#lancaster household

[catsofcalifornia]

Ginger from Ruff Patches in Lancaster, California

Click here for more information about adoption and other ways to help!

Click here for a link to Ruff Patches' main website.

Meet Sweet Ginger, a 5-year-old calico on a mission to find her purr-fect match! After her previous hoomans vanished (something about a "move"?), this cuddle connoisseur is ready to charm the furry socks off any pawsitive households with chill doggos or fellow feline friends. She's gentle, as sweet as sugar, and will cuddle on demand. What more could you ask for?

[preet-01]

Maxiel Political AU

Word Count: 1243

Summary: Max Verstappen only had one goal - to be President. It's all he's wanted since he was just seven years old and all that he's worked towards. But bachelors don't get elected as Presidents, for the most part. Enter Daniel Ricciardo. Daniel's the ideal candidate for the country's most prominent and stressful unpaid job: the President's loving partner, a pretty bauble for the country to fall in love with and look towards. In secret meetings, contracts are signed and a marriage is arranged. Max and Daniel must convince the American people that they are a loving couple and perfect for the White House

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Chapter Two

In the political campaign business, there are certain names that everyone knows regardless of party lines or election levels. Campaign managers, press secretaries, and speechwriters became household names for politicians and politician hopefuls over the years. 

One such name is Sebastian Vettel. 

The German-American from Philly had entered the political scene fresh out of college and had carved out a space for himself. 

From local campaigns to presidential campaigns, he had worked on everything and anything. But his most notable career achievement was approximately four years ago when he was on the Hamilton presidential campaign as the press secretary. 

Now, years later and with many successful campaigns under his belt, Sebastian was looking towards another presidential campaign to put his name on. 

Max Verstappen, by all accounts that Sebastian had heard, was the next big thing after Lewis Hamilton came onto the scene. And by rumors that he’d heard from his contacts, Max Verstappen would be running for President in 2028. 

“You’re barely finished with your first term as a Senator,” Sebastian states when he finally has a meeting with Max Verstappen. The young senator is ambitious, but he does have the results to back it. Though Sebastian would not tell him that just yet, perhaps after they’ve won the presidency. 

“The election is still four years away. Plenty of time for any inexperience to become experience,” Max states. He has no doubts in his abilities. The next few years will be enough for him to fix any shortcomings and build an electable resume for himself. 

“Indeed, I do not doubt that. Your record so far speaks for itself,” Sebastian says, though he seems to be holding back on something. 

“But?” Max inquires. 

“But there are things outside of your work record that will influence your presidential campaign,” Sebastian replies. 

They leave it at that, despite Max wanting to know more about it. Sebastian says it is a matter for a later time, and that he needs to work out some things in the background before it becomes a pressing issue. 

While Max would like to know more about Sebastian’s pressing concerns, he does have committee meetings to go to, and- his train of thought is broken by a text he gets from one of his colleagues. 

S.4398 is going to the courts for constitutional violations 

Plaintiffs hired Ricciardo from Thompson and Lancaster. Should be an easy win 

Max is confused because is he supposed to know who Ricciardo is? There were too many lawyers in the district to know everyone.  

____

“Are you wearing a signet ring?” Oscar questions. When they said that he could get an intern, Daniel assumed that he would get a helpful intern eager to learn and do whatever Daniel needed. He had been like that, taking whatever scraps he could get. Instead, he received Oscar. And while Oscar was very polite at first glance, in Daniel’s opinion the twenty-three-year-old was a menace to society – well mainly to Daniel, but he was society. “Oh god, you’re one of those lawyers,” he groans. 

“It’s a family ring and my grandfather is in town,” Daniel sighs. He hadn’t worn the family signet ring consistently since they’d found out he was a carrier, but his grandfather was in town and he couldn’t get away with it. “Have you filed the McKinley documents?” he asks, changing the conversation from his family to the newest case that Daniel had been chosen as the head lawyer. His record of winning had made it an easy decision for the bosses and plaintiffs.

“Filed them this morning,” Oscar replies, “Vergne was sniffing around about the case when I was filing.” 

“Of course he was. Boss man’s not been very subtle that this case could potentially make me partner,” Daniel sighs. His once close friendship with Jev had suffered with both of them at the same firm and Daniel’s promotion potential being greater than his. He was sad about it, of course, law school would have been hell if it wasn’t for Jev’s friendship. But Daniel wanted to become partner and he’d do whatever was needed to achieve that. 

“We’re meeting with McKinley tomorrow morning, I want you there,” Daniel tells Oscar. Oscar had been his intern for months now, but he hadn’t sat in any of the meetings so far. 

“What?” And for probably the first time, Daniel is able to surprise Oscar. 

“I think you’re ready and it is the next step,” Daniel replies. 

The rest of the day goes by without a hitch. Daniel can avoid seeing his grandfather until it’s time to leave the office. 

His grandfather is waiting for him in front of the building with a town car. “Daniel,” he greets with a nod and motions to the town car. Daniel sighs as he enters the car. All he wanted was to go home and just be a blob in his bed as he contemplated some innocuous decision that he’d made. But when Joseph Ricciardo shows up at your job with a town car, you get in the town car. 

“How was your trip, grandfather?” Daniel inquires. 

“It was adequate,” the older man replies. “I spoke with your friend, the campaign manager,” he says. 

“Sebastian? Why?” Daniel questions. As far as Daniel knows, there was no reason for his grandfather to speak with Sebastian. Daniel knows that his grandfather had gotten acquainted with Seb when Seb worked on the Hamilton campaign the first time around and he endorsed Lewis Hamilton. But since then, as far as Daniel knew, Sebastian hadn’t worked on a campaign that would require an endorsement from his grandfather. 

“He is taking on a new presidential campaign for 28,” Joseph says. “A Senator from New York,” he adds. Daniel knows one of the Senators from New York – John Robbins – they’d gotten coffee a handful of times over the years. He doesn’t think John is a presidential hopeful and he isn’t the type of candidate that Seb likes to work with. No Seb likes younger politicians, not those over the retirement age. 

“Robbins?” 

