1824
United Republics: President Hamilton orders National Guard into the disputed regions against the wills of the Barons and Senators from Georgia, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. He also promises an end to the pirates – to that end he orders the building of three new warships and an envoy to Madagascar and to New Orleans for help against the scourge of pirates.
England: The Second Boer War continues. The situation along the Gold Coast remains tenuous for the English although no further disasters are felt. Despite the ongoing wars England carries on with flooding Australia with criminals, slaves, and prisoners in the hopes of, if nothing else, out populating the Dutch, Venetian, and French colonies also present.
England – France War: with the landing of forces in Ireland the war focus had shifted from naval battles to terrestrial holdings. Fresh rebellions flare up across the island – much of the countryside is outside of English control, but the cities and most of the ports remain in crown control.
France: War of Expansion continues. First Burmese War continues.
Russian Empire: a few minor engagements – Nickolas still on the run, unable to inflict serious harm on his brother’s forces.
Finland: the worst flooding in a hundred years strikes Saint Petersburg – 200 people are killed. In the aftermath of the flooding a wave of unrest strikes the city and area – cries for a return to Russia.
Spain-Orleans War: Charles hosts a Spanish envoy in New Orleans. The Treaty of New Orleans is signed late in the year – officially ending the war.
Spanish Empire: the Peruvian Rebellion continues – several major Spanish defeats. By the end of the year nearly all of Spain’s holdings in the New World are in rebellion (openly aided by New Granada, Brazil, and although not officially offering help, Dutch South America).
Ottoman Empire: Tehran falls to the Ottomans – the Qajar Dynasty is brought to an end. Although there are Persian armies still to be fought, a few of these turn on each other in an attempt to gain command of the splintering kingdom.
January – February 1824:
The calm continues. Mathew Jones had not left Port Mission since the meeting in October. He was under orders from Grace Kelly to personally see to the safety of the Admiral. Bonny had his own Foremen, but no one was to be trusted around an admiral who had largely lost all the respect of his pirates (1). For the most part Mathew Jones and Benjamin James were able to keep Christopher’s blatant addiction out of the public eye – not that people weren’t aware of it.
English warships capture two Kelly pirate ships near capetown (transporting supplies and weapons to the Dutch settlers and the Lunda).
The English stage theirown raid on pirate lands. A sloop slips into Manakara around dawn, killing a fishing sloop crew and capturing a second sloop carrying a grain shipment destined for Port Mission. The English sloop escapes.
March 1824:
By all accounts Robert Devereaux had not let the issue of ousting the Admiral drop. His journals are filled with an ever angrier list of grievances. The tipping point seems to have come when he hears about the raid on Marakara. He writes that he addressed the city council – gaining their blessings to do all that was necessary to protect the Colony.
It seems as if Devereaux would have acted without the consent of the city council, but there was one opinion he would not go against. He writes about meeting with his father-in-law, Oliver Bonny, to discuss Christopher. To sum up, Oliver was very clear – “Christopher was not to be killed.” (2).
Devereaux arrived in Port Mission on the 29th (3). He was stalled by Mathew and Benjamin – they both guessed at Devereaux’s real intentions. Not that Devereaux made a secret of why he was there – for three nights he boasted about how the Admiral needed to be ousted and why (4). On the night of the 31st Devereaux issued a direct challenge to Christopher – the Admiral would either answer in person or be named a coward.
April 1824:
By the morning of April first the Admiral was dead – overdose.
Port Mission was in panic at the news – there was wild speculation that Robert Devereaux had stormed Mission House and was killing off all of Christopher’s loyalists. Shops closed and ships began to speedily depart the docks.
In truth, Devereaux was called to Mission House by Mathew Jones (on the morning of the first) and presented with Christopher’s dead body. Robert Devereaux immediately staked a claim to all of Christopher’s wealth and goods – to which Mathew and Benjamin denied him. There was no actual fight therefore Robert had no claim to the spoils. Tradition held that if there was no written or expressed will by the individual all wealth and goods were to be tribute to family, first mate, crew(s) – in that order. Christopher had no ship or crew of his own and although Benjamin would have been counted as a first mate he declined a share, so all wealth and goods were given to his son, father, and sisters.
That was not the end of it. Devereaux demanded Christopher’s seat – demanded the admiralty (5). Neither Mathew nor Benjamin would allow it. They would call the Council together and the matter would be settled among them all.
