked up , turning his head to see a blur of motion. Surprise marked his face, as twin crossbow bolts appeared in his stomach , and he moved his left hand to feel the horsehair fletchings before , sighing loudly , and he crumpled to the ground. With his collapse, guards roared out alarm drawing swords and axes , and extra troops surrounded the command tent. Later once things had calmed down they explored the nearby forest, finding the name "Waylander" carved into a large tree which had perhaps a suitable shooting view over the camp.


--------------------------



Turn to England

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n4od5geyul...nd_74.sav?dl=0

---------------------

Nottingham City


[Nottingham from the east, c. 1695, painted by Jan Siberechts]


The settlement may predate Anglo-Saxon times, as hinted at in a Welsh tradition of an earlier Brythonic name being Tig Guocobauc, meaning Place of Caves (known also as "City of Caves"). In modern Welsh it is known poetically as Y Ty Ogofog and Irish as Na Tithe Uaimh "The Cavey Dwelling". When it fell under the rule of a Saxon chieftain named Snot it became known as "Snotingaham"; the homestead of Snot's people (-inga = the people of; -ham = homestead). Some authors derive "Nottingham" from Snottenga, caves, and ham, but "this has nothing to do with the English form".


Nottingham Castle was constructed in 1068 on a sandstone outcrop by the River Leen. The Anglo-Saxon settlement was originally confined to the area today known as the Lace Market and was surrounded by a substantial defensive ditch and rampart, which fell out of use following the Norman Conquest and was filled by the time of the Domesday Survey (1086). Following the Norman Conquest the Saxon settlement developed into the English Borough of Nottingham and housed a Town Hall and Law Courts. A settlement also developed around the castle on the hill opposite and was the French borough supporting the Normans in the castle. Eventually, the space between was built on as the town grew and the Old Market Square became the focus of Nottingham several centuries later. Defences, consisted initially of a ditch and bank in the early 12th century. The ditch was later widened, in the mid-13th century, and a stone wall built around much of the perimeter of the town. A short length of the wall survives, and is visible at the northern end of Maid Marian Way, and is protected as a Scheduled Monument.

On the return of Richard the Lionheart from the Crusades, the castle was occupied by supporters of Prince John, including the Sheriff of Nottingham. It was besieged by Richard and, after a sharp conflict, was captured. In the legends of Robin Hood, Nottingham Castle is the scene of the final showdown between the Sheriff and the hero outlaw.


By the 15th century Nottingham had established itself as a centre of a thriving export trade in religious sculpture made from Nottingham alabaster.[ The town became a county corporate in 1449 giving it effective self-government, in the words of the charter, "for eternity". The Castle and Shire Hall were expressly excluded and remained as detached Parishes of Nottinghamshire.

One of those highly impressed by Nottingham in the late 18th century was the German traveller C. P. Moritz, who wrote in 1782, "Of all the towns I have seen outside London, Nottingham is the loveliest and neatest. Everything had a modern look, and a large space in the centre was hardly less handsome than a London square. A charming footpath leads over the fields to the highway, where a bridge spans the Trent. … Nottingham … with its high houses, red roofs and church steeples, looks excellent from a distance."

During the Industrial Revolution, much of Nottingham's prosperity was founded on the textile industry; in particular, the city became an internationally important centre of lace manufacture. In 1831 citizens rioted in protest against the Duke of Newcastle's opposition to the Reform Act 1832, setting fire to his residence, Nottingham Castle.


In common with the UK textile industry, Nottingham's textile sector fell into decline in the decades following World War II. Little textile manufacture now takes place in Nottingham; however, many of the former industrial buildings in the Lace Market district have been restored and put to new uses.


Nottingham castle



Nottingham Castle, a castle in Nottingham, England, is located in a commanding position on a natural promontory known as "Castle Rock", with cliffs 130 feet (40 m) high to the south and west. In the Middle Ages it was a major royal fortress and occasional royal residence. In decline by the 16th century, it was largely demolished in 1649. The Duke of Newcastle later built a mansion on the site, which was burnt down by rioters in 1831 and left as a ruin. It was later rebuilt to house an art gallery and museum, which remain in use. Little of the original castle survives, but sufficient portions remain to give an impression of the layout of the site.

