The Earldom

Though the following week was Edward's resting period, there wasn't much need for a rest after just a week's worth of work.

Thomas was also going to leave soon, so he must assure his father about his transformation before his departure to the capital.

To Edward's understanding, his father's life would conclude in 1338, succumbing to grave battlefield injuries. Given that Edward himself had met an untimely demise in the original timeline, the mantle of the earldom and the role of Earl Marshal would pass to his elder sister, Margaret. However, her reign as a female ruler proved to be fraught with challenges, leading to an arduous journey marred by various difficulties. Regrettably, her marital life wasn't happy either.

Yet, history had already veered from its course, for Edward himself had defied death's grasp, remaining the rightful heir to the earldom.

During the week of rest, Edward remained committed to his physical well-being, steadily enhancing his training routine. Each day, he progressively elevated his regimen. Mornings commenced with a 1500-meter run, setting the tone for his physical exertion. This was pursued by ten pushups and 25 squats, forming a structured sequence. Edward was equally attentive to his diet, consciously incorporating protein-rich foods. Meats, fish, eggs, and dairy products were preferred over his usual fare, addressing any deficiency in his body's protein intake.

His efforts yielded evident results, transforming his once fragile physique into a more robust form. His stomach, which had once curved inward, now lay flat, and his cheeks, once sunken, now held a healthy plumpness.

During the early hours of the seventh rest day, as he set off for his morning run, Edward's activity caught Thomas's attention. A smile graced Thomas's lips as he thought, 'And here I was contemplating producing another heir or nurturing Margaret for the role, but it seems Edward is carving his own path.'

Content with his son's transformation, Thomas decided to ensure that this progress faced no hindrance even after his own departure. With determination, he issued a directive for every servant and knight in his service to heed Edward's commands without question.

After his daily exercise, Edward decided to open the status window.

'Status.'

Status:

Name - Edward Plantagenet

Age - 11

Title - Heir of Norfolk

Martial - 6

Diplomacy - 6

Intelligence - 28

Reputation - C

Wealth - £2,129

Skills - Appraise (Lv. 3)

Level - 7 [3/700]

Spare Points - 0

He also noticed that the maximum number of skills obtainable by a single person is four. His father is the highest he has noticed and others mostly had two skills and a few had three.

He felt that though the number of exp points needed to level up didn't increase much after each level, the difficulty surely increases. He could no longer gain the easy points he received from just reading books or practicing with a wooden sword. He had to make twice the effort to gain half the points that he had a couple of levels before.

'So, this is the reason why most adults are stuck between the levels of 10 and 15.' he thought.

He spent the remainder of the day observing the castle's defenses and its strategic position. The castle's defensive measures were sufficient to withstand an army of two to three thousand for about a week. However, a larger force could potentially breach the defenses within the initial 48 hours. While Edward had a few ideas in mind, he faced the challenge of turning them into reality due to his expertise as a historian rather than an engineer.

Regarding the castle's location, it served as a natural fortress. Perched atop a hill, it was encircled by a protective moat. This elevated vantage point offered sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, enabling defenders to detect approaching enemies from afar.

During dinner, Thomas addressed Edward, saying, "I've assigned 8 newcomers and 2 seasoned knights to be under your command. When I'm no longer here, ensure you oversee their actions. It's a noble's duty to look after his subjects."

Thomas added, "And I also anticipate your contribution to the governance of the realm, collaborating with my advisors. It will offer you valuable experience."

"I would make sure to do so, Father," said Edward.

"It appears that our young Edd has grown up," Mary remarked with a chuckle.

Margaret and young Alice joined in with a small giggle.

As dawn broke and the sun peeked over the horizon, Thomas set out on his journey to London accompanied by thirty knights. Edward and his family bid their farewells to the Earl. Edward's day was full of tasks as his advanced education was about to commence. Despite his mature mind and six decades of experience, he still lacked certain skills like horse riding and medieval social etiquette. Thus, this phase of his education might not conclude as swiftly as his basics did.