It must have been a tense few weeks while the Council gathered. Devereaux didn’t wait, he continued to gather and buy support among the pirates of Port Mission. He sent more letters, as well as bribes, to other pirates all over Madagascar.
By the fifteenth of April the Council of Captains was in session. In short, Robert Devereaux demanded to be appointed admiral. The vote was not in his favor: Elan Rabboaro of Kaominina voted no; Benjamin Taz of Iharana voted no; Mathew Jones of Jamestown voted no; Yamillio of Morondava abstained; Mia Kahn Manakara voted yes; Rija of Toamasina abstained.
Arguing followed – culminating in Benjamin Taz stating that the north would not be subjected to yet another Bonny and fired his pistol. He missed. Devereaux didn’t. More weapons were drawn – the room quickly filled with smoke – and the occupants fled.
In the aftermath: Benjamin Taz was dead; Mathew Jones was wounded; and Elan Rabboaro was wounded.
There were scattered shots and fighting in the streets of Port Mission, some round shot was exchanged at the docks, but no deaths are reported.
The following day, the 16th of April, the first battle is fought. Benjamin James gave chase to Robert Devereaux and the two ships finally committed to battle near Manakara. Benjamin fried several long shots, and Robert accepted the challenge and heaved to. Although cannon fire was exchanged the real battle was fought by boarding parties – Benjamin James was killed, his crew and ship captured and brought to Fort Dauphin.
May 1824:
Things remained quiet until the middle of May when Port Mission was attacked by a joint Kaominina/Iharana force of six ships. Port Mission had been left alone since the 15th of April and the flotilla under the command of Captain Elan Rabboaro was not expecting any or much resistance.
However, three factions had joined together to oppose the attack – Devereaux supporters, pirates who didn’t wanted anyone to have Port Mission, and Kelly loyalists - led by Claude Henry (6) - who were working to keep Port Mission in Kelly hands, or at the very least, out of the hands of anyone else.
On the 8th, the port was blocked and by nightfall the docks had been lost to Captain Rabboaro’s pirates. For two days heavy fighting would continue.
By the 10th Rabboaro realized that this power struggle would not be won by holding Port Mission. Elan posted two ships to hold the blockade and the docks and left with his other ships for Fort Dauphin.
This would not end the fighting in Port Mission. A mess of factional encounters would persist.
Several days later Rabboaro’s fleet was engaged by four sloops out from Manakara. The Manakara ships were defeated with three captured and one sunk – the captains were killed outright, the crews were given a choice: two gold coins for their loyalty and continued service on ship, or death (most picked the coins).
On the 22nd Rabboaro tired and failed to take Fort Dauphin. Elan’s overconfident plan included several fake assaults, landing of pirates, rockets to blind the enemy, and a direct attack on the docks. Rabboaro did land pirates, but the war parties were quickly overwhelmed. The fakes on the fort were overly complicated and miscommunication ensued between his ships – which left the Rabboaro flotilla unready when Devereaux and a fleet of Fort Dauphin attacked.
Rabboaro retreated. Deciding over the next few days that what needed to be done was to take out Devereaux’s supporters. With that in mind he finally set his eyes on Manakara.
June 1824:
The Elder Council issues orders to its warriors – decrying the evils undertaken by Robert Devereaux and Fort Dauphin. Sakalava armies begin moving south and east towards Port Mission.
Attacks on the Manakara region is bloody although not very effective – Rabboaro sent pirates ashore in several places not knowing if some or all of the area was supporting Devereaux.
King Boabuana sends Rija with a large warband into the Manakara lands to “help”. Skirmishes are fought as much with Devereaux pirates as with Manakara warriors.
King Boabuana is visited by members of the Fort Dauphin city council…and “encouraged” to support Devereaux. Boabuana agrees to the proposal and issues orders to Rija as well as holding up the Sakalava warriors meant to safeguard Port Mission. Boabuana does send his own warriors to Port Mission – which he takes and holds for Devereaux.
With Jamestown ships battling Fort Dauphin ships, and word of the Sakalava warriors moving south, Devereaux sends city council members to both Jamestown and Morondava. Through those envoys Devereaux offered Grace a large bribe as well as assurance of noninterference in Jamestown business (7). To the Elder Council he offered large bribe and a promise to send ship orders their way (although no direct promise was made about staying out of Morondava business).
