"It should be noted that the High Kings of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth have descended from Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and have belonged to the House of Bretwalda since it's inception, transitioning from the nascent Kingdom of England after the fall of the House of Wessex and the ill-fated brief rule of the House of Godwin, into a collective organisation that would, at times, rival the Holy Roman Empire ..."
- extract from "Leofwine (VIII) the Tremulous: A Biography", by Harald Edwinsson
"It should be noted that the High Kings of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth have descended from Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and have belonged to the House of Bretwalda since it's inception, transitioning from the nascent Kingdom of England after the fall of the House of Wessex and the ill-fated brief rule of the House of Godwin, into a collective organisation that would, at times, rival the Holy Roman Empire ..."
- extract from "Leofwine (VIII) the Tremulous: A Biography", by Harald Edwinsson
Godwin XVI (portrayed by Gwilym Lee) in a CBC dramatization of the life of Barbara of Naples
It is 1801.
Godwin XVI, born to Godwin Aetheling and his wife, Barbara of Naples, had ruled from 1774, following the death of his grandfather, Godwin XV.
Godwin Aetheling had died ten years prior to his father and Barbara thanked God that her son had reached majority by the time his grandfather had died, for if he had not, the Grand Witenagemot would have likely passed the Kingship to one of his uncles. However, he had and was elected High King.
The plans made by his mother regarding his marriage had been accelerated - determining that his line must be made secure. Barbara must have been acting in her own interests here: given that the High King was not a hereditary position, no special provisions were made for the widow of the son of a High King. She only held rank and precedent as the daughter-in-law or mother (or indeed grandmother) of a High King.
Should Godwin XVI predecease her, and should any of his sons not be appointed as High King, then she would be shuffled off to the corners of the royal court or even encouraged to enter a nunnery.
Barbara had selected Berenguela of Leon to marry her son, become High Queen of the Anglo Saxon Commonwealth and provide issue, thusly protecting her own position. Berenguela was plain but happy and, as Barbara found out to her delight, very fertile. After the marriage in 1775, Godwin XVI and Berenguela produced five children that survived infancy, and of those, three were boys that would be added to the ranks of the Aethelings and eligible to be elected as High King when they reached majority.
The first two and a half decades of Godwin XVI's reign were bookmarked by, first, the War of Austria of the South and, last, the Elbe Catastrophe. In the former, Austria of the South, a colonial asset of the Holy Roman Empire, attempted to secede. This failed, but the actions did secure Austria of the South a seat in the Imperial Diet and its creation as an Archduchy. Twenty years later, the Elbe Catastrophe, also known as The Great Fire of Lauensberg on Elbe, saw a fire decimate the capital of Lauenberg, resulting in significant loss of life, including the deaths of several members of the Lauenberg royal family.
In turn, the Elbe Catastrophe also resulted in the betrothal of Berenguela of the Commonwealth to Crown Prince Joachim of Lauenberg, a match arranged by Barbara of Naples, alongside the marriage of her eldest grandson, Godwin Aetheling, to Archduchess Magdalena of Austria.
As the century drew to a close, news arrived at the High Court of the Commonwealth in Tamworth that the expedition, sponsored by the Prince of Guelders, to find a westward route to China had discovered a series of islands, at first believed to be China itself, and later revised as the West Chinese Islands. Much as the War of Austria of the South and the Elbe Catastrophe has influenced royal marriages, Barbara of Naples saw the success of the Gueldern expedition as a chance to match her second grandson, Morcar Aetheling, to Jutta of Guelders, eldest daughter of the Prince of Guelders. Thus, with her eldest three grandchildren married into the courts of Lauenberg and Guelders, and the Imperial Court of the Holy Roman Empire, Barbara must have felt at least moderately secure with her position - even if her line did not retain the crown, then she had three other courts in which she would undoubtedly be able to find sanctuary.
The year 1800 itself passed with no political upheaval. Barbara of Naples orchestrated two further matches, for her two youngest grandchildren, Leofric Aetheling and Barbara of the Commonwealth (who had been named after Barbara of Naples herself). Whilst the marriage of Barbara of the Commonwealth to Gilles of Brittany, Lord of Chantice, took place in Summer 1800, the match between the fifteen year old Leofric Aetheling and his future wife, Auguste of Lombardy, was merely agreed, and scheduled for 1805 when Leofric was twenty and Auguste reached majority.
