Jul 31, 2009

Alyse, Duchess of Lancaster


Alyse was born in 1385, daughter of the lesser noble family Missledon. Her father died early in her life, and she was raised by her mother, Lady Margaret Missledon. Alyse's family's small estate bordered that of Queen Annette's family's. The two girls grew up together and were good friends. When Annette became Queen she brought Alyse to court as a Maid-of-Honor. Alyse was known at court for her beauty, but also her loose moral character. She soon became mistress of the powerful Duke of Lancaster, Erik.

Read more about Erik here.

Erik had been married to the late Dowager Queen. Once she died, Erik did not immediately remarry. However, once Alyse showed signs of being with child, Erik married her in the hopes of getting a son and heir. Alyse delivered of a healthy son in early 1400. Erik named him Albany after his father.



Despite the birth of a healthy son, Erik's eye seemed to wander to a more eligable bride, the Lady Seraphina Capp. Seraphina was heir to the Capp Dukedom along with all its power and wealth. She also was a close friend and favorite of her uncle, King Henry V and his wife Annette. Much to Alyse's despair, Erik seemed to publicly court Seraphina. Rumors are currently swirling around court.

Lady Seraphina Capp



Lady Seraphina Capp was born in 1381 to Princess Anne of York and Consort, Duke of Capp. She is currently her father's heir. Know for her beautiful dark hair and pouty lips, Lady Seraphina has had many marriage proposals but has yet to make a marriage. She came close in 1399 when the dashing Christopher, Earl of ------- offered his hand. Christopher was the beloved brother of the young Queen, Annette. He was also extremely popular at court. Lady Seraphina fell hopelessly in love, but was soon heartbroken when Christopher came under the attack of an unknown wasting sickness. He died in 1400, shortly before their wedding. After his death, Seraphina left court for a few months and returned to her family's estate. She has recently returned to court and is now head lady-in-waiting to the Queen.

Phillip, Second Duke of York


Phillip, Second Duke of York is the eldest son of Princess Adelaide and Phillip, First Duke of York. He is the grandson of King Edward III. For a time, he was heir presumptive, after his father's fall and execution, as the king had no male children. However, after Henry V was born and later bore his own son, Phillip was no longer heir. Despite this, he and some nobles feel he is the rightful King. Edward III's second marriage to Lady Roslyn York was considered by many to be illegitimate, due to their close familia relationship (he being her uncle). Therefore, their children, including the present King, would be illegitimate. Phillip is secretly attempting to gain the support of the nobles in the land to place himself on the throne, as his legitimacy is not in question.

Read more about Irena here.

In 1398, Phillip married Lady Irena Richmond, only daughter of the Earl of Richmond. Through this marriage, Phillip gained the secret support of several noble families as well as the wealth of the Richmond family. The couple had a son in 1400, named Phillip for his father.

Erik, Duke of Lancaster and Lord Protector

Erik, Duke of Lancaster
Erik, Duke of Lancaster was born in 1365, the son of ----, the Duke of Lancaster. The Lancasters at one time sat on the throne of Aideen through usurpation and marriage. However, after several bloody battles and a few executions, the York Family regained their rightful place. The present Lancasters are steadily rising in power, thanks to their family head, Erik. Naming himself Lord Protector, "as the King's closest living relative" thanks to his marriage to the King's mother, the Dowager Queen, Erik was able to take the child into his household and keep him close. After the death of the Dowager Queen, Erik took a mistress, Lady Alyse ----. Alyse came to court as a Maid-of-Honor to Queen Anette. The two knew each other growing up. After Alyse became pregnant, Erik married her to secure a succession for the Dukes of Lancaster. Despite his marriage, he has his eye on Lady Seraphina, cousin of the King. Marrying her would bring him even closer to the throne. However, many nobles are quickly turning against Erik, feeling he has reached too high.


King Henry V


Henry

Henry was born in 1380, the longed for son of his father, King Edward III. Sadly, his father died shortly before he was born. Through his 20 year reign as King, Edward has had little control of the government. Rather, his mother, Queen Roslyn remarried to Erik, Duke of Lancaster. Lancaster has a claim to the throne, going back several generations. Dowager Queen Roslyn became Protector of her son, ruling in his name. However, she was suddenly struck down by sickness and died. Her husband, Lancaster, named himself Lord Protector, claiming all power until the king, his step son was "of age" to rule on his own. Now that the King has reached his 20th birthday, many feel it is time for him to take his rightful place at the head of the council table. Lancaster doesn't agree. Many nobles are starting to mummer in anger that Lancaster is attempting to take the throne for himself.

At age 15, Henry married Lady Annette, niece of Lord Protector Lancaster. She was chosen by Lancaster from a branch of his family that supported his control of the government. She has bore the King two healthy children, including a son and heir.

