Christmas Gaolbreak!

Stop press! In a desperate bid for freedom, last night the Earl of Shrewsbury and Viscount Beaumont broke out of the Tower of London and escaped by the River Thames.

Taking advantage of the Christmas break, the low manning levels introduced by the government as cost-cutting measures and the absence of much of the household on Royal business; the two men bribed the gaoler and other below-stairs staff to lead them out via the Watergate. Also implicated is Father Roby, a priest from Liverpool sent to the Earl of Shrewsbury some weeks ago by a leading government official.

The escape was discovered this morning and it is expected that Lord Berners will lead the search for the runaways in the absence of the Duke of York, who is spending Christmas on his estates in Yorkshire.

When asked for comment, Lord Berners said, "I was afraid this might happen and I warned the government about it. Morale below stairs has been very poor since the dismissal of the king's servants and the cutting of the Royal household has made security a real problem. With so many government officers away for Christmas or on detached duty, there just aren't enough men-at-arms to adequately police the Tower."

"However, I would like to assure the people of London and the Country as a whole that every effort will be made to apprehend the escaped men and bring them to trial before they can harm anyone or continue their illegal activities."

It is not known where the escapees may be headed. Beaumont may aim for his estates in Lincolnshire or perhaps try to take refuge with his stepson, the Duke of Norfolk. Talbot is strongest in the Welsh Marches. It is also possible that either or both will flee abroad to join Queen Margaret.

The public are warned that these are desperate men who will stop at nothing. Both men have killed many times in the past and it is certain neither will hesitate to do so again in defence of their liberty. No attempt should be made to apprehend either man without a sizeable armed force.

It is yet unclear where the blame lies for this security breach but Lord Berners is expected to face disciplinary measures.

Other Home News

The Duke of Somerset made the following statement about the recent civil unrest in Bristol.

"With reference to the report in the Westminster Chronicle about a scuffle between my men: Mercenaries or bandits wearing livery forged in my colours were planning a raid on a house in Bristol owned by the Duke of York. Luckily, I discovered this and sent troops to capture these brigands. Gladly no one was killed; many of the men fled and two were captured. They have admitted their crime and their employer's name is yet to be discovered. I apologise for any distress that may have been caused to the general public and assure them that sometimes when people resist arrest it is necessary to force them to submit.

Be assured that I will discover who employed these felons and justice will be meted out. Even if the culprit were to leave the country, I would still capture him, as my arm is very long.

Henry Duke of Somerset, Lord Constable and Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall."

The Mayor of Bristol adjourned the inquest into October's violence pending evidence from the parties concerned. Meanwhile, the violence continued in November with an armed assault upon Bristol Hospital by the Earl of Devon. Two Beaufort retainers were taken prisoner.

Continuing the Duke of Somerset's domination of the news; the 'Beaufort Tapestry' has taken the art world by storm. The Duke commissioned this superb work of art from the textile mills of the Low Countries as a present for the Count of Charolais. The work eclipses all previous examples of the art and is already being heralded as the new benchmark of excellence in textile design. The Count put the tapestry on display and the piece was revealed as a cunning interweaving of charges from the arms of Beaufort and Burgundy with beasts of legend alive with mythological symbolism.

Sir John Fortescue has returned from his holiday in France to resume his duties as Lord Chief Justice.

Business

November saw the election of the new Mayor of London, Richard Lee. As is traditional, the incoming Mayor made his inaugural address at the outgoing Mayor's farewell dinner.

'Lumme! 'Ere's a turnip for the books an' no mistake. Are yer glad ter see me? Come on! Show us yer pearlies!'

Mayor Lee went on to highlight the recent barriers to trade: the Calais embargo, the pernicious piracy, etc, but also pointed to a recent upswing in trade as cause for optimism before delivering the financial survey, summarised below.

Thanks to the poor harvest driving up grain prices, the markets have been bullish. However, the bear has eaten Warwickshire, with no profits reported from the entire county, and Derby and Nottingham both down 12% on last year due to a lack of a sheriff.