On Decemberyl 29th, shortly after receiving news of the first pregnancy of Archduchess Magdalena of Austria (this was not his first grandchild, having a grandson by Berenguela of the Commonwealth, and a granddaughter by Morcar Aetheling), Godwin XVI took to his bed at Tamworth and was diagnosed with typhoid fever.
Five days later he passed away.
It is 1801.
Godwin XVI was dead, and the Grand Witenagemot would be gathered to elect the new High King of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth.
The House of (the) Bretwalda, c. January 1801
Godwin XV, d. 1774
1) Godwin Aetheling, d. 1764, m. Barbara of Naples
a) Godwin XVI, b. 1756, r. 1774 to 1801, m. Berenguela of Leon
1) Godwin Aetheling, b. 1776, m. Archduchess Magdalena of Austria
a) pregnant, child due c. July 1801
2) Berenguela of the Commonwealth, b. 1778, m. Crown Prince Joachim of Lauenberg
a) Godwin of Lauenberg, b. 1798
3) Morcar Aetheling, b. 1779, m. Jutta of Guelders
a) Jutta of the Commonwealth, b. 1800
4) Barbara of the Commonwealth, b. 1781, m. Gilles of Brittany, Lord of Chantice
5) Leofric Aetheling, b. 1785, (m). Auguste of Lombardy
I mean, the initial thing that started the age of discovery was the fall of Constantinople and the Ottomans limiting trade from the silk road, right? I agree it's rather unlikely that no one ever tried to go west, there will always be some rich idiots willing to risk it all and sail into what everyone else thinks is miles of open ocean, but it's not impossible that every one who tried it either sunk on route or never made it back.
Next Time on "The House of Bretwalda : The High Kings of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth of the 19th Century" ...
The Grand Witenagemot is gathered at Tamworth Castle to elect the new High King of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth.
But what seems simple at first is complicated by the arrival of Leofwine, Lord of the Wihtwara jure uxoris, cousin of the late High King who demands on being considered for the crown.
With the interregnum prolonged, and Siward, Earl of Lindsay having temporarily assumed the powers and responsibilities of the High King as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, who will emerge victorious.
the High Kings of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth have descended from Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and have belonged to the House of Bretwalda since it's inception
Is it the House of Bretwalda?
Or is it the House of (the) Bretwalda?
The second seems to make more sense given that Bretwalda was a title…
How did the title become the house name? Why not Leofric or Mercia if that is where they claim descent? Or the first of the house who became Bretwalda?
Is it the House of Bretwalda?
Or is it the House of (the) Bretwalda?
The second seems to make more sense given that Bretwalda was a title…
How did the title become the house name? Why not Leofric or Mercia if that is where they claim descent? Or the first of the house who became Bretwalda?
The answer is that it is both - it rather does depend on context ie it would be officially be the House of Bretwalda, but in certain contexts such as a family tree indicating descent from a specific High King, it might shift to House of (the) Bretwalda.
The first draft of the overture and Part 1 were written with it as House of Hwicce, and there is a cadet branch (House of Bretwalda-Wihtwara) featured in the next instalment.
The first draft of the overture and Part 1 were written with it as House of Hwicce, and there is a cadet branch (House of Bretwalda-Wihtwara) featured in the next instalment.
I had wondered about Ealdorman Leofwine - given that he is the oldest known ancestor - and why you hadn't used Hwicce when there was a Lord of the Wihtwara.
Tamworth Castle, a Norman inspired motte-and-bailey castle, completed by Godwin III in 1153
The senior members of the Grand Witenagemot of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth assembled in the Chamber of the Ennead at Tamworth Castle on 16th January 1801, two weeks after the death of Godwin XVI. By existing agreement, Siward, Earl of Lindsay, had acted as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth during this interregnum, charged with discharging the power and responsibilities (but not taking the throne itself) of the High King of the Commonwealth until such time that the Grand Witenagemot selected a new High King.
The Grand Witenagemot - known as The Ennead during an interregnum (as there was no High King to council) - was composed of representatives of each of the nation's that made up the Commonwealth - representatives of Northumbria, Mercia, Wessex, Kent, East Anglia, Essex and Sussex, (the original Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy), and then Cornwall and Strathclyde, who had been later additions.
