The Quest to retake our stolen lands goes well! Recently we hear that the brave Crusaders have pillaged those Spanish castles whose cowardly lieges resisted their rightful demands for supplies. The armies of Queen Eleanor now march for Rome!

By order of Richard, son of Eleanor, the wealth of Canterbury Cathedral is to be invested in the Glorious Venture. The Church treasury is to be melted down and taken by pack-horse through France and into northern Italy, to meet the army, who are in great need.

As you arrive into Oxford, on your way to Godstow Abbey to the north of the town, there are a few things that catch the eye.

The first is the newly constructed bridge across the river Thames, on which a toll is charged. Many of the poorer residents and travellers still use the ford nearby. The old Magdalen bridge is still serviceable, though some fear it will collapse soon and need to be replaced.

The university's buildings are majestic, though relatively few in number, built out of the finest dressed stone. In contrast the Collegium Profanum operates out of whatever public or private space will take them, and normally only until an unfortunate incident forces them to seek alternative accommodation.

Construction is about half-way complete on a new Priory of Saint Frideswide in the centre of the town.

Rumours have been circulating that the king's mistress, Rosamund Clifford, has been working closely with the ambassador from Sicily in preparation for the approaching meetings in Godstow Abbey. No one knows what purpose she has with allying herself so closely with Salvatore di Napoli, but suggestions range from Clifford trying to ally herself and England with the Norman Kingdom of Sicily over the Aquitaine in France as a rebuke of Eleanor of Aquitaine, to a cunning manipulation of the inexperienced regent by the ambassador. One thing, however, is certain: Salvatore di Napoli's reputation as a fierce military mind and unbreakable political will can only precede any appearance of his at Godstow.

Those who have traveled to Oxford to hear the Queen Regent's summons will have heard murmurings in the town that the Collegium Profanum has come across a map to Tingatel Castle. According to the legends of Arthur and his ilk, Tingatel Castle was the last remaining hoard of the great sorceress Morgan le Fay; full of magical texts, histories, and treasure unbounded. Of course this is all folk tale, and could be far from the truth, but if you listen to the excited tones of the Profana in Oxford they certainly sound like they've found something.

Shortly after news of King Henry II's death swept the country, the Scottish armies amassed at Scone and swept southwards, ousting the English troops occupying the Scottish castles as they went. Upon reaching the border of Northumberland, they did not stop. With almost no time to prepare, and being poorly defended, Northumberland quickly fell to the invading forces. Rumour has it that King William I of Scotland has been granted safe passage to Oxford in order to discuss renegotiation of the Treaty of Falaise.

King William's popularity has been low ever since the Treaty of Falaise debacle. Unrest in the Scottish Highlands has recently peaked once more, with whispers of a “True King of Scots” being found. The Scottish throne insists that there is no truer king than King William and anyone who suggests the contrary will be dealt with harshly. Only time will tell if William's show of strength by taking Northumberland will be sufficient to put an end to this unrest.

With Henry II dead, nobody seems to care very much.

Mercantile Guild on behalf of the Doge of Venice is willing to pay in gold and/or goods to those willing to protect civilian ships from hostile merfolk and the pirate menace, and help ensure safe voyage through the Mediterranean Sea.
Should you be interested, ask for details in a guild hall in any major port.

Whilst the sight of bodies is not uncommon in London, a recent spate of particularly grisly deaths has left the populace uneasy. Just over a week ago, nine bodies were found crucified around the city, bleeding from the eyes yet pale as if their blood had drained out of them, a look of horror upon their faces.

Carved into the chest of each victim were three words:

HE IS COMING

• WANTED: craftspeople and logistics experts to lend a hand in the enlargement of the walls of Paris, as incepted by our King, Philip Augustus. Generous remuneration offered. Contact Dent-de-Lion.
• His Royal Majesty, Philip Augustus of France, is angered, for the vineyards that produce his favourite wine lie in ash! This year's crop ruined! Substantial gratitude offered to those who bring the culprit(s) to justice.
• More than rumours: with the English king gone, armies of Deheubarth and Gwynedd are massing, looking to pincer and snip off the kingdom of Powys. Henry II's old ally, Madog ap Angharad, the king of Powys, is ill-prepared to meet armies along both fronts, and seeks reassurance from the new regency in the form of troops and aid.

• Is there even anything left in Canterbury Cathedral? The Archbish hands out a lot to the poor.
• Weather in the Lake District is horrible again.
• The marshes around Oxford are dangerous at night. Full of will-o-wisps. Don't travel there.
• Someone called Warwick is courting the Sherriff of Nottingham. Brave person.
• One of the causeways to the Isle of Ely is flooded.