There were 14 Earldoms in England (not including Wales) not held by Royal family members or the Crown Prince of Scotland (or vacant) in 1189. These Earldoms were held by 11 families, 10 of which will form the Factions in our game. The last family, the Earls of Salisbury, were led by someone who managed not to make a name for himself, and I've kept him as an NPC for folks to negotiate with/manipulate. Over the next little while, I'll introduce those families and their major characters.

Faction #1: the House d'Aubigny, Earls of Arundel.
The House of the Earls of Arundel rose from a minor Norman barony through service to the person of the king. Shortly before the battle of Tinchebrai, when Henry I Beauclerc decisively established his dominion over Normandy, the brothers Nigel and William d'Aubigny joined the king's service and were rewarded handsomely. Nigel married the ex-wife of the disgraced Earl of Northumberland and gained custody of his lands, while William became a judge as well as the king's butler and constant companion, acquiring large estates in Norfolk from King Henry as a series of gifts and rewards for service.

William the first Earl married Maud, the daughter of Roger Bigod, making him the brother-in-law of the Earl of Norfolk. Their son William married Henry I Beauclerc's young widow Adeliza of Louvain, with whom he had seven children. He remained fiercely loyal to King Stephen through the Anarchy, proving instrumental to the King's holding of Yorkshire. Adeliza's loyalty was more suspect, as she gave shelter to Empress Matilda for a time and successfully negotiated for her release when she was briefly captured by Stephen, but so great were her husband's efforts that the standing of the house was undamaged. Stephen was no less generous to his supporters than Henry Beauclerc, and rewarded him with two Earldoms: first Arundel, then Lincoln. He was instrumental in arranging the Treaty of Wallingford that ended the Anarchy, and while King Henry II relieved him of the Earldom of Lincoln, he served Henry Curtmantle loyally through the revolt of the Young King. He also began the association of the d'Aubignys with a crusading order, the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, endowing their headquarters and a chapterhouse in his territory.

The House of d'Aubigny is currently held by William, the 2nd Earl of Arundel. He married Matilda de St. Hillary, and has 5 children, 3 sons and two daughters
William, 2nd Earl of Arundel, is the pregenerated character for this house. He is renowned for his Energy and especially his Piety, and is the Patron of the Order of St. Lazarus, which gives him a bonus to actions taken in direct pursuit of their (Crusading) agenda. He is easily the most pro-Crusade person in a pretty seriously pro-Crusade society, but is also a master huntsman, horseman, and falconer, and is handy with a bandage when a person needs one.
Other noble families associated with the d'Aubignys included the de Braoses (also associated with the de Montforts in France), the Malets and the fitzRicheres. Other historical characters associated with this house that might be fun to play: any of the d'Aubigny children (William, age 21, Alan, 19, Matilda, 17, Nichole, 16, Geoffrey, 12.), or, for those interested in a much looser association with the Crusading House and way more intrigue: William de Braose

Faction #2: the de Bigods

A house famous during the Anarchy for being economical with their loyalty, the Bigods are an Earl-level house without actually holding an Earl title at the moment. You see, the present Lord of Norfolk, Roger Bigod, seriously annoyed his father when he defeated his father's ally, Robert Whitehands de Beaumont, on the field of battle during the revolt of Henry the Young King. Disgusted, his father disinherited him and went and got himself killed on Crusade. Thus, there is a dispute as to who the rightful Earl. Is it Roger? Or is his dad's second wife, Robert Whitehands' sister Gundreda de Beaumont? The player of Roger Bigod will have to tangle with the powerful de Beaumonts, but he has several advantages
The first of these is a friendship with the d'Aubignys.
The rest include his reputation for legendary Valor and commitment to Justice, which mark him as an ideal lord. Also, he is known for being able to throw a great party, and has his family's knack for ferreting out secrets and knowing how to play the political game. He can also swim like a fish. Not a bad trait during this time period (lookin' at you, Barbarossa).
At the baronial level, the de Bigods are supported by the English branch of the de Montforts, the de Chesneys, and the Huntingfields.

