It seems as if there are worries of this becoming a multi-way civil war. How true those are... that remains to be seen.
A War of Three Kings, perhaps?
A War of Three Kings, perhaps?
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Margaret once against showing the boys how to do their jobs, and who's boss besides. Henry does seem to suffer from a want of clear-sighted advisors. But then sometimes it can take someone from outside the realm to see its problems most clearly. The million pound question, of course, is whether anything can actually be done before the shit begins to hit the proverbial.
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To all - Took a few extra days for some to catch up if they wish. The next scene follows. I'm not entirely happy with it, but there are those times you just have to let go and move forward. Also, it has a couple of easter eggs for those in the know.
Thus it always is, right? The phrase "save your skin" seems apt.
Could be. Can't say yet, but I did introduce Arthur for a reason.
The train (poor metaphor for this period, I know) rolls ever forward. Each seemingly working from their own interest and for their own interest. Writing this one, I actually started to feel some sympathy for good old Margaret.
To all - Took a few extra days for some to catch up if they wish. The next scene follows. I'm not entirely happy with it, but there are those times you just have to let go and move forward. Also, it has a couple of easter eggs for those in the know.
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Kent, September 1448
Allen bent forward at the table, holding his ale gingerly. His hand continued to shake, but if he put two on it, he could stabilize the cup. Taking it to his lips, he drank eagerly and smiled even as thunder shouted outside the tavern. It was a grim night, but the warmth entered his body with satisfaction. There was the slight chicken to a trencher on the table as well, but he decided to take all the ale down. It had been a long day.
He was about to order another when the tavern door blew open and his friend entered, drenched from the rain. He’d known John Cade for some few years now. It was said he was some type of physician...a doctor...healer. Those around these parts just enjoyed his company and he was indeed well spoken. Allen had found a boil on his chest and worried greatly about it the year before, but John had calmed his nerves even as he lanced the thing. A simple thing and now he was, mostly, right as rain.
John was soaking wet from the deluge outside, water dripping from his thick mustache. He shook his long coat some few times to shake off the wetness and then smiled, “Leighson...you old so and so! Found some warmth tonight, have you?”
“As I’m to here every night, Jack...you might think so,” he replied with a slight smile.
Cade was the younger man between them. Not but twenty eight. But he held himself forward with confidence and flashed his own smile. The envy of many. He sat quickly and lifted a hand to order, “I think we’ll take two, my friend. It has been a piece.”
“You’ve always been kind,” Allen answered as he happily accepted a new cup and gave nod to the serving wench, “And so what brings you back to the town. I thought you might enjoy your months to the country.”
“Some few things...” John grinned as he began to pick at Allen’s slight chicken, “...friends to see…orders to fill.”
Allen was a good bit older than his friend and at forty was always suspect of John’ s profession, but he gave nod again, “Busy then?”
“Isn’t everyone?” John replied with a cryptic tone.
A squint was Allen’s answer. He did not know. His profession was as a fletcher and business had been slim these last many months. Without a wife or child, it was only a burden to himself. But a burden it remained.
John grinned as he plucked some more meat off the bone, “So you’ve seen it too, eh? Loads of masters...out of work here to Kent. What can it be?”
“You’re the sly one here, Jack,” Allen put both hands to his cup, “You tell me.”
“Lack of action, I’d say,” John wiped the foamy brew from his mustache, “Nothing to be done in France and I’m to hear than none shall be done. Maine is gone. Good King Henry won it...fair and square. Won it all and got himself named King of France itself. And now look how it is squandered.”
The shake in Allen’s hands increased as he brought the cup to his lips. After taking more down, he looked up with sorrowful eyes, “You need not tell me.”
“I know...your father,” John replied, “What was it worth? Such a loss and now...seems like no thing. Is that how we are to be treated? Considered?”
Allen sat his cup down gently and looked to what was left of his chicken, “I dunno about all that. He’s been gone since I was nothing but a boy. Can’t say I like it...but I can’t say that I like much.”