Both deals are accepted although not without limitations – Devereaux had until the end of the year to settle this matter with the others (8). This causes a bit of a stir back in Sakalava lands – the Elder Council was already looked at by the youth warriors as having lost their way, and now they are issuing orders to withdraw – after rallying the warriors with talk of the evils of Robert Devereaux (there are several pockets of unrest bordering on open rebellion).
July 1824:
Robert Devereaux finally committed ships to Manakara after the deals with Jamestown and Morondava were agreed upon. In early July Rabboaro ships are overwhelmed and he is pushed out of the south (abandoning many of his pirates left on land).
On the 18th of July a major sea battle is fought near Port Mission. Rabboaro was unaware that Port Mission had been taken by King Boabuana’s warriors – he was drawn into the port and then attacked. Only two ships escaped – both Iharana (pulling aboard as many refugees as they could, including Captain Rabboaro).
August 1824:
Devereaux moved north, shelling coastal towns and scattering Iharana ships.
As Devereaux approached Iharana he was met by a white flag – Rabboaro was handed over to Devereaux.
September 1824:
Rabboaro is hung.
Despite the capture and hanging of Rabboaro, skirmishes in Port Mission continue until the arrival of Grace and Mathew later in the month.
October 1824:
Robert Devereaux calls for a new Council of Captains. He has brought to Port Mission, by force, a member from both of the city councils of Kaominina and Iharana. Although Mathew and Grace agree to side with the majority they do not cast a vote – the other Council Members favor Devereaux.
Robert Devereaux is named the new Admiral. Robert does not call for a new Council – he maintains the old seats , with the addition of Arthur Pike from Iharana, and Robert Fletcher from Kaominina (no new appointment is made to replace Devereaux as the representative of Fort Dauphin).
November – December 1824:
Robert Devereaux keeps – as guests – the northern representatives.
There are three attempts on Admiral Devereaux’s life: a pistol shot from afar, a dagger from a young pirate, and an explosion – which never had any danger of killing Devereaux as it exploded prematurely at the gates to Mission House…killing the two assassins as well as three Foremen.
Notes:
1)Kelly support: There is no argument that under different circumstances Grace would have agreed with Robert Devereaux about Admiral Bonny. Christopher had become a terrible captain, but the Kellys were enjoying the profits and power in running the Colony without the burden or danger of actually being in charge.
2)Permission: Robert Devereaux may have asked for permission from the city council of Fort Dauphin and the blessing of Oliver Bonny, but there was once source of support he didn’t need to ask. His wife Anne – sister to Christopher – by all accounts she was the driving force behind his push to have Christopher removed. There was actually another voice he may have checked with, that of Adam Bonny – Christopher’s son. The boy was about 12 years old at this time, and although Christopher had all but abandoned Adam to be raised by his father and sisters, it is a wonder at what that conversation between Adam and Robert would have been like.
3)Looking for support: when Devereaux left to confront Admiral Bonny he sent on ahead of him letters to various other pirates, primarily to the region of Manakara where there was heavy dislike of the current Admiral.
4)Gauging support: while in Port Mission was doing his best to test the waters as far as how much support Bonny hand in town – he was also letting it know to his supports where he was and why he was there so that if he were to suddenly disappear they would know why.
5) Ascension through assignation: although the Code allowed for circumstances where this type of social mobility was acceptable, in regards to the position of admiral it has always been unacceptable.
6)The Henrys: a long time family ally of the Kellys. For three generations now they have been the caretakers of the Mission inn and all things Kelly in Port Mission.
7)Devereaux’s offer: despite its favorable features, Grace Kelly almost didn’t accept the deal Devereaux offered. She had received, a few days prior to the arrivial of the envoy from Fort Dauphin, a letter from her half-brother Edward (son of Brigit – Grace’s mother…there is some friction between them as you might remember). In the letter Edward tries to persuade Grace away from taking the family into yet another pointless feud. Out of spite for Edward and Brigit she was very tempted to purposely keep the family in the fight.
8)Deal accepted: in the end Grace accepted the deal with Devereaux for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it weakens her enemies while keeps her family strong – namely the north, into which she was still determined to regain the control the family once had. Secondly, whether Devereaux won or lost he would be in a position to need allies, giving the family a large bargaining chip. Thirdly, the bribe was hefty.
