No sooner had the Good King William II of Sicily died and been laid to rest than the Sicilian Court broke out into infighting over who was to succeed him. Commonly held wisdom was that the King's advisor, Aisha Al-Khudri, was to ascend to the Throne yet challenges to her authority were laid from abroad in the Holy Roman Empire and from England. The two nobles Welkin Fields and Katrina of Maldon were seen to exchange heated debates over the capacity and right to rule in the court. After many weeks of manoeuvring and debating Katrina of Maldon emerged successful, and was crowned Queen of Sicily in Palermo Cathedral. However rumours abound that the Empire has taken her ascension as a grievous insult, and are massing armies on the northern borders of the kingdom.

On the day of the coronation of Sicily's new Queen all the wells in Palermo spontaneously became filled not with water, but with thick red blood. Though they slowly returned to normal, few in Sicily have seen this as anything less than a curse from the Saints - or perhaps the local Gods. Some say the curse was for crowning Katrina of Maldon, some say it was for not banishing the other pretenders to the throne, and even more have a hundred other reasons why Palermo was cursed. In truth none can say for certain, and none could say where or when the curse could strike again.

Thanks to a trade delegation led by the Abbot of Revesby and Guillaume de Cluny from Citeaux, to the Aquitaine, the trade between England and France is now more cordial. The French King, however, is said to be rather disgruntled that the delegation went to the Aquitaine and not to Paris, despite the presence at the talks of the King's best friend, Geoffrey of Brittany.

It is said that an Englishmen, Rory Carver, won the armed tourney at the courts of love in Poitiers, jumping in to save the honour of a young man betrayed by an outlaw. He was apparently invited to eat at the Countess' high table as a reward, and rumour has it received further favours. The tournament was won by a strange youth in white, who rarely spoke and with one swing disabled all his competitors save Rory, who almost managed a hit on him. What other warriors does France hold, and who is the mysterious woman he fought for? Enquiring minds want to know.

Adelise of Aquitaine, a frequent visitor to England, demonstrated that she still loves her homeland and its sound by a spectacular demonstration of artistry that enchanted the great troubadour Bertran de Born, winning the music competition, and the overall title of Champion of Love was gifted to Edithe le Belle, who won no competitions, but performed, sang, and fought, and thus showed more than willing, though her skill was not as great.

Shortly before the fall of the city to Galowegian forces, it is reported that the stone of Scone was stolen from right out of the castle. Reports of a disturbance caused by the Inheritors of the Old Ways seem to coincide with the time of theft, but it is unclear if the two are related.

The stone is said to be necessary for the crowning of a true King of Scotland.

The Sheriff of London has led a major crackdown on crime in his city. He and his men have been seen using large amount of fae magic and good old fashioned head bashing to round up “undesirable elements”. Said criminals were put on public display in a festival atmosphere celebrating the hanging of the notorius outlaw Gamlyn.

In particular it seems that one of the leaders of the pagan armies in Wales, Braith verch Tangwystl had been caught and was sentenced to be handed over to the Saint's Army for remedial work on her soul, whilst gang leader Gregor Rivers was found guilty of multiple counts conspiracy and grand treachery and sentenced to suspension, drawing and quartering.

Unfortunately at the height of the festivities an unnatural fog was summoned through the use of some unspeakable ritual of the Old Gods, and a jailbreak occurred, with many escaping. Whilst Gamelyn is confirmed to have died from hanging, the sheriff offers a bounty for those able to deliver Wymond Payne, Braith verch Tangwystl and James Tilley alive. The wolfshead bounty remains in effect for Forwin Griff and Gregor Rivers. (There is a long list of other criminals to be caught).

Thanks in part to the efforts of one Nicholas Summerfield, Scotland has regained peace, at least for now. Galloway has taken Edinburgh although their forces are much diminished. Word is that the Highlanders were not involved in the fighting, and that in fact most of the damage was done by a strange red mist. Ermengarde surrendered as soon as the Galwegians broke through the gates, in exchange for being granted the title of Countess of Fife. Domnall has promised to keep his troops out of Galloway for now, but with no formal treaty signed it is not certain how long this will last.

In related news, Domnall's formal coronation as the King of the Highlands is due to be held in the near future.

Spain has been blighted by a number of freak disappearances of peasants, merchants, and other travellers. Most of the disappearances have occurred in the Andalusian Kingdoms but some have happened as far north as Castile or Aragon. Those who go do so without a trace and without a hint of a struggle, and local opinion is that magic is involved.

Forthwick Manor has been demolished in an attack by a dragon. The dragon itself is still at large, despite the best efforts of the Knights of St George, and the people of Hampshire are terrified that the beast will strike again. Miraculously, no one seems to have been killed in the battle save for a few servants.

The Holy Inquisition would like to offer to the general public a reward for any Inquisitor, Knight, or honoured friend and ally who kills the Fae creature who calls herself Matilda, who attacked without provocation an Inquisitor in the New Forest. We will see to it that payment is made to the person who brings Matilda’s head to the next gathering called by Rosamund the Fair.

Apparently Osric Smith challenged Gerard of York to a duel owing to Gerard stealing imps off him. Or something. Anyway, it should be a good show, and it’s going to be held on the green outside York Minster in the coming months. Apparently both Gerard and Osric will have imps fighting on their side.

In a statement published by Old Woman Willow and signed by most of the Irish Fae courts, the Irish Fae publicly declare they do not have Prince John, they would return him if they had him, if they saw him in the past he is long gone now. The statement is politely worded, but there is a definite hint of both terror and desperation beneath.

Prince John’s former tutor, Rhiannon of Gorsedd Arberth Castle in Powys, does not deny starting ‘a campaign of terror’ against the Irish Fae through aggressive letter-writing. Gorsedd Arberth is known to most Fae scholars as the much quieter sister of Efnisien Prince of Madness, and likes history, philosophy and botany.

Rumours that the fire which levelled the old Tower of London in 1067 was the result of a quarrel between William the Conqueror and Gorsedd Arberth have never been proven.

The new Abbey of Saint Frideswide in Oxford will be consecrated in the coming months. All who hold her in high esteem are invited to bring offerings and seek her blessing.

• Have you heard? Some people are saying they've been seeing Sir Lancelot in Cornwall.
• Have you heard? All those heavily armoured troops in France were not just protecting nobles.
• That's not a French accent. THIS is a French accent.
• Aelindis is a prophet of evil.
• There is a strange red glow in Durham Cathedral.
• Marcus Karlson’s Treatise is a really good read.
• The Crusade are turning their eyes towards Rome.
• Lady Alyson is married to Sherriff Marion. Ser Warwick never stood a chance.
• Bards in Oxford are now banned from singing The Ballad of Allie the Upshot. Apparently it’s not funny after the 100th rendition in one evening.