To Split the Kingdom
Great Britain was wracked by war. Many heroes arose in the fires of Norfolk or during the Siege of London. Many were the tragedies. The villains, such as Eric, Duke of Lancaster, or the treacherous Harald of Dover, committed atrocities not seen since the Northmen's rampages centuries earlier. Lord Flambard, Marshal of the Royal Armies fought a hundred engagements, and earned glory for himself and his knights.
All of the Great Families of England took part on one side or another - many times allegiences would flip monthly - depending on who seemed to be gaining the upper hand. The King, Humbert, was hampered by having spent little time in England. He knew few of the regional lords personally, and had had little contact with even the Court in London. One point in his favor was that he was happily married and did not seem to marry and murder his wife as his father had three times during his short reign. Many feared some hereditary madness in the royal line.
During the years of darkness there were yet more peasant uprisings. The small folk were driven to wildness by the chaos caused by their betters' intrigue. In the Midlands and across the coast the peasants took to sniping at Royal officials and sheriff . Oft times the local barons turned a blind eye, so far had the King's power failed.
Finally the last of the treasonous Lords were hunted down. The League of Saint George was broken at last. Humbert, now secure from major internal threat elevated his brothers and uncles, granting them the rebels' estates. Though discontent lingered in several counties he felt he could now turn his attention to the last serious challenge. The heathen rabble armies in the Baltic.
I screwed up and accidentally (don't ask) granted the Crown Prince (Duke of Normandy) the kingdom of Scotland. But I continue on.
The Normandy family continued to grow, and King Humbert had come into his own. Having campaigned in the Baltic dominions for some few years he had gained a fearsome reputation in the lands of the pagans, and was justly feared as a lion of the faith. At home his generousness with his barons had earned him their loyalty. All was well.
The Na'as were quiet. Forced to conserve their power in the face of their fuel situation they observed and occasionally supplied intelligence, but were otherwise preoccupied with simple survival. For that the King was grateful. Though he had no idea as to the nature of the visitations (though he certainly had theories) he hated them, helpful or not.
There came a time, twelve years following his elevation to the throne that he decided to divide the Normandy holdings. The long struggles had marked him. Now he thought that he may create a separate dynastic line in his House, so that the de Normandy family may survive somewhere. His son Iago, Duke of Normandy, was granted the crown of Wales. He had little fear that Iago would assert himself too much. After all, the royal estates in Wales were pitiful: a few hunting lodges and a township.