Crown of the Confessor: the Chronicle of the Anglo-Saxon Kings
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Excerpt from Brut y Tywysogion(1), written 682--1900
"...and so the resolute princes of Powys and Gwynedd Bleddyn and Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn did draw breath more easily as Harold the Stalwart crushed his enemies with most decisive force and strengthened the forces of his kingdom. As the Godwinson(2) had aided them in their coup against the weak king Gruffyd (3), they were most assuredly glad that Engaland's mighty power was restrained again by his strong hand. They rested themselves most happily after the victory, and indeed, themselves traveled the long winter furlongs to reach the great king's feast.
The black mood that haunted this feast, however, haunted them as well. As Harold's agents in the east, the brothers could only hope to aid their patron in any way they could. With this in mind, many Welsh servants were sent to the borhs of Eadwine and Morcar the Northmen(4). In June 1068, word trickled across the border to the ear of Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn that the court of eorl Morcar simmered with rebellion. Alarmed by this news, the young prince sent riders to both the court of his brother and to the far-off sunlit city of Winceastre, where the Godwinson held his court. Unfortunately, these riders would not arrive before the fall of Rouen in July and the arrival of the enigmatic sixth son of Godwin, Wulfnoth, in Winceastre. So doing, Rhiwallon also and wisely began to raise an army with as little fanfare as he could, to prepare for any war.
Sadly, his suspicions were more than correct."(5)
The black mood that haunted this feast, however, haunted them as well. As Harold's agents in the east, the brothers could only hope to aid their patron in any way they could. With this in mind, many Welsh servants were sent to the borhs of Eadwine and Morcar the Northmen(4). In June 1068, word trickled across the border to the ear of Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn that the court of eorl Morcar simmered with rebellion. Alarmed by this news, the young prince sent riders to both the court of his brother and to the far-off sunlit city of Winceastre, where the Godwinson held his court. Unfortunately, these riders would not arrive before the fall of Rouen in July and the arrival of the enigmatic sixth son of Godwin, Wulfnoth, in Winceastre. So doing, Rhiwallon also and wisely began to raise an army with as little fanfare as he could, to prepare for any war.
Sadly, his suspicions were more than correct."(5)
Notes
1. Chronicles of the Princes, written in OW (Original Welsh). These were a series of monastic annals that were, IOTL, written from 682 to 1335 (I believe). They're basically logs of the Welsh princedoms. Here, however, in a bit of a spoiler, the Welsh princedoms will exist until AT LEAST 1900.
2. Another name for Harold.
3. Can't tell who this guy is siding with at all, can you? Gruffydd ap Llewellyn was actually a pretty sweet dude. Originally king of Gwynedd and Powys, Gruffydd managed to conquer all of Wales by 1055 and secure his throne by becoming an "under-king" to Edward the Confessor. However, Harold Godwinson, up to his tricks again, broke the treaty in 1062, eventually leading to Gruffydd's death in 1064 and the dividing up of Wales into the several princedoms once again. Rhiwallon and Bleddyn were basically Harold's puppets.
4. I like the idea of the Welsh calling the Anglo-Danes "the Northmen". It has a nice ring.
5. A bit of a short update, buuuut IT LIVES AGAIN!
As someone else who is writing a timeline about the Germanic tribes, im kind of ashamed I hadnt come upon this TL sooner. I love your dyke of presentation, and it makes for a good read!!
Oh, my, a timeline on the Gothic empire. I'll definitely look you up!
It's BAAAACK! Finally!
Yes, it is indeed back. Turns out college means quite a lot of free time.
Tiny quibble. You are certainly entitled to declare that Harold ruled from Wintanceastre, however it would not be because London had not been the capitol yet. In fact Ethelred II (the Unready) had used London as his capitol for almost the entirety of his reign.
Though I do no know much of the Confessor's reign it's certainly possible that he used Wintanceastre as his capitol so Harold using it as well is likely despite what I referred to above.
Nice timeline so far.
Can I request the Old Welsh spellings be used?
All too often everyone uses the modern day spelling (w, y, ll, dd, etc) which began in the 1200s for TLS before the 1100s and it spoils my reading a bit [/grumpyness]
All too often everyone uses the modern day spelling (w, y, ll, dd, etc) which began in the 1200s for TLS before the 1100s and it spoils my reading a bit [/grumpyness]
From what I understand, Wintanceastre was the royal capital at least during the Confessor's reign. Moreover, Wintanceastre is the heart of Harold's lands; it seems only logical that, without today's immovable nostalgia for certain capitals, he would rule from there. Is that alright?
