King Cerdic Calls for Fealty

Political event

King Cerdic sends his son Cynric to invite envoys of Lady Ellen to a feast in Hamshire, which Cerdic has recently conquered. Reluctantly, the knights attend the feast and agree to an alliance with King Cerdic, who promises them protection in exchange for their loyalty.

While court was being held in Sarum, a group of Saxons arrived led by a Saxon Aetheling, who announced himself to be Cynric, the son of Cerdic, and invited knights of Sarum to a feast in Hamshire hosted by his father, who had recently conquered the city.   Lady Ellen sent our knights adventurous to the feast. On the way, they learned that Cerdic was the son of the tyrant Vortigern and his Saxon wife Rowena. The knights also met one of his entourage, a Saxon by the name of Randwulf, who they learned was the son of Saexwulf.   After several days of journeying, the knights came to Hamshire and were feasted gloriously by King Cerdic. At the feast, Sir Felix became drunk and taunted Randwulf with the skull of his father, which Felix had turned into a drinking goblet.   After the feast, Cerdic told the assembled knights of his lineage, that he was really more of a Britton than a Saxon, and that he wished them to accept him and ally with him. He promised that if they did, he would treat them well. Swallowing their hatred and their pride, the knights agreed to this arrangement and later advised Lady Ellen to do the same.