“Leighson...” John reached over and placed a firm hand to the table, “...you are respected in this community. A tried and true worker in these parts. Everyone knows you and buys you wares...when they are required. Even when these soldiers return...they too buy from you when they aren’t creating havoc elsewhere. And are you not tired of that? Have you not seen enough of...all of it?”
“I’m just a mere fletcher, Jack,” Allen shook his head, “I don’t have a care for the rest. All King and council...war and peace...France and England...York and...whatever...”
John flashed another grin, “You don’t give yourself enough credit, mate. You’re educated enough. That you know of York. That you know of...whatever.”
“Who can avoid it?” Allen asked as he attempted another drink, “It’s on the lips of every man in every alehouse or tavern this side the Thames. I imagine to the other as well.”
John held a hand high to order two more as he leaned forward with a serious eye, “And for good reason, my friend. Things to this country do not go well. It is run by poor men...and a King that does little.”
“You should not say such things,” Allen looked around as he answered.
“Fear not spies, Leighson,” John offered a laugh, “They are not to here. Yet.”
Allen showed his own serious eye, “They were to Derbyshire of late, I’m told. The bailiff there...found hiself dead. All by the hand of the Lord of Suffolk, it is said. What’s he after, I wonder? And what’s that got to do with France?”
“Could be the Lollards,” John offered before placing a hand over his friend’s own, “Or mayhap more. There be no doubt that the crown is treating those of heretical faith harshly. Just recently in Sussex...my place of birth and a fine place if I ever knew one...saw two burned at the stake. Grisly thing. But still...I think it more than that.”
Pulling his hand back, Allen questioned, “It’s no mind to me. What has it to you?”
John sat taller to his bench, “It makes me fighting mad, is what it is! A man like your father lost his life fighting for this kind kingdom...and for a good King! And now...what’s it worth? All we fought for is to be given up? No consideration of the men...the families that lost? We should ignore the poor administration by these high men that give our King his counsel?”
“Jack...” Allen tried to form his words, “...you’re a...well, I don’t rightly know what you are...but you are educated. I’m not. I hear you...and just as upset...but what are we to do?”
“Get angry!” John pressed, “We’ve a voice if we shout loud enough. We’ll see none from those higher up until York returns from Ireland. He is the only one that may cause a change. Until then...it is Suffolk, Moylens, Somerset...whomever. All of them snakes. All of them useless!”
Allen allowed a slight laugh, “I thought you was smart, my friend. But you tangle with the lion. I’ll not do so.”
“We have here to Kent...” John continued with great seriousness, “...able bodied men and a goodly amount...to effect the change we require. Somerset is said to be in Normandy. York remains to Ireland fighting the Scots. Dukes they are all named. And what do they do for us, I ask of you?”
“What do you do, Jack...but desire to make trouble?” Allen was quick to ask.
His friend leaned forward with certainty, “I mean to make them accountable, Allen. I mean them to take notice and remember who it is that truly leads this country. It is not a haughty Queen that would sell us down the Thames for her dowry. It is not some Lord that thinks he is King himself. And it is not some bastard as we all know the Beauforts to be!”
Allen was starting to feel his cups and laughed again, “You have some grand scheme, Jack. You just keep thinking...that’s what you’re good at doing. Yet count me out, friend. I just want my business and my life.”
“You’ll have neither if they get their way!” John was insistent.
“We’ll see,” Allen replied as he counted the coin to his purse and decided he had enough for another round.
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I wonder who this could be…
Ah. And here’s another likely lad. Stirrings, rumblings, plotting afoot from below. How much trouble can these disaffected cause?
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Discontent runs within England. Plots are set in motion.
France is mostly lost, and there are those who dislike that.
France is mostly lost, and there are those who dislike that.
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And yes, I felt I had to include Cade in all of this. I'm trying to mirror history even if sometimes it may seem a bit smudged and unlike what we may know. At the moment, things are still quite close to RL so I want to use that as much as I can.
