1300-1310

Amis and Etheldred married when they were both 19 in 1299 and moved into their home in 1300. They were an arranged marriage, and while they did respect each other, they had different opinions on when they should have children, but society dictated that they must have a son to pass on their heritage. Etheldred wants many children, not caring about if they have a son or daughter, so long as they are healthy. Amis, though, would rather wait until they’re older and more settled, but without any suitable birth control other than not touching each other. 

Truthfully, Amis and Etheldred knew that they were expected to consummate their marriage, and while they had waited a year so that they could get into their new home, waiting any longer could be cause to annul their marriage to allow Amis a new wife. So, their first night in their new home, they made the marriage official.

Amis and Etheldred then fell into the routine of married life. Amis was a gifted farmer, immediately planting crops to hopefully make their house a home. While he worked, he also met the local trader, noting that he would try to trade with him in the future when their animals and crops had grown and been harvested. Etheldred was quick to find her place as the homemaker, doing laundry, cooking, and keeping the hearth going throughout the cold days. At night, she makes dinner, and the couple sit down at the table to eat their food, thanking the Watcher for their happiness.

Sometime midway through the year, Etheldred found out she was pregnant when her monthly visitor was late. She was elated that their one-bedroom tossel was successful and hoped for an easy pregnancy and birth. Then she remembered that Amis was not ready and was worried about telling him the news. She put it off as long as she could, but when she began to show, she knew it was time to tell him before he noticed her keeping secrets. 

As Amis sat down with a quick snack between his tasks, Etheldred sat down across him and broke the news. As expected, Amis took it terribly, panic in his eyes and his words falling from his mouth. He blamed her, told her that they should have waited longer to confirm their marriage. Etheldred pleaded her case, that it was a blessing from the Watcher and that she was excited for this blessing. Amis wouldn’t hear it and left her to go work on the farm.

Amis worked on the farm for the rest of that day, refusing to go back inside except to use the washroom. She hated that he ignored her, but maybe he needed time, and time was needed in Amis’ eyes. He knew there was nothing they could do now and just had to try to accept this addition in time. If it was a son, maybe, just maybe, he would be happier. 

Etheldred worked hard the first six months to help Amis come to terms with the pregnancy. They spoke to the local priest, and Amis was reassured that the Watcher wanted this and that he would be fine; his wife was equipped to handle this, and she would be fine. Between that and talking about names, their worries, and more, Amis finally came to terms with the whole thing, so long as it was a boy, this would be their only child.

With Amis's final acceptance of the pregnancy, they quickly approached the end of the year, and with it, Etheldred entered her last trimester. Etheldred was filled with her apprehensions, and that was the likelihood of her death in childbirth or after it due to disease. She was worried that if she didn’t have a son, Amis would ignore her child and, even worse, neglect them if she were gone. It stressed her even when she cared for the animals.

Etheldred didn’t tell Amis her worries, she ignored them even when they had meals together and ignored her emotions as she made some cross-stitch for her child, just waiting out the last few weeks of her pregnancy. 

Etheldred’s pregnancy went without issue, and the months passed quickly. She was happy to feel her baby move within her, and she was excited to be a mother, her heart jumping in excitement every time she saw the small wooden bassinet in their bedroom. And then in early 1301, roughly nine months after conception, she went into labor, and Amis was nowhere nearby when she did, but she didn’t expect him to want to watch. 

After hours of labor, Etheldred gave birth to a healthy and screaming baby girl whom she called Alice. Baby Alice was everything that Etheldred was excited for during her long pregnancy. Etheldred felt great after, and cuddled her baby girl close to her chest.

Amis, meanwhile, felt disappointment. He had accepted this pregnancy, but only if the child was a boy, and it was a girl. A girl who would not be able to take over his land or his name, as she would take the name of her future husband. She was useless in society other than for marriage. Amis was unhappy and threw himself into his carpentry. 

And it was after weeks of sleepless nights that he snapped at Etheldred. He yelled that it was her fault they were in this situation and that the girl better not need him ever. Etheldred felt betrayed and like she wasn’t wanted. She had believed that they had gotten closer since speaking to the church about the baby, but now, they have gotten further apart. 

As Alice grew into a sensitive infant, Etheldred worked hard to keep her out of the way of Amis. Amis was becoming more distant, she was sure he was going to be unfaithful eventually. She was worried about that, but she couldn’t do anything about it since she had a baby to care for. 

Amis began to go into town late into the night, socializing. He would get a drink and speak to the other townsfolk, to his wife, he was looking for future matches for their daughter, but in reality, as time went on… he couldn’t stay away from the drinks at the bar and eventually began to neglect his duties on the home plot.

One day, Etheldred heard him stumble in, and they had a terrible argument. Etheldred was angry that he was wasting his coin on such sinful activities and that the Watcher could damn their family. Amis argued that he could do what he wanted, the Watcher be damned. 

When the words left his mouth, he immediately felt terrible, promising to get better and even offering to try for another child, even if he didn’t want another one – he had to get her to stop worrying so much. They would be fine. 

It wasn’t long at all then that Etheldred found herself expecting once more. She decided this time to keep the information a secret for now, her husband's wrath still weighed ever so heavily on her mind, even if he had not left the house in months and only worked on the farm. She was sure he had kicked any sinful habits he had picked up, but Etheldred couldn’t be absolutely sure with this speculation. Sometimes she hoped her speculation would be true and he would tell her such, but he never did.

Alice grew more and more independent every day. She was a fast learner, and she didn’t cry often, so Etheldred was able to work on her chores in between her motherly duties and caring for the babe. Alice was very affectionate and loved to be held and played with by her mother, always looking over to her when she heard her coming. 

As much as Etheldred tried to hide this new pregnancy, Amis soon noticed her changes in appearance and energy. He just knew she was expecting again, and even if he offered it up to her, he was just struggling to accept that they would soon have yet another mouth to feed. All Amis could hope for was that this one would be a son and therefore their last child. 

As the end of her pregnancy approached ever quicker, Etheldred worked hard to spend as much time with her oldest as possible and nearly teared up as Alice grew more and more, eventually aging into a Toddler. Alice was a plucky little thing, she was bright and happy!

Shortly before the end came, however, Etheldred decided to tell Amis finally. While he was not thrilled, he was hopeful for a son. A son was better than daughters; he had to hope someone would want to marry, and they couldn’t take over his property. He went day by day slowly, hoping that they wouldn’t need to go through this anymore. 

Early one night, her water broke. Etheldred labored through the early hours, crying and screaming. Her screams woke Alice. Eventually, she gave birth to triplets! She named them Agnes, Joan, and John. Joan and John were healthy, screaming into this world with powerful lungs. Agnes was smaller, but she was lively.