“No, the other one. Verstappen,” Joseph answers. 

“Verstappen?” Daniel tries to think back to what he knows of the young Senator from New York. Relatively new to the Senate, younger than most of his colleagues, the same party as Lewis, unmarried, and not as established as other 2028 presidential hopefuls. “He’d never win. Not yet anyway,” Daniel says. The voters didn't like unmarried newcomers they barely knew. Politics was a game of strategy and name recognition.

“Hhm, at his present state, he would not win, but should his situation change and he gets more established support, then he does have a strong chance,” Joseph says, handing him a file. “Sebastian compiled a file on him. He will be contacting you soon to discuss a potential, mutually beneficial agreement for both parties involved,” he says. 

Daniel knows what a mutually beneficial agreement means. This wouldn’t be the first time that Daniel had gotten such a file from his grandfather. His cousin’s aspirations were more in line with the videogame industry than politics, so a presidency was far-fetched. Therefore, the attention had returned to getting Daniel hitched to some Senator or Governor who could take the Ricciardo name to the highest office in the country. 

Usually, he ignored them and found one reason or another to deny them. But this was someone that Seb would be working with and that intrigued him. 

He’d meet this Senator Verstappen.

________

I feel iffy about this chapter, but it's a necessary step to get to the first meeting in the next chapter

Updates will be every other week

[the-empress-7]

If Charles is being stupid & sending them money, then he better make sure it’s coming from his own personal bank account and not the Duchy’s purse. The crown should absolutely not pay for a single cent of their lives after they have publicly bashed & humiliated everything it stands for.

Charles has enough of his own money, but it would not surprise me at all if he is sending them money from the Duchy's purse. By leaving them on the site as working royals, he can claim them as members of his household and hence eligible for money from the Monarch/Duchy of Lancaster. Honestly think about it, who is going to say no to the King?

I am tired of repeating myself, but they are still listed on the official website by CHOICE. It benefits both Charles (to funnel tax payer money to Harry) and Harry (to maintain his diplomatic visa status and tax immunity). It's the perfect ploy because both parties are equally vested in the truth never emerging, the minute one goes down, so does the other.

Charles and Harry truly deserve each other for this con job they are pulling off on the British public

You know that saying, when people show you who they are believe them the first time? I know exactly what kind of man Charles is thanks to the honors for cash scandal among a laundry list of other scandals.

Charles did not discover morality when that Crown landed on his head. He is still the same corrupt man he has always been, except now he is infinite power and is literally above the law.

[empiredesimparte]

Live broadcast of ‘Le Sacre de Napoléon V’ on the national channel Francesim 2, hosted by Stéphane Bernard

(Another journalist) Ah, we have news from the gala! (Stéphane Bernard) Indeed, the doors of the Château de Versailles are opening to welcome the Emperor's first guests. The setting makes everything more delightful: it is likely His Majesty's favorite residence. He spent much time there during his childhood. (Another journalist) Who are the guests, Stéphane?

(Stéphane Bernard) The Emperor has invited the most prominent heads of state, accompanied by their spouses or heirs, in the case of monarchies. We see Queen Viviana, whose country has very strong ties with ours. Similarly, the sovereigns of Uspana share what I would call a generational friendship with the Simparte family, dating back well before the restoration of the Francesim Empire.

(Other journalist) Here is Madame's fiancé! He is unaccompanied. (Stéphane Bernard) It is well known that the Imperial Household and the Duke of Rothsey went through a period of tension a few months ago. However, this should not be seen as a sign of the Emperor's grudge. It is simply the adherence to imperial protocol on this festive day. Nonetheless, I must acknowledge that the Duke, despite his undeniable poise and sharp mind, has not yet mastered the art of pleasing his entire in-laws.

⚜ Le Sacre de Napoléon V | N°2 | Francesim, Versailles, 27 Thermidor An 230

The guests arrive at the gala for the coronation of Emperor Napoleon V at Versailles. It was broadcast live on television by Stéphane Bernard, the famous journalist for the crowned heads in Francesim.

Beginning ▬ Previous ▬ Next

⚜ Guests at the coronation

TIM, Emperor David I and Empress Katalina of Pierreland (@officalroyalsofpierreland)

HRH, Prince Oliver, Duke of Rothsey (@officalroyalsofpierreland)

HIM, Queen Viviana II of the Ionian Union (@funkyllama)

TM, King Arnaut and Queen Lorraine of Uspana (@nexility-sims)

HM, Queen Anastasia of Carrington and HRH, Prince Hisirdoux, the Duke of Clois (@royalhouseofcarrington)

TRH, Crown Prince George, Duke of Everton and Crown Princess Anne, Duchess of Everton (@crownsofesha)

HRH, Margaret, the Princess Royal of Corrilea (@theroyalsofcorrilea)

HM, Queen Diana and HRH, Prince Gerhard of SimDonia (@bridgeportbritt)

HRH, Madame Royale Eleanor de Thornolie (@theroyalthornoliachronicles)

TM, King Giovanni and Queen Consort Cassandre (@royalhouseofcardsleyts4)

TIM, The High King and High Queen of the Presean Empire (@stthomaspalace)

TM, King George I and Queen Elizabeth of Illyria (@the-lancasters)

TRH, the Duke and Duchess of Marseille and Saint-Lyon (@sosa-royals)

HM, Rosalind II, Queen of the Armoricans (@armoricaroyalty)

HM, King Arthur of the United Kingdom of Prydain and Voltadelmar (@prydainroyals)

TRH, The Prince and Princess of Belen (@housekonig)

HIH,  The Princess Imperial Eliana of Alexandria (@thealexandrianroyals)

TM, Queen Najwa and King Abeni of Oasis Springs (@hrh-the-royals)

TRH, Crown Princess Emeline and Crown Prince Cedric of Whitmore (@whitmoreroyals)

TM, King Oliver and Queen Charlotte of Cedoria and the Isle (@thebaillieroyals)

TM, King James II and Queen Alibhe of United Kingdoms of Great Briton and Ériu (@trhor)

Her Majesty Queen Irene and HRH Prince James (@albanyroyals)

⚜ Traduction française

Les invités arrivent au gala du couronnement de l'Empereur Napoléon V qui a lieu à Versailles.