I shall do my best to accommodate you, fine sir, though I'll admit I'm very unfamiliar with Welsh in general. I do my best to make all my little readerlings happy.
And more is coming! By the end of the week, you, my friends, will have an update that will cover the end of the Breton-Norman War and detail the beginnings of the Northern Troubles. Don't miss it!
I tried a bit of a new approach today. Hope ya fellas like it!
Notes
(1) A quasi-morality play authored by an anonymous Norman supporter in Rouen, in which de Beaumont, after the defeat at Mortain, is confronted by various personified values and spectral beings before making peace with his own inevitable death.
(2) This is a dramatic ploy. In reality, several thousand escaped, but most scattered and formed small bandit groups in the countryside that Konan would later have to suppress.
(3) Yes, these are the actual stage directions. Yes, I know it's melodramatic. What else would you expect of a medieval playwright?
(4) Flanders, if you remember, being Matilda's birthplace and the ancestral home of her family.
(5) Yes, Konan's evolution to hardline justicemonger is something I haven't yet brought up, but it will happen.
(6) I know that many of you will find this cliche or unrealistic; personally, I don't. After all, there is no hope for the Normans; most are dead; their only possible leaders are either completely demoralized or too young to actually lead; and there is nowhere to run, not for even this small force. If it makes you feel better, though, go ahead and imagine that this is a propaganda thing and that de Beaumont and his men actually escaped into exile with Matilda and her children.
(7) Finally, Wulfnoth arrives....as a side character. He'll be more important soon, worry not.
(8) I promise we won't stay this horribly grim for THAT long.
Excerpt from The Last True Norman, written 1346(1)
(Scene: The BOY-DUKE plays with his siblings at stage right, unaware of DE BEAUMONT pacing at stage left. DE BEAUMONT is clearly occupied with a large map of Normandy placed upon an oaken table, around which are simple chairs. A SQUIRE stands nearby, silently. It is late in the evening.)
A MESSENGER enters and bows to DE BEAUMONT.
MESSENGER: (struggling to hold back despair) My lord. I come with grave news. The Bastard of Brittany has defeated our army at Mortain. Less than a thousand are returning to Rouen. The rest have either fled to their homes or lie dead.(2)
DE BEAUMONT stares at the MESSENGER for a moment, then slumps down into a chair at the head of the table, his eyes fixed on the map and tinged with hopelessness(3).
DE BEAUMONT: (muttered) We cannot hold Rouen. All is lost.
He shakes his head, dispelling the demons, and looks towards the SQUIRE.
DE BEAUMONT: (gently) Boy.
SQUIRE: Yes, sire?
DE BEAUMONT: Prepare ten of our fastest horse, and tell the servants to prepare Duke Robert and his brothers and sisters for travel, and find four men-at-arms you trust to accompany them and the Lady Matilda. I want them on the road to Flanders by dawn.(4)
The SQUIRE nods and rushes out of the room. DE BEAUMONT turns his attention to the MESSENGER.
DE BEAUMONT: Find Lady Matilda and tell her to prepare to leave, on the orders of the ducal regent.
The MESSENGER nods as well, and runs off. DE BEAUMONT watches the BOY-DUKE and his siblings wistfully for a moment, then turns away.
DE BEAUMONT: (to himself) At least they are not lost.
A MESSENGER enters and bows to DE BEAUMONT.
MESSENGER: (struggling to hold back despair) My lord. I come with grave news. The Bastard of Brittany has defeated our army at Mortain. Less than a thousand are returning to Rouen. The rest have either fled to their homes or lie dead.(2)
DE BEAUMONT stares at the MESSENGER for a moment, then slumps down into a chair at the head of the table, his eyes fixed on the map and tinged with hopelessness(3).
DE BEAUMONT: (muttered) We cannot hold Rouen. All is lost.
He shakes his head, dispelling the demons, and looks towards the SQUIRE.
DE BEAUMONT: (gently) Boy.
SQUIRE: Yes, sire?
DE BEAUMONT: Prepare ten of our fastest horse, and tell the servants to prepare Duke Robert and his brothers and sisters for travel, and find four men-at-arms you trust to accompany them and the Lady Matilda. I want them on the road to Flanders by dawn.(4)
The SQUIRE nods and rushes out of the room. DE BEAUMONT turns his attention to the MESSENGER.
DE BEAUMONT: Find Lady Matilda and tell her to prepare to leave, on the orders of the ducal regent.
