In the year of our Lord 800, the islands of Britain are, as ever, in flux and change. Kings vie for power, their gesithas fight, and the ceorls toil.
>Northumbria
In the lands north of the Humber, the founding line of Ida has not sat on the throne for a generation. A series of murdered kings and coups has given Eardwulf, King of Northumbria, his crown, though he holds it with a tenuous grip.
His disregard for his pious wife has estranged him from the leading churchmen of his kingdom. Numerous challenges to his throne have arisen from among his ealdormen; most recently, Wada of Dunholm has been put to flight after a rebellion. Paranoia has driven Eardwulf to order the death of all living heirs of competing royal lines. And, of course, the heathen Danes across the sea have been raiding the shores of the kingdom, searching for slaves and plunder.
Word has reached York that Ealhmund Ætheling, son of the deceased Alhred, former King of Northumbria, descendant of Ida, is marching south from Pictland with an army to reclaim his birthright. Eardwulf has called his ealdormen to raise their retinues and fyrds, but only time will tell which way the winds will blow
>Mercia
In the Kingdom of Mercia, Coenwulf of the Iclingas rules, his reign following that of the mighty Offa and Offa's less impressive son, Ecgfrith, who ruled for less than a year before passing.
Long has Mercia been the hegemon of all the kingdoms south of the river Humber, but much of the past few years have been filled with resistance to Mercian hegemony.
>>East Anglia
In East Anglia, the noble Eadwald has been acclaimed king in the absence of any Wuffingas. Gathering his men, he has pushed back the Mercians from East Anglia and begun to mint coins in his name. However, the duration of his reign remains uncertain, for it is spoken that Mercia will not lie back and let the Angles enjoy independence.
>>Essex
Further south, in the land of the Saxons, the King of the East Saxons, Sigered, pays homage to Mercian overlordship. Some in Coenwulf’s court urge the king to confiscate his crown. Trusting Sigered, whose father was loyal and subservient to Offa, Coenwulf has not heeded this advice and allows the autonomy of Essex. How long this shall remain is unknown, for the thegns of Mercia, ever hungry for land, continue to agitate, and the people of Essex grow weary of Mercian involvement and privileges.