News, Turn 6

Nothing whatsoever has been seen of the Crusade, hundreds of thousands of people strong, which appears to have vanished in the middle of the Black Sea. Many have sought Eleanor and her compatriots, but there is nothing whatsoever to be found.

Key points from his first speech:

“My countrymen and friends,

Things have been difficult for you all for many years. Hopefully now we will see a time of peace until my mother returns to take up her rightful post as ruler. To aid the victory of law and order, I intend to invest those loyal to me into the following positions:

• Sherriff of London
• Sherriff of Nottingham (though I understand there is a current incument, who will be given preferential treatment if prepared to swear an oath of loyalty to me
• Chief Justice
• Reeve of the New Forest
• Reeve of the Fens of Cambridge
• Sherriff of York
• Bishop of Lincoln

Some suggestions of ways to please me include the following:

• Orchestration of the trial and execution of Rosamund Clifford.
• The forming of Pacts of Alliance with Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Sicily and France, either through treaty or marriage.
• The creation of a full-scale military navy and army. I intend to repeat the glories of Arthur of old, and to make inroads into the Holy Roman Empire.
• The official re-dedication of England to the worship of Saint George, that loyal soldier, to bless the military victories ahead.
• The official post of English Inquisitor to be created, to show the world that we have nothing to fear from loyal soldiers of God, so long as they attack only Fae approved for destruction by the Crown.
• The re-establishment of the fabled trade route known as the Silk Road.

Following a freak invasion of the Holy Roman Empire, by the Slavic Nations, a plot to take complete and direct control of the Empire by the Emperor was exposed. Frederick Barbarossa and his steward have been deposed and executed and Eckehart of Carinthia has been crowned as the new Holy Roman Emperor.

A great fire spirit has appeared in the centre of Baghdad, erupting out of one of the halls in the centre of the city. It is now roaming the streets leaving destruction in its wake: Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt calls for aid, claiming that he alone cannot fight this thing.

To the surprise of almost everyone, the Collegium Profanum appears to have declared war on the Holy Roman Empire. The first attack took place in the Alps, where Fae magics were used to melt snows until the resulting floods swept away villages downstream. The loss of life is believed to run into at least three hundred.

The world waits to see what the Collegium have planned next. Meanwhile, rumours that the new Emperor intends to take decisive action against the Collegium are spreading across France and England.

The following posters have very recently started appearing:

The Vile Murderer

James Tilley

WANTED

By the order of Eckehart, Holy Roman Emperor

The outlaw known as James Tilley did murder our military commander Lord Nicholas Summerfield and many men at arms.
A hefty bounty or other favour is available upon presentation of his head.

Visitors to London tell of a more stable city, though one that seems to be developing quickly into a forest, with significant tree growth occurring at an unnatural rate. Many residents near the remains of the Tower tell of a constant battle to stop their homes falling into disrepair as a result.

Unsubstantiated but numerous rumours reach England about how the Bishop of Cremona, ex-archbishop of Palmero Walter of the Mill was possessed by evil spirits, and has been killed at the hands of a mob accusing him of witchcraft. Apparently everything is better now the new Archbishop of Palmero, Thomas of Tynemouth, has uncovered his misdeeds and tracked down the offending spirits, banishing them from Christendom!

The notorious outlaw Hereward the Wake has been captured during an attempted attack on Ely. Samuel of the Fens and Rory Carver have been congratulated for stopping the attack and bringing in this wanted criminal. Geoffrey Ridel, Bishop of Ely, has announced that the outlaws will be hanged in Ely in a few weeks’ time. All are welcome to come and see the spectacle.

The brave Knights of Saint George and their companions have defeated the Wild Hunt. The Knight Constables Gerard of York and Rhydian Coedwig lead the assault with the help of Lahav BenIdan, Samuel Attaway, Aelindis of the Marsh, and Demetrius Khages. After a long and bloody battle, the Knights emerged victorious, although rumour has it that Osmerion, leader of the Wild Hunt, has gone missing.

Only one small faction of the Hunt now remains: those which seem to have given up on hunting for sport have still been seen around, but have not been heard to be causing any trouble for anyone.

A great trade delegation, composed of the English and members of the guild, have travelled to Ayyubid lands and brought back rich luxuries from that land. Travel between England and the East is found to be easier now that there are more established routes for travel.

An Aillen has been seen several times by farmers terrorising sheep in Northumberland. Aillen are known for their taste for human flesh and it is felt it is only a matter of time before the creature claims more innocent lives.

• Hunting wildlife in the new forest is very bad for your health!
• London now has a Senate!
• London is now ruled from the shadows!
• All Christian residents of London have been put to the sword!
• London is cursed by a pagan God!
• London is cursed by a Saint!
• London is cursed by the shade of Aelga the Ruinous!
• The Collegium Profanum are banned from having family. It never seems to end well.
• Someone ought to ask Geoffrey to hold a celebratory tournament.
• Katrina of Maldon is married.