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Lady Aeldra of Queensgrace was a Tortallan noblewoman. She held the title of countess through her marriage to Lord Dewin, the count of Queensgrace. She was a kinswoman to Sabine of Macayhill, a lady knight. She lived during the 3rd century HE in the time of Rebakah Cooper. She was executed on the grounds of high treason in 249 HE.

Biography

Early life

Lady Aeldra's original fief is unknown, but she was most likely raised the way young noblewomen were usually, as it is still assumed that even then, Lady Sabine's career was also quite unusual as it was in the 5th century HE. She married Lord Dewin, Count of Queensgrace at some point, probably when she was a young woman. She held a large court at her husband's house, with a slew of ladies in waiting. The count and countess entertained royals such as Baird of Conté. Her ladies of waiting were Baylisa of Disart, Lewyth of Disart, and Wyttabyrd.

Conspiracy of 249

Lady Aeldra was part of a conspiracy set about in 249 HE to wrest power from Roger II of Conté to his brother Baird of Conté, the prince. They kidnapped the king and queen's only son, Gareth of Conté to enslave him and to overthrow his father. They kept the young prince in secret at their castle in Queensgrace before they realized the Provost's Guard had sniffed him out with the help of Achoo, the scent hound. They then sent him on to Fief Halleburn, the home of another noble family that had joined the conspiracy.

Lady Aeldra was a great believer in the Gentle Mother, and the idea that women were not up to violence and were inherently gentle creatures. She decreed that all women under her roof should be dressed as such. When Guardswoman Cooper told her that she must keep her uniform on at all times, Lady Aeldra was incensed. After long arguments, the count said that Cooper could keep her uniform, but she must stay away from the noble ladies in his wife's care, lest she corrupt them with her violent tendencies.

Lady Aeldra and her husband were caught by the Provost's Guard and beheaded for their treasonous acts, along with Prince Baird and, most uncharacteristically, Matthias Tunstall. Their lands were stripped from their family and renamed Princehold. The village of Queensgrace is still in existence by 460 HE, however, so it is assumed that only the fiefdom was renamed.

Physical Description

She was older, probably middle aged, by the events in Mastiff. She was grim-faced, and wore her dark hair braided in coils under a veil and round cap.

Personality & Traits

Lady Aeldra is very rigid when it comes to her household and her beliefs. She is also treacherous enough to know about the kidnapping and enslavement of a young prince and to not do anything. Like many nobles, she looked down upon commoners.

Appearances

She only appears in Mastiff.

See also

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