The first Norman castle on Castle Rock was a wooden structure of a motte-and-bailey design, begun in 1068, two years after the Battle of Hastings, on the orders of William the Conqueror. This wooden structure was replaced by a far more defensible stone castle during the reign of King Henry II, of an imposing and complex architectural design, which eventually comprised an upper bailey at the highest point of the castle rock, a middle bailey to the north containing the main royal apartments, and a large outer bailey to the east.

In 1140 the castle was destroyed by fire when Nottingham came under attack from Robert of Gloucester. Between 1170 and 1175 King Henry II spent £900 transforming the rebuilt timber structure into a royal stone castle that may have included the Great Tower in the inner bailey.
In 1190 Henry II's son, Richard the Lionheart, left for the Third Crusade with Philip II of France and many others, including a large number of English noblemen. A neglected Nottingham Castle was occupied by the notorious High Sheriff of Nottingham William de Wendenal. The Sheriff aligned himself with Richard's brother, Prince John, and it is in this scenario that the hero outlaw Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men of Sherwood Forest became the source of many tales. That Sheriff of Nottingham disappeared from history upon the return of Richard I in March 1194 with seige machines from the Crusade at Jerusalem.
In March 1194, an historic battle took place at Nottingham Castle, part of the returned King Richard's campaign to put down the rebellion of Prince John. The castle was the site of a decisive attack when King Richard besieged it after constructing some siege machines similar to those used on crusade. Richard was aided by Ranulph de Blondeville, 4th Earl of Chester, and David of Scotland, 8th Earl of Huntingdon. The castle surrendered after just a few days.





In 1327 Edward II sent his 14 year old son, accompanied by his wife Isabella of France, to pay homage at Aquitaine. Isabella conspired with Roger Mortimer and the Duke of Aquitaine to successfully overthrow Edward, and the teen became Edward III of England.Shortly before his 18th birthday, King Edward III, with the help of a few trusted companions led by Sir William Montagu, staged a coup d'état at Nottingham Castle (19 October 1330) against his mother Isabella of France, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March. Both Isabella and Mortimer were acting as Regents during Edward's minority following their murder of his father Edward II at Berkeley Castle. William Montagu and his companions were accompanied by William Eland, castellan and overseer of Mortimer's castle, who knew the location of a secret tunnel which would take them higher up in the castle to a normally locked door. In the dark of night on 19 October 1330, Montagu and his companions entered the tunnel, climbed up to the door, which had now been unlocked either by Edward III or a trusted servant, and overpowered Mortimer, killing Mortimer's personal guards. Mortimer was bound and gagged, led out of the tunnel and arrested, along with Queen Mother Isabella. Mortimer was sent to the Tower of London, and hanged a month later. Isabella of France was forced into retirement at Castle Rising Castle. With this dramatic event the personal reign of Edward began.


For centuries the castle served as one of the most important in England for nobles and royalty alike. In a strategic position due to its location near a crossing of the River Trent, it was also known as a place of leisure, being close to the royal hunting grounds at Tideswell, the "Kings Larder" in the Royal Forest of the Peak, and also close to the royal forests of Barnsdale and Sherwood. The castle also had its own deer park in the area immediately to the west, still known as The Park.







Edward III used the castle as a residence and held Parliaments. In 1346 King David II of Scotland was held prisoner. In 1365 Edward III improved the castle with a new tower on the west side of the Middle Bailey and a new prison under the High Tower. In 1376 Peter de la Mare, speaker of the House of Commons was confined in Nottingham Castle for having 'taken unwarrantable liberties with the name of Alice Perrers, mistress of the king'.

In 1387 the state council was held in the castle. Richard II held the Lord Mayor of London with Aldermen and Sheriffs in the castle in 1392, and held another state council for the purpose of humbling Londoners. The last visit recorded by Richard II was in 1397 when another council was held here.





From 1403 until 1437 it was the main residence of Henry IV's queen, Joan. After the residence of Joan maintenance was reduced. Only upon the Wars of the Roses did Nottingham Castle begin to be used again as a military stronghold. Edward IV proclaimed himself king in Nottingham, and in 1476 he ordered the construction of a new tower and Royal Apartments. This was described by John Leland in 1540 as:

'the most beautifulest part and gallant building for lodging... a right sumptuous piece of stone work.'