The MESSENGER nods as well, and runs off. DE BEAUMONT watches the BOY-DUKE and his siblings wistfully for a moment, then turns away.
DE BEAUMONT: (to himself) At least they are not lost.
Excerpt from The Saga of Konan, Duke of Brittany
...Mortain was saved.
Despite his great victory at the fields of Mortain, Konan was angered and aggrieved. It was only a Pyrrhic victory in his mind. More than a third of the original Breton army he had begun his campaign with had died or been gravely wounded in the fight, whilst Aimery of Thouars himself had lost an ear and two fingers to some mad Norman swordsman. Though Aimery proclaimed himself to be in able shape nevertheless, the black flame of hatred, which had only simmered in Konan's heart during the many cruelties he had suffered at the hands of William and his compatriots, grew to a raging bonfire which could only be satisfied with Norman blood. It was here at Mortain that he was to begin his transition from the jolly duke he had been to the grimly lawful king he was to become, with that first most terrible act: the execution of Roger de Montgomerie for rebelling against his liege lord. (5)
Aimery of Thouars and the rest of the duke's advisers desperately attempted to counsel him against this just act, believing it would cause chaos among the Norman parts of the army. But Konan was stern in his conviction, and Roger de Montgomerie was executed at sunset on June 10, 1067. Whilst many of de Montgomerie's retainers began to grumble uncomfortably, fearing for their own lives, the men of Maine, Avranches, and Alencon were ecstatic, most of them being far more loyal to their homes than to the Norman dukedom. These lands would later become the heart of Breton support in Normandy, as Konan continued to punish the Normans.
The duke, always merciful as well as just, pardoned the men of Mortain, as they were simply following their lord. With these grim acts done, the army rode for Rouen. By June 18, the great Breton army, which was now almost as much of other lands as it was of Brittany, surrounded Rouen. The Bretons were surprised to find that the city itself was open to them, and the citizens greeted them not with violence, but only sullen silence. Rouen Castle, too, was opened, though a foul stench did wash out of it. Konan was the first man to step through the gates and explore the castle, followed by Aimery and the Breton light horse. There, they found a most horrifying sight; Robert de Beaumont and the remaining one hundred of his supporters, lying dead in the great feasting hall(the rest having been allowed to return to their homes). It was clear that they had all had one final feast together, then had drunk poison or ended their lives in whatever way they saw fit.(6) One survivor was found deep in the dungeons: Wulfnoth, son of Godwin, brother to Harold the Stalwart, King of England. (7) Konan, disgusted and horrified by this act, ordered his men to start a fire in the castle.
It remains only as a blackened ruin.(8)
Despite his great victory at the fields of Mortain, Konan was angered and aggrieved. It was only a Pyrrhic victory in his mind. More than a third of the original Breton army he had begun his campaign with had died or been gravely wounded in the fight, whilst Aimery of Thouars himself had lost an ear and two fingers to some mad Norman swordsman. Though Aimery proclaimed himself to be in able shape nevertheless, the black flame of hatred, which had only simmered in Konan's heart during the many cruelties he had suffered at the hands of William and his compatriots, grew to a raging bonfire which could only be satisfied with Norman blood. It was here at Mortain that he was to begin his transition from the jolly duke he had been to the grimly lawful king he was to become, with that first most terrible act: the execution of Roger de Montgomerie for rebelling against his liege lord. (5)
Aimery of Thouars and the rest of the duke's advisers desperately attempted to counsel him against this just act, believing it would cause chaos among the Norman parts of the army. But Konan was stern in his conviction, and Roger de Montgomerie was executed at sunset on June 10, 1067. Whilst many of de Montgomerie's retainers began to grumble uncomfortably, fearing for their own lives, the men of Maine, Avranches, and Alencon were ecstatic, most of them being far more loyal to their homes than to the Norman dukedom. These lands would later become the heart of Breton support in Normandy, as Konan continued to punish the Normans.
The duke, always merciful as well as just, pardoned the men of Mortain, as they were simply following their lord. With these grim acts done, the army rode for Rouen. By June 18, the great Breton army, which was now almost as much of other lands as it was of Brittany, surrounded Rouen. The Bretons were surprised to find that the city itself was open to them, and the citizens greeted them not with violence, but only sullen silence. Rouen Castle, too, was opened, though a foul stench did wash out of it. Konan was the first man to step through the gates and explore the castle, followed by Aimery and the Breton light horse. There, they found a most horrifying sight; Robert de Beaumont and the remaining one hundred of his supporters, lying dead in the great feasting hall(the rest having been allowed to return to their homes). It was clear that they had all had one final feast together, then had drunk poison or ended their lives in whatever way they saw fit.(6) One survivor was found deep in the dungeons: Wulfnoth, son of Godwin, brother to Harold the Stalwart, King of England. (7) Konan, disgusted and horrified by this act, ordered his men to start a fire in the castle.