United Republics: President Hamilton orders National Guard into the disputed regions against the wills of the Barons and Senators from Georgia, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. He also promises an end to the pirates – to that end he orders the building of three new warships and an envoy to Madagascar and to New Orleans for help against the scourge of pirates.
England: The Second Boer War continues. The situation along the Gold Coast remains tenuous for the English although no further disasters are felt. Despite the ongoing wars England carries on with flooding Australia with criminals, slaves, and prisoners in the hopes of, if nothing else, out populating the Dutch, Venetian, and French colonies also present.
England – France War: with the landing of forces in Ireland the war focus had shifted from naval battles to terrestrial holdings. Fresh rebellions flare up across the island – much of the countryside is outside of English control, but the cities and most of the ports remain in crown control.
France: War of Expansion continues. First Burmese War continues.
Russian Empire: a few minor engagements – Nickolas still on the run, unable to inflict serious harm on his brother’s forces.
Finland: the worst flooding in a hundred years strikes Saint Petersburg – 200 people are killed. In the aftermath of the flooding a wave of unrest strikes the city and area – cries for a return to Russia.
Spain-Orleans War: Charles hosts a Spanish envoy in New Orleans. The Treaty of New Orleans is signed late in the year – officially ending the war.
Spanish Empire: the Peruvian Rebellion continues – several major Spanish defeats. By the end of the year nearly all of Spain’s holdings in the New World are in rebellion (openly aided by New Granada, Brazil, and although not officially offering help, Dutch South America).
Ottoman Empire: Tehran falls to the Ottomans – the Qajar Dynasty is brought to an end. Although there are Persian armies still to be fought, a few of these turn on each other in an attempt to gain command of the splintering kingdom.
January – February 1824:
The calm continues. Mathew Jones had not left Port Mission since the meeting in October. He was under orders from Grace Kelly to personally see to the safety of the Admiral. Bonny had his own Foremen, but no one was to be trusted around an admiral who had largely lost all the respect of his pirates (1). For the most part Mathew Jones and Benjamin James were able to keep Christopher’s blatant addiction out of the public eye – not that people weren’t aware of it.
English warships capture two Kelly pirate ships near capetown (transporting supplies and weapons to the Dutch settlers and the Lunda).
The English stage theirown raid on pirate lands. A sloop slips into Manakara around dawn, killing a fishing sloop crew and capturing a second sloop carrying a grain shipment destined for Port Mission. The English sloop escapes.
March 1824:
By all accounts Robert Devereaux had not let the issue of ousting the Admiral drop. His journals are filled with an ever angrier list of grievances. The tipping point seems to have come when he hears about the raid on Marakara. He writes that he addressed the city council – gaining their blessings to do all that was necessary to protect the Colony.
It seems as if Devereaux would have acted without the consent of the city council, but there was one opinion he would not go against. He writes about meeting with his father-in-law, Oliver Bonny, to discuss Christopher. To sum up, Oliver was very clear – “Christopher was not to be killed.” (2).
Devereaux arrived in Port Mission on the 29th (3). He was stalled by Mathew and Benjamin – they both guessed at Devereaux’s real intentions. Not that Devereaux made a secret of why he was there – for three nights he boasted about how the Admiral needed to be ousted and why (4). On the night of the 31st Devereaux issued a direct challenge to Christopher – the Admiral would either answer in person or be named a coward.
April 1824:
By the morning of April first the Admiral was dead – overdose.
Port Mission was in panic at the news – there was wild speculation that Robert Devereaux had stormed Mission House and was killing off all of Christopher’s loyalists. Shops closed and ships began to speedily depart the docks.
In truth, Devereaux was called to Mission House by Mathew Jones (on the morning of the first) and presented with Christopher’s dead body. Robert Devereaux immediately staked a claim to all of Christopher’s wealth and goods – to which Mathew and Benjamin denied him. There was no actual fight therefore Robert had no claim to the spoils. Tradition held that if there was no written or expressed will by the individual all wealth and goods were to be tribute to family, first mate, crew(s) – in that order. Christopher had no ship or crew of his own and although Benjamin would have been counted as a first mate he declined a share, so all wealth and goods were given to his son, father, and sisters.
That was not the end of it. Devereaux demanded Christopher’s seat – demanded the admiralty (5). Neither Mathew nor Benjamin would allow it. They would call the Council together and the matter would be settled among them all.