(Autre journaliste) Ah, nous avons des nouvelles du gala. (Stéphane Bernard) En effet, les portes du château de Versailles s'ouvrent et accueillent les premiers invités de l'Empereur. Le cadre rend tout plus agréable : il s'agit probablement de la résidence préférée de Sa Majesté. Il y a passé beaucoup de temps durant son enfance. (Autre journaliste) Qui sont les invités Stéphane ?

(Stéphane Bernard) L'Empereur a invité les plus grands chefs d'Etat, accompagnés de leur conjoint ou de leur héritier, pour les monarchies. On retrouve la reine Viviana dont le pays est très lié au nôtre. De même, les souverains de Uspana ont une amitié je dirais générationnelle avec la famille Simparte, bien avant le rétablissement de l'empire de Francesim.

(Autre journaliste) Voici le fiancé de Madame ! Il n'est pas accompagné. (Stéphane Bernard) Il est de notoriété publique que la Maison Impériale et le duc de Rothsey ont traversé une période de tensions il y a quelques mois. Toutefois, il ne faut point interpréter cela comme une rancune de l'Empereur. Il s'agit simplement du respect du protocole impérial en ce jour de fête. Néanmoins, je veux bien reconnaître que le duc, malgré sa prestance indéniable et sa tête bien faite, n'a pas encore maîtrisé l'art de plaire à l'ensemble de sa belle-famille.

[hisimmer0]

Meet Orlando and Scarlet Lancaster ♡ Noelle’s Parents

Orlando

42, Straight

Family Oriented, Ambitious, Goofball

Investor

Loves Horse-riding, Funding new Start-ups, Spending time with his family

Scarlet

39, Straight

Perfectionist, Art Lover, Insider

Humanitarian Ambassador

Loves Throwing parties, Finding new art pieces, Shopping, Yoga

This image perfectly describes their relationship, look at the smirk on Orlando’s face and Scarlet being annoyed. Scarlet's usually the serious, straight-laced one, while Orlando loves to play the joker. But their opposite personalities actually work well together. Orlando's fun-loving nature adds some much-needed lightness to Scarlet's orderly life, creating a balanced and harmonious relationship.

Their twenty-years of shared love and understanding began at a horse-racing competition. They attended this event with their parents, who turned out to be business partners.

As an investor, Orlando found his passion in owning shares from various businesses, while Scarlet channeled her creative energy into her own art gallery. A gift from Orlando on her 30th birthday.

Orlando loves her daughter to death. As a doting father, he would indulge Noelle with horse riding trips where they would invite Maddie as well and spend quality time together. He cherishes every moment with his little girl, ready to do anything for her happiness.

Scarlet initially had reservations about Noelle's friendship with Madeline, due to the rumors surrounding the Bellemore household. However, watching Madeline grow up, she came to see her as a second daughter. Madeline, in turn, found a mother figure in Scarlet, always knowing she could rely on her for advice or a listening ear.

[notmaplemable]

9 Days Of Lancaster Day 8: Meeting The Family

RJ: *Standing outside the Arc household*

Jaune: Nervous?

Ruby: A little bit.

Jaune: Don't be, they'll love you. And I mean, you meeting my family can't go any worse than me meeting yours.

Ruby: What do you mean? Dad loved meeting you, and Uncle Qrow likes you more than he likes most people.

Jaune: I meant throwing up on Yang.

Ruby: Oh... Yeah, hopefully I can do better than... that.

Jaune: You will. You did great when you met Saph and Terra.

Ruby: But we weren't dating then, and two people are easier to deal with than ten!

Jaune: Well... you aren't wrong.

Ruby: You're supposed to encourage me!

Jaune: I have been.

Ruby: Well I don't feel encouraged!

Jaune: *Sighs* Let's just go meet everyone.

------

Ruby: H-Hello, my name is Rubin Rose!... I mean Robin Rose!... I mean Ronald Rose!... I mean-!

Jaune: This is Ruby.

Ruby: RUBY ROSE!

Mama Arc: *Chuckles* Well aren't you adorable.

Papa Arc: There's no need to be so nervous, Ruby. We've heard a lot about you.

Mama Arc: And if you're anything like your mom, you'll get along with the girls just wonderfully.

Papa Arc: Hopefully.

Jaune: Where is everyone else anyways?

Mama Arc: In the den, we wanted to give Ruby a little bit of breathing room before we throw her to the wolves. *Chuckles*

Ruby: *Mortified*

Jaune: Thanks mom, really helping her anxiety there.

Mama Arc: Oh I'm just teasing.

Jaune: Tease less, please.

Mama Arc: Oh sure, sure. Let's go introduce her to the girls! *Grabs Ruby's hand and drags her away*

Ruby: Eeep!

Jaune: Oh, boy.

Papa Arc: This is going to be a... fun day.

------

Mama Arc: This is Ruby Rose, Summer's youngest daughter, and Jaune's fiancée! Isn't she just adorable?

Arc girls: *Various forms of yes*

Ruby: H-h-h-hi?

Mama Arc: Now, you already know Saphron and Terra.

Terra: Hello again, Ruby.

Saphron: It's been too long. I like what you're doing with your hair now, though.

Ruby: T-thank you. It's good to see you two again.

Mama Arc: This is Garnet, our oldest.

Garnet: I see you like red a lot.

Ruby: Yeah, it's my favorite color.

Garnet: Well, we have that in common. And from what I've been told about you, I look forward to having you as a little sister.

Ruby: Oh, umm. Thanks?

Mama Arc: This is Jaune's twin sister, Joan.

Joan: It's nice to meet you.

Ruby: It's nice to meet you too, you look a lot like Jaune.

Joan: Except a good bit shorter and a lot less muscular now. *Chuckles* He's changed a lot since he left.

Ruby: Yeah.

Joan: Mostly for the better it seems, and I believe I have you and the rest of his friends to thank for that.

Mama Arc: This is Kelly.

Kelly: So, I hear you like weapons.