Other fun characters associated with the house of Bigod: Ida of Tosny, Lady of the House or, for those interested in looking toward the future, Amaury of Evreux

Faction #3: the de Blondvilles

There is only one actual de Blondeville: Ranulf, 6th Earl of Chester and 2nd Earl of Richmond, though he is supported by many knights and hangers-on (that do not share his blood). The Earldom of Richmond is the title given to the husband of the powerful and independent Duchess of Brittany, Constance (also a playable character with a pre-generated sheet). Ranulf is 19 years old, knighted just last year. He is the 28 year old Constance's second husband, her first having been Richard Lionheart's older brother Geoffrey, who died some time ago. As such, Ranulf de Blondeville is not only Earl of Chester (a rather powerful and more-or-less autonomous northern Earldom), but stepfather to a possible heir to the childless and unmarried Richard Lionheart: 2 year old Arthur of Brittany.

The quality of the relationship between Ranulf and Constance (who did not ask to be married again, but was levered into the marriage by Richard) is up to their players (or a player and me, if one character should not be picked up by a player). Constance is a major player on the royal stage, as the mother of a possible future king, but has serious issues with Eleanor of Aquitaine and Prince John, and still considers Brittany her personal demesne. Ranulf also has his personal enemies in the form of the Peverell family, whose exiled patriarch poisoned his father (to death) 8 years ago.
Ranulf is a personal ally of Richard Lionheart, however, so has some mighty cards to play, in spite of his inexperience.

The Earls of Chester are supported by the de Lacys (who have holdings in Ireland), the de Venables, and the de Vernons.

Faction #4: the de Beaumonts

The de Beaumonts are perhaps in the strongest position in the game to start with. Led by two brothers, Robert "Whitehands" and Waleran, both Earls, they control a massive section of the Midlands of England, and are tight with King Richard due particularly to Whitehands' actions during the Revolt of the Young King. Waleran de Beaumont is famous for his charity and his endowment of monasteries, while Robert Whitehands is a warrior and tactician of great skill. Of course, they are also a target for several other families, with the de Bigods being the foremost opponents, given the contention between their sister Gundreda and Roger Bigod for the Earldom of Norfolk, along with (to a lesser extent) the de Veres and and de Blondevilles. There are also rumors of a man operating in the south of England claiming that he is Waleran de Beaumont's older brother William, the rightful Earl of Warwick. That...well, that could be trouble.

The de Beaumonts have had a history of being on the bad side of the Royal Family for most of the reign of Henry II. Fortunately, times have changed, but they should be ever-ready for a the Wheel to turn. Whitehands' vassals include the Despensers (who will become hugely important later on in history), the Grandmesnils, and the de la Guerches. Waleran's vassals include the Beauchamps (likewise future contenders) and the de Hattons. Fun other characters associated with the de Beaumonts: any of their adult children (Robert de Beaumont (Heir), Roger de Beaumont (28), William de Hamilton (27), Amicia de Beaumont (30, widow of Simon de Montfort), Margaret de Beaumont (20, married to Saer de Quincy). Saer de Quincy (son in law), either of the Ladies de Beaumont (Petronilla nee de Grandmesnil or Margery, nee de Bohun) or perhaps Gundreda de Beaumont, bane of the Bigods.

Faction #5: the de Clares

House de Clare is defined by the personal ambition of its lords. They have fought hard to gain control of Glamorgan in Wales, and under the unfortunate Strongbow very nearly seized Ireland for themselves. Only the superior firepower of Henry Curtmantle has kept them from establishing an independent kingdom out of their Celtic conquests and marriages.

