Alternate history: the Anarchy of King Stephen.

**King Henry V** · 10-01-2006, 18:49

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**King Henry V** · 10-01-2006, 20:57

June 1138, The Tower of London

Stephen was playing with his son Eustace in the garden in front of the White Tower when one of his squires appeared.
“Your Highness, there is an ambassador from Robert of Gloucester who has arrived and is waiting in the antechamber to the throne room.”
“What is it that he wants?” demanded the King.
“It seems as though he wishes to discuss the exchange of prisoners, sire.”
Stephen ruffled his son’s hair and handed him his toy sword. “I’m afraid you will have to play with your nurse for now, Eustace.”

The doors to the throne room were flung open and the three men strode across the flagstone of the chamber. King Stephen sat in his golden throne, crowned and resplendent. Henry of Blois stood at the right of the throne dais.
“My Lord of Blois, my Lord Bishop,” bowed the envoy.
“His Highness is your anointed sovereign, and you will address him as such,” remarked the King’s brother dryly.
The envoy ignored the Bishop. “My Lord, I am Gilbert of Fécamp and I have been dispatched by the Earl of Gloucester,” he said.
“What is it that you wish to discuss?”
“The ransom and exchange of prisoners, my Lord.”
“Indeed?”
“Yes, we wish to obtain the release of Brian Fitz Count.”
“In exchange for the sum of 800 marks. We also ask for the release of the other soldiers you captured at Windsor, and in return the Earl is ready to free your soldiers that his vassals have captured as well as a further 300 marks.”

You must now decide what to offer in response.
1. Accept the offer. It seems fair enough and it is a sizeable sum.
2. Dismiss the envoy immediately. This petty banter and meagre offerings are worthless.
3. Brian is Lord of Wallingford and Abergavenny. It seems only natural that these castles should be handed over to you.
4. Anything else you may think of.

**Flavius Clemens** · 10-01-2006, 21:41

If there's still time to reply on the previous question, I opt for 1 - we should finish off one problem at a time, and gaining a secure hold of all of southern England across to the Marches is safer than being spread out. Use a mix of the Hampshire levy and mercenaries.

On the latest offer, on past form we have no reason to trust Robert to deliver on any deals, trickery is more likely. So although 3 is a tempting start to the West Country campaign, I go for 2 as the realistic option.

**Kraxis** · 10-01-2006, 22:54

How many troops does he hold? And what is their quality?

In case they are good and fairly numerous, I would say we could bargain for them.
For instance we could demand the troops to be release as a sign of good faith, and then the exchange of money and the Count. That should leave Robert to have no real option for deception. We get the troop ahead of the exchange and get the money as we hand over the Count.

If the envoy refuses, so what. It isn't as if we need the money that much, nor the troops. However I find it important that we are perceived to be a good lord who will help his lessers in cases such as this.
But I won't trade back for rabble. So my proposal only stands if the troops are good and somewhat numerous.

Did we lay the proposal on the table?

**Marshal Murat** · 10-02-2006, 02:40

I'd say go to Wessex and that general area. If Glouschester grabs the baron's loyalty, then he can fortifiy the area, and fight from town to town back to Cornwall. Hedge him in.