Indeed, I'm not certain why I decided to include my likeness in the work, but I did. I can't say it is a perfect representation, but it was a bit fun. By the way, my father's name is Lee. That gives away the game. (The other easter egg is a line from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.)I wonder who this could be…
Ah. And here’s another likely lad. Stirrings, rumblings, plotting afoot from below. How much trouble can these disaffected cause?
And yes, I felt I had to include Cade in all of this. I'm trying to mirror history even if sometimes it may seem a bit smudged and unlike what we may know. At the moment, things are still quite close to RL so I want to use that as much as I can.
That's exactly right. I'll have more to say about this later as we get another actual gameplay update, but as above things are still hewing close to RL history.
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Nay, Jack, me lad!
True words.
Plenty
Does the game include peasant revolts (most Paradox games seem to)? I’ve not played the EU series.
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It’s been ages since I’ve played, but they were there in the past so I’m sure they still are. Presumably they’re more likely to get triggered when stability is very low. Religious revolts are certainly a thing, and they obviously have some overlap with peasant uprisings.
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There are troubles in England. Nobody is happy with this king and his council.
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To all - Took a bit longer to get back to this for various reasons (all good) and hopefully some took the chance to catch up. I'll likely continue to update this more slowly than the Creek AAR. Thankfully, I have a decent amount already written and in the can ready to go. Been a little blocked on how to write the next bit so the longer waits will assist me getting there. There is an update to follow so give me a moment to set it up and there we go...
They do include peasant revolts but this one is more to keep with RL while we are in the early going.Nay, Jack, me lad!
True words.
Plenty
Does the game include peasant revolts (most Paradox games seem to)? I’ve not played the EU series.
Indeed, there are all types of different revolts in the game.
Quite true. And it's not getting any better.
To all - Took a bit longer to get back to this for various reasons (all good) and hopefully some took the chance to catch up. I'll likely continue to update this more slowly than the Creek AAR. Thankfully, I have a decent amount already written and in the can ready to go. Been a little blocked on how to write the next bit so the longer waits will assist me getting there. There is an update to follow so give me a moment to set it up and there we go...
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Rouen, March 1449
“I must ask of you, sir...why are you here?” Edmund Beaufort, the second Duke of Somerset asked his guest with extreme irritation.
Owen Tudor stood proudly and smiled, “I was sent by His Grace, my Lord. And am here to present to you my sons. They are now of age and may be a help to you...as you seem to have some issue here to Normandy.”
There was long history between these two men as they both found attraction to the same woman. She that was a former Queen and wife to King Henry, fifth of his name. When the King died in 1422, there was much speculation as to what this French princess might do and while Edmund found some chance at first...as both were still young and handsome...it was Owen that won out and finally married the Queen. It was scandalous, and difficult as it caused many in the court to question how to proceed, yet Catherine of Valois chose her next match. Not a thing a woman could normally do in such an environment.
Yet she chose and her mate now stood before the Duke of Somerset with a grin, “Not sure what you have been doing here to these lands, my lord...but it does appear a cock up.”
Edmund slammed down a map to the table before him as he looked up, “I hold no desire to re-litigate the past, sir. For I am struck between one rock and another. At the first, I am caused to answer to the King’s will. On the other, I must protect these lands!”
“Is it the King’s will?” Owen questioned, “Or is it yours...my lord?”
The Duke rounded the table and stood tall with firmness, “To answer you would cause my downfall. Yet I shall attempt...for I know you as...mostly...honorable. His Grace caused me to do my duty and I have done so. There was a spy...and he was discovered. Ours against the French...and the culprit that found him sped to Brittany. When I reported this to the King, he demanded that I follow and apprehend the bandit. This I did...”
Owen kept his smile, “And then restarted the war, my lord. Over a hundred years...and won. A peace was made.”
“Hardly a peace, sir!”
Tudor found a chair to sit, “You talk...and talk...and talk. Much like the Lord of York suggested when he was questioned. Now he is off to Ireland and you are here. What is it that you plan to do?”