As the High King of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth was traditionally also King of Northumbria, it was common practice for the Archbishop of York, at this time, Emmanuel of Nevers, who held primacy over the Catholic church in the Commonwealth, to take the Northumbrian seat in the Chamber of the Ennead.
On the first day, the Ennead summoned the two eligible Aethelings: Godwin and Morcar, eldest two sons of the late High King Godwin XVI. At only fifteen, their younger brother, Leofric, had not yet reached majority and was not eligible. A thousand years ago, the concept of Aetheling had meant any male of noble birth, then revised to any male descended from Cerdic of Wessex, but Alfred the Great had further revised the term to apply to only those of the House of Wessex who were sons or brothers of the reigning King of Wessex.
But the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth had redefined the concept about three hundred years prior so that special provision was made for any son or grandson of a High King of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth who had reached majority could present themselves as a viable candidate to be elected High King.
Morcar Aetheling voluntary abdicated his claim to be elected as High King of the Commonwealth in favour of his elder brother, and it seemed that the election would be completed within a day or two.
However, Leofwine Aetheling, uncle of Godwin XVI and second son of Godwin XV, and his eldest son, Leofwine (Aetheling), Lord of the Wihtwara jure uxoris, arrived at Tamworth and entered the Chamber of the Ennead to make their claim to the throne.
The elder Leofwine had been the main opposition when Godwin XVI had been elected as High King of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth twenty five years earlier and, in a world wherein Godwin XV had died only two months earlier, would have likely been elected as Godwin XVI would have still been in his minority at that point.
Leofwine was clearly resentful of his nephew but at almost seventy was unlikely to be elected as High King by the Ennead himself and, much like Barbara of Naples had championed her own son in the last election process, was intent on putting his own son on the throne.
Godwin Aetheling was twenty five, but Leofwine of the Wihtwara was nearer fifty with children and grandchildren of his own. Godwin had no children, and whilst Magdalena of Austria was pregnant, it remained to be seen if that child would be a son or a daughter. In contrast, if Godwin was only twenty five then his rule would be longer and provide more stability and there was no reason to believe that multiple sons would not be forthcoming.
With the challenge by Leofwine of the Wihtwara to the election of Godwin Aetheling as Godwin XVII, the hope that the process could be completed within two days evaporated and the process stretched out for a week, with only a break for prayers, administered by Emmanuel of Nevers at the chapel of Tamworth Castle, on the Sunday.
This was by no means the longest election in the history of the Commonwealth, with the Election of 1485 having extended for two months whilst each of the eight sons of Godwin IX had made their case to be elected.
Leofwine made a solid age - his age indicated a wisdom not held by the youthful Godwin and his children and grandchildren provided a future stability for the Commonwealth. But Godwin was able to counter with his youth providing for a longer reign, and his siblings marriages into the monarchies of Guelders and Lauenberg with his own into the Holy Roman Empire would bring prestige, trade and riches to the Commonwealth, things which Leofwine could not promise despite his age.
Leofwine Aetheling argued on behalf of his son whilst his daughter-in-law, Seaxburh, Lady of the Wihtwara suo jure, on behalf of her husband and, in turn, Barbara of Naples, Berenguela of Leon and Magdalena of Austria spoke on behalf of their grandson, son and husband respectively.
Morcar Aetheling may have been the tie-breaker, speaking on behalf of his brother and on the afternoon of January 22nd 1801, the Ennead were left alone to debate amongst themselves.
The (Wider) House of (the) Bretwalda, c. January 1801
Godwin XV, d. 1774
1) Godwin Aetheling, d. 1764, m. Barbara of Naples
a) Godwin XVI, b. 1756, r. 1774 to 1801, m. Berenguela of Leon
1) Godwin Aetheling, b. 1776, m. Archduchess Magdalena of Austria
a) pregnant, child due c. July 1801
2) Berenguela of the Commonwealth, b. 1778, m. Crown Prince Joachim of Lauenberg
a) Godwin of Lauenberg, b. 1798
3) Morcar Aetheling, b. 1779, m. Jutta of Guelders
a) Jutta of the Commonwealth, b. 1800
4) Barbara of the Commonwealth, b. 1781, m. Gilles of Brittany, Lord of Chantice
5) Leofric Aetheling, b. 1785, (m). Auguste of Lombardy
2) Leofwine Aetheling, m. Valdrada of Venice
a) Leofwine Aetheling, Lord of the Wihtwara jure uxoris, m. Seaxburh, Lady of the Wihtwara suo jure
1) Leofwine of the Wihtwara
a) has issue
2) Aelfgar of the Wihtwara
a) has issue
b) Edwin Aetheling, Lucrezia of Florence
1) Edwin Edwinson
3) Eadric Aetheling, m. Richenza of Frisia
a) Eadric Aetheling
b) Wulfnoth Aetheling
The following morning, the Ennead summoned the two candidates to the Chamber of the Ennead at Tamworth Castle to announce their decision ...
