This is the future floor plan to the Windsor Castle
England- William the Conqueror is about to start building a new castle, next to the Thames River, soon to be named the Windsor castle.
The Windsor Castle is scheduled to start construction in a short amount of time, no more than a few moons away. The purpose of this soon-to-be castle is for the use of living quarters and other uses. It will also be designed for protection of the Norman ruling around the edges of London and to watch over the Thames River.
Construction is set to begin in April and conclude in November each year until it is completed. It is also expected to take up about 13 acres, making it one of the largest castles yet.
More than 500 people will live and work on the castle and there are slots open for blacksmiths, a jester, and stonemasons. William says “I’ve drawn up the plans for thy castle and all I can say is it’s going to be magnificent.”
Because the castle will one day be used for living area, it is expected to not only be beautiful on the outside, but on the inside as well. The furnishing and design of each and every room is expected to be magnificent. Design plans for the building show it will show that “classic castle look” but it will also show new details and looks of the structure.
Some other features of the castle include arrow dynamic arrow slots (no malarkey intended) that will make it easier to shoot arrows during combat -like embrasures. Not only will this castle be luxurious but will offer protection for the royal family incase needed.
The Castle will not be used as a place of living right when it is built, because out Norman Kings prefer to uses the former palace of Edward the Confessor, near the village of Old Windsor.
The castle will also consist of the upper and lower wards, The Norman Gate, St. George’s Chapel and other various towers.
The future aspects of this castle is expected to change with the rulers likings. Also, the architectural design is expected to be breath takings as well as purposeful.
If you were wondering, yes, glass will in fact be used in the castle but only in places where it will be safe and necessary, such as in the royals’ living spaces. One day, the builders would also like Giles Downes to construct parts of the “look” for the castle, to add towards its glory.The Windsor Castle is expected to be one of the most beautiful castles of its time, as well as safe.
Louis VI Giving Peasants Jobs? By Ellen Hardcastle
The beautiful city of Amboise, France
France-- Earlier this month, the monarch surprised us all by awarding jobs to plain old townspeople! It surprised the fair peasants, but King Louis VI, or by the name that we fondly call him --Louis the Fat-- finally has come out with an explanation.
“I saw how unruly the barons of my land were,” the King stated, quietly sipping at his tea as he looked fondly at the training grounds where the knights sparred. “They needed a strong grip to keep them in their place.”
For years, all of us in France have seen how unjust the nobles; who ran sections of the land were. Feuds sprang all over France and peasants were the ones to suffer under the nobles rendezvous. King Louis finally saw the trouble going on in the towns, and what did he do?
He gave townspeople jobs.
He gave peasants and clergy members on his court of advisors and gave these people government jobs inside the towns. “I think it was about time that my subjects governed themselves.” King Louis replied. “They are the ones working off the land after all. All that the silly nobles are doing are running thinks amuck.”
That all is true. Feudalism has been plaguing the land ever since one could remember. Under Feudalism, the barons have control of political, economic, judicial, and military power. It created trouble within the barons, for nobody knew what land belonged to who! It was just a game of ‘he-said-she-said’ as nobles fought. It was also a game of luck because each lord of the land had a vassal, and if one decided to not do their duties, war would break out and bring utter chaos.
Thus, the monarch did something about that. In a little town between Paris and Orléans called Amboise, I asked the townspeople how they felt about this sudden change.
“Oh, I think it’s great.” Leon of Amboise said. “Before I was working as a farmer on my family’s land. It wasn’t much pay and the days were gloomy. But ever since the King gave me the opportunity to be in the Amboise council, my family and I haven’t been happier.”
Many of the townspeople interviewed agreed, stating that this change was for the best. Anne of Amboise also stated, “I think it’s about time we ordinary folk get a say! Thanks to these no good nobles, harvest hasn’t been well thanks to these prats fighting over our farmland! Without enough food to eat, our babes were perishing at an alarming rate that even God almighty couldn’t save us! It’s hard enough that not many children live long enough to see their own babies grow up. It’s good that we finally have a king who knows more about the people than guillotines and war!”