“I receive you for the grace of our King...” Edmund replied, “...yet I shall not answer to you. I need not.”
“Do you answer to the French?” Owen asked.
Edmund stood tall, “I shall answer when they attack.”
“And they have done so...my lord,” Owen responded, “A large army sent to Caen. I imagine soon to Rouen. It is a full scale attack against us and yet you seem to sit idly by...my lord. At what point do you think you might use the armies of His Grace?”
“They hold larger forces!” Edmund was firm in his answer.
Owen offered a serious eye, “Yes...they do. And fine generals as well. Yet you sit to stew instead of taking the force you have...a fine one still with Lord Talbot in your service...to turn them away. Will you not move?”
“Sir...I have my leadership,” Edmund replied with scorn, “I need not yours.”
“Tis a shame,” Owen responded, “I bring to you my young sons. Both of age now. Sons of a Queen and brothers to our King...which he respects. Loves them, even. How long do you think to hold your commission when you have done less and more less than York did to here? Especially when you do not act. Even York took it to them when given a chance. He does so now...”
Edmund stood firm, “That is Ireland!”
“And this is Normandy!” Owen stood quickly and moved close, “Questions arising and the loss of Maine...Anjou?! Will you be the one to lose the rest?! For I see naught that you do much...sir! The French are at your door and you do not answer!”
The Duke starred for a time before he backed away and filled a goblet full of wine. He took it down and then turned with a smile, “We both have seen similar things. A...similar thing. And I do know that you care for me not. The feeling is the same. Yet I shall receive your sons...for the love His Grace has for them. Yet I shall not send my force against one likely to defeat them. For the respect I have for you.”
“They are ready!” Owen was certain.
Edmund stepped closer, “And yet...they are young. Would you wish to lose them so soon? Better they remain brothers to the King...and not some thing to the battlefield. Not some thing we need clean. I dare ask...do you think His Grace would care to see that?”
Owen Tudor kept a stern eye, “My sons...sons of a Queen, my lord...will be sure to do what you have not. There be no doubt that your provenance is better than mine own...for mine is Welsh and yours is an English history. Yet you have now the power...and what is it that you do with it? You sit to this keep...this castle...and allow the French to overrun Normandy. Hard won by my lady wife’s former husband, sir! And should you lose it...sir...you shall find the opprobrium worse than anything you or I have ever seen. We two have been through some trials already. Would you care for more?”
“I care not for your advice,” Edmund was quick to answer.
Owen kept firm, “And then so...sir...you shall fail. Find yourself in Suffolk’s camp and no thing like a cousin to His Grace. You will bring to him failure. I speak strongly...because it is a must!”
“And you...sir...are a Welshman finding a fine marriage and some few boys. A contact with our King...yet I am cousin to him. He knows well that I have his interest at heart, and I shall do my best to carry out such a wish. He desired me to venture into Brittany and apprehend this scoundrel. And I did so. If it cost us another war...that is not upon me. I shall only answer...”
“And answer how?”
Edmund tried to smile, “Lord Talbot is at the ready and I think to send him into the Vexin. Show them strength. Let them spend time to siege at Caen while we take their lands from them. Is that not enough strength shown?”
“You are slow to it...my lord,” Owen replied as he backed away and held out a hand, “Yet if you are to do such...then allow my boys to follow Lord Talbot to that place. His Grace desires it...and they are ready.”
Two younger men entered and bowed to the Duke of Somerset. The elder kept his head low, “My lord...I shall serve you and His Grace.”
The younger did much the same, “We shall not fail our regal brother,”
Edmund looked to them with a wry smile, “I should think you...helpful.”
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Aha, so now old Owain enters the fray. Just what sort of game is he planning on playing?
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Another player? This is going to be hard to keep track of. That's good. It indicates that things are not being oversimplified.
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If a telling of the Wars of the Roses doesn't have too many characters to properly remember, it's doing something wrong.
