Estates of Aubrey de Vere

[Barry Goldwater]

The De Veres would, in time, become one of the oldest lines of Norman nobility in England, dating back to a certain 'Albericus' or Aubrey de Vere who was listed as a significant landowner in Essex (indeed this was where the De Veres' ancestral seat, Hedingham Castle, was built) and the Queen's chamberlain in the Domesday Book of 1086.

However, none of that has happened yet, and young Aubrey is at present but one of many knights in service to the newly-crowned King William the Conqueror. He has shown more greed and talent for enrichment than actual martial skill or valor, making him better suited to be someone's...say, steward or chamberlain, but he dutifully fought at Hastings nonetheless.

Household

Aubrey de Vere Age: 24 (born 15 January, 1048) Spouse: Cecily de Clare Traits: 6 pts +3 Wealth (+22.5% income total from base + temperament) +2 Logistician +1 Survival -2 Charisma (temperament) Temperaments: - Haggler: This character is obsessed with getting the best possible deal for themselves, and ever watchful (even paranoid) for anyone trying to rip them off. This sort of fellow is rarely the sort others like, but none can deny their ability to sniff for gold. +7.5% income and improves loot from raids, -2 Charisma. Other members of the De Vere household Cecily de Clare, wife, age 21 Beatrice, clubfooted daughter, age 2 (b. 1070) Aubrey, autistic son, age 1 (b. 1071) Geoffrey, healthy twin son, age 0 (b. 1072) John, healthy twin son, age 0 (b. 1072)

Provinces

Essex: Halstead/Hedingham - Prosperous Income - Seat Colchester/Lexden - Prosperous Income Tendring - Prosperous Income Oxford: Henley - Prosperous Income Oxford - Prosperous Income Ploughley/Boarstal - Average Income Witney/Lovell - Average Income Sussex: Arundel - Prosperous Income Chichester - Prosperous Income Midhurst/Cowdray - Prosperous Income Total income: £3400 (8 prosperous, 2 average) + 765 (22.5% from traits & temperament) = £4165

Levy & retinue

Levy 10 provinces x 100 men = 1000 men (max potential) De Vere retinue composition: 25 knights, 75 serjeants

Buildings

Hedingham Castle (Stone Wall) Oxford Castle (Stone Wall) Arundel Castle (Stone Keep) Tier I: Tenant Homesteads Castle Village Wooden Walls Enlarged Keep Local Blacksmiths Armed Peasants Mustering Fields Tier II: Peasant Farmsteads Castle Town Wooden Towers Food Larders Regional Blacksmiths Tier III: Rented Estates Castle Market

[General Brewster]

De Vere is invited to Warwick castle by Baron de Mowbray.

[chesser2538]

De Vere receives an invitation to take part in a Northern Welsh Expedition, a war council is to be hosted by Lord d'Avranches and held at Chester Castle.

[Gandalfus]

Lord de Vere is invited to Berkhamsted Castle to break bread with the Queen.

[Lord William]

A letter arrives for Aubrey de Vere from William de Clare

Dearest Brother, I write to inform you of the death our beloved brother Gilbert de Clare. He was murdered in cold blood by Roger de Mowbray, and I swear today I shall have vengeance for the murder of our brother. We must rally our forces and strip this animal of all his lands and titles, he will live to regret his existence.

signed
William de Clare

[Lord William]

A Letter arrives for Aubrey de Vere

Mowbray arrived from Wales with an army of about 700 men, a battle ensued. Unfortunately we lost the battle and have retreated to castle Clare. The causalities sustained were not as bad as anticipated, a good portion of my army still remains. In the battle I sustained a minor wounded though we were able to inflict a serious wound to the bastard Mowbray. I hope to see you shortly

regards

Richard de clare

[Barry Goldwater]

The will of Aubrey de Vere

When I should pass... ...to my eldest son, Aubrey de Vere, I do hereby leave the Earldom of Arundel and all of my estates, save those listed further below... ...unto my wife, Cecile de Clare, I do hereby leave Oxford Castle as well as my nearby estates in Henley, Ploughey and Boarstal to support her as her dower... ...to my younger sons, Geoffrey and John, I do hereby leave a third of my treasury each, to be divided three ways between them and their elder brother Aubrey. To Geoffrey I leave my horses, to John I leave my arms and armor... Signed and sealed at Hedingham, Anno Domini 1075.

[Lord William]

William de Clare arrives at Aubrey’s manor troubled, he had just left the queens castle where he has been forced to live out his married life with Joan the wretch. With father dealing with his own problems, William turns to Aubrey for help in this matter perhaps together they could find a solution to his problems. William arrives at the gate and speaks with a guard

I am looking for Lord Arundel, can you point me in the right direction

[Barry Goldwater]

William de Clare finds Arundel actually present at Hedingham, a rare occasion at this time of year - he was usually busy with managing the kingdom's finances these days. Hedingham was smaller than Winchester though, which meant he didn't have to put so much effort into heating the place up as the snow fell around them. "Ah, good-brother. What brings you to my home?" Aubrey asked by way of greeting, straightening his back and clasping his hands behind himself at William's approach.

[Lord William]

Greetings brother, unfortunately I have come with a delicate matter. My wife is a wretch, a shrew if you will. I was forced to marry her by the queen, despite being engaged to the niece of the Earl of Chester. I have some what come to terms with the wretch in that I won’t throw her out into the streets but I refuse to leave that woman a cent when I die. To that end I require your assistance brother, I have 3 children to which I have conceived out of wedlock. Help me legitimize them so that they my inherit my estate and I shall be deep in your gratitude.

[Barry Goldwater]

Arundel's eyebrows shot up past his dark fringe. "I...think you've come to the wrong man, brother." He finally began, visibly confused. "I am no cleric. I certainly don't have the power to legitimize your children by another woman. And I'm afraid I have no advice to improve the state of your marriage, save buying something nice for your wife once in a while. If you refuse to give her even a groat, well I'd imagine that that wouldn't make her any happier to live under the same roof as you, that's for sure." Such was the extent of marital counseling the earl could offer. Was there any problem in the world that could not be solved by throwing money at it? And really, who needed women when one could embrace piles of gold, anyway?

[Lord William]

Arundel's eyebrows shot up past his dark fringe. "I...think you've come to the wrong man, brother." He finally began, visibly confused. "I am no cleric. I certainly don't have the power to legitimize your children by another woman. And I'm afraid I have no advice to improve the state of your marriage, save buying something nice for your wife once in a while. If you refuse to give her even a groat, well I'd imagine that that wouldn't make her any happier to live under the same roof as you, that's for sure." Such was the extent of marital counseling the earl could offer. Was there any problem in the world that could not be solved by throwing money at it? And really, who needed women when one could embrace piles of gold, anyway?

I understand brother that you yourself are unable to help me, but you are an influential man perhaps you may speak to the King on my behalf or perhaps the archbishop? I know you are a busy man brother, If need be I am willing to pay for your time.

[Barry Goldwater]

"...your wife's a Lacy, isn't she?" De Vere finally queried after a few moments of thoughts, his expression unreadable and tone of voice neutral. The Treasurer raised a hand up to his chin and his eyes to the ceiling, evidently sliding into even more thought.

[Lord William]

Indeed, William nodded in agreement wondering what relevance this had