(Year 227, Henford-on-Bagley) Right before TS4 Cottage Living expansion pack release, here's my take on the Henford history!
It's both fun and challenging trying to blend in a new world with my existing history of 227 years, not the least because Henford-on-Bagley is actually the main seat of one of my most prominent families and dukedoms; House of Ross. They held the Rossie dukedom since the very start, and throughout all these years they contributed to the development of this countryside community, not the least the trades of various farming crops.
Geographically Rossie is 3/5 of Region 2, located just outside my focused Region 12. Rossie covers the districts Henford-on-Bagley, Britechester and Hollow. This places the Rossie dukedom among the largest peerages of the entire Mazaloom, territorically.
Sword duels and historical battles
Back in Year 1 two houses claimed this dukedom, and Schubret Ross and Lord of Volpe were urged to fight it out with the first ever public sword duel taking place at the village square of Finchwick. Ross won and Volpe died from the wounds. House of Ross still celebrates this event every 25th year, and the sword that killed Lord of Volpe is exhibited at Rossie Palace.
When King Baltazar II of Mazaloom bestowed the winning Schubret Ross with the Rossie dukedom (Year 2), Henford was hardly populated at all. Schubret married Lord of Volpe's widdow, Sabina Louisa Ropanow of Volpe, and they built an early version of Rossie Palace at Little Henford (later Old New Henford), while Lord Volpe's old estate on the island at Bramblewood was let to rabbit and fox hunters, but was later unattended and condemned - the ruin is today a popular trail stop.
There were several sword duels in the first decades, and when they were of public interest they took place at Finchwick village square. Duels of a more private matter, took place at the Olde Mill Field. It's said that majority of the residents buried at the old graveyard were killed by a local sword.
Also The Great Apple Battle in the Fall of Year 50 took place at the Olde Mill Field. It was a tough win and the palace was rescued much thanks to locals throwing apples at the foreign soldiers. The victory is still celebrated by some farmers by inviting their top 3 local contacts for a meal based on locally grown apples.
Rossie Palace at Little Henford
In the early era Henford-on-Bagley had just a few minor farmers. Local families could rent ground at Little Henford, and they would pay their rent to Rossie Palace with crops - mostly apples for the growing nectar industry. This way Henford-on-Bagley grew a region wide reputation as an apple district, although they hardly exported one single apple. They also produced other sorts of nectar and jam, and the popularity of the preserves varied over time as the recipes often belonged to ever changing households. Today the Watson Chicken Farm's popular mayonnaise is probably the oldest recipe around, and also among the best selling local products outside Rossie.
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| Rossie Palace of today: The largest build of the entire Rossie landscapes. |
Even with the constantly growing farming activity all over the district, the bigger apple production was organized by Rossie Palace. They grew apples at the palace, but even more in their large apple tree orchard covering the entire line up of today's 3 residential lots near the Finchwick square. At the palace they produced the local Apple Nectar, which is still Rossie's signature product and greatest export success. Around Year 45 they switched to grow roses to produce the more exclusive Rose Nectar, which is often served on warm days in the finer circles.
There were numerous dukes residing the palace, and they always did quite well in the Military career. They often had children spreading widely and often finding high positions. This way House of Ross built an impressive network. A random example: Around Year 80 Clemet Augustin Ross (30) was crowned Duke of Rossie. He had 2 brothers and 2 sisters, including Clauss Nicolai Ross who became the first Duke de Cavalier (Brindleton Bay) and Sophus George Ross who disappeared and who 100 years later was rumored to stay alive in Forgotten Hollow nearby, as a vampire leading the Modern Clan. One sister married to the Duke von Windenburg, and she had a great impact on making the Apple Nectar popular in Windenburg.
Shiningham barony at Finchwick Square
Over the years the first duke donated or sold land for the establishing of the Finchwick village square, where produce could be traded. The Gnome's Arms pub was already there (founded Year 5). Periodically there was nectar destillery at the square, too, a service that was later moved to Shiningham Hall.
Trades increased rapidly and Duke Schubret wanted more control. In Year 42 he introduced the low nobility Shiningham barony with the intention of overseeing the town square trades. Shiningham Hall was built in Finchwick in the middle of the apple tree orchard. At the gate there was a small, formal garden, still pretty much unchanged as a park, but the entrance to the Shiningham Hall itself has later been moved with stairs facing Finchwick town square.
