TREASONS, STRATAGEMS AND SPOILS by H A CULLEY

Author:H A CULLEY [CULLEY, H A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orchard House Publishing
Published: 2017-11-07T23:00:00+00:00

The Witan eventually chose Alchred, Ealdorman of Loidis, to succeed Æthelwold. He claimed to be an ætheling in that he was descended from Eadric, Ida’s fourth son. His cause was supported by the archbishop, mainly because the man was married to his niece, Osgifu, brother of King Oswulf.

I had spoken eloquently in favour of the baby Ethelred as the last descendent of King Æthelfrith, the first King of a united Northumbria, but few wanted a child on the throne after what happened when his grandfather, Osred, was a boy king.

There were other contenders but all the churchmen followed the archbishop’s lead, even Cynewulf. It helped that Alchred was a devout Christian and had even talked about sending missionaries across to pagan Germania. I watched gloomily as the gold circlet was placed upon his head by Ecgbert and then we all lined up to swear him fealty.

When it came to my turn he gave me an icy stare and bent forward to whisper in my ear.

‘You and I need to talk about the murder of my wife’s brother. I know you sent the boy Bleddyn to him and he is rumoured to have entered Oswulf’s chamber just before he was killed. Then Æthelwold sent him back to you. This stinks worse than fish left out in the sun. You will come to see me at Eoforwīc next month where we can discuss this matter properly.’

I nodded, my heart in my boots. Once Alchred questioned Roswitha he would have all the proof he needed to convict me of complicity in Regicide.

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