Curtmantle ruined the de Clares, dispossessing Strongbow of his most important Irish holdings to shower them on the waste of space that is Prince John. When Strongbow died, his heiress Isabel was quickly married off by the king to William Marshal, the greatest knight in the kingdom, explicitly to keep his Welsh territories out of the hands of his most ambitious vassals. The Marshal's kindness and love for his wife have preserved a relationship between him and the de Clares in spite of Curtmantle's wishes, however, and now that Curtmantle is dead and the Lionheart's focus is fixed on France, the de Clares are beginning to feel the call to power again. Perhaps Strongbow's dream of an Irish kingdom is not entirely out of reach.

The latest Earl of Hereford is Richard de Clare, who sided with Curtmantle during the Revolt of the Young King, but despite Henry's subsequent actions against the main branch of their house, he sat out Richard's rebellion because of his house's hatred for Prince John. The de Clares have not forgotten the theft of their territories by the ruling house, and while Lord Marshal has been nothing but friendly to them, they mean to have their lands in Buckinghamshire, in Ireland, and Wales back. Richard is famously Temperate and Valorous, but has a certain yen for the ladies and a tendency toward recklessness. He is also a respectable tactician and an excellent horseman, but he is defined by his personal distaste for Prince John, and receives bonuses to his rolls when opposing him.

The de Clares are supported by the de Lanvalleis and the de Wattevilles.

Fun historical characters associated with the de Clares include: Amice fitzWilliam [Lady of the House, Contender for Countess of Gloucester]
Gilbert de Clare (19 years old, heir to the house)

Faction # 6: the de Ferrers

Led by the 52-year-old Earl of Derby, William de Ferrers, this House has had a rather rough time of it in recent years. Descended from the baron charged with compiling the Domesday Book and famous for their ability to accrue wealth, they have had a bad habit of picking the losing side in the major contentions for the throne. After backing Stephen to the hilt during the Anarchy, Henry II never forgave them, and never permitted them to rebuild the fortifications of Tutbury Castle, their primary residence. That last provision made it much easier for King Henry to raid their treasury whenever his wars were making him feel a financial pinch.

After years of being the unwilling financiers of the King's personal projects, the de Ferrers are eager to make a new start as power-brokers in the North. They have few friends, but no committed enemies, and their legendary ability to make silver stretch farther than anyone else may just give them the advantage they need during this moment of transition and massive royal expenditure.

The de Ferrers are supported by the Curzons, the Boschervilles, and the Livetts. Fun characters associated with their house include the heir, also named William de Ferrers (21 years old, and a close friend of Prince John's), and Sybil de Ferrers (nee de Braose, yes...related to those de Braoses), age 40.

Faction #7: the de Mandevilles

The de Mandevilles have been Earls of Essex since the Conquest, though they have had as checkered a relationship with royal authority as any house in the years since. Initially created Sheriffs of London and Constables of the Tower, these titles were stripped from the 2nd Earl of Essex after he allowed England's first political prisoner, Ranulf Flambard, to escape the Tower and flee to the continent. In retaliation, the de Mandevilles backed Stephen during the Anarchy, but not before extorting a few more estates from him. Then, when Stephen was captured by the Empress' men, de Mandeville offered to join her camp, but only for some consideration. She paid off all of his debts and made him sheriff of most of south-east England. He remained loyal to Matilda until Stephen's queen effected his rescue, whereupon he defected yet again, except Stephen was not about to be fooled this time. Stephen seized Saffron Walden, whereupon the aggrieved de Mandeville launched his own private rebellion--a struggle in the swamps of Essex that would end with him dead after a botched robbery, his eldest son walking across to England to offer his services to Matilda, and his youngest son (the current Earl) fleeing across the channel to the County of Flanders.

Young William de Mandeville proved an excellent companion to the Count of Flanders, and accompanied him on Crusade during his sojourn at his court, making him one of the few English nobles to have seen the Holy Land (and to be familiar with its politics) in recent years. When his brother died and he became Earl of Essex, he proved a stalwart and trustworthy ally to Henry II, and was at his bedside when he died some weeks ago. He is an honest, forgiving, and pious man, but has developed a healthy suspicion of his peers. Now 60 years old, he is a speaker of Arabic, famously courteous, and a master with sword and lance.