It must have been a tense few weeks while the Council gathered. Devereaux didn’t wait, he continued to gather and buy support among the pirates of Port Mission. He sent more letters, as well as bribes, to other pirates all over Madagascar.
By the fifteenth of April the Council of Captains was in session. In short, Robert Devereaux demanded to be appointed admiral. The vote was not in his favor: Elan Rabboaro of Kaominina voted no; Benjamin Taz of Iharana voted no; Mathew Jones of Jamestown voted no; Yamillio of Morondava abstained; Mia Kahn Manakara voted yes; Rija of Toamasina abstained.
Arguing followed – culminating in Benjamin Taz stating that the north would not be subjected to yet another Bonny and fired his pistol. He missed. Devereaux didn’t. More weapons were drawn – the room quickly filled with smoke – and the occupants fled.
In the aftermath: Benjamin Taz was dead; Mathew Jones was wounded; and Elan Rabboaro was wounded.
There were scattered shots and fighting in the streets of Port Mission, some round shot was exchanged at the docks, but no deaths are reported.
The following day, the 16th of April, the first battle is fought. Benjamin James gave chase to Robert Devereaux and the two ships finally committed to battle near Manakara. Benjamin fried several long shots, and Robert accepted the challenge and heaved to. Although cannon fire was exchanged the real battle was fought by boarding parties – Benjamin James was killed, his crew and ship captured and brought to Fort Dauphin.
May 1824:
Things remained quiet until the middle of May when Port Mission was attacked by a joint Kaominina/Iharana force of six ships. Port Mission had been left alone since the 15th of April and the flotilla under the command of Captain Elan Rabboaro was not expecting any or much resistance.
However, three factions had joined together to oppose the attack – Devereaux supporters, pirates who didn’t wanted anyone to have Port Mission, and Kelly loyalists - led by Claude Henry (6) - who were working to keep Port Mission in Kelly hands, or at the very least, out of the hands of anyone else.
On the 8th, the port was blocked and by nightfall the docks had been lost to Captain Rabboaro’s pirates. For two days heavy fighting would continue.
By the 10th Rabboaro realized that this power struggle would not be won by holding Port Mission. Elan posted two ships to hold the blockade and the docks and left with his other ships for Fort Dauphin.
This would not end the fighting in Port Mission. A mess of factional encounters would persist.
Several days later Rabboaro’s fleet was engaged by four sloops out from Manakara. The Manakara ships were defeated with three captured and one sunk – the captains were killed outright, the crews were given a choice: two gold coins for their loyalty and continued service on ship, or death (most picked the coins).
On the 22nd Rabboaro tired and failed to take Fort Dauphin. Elan’s overconfident plan included several fake assaults, landing of pirates, rockets to blind the enemy, and a direct attack on the docks. Rabboaro did land pirates, but the war parties were quickly overwhelmed. The fakes on the fort were overly complicated and miscommunication ensued between his ships – which left the Rabboaro flotilla unready when Devereaux and a fleet of Fort Dauphin attacked.
Rabboaro retreated. Deciding over the next few days that what needed to be done was to take out Devereaux’s supporters. With that in mind he finally set his eyes on Manakara.
June 1824:
The Elder Council issues orders to its warriors – decrying the evils undertaken by Robert Devereaux and Fort Dauphin. Sakalava armies begin moving south and east towards Port Mission.
Attacks on the Manakara region is bloody although not very effective – Rabboaro sent pirates ashore in several places not knowing if some or all of the area was supporting Devereaux.
King Boabuana sends Rija with a large warband into the Manakara lands to “help”. Skirmishes are fought as much with Devereaux pirates as with Manakara warriors.
King Boabuana is visited by members of the Fort Dauphin city council…and “encouraged” to support Devereaux. Boabuana agrees to the proposal and issues orders to Rija as well as holding up the Sakalava warriors meant to safeguard Port Mission. Boabuana does send his own warriors to Port Mission – which he takes and holds for Devereaux.
With Jamestown ships battling Fort Dauphin ships, and word of the Sakalava warriors moving south, Devereaux sends city council members to both Jamestown and Morondava. Through those envoys Devereaux offered Grace a large bribe as well as assurance of noninterference in Jamestown business (7). To the Elder Council he offered large bribe and a promise to send ship orders their way (although no direct promise was made about staying out of Morondava business).