It remains only as a blackened ruin.(8)
Notes
(1) A quasi-morality play authored by an anonymous Norman supporter in Rouen, in which de Beaumont, after the defeat at Mortain, is confronted by various personified values and spectral beings before making peace with his own inevitable death.
(2) This is a dramatic ploy. In reality, several thousand escaped, but most scattered and formed small bandit groups in the countryside that Konan would later have to suppress.
(3) Yes, these are the actual stage directions. Yes, I know it's melodramatic. What else would you expect of a medieval playwright?
(4) Flanders, if you remember, being Matilda's birthplace and the ancestral home of her family.
(5) Yes, Konan's evolution to hardline justicemonger is something I haven't yet brought up, but it will happen.
(6) I know that many of you will find this cliche or unrealistic; personally, I don't. After all, there is no hope for the Normans; most are dead; their only possible leaders are either completely demoralized or too young to actually lead; and there is nowhere to run, not for even this small force. If it makes you feel better, though, go ahead and imagine that this is a propaganda thing and that de Beaumont and his men actually escaped into exile with Matilda and her children.
(7) Finally, Wulfnoth arrives....as a side character.
He'll be more important soon, worry not. (8) I promise we won't stay this horribly grim for THAT long.
Ah, it does my heart good to see Norman-angst
Quick fact: this timeline actually started as a semi-revenge fantasy against the Normans and ESPECIALLY William for being completely bastards throughout their entire existence.
Konan's change of heart is going to have large effects on Brittany itself, especially in terms of centralism. As for Western Europe, well, the dukes of France are having doubts about the monarchy's viability in the face of the Norman collapse; after all, if the King of France cannot even rouse himself to protect one of his closest (geographically speaking) vassals, what hope does Burgundy or Aquitaine have against any potential invasion? There are whispers of a palace revolution or perhaps even the potential dismemberment of France as each Duke attempts to go it alone. All that's really needed for France to fall into chaos is one little push.Not much difference is going on elsewhere, though the effects of the fall of Normandy and the survival of the Anglo-Saxon England will soon reverberate through Europe. Expect big effects on Scandinavia and future conflict between the Papacy and the kingly states, both new and old, of Western Europe. And who knows what effect conflict in Christendom will have on the Muslims to the south?
The answer? You'll see soon enough.
Excerpt from Chronicle of the Anglo-Saxon Kings
The Ætheling(1) Wulfnoth Déorfaldes(2), the sixth son of Godwin, arrived in the court of the king without much warning at all, either to the king himself or his retainers.
Even the royal genius(3) which had defended Engaland from the Normans, the Norwegians, and later the Danes could not foresee the chaos the young wolf would bring with him. Upon his arrival in Winceastre, Wulfnoth, having grown both tall and thin by his long languishment and with only the set of fine clothes given to him by lord Konan to his name, presented himself to the King in a distant manner, as though he were a simple thegn or traveler. Harold did not return this manner, joyously rising and embracing his brother fervently, then announcing that a feast would be held in his borh to celebrate the return of his kin.
As wild boar was hunted, mighty fish caught in the cold seas, and delicacies from all corners of the earth brought to the regal city for the great feast, the great king searched his kingdom alike to find a way to repay Konan for this boon. Firstly did he toy with the idea of offering one of his own daughters to Konan in marriage. However, the Stalwart's always political mind realized that he could perhaps solve two problems with a single stroke. Thusly did he summon Edgar Edwardsson, called Ætheling, to his borh to discuss with him a proposal. As Edgar was the last scion of the House of Wessex and thus held at least some authority over the marriage of his sisters Margaret and Christina(4), Harold found it best to deign to give Edgar the honor of cooperation in this matter. The king told him of the recent return of Wulfnoth and the subjugation of Normandy by the Bretons, and by doing so reminded him not only of the English debt to Brittany but the fact that lord Konan(5) was now truly a powerful man. It would be meet to cement ties between Engaland and Brittany with this in mind; namely, to offer the daughter of a royal house of Engaland to Konan in marriage. Harold also passingly suggested that Edgar travel to Brittany and seek to learn the ways of rule from the duke, who was most assuredly a great leader. The naive Ætheling agreed to his proposal, suggesting that Margaret might be the best suited to such a life. Harold was overjoyed by his agreement and the two parted amicably, planning to meet again to plan the marriage properly after the feast.
