The year 480 brought both triumph and tragedy to Britain. High King Aurelius Ambrosius, weakened by a treacherous poisoning, nonetheless rallied his forces to face a grave threat: an invasion at Menevia in Cambria by the Irish King Gillomanius, allied with Paschent, the last son of the infamous Vortigern. Alongside him rode his brother, Uther.
Despite his ailing health, Aurelius led the charge, while Uther executed a brilliant flanking maneuver that shattered the invaders' lines and cut off their escape. The Battle of Menevia was a resounding victory for the Britons, but it came at a heavy cost. The valiant Aurelius Ambrosius succumbed to his weakened state amidst the fighting, leaving the High Kingship vacant.
Even as Uther and Aurelius fought in the west, a new peril arose in the south. A Saxon army sailed up the Port River, striking at Salisbury. The defense of the realm now fell solely to the weakened High King. Tragically, while bravely repelling the Saxon invaders, Aurelius Ambrosius met his end, his passing marked by a celestial sign in the evening sky.
In the wake of the High King's death, the lords of Logres gathered with heavy hearts. Those whose fathers survived the battles of the year journeyed to the Giants' Dance (Stonehenge) to attend the solemn funeral of Aurelius Ambrosius. Following the interment, the High Council convened and, recognizing Uther's valor and lineage, unanimously elected him as the new Pendragon. The fathers of the Logres player knights were present at this pivotal moment, each gaining 50 Glory for honoring the fallen king and witnessing the rise of his successor. They were also present at the subsequent coronation of Uther as the new Pendragon, an event that further solidified their loyalty and earned them another 50 Glory.
However, the unity within Logres did not extend across all of Britain. The rulers of the independent western kingdoms, King Fallagantis of the Kingdom of the Circle of Gold and Duke Morvid of Gloucester, remained conspicuously absent from these ceremonies. Secure within their own territories and valuing their long-held autonomy, they did not recognize Uther's claim to the High Kingship. The passing of Aurelius had created a power vacuum, and they were determined to maintain their own sovereignty in the face of a potentially ambitious new Pendragon in the east.
Looking Towards Year 481:
As the new year dawns, Uther Pendragon, now firmly established as the leader of Logres with the support of his council and loyal lords, will hold his Royal Court at St. Albans. This location, closer to the heart of Logres, will serve as a stage for Uther to consolidate his power and likely address the fractured state of Britain.
For King Fallagantis and Duke Morvid, the holding of court at St. Albans will be a closely watched event. They will likely send discreet envoys to observe the proceedings, gather intelligence on Uther's intentions towards the independent kingdoms, and potentially gauge the mood of other lords who might share their reservations about Uther's unilateral ascension. The unity displayed within Logres is a cause for concern, and they will need to carefully consider their strategies for maintaining their independence in the face of a potentially stronger and more assertive Pendragon. The seeds of future conflict, sown in the uncertainty of 480, may well begin to sprout in the political maneuvering of Uther's court at St. Albans.
Yours for Now Prince Farion aka Captain Hedges.
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