He is married to Hawise of Aumale, the Countess of Aumale, making him both the 3rd Earl of Essex and the 2nd Earl of Aumale, by right of his wife. Hawise of Aumale is a striking figure, because she seems to have been an assertive, highly active, and powerful woman. Contemporary commentators described her as "Nearly a man in every respect, lacking nothing masculine save the virile organs." She is a capable swordswoman in her own right, and has a legendary commitment to Justice, and has her feet planted firmly on the ground, with a good head on her shoulders. Unfortunately, the de Mandevilles are not young, and are without an heir. This represents the greatest threat to the house, and measures will have to be taken to ensure an orderly transition even if a miraculous heir should appear, but especially if one does not.

The de Mandevilles are friends to the de Veres, but have tensions with the d'Aubignys. They are supported by the de Says, the de Monfichets, and the de Bohuns. Fun characters to play would include the Earl and Hawise, both of which have pre-generated sheets, or Beatrice de Say (the legal heir to the Earldom), Geoffrey de Say (her middle-aged son), Geoffrey fitzPeter--a bastard who married Beatrice de Say's granddaughter, also called Beatrice, and might like to inherit instead of Uncle Geoff, or the young Henry de Bohun, 13 years of old, future 1st Earl of Hereford and hereditary Constable of England, just as soon as he reaches his majority.

Faction #8: de Redvers

The House de Redvers was founded by another of William the Conqueror's companions during the conquest. He was rewarded with as single manor, having not been as well-placed as some others who received hundreds. He befriended Prince Henry, becoming his constant companion, and, after fighting at his side through the Battle of Tinchebrai, he found his holding in the southwest of England increasing rapidly as lords were disgraced and found their lands being transferred to de Redvers control. He is recorded in the Domesday Book as having something like 180 manors, making him the twelfth wealthiest baron in England.

His son Baldwin continued his father's devotion to King Henry Beauclerc. He was the only baron never to swear allegiance to Stephen, and he fought constantly to place Matilda on the throne, including a stint as a pirate operating out of Carrisbrooke on the Isle of Wight. As a reward for his loyalty, he was made the first Earl of Devon. Baldwin had eight children by his first wife, and for the last seven years of his wife was married to a daughter of Richard fitzGilbert de Clare.

His son Richard held the Earldom from 1155 to 1162. He married Denise of Cornwall and added her estates to the family holdings, making house de Redvers the masters of south-west England. His son Baldwin inherited his lands as a minor, and was invested with the Earldom in 1185. After his death just last year, his kid brother Richard de Redvers inherited.

Young Richard finds himself without appreciable family, alone, a somewhat reckless and worldly fifteen-year-old in a world dominated by powerful old men. He has no history with them, but that may be as much a strength as a weakness. Opportunities await, but the first priority should be making sure that there is continuity: there is no Lady Redvers, and there needs to be soon.

The de Redvers family is supported by the de Pomeroys, the de Saceys, the de Poilleys and the shadowy, venomous de Peverells. That last association has strained the relationship with Ranulf de Blondeville, who bears a serious grudge against the de Peverells.

There are no extra major historical figures associated with this house at this time, but a member of the de Peverell family may have fun with their troubled history of poisonings and intrigue.

Meanwhile, the young Earl Richard is a 15 year old kid on his own in a sea of schemers and powerful men.
A member of his retinue could go far in his service, no matter how low-born they might be.

Faction #9: the de Veres

House de Vere was founded by Aubrey de Vere, who did not participate actively in the Conquest, but was close to the Royal House as the Chamberlain for William the Conqueror's wife, and so received lands anyway. These he and his wife expanded by means both fair and foul, until they were in the mid-tiers of wealth among the barons of England. So aggressive were they in their encroachments on other people's property that they earned a special condemnation in the Domesday Book.

