The Reign of Aed, Duke of Ulster - Part II (1085 - 1088)
With Finn safely installed as Count of Tir Connail and the Dowager Countess Margaret Aetheling removed from the scene (hopefully) permanently, Aed settled down to rule his Duchy in peace. There was little to do during the next few years, other than to arrange marriages for the various members of his family and court. Although now a powerful duke, he didn't possess the prestige to persue his wider claims in Ireland just yet. But, he hoped, that would simply be a matter of time.
The first matter of business was his only beloved son Tigernan. Now 19 years old, it was time to give him a taste of being a ruler. He and his ever-growing family (less young Finn, now Count of Tir Connail, of course) were installed in the old family castle in Tir Eoghain, with Tigernan granted the title of Count. He and his wife had a third son, Diartmait, in 1086, and now with three grandsons, Aed felt that at last his family line was secured.
Aed's oldest surviving daughter Una the elder (to distinguish her from her younger sister, Una the younger) turned 16 the year Diartmait was born, and it was high time to find her as suitable husband. Both the Duke of Connacht and the Count of Tuadmumu had suitable sons, but the Duke steadfastly denied Aed's proposals of a marriage alliance. The Count, however, was delighted to send his second son Flaithbertach to Aed's court in Ulster, where the young man and woman were married in that same year. The two made an imposing couple - Flaithbertach was a master of tact and diplomacy and was immediately made the Duchy's chancellor (the old chancellor, the elderly Grianne O'Conghalaigh, gracefully retiring), while his new bride was currently studying under old Steward Aed in preperation for being his eventual successor.
Soon afterwards, the cousins Brian and Ailbe O'Neill, the son of the Marshall and the daughter of the Steward respectively, were also wed, followed the next year by the younger Lady Una and Ailbe's nephew Roolb. Roolb's young brother Niall, now in training with the army under his granduncle the Marshall, was obviously a rising star; proud Marshall Domnall proclaimed him likely to be the equal of the famed generals of old and groomed him to be his successor.
Military matters weighed heavily on the mind of the Duke as well. Despite his grandson becoming Count, Tir Connail still refused to recognize him as overlord. Apparently some of the councellors of the now-departed Dowager Countess remained, and their malicious influence still ruled in the County. Duke Aed repeatedly sent requests, and later demands, that the County return to its traditional vassalage, and each time such requests were denied. By April of 1088, the Duke had had enough. There was nothing left to do but to intervene and remove the evil advisors forcibly from the wayward County. He did this not only to expand his own power, but to ensure his vulnerable grandson and likely eventual heir would be made safe. On April 25, 1088, the Duchy of Ulster called its men to arms and declared war on the wayward County of Tir Connail...
With Finn safely installed as Count of Tir Connail and the Dowager Countess Margaret Aetheling removed from the scene (hopefully) permanently, Aed settled down to rule his Duchy in peace. There was little to do during the next few years, other than to arrange marriages for the various members of his family and court. Although now a powerful duke, he didn't possess the prestige to persue his wider claims in Ireland just yet. But, he hoped, that would simply be a matter of time.
The first matter of business was his only beloved son Tigernan. Now 19 years old, it was time to give him a taste of being a ruler. He and his ever-growing family (less young Finn, now Count of Tir Connail, of course) were installed in the old family castle in Tir Eoghain, with Tigernan granted the title of Count. He and his wife had a third son, Diartmait, in 1086, and now with three grandsons, Aed felt that at last his family line was secured.
Aed's oldest surviving daughter Una the elder (to distinguish her from her younger sister, Una the younger) turned 16 the year Diartmait was born, and it was high time to find her as suitable husband. Both the Duke of Connacht and the Count of Tuadmumu had suitable sons, but the Duke steadfastly denied Aed's proposals of a marriage alliance. The Count, however, was delighted to send his second son Flaithbertach to Aed's court in Ulster, where the young man and woman were married in that same year. The two made an imposing couple - Flaithbertach was a master of tact and diplomacy and was immediately made the Duchy's chancellor (the old chancellor, the elderly Grianne O'Conghalaigh, gracefully retiring), while his new bride was currently studying under old Steward Aed in preperation for being his eventual successor.
Soon afterwards, the cousins Brian and Ailbe O'Neill, the son of the Marshall and the daughter of the Steward respectively, were also wed, followed the next year by the younger Lady Una and Ailbe's nephew Roolb. Roolb's young brother Niall, now in training with the army under his granduncle the Marshall, was obviously a rising star; proud Marshall Domnall proclaimed him likely to be the equal of the famed generals of old and groomed him to be his successor.
Military matters weighed heavily on the mind of the Duke as well. Despite his grandson becoming Count, Tir Connail still refused to recognize him as overlord. Apparently some of the councellors of the now-departed Dowager Countess remained, and their malicious influence still ruled in the County. Duke Aed repeatedly sent requests, and later demands, that the County return to its traditional vassalage, and each time such requests were denied. By April of 1088, the Duke had had enough. There was nothing left to do but to intervene and remove the evil advisors forcibly from the wayward County. He did this not only to expand his own power, but to ensure his vulnerable grandson and likely eventual heir would be made safe. On April 25, 1088, the Duchy of Ulster called its men to arms and declared war on the wayward County of Tir Connail...
