- Anno Domini 1067
On the day before the third Sunday in the Fast (
Mar 18th), a traveller told us of unrest brewing in the Byzantine Empire, as the princes of the realm grow weary of the arbitrary and indulgent heretic Emperor Constantine Ducas. The Prince of Edessa is in open rebellion, and many of his fellows are sure to join him soon. The Lord grant that we true Christians be spared from such division.
Sometime around the Feast of Trinitati Dominica (
early June), Ralph de Gael, Duke of Norfolk and Count of Suffolk died and was succeeded by his son, Ralph de Gael. Shortly thereafter, Earl Alain travelled to Norfolk to offer vassalage.
On the second day after the Feast of the Holy Cross (
Sep 16th), the Countess Judith was blessed with an easy and successful childbirth of a daughter. The child was christened and named Emma.
In the month of October, more news reached us of turmoil among the heretics of the Byzantine Empire. The Princes of Krete and Lykia have rebelled against their effeminate and unjust Emperor. Surely, this is God’s just punishment for their apostasy.
- Anno Domini 1068
On the first day of the New Year, our lord Alain appointed Busilla Grey as spymaster of his court. Although she is an able woman who is well versed in the Scriptures, she is also quite lustful and sceptic towards the words of God. These are ill times indeed when such persons must be appointed to positions of influence.
Meet the new Spymaster...
In early November, Earl Alain ordered the construction of a fishing wharf in the village of Scarborough, in order to bolster the county’s treasury.
- Anno Domini 1069
In the late spring of this year, many minor issues forced our lord the Earl to travel here and hither across the county, and became sorely tired thereover. We all fear for his health, should this not improve. [
Character gained trait: Stressed]
Also in the late spring of this year, many village elders from across the county met at the fair in York and decided that instead of sowing on certain fields in certain years and certain other fields in certain other years, as they have done hitherto, they will now sow certain grains on certain fields in certain years and certain other grains on certain other fields in those same years, and on yet certain other fields nothing at all in those same years, and that those certain field shall be rotated according to a certain schedule on different years, so that the soil may yield yet greater bounties than was previously the case, and the Earl was sorely pleased. And village elder Tostig from Whitby is certain that this will work. [
New Tech: Three Field System, and as the first realm, even. 
]
On the third day after the Day of Martinus, the new fishing wharf was finished in Scarborough.
- Anno Domini 1070
On the second Friday after Easter (
Apr 16th), Earl Alain let announce the joyous news that the countess is again expecting a child. May the Lord bless him with an heir this time.
In late December, the Count of Northumberland died and bequeathed his domains to Malcolm, King of the Scots. Duke Ralph of Norfolk is said to be furious over the loss of this vassal. The borders of the barbaric Kelts are now closer to our city than ever. [
Northumberland becomes part of Scotland]
- Anno Domini 1071
On the day before the Feast of St. Peter the Hermit (
Jan 16th), Countess Judith gave birth to a second daughter who was christened and named Fressenda. There is some concern among the court that the Earl has not yet sired an heir.
In early April, the Countess became passing ill, with much coughing and pain. A doctor called from London believes that this is a result of lost humours during the childbirth. We should guard ourselves from these usurers and put our faith only in the salvation that emanates from the Holy Trinity. [
Character gained trait: Illness]
On Whitsunday, we heard from a visiting clergyman from the realm of Denmark that Stenkil, King of Sweden, has advanced his claims on the island of Bornholm and declared war on its Count. As a result, King Svend Estridsson of Denmark has declared war on Sweden. May the Lord look with mercy upon his poor subjects, for we hear from reliable sources that the Danish king is a passing poor warrior. [
From message log]
On the second day before the Day of Mariae Visitatio (
Jun 30th), the Archbishop returned from a journey to the Holy City of Rome, bearing among other things the news that the disturbances in the Byzantine Empire is spreading. More than half of the Princes are now in rebellion, and the days of the Greek Emperor are surely numbered. The Hand and Sword of God are surely at work here, and we true Catholic Christians can only pray that the fall of this corrupt and misguided empire will not allow the foul Saracens to charge into the very heart of Christendom. Into your hands, Lord, do we deliver our souls.
In the summer of this year, the yeomen and villeins of the county did work passing hard to drain certain marshes and plant crops there, and the Earl was passing glad. [
Prosperity in York set to ‘Prosperous’, giving +10% gold and some other bonuses]
In the month of September, we heard from several travellers that Count Ulf of Jylland had declared rebellion against his liege, King Svend Estridsson, further adding to the troubles of that unfortunate realm. Others are sure to follow. [
From message log]