Unfortunately, not many noblemen agree with King Louis VI. “This is absolute rubbish!” Lord Hugh I exclaimed. “The way we’ve ruled has been fine for hundreds of years! And suddenly this King decides that the way we’ve been ruling is unjust? What’s next? Women wearing trousers? How has God allowed this to happen? Rubbish, I say! Rubbish!”
No word from the Church has been released yet, but the King assures his subjects that he is only doing this in God’s name and that He would not stand for this injustice any longer.
“This change will help benefit the kingdom of France!” the monarch declared six moons ago in the town Paris. “So fear not my friends; France will still have it’s glory.”
King John's Power Weakened! June 16th, 1215 By Lady Adela
The first page of the Magna Carta.
EGHAM, SURREY- Yesterday, King John signed the Magna Carta and renewed the Oath of Fealty.
The Magna Carta will reduce the power that King John holds. Also known as the Great Charter, the Magna Carta is a collection of 37 laws that involve the Church, taxes, trials, and weights and measures. This news arrived via horseman late afternoon.
Before he signed the Magna Carta, King John signed the Articles of the Barons, on June 10. King John was not happy about signing this, but eventually gave in after all church services were banned.
Archbishop Stephen Langton was one of the powerful Barons that drafted the Magna Carta. On August 4, 1213, Barons and churchmen were summoned to St. Albans Abbey to review the Magna Carta.
This document will affect the Church. It will be free from royal interference, including the election of bishops, because of King John’s interference and angering of the Roman Catholic Church.
“It is great to know that we can continue with Church services,” Pope Innocent III says, “and King John will no longer interfere with Church officials.”
No taxes, other than regular feudal dues paid by the peasants, will be collected. To collect other taxes, King John must have consent from Parliament or the Great Council.
All will be given a fair and proper trial. The accused will be judged by his fellow Englishmen.
King John will be constrained by laws and processes. He cannot seize property, he must pay for it.
The Magna Carta was influenced by The Charter of Liberties, written in 1100 and signed by King Henry I. It included laws to reduce the king’s interference with the Church’s nobles and officials. This document also references the over-taxation of barons.
King John is reluctant to talk about the effects of the Magna Carta. He has not emerged from his castle ever since.
“He [King John] will not talk about the Magna Carta. He is not even talking about receiving money from peasants, which usually pleases him,” King John’s head servant told us. He also mentioned that copies of this document will be distributed throughout England in a matter of days.
Canterbury Mourning By Lady Celestia
A portrait of Becket made of stained glass in his Cathedral
Canterbury Thomas A. Becket was murdered yesterday in the privacy of his own cathedral.
Henry II, grandson of Henry I, rules west of France and England. He was also named the Duke of Normandy at age 17. Shortly after marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine, he inherited Anjo in 1151. He was known as a ruthless leader. He has recently established a system of common law.
This system was to use traveling judges to apply the law all throughout the land equally. The judges were to meet with a grand jury. Another jury soon developed to establish the guilt or innocence of the accused. In summary, Henry’s plan was to try clergy in the royal court.
Now enter 52 year-old Thomas a Becket, elected Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162. Thomas was a successful man who was venerated as a saint and martyr by the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He owned his own private cathedral, and frequently worshiped in it. He was highly respected
Once Henry presented his plan of common law, Thomas did not exactly agree with it. So once Henry found out about Thomas’ opinion, he was not happy.
Said an insider of Becket, “Once Henry came out with his plan of common law, you could tell right away that Thomas did not agree with it, and that he was not a fan of Henry to begin with.”
So yesterday, on December 29th 1170, Henry sent out four of his knights, who believed this was the king’s order, to murder Becket in the privacy of his own cathedral.