In 1485 Richard III rode into battle from Nottingham Castle, only to be killed at Bosworth by Henry Tudor, who subsequently became Henry VII

During the reign of King Henry VII the castle remained a royal fortress. Henry VIII ordered new tapestries for the castle before he visited Nottingham in August 1511. By 1536 Henry had the castle reinforced and its garrison increased from a few dozen men to a few hundred. In 1538 the Constable, the Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland, reported on the need for maintenance. A survey in 1525 stated that there was much 'dekay and ruyne of said castell' and

'part of the roof of the Great Hall is fallen down. Also the new building there is in dekay of timber, lead and glass'.

In 1622 a deteriorating Nottingham Castle was sold by King James I to the Earl of Rutland, but in just 20 years Charles I raised his standard outside the walls of Nottingham, beginning the Civil War. After the war Oliver Cromwell and his Parliamentarians ordered Nottingham Castle to be destroyed, which it was in 1651 - a sad end to one of the important castles in the history of England!

Sherwood forest


Evidence of flint tools shows some use of the Sherwood area by prehistoric hunter-gatherers. During the late Iron Age and Roman periods, human habitation and farming was more common. By the 9th century, farming communities were making a greater impact on the Sherwood landscape. Most of these communities still exist today. Names ending in ‘by’ like Thoresby, are Scandinavian in origin, ‘thorpe’ as in Gleadthorpe are Danish, and ‘feld’ (field) as in Mansfield, are Roman.

The name 'Sherwood' was first recorded in 958AD when it was called Sciryuda, meaning 'the woodland belonging to the shire'. It became a Royal hunting forest after the Norman invasion of 1066, and was popular with many Norman kings, particularly King John and Edward I. The ruins of King John’s hunting lodge can still be seen near the Nottinghamshire village of Kings Clipstone.

'Forest' was a legal term, and meant an area subject to special Royal laws designed to protect the valuable resources of timber and game (Vert and Venison) within its boundaries. These laws were strictly and severely imposed by agisters, foresters, verderers (wardens) and rangers, who were all were employed by the Crown.

In the 1200s, popularly thought to be the time of Robin Hood, Sherwood covered about 100,000 acres, which was a fifth of the entire county of Nottinghamshire. The main London to York road, the Great North Way, ran straight through Sherwood, and travellers were often at the mercy of robbers living outside of the law. Hence the name 'outlaw'.



Medieval Sherwood was not - as many imagine - a continuous swathe of dense virgin forest. It comprised birch and oak woodland, interspersed with large areas of open sandy heath and rough grassland. Sherwood also contained three Royal deer parks, near Nottingham Castle, Bestwood and Pittance (Clipstone) Park.

Medieval woodland was by no means wild. It was a productive resource that was carefully managed. Landowners got the most value from their woodland by using techniques such as 'coppicing' and 'pollarding' to produce poles and laths for building. 'Underwood' (twigs, brushwood etc) was collected and sold for domestic fuel, and the woodland supported several industries, such as charcoal burning and the stripping of oak bark to use in tanning leather. The autumn crop of acorns produced in oak woodland was used to feed pigs. Cattle, sheep and deer grazed 'wood pasture'.


In the 12th and 13th centuries, various Christian monastic orders had established large estates within Sherwood Forest, on land granted to them by the Crown. Among the abbeys founded during this period were Rufford, Thurgarton and Newstead. Established forest communities grew larger, and new ones were created, some often marked by the name ‘woodhouse’, such as Mansfield Woodhouse. Markets also appeared, as at Mansfield and Market Warsop.

After Henry VIII closed all the English abbeys in 1536 (The Dissolution), former monastic land was granted or sold into private ownership, and much of this land was gradually converted into country house estates. But for some time, within the depths of the forest, life for the peasant classes continued as it always had.

King James I loved to hunt in Sherwood, but his son, the ill-fated Charles I was the last king to use it as a hunting forest. Charles was executed as a result of the English Civil Wars. During this time of unrest, the forest suffered from a lack of proper management. During the late 1600s, King Charles II revived as best he could the game reserves and general management of Sherwood.