What was to follow this union, however, belonged to malice and the cruel twists of fate...
Even the royal genius(3) which had defended Engaland from the Normans, the Norwegians, and later the Danes could not foresee the chaos the young wolf would bring with him. Upon his arrival in Winceastre, Wulfnoth, having grown both tall and thin by his long languishment and with only the set of fine clothes given to him by lord Konan to his name, presented himself to the King in a distant manner, as though he were a simple thegn or traveler. Harold did not return this manner, joyously rising and embracing his brother fervently, then announcing that a feast would be held in his borh to celebrate the return of his kin.
As wild boar was hunted, mighty fish caught in the cold seas, and delicacies from all corners of the earth brought to the regal city for the great feast, the great king searched his kingdom alike to find a way to repay Konan for this boon. Firstly did he toy with the idea of offering one of his own daughters to Konan in marriage. However, the Stalwart's always political mind realized that he could perhaps solve two problems with a single stroke. Thusly did he summon Edgar Edwardsson, called Ætheling, to his borh to discuss with him a proposal. As Edgar was the last scion of the House of Wessex and thus held at least some authority over the marriage of his sisters Margaret and Christina(4), Harold found it best to deign to give Edgar the honor of cooperation in this matter. The king told him of the recent return of Wulfnoth and the subjugation of Normandy by the Bretons, and by doing so reminded him not only of the English debt to Brittany but the fact that lord Konan(5) was now truly a powerful man. It would be meet to cement ties between Engaland and Brittany with this in mind; namely, to offer the daughter of a royal house of Engaland to Konan in marriage. Harold also passingly suggested that Edgar travel to Brittany and seek to learn the ways of rule from the duke, who was most assuredly a great leader. The naive Ætheling agreed to his proposal, suggesting that Margaret might be the best suited to such a life. Harold was overjoyed by his agreement and the two parted amicably, planning to meet again to plan the marriage properly after the feast.
What was to follow this union, however, belonged to malice and the cruel twists of fate...
Notes
1. Ætheling doesn't just mean prince; no, in fact, it means someone who is a possible pretender to the throne. Take Wulfnoth being named as such as you will.
2. "Wulfnoth-Who-Was-Given-A-Cage" is the implication of such a name. However, the use of déorfaldes implies a cage for a wild beast more than a man.
3. Genius used here in the Roman sense of the term, meaning a small angel or fairy that gave a person inspiration.
4. In OTL, Margaret would become Saint Margaret, the wife of Malcolm Canmore (Long-Neck), king of Scotland. She is also known as the "Pearl of Scotland" and was notably quite involved in holy projects throughout Scotland. Christina is less well-known, but seems to have also been an extremely pious woman, going into a nunnery when she was about 35.
5. Notice that he's always "lord" Konan. this is simply because it wouldn't be correct for the bard to call him an eorl, but the word duke is not used in Anglo-Saxon political parlance. Thus, we get this.
Soon enough, choild, soon enough. Besides, Konan hasn't claimed himself to be king just yet. That will happen right after or concurrently with his marriage to Margaret.
No, I mean I had been under the impression his family had tried to claim to be kings of Brittany, in the same way the petty kings in England would be kings. I mean I may be wrong but that's what I remember.
Oh! I see. Well, I haven't seen any sources that mention such a thing. As far as I know, the House of Rennes only claimed that they were dukes, not kings. I could definitely be wrong though, so if you find a source, I'll change it as soon as I can.
Yeah I was wrong. I was thinking of the kingdom of Brittany that ended in the 9th century and mixing up my dates.
Ah, alright then. Glad that was cleared up.
So....what'd y'all think so far? Comments? Criticisms? I'm welcome to all!
Nice updates and interesting asides.
Don't apologise too much for melodrama - it's what playwrights do
I was going to complain about "Engaland" but I guess it's a viable spelling considering.
I would say that Conan (let's lose that anachronistic K) could be written as Eorl/Earl since before the Normans that was the Duke position. Likewise it would also be a slight against the later claimed Royal title
Don't apologise too much for melodrama - it's what playwrights do
I was going to complain about "Engaland" but I guess it's a viable spelling considering.
I would say that Conan (let's lose that anachronistic K) could be written as Eorl/Earl since before the Normans that was the Duke position. Likewise it would also be a slight against the later claimed Royal title