The majority of Edward's instructors were newly appointed, with one exception: Ser Walter Manny. He held the responsibility for teaching subjects related to martial arts, such as horsemanship, falconry, combat training, chivalry, and more.

While practicing different arts, he noticed that though his attributes didn't increase, the exp he gained was quite decent.

Once his extensive seven-hour study session concluded, he chose to venture out and explore the city of Norwich that lay beneath the towering presence of the castle.

Norwich, a city with a rich history, holds its roots back to the Roman times. It was known as "Venta Icenorum" during the Roman era and served as a thriving market town. With the departure of the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons took over, and the settlement continued to flourish. By the 11th century, Norwich had established itself as a major urban center in East Anglia.

During the medieval period, Norwich became renowned for its wool trade. The city's prosperity grew with the weaving and trading of woolen textiles, making it one of England's wealthiest cities. The grandeur of Norwich Cathedral and the stunning architecture of its churches reflected the city's economic prowess.

As Edward went to the city, he found himself swept up in the flow of medieval life. The cobblestone pathways echoed with the rhythmic clatter of wooden carts and the animated chatter of merchants hawking their wares. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted from the bakeries, intermingling with the aroma of herbs and spices from the market stalls.

As he strolled along, his eyes were drawn to the intricate architecture that surrounded him, though paling in the front of the future's work, it was still a sight to see. Timber-framed houses leaned over the narrow streets, their thatched roofs forming a patchwork against the sky. Some buildings bore the signs of craftsmanship, ornate carvings, and colorful frescoes depicting scenes of daily life.

The city's heart, the marketplace, was a vibrant mosaic of colors and sounds. Traders from all corners of the realm displayed their goods — shimmering fabrics, exotic spices, gleaming metalwork, and more. The clang of hammer meeting anvil resonated from the blacksmith's workshop, while the gentle cooing of pigeons mingled with the chatter of children at play.

Not far away, the towering spires of Norwich Cathedral reached for the heavens. The cathedral's stone exterior represented the city's strong spiritual commitment, creating a striking contrast with the wooden buildings that encircled it.

Amidst the urban clamor, Edward felt a sense of connection to the past. He imagined the countless souls who had walked these streets before him, each leaving their mark on the city's history. Not far from here, his previous life's hometown was also present, but all he could see now were vast green fields.

Following his exploration of the town, Edward returned to the castle and made his way to his father's study. Amidst the stacks of documents, he embarked on a search for the revenue statement from the previous month. After a brief minute of rummaging, he successfully located the document he sought.

Taking a seat, he meticulously perused the document. The Earl's sources of revenue displayed a remarkable diversity. Upon swift examination, he distilled the following insights:

-Manorial Rents - 31%

-Taxes and Levies - 27%

-Market and Fair Tolls - 15%

-Customs and Import Duties - 10%

-Mining and Resources - 9%

-Profits from Crafts and Industries - 6%

-Fines and Forfeitures - 1%

-Others - 1%

After going through the statements of other months as well, he concluded that the revenue of the Earl ranged from £800 to £1000 per month considering that a single pound was enough to pay fifty skilled workers' daily wages.

Shortly after, Edward delved into the statements of expenses and gleaned the following conclusions:

-Retinue and Military - 28%

-Feasts and Entertaining - 22%

-Maintenance of Estates - 20%

-Charitable Activities - 15%

-Travel and Diplomacy - 11%

-Education and Training - 7%

-Taxes and Obligations - 5%

-Investments - 1%

-Others - 1%

He was taken aback by the substantial expenditure allocated to 'Feasts and Entertaining'. It was evident that the nobility of that time was resolute in upholding their social standing, even if it meant allocating a significant portion of their wealth to such lavish activities.

As Edward glanced at the bottom-line profit figure, he was taken aback. Merely £50-£100 remained in the Earl's treasury. The substantial wealth displayed on the status screen of the Earl was likely a result of his position as the prince of England and the inheritance passed down from his father, the former king. The majority of the wealth was likely tied up in the form of land, not currency, making it difficult to invest in the development of the earldom.

"Action must be taken, or this earldom will continue to lag behind for years to come," Edward thought with a growing sense of urgency.