Countess Ellen's court is held at Sarum.
Special Guests
Two Saxon princes: Both Cynric and Aescwine are present.
Gossip
“Let me tell you, this is pretty grim. There is a sickness among the pig farmers, you know, and the cattle aren’t calving properly. We are gong to be short meat this year, I am afraid.”
“Uh huh, but with all those farms that were burned down I would think that there’d be more venison to find, too.”
“Well, I’ll say it — there is still a man shortage. That is serious news!”
“Listen, darlings, it’s not so bad. We have a good spring to plant, the lambing is just fine, and the invaders want to be friendly for a while. It’s not much worse than usual…. Except for the man shortage.” (Laughter)
“Don’t you think it is just a ploy? Didn’t this Cerdic's father murder everyone with treachery? Why is anyone trusting him at all?”
News
“The Supreme Collegium was not able to do anything about appointing a king. The nine surviving legates argued about protocol and precedence and did nothing. It seems to be the end of the Collegium as a functioning body.”
“There was a small battle last year between the East Saxons and the knights of Caercolun, and the Saxons lost! That old duke must be getting his men together at last!”
“Almost everyone paid tribute last year. Even the two dukes (Silchester County and Lindsey) paid. But Duke Ulfius is still hurting from the wounds he got at the Battle of Saint Albans and agreed to ally with King Aelle!”
“King Clovis of France finally was baptized! It only took him four years since he promised! Typical Merovingian haste, I say.”
“War in Cornwall. King Idres of Cornwall Kingdom is hiring, and the castellan of Terrabil is asking for volunteers.”
“King Cerdic of Wessex is raising an army, and wants mercenaries. He has gathered ships, too.”
“War in Norgales. The Three Cadlews (brothers seeking to become king instead of King Pellinore's family) are accepting volunteers, to be paid with all the plunder they can take. But they’re are attacking the Irish there, and plunder will be scarce.”