Ruby: They're my second most favorite thing in the world.

Kelly: Can you show me some cool weapons sometime?

Ruby: Sure! I mean, if you want me to.

Kelly: I do! This is going to be so awesome!

Mama Arc: This is Livie.

Livie: Sup?

Ruby: Umm, not much?

Livie: Hmm.

Mama Arc: She doesn't talk much, now onto the second set of twins. Milly and Amethyst.

Milly: You seem really cool!

Amethyst: You stole my big brother you harlett!

Ruby: Umm, I don't know what that means.

Milly: She just called you a w-

Mama Arc: And that's enough of that conversation! Let's eat!

------

Several hours later.

Jaune: See, I told you it wouldn't be that bad.

Ruby: Your little sister called me a "harlett".

Jaune: She's just getting used to me dating. It'll all be better after a good night's sleep.

Ruby: Where am I supposed to sleep?

Jaune: We have a ton of guest room you can stay in.

Mama Arc: Actually, I donated all of the beds in the guest room to charity.

Jaune: What? Why?

Mama Arc: It doesnt matter why! *Starts pushing Jaune and Ruby towards Jaune's room* You two can just sleep together in Jaune's room while you're staying here!

Jaune: Mom!

Ruby: *Blushing*

Mama Arc: *Pushes them into the room* Have a good night you two~! *Leaves*

Jaune and Ruby look around at Jaune's room, which is currently lit by several candles with some soft romantic music playing in the background.

Jaune: ...

Ruby: ...

[une-sanz-pluis]

At the highest social levels, there were the kings eldest sons (Henry and Thomas) who served with small retinues although they were only twelve and eleven years old, respectively. Although the princes were clearly too young to exercise effective command over large bodies of soldiers, there could not have been a better way of emphasising to both the English and their Scottish enemy the stability, and indeed virility, of the new regime than the king leading out an army alongside his two eldest sons, in succession to the childless Richard II. The symbolic value of such a formation would not have been lost on the king, but nor would the need to bolster the princes' divisions with men of high status and greater military experience, or at least greater age. In the groupings of Curson's particulars, Thomas of Lancaster is placed with the earl of Rutland, Walter, Lord Fitzwalter, and Richard, Lord Grey of Codnor. Meanwhile, Prince Henrys group contained units led by Edmund, earl of Stafford and William, Lord Ferrers of Groby, plus the 244 men-at- arms mustered by the treasurer and controller of the royal household, Thomas Tutbury and Robert Litton

Anne Curry, Adrian R. Bell, Andy King and David Simpkin, "New Regime, New Army? Henry IV's Scottish Expedition of 1400", The English Historical Review, Vol. 125, No. 517 (2010)

[blackboar]

Did Margaret beaufort say many times before Henry Tudor ascended the throne that my son would become king?

No, pardon my french but that’s complete bullshit.

Margaret Beaufort did not plan to make her son king until at best summer 1483. The white queen is very unrealistic in that aspect.

Margaret is an individual who have a familial loyalty and people whom she cares about beyond Henry, even though he certainly is her first concern. Margaret thinking that her son would be king is basically wishing the end of the House of Lancaster, and probably Beauforts and Holland, all whom do or could have a claim for the throne before Henry.

After 1471, we see no sign of Margaret attempting to push her son. In fact she clearly attempt to insert herself and her son in the triumphant Yorkist regime. She marry a influential lord close to power, she enter the queen’s household, she attempt to negotiate a settlement for her son.

It didn’t work for a decade because Margaret couldn’t garantuee her son’s safety in the Yorkist regime. Henry Holland’s weird death was probably a prime warning for her that reconciled Lancastrian pretenders could have a reduced chance of life expectancy in Yorkist England. There was probably third parties eager to see the Tudor heir die in exile and not return to claim his familial lands (like the Herberts, Clarence then Gloucester himself).

So she bid her time and negotiated what probably was a first step in 1482: a share of her mother’s inheritance. Edward IV died before final negotiations be made. She pushed her son king afterwards because it was the least bad option. Richard III was attempting to extradite him anyway and he was becoming a potential pretender with the new king’s flawed legitimacy. Negotiations were no longer possible.

I don’t think Margaret wanted her son to be king even after 1471. Every king she knew except Edward IV died violently and Edward himself came close numerous times. And that’s not even opening the issue of pretenders, wether overt or merely seen as potential ones. Their death rate was very high.

Hence why Hall claimed she cried during her son’s coronation: he was putting a big target in his back, she knew it and she was right considering he almost got killed weeks afterward. Anxiety probably swallowed her as her son was never completely safe and constantly facing rivals, plots, uncertainties, treasons, discontents and outright weirdos attempting to destroy him.

I personally think it’s not coincidence that she died months after him. Uncertainty kept her alive, fearful that his life would end with defeat and death. So when he died peacefully, albeit not painlessly, and the transition to her grandson was made, she knew she could leave at peace.

As an aside, if a show want to have an half-deluded character who desperately cling to the idea of making Henry king as ultimate vindication for his suffering, just pick Jasper (after 1471 though). He’s the one with big grudges toward Edward IV who personally executed his dad. He’s the one who can’t and probably won’t make peace with the Yorkist regime.

[f8foretold]

HUMANS / STEEL-BORN: the ruling class & family systems

The human/steel-born kingdom is currently ruled by 65 year old human king named Alaric. The human king king has three children (two sons and one daughter). Bertram (he/him) is the oldest at 40, Brenna (she/her) is the middle child at 38 and Drustan (he/him) is the youngest at 35. The king is hardened warrior who has fought in both international and civil wars. As per human tradition, he will not crown the next ruler until he passes of old age, is killed in battle, or until a knight challenges him in a duel for the crown and wins. His hatred for the elves is inspired by history, recent political matters and personal matters. After all, the elven king's wife killed his in battle before she, too, succumbed to her wounds.

Although there are 5 noble blooded families in the human kingdom, only the king is the king and the rest of the nobility acts as local lords that must ultimately report the king. Only the king and member of his family are allowed to have no last name. People are not allowed to have the same first name as the king's family. As for the other noble families, no wealthy people or commoners can have the same last name as the lower ranked (below #1) royal/noble families.