However, shares prices in land were otherwise good. Ruthyn Holdings led the pack with a 19% rise, some way ahead of General Greystoke at 11% and the average of 8%.

In terms of bulk income, House of Beaufort showed the biggest dividend with Plantagenet PLC [York Division] close behind, drastic streamlining countering a drop in productivity. Despite losses, Northumberland Northshires also showed a surprise dividend thanks to shrewd investment in Exeter & Exeter but Bergavenny, Despenser & Co made the leading gain by more than doubling turnover through a last minute merger with Wenlock Widows. Other firms doing well are Stanley & Co, Mowbray Anglian and Essex Enterprises.

Many firms suffered due to cuts in government contracts: Tudor Corp barely broke even; Talbot & Lisle, Clifford Inc and Trust House Courtenay were all forced to downsize.

Perhaps the hardest hit was Warwick & Montagu: high overheads, swingeing cuts in government contracts and a heavy debt burden annulling the company's tremendous assets. However, it is believed this year's losses will be reversed next year with the recovery of Warwickshire.

The greatest surprise in the money market was in government bonds. The £10000 announced Crown profits have put new life into this stock recently thought to be worthless.

Foreign News

Reports from the south of France speak of an assassination attempt on the eight year old Prince of Wales. It seems a disaffected nobleman in the Queen's retinue lunged at the boy with his sword. Loyal knights under the Earl of Kendal quickly apprehended the culprit who received summary justice at the end of a rope. Prince Edward is said to have received a serious cut to the face but is otherwise unharmed.

Last week, Queen Margaret was granted an audience with His Holiness Pope Pius II in Rome. His Holiness blessed the Prince of Wales and thanked the Queen for her contributions to his crusade fund before granting absolution from their sins to everyone with her on pilgrimage. Also present were the Earl of Kendal, Earl of Worcester and Lord Roos.

Church News

Archbishop Bourchier of Canterbury published the findings of Archdeacon Stillington's heresy enquiry within the diocese of Lincoln. Stillington found some evidence of Lollardy but no further measures are expected at this time. "I perceive no benefit in pursuing the small number of heretics in Bedfordshire and elsewhere at this time." The Archbishop announced from Lambeth Palace.

The news of Stillington's findings spread quickly, meeting with a distinctly mixed reception. It is understood that most Crown officers agree with Archbishop Bourchier's decision and the majority of the people in the Lincoln diocese share their feelings. However, many people, particularly some prelates, are calling for an immediate inquisition to burn out lollardy, wherever it may lie.

Among these vociferous champions of righteousness is the Bishop of Lincoln himself, John Chedworth. "I demand an immediate and deep investigation by the church into heresy in my own diocese and any other in which heresy festers, in compliance with de heretico comburendo."

Bishop Bird again harangued the government from his pulpit. "Now we see the common weal fall by the wayside while the fat cats lap up the milk. How can York justify the hardships suffered in his name when he himself makes money hand over fist? We demand a return to equitable rule by the king alone!"

Lonely Hearts

The Westminster Chronicle is pleased to announce that Sir Edward Neville, son and heir to Lord Bergavenny, brother to Lord Despenser and cousin to the Earl of Warwick, this morning marries Dame Elisabeth Wenlock, widow of Sir John Wenlock who died earlier this year in a shipwreck north of Harlech. It is understood that Sir Edward brings the lordship of Abergavenny to join his bride's holdings in a combined estate worth £626 now and £950 when he succeeds to the lordship of Bergavenny. The ceremony will be conducted by Bishop Neville of Exeter in the Beaufort chapel in St. Mary's of Warwick. 

Rumours also speak of negotiations between the Duke of Somerset and Bishop Beauchamp of Salisbury regarding his sister-in-law, Lady Elisabeth Beauchamp de St. Amand.

