The first month in the year 1066 since the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, written by Renaldo d'Ortobello, by the Grace of Our Lord Papal Legate to the King of Sweden
"I write this in the cold winter-months of these harsh climes, I only recently crossed the icy waters of the Mares Baltici and arrived here at my assigned post in the county of Uppland, in the deep, frozen wastes of the Kingdom of Sweden. Winter still holds these lands in it's icy grip, and I fear that it causes the barbarous natives to loose all wit and all agility of both mind and body, for their conversation seems dull and barbarous, few of them speak any sort of civilized tongue, and I fear I will have to learn the brutish language of the natives before I will be able to do any good in these lands.
The Kingdom is large but desolate, consisting of the Duchies of Västergötland, Östergötland and Norrland, all whom pay obedience to Stenkil, Rex Suecia et Gothorum, king of the Swedes and Goths, King Stenkil is a proud lustful and vengeful man in his late 30's, certainly not an image of chrsit, but he is generous and has thus far been able to keep his vassals in line. His court consists of his Wife, Ingamother, who serves as his stewards and runs the daily affairs of the Kingdom, as well as his sons, Erik, Håkon and Inge, Erik serves as the King's Marsk or Marshall, commanding his band of armed warriors, Inge serves as the king's Chancellor, dealing with foreign dignitaries while the last son Håkon seems to have no permanent position but nonetheless puts his nose into everyone's business. It is rumoured that he serves as his fathers spymaster.
The king's eldest son, Halsten, is the duke of Västergötland and one of the King's strongest vassals, although right now the child Sven of Östergötland seems to have the most support among the King's vassals, for it is the custom of the natives to chose their king among the nobles. "Swedes have the right to take kings and also to evict them." it says in their Laws.
I grow weary as I scribble this report, to be given to the captain of the ship I came with as he makes his return voyage to more civilized realms, I hope that it may, if God wills it, bring my tidings to the Holy Father."
-Renaldo d'Ortobello
"I write this in the cold winter-months of these harsh climes, I only recently crossed the icy waters of the Mares Baltici and arrived here at my assigned post in the county of Uppland, in the deep, frozen wastes of the Kingdom of Sweden. Winter still holds these lands in it's icy grip, and I fear that it causes the barbarous natives to loose all wit and all agility of both mind and body, for their conversation seems dull and barbarous, few of them speak any sort of civilized tongue, and I fear I will have to learn the brutish language of the natives before I will be able to do any good in these lands.
The Kingdom is large but desolate, consisting of the Duchies of Västergötland, Östergötland and Norrland, all whom pay obedience to Stenkil, Rex Suecia et Gothorum, king of the Swedes and Goths, King Stenkil is a proud lustful and vengeful man in his late 30's, certainly not an image of chrsit, but he is generous and has thus far been able to keep his vassals in line. His court consists of his Wife, Ingamother, who serves as his stewards and runs the daily affairs of the Kingdom, as well as his sons, Erik, Håkon and Inge, Erik serves as the King's Marsk or Marshall, commanding his band of armed warriors, Inge serves as the king's Chancellor, dealing with foreign dignitaries while the last son Håkon seems to have no permanent position but nonetheless puts his nose into everyone's business. It is rumoured that he serves as his fathers spymaster.
The king's eldest son, Halsten, is the duke of Västergötland and one of the King's strongest vassals, although right now the child Sven of Östergötland seems to have the most support among the King's vassals, for it is the custom of the natives to chose their king among the nobles. "Swedes have the right to take kings and also to evict them." it says in their Laws.
I grow weary as I scribble this report, to be given to the captain of the ship I came with as he makes his return voyage to more civilized realms, I hope that it may, if God wills it, bring my tidings to the Holy Father."
-Renaldo d'Ortobello
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