One of Henry’s knights, William Bentley, adds, “ We were told that the murder of Becket was an order of the king and that Henry was not a part of this.”
On that day, Canterbury lost a beloved leader for voicing his opinion. Canterbury in mourning for the loss of their archbishop. Becket is now considered a martyr for his actions.
Shortly after the murder, monks prepare for the funeral. Thomas is said to be buried in Canterbury Cathedral, his cathedral. Henry, nor his people, have commented on the event.
King Henry and Eleanor of Aquitaine: Marriage Gone Sour! July 19th, 1174 By Lady Penelope II
Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, still a strong-willed Lady even after her tragic event, posing in her castle with a lovely gown and hairstyle.
ROYAL HOME OF ELEANOR AND HENRY- Yesterday, Eleanor discovered the truth about Henry’s unfaithfulness and is drowning in sadness.
Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, the king and queen of England, just separated from each other due to Henry’s unfaithfulness to her. Eleanor just discovered it, but we just heard news of this even though this affair between Rosamund Clifford and King Henry has been going on for quite a while. Eleanor and Rosamund are complete opposites, so maybe the king might have wanted a new personality to be around.
King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine had a pretty good marriage. They were happy until King Henry went behind Eleanor’s back and completely changed everything. Henry II adores Rosamund, and Eleanor started to loathe the woman after she found out about some rumors going around that Rosamund was “the love of King Henry’s life.”
“All I know about this woman is that she wanted to ruin my relationship with my husband and she succeeded, there was nothing more I could do to support our marriage because I was the only one trying,” said Eleanor regarding the situation.
Rosamund was born in 1150 from a lord, Walter de Clifford and her mother, Margaret Isobel de Tosny. They lived in Clifford Castle in Herefordshire, England. Henry met Rosamund Clifford when visiting Clifford Castle. When his eyes met hers, it was love at first sight. They instantly fell in love and had the affair many, many moons ago, but it was just made public.
Once Eleanor discovered Rosamund, she began to have a deep hatred for her. Eleanor and Rosamund have completely different personalities, so they clashed. Rosamund just became an annoyance to the queen. If Eleanor could lock her up in a dungeon forever, she would without hesitation.
“I have no regrets. I care for Henry deeply, and Eleanor can try to get between us, but she won’t be able to,” says Rosamund Clifford, surprisingly responding to our questions.
King Henry didn’t want to respond to any of our questions and seems as though he’s angry, maybe he might regret going behind his wife’s back. He might not be as happy with his new relationship with Rosamund. Eleanor was extremely faithful to her husband and Rosamund is the complete opposite.
Rosamund Clifford is often called “Fair Rosamund” and “Rose of the World” for being so beautiful. Her outer beauty was the one thing that caught King Henry’s attention. Being hated by Eleanor and adored by the King has made her extremely famous.
Even though Eleanor went through a tough time, her intelligence and for being so strong, she accomplished many things. She is currently fighting for women, because at the moment men are superior. Eleanor is creative and a very powerful queen and is using her power for a good cause. In a way, what Henry II did to her actually helped her.
With this event having taken place, it might help many of you in the future. Eleanor has become stronger and is becoming a magnificent queen. Great changes in England are in store.
King Henry's Story on the Murder of Thomas Becket By Lady Penelope II
Kings are admired by all. They have all the power and decide what goes and what doesn’t. Kings are respected. They have maids and servants to do many things for them. Kings don’t struggle daily for food or shelter like many poorer people do. On the other hand, kings struggle with being extremely busy and with people always against them because a king cannot please everyone. They have it all, but when things do not go their way, things can get ugly.
