Arthur's Will

Cecilia's life was changed forever the day her father died, her family fell apart and everyone suddenly knew who she really was. She was left having to look after her niece permanently and during the reign of a child king with a protector who was so broken she could barely get up each morning.

Arthur made provision for his favourite and only daughter that shook the country but has changed her life forever. It is because of him she has been able to do everything she currently does. He could never know the true impact of the decisions he made, but he set in motion the creation of Brambles and Blooms Bookshop and the Rogues. Who knows how many lives he saved with that.

Purpose

This document was created to set out Arthur's wishes after his death, how his family should be taken care of and what should happen to the country and his property.

Document Structure

Clauses

The first clause of the document details the King's wishes for his funeral, requesting a simple burial somewhere he will spend eternity beside his Queen.

The second details his intention to leave his kingdom to his eldest child, Arthur and Gwen's son Mordred. If he is still a child at the time of Arthur's death, then a regency council with Gwen as protector, responsible for ensuring the education of all of Arthur's children.

The third clause makes provision for Gwen, if she survives him she should be allowed to live in the castle for the rest of her life, though he wasn't sure he needed to write that because their son should grow up knowing that.

The fourth releases Myrddin from his obligation after entering the licenced magic school at the castle, explaining why he had not done this before and giving him the King's School to run as he wishes as he knows Mordred will allow.

The fifth focuses on Arthur's eldest daughter, Cecilia, stating that she should stay with her brother until they are both old enough to live on their own. When she reaches adulthood, Cecilia should receive Gwen's father's estate to run as her own and to gain income from. He also set aside The Forest Lodge as her home on the estate and clearly stated that she should be allowed to marry who she chooses, or chooses not to. She is entirely free.

Amendments

Amendment one: After the birth of his other children, Arthur made provision for them in his will as well, entrusting their care to Gwen while they are children and giving them leave to remain on the estate into adulthood.

Amendment two: After Beatrix was born, he set aside some funds for her as well while she is living in Cecilia's care. In this he also expressed his hope that Mordred would have taken his daughter back by then and would be making his own prevision for her care.

Legal status

This document was ratified by the Council of Lords, making it legally binding even though the contents was controversial.

Historical Details

Background

Arthur wrote this after his father's death. Suddenly he was King and realised that he needed to make sure his children were looked after when he died. The unusual nature of his family made it all the more important to have everything down in writing and accepted by the lords to have the best chance of looking after them.

Legacy

After Arthur's death there were some issues. Mordred's death at the same time complicated matters as one of his younger brothers took the throne instead, leading to a minority.

The reading of the will before the lords revealed that Arthur was Cecilia's father which caused shock among the nobility however she wasn't barred from taking her inheritance so she was able to take that and look after her grieving niece. She took the will with her when she left which means that is survived the lords' attempts to rewrite history.

Read the Document

Arthur's Will

I, Arthur, being of sound mind and body do set out my wishes for after my death.

Clauses

Clause 1

Bury me far from the castle, on the edge of the estate in the mound I am ordering to be built. I don't want anyone to visit and be sad, just let me spend eternity with the people I love, we've hidden in plain sight for long enough, please just let us be together. My Gwen, Myrddin, and me.

Clause 2

I leave my crown and this kingdom to my beloved eldest son, Mordred.

If I die so young that he is still a child, then a regency council with his wonderful mother at it's head should take care of the country.

Gwen and Myrddin together shall care for my children and are responsible for their education.

Clause 3

If Gwen survives me, she should be allowed to live in our castle for the rest of her life. I know I don't really need to write this, our darling boy should know to look after his mother anyway, but she should know that this is what I want.

Clause 4

By the time I die, I don't know how long I'll have owned Myrddin's licence but it hurts my heart each day that I do. I know he knows why I did this but I want to bring it to an end now.

My love, Myrddin is a free man legally as he always has been in our lives.

As a free man, he can hold property so I leave him the school to run as he wishes. I hope that Mordred will accept this as well.

I know Myr will spend the rest of his days looking after this place and I hope it will keep him happy without me. I wish I could see it.

Clause 5

In this catalogue of my people and possessions, I cannot leave out my darling eldest daughter, Cecilia. In life I have tried to look after her to the best I can even though I have not been able to call her my own in the way I have always wanted to.

Whether I am alive or dead, my son and daughter should be able to stay together as long as they want to. They need each other, especially if they have lost me.

When Cecilia reaches adulthood, with Gwen's permission our daughter shall be given Gwen's father's estate which became mine at his death. Our daughter should have an income of her own and never be reliant on a husband.

On my estate, passed down to her brother, she should have the use of my lodge as her home near her brother.

If she chooses to get married, it must be her choice. Not that anyone can force my girl to do anything she doesn't want to anyway.

Amendments

Amendment one

After the birth of his twin sons

With the birth of my sons, currently fast asleep in their crib, I find that I need to amend my wishes.

Should I die while they are still children, Gwen shall look after them and educated them as well as we look after our older children.

They should be allowed to stay on the estate into adulthood, though again I hope that this writing isn't needed. Mordred is already besotted with his brothers and I hope this continues for a long time.

Amendment two

After the birth of his granddaughter, and all the events that followed

I'll be lucky if this page isn't covered in tears as I write this, it's been a horrible few days but I find there's a pressing need to amend this again.

Mordred is struggling and I need to make sure that his daughter is cared for no matter what.

Cecilia is looking after Beatrix now and she promises she will continue to until Mordred can bare to look at her.

I hope that he has taken her back before I die but if not then I have set aside an allowance for her care so Cecilia can continue to look after her.

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Type

Manuscript, Legal

Medium

Vellum / Skin