Though to be fair, for me that's a low number.
Though to be fair, for me that's a low number.
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Ah, the Tudors enter, stage left (the sinister side ). Their eventual rise to the crown was so improbable in our time that it would be unlikely to happen in a random situation again without some event-guidance etc. And we assume Normandy is likely to end up the same as it did in OTL: a cock-up, as Owen rightly observes.
). Their eventual rise to the crown was so improbable in our time that it would be unlikely to happen in a random situation again without some event-guidance etc. And we assume Normandy is likely to end up the same as it did in OTL: a cock-up, as Owen rightly observes.
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Like the others, I'm glad to see the Tudors enter the stage. The party could not be complete without them.
I think that the only possible way to have them on the throne at the end of the War is by an event.
I think that the only possible way to have them on the throne at the end of the War is by an event.
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To all - Things continue to move slowly on this one as my efforts have been towards the Creek AAR and my personal life (both going quite well, thank you) but I still have some updates in the can. And I should say that this moment is a good time to tell you exactly what I did gameplay wise. It occurred as of the last post and continues into the next one. Early on, I desired for the game to follow RL rather closely, especially as it relates to France. I simply cannot see the WOTR striking without the loss of France. Sure, there would still be tension, but the vast number of people that chose sides did so for a reason and losing Normandy was a huge fire that once lit could not be put out. Thus, I cheated. I started up the game as France for just a moment and DoW England over Normandy and then I switched back to England and fought it as poorly as I thought I could.
Sad thing there, I was still sort of winning. ::rolls eyes:: Especially in Ireland where the Scots have made inroads in Ulster. Regardless, after an appropriate amount of time (which we've not yet reached) I offered Normandy as peace so that we could get close to the historical situation. I did keep Gascony and Calais, but Normandy will be lost so the grievances will ring true. But I get ahead of myself.
At any rate, I'll follow tomorrow with the next update and the above will help you understand what the actors are talking about. And thank you so much for reading and giving comment. I hope to have a bit of time in the next few weeks to do some serious writing and we'll get back to this being on the front burner.
I'm getting all the players in place on stage, so I could not rightly leave out the Tudors.
It is indeed quite a confusing period, especially with the many Richards. I try my best to keep them individuals, but it can get difficult.
Heh. True enough.
The Tudors will not if I have anything to say about it. I still need to do a bit more gaming so we're not quite there yet.Ah, the Tudors enter, stage left (the sinister side
Quite true.
To all - Things continue to move slowly on this one as my efforts have been towards the Creek AAR and my personal life (both going quite well, thank you) but I still have some updates in the can. And I should say that this moment is a good time to tell you exactly what I did gameplay wise. It occurred as of the last post and continues into the next one. Early on, I desired for the game to follow RL rather closely, especially as it relates to France. I simply cannot see the WOTR striking without the loss of France. Sure, there would still be tension, but the vast number of people that chose sides did so for a reason and losing Normandy was a huge fire that once lit could not be put out. Thus, I cheated. I started up the game as France for just a moment and DoW England over Normandy and then I switched back to England and fought it as poorly as I thought I could.
Sad thing there, I was still sort of winning. ::rolls eyes:: Especially in Ireland where the Scots have made inroads in Ulster. Regardless, after an appropriate amount of time (which we've not yet reached) I offered Normandy as peace so that we could get close to the historical situation. I did keep Gascony and Calais, but Normandy will be lost so the grievances will ring true. But I get ahead of myself.
At any rate, I'll follow tomorrow with the next update and the above will help you understand what the actors are talking about. And thank you so much for reading and giving comment. I hope to have a bit of time in the next few weeks to do some serious writing and we'll get back to this being on the front burner.
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It is indeed difficult. Yet I try my best...and mostly fail I think.
It is an interesting read nevertheless, though.- 1
Dare I say I find that one more interesting, both for novelty and the fascinating twists and turns of that world?
We have not yet gotten to that here, and may not for some time, I wager.
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