The hall was used to house the baron, but also to be a temporary estate for future dukes waiting to take over the palace. The hall was even used for housing finer overnight guests as the road up to Rossie Palace was (and still is) very primitive. While Rossie Palace concentrated on roses, Shiningham Hall took over the Apple Nectar production.
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| Duke Benedict II of Rossie. |
After the Great Revolution (Y118) it became important to occupy all peerages to secure their validity. Duke Clemet Augustin's son Benedict III Ross (33) became the new Baron of Shiningham, and stayed at Shiningham Hall until he was crowned Duke of Rossie and moved up to Rossie Palace 6 years later. His brother Murdock Ross (28) then got the Shiningham barony. Baron Murdock married 3 times, but had only one daughter, Rosie Ross, the legend who committed suicide when she realized she had been turned vampire (nobody knew that she was turned by that long gone Lord Sophus, who had returned to lurk his childhood district). There is said to be a magical fountain in the cellar of Rossie Palace, dedicated to Rosie Ross' beloved memory.
The Forest of Bramblewood
Bramblewood was always popular with locals who explored wild life and harvested rare mushrooms and berries. The snail trail is said to connect to old magical rituals, and especially the Crumplebottom cousins are convinced that the long gone Lady Amy Lounda Ross had something to do with it. She is the one with a child born outside marriage and who built what later became the haunted Cracrow Cottage in Finchwick. Historians agree that the Sophie snail is much older though, probably from the Volpe era.
At Bramblewood hardly any land was cultivated from the start, except Lord of Volpe's old castle and Cordelia's Secret Cottage. Nobody can tell for sure when Princess Cordelia built it, or if it was built as a gift by someone else. There's reason to believe she resided the cottage for a few years, the least, but not earlier than Year 25 as she first lived with her parents in Mazaloom and Myshuno. She stayed unmarried, her brother inherited the Myshuno barony and her sister was Baroness of Zeddlemore, both in the area that later became the city of San Myshuno. We know for sure that the former Princess of Mazaloom frequented Rossie, and that she even influenced on some of the early builds at University of Britechester.
When the Rossie dukedom was introduced, the cottage by the Cordelia Falls seems to have been owned by Lord of Volpe's widow, or she bought it shortly after (the Princess might still have rented it. While the general land became property of Rossie Trust, the cottage stayed on the hands of the duchess. She made sure this lot was always passed on to a female, and for the next generations it was used as a Summer escape for the Rossie duchesses, or unmarred ladies of the house. Today the lot is owned by a woman in Windenburg, Raggyann (Dipperwell) Rab-Saxor, wife of Princess Cordelia's grand-nephew's son, Lord Lykke). The cottage is nowadays periodically let to long term renters.
The modern era of Henford-on-Bagley
Today the Rossie Trust owns only 5/12 of the land. Around Year 140 the trust's property was reduced to Rossie Palace and Olde Mill Farm (4 Olde Mill Lane) in Old New Henford (previously known as Little Henford), Shiningham Hall and Shiningham Orchard/Crumplebottom Cottage in Finchwick, and Isle of Volpe Park in Bramblewood. Most of the other land had been sold over the years in order to raise funds for expanding the grand Rossie Palace.
At Finchwick Baron Murdock's scandal sister, Lady Amy Lounda Ross, bought Shiningham's smallest apple orchard where she had built a cottage. The Watson family bought what is today's Watson Chicken Farm, and another family bought and established the Moo-moo Cow Farm, but sold shorty after.
The Isle of Volpe Park is still owned by Rossie Trust, but donated to national park service on 50 years terms. An estate company wants to buy this lot for building a hotel, but nothing was yet decided.
The palace is the must-see in Henford-on-Bagley, showing elegance and culture while its surroundings are still extremely country vibe. The palace arranges monthly concerts and a few other events that are also open to tourists (guided tours of the palace, the Apple Festival, the annual Rose Nectar release, etc.), but tickets must be bought weeks in advance. Also the Finchwick town square and its weekly fairs are very popular with tourists. The old graveyard, and the snail trail and Cordelia Falls of Bramblewood attract the more history or adventure seeking visitors.
The Apple Nectar, Rose Nectar and Mayonnaise are still the most successful produce of the district, but generally the quality of all crops is good, making also other Henford preserves quite popular. The future looks quiet and bright!
(Coming up soon: All my current lots/households of Henford-on-Bagley, including Agnes Crumplebottom's surprise son!!!)
PS: One pictures is from the promo video by EA.
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