However, now that Henry is 20 years old, he is currently weighing some information provided by various loyal nobles that Lancaster intends to crown himself. He is secretly talking with some of them and loyal family members to regain control of his government.


Click here for more on Henry's family history.


Queen Annette


Queen Annette was born Lady Annette -------, daughter of Richard --- and Lady Adele in 1381. She has two older brothers, Richard II, present Duke of ------- and Christopher, Earl of ------. Due to her family's relation to and support of Erik, Duke of Lancaster, Annette was married to young King Henry V in 1395. Henry was 15 and she 14. Over the next 5 years the couple had two children, a son John in 1397 and a daughter, Alyse, in 1399. Annette is currently pregnant with the couple's third child.

Irena, Duchess of York


Irena, Lady Richmond and Duchess of York was born in 1380, only child of Sir John and Lady Elenore Richmond. Upon her father's early death, she inherited his lands and title which were worth a good sum. Because of her wealth and social standing, she was married to Phillip, Duke of York. The two had a son in 1400 named Phillip.

Edmund, Earl of York


Edmund was born the second son of Phillip, Duke of York in 1379. Being a second son, Edmund holds no real political power, though he does sit on the King's Council. He is titled the Earl of York and would succeed if his brother dies without male children. Edmund is not married, though is in the process of searching for a bride. His brother Phillip hopes to marry him to one of the current King's nieces or make a good foreign alliance through marriage to a member of the Royal House of LionCoeur in the neighboring kingdom of Litolia.

Royal House of York Family Trees

Main Royal Male Line




Edward III married twice. His first wife was a distant Yorkish cousin, Lady Arbella of York. She only produced one daughter, Princess Adelaide, before dying in childbirth. Edward had a series of mistresses, then finally, in his 50th year, remarried to his 16 year niece Roslyn. Roslyn's father, Edmund VI, had been King before Edward. He was Edward's older brother, therefore when he died only producing one girl the throne passed to Edward, the next male in line. To secure his place on the throne, Edward married his son's "heir," Roslyn.

Roslyn had several miscarriages before giving the king three surviving daughters. While the couple waited for a son to be born, it was assumed Edward's eldest daughter Adelaide's children were his heirs. Adelaide had married Phillip, Duke of York. He was heir presumptive if the King did not father any sons. Phillip and Adelaide had two healthy sons, Phillip and Edmund. Sadly, Adelaide died from the sweating sickness shortly after the birth of their second son in 1384. Phillip did not grieve long. He was eager to claim the throne from his aging uncle. However, his coup d'etat failed and he was tried and convicted of treason. He was beheaded in 1385.
Learn more about Phillip's sons by reading their biographies:

Click here to read Phillip's biography.
Click here to read Edmund's biography.

Edward knew that Phillip's attempt was a real threat, especially since he left two healthy sons to take up their father's banner. Finally, Roslyn was able to carry a son to full term. Sadly, Edward died while Roslyn was in confinement, ready to deliver. His only son, Henry, succeeded him as Henry V.

To view Henry V's biography, click here.


To find out more about Edward's daughters by Roslyn, see the family tree below.


Main Royal Female Line





Roslyn's daughters made very good marriages, each marrying one of the kingdom's most important Dukes. Their marriages were arranged to gain support for Edward against Phillip. Jacqueline, the eldest, married the premier Duke in the land, Richard, Duke of Norfolk. They have two children, Marie-Louise and Richard. Edward's second daughter, Mary, married Richard, Duke of Monty. The couple also have two children, Aurora and Wilford. Edward's youngest daughter, Anne, married Consort, Duke of Capp. They have one daughter, Seraphina. She is currently serving as Queen Annette's head Lady-in-Waiting.

Jul 30, 2009

Erik, Duke of Lancaster

Erik, Duke of Lancaster
Erik, Duke of Lancaster was born in 1365, the son of ----, the Duke of Lancaster. The Lancasters at one time sat on the throne of Aideen through usurpation and marriage. However, after several bloody battles and a few executions, the York Family regained their rightful place. The present Lancasters are steadily rising in power, thanks to their family head, Erik. Naming himself Lord Protector, "as the King's closest living relative" thanks to his marriage to the King's mother, the Dowager Queen, Erik was able to take the child into his household and keep him close. After the death of the Dowager Queen, Erik took a mistress, Lady Alyse ----. Alyse came to court as a Maid-of-Honor to Queen Anette. The two knew each other growing up. After Alyse became pregnant, Erik married her to secure a succession for the Dukes of Lancaster. Despite his marriage, he has his eye on Lady Seraphina, cousin of the King. Marrying her would bring him even closer to the throne. However, many nobles are quickly turning against Erik, feeling he has reached too high.