Henry II struggled quite a bit with claiming the throne, but he finally acquired it and became very powerful and wealthy once he married Eleanor of Aquitaine. Henry II became good friends with Thomas Becket, but once Thomas became a bit more powerful and had more opinions, Henry and Becket clashed. Before long they went from friends to enemies. Becke disagreed with many of the things that Henry wanted to follow through with, so King Henry II claimed him as a traitor. Henry became very upset about some of the things Becket was saying about him, so he kept saying, “Why won’t anyone just get rid of Becket already?!” King Henry’s knights killed Thomas Becket off at the word of the King. Did Henry II really mean to kill Becket? Well we’re here to find out. We met up with King Henry II as he was having a lovely brunch in his grand castle.
Q: So, let’s start off on a simple note. How is life as a king?
King Henry: Well, I love my castle and how well I am living, but we all have those moments in our life where we have to go through tough times or big conflicts and I guess that’s what’s happening to me. I always have to be grateful to have to opportunity to be a King though.
Q: It seems like you’re going through a rough time in your life, tell me about that.
KH: Well you know, my marriage going downhill and the whole situation with Thomas Becket. It’s a lot of things that are tough to talk about.
Q: Since we’re on the topic of Thomas Becket, tell us what exactly happened between you and Thomas that made you guys so angry at each other?
KH: Thomas and I were pretty good friends at one point, but then we had conflicting opinions that really made us clash. It was a bit sad losing a good friend, but he was really a big nuisance to me because he kept trying to take control.
Q: I know how hard it is to lose a friend. Trust me, I’ve been there, but there is more to the story right? What happened after the friend-breakup?
KH: I didn’t really want to go that deep into the story, but obviously we have to. Well, I got angry. But not to the point where I wanted to kill him... I admit i did say, “Why doesn’t anybody just get rid of him already?” But i didn’t mean it in a way for him to be killed. My knights took it too seriously and actually went through with it. I had never felt so guilty in my life. It’s been hard for me, but I’ve learned to live with it, kind of.
Q: So what you’re saying is that you didn’t really want Thomas Becket out of the picture?
KH: Well of course I did, but not dead! I just was sick of his opinions and from holding me back as a king!
Q: It’s okay, we understand. Don’t get too upset. So it sounds like you don’t really like others’ opinions. Do you not care what the people think about your laws and such?
KH: I don’t really think it’s important what they think, to be completely honest. At some points and aspects, yes the peoples’ opinions matter, but only slightly. I’m the king and my opinion is the most important one.
Q: The King is very important and his opinion is one of the most important one, but don’t you believe that the people should have some say in the matter of what laws they have to follow? I understand your points, but don’t you want the people to love the King not despise him?
KH: Most of what you say is true. The people should love me and not hate me, but i cannot please everyone.
Q: Let’s jump back to the matter of Thomas Becket. Did you in any way feel threatened by him? Did you feel as though he was more intelligent and you just didn’t want to hear what he had to say because you knew he was right?
KH: That’s a tough one... Well I agree that he was a very smart man and had some good points and arguments against what choices I wanted to make as a king, but I didn’t want to hear anything of what he said. He wasn’t king, I was and am still the King. His opinion didn’t matter to me in any way. He was just being a nuisance. I didn’t want to hear his mouth running anymore, but again, I didn’t want him dead. I’m not blaming it on my knights because I know I was the one in the wrong and my knights were doing their job and just trying to protect me.
Q: I understand your points King. So all in all tell me your reaction when you found out that Thomas Becket was dead?
KH: To be completely honest, I felt very guilty. It was the lowest I had ever felt in my life. Just to know that someone died because of something so innocent-or not so innocent, that I said. I was really upset and I really wish I could have taken back what i had said before. I just wish that it all had never happened. I wish that I could go back in time and not be so controlling and defensive.
Wow. It’s something new; a King feeling guilty. Maybe the people can forgive you for just that heartfelt response. I really hope that doing this interview has made you feel a bit better because you got to let out your feelings and share your side. I hope that things get better for you. I’m sure that the people will be thrilled to read your side of the story. Hopefully we can meet again. Thank you so much for your time. It’s been a pleasure.