Appointments

John Neville, Lord Montagu, becomes Keeper of the Forests North of the Trent with a salary of £90.

Weather - Father Johannus predicts, 67% accuracy

The storms of October 22^nd passed away, leaving moderately good weather for the rest of the month. November proved showery but milder than usual. However, freezing fogs dominated December, broken mainly by the occasional storm. Shipping was allowed limited trading opportunities.

Christmas Eve showed a return to mild showers and Christmas Day dawned the same. The outlook for Boxing Day is the same as today.

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The reward for the capture of Anthony Trollope has been increased to £15 plus a year's free firewood!

Editorial

Now the Earl of Essex has put up for auction the wardships below, the Westminster Chronicle offers the following valuation on the worth of the wards. As ever, we cannot accept any responsibility for losses incurred through speculation on wards. Remember that your ward may die of common childhood illness very soon after your purchase and leave you with nothing. On the other hand, as the Earl of Northumberland has demonstrated, purchasing a ward can be an excellent investment.

Giles Lord Daubeny, aged 14, is heir to estates worth £264 of which £72 is his mother's jointure. This represents £1344 spread over 7 years until the lad attains his majority. Value: £450.

Anne Dowager Lady Audley, aged 20, has a jointure worth £66, representing £1320 over 20 years or longer, God willing. Value: £440, but would represent best value with her son...

John Lord Audley, aged 4, is heir to estates worth £132. This represents £2376 spread over 18 years until John attains his majority. Value: £800; John is very young and there's a real chance he may die before his majority but he also stands to inherit his mother's jointure upon her death.

Thomas Lord Hungerford, aged 16, is heir to estates worth £321 returning £1605 over 5 years until Thomas reaches 21. Value: £535 and Thomas has the advantage that he can probably be married immediately.

These valuations are all nominal and may vary widely depending on the bidding. The Hungerford and Daubeney families will probably bid heavily for their boys, while the other three are already receiving attention from applicants of ducal rank. With the latest financial news, the Crown is under no hurry to close any of these deals quickly and can afford to broker the best deals it can negotiate.

Those peers short on cash despite the new financial year can turn to loans to raise the necessary cash. 

 Letters

To the Editor of the Westminster Chronicle, one more view on 'Good Governance'.

The public finances didn't balance. What was needed was 'Good Governance'. It was necessary to bear arms against the king, to rescue him from his advisors. It is necessary to keep him isolated from his people; he might catch something.

It is necessary to break the king's word by taking lands that he had given to this land's nobility for loyal service. Or at least from those nobles for whom 'special provisions' are not made. It is necessary to further pauperise the nobility with additional taxes, such as the retinue tax: although one cannot fail to feel better when one realises that the public purse can finance 250 retainers for the Duke of York. Finally, despite the initial concerns, who could fail to realise the obvious benefits of 'Good Governance' which allow the public purse to fund lavish tournaments. Did someone say 'hypocrisy'?

I would say it was time for a change of 'Good Governance'.

Long live the King! Thomas de Courtenay, Earl of Devon.

Editor - Ah, the acid aroma of irony! While I will admit that the noble earl has a point, it cannot be denied that the government's radical measures are paying dividends. The exchequer is showing a surplus for the first time since...well, the last time the Duke of York ran the government.

To Master William Caxton:

Sir, whilst reading issue 15 of your publication I noticed that you referred to me in one of your articles as "Steward of the Duchy of Cornwall". I feel it is my duty to inform you that I am in fact Steward of the Duchy of LANCASTER. I would appreciate it if you would inform your readership of this error at your earliest opportunity. Yours, Thomas Lord Stanley and Man. 

Editor - You're quite right, my lord. The Westminster Chronicle apologises unreservedly over the error. I also take the opportunity to complement your lordship on your exemplary devotion to your office. If only all Crown servants were as diligent.