ROYAL FAMILY LIST & HIERARCHY

King Alaric & his children - thought to be descendants of the god Forgemaster, well rounded & fierce knights

The Armstrong family - a family of blacksmiths & bladesmiths that supplies both the royal families and the army with: weapons, shields, armor & tools

The Norwood family - a family of warriors & ranchers who are especially adept at fighting on horseback

The Wycliffe family - a family with a surprising number of ambidextrous people within it, especially skilled at dual-weapon fighting

The Lancaster family - considered the black sheep of the royal families, this family is new to the royal hierarchy, earning elevated status through prowess in battle. They've only been considered a noble family for the past 150 years.

RELEVANT & HELPFUL POSTS

Important locations & overview of gods here

Elves vs humans

Types of magic

FAMILY SYSTEMS / STRUCTURES (see under the cut)

Similar to elves in the sense they highly value family. Grudges and allies tend to be recorded in both official records and diaries and these relationships are passed down from one generation to the next. Because of this enemies and allies tend to remain somewhat stable/predictable for multiple generations.

culture tends to favor men since the Forgemaster was male and "men were crafted in the Forgemaster's image"... women & nonbinary people CAN become swordsmen but it isn't very common (women can become rulers, generals and heads of households but it isn't very common)

Heads of Household tend to be either the oldest of the family or a member of marrying age (humans typically get married in the 18-25 age range). Marriages help maintain alliances and help with a transition of power, with those most recently married gaining the choice to become Head of Household.

Royal Heads of Households serve on a diplomatic counsel, helping advice the king on both national and international matters. During times of war they act of Heads of Household.

Even non-royal families & poor families have Head of Households. For the middle and lower classes Head of Households are responsible for paying taxes and donating goods to their superiors as well as maintaining peace and order. If a family member breaks a law, the Head of Household is responsible for paying fines/bail as well as acting as the family lawyer in the court of law.

Wealthy families can elevate their status by marrying into a royal/noble family. They can also elevate their status become skilled forgemasters or skilled swordsman. They can demote their status by marrying a person of middle or lower class.

Royal/noble families can elevate their status by marrying into a noble family above theirs. They can demote their status by marrying a middle or lower class person.

Middle and lower classes can earn respect and elevate their status outside of marriage by being skilled scholars, forgemasters, and/or warriors.

[the-lancasters]

Goldsborough Palace, Windenburg

Previous| Beginning  | Next

Transcript under the cut

Robert - We asked to visit you today because I proposed to Alexandra during our trip to Lancaster Palace over the weekend, and she said yes

Elizabeth - Oh sweetheart! That is just wonderful! Congratulations

George - Yes congratulations. *as an aside* Though are you forgetting the act of parliament? The one where you need to gain my permission?

Robert - Not at all Father. But you weren't going to object anyway were you?

George - No. But you could have warned me.

George - Well this couldn’t have come at a better time now that I think about it. Weddings bring economic upswing - tourism rises too. 

Elizabeth - And weddings are such happy family occasions too -

George - I will have Yvonne arrange a meeting by the end of this week with the Master of the Household, the Archbishop, and I guess we’d better get the Prime Minister's office involved. They thought they were involved too late with Charles. They will want to have a say in the date- which is absolutely ridiculous but we will at least give them that illusion I suppose. Robert, what does your calendar look like for the rest of the month?

*George walks Robert over to the side while Alex looks a bit shell shocked*

Elizabeth - So, Alexandra! Have you given any thought to what style of dress you want to wear?

--

George - You don’t seem that surprised by this news. 

Elizabeth - Of course not, I knew what he was planning. I helped him with the ring in the end. But I didn’t know if she had accepted or not.

George - I guess it was inevitable really, after two years

Elizabeth - Do try and seem a little bit enthused George

George - Im not denying its a solid match - her aristocratic background, she's young, educated, scandal free-

Elizabeth - They are actually in love-

George – Not exactly the most important consideration here. But that father of hers has some strange notions that he likes to express at all opportunities. And the wife - 

Elizabeth - Yes, I know she's quite full-on

 George - Now we will have to host them so much more frequently. And at family events!

[isadomna]

The triangle Constance of Castile, John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford

Part One

Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt met whilst she was in the service of his first Duchess, Blanche, as a chamber servant. During this time, the two women were on close terms, for Katherine’s own daughter, Blanche Swynford, was placed in the same chamber as both Philippa and Elizabeth – the daughters of Blanche of Lancaster – and Gaunt was appointed as her godfather. Katherine was married to one of Gaunt’s retainers, Sir Hugh Swynford, who held a manor in Kettlethorpe in Lincolnshire. Hugh Swynford suddenly died, whilst serving John of Gaunt in Aquitaine. He left Kettlethorpe in the possession of Katherine and his son and heir Thomas, who was four years old. Hugh Swynford’s land and house were part of the Duchy of Lancaster, and as his Lord, John of Gaunt dutifully ensured the welfare of his family. He employed Katherine in his household as a ‘maistresse’ – a governess – to his daughters, and appointed her sister Philippa, the wife of Geoffrey Chaucer, to serve Duchess Constance.

In spring 1372, shortly after John of Gaunt paraded Constance through London, he gifted Katherine a generous sum of money. This is the first record of his direct association with her, and it is likely that around this time she became his mistress. Katherine’s conveyance of the news of Princess Catalina’s birth to the King suggests that she had been in attendance; having borne at least four children of her own at a young age, she would have been able to reassure and support Constance through her ordeal. But as soon as her own pregnancy became obvious, a pregnancy that could not have been her husband’s doing, she would have been obliged to resign her post and return to Kettlethorpe.

In 1373, the first son of the lovers couple, John, was born and given the surname Beaufort. Following his birth, John of Gaunt granted Katherine more money as well as a lucrative marriage agreement for her daughter Blanche. John Beaufort’s early years were probably spent at Kettlethorpe. The pattern of John’s grants to Katherine, some of them concerning its refurbishment, some of them handsome gifts, may indicate the dates of birth of their other children, and certainly suggests that the manor was being made a fit place for them to be brought up in. Kettlethorpe was a remote village with a tiny population, an ideal setting for discreet confinements and the raising of royal bastards whose existence was better kept secret – at least for the present.

