River Thames, near Lunden and the confines of East and West Kent, 999-1000 AD
River Thames, near Lunden and the confines of East and West Kent, 999-1000 ADIt was not Aelfwynn’s fault that he found himself thrust into an impossible situation. The English fleet was in disarray with its crews depleted and demoralised, maintenance work scheduled never begun and money misappropriated by corrupt officials. The unfortunate, but hitherto not evident, aspect of his circumstances was the effect this was to have on his relationship with his brother. Fate had found a way to calm Folcwin’s simmering resentment towards him thanks to their simultaneous elevation to the rank of ealdorman, but as usual, it had a way of twisting disastrously.
As winter refused to cede territory to the spring, rumours were