Godwin Aetheling had been elected as Godwin XVII, High King of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth.
The representatives of the Kings of both Kent and Wessex who sat on the Ennead had voted in favour of Leofwine, Lord of the Wihtwara, likely out of perceived benefit to the proximity of the estates of his wife, Seaxburh, Lady of the Wihtwara. The representatives of the other six monarchs of the Commonwealth had, in turn, voted for Godwin, and Emmanuel of Nevers, though he later professed to Barbara of Naples that he would have supported Godwin, had not needed to vote as no tie had occurred.
Next Time on "The House of Bretwalda : The High Kings of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth of the 19th Century" ...
Godwin XVII, now elected High King of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth by the Grand Witenagemot, travels to Bamburgh to face the Northumbrian Witenagemot and secure his election as King of Northumbria.
But having missed out on being elected as High King, Leofwine, Lord of the Whitwara jure uxoris, also travels to Bamburgh to sabotage the High Kings plan.
But even when the Northumbrian Witenagemot have made their decision, the next several months of 1801 see a series of births and deaths that will further change the face of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth forever ...
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Ennead
The 23rd January 1801 would see Godwin XVII elected as High King of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth, and within six months he would be dead in his bed chambers at Tamworth Castle at the hand of an assassin, a servant, Edmund of Cambridge. Upon learning of her husbands murder, the Dowager High Queen went into labour and subsequently gave birth to a son, christened Godwin (after his father), and ranked Aetheling as the son of a High King was allowed, but often referred to in the annals of the House of Bretwalda as Godwin the Posthumous.
But this isn't a story of the life of Godwin the Posthumous. Not right now. But we will meet him again later, even if his destiny lies far from the Commonwealth.
Let us return to the 24th January 1801 and the next steps that the newly elected High King was to take. As was traditional, the High King was often the King of Northumbria too, but this was not guaranteed, and it still required summoning the Northumbrian Witenagemot to Bamburgh Castle.
The rules for the election process to be King of Northumbria were much the same as those of the High King. But the Witenagemot had gotten used to simply approving the choice of the Ennead. Challenging the new High King for the crown of Northumbria was simply not done.
Not usually. But shortly after the arrival of the High Court at Bamburgh, so to did Leofwine, the Lord of the Whitwara, demanding to be considered for electiom as King of Northumbria, as was technically his right. But it being his right did not mean he was right to do it, and whisper of scandal sounded around the castle.
Courtiers and servants swiftly pointed out that Leofwine was the grandson of a High King and if he failed in his bid for the throne of Northumbria, as he had in his bid to be High King, then his own children, who were already not entitled to claim the rank of Aetheling, would not be able to claim either crown. This was simply the last gasp of his line for power.
Or so it was believed at the time.
But as was expected, the Northumbrian Witenagemot simply approved the election of Godwin XVII, and Leofwine swiftly departed for his wife's estates in the South. Godwin XVII, now secure as both High King and King of Northumbria, began a grand tour of the Commonwealth nations, meeting firstly Queen Albertina III of Mercia, the only female monarch of the Commonwealth, who eas descended from the House of Bretwalda, but was a hereditary member of the House of Hwicce.
Mercia was the only nation in the Commonwealth that allowed female succession as routine, with most others practising strict salicism. Some would consider inheritance via a female line, but not inheritance by a female, and only then at the extinction of the male line.
Following Mercia, Godwin XVII headed North to Strathclyde, and then returned south via East Anglia, to the southern nations and finally to the court of King Alanorus X of Cornwall of the House of Vortigern.
It was at the Cornish court that Godwin received notice that his brother, Morcar Aetheling, and his sister-in-law, had produced a second daughter, Berenguela of the Commonwealth.
After two months, at the close of the grand tour of the nations, Godwin XVII returned to Tamworth whereupon he organised much celebrations for both his new niece as well as his own elections.