Certainly the lovers were discreet, at least to begin with – had they not been, the world would soon have known of their affair, and we would not have to rely on inference and speculation in determining the circumstances in which it began. Costain argues that it was Katherine who insisted on secrecy in the early years of the liaison – she was, after all, newly widowed – but there were political imperatives to be considered too: John would not have wished to openly dishonour his new wife when all his hopes were centred on claiming the crown of Castile in her right. Thus the need for discretion was probably mutual, and it ensured that for some years to come, his affair with Katherine was conducted in secrecy and with great circumspection.

Sadly for those romantics who would prefer to believe that the Duke stayed true to Katherine within the limits of their adulterous relationship, there is some evidence that he had fleeting sexual encounters with other women during the course of it. In 1381, he was publicly to confess that he had committed the sin of lechery with Katherine herself ‘and many others in his wife’s household’. Probably John’s amours were fleeting and purely physical – and made no impact on his obviously deep feelings for Katherine Swynford.

Yet it appears that the Duchess’s Castilian ladies were already aware in 1373 that Katherine was John’s mistress. Their gossiping so annoyed the Duke that he packed them all off to Nuneaton Abbey, hoping that the Abbess would teach them discretion. If her ladies knew what was going on between the Duke and Katherine, the chances are that Constance did too.

By 1375 Katherine's position of influence with the Duke was becoming public knowledge. Although there are very few known instances of her exercising any powers of patronage, the Leicester records show that she occasionally used her influence for the benefit of others, while there is evidence to suggest that if she did ask favours from the Duke, it was usually for her own family members.

The public and liberal relationship that Gaunt and Katherine enjoyed after 1377 was due to Gaunt’s shift in position after the death of Edward III. He was the uncle of King Richard II, the most powerful noble in the country, a Prince, and even a King himself; he was powerful enough to conduct the affair without fearing the consequences. Katherine accompanied John of Gaunt that summer as he toured his extensive Duchy lands – the towns and villages where he was most at ease and felt confident in the love of the people. It was certainly at the request of John of Gaunt, within weeks of Richard’s ascension, that Katherine was granted two wealthy manor estates for life, in exchange for Gaunt’s county of Richmond. This generous gift – at the cost of his own property – is testament to Gaunt’s respect and love for Katherine Swynford in the late 1370s.

Sources:

Alison Weir, KATHERINE SWYNFORD: THE STORY OF JOHN OF GAUNT AND HIS SCANDALOUS DUCHESS

Helen Carr, THE RED PRINCE: THE LIFE OF JOHN OF GAUNT, THE DUKE OF LANCASTER

Images from youtube's video:

[suwerghmm]

Rosemary Horrox has shown that in East Anglia the core connection of politics was provided by the queen’s possession of the Duchy of Lancaster estate. After 1475 the queen’s interest was regarded as the main instrument of royal authority, and this political connection was boosted in 1478 when Anne Mowbray, the heiress of the last Mowbray Duke of Norfolk married Richard, Duke of York. This allowed the Mowbray retinues to be amalgamated with the royal interest in East Anglia and the result was a very strong and long-lasting affinity bound by ties of kinship which linked its leading members to the queen’s family. Thus can we find common ground between Calais and East Anglia, for when John Howard was deputy lieutenant at Calais in the 1470s, East Anglians, among whom were Fitzwater and Robert Chamberlain, staffed the

In 1483 the usurpation of Richard III split the bond between those East Anglians loyal to the Crown and those who threw in their lot with opponents of Richard III. In fact neither Richard nor his chief ally John Howard, Duke of Norfolk could dominate the two main affinities of the region: the de Vere retinue and the old Mowbray connection. Both these affinities organized a number of serious plots against him. During 1484 and 1485 the Brandon family, old Mowbray men, mobilized a number of former Mowbray retinues on behalf of John de Vere, Earl of Oxford and Henry Tudor. A number of important local families belonged to the Mowbray tradition. The Debenhams, Brandons, and Chamberlains were all counsellors of the last Mowbray duke, and though they found themselves on either side of the political divide during Richard III’s reign, once Oxford returned from Bosworth to rule East Anglia the political situation The arrival of Warbeck on the scene threw all this into the melting pot again since he, as Richard, Duke of York, could claim otherwise dormant loyalties within the region. This factor explains why men antipathetic to each other in the years 1483–5, and loyal to Henry VII thereafter, suddenly, apparently, renounced their loyalty to Henry on Warbeck’s arrival on the political scene. It also explains why the conspirators at Malines wanted to draw Thomas Brandon into their conspiracy (and why Sir Thomas Tyrrell, East Anglian and ex-Master of the Horse under York, was so interested in news of Warbeck). Despite the well-known heroism of William Brandon as Henry VII’s first standard bearer at Bosworth the Brandons were Mowbray adherents. VII thereafter, suddenly, apparently, renounced their loyalty to Henry on Warbeck’s arrival on the political scene. It also explains why the conspirators at Malines wanted to draw Thomas Brandon into their conspiracy (and why Sir Thomas Tyrrell, East Anglian and ex-Master of the Horse under York, was so interested in news of Warbeck). Despite the well-known heroism of William Brandon as Henry VII’s first standard bearer at Bosworth the Brandons were Mowbray adherents. William’s father, another William was a ducal counsellor. Both Brandon brothers led the East Anglian sector of Buckingham’s rebellion. In Thomas Brandon, Warbeck’s masters were targetting the right type of man, nominally, through the Mowbray retinue, a retainer of their Pseudo