Because of the titled aristocrats who owned them, some estates became collectively known as the ‘Dukeries’. They saw great profit made in Sherwood from the grazing of animals, agriculture and the growth and selling of timber for buildings, furniture, and the ships of the British navy.

Birch was used as domestic fuel, and even oak bark was used in the leather tanning industry. By 1830, the areas of Bilhaugh and Birklands near Edwinstowe, the last of the Crown’s land in Sherwood, had been sold.



[Major Oak]


The main areas visited centred around the Major Oak, one of many hundreds of old Sherwood oaks. Its earliest recorded name was the Cockpen Tree in the mid 1800’s, as the sport of cock fighting once took place there. In 1790, Major Hayman Rooke, a noted archaeologist, included the tree in his popular book about the ancient oaks of Sherwood.

Since then, The Major Oak has become its new name. Due to its national importance, conservation measures to the tree have been carried out continually since 1908.

Today, this world famous oak, at least 1000 years old, weighs an estimated 23 tons, its trunk circumference is 33 feet (10m) and its branches spread to over 92 feet (28m).



Thynghowe
Thynghowe, an important Danelaw meeting place where people came to resolve disputes and settle issues, was lost to history until its rediscovery in 2005–06 by local history enthusiasts amidst the old oaks of an area known as the Birklands. Experts believe it may also yield clues as to the boundary of the ancient Anglo Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.

English Heritage had inspected the site, and have confirmed it was known as "Thynghowe" in 1334 and 1609

[Turkafinwë]

England

The Irish envoys were sent away with bad news for their King. England would not submit to the Welsh and become their vassal. Geiles, the proud man he was, had thought it a blatant insult to him and his kingdom. When his fit of rage was over he informed the envoys to tell Griffin England would not bow to an Welsh King, nor an Irish one, nor a Scottish one. England would die a free man as long as Geiles still drew breath. [meaning should Geiles die the offer might be taken by the next ruler of England, depending on who that person is, probably the former Lord Protector Lewes] As the Irishmen left Geiles made ready to march north. The king was confident his forces could hold near Nottingham. Nottingham would be a tough nut to crack and without artillery, which the english intelligence had reported that neither the Welsh nor the Scots had any of, an assault could not be made. Geiles sent one of his subordinates, Wolram, to prepare the defense against the invaders. Confident in that he had time to spend Geiles opted for an offensive tactic rather than pure defensive actions. The army group that had been too late to fight against Maelgwn now laid siege to Tamworth Castle where a significant portion of the Welsh forces resided. On the other side of the river Lewes had set up camp after his defeat against Welsh forces in their heartland. Still licking his wounds he could not yet commit his forces to join the siege but would hopefully assist should the Welsh general decide to try and break the siege.

England would stand or break, there was no bowing.

Ireland up: http://www.mediafire.com/file/8bca1j...nd_74.sav/file

[Der Böse Wolf]

I just sent a PM reminder to Peaman.

[PeaMan]

Slipped my mind, Wales up - https://www.mediafire.com/file/ikbdd3vd2kfgsp4/TIOC_Welsh_74.sav/file

[zender9]

Scotland up:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...cotland_74.sav


The English didn't open their doors for Northern Shires lords and let us slaughter them and take revenge of Maelgwyn.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...81236224/1.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...23564319/2.jpg
Prince Geiles underestimated our power. Trusting his numbers faced the Welsh Dragon outside his castle walls, only to run back to his castle for help:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...23433236/3.jpg
Which was not enough to stop the dragon:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...06528518/4.jpg
We killed the English and sacked the castle:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...96824849/5.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...78344192/6.jpg
A fort fell in southwest:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...11598337/7.jpg

[Der Böse Wolf]

Somewhere in Yorkshire...
----------------------------

"Nottingham has fallen! King Geiles is dead! The Welsh are unopposed on the way to London!"
The messenger informed Nectan of the recent events.

"What? How did they? They don't even have artillery!"
Nectan was surprised at the turn of events. He wanted Nottingham for himself. The great fortress was his dream and with artillery support coming down from the north, he was sure that he would have taken the city first.

"Well, king Geiles sallied out and attacked the Welsh. But he was badly defeated."
The scouts felt sorry for Nectan who never stopped talking about the day he enters Nottingham, triumphant.