Godwin XVII (portrayed by Nicholas Hoult) and Magdalena of Austria (portrayed by Elle Fanning) in a CBC dramatization of the life of Barbara of Naples
After the announcement of a nephew, Richard, born to his sister and Gilles of Brittany in late May, June brought difficult news for Godwin, that of his grandmother's passing. Barbara of Naples had been in her late sixties, and had guided his father through much of his reign. A state funeral was arranged, to which representatives of the Commonwealth were invited.
The death of Barbara of Naples left Berenguela of Leon as, next to High Queen Magdalena, the senior most lady at court and as Magdalena was then deep into her confinement, Berenguela took up much of the duties around the funeral and the resultant occasions on behalf of her son and daughter-in-law.
It was the night following the state funeral at which the events told at the outset of this chapter occur. There were many rumours as to who may have manipulated Edmund of Cambridge into murdering the High King - there were rumours that Edmund was the illegitimate son of Godwin XVI and it was revenge against a family that had neglected him, there were tales that it was Leofwine Aetheling or his son, trying to provoke another election, but the more likely explanation is that Edmund of Cambridge was simply criminally insane and acted on his own.
It is the latter theory that the history books provide. But of course, history is written by the victor.
The (Wider) House of (the) Bretwalda, c. July 1801
Godwin XV, d. 1774
1) Godwin Aetheling, d. 1764, m. Barbara of Naples, d. 1801
a) Godwin XVI, b. 1756, r. 1774 to 1801, m. Berenguela of Leon
1) Godwin XVII, b. 1776, r. 1801, m. Archduchess Magdalena of Austria
a) Godwin (Aetheling) the Posthumous, b. 1801
2) Berenguela of the Commonwealth, b. 1778, m. Crown Prince Joachim of Lauenberg
a) Godwin of Lauenberg, b. 1798
3) Morcar Aetheling, b. 1779, m. Jutta of Guelders
a) Jutta of the Commonwealth, b. 1800
b) Berenguela of the Commonwealth, b. 1801
4) Barbara of the Commonwealth, b. 1781, m. Gilles of Brittany, Lord of Chantice
a) Richard of Brittany, b. 1801
5) Leofric Aetheling, b. 1785, (m). Auguste of Lombardy
2) Leofwine Aetheling, m. Valdrada of Venice
a) Leofwine Aetheling, Lord of the Wihtwara jure uxoris, m. Seaxburh, Lady of the Wihtwara suo jure
Next Time on "The House of Bretwalda : The High Kings of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth of the 19th Century" ...
With the death of Godwin XVII and his grandmother, and the Dowager High Queen in labour with Godwin the Posthumous, the new Lord Protector, Harald, Earl of the Haestingas, proposes to rush through the election and place Morcar Aetheling on the throne.
Elsewhere, Leofwine, Lord of the Wihtwara, presents himself before the King and Witenagemot of Wessex, encouraging them to break free from the yoke of the Commonwealth.
With two disparate plans forming within the realms, which plan (if either) will succeed and who will be the third High King of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth of 1801?
Godwin XVII (portrayed by Nicholas Hoult) and the future Morcar VIII (portrayed by Sebastian De Souza) in a CBC dramatization of the life of Barbara of Naples
Morcar: My brother has laid dead for less than a single day, my grandmother for a fortnight, and you propose pushing through an election -
Harald: As Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, I do not wish to burden myself with the burden of power for longer than I must, Aetheling. We are in a unique position, due to your grandmother's funeral, the Ennead can be convened immediately.
Morcar: And no challenger to my election would be able to be presented.
Harald: By the time that your great uncles, Leofwine and Eadric, learn of your brothers passing and determine to petition the Ennead, which they surely will, your election will have already been secured and you shall sit on the throne.
x x x
In the preceding scene from Episode 1 of "Morcar" (GTV, 2016), the future Morcar VIII is petitioned by Harald, Earl of the Haestingas, to present himself before the Ennead. Whilst the scene itself is a work of fiction, what is true is that due to the State Funeral of Barbara of Naples, a majority of the crowned heads of the Commonwealth were present at Tamworth Castle on the night of Godwin XVII's murder, meaning that should they consent, Morcar would be elected as High King. However, this would set a dangerous precedent, as the full Ennead would not have been present for the vote, and Morcar refused the entreaties of the Lord Protector.