Aubrey's son, also Aubrey, served as King Henry Beauclerc's chamberlain, and served as a royal justiciar under both Beauclerc and Stephen, and in time the office of Lord Great Chamberlain was granted to him and his heirs. He was close with Stephen, speaking on his behalf during church councils called to hold the king to account for stealing church property. So close was he that in May 1141, a mob of Londoners incensed with King Stephen's treatment of the popular de Mandevilles after their mistaken defensive posture during the false rumors of King Stephen's death (Aubrey had had his daughter's marriage to Geoffrey de Mandeville annulled) tore Aubrey limb from limb.

His son, also named Aubrey (are you seeing a theme?), was briefly Count of Guines in Flanders by virtue of a marriage, but by the time of his father's death he was at loose ends in England, having sworn to fight for Empress Matilda after King Stephen's capture at Lincoln. His brother-in-law, the hated Earl of Essex, had negotiated an Earldom for Aubrey de Vere during his brief association with Matilda, and despite de Mandeville's later actions, the Empress honored her word and, as was his wont, King Henry Curtmantle confirmed his mother's actions upon becoming king. So the de Vere's became Earls of Oxford, a title that, historically at least, they held for 562 years.

In 1162 or 1163 Earl Aubrey, then 47, took as his third wife Agnes, the daughter of the lord of Rayleigh. At the time of the marriage Agnes was probably aged twelve. Soon after their marriage, Aubrey's father-in-law was accused of treason and fought (and lost) a judicial duel. By 1165 he attempted to have the marriage annulled, allegedly because Agnes had been betrothed to his brother, Geoffrey de Vere, but probably in reality because her father had been disgraced and ruined. Oxford reportedly 'kept his wife shut up and did not allow her to attend church or go out, and refused to cohabit with her', according to the letter the bishop of London wrote to the Pope about the case when the young countess appealed to the Roman Curia. The pope sided with Agnes and declared the marriage valid, but the earl continued to refuse to take her back as his wife. Agnes's friends appealed to the Bishop of London, and ultimately to Pope Alexander III, who in 1171 or 1172 (Aubrey was aged 56) directed the bishop to order Oxford to restore her to her conjugal rights or to suffer interdiction and excommunication. Only at this did he comply, and the marriage turned out just fine, with five children. Aubrey is now 74, still the Lord Great Chamberlain, and as stubborn as ever.

The House is supported by the Bassets, the d'Oillys, and the d'Ivrys. Fun characters to play might include the 26-year-old heir Aubrey de Vere, his wife Isabel de Bolebec, the younger adult brother Robert de Vere (age 22), or Countess Agnes of Essex, Aubrey's long-suffering wife.

Faction #10: the de Warennes

This is another family led by a man ruling through right of marriage, but where the Ranulf de Blondeville and Duchess Constance have their own separate power bases, and Hawise of Aumale largely surrendered power to William de Mandeville, the de Warennes are a little different. When Isabel de Warenne (a master of politics) inherited the County of Surrey when her father (a famous coward who fled the Battle of Lincoln as fast as his feet could carry him) died in the 2nd Crusade, she was able to rule it for five years in her own right. Unfortunately, the marriages of high-born heiresses and widows are in the purview of the King, and Stephen was not about to let the matter slide. He arranged her marriage to his younger son so that he could be sure Surrey was under his control during the civil war. Six years later, this princeling was dead and Henry II came knocking at the door, at least until Eleanor of Aquitaine became available. Henry arranged her marriage to his bastard half-brother Hamelin, who, and this was not common at the time, took her name during the marriage. Hamelin has the Angevin energy, but is publicly quite modest and fiercely committed to his half-brother's legacy.

The House of Warenne is closely related to the de Beaumonts and has relations with the Kings of Scotland. Perhaps because of their connections to the two main Royal families in Britain, plus the leading Earls, they have no dedicated enemies. They are supported by the de Burghs, Belets, and de Picquignys.