"That arrogant fool! He underestimated the Welsh army. The Dragon is truly formidable..."
Nectan was impressed with the Welsh.

"Lord, King Alexander orders you to march on Lincoln immediately"

"But, I need to wait for the artillery" Nectan was not pleased with how things are going.

"No, the orders are clear: move in and siege the city. The Irish king is moving eastwards as well with a large army. It is a race to London and the partition of England."
The messenger then handed the letter with the royal seal to Nectan.

The army lifted camp and started marching towards the border castle in Yorkshire to rest for the night.
The castle was left empty by the Scottish Shires for the Scottish army to use.
But to the surprise of Nectan, he saw the Green Dragon flying up on the walls.

He became angry.

"This castle is in Yorkshire, a protectorate of Scotland. How dare the Welsh occupy it without asking for permission first!
Call in my advisor, and bring ink and paper!"

--------------------------

In a dusty inn, somewhere in Yorkshire...
-----------------------------------------


Ralph of Painswick entered the dusty room he rented.
After the death of Anthony the Killer, Ralph was paranoid. he was Anthony's favourite informant. And now he wanders the lands aimlessly, but fearfully.
He knows he is being hunted by Lulach, the killer of Anthony.

As he walked in the room, he saw a picture hanging on the wall, a dusty picture.

Yet something on the picture was familiar to him.

It resembles a face he knows very well.

He became curious.

"Don't that picture look dusty..." Ralph said as he walked slowly towards the wall.

Raise the volume to fully enjoy this marvellous scene, from a great movie.





-------------------

Scottish Shires next: https://www.mediafire.com/file/4kefllmjm4229f1/TIOC_Barons_74.sav/file

[paladinbob123]

Lulach had finished the deed with the english agent, the smoke drifting up from his early musket pistol , a special weapon he had helped design and make , to help him with his own assassinations for the scottish crown , perhaps helped in part from the funding of the scottish king , perhaps as a favour , for his part in the capture and killing of the famous Antony of england , the crowns famous assassin who had been feared thoughout the lands. He began to reload the weapon , pushing in the small crude metal ball down the barrel , and topping it up with powder, as he left the house preparing the weapon just as a precaution , knowing that the next house , was some distance away, reasonably secure in the knowledge that nobody had head the crack of the repore from the shot had been heard.

The crisp crunch of the snow , around his shoes reached his ears, as he stepped out into the cold snowy landscape, his breath turning to a trailing mist as it rose into the bluely grey sky , as he shoved the now reloaded pistol into a holster, content there was nobody nearby , his senses not picking up on any blood lust or panicked civilians, when a lone voice rang out , in low rasping voice .

"vigilate tuum semper........", said the voice , as Lulach turned , ducked and rolled , fearing for the worst , and drawing his pistol at the same time .

A man sat on the top of the straw roof , barely hidden in the snow covered roof, as the ping sound of a small crossbow fired its bolt , hitting the dodging lulach in the thigh, pushing right though the muscle and out the other side, and just before he could take a bead on the elevated man , the sudden pain of the wound , made him , momentarily clench his fingers, firing the pistol too early, and he fell to the ground , howling in the pain.

When he hit the floor , lulach momentarily recovered, dropping the now empty pistol and reaching for his throwing knifes thinking to turn the tables, only to hear the distinctive thunk of another bolt being fired, hitting his main throwing right hand , splintering bone , as the bolt penetrated the weak flesh, leaving the bolt half in , and half out , as he gazed at the point of the bolt , his knife forgotten , dropping to the snow.

Lulach yelled in agony , hoping that somebody would hear his cries of pain , but again he realized the two fold problems of taking his target in a quiet isolated area , and it was but a few moments before he held the crunch, crunch , crunch of approaching footsteps in the snow.

"We in this business ...have many enemies and have few friends , but perhaps there are those we would call ...... associates , those who we could count on" , said the low voice , the approaching figure which moved out out of sight, as lulach could'nt lift his head too much , in the crushed snow below his body.

There began a slow clinking nose as the small crossbow was being wound back, now becoming increasingly menacing sounds combined with the still approaching footsteps.

"...but Antony was one of the those....."associates" i could count on.....and he deserved a better end that you help give him" , continued the low voice.