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw attention to the difficulties that I am experiencing in getting a marriage licence for one of my wards, the Dowager Duchess of Exeter. As the Duke of York has complete control of access to the King, I am forced to proceed with my attempts to obtain a license through the King. I have been informed in writing by the Duke of York that he has "little incentive to hurry matters" but that he is inclined and minded "to hear my solutions to the problem". It seems that the Duke of York is refusing to allow the correct functioning of the 'ship of state' which already provides him with a handsome salary unless he personally receives further gifts and emoluments. This is corruption - the very thing that he claimed to stand against when he seized the King after killing thousands of brave Englishmen.

Furthermore, I call upon the Duke of York to banish all the rumours that he is tampering with the King's diet and wellbeing by permitting the King's welfare in terms of food and accommodation to be administered by a third party. I propose that the Duke should show his good intentions by permitting the Duke of Norfolk (or some other trusted personage) to assume responsibility for the King's household.

I would like to inform the nation that it seems that the current government policy regarding the North is based on fantasy and ignorance. Firstly, it is announced that huge cuts will be made in the defence of the North, (which is still under serious threat), and then a few months later a request is made for a full report on the Scottish situation, the first such request to be made by those who currently decide these matters. Surely, the request for a report should have been made before the budget. This request shows that the proposed budget was founded on wishful thinking rather than the facts. I have now sent this report in and I trust it will cause a re-think.

Finally, I can reveal that the rumours that Lord Montagu is to be made Warden of the Middle Marches is a false one. This is based on the premise that the powers that be consider the role of newly created posts. The Duke of York has informed me that the government has as yet no proposed location for any putative Middle Marches. I trust that no one would be appointed to protect an area that doesn't exist. Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland. 

Editor - The Hero of Berwick touches upon matters that strike to the core of the new regime's mandate. The Duke of York's methods are necessarily strict but can be seen to have produced the goods. However, certain of the Duke's methods seem too extreme and this is causing concern to some of the Duke's closest supporters. The Duke of Norfolk himself was recently prevented from speaking with the King in the absence of the Duke of York and it is widely known that several of the highest officers in his government are lamenting the lack of discussion in Privy Council. Already the word 'tyranny' is being bandied about; an accusation made all the more biting by the Duke of York's own retainers serving as the Royal Household. But now that the financial situation has evidently eased, perhaps the Duke will be returning to more conventional methods of governance in the New Year and so more inclined to issue the asked for licence.

Court & Social

The King spent most of November and December in London in private seclusion in the Royal apartments of the Tower of London, save for a brief visit of a week to Bishop Waynefleet in Winchester, attended by the Dukes of York and Norfolk, the Earl of Essex and sundry lesser persons. During his stay, the king saw fit to dismiss Archdeacon Kingscoate, re-appointing Bishop Kemp of London as his confessor.

Wardships for sale!

To whomsoever it may concern,

The following wardships are available to bid for:

Giles Lord Daubeney, Lady Anne Audley and her son, Thomas Lord Hungerford and Henry Lord Saye & Sele.

All those who believe they are capable of fulfilling the role of ward for any of the above mentioned are welcome to submit their bids. The wardships will go to the highest bidder.

Henry Bourchier Earl of Essex, Lord Treasurer.

Births and Deaths.

Born November 19^th to Lady Margaret, widow of the late William Lord Saye and Sele, a son, Henry Lord Saye & Sele. 

Died December 12^th, Father John Turner, Abbot of Furness.

The Opposition - at a glance!

The Westminster Chronicle surveys rival publications. 

Lady Anna De Wintour in 'Courtly Love Magazine' says readers voted the Earl of March 'Rear of the Year' for his high cut doublet, which exposed plenty of noble proportions through his stockings. The Lord Shrewsbury was a close second but lost out because of his 'Tower of London Pallor'. The Lord Somerset was voted 'The Earl I most wanted to hear recite Poetry to Me and Other Things.'

'One Man and His Lance' features a full report of the Smithfield Tournament and has the Bastard Fauconberg on the cover. Also features interviews with all the contestants and an in depth interview with Anthony Wydeville, the Tourney Tempter.

