A Ship

In our Pendragon campaign we have reached Barnstaple, where we have located King Mark of Cornwall. We have been received with some degree of hospitality, and are hoping to be able to present our wedding gifts, and also seek his aid against the Saxons which are raiding the lands of our lord the Count of Salisbury.

After we have all had baths and have had a chance to relax and get dressed, we are shown into the great hall. There will be an evening meal and entertainment. King Mark is seated along with his retainers and ladies.

Amongst the ladies are the King’s sister, Lady Blancheflor. Beside her is the Lady Morwenna, an ecclesiastical Lady who is setting up a nunnery. She is renowned for being learned. The Lady Keyne is also helping with ecclesiastical issues. Apparently the women in the court of Mark are known for their education.

There is Sir Petroc who is King Mark’s champion and Sir Pirian, his steward.

This will be a two course meal, and we are seated close to the salt at the head of the lower table. So not honoured guests, but at least respectable.

There is a roast baby swan, and various pies for the first course. I talk to someone about the Irish, or rather, I bore him and he starts talking about them. Apparently they are a serious problem for Cornwall. There is a plan to counter-invade, so ships are currently being built.

Sir Lupinus asks about the Saxons, and is told that they are a scourge sent by god, due to the actions of the treacherous Uther Pendragon. Sir Madog talks to a Frenchman about beards.

The second course is quinces stewed in wine. During this course, Sir Madog talks about beasts, and is told that they have giants here. The Irish have been stealing sheep, grain and women. So the King is heading to Munster to have words with their High King to ask him nicely to stop. Presumably if that doesn’t work, he intends to use harsher methods.

Sir Lupinus finds out that the Cornish don’t consider the Saxons as important as the Irish. Sir Lupinus talks about the Saxons kidnapping the ladies of Arthur’s court, and the local Knights seem to think that this is possibly more important than what the Irish have been doing.

Sir Madog presents our presents to the King, and he is pleased. The letter we were given from the Monks (which none of us can read) is read out by the ladies, about our rescuing of the bell from the church. Everyone seems to be impressed. Both the King and Lady Blancheflor asks that we talk to them tomorrow, to seek favours.

We sleep well that night, and are fed porridge in the morning. 

We meet the Lady Blancheflor in her solar. She has several books, and we are impressed. We ask her for her advice about talking to the King, and whether he would be interested in joint military action against the Saxons this season.

She says that the King is unlikely to help, but she will ask her son, who is a young knight with companions of her own. King Mark may be interested if her son isn’t around for a year or so as well. Sir Tristram is introduced to us. He is a young knight who has just been knighted, and seems keen to go and gain some glory. He also seems to be aware that his uncle would be happy not to have him around. Presumably the King is wanting to start working on an heir of his own now that he is married.

We go to talk to the King, who says he values our gifts and Count Robert’s friendship. He would provide all the support he can, but he is currently too busy with the Irish. He does provide us with high quality shields with the three lion heads of Cornwall. The King seems to be rather shallow in his commitments, possibly a bit untrustworthy. He gives the appearance of being helpful and friendly, but has his own priorities.

He does also provide a white hunting dog for us to give to Sir Robert. At least this should be easier to travel with than the falcon was.

Sir Tristram meets us afterwards, and is keen to set off. He just needs to head to his holdings to collect a few companions. We decide to go with him, and travel by ship. It turns out that travelling by ship is not at all pleasant. The sailors recommend that we take our armour off as well, which is probably a good idea.

We head down along the coast, pulling into a cove at night. Two days later, we approach Lyonesse where Tristram’s estate is. We pick up his companions, though there is an issue of fitting them and their horses onto the ship.

Eventually, after solving such mundane problems, we get back to Exeter, and then follow the road up towards Montacute. One arriving at Montacute, we hear news of a massive Saxon raid.

The Saxon Godric has landed near the Isle of White, and has been raiding along the coast and inland. The last that was heard was that he had sacked Farnham.

We try and push our horses, but end up making no more time due to our inexperience with such things. Eventually, we get to Sarum, where Sir Robert the Count of Salisbury is trying to get an army together to fight off Godric. He has scouts out, and believes that Godric has heavily fortified his manor, and is probably where he has his ships and men.

Sir Robert is happy with this dog.

We suggest that we need some archers if we are to be raiding Godric, and we are given a dozen of them (mostly hunters, poachers and the like). The added advantage of taking archers, is that they are the scouts who have seen Godric’s place. It is on a curve on a river, with a big wooden palisade, a couple of towers, and several buildings on the inside. There are two gates, one leading down to the river and one towards the forest.

It is quite close to the forest, so we may be able to sneak up to it without being seen.

The scouts have seen Godric, at least three Saxon knights, at least 4 Saxon warriors, and also some bodyguards that following Godric around.  There are also some armed peasants.

There are four of us, plus a few men-at-arms, and lots of archers. We don’t have a great advantage of numbers, but hopefully have surprise on our side.