The Sins of the de Sine

It was spring in the year of our Lord 1467, and England was in the grips of dynastic war. Your family, the de Sines, were an old family, having come across with William the Conqueror and earned a small barony in the north of England in the aftermath of the Battle of Hastings.

The family had helped curb the excesses of King John I and were present when he was forced to sign the Magna Carta. During the reign of Edward I, the family patriarch gained the king's favor and was granted the title Earl of Sanbury.

When the house of York rose against rightful King Henry, your family's current head, Albert de Sine 4th Earl of Sanbury ralied to the kings defense. Through victory and defeat your family triumphed, normally at the expense. Some in court had in both admiration, and envy had compared Albert to the Earl of Warwick the Kingmaker.

Amazingly, when most noble families have lost sons and fathers to the bloodshed, yours has not. Nor has any of Earl Albert's offspring passed from childhood disease. Sadly, your family's health and political adroitness have brought forth jealous whispers that maybe your family is in league with the dark one.

It is early in the spring, and Albert, still hearty and hale at 50 years of age, has left for court, having been summoned.

Anne Deleur from Burgundy, his new wife at the age of 18, was left behind at the family castle, Albert, leaving for court 3 days after their wedding.

Simon de Sine, age 22, is Albert's son and heir. Who some have labeled the bastard maker. Is at home, having just healed from a broken leg, injured during a skirmish.

Luke de Sine, age 20, is Albert's younger son. His father had arranged for him to be made a bishop of Sanbury. Some whisper that he uses the nearby convent as his personal brothel. And it's claimed he has an unhealthy relationship with his youngest sister.

Mary De Sine, nee Woodville, was the eldest daughter at 21. Her husband, a cousin of Elizabeth Woodville, had recently died in a hunting accident. There are whispers that she had her husband murdered and that the child she is supposed to be carrying is not her husband's.

Jessica de Sine, i.e., Sister Mary Brigid, age 19. Despite taking vows only a year ago, she was recently elected Mother Superior of the convent in Sanbury. It has been whispered that she's unchaste, and has even had incestuous sex with her brother the Bishop

And of course, as with any old family, there are many cousins.

Author's note: Yes, I'm aware the girls as young as 14 were being married during this era. But that was then; everyone was at least 18.