'International Tourney' apologises for incorrectly stating that the Bastard of Burgundy was "as a much of a lance off battlefield as on it when it came to the ladies". The matter was settled when the Bastard of Burgundy threatened to 'skewer' the magazine's editor.

'Florentine Renaissance Man' is very sniffy about the tournament. They it called the 'last gasp of the Middle Ages' and complained about the good honest English food on offer. "I wouldn't feed this to my dog" the magazine's writer Piero Fresco was overheard in the Foreign Hospitality Pavilion.

'For Varlets' magazine says it has raunchy drawings of 'Queen Guinevere' as featured at the Royal tournament. They allege that gentlewoman Abigail Yewtree was a performer in a topless dancing troop that once shocked the King at a banquet a few years back. Abigail is said to be under contract to 'Pageboy' and they have refused to comment on the stories.

The Castilian publication 'Auto de Fe' says it has advanced plans to launch an English language version of the title to be called 'Act of Faith'. The magazine promises to publish plenty of exclusive confessions of those found guilty of heresy, profanity and denial of Christ's Holy Ordained Church. Free faggot with first issue.

Campaign Matters

Well here it is, the long awaited end to the first campaign year! The reason it's taken nearly three real years is the prolonged military campaign in the first four months. This lasted longer than any actual campaign in the real life Wars of the Roses and at a week per turn, considerably slowed subjective time. Most of you will have noticed the longer turn length now troops aren't involved and it should stay like this until Rosewar moves into its next militant phase.

One aspect of the New Year is the accounting and here I have to apologise to several players. Your orders were in well on time in all but a couple of cases and for that, I'm grateful. I was hoping to get all the orders processed in the course of the four days of the weekend of the 11^th. I threw myself into it and got...half way. I just plain underestimated how much work doing the accounts for all the players would take. In panic, I deluged some players with e-mailed requests for financial decisions before finally admitting I was trying to do too much and going for the wrong approach. Sorry guys!

However, you now have your provisional accounts for the coming year. You can all see how much you have to spend and where it's going at the moment. If there's anything you don't like about your expenditure, please say so in your turn 17 orders. I will presume you make any alterations between Christmas and the New Year. Any later will be too late!

The reason I emphasise the timing is that from now on I will be much more stringent about enforcing some rules that I relaxed in the first year. For example...

2) When shipping troops, remember each horse takes the place of one man. This hasn't been enforced because frankly I forgot in the flurry of the early turns. This rule is now in effect; forget horses and your men-at-arms are infantry.

Finally, Rick has dropped out due to pressures of private life, especially work. I'm really sorry to see him go. I've also decided it's time to activate Tiptoft as a PC. Therefore, please extend a warm welcome to Tim Dale and Bill Sellars, respectively. You'll find their contact details on the back page, as usual; please note Ian Beal's change of e-mail.

General Chat

Then we set off for Warwick. The castle is magnificent and huge - I've done it a grave injustice calling it grade II. There's a very good display on Warwick the Kingmaker. (Steve, if you've not been, you should - it's only down the road.) The only criticisms about the Kingmaker are that he looks like Angus Deayton and the animatronic wagging tail on his horse was a definite mistake by Madame Taussaud's. [Sic]

We stayed at a hotel and looked around the town before moving on to Kenilworth, which is colossal! More medieval than Warwick, though the Tudor gatehouse will be opening very soon. The sheer scale is astounding. The defences featured a lake half a mile long! Definitely recommended!

Finally, we stopped off at Tamworth on the way back and found a little gem. Exactly the opposite end of the size scale from Kenilworth and Warwick, it also featured things from all periods up to Victorian. Tamworth Borough Council have really made an effort with this one and both Claire and I thought our money well spent. In all, the weekend definitely took the sting out of turning 40.

Next Deadline

The deadline for turn 17 orders is April 30^th 2000.