The year was 928 anno domini.  Edward of Wessex was dead, and his son Æthelstan, having retaken York from the Danish Vikings, was now King of all the English.  Alan of Brittany and his father Mathuedoi, Count of Poher were still living in exile and occupied the apartments at the Great Hall of Wintanceastre, long the seat of power for the House of Wessex.  The King’s Court was on the move more often than not, but had arrived at the Hall for an extended stay to receive petitioners, envoys, and cheery acquaintances.  After a week of hunting at the Lodge in Clarendon Forest with old friends Alan and Haco the Norse Prince, Æthelstan hosted a feast of the kill in honor of a recent wedding in the family, namely that of the King’s young sister Eadgyth to the sixteen year old Pri...

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