John Lord Fitzwater may have played a role in East Anglia similar to the Brandons, during 1484–5. In January 1485, one of Richard’s men in East Anglia, Robert Chamberlain, was in some sort of dispute with Fitzwater and both were bound over by Richard III not to attack each Fitzwater was not part of the Mowbray affinity. His career advanced via Calais, the Earl of Warwick and Lord Hastings. But his agreement to maintain peace toward Chamberlain seems to place him alongside the Brandons. After Bosworth, Fitzwater emerged enormously enhanced in prestige, though still a man of very modest means. He was appointed Steward of the Household, Steward of Duchy of Lancaster lands in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge, and Warden and Chief Justice of forests south of the He may have been casting his eyes on the Howard family’s position in East Anglia, for in October 1485 he began to bully and terrorize ex-Howard servants and the Howard dowager duchess. Oxford at the time acted as patron, a good lord, to the duchess. In 1487 Oxford was given virtually viceregal power to raise soldiers in East Anglia to fight at Stoke. Fitzwater appears to have contested his authority and caused two men, Henry Heydon, Steward of the Household to Cecily, Duchess of York and William Boleyn, an ex-retainer of Richard III who had been his deputy admiral for Norfolk and Suffolk and a Knight of the Bath at his coronation, to hesitate in giving allegiance to the new Stoke was a sufficient shock to Henry VII to render behaviour such as this politically suicidal. Though Oxford controlled East Anglia others were brought in. Fitzwater lost his stewardship of the duchy in 1489 to Thomas Lovell and James Hobart, highly placed servants of the king; and in the same year the political resurrection of Thomas Howard began. This was a sound move, for Howard went on to serve Henry loyally, and the Howard lands in East Anglia were gradually restored to him. By 1495 he had made as good a recovery as could have been Fitzwater’s hopes of succeeding Howard, if such they were, were dashed. By February 1490 Fitzwater was in trouble with the king’s and in January 1492 he agreed to aid Warbeck.

loyalty. Thus when Warbeck arrived in England he could not exploit a large pre-existing power base. He had no mass support until 1497. In 1495 and 1496, Henry had his most loyal lieutenants in positions to reinforce his authority as king: the Earl of Oxford in East Anglia; Cardinal Morton and Sir Edward Poynings, as deputy to Henry, Duke of York and as Lieutenant of the Cinque Ports, superintending Kent; and Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey as King’s Lieutenant in the north. The breakdown of political discipline which happened in England in 1497 was the result of foreign intervention of a sort like that seen in 1470 and 1471.Those powers which backed Warbeck so circumscribed the king’s course of action that only war seemed to offer a solution, either through battle or as a diplomatic weapon to force Warbeck’s surrender. In fact what happened was a regression to civil war so that some of the people who had fought against Richard III now opposed Henry VII. In 1497 a number of the rebels had fought with Henry’s men during Buckingham’s rebellion and at least one had joined him in exile in Brittany. This phenomenon had already been prefigured in support for Warbeck in East Anglia and Hertfordshire, places which had opposed Richard III in 1483 and now produced disloyalty to the Crown again.

appears less According to the Warwickshire antiquary, William Dugdale Mountford sent £30 to Warbeck via his son, Henry, who then became a convinced rebel. Henry had been sent to Ireland with his retinue to root out John Taylor and his French supporters in 1491. Christine Carpenter has connected him to Stanleys’ relatives, the Savages; and, as we have seen, Henry’s father was bound over for good behaviour in January Henry was not the only Warwick gentleman at Malines in the 1490s, another was Richard Malory of Monks Kirby, strictly speaking from the manor of Newbold Revel, in Monks Kirby. In 1480 Newbold Revel was held from Richard, Duke of York through the right of his Mowbray wife, Anne. Thereafter, due to the assumed death of Edward IV’s son, the manor changed hands. But is there an indication in Richard Malory’s presence among the invaders at Deal in 1495 of feudal loyalty to an The Malory family of Litchborough, in Northamptonshire, fought against Henry VII at Stoke, and possibly also at Two years later, an officer of Edward, Earl of Warwick voiced treason during the rebellion of 1497. It is worth recalling that the region all these men came from was the one John Taylor wished to involve with the Countess of Warwick against Henry VII in 1491, and one which Rowland Robinson knew well.

[hildathesaint]

Hilda's herborium: Rose

Scientific name: genus Rosa with about 360 species

Country of Origin: China

Magical Qualities:

Enhances female intuition

Psychic work and dream work

Protection (having a rose with thorns helps with this)

Luck

Avoidance of conflict

Beauty

Confidence

Sexuality

Truth

Description

Rosa rubiginosa is the scientific name for rose. Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, and there are about 360 species in the genus Rosa. Erect bushes with stems are their defining characteristics.

Roses come in a variety of colours, such as red, white, yellow, blue, and many others. Roses are prized for their vivid colour, intricate petal arrangement, and fragrant scent. It also serves a functional purpose of slope stabilisation. The size of rose differs depending on the species. Roses are simple to grow since they are easily hybridised.

The majority of rose species are from Asia, while some are from Europe, North America, and other places.

Folklore

Roses have an extremely long history, with fossil evidence showing their existence over 35 million years ago. Around 5000 years ago, cultivation of roses is thought to have begun in China although it was only in the late 18th century that this type of rose made it to Europe. The cultivated roses from China were prized for their ability to bloom repeatedly each year and these cultivations ended up forming the base for most of the roses we see today after they were bred with hardy native roses.

Because of its bitter-sweet paradox of thorns and sweet smelling blooms, the rose earned its romantic associations. Love is both bitter and sweet, making the rose a perfect representation of it. The Greeks believed red roses were dyed by the blood of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, after she cut her foot while running to attend the wounds of Adonis. Other myths suggest Cupid, God of Love, splashed white roses with his nectar thus turning them red. Either way, red too has strong associations with love and romance. Cleopatra strew roses across her room when she was with her lovers so they thought of her whenever they smelled one. Roses are commonly worn or used to during love spells to increase the power of the spell. Rose water and petals can be added to love baths to attract love and romance, while rose hips can be strung into a necklace to attract love. It is said that you can also take three (or more) green rose leaves and write the name of your lovers on each. The one that stays the green the longest is said to be the one.

