Wales is a mountainous area located to the west of England, full of perilous crags and low in natural resources and arable land. It is poorer than its neighbouring England. Wales is the homeland of Askeladd's mother, Lydia.
King Sweyn threatening to invade Wales is ultimately what leads Askeladd to commit regicide, resulting in Askeladd's death and Canute's ascension to the throne.
Appearance[]
Wales is a mountainous country.
History[]
Past[]
An ancestor of Lydia and Askeladd, Lucius Artorius Castus was a military leader from Britannia, a province of the Roman Empire that would later become England and Wales. Artorius had soundly crushed the invading Saxons at the Battle of Baden Hill in 516, bringing peace to Britannia.
Lydia was a Welsh noblewoman. When the Danish lord Olaf raided the coast of Wales, he took her as his concubine and brought her to Denmark, resulting in the birth of Askeladd. When he was young, Lydia told her son that Artorius is tending to his wounds in Avalon and that he will return to them to save them from their struggles once he has regained his health.
After killing Olaf at the age of 14, Askeladd travelled to Wales with his dying mother, as she wished to be brought home. He later buried her there.
War Arc[]
In November 1013, chased by Thorkell and his men after capturing Canute, Askeladd decides to have his band cross the River Severn into Wales. Captain Gratianus of Morgannwg's military greets them and accepts to guide them, as Wales will trade helping the Danish prince escape for the forging of a non-aggression treaty: once Canute is King, he will not interfere in Welsh matters.
At the border of the Kingdom of Brycheiniog, Askeladd's band is held at bow-point until the Brycheiniog envoy, Asser, calls them off. Asser intends to take Canute hostage to use him as a shield, as England has broken their last three truces with Wales and he believes that King Sweyn wouldn't want to lose his heir. Askeladd tells Asser of his heritage and of his plan to place Canute on the throne to influence Danish politics from there. Asser agrees to the bold plan and escorts Askeladd's band, though he instructs that their weapons be taken away. Canute eventually signs a non-aggression treaty and Askeladd's men have their weapons returned before they cross the border and leave Wales.
In February 1014, a feast is organized at King Sweyn's hall in Jorvik to distribute riches and lands. King Sweyn states that Denmark must discuss those in the land that lack the proper fear and reverence for him, who have now twice rebuffed his heralds. He says that they are to pull the seed of rebellion threatening their new lands from the earth by force before they can take root, by invading Wales in the coming spring to show them the strength of a true king. Askeladd visibly reacts to the news, which is noticed by Floki, who informs the king. As King Sweyn grants Askeladd a reward of fifty pounds of silver, he thanks Askeladd and adds that he is looking forward to his valour in their upcoming invasion of Wales. Askeladd begs to be forgiven for speaking his mind aloud, but nevertheless asks the king if the conquest of Wales is really the wisest decision.
When he is given leave to speak, he states that it would be disadvantageous to the Danes. First, he says that after ten years of fighting against the English, the land, people and forces are exhausted and it would be best to settle in their new lands and recuperate from their losses first. Second, he adds that the Welsh terrain is treacherous and lacks value; the enemy would have the advantage of geography, and the spoils would be worth little if they were successful in subduing the Welsh, which would hardly be worth the trouble. Agreement sweeps the crow of chieftains. Leaning close to Askeladd, King Sweyn whispers that he must choose between Wales or Canute. He says that he does not truly care about the subjugation of Wales and that it was simply meant to keep the troops busy while they prepared for Ireland; therefore, he will see that Wales is spared if Askeladd brings him Canute's head. He adds that he's looked into Askeladd and has heard his mother was a slave. He comments that it would explain Askeladd's fixation on Wales, as its only export of any values is slaves.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Askeladd ultimately chooses to kill Sweyn, setting the stage for Canute to become King and entrusting Wales' future to him. Askeladd proclaims that his real name is Lucius Artorius Castus and that he is the rightful King of Britannia, then he chops off King Sweyn's head.
Locations[]
- Kingdom of Brycheiniog
- Kingdom of Morgannwg
- Kingdom of Dyfed
- Kingdom of Powys
- Bueltt
- River Severn
- Kingdom of Gwynedd
- Rhos Rhufoniog