Ultimately, when the full Ennead was convened within the week, Leofwine failed to present himself and Morcar was elected. Similarly, the new High King was elected as King of Northumbria after, again, Leofwine failed to present himself as a candidate.
It is theorized that Leofwines future plans had already been put into motion, and that he had already reasoned that the composition of the Ennead and the Northumbrian Witenagemot was identical to six months earlier and his candidacy would surely have failed again.
Immediately after his elections, Morcar began the traditional grand tour if the Commonwealth nations and then settled down to reign.
Meanwhile, Leofwine presented himself before the King and Witenagemot of Wessex. Whilst Leofwine was a member of the Witenagemot by marriage, as he still held precedence in the Commonwealth as an Aetheling, he could not vote on proposals. This would change when his eldest son, Leofwine (of the Wihtwara) the Younger, inherited his mother's lands and ceased to hold precedence as an Aetheling eligible for the High Throne of the Commonwealth.
However, the Lords/Earls of the Wihtwara were some of the richest (if not THE richest) nobles in Wessex, and even though he could not vote, Leofwine and Seaxburh's money would bring them great influence.
The same adaptation of the life of "Morcar" as the preceding transcript,dramatised the moment when Leofwine presented himself to King Andrew of Wessex as follows:
x x x
Leofwine: My lords, may I put forward to you that my cousin, the High King, does not have the interests of the people of Wessex at heart, from his perch in the North, that he sees our green and fertile lands as but a doorway to the continent ...
Andrew: It is true that the Commonwealth long views the Wessen with disdain, true also that we have supported both your father and your own candidacy for the High Throne, but we are alone in our feelings, I feel ...
Leofwine: But alone we shall be strong. Andrew, you are married to a daughter of Normandy and, you, Lord Robert, to one of Brittany ...
Robert: This is true, but it is also true that the High Kings sister is married to my nephew, who will one day be Duke of Brittany and I cannot say which way the Lord of Chantice may ally.
Leofwine: Though I not be one of you by blood, I am by heart and soul a true Lord of Wessex. Again, I beseech you, let us break away from the yoke of Tamworth ...
x x x
Wessex had a long history of resentment at being subjected to rule from Tamworth and Bamburgh, having seem themselves as the true birthplace of the English concept and the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth, though membership of the Commonwealth arguably brought Wessex a greater prestige on the world's stage and increased trade, and prior rebellions had all but fizzled out.
Andrew and Robert sympathised with Leofwine but worries that they are alone in their feeling, with Cornwall being notoriously pro-Commonwealth, and their neighbours over the Channel in Brittany being predisposed towards the current High King.
This was but the start of Leofwines campaign for Wessen independence, and with his cause financed by the coffers of the Earldom of the Wihtwara, the Aethelig had both money and time on his side. But it was not to happen - not here and not now. The Witenagemot of Wessex, despite sympathies to his cause, rejected his entreaties.
His pride rejected, Leofwine returned to Wihtwara and to Carisbrooke, the seat of his wife's family and estate, and begin to consider his next move.
If not High King of the Commonwealth, or King of Northumbria, then perhaps he would have to carve out his own fiefdom on the island.
Leofwine, King of Wihtwara sounded appropriate.
The House of Montfort (Brittany), c. July 1801
a) Peter V of Brittany
1) Peter of Brittany, Lord of Ingrande, d. 1796
2) Gilles of Brittany, Lord of Chantice, m. Barbara of the Commonwealth
a) Richard of Brittany, b. 1801
b) Ysabeau of Brittany, m. Prince Robert of Wessex
Next Time on "The House of Bretwalda : The High Kings of the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth of the 19th Century" ...
Morcar VIII is High King and Leofwine, Lord of the Wihtwara's plot to have Wessex secede from the Anglo-Saxon Commonwealth has failed. But now his aim is to declare the Isle of (the) Wihtwara as it's own independent Kingdom, seperate from both Wessex and the Commonwealth.
To do that, he will need support from the continent, but with Normandy and Brittany allied with Wessex and the Commonwealth, Leofwine must seek aide at the court of Lothair XX of France. But will support be granted?
Meanwhile in Tamworth, Morcar VIII and the High Court consider its own moves in the developing drama. Can the High Court justify taking action over what is - at this point - an internal Wessen matter? Or will failing to act look like condoning Leofwines grab for power?