Rose is also a plant of valor and protection. During the War of the Roses, both houses, Lancaster and York, adopted red and white roses to represent their houses. The red rose ended up later becoming the emblem of England. Rose petals and hips can be carried as a personal protective charms. In fact, they were often included in posies to ward off the Black plague. Rose petals around the home can calm personal stress and soothe household problems as well.

Quotes about roses

“A rose dreams of enjoying the company of bees, but none appears. The sun asks: ‘Aren’t you tired of waiting?’ ‘Yes,’ answers the rose, ‘but if I close my petals, I will wither and die.’” – Paulo Coelho

“The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies. Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential. It seems to be constantly in the process of change: Yet at each state, at each moment, it is perfectly all right as it is.” – Paulo Coelho

“If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I’d be picking roses for a lifetime.” – Swedish Proverb

“Roses fall, but the thorns remain.” – Dutch Proverb

“A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.” – Leo Buscaglia

“How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew!” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a rose with the other.” -Chinese Proverb

[the-ronins-world]

Marvel OC (Part 2)

Ian Lancaster-Barton AKA, formerly Hawkeye Junior now Ronin.

The makings of a sidekick.

Now, being rescued by the Avengers and being brought to America, to civilization. He was speechless and astounded by the massive cityscape of the City that Never Sleeps. Like a person who never felt of pizza in his life, which quickly became his favorite food within New York. He can eat a whole pie by himself without stopping. His metabolism made sure of that.

Which, he became very used to life in the world that he had never felt before. But a fish out of water is easily the way to describe him, the feeling of a warm bed, food and company of the Avengers like the wisecracks and bickering of Tony, Steve and Thor, and Bruce and Natasha and finally, Clint. Taking every day with one step at a time. At the Avengers Tower.

Comes the day he gained a family, a true family.

The Bartons.

Which Ian was adopted into Barton household complete with a farm and landscapes as far as he can see. Unfamiliar with this place, this state called Iowa. The Avengers found that if he was adopted in a stable family, he would be less in danger, and maybe sometimes, he could come back to Avengers Tower as an Avenger.

He could dream about it.

But in the meantime, he has siblings, like Lila, Cooper, and Nathaniel.

Being accepted and loved by them, well, it took time for them to know they have another sibling on the homestead as shy and timid he was. It's a work in progress.

With a mouthful of a name, Lancaster became his middle with the last name of his new family.

Barton.

Thus, Ian became a son, a brother to them all.

On the homestead, he's always wanted to learn more about the world. Especially in education.

[inky-duchess]

Sorry if these are silly question but I'm not a native :

1. Do households have names ? Like sometimes I read something like [whatever his name] is lord of house [name]

2.if they do have names are they named based on the surname of the family ?

3.and how to come up with a surname that fits both the character and the setting?

Thanks!

Households are a collection of the family and the servants who serve them. A House is the family. Houses did have names which were either the surname or the branch they belonged to. For example, the House of Plantagenet ruled England, until their cousins the Lancaster branch (Plantagenets descended from John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster/Son of Edward III) took over. The Lancasters still carried the name Plantagenet but they were known as the House of Lancaster. Later when their cousins took over, the descendants of the York branch were known as the House of York. When coming up with a House name, considering a name consider where the current family gain their right to the throne. If they are a direct line, monarch to heir, they will share the surname with their house.

[armoricaroyalty]

Despite the pomp and grandeur of Prince Jacques and Vivi’s televised wedding, rumors persist about the couple’s troubled relationship. As the newly-minted Duchess of Laye, Vivi throws herself into charitable work while Jacques tries therapy at his mother’s urging.

Meanwhile, Crown Princess Rosalind enjoys her status as a press favorite while Prince Freddy attempts to clean up his image by collaborating on a joint Armorican-Uspanian project with Leonor Reyes (@nexility-sims). His enthusiasm for the project is somewhat dampened when he realizes that his father, Andre, King of the Armoricans, has been having an affair with Leonor.

Previous | Chapter Start | Beginning | 1994

A devastated Freddy is comforted by Emily, his personal assistant. The two have been growing ever-closer since they began working together—by design, it turns out. Emily has been scheming to get closer to Freddy, who is expected to marry sooner rather than later, and Emily intends to present herself as the ideal candidate for royal marriage. Despite her ulterior motives, she has been developing genuine feelings for him, complicating her plans.

In May, Jacques and Vivi embark on a royal tour, visiting five countries: Ilvalian, Nalore, (@atreanroyals), Illyria (@the-lancasters) Orillia (@theroyalthrones​), and Aducia (@ardeney-sims​). While in Illyria, Vivi befriends two members of the Illyrian royal family, Margaret Lancaster and Charles Lancaster. In their final tour stop, Jacques and Vivi have a chance encounter with Kelly Farrier, an ex-girlfriend of Freddy’s. Kelly is carrying a baby, who may or not be Freddy’s, but she disappears before they can make contact.

After consulting with Rosalind and her girlfriend Mary, Jacques and Vivi agree to keep the baby’s existence a secret until Mary is able to track Kelly down and get her to agree to a paternity test.

Cheerfully ignorant of the fact that he may have fathered a child with his ex-girlfriend, Freddy and Emily begin dating. After just six weeks together, Freddy and Emily’s relationship is made public by Rosalind, who exposes them in order to keep her own relationship with Mary a secret, because Mary is still legally married, although her husband has been missing for several years.

At the same time that Freddy, Emily, Mary, and Rosalind are discussing their response to the “leak,” Vivi runs into Charles Lancaster for a second time at a wedding reception. The pair flirt with one another but are interrupted before they can act on their mutual attraction.

The next day, Elise, Queen of the Armoricans, meets with Claudia Gianelli, the woman in charge of Jacques and Vivi’s household. Now revealed as a spy for Elise, the two discuss the Layes’ unhappy marriage before Elise returns to the palace to confront her own unhappy marriage with Andre.

A few days later, Rosalind is confronted by Theo Adams, a friend of Rosalind’s who briefly dated Freddy. Theo, a lawyer, had been working on a case against the Armorican government until Rosalind sabotaged her career by planting an exaggerated, negative story about her. To appease Theo, Rosalind offers her a job within the royal household.