Lulach gritted his teeth extending his bloody and pained hand , the snow helping to dull a little of the pain , which was still adapting to the new appendage of the bolt, reaching with his fingertips to reach the fallen throwing knife just within reach.



But a padded sandal stood down on his extended hand , stopping the scottish assassin from making the connection , and lulach looked up to see a non descriptive plain faced man , with piercing grey eyes barreling down at him with a almost unnatural focus, his head covered with a slight hood , bought up his small crossbow , which seemed to have a modification to fire a second bolt .

"When you see Antony in the hell of a afterlife ......we all are damned too......tell him Waylander sent you!" , said the man , before he turned and fired another bolt into his arm ....and then another into the other leg...

Fresh agonies filled Lulach as he contorted and moved in pain , and screams of agony, which Waylander seemed to go well with the reload of the light crossbow , for some time until the click of the weapon signified its reload.

"I could spare more time, making your departure more painful ....", said the grey man , seeing sweating lulach's face look up at him in a expression of pain , fear .....as he continued , as waylander raised his weapon and fired another two bolts into the prone scottish assassin taking the final fatal kill shots.

"....but that would be......"unproffessional" . " , said the man , as he began to check around him , and then backed away, into his own vague footprints in the snow as far as the house, and then seeing the resumption of the cold freezing snow , which began to fall from the skies , smiled knowingly that it would be harder to track , and find the body , turned and walked back into the nearby fields , his weapon being holstered on his back , as he departed .



----------------

Duke Godwine of the Scottish shires read the latest messages, showing the campaign against the english crown was going well, and how could it not be , now that the other four factions of the isles of chaos were gathered against them. He grinned at hearing the news of the english king , dying in battle cursing the young upstart , for his youth , inexperience and thinking he could lead men and fight a battle at such a young age, particularly against overwhelming numbers they faced, for was not the winner was clear here?, that it would be the scottish that ruled? Those that stood against the scottish rule , would be crushed , for did'nt they have the numbers of troops, the wealth, and the land , now , to rule?

Another message now arrived from the Scottish demanding fealty, and asking their dues of their now vassals , to help the war effort in the south , further solidifying their power, and Duke Godwine , lifted another goblet of wine, lambasting in the heat of the nearby fireplace , happy that it was clear he would be on the winning side.





Turn to England
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bmgccfc0v1...nd_75.sav?dl=0

[Der Böse Wolf]

You live by the sword, you die by the sword!

RIP Lulach.

Beautiful storeytelling as always!!

[Turkafinwë]

England

The death of the King came as a shock through the kingdom of England. The swiftness with which the Welsh had struck had been phenomenal and taken all by surprise. Now England was without a king again, with Geiles son, John too young to be crowned, the lords of England turned back towards the one who could lead them, Lewes. Lewes was quickly reinstated as Lord Protector of England till John could come to the throne. The brash and overconfident Geiles had let himself be ambushed by Welsh forces, whom he had thought never would be able to pass Nottingham. The fool had then retreated towards the fortress. Wolram, the defender of Nottingham could not not have sallied out once he saw his king being pursued. England's greatest stronghold had fallen as easily as a drunkard in a ditch on his way home. Still the English were proud and when Alexander, King of the Scottish, sent an envoy preaching vassalage to the Scottish Crown, the Lord Protector and his cabinet of lords had unanimously voted against it. It was very clear the Scottish feared the quick rise of Welsh dominance over the southern half of the isle and wanted to quickly wrap up the war with them as the major victor. The Scottish had become less of a threat with the Welsh becoming the main focus of England's war effort. England was a jewel all wished to possess but the English would make them all bleed to obtain it.

Battle results

The attack on Shrewsbury had been sanctioned before news that the King had died had reached the army in the west. Thus instead of retreating back to English soil the army went on the offensive, first by taking Tamworth castle and then onto Shrewsbury and the castle guarding the border between historical Wales and England. The battles were bloody and messy but the English came out victorious though at a great cost. Even now the bold actions of the late King Geiles could be felt and it would only be a matter of time when the Welsh and Irish coalition took advantage of this.

Assassination of Irish assassin

Ireland up:http://www.mediafire.com/file/bq20bh...nd_75.sav/file