Both deals are accepted although not without limitations – Devereaux had until the end of the year to settle this matter with the others (8). This causes a bit of a stir back in Sakalava lands – the Elder Council was already looked at by the youth warriors as having lost their way, and now they are issuing orders to withdraw – after rallying the warriors with talk of the evils of Robert Devereaux (there are several pockets of unrest bordering on open rebellion).
July 1824:
Robert Devereaux finally committed ships to Manakara after the deals with Jamestown and Morondava were agreed upon. In early July Rabboaro ships are overwhelmed and he is pushed out of the south (abandoning many of his pirates left on land).
On the 18th of July a major sea battle is fought near Port Mission. Rabboaro was unaware that Port Mission had been taken by King Boabuana’s warriors – he was drawn into the port and then attacked. Only two ships escaped – both Iharana (pulling aboard as many refugees as they could, including Captain Rabboaro).
August 1824:
Devereaux moved north, shelling coastal towns and scattering Iharana ships.
As Devereaux approached Iharana he was met by a white flag – Rabboaro was handed over to Devereaux.
September 1824:
Rabboaro is hung.
Despite the capture and hanging of Rabboaro, skirmishes in Port Mission continue until the arrival of Grace and Mathew later in the month.
October 1824:
Robert Devereaux calls for a new Council of Captains. He has brought to Port Mission, by force, a member from both of the city councils of Kaominina and Iharana. Although Mathew and Grace agree to side with the majority they do not cast a vote – the other Council Members favor Devereaux.
Robert Devereaux is named the new Admiral. Robert does not call for a new Council – he maintains the old seats , with the addition of Arthur Pike from Iharana, and Robert Fletcher from Kaominina (no new appointment is made to replace Devereaux as the representative of Fort Dauphin).
November – December 1824:
Robert Devereaux keeps – as guests – the northern representatives.
There are three attempts on Admiral Devereaux’s life: a pistol shot from afar, a dagger from a young pirate, and an explosion – which never had any danger of killing Devereaux as it exploded prematurely at the gates to Mission House…killing the two assassins as well as three Foremen.
Notes:
1)Kelly support: There is no argument that under different circumstances Grace would have agreed with Robert Devereaux about Admiral Bonny. Christopher had become a terrible captain, but the Kellys were enjoying the profits and power in running the Colony without the burden or danger of actually being in charge.
2)Permission: Robert Devereaux may have asked for permission from the city council of Fort Dauphin and the blessing of Oliver Bonny, but there was once source of support he didn’t need to ask. His wife Anne – sister to Christopher – by all accounts she was the driving force behind his push to have Christopher removed. There was actually another voice he may have checked with, that of Adam Bonny – Christopher’s son. The boy was about 12 years old at this time, and although Christopher had all but abandoned Adam to be raised by his father and sisters, it is a wonder at what that conversation between Adam and Robert would have been like.
3)Looking for support: when Devereaux left to confront Admiral Bonny he sent on ahead of him letters to various other pirates, primarily to the region of Manakara where there was heavy dislike of the current Admiral.
4)Gauging support: while in Port Mission was doing his best to test the waters as far as how much support Bonny hand in town – he was also letting it know to his supports where he was and why he was there so that if he were to suddenly disappear they would know why.
5) Ascension through assignation: although the Code allowed for circumstances where this type of social mobility was acceptable, in regards to the position of admiral it has always been unacceptable.
6)The Henrys: a long time family ally of the Kellys. For three generations now they have been the caretakers of the Mission inn and all things Kelly in Port Mission.
7)Devereaux’s offer: despite its favorable features, Grace Kelly almost didn’t accept the deal Devereaux offered. She had received, a few days prior to the arrivial of the envoy from Fort Dauphin, a letter from her half-brother Edward (son of Brigit – Grace’s mother…there is some friction between them as you might remember). In the letter Edward tries to persuade Grace away from taking the family into yet another pointless feud. Out of spite for Edward and Brigit she was very tempted to purposely keep the family in the fight.
8)Deal accepted: in the end Grace accepted the deal with Devereaux for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it weakens her enemies while keeps her family strong – namely the north, into which she was still determined to regain the control the family once had. Secondly, whether Devereaux won or lost he would be in a position to need allies, giving the family a large bargaining chip. Thirdly, the bribe was hefty.