Ruling Family:
The Rochesters - Lockewell Manor

Capital City:
Glennon

Motto:
"Together we stand"

Religion:
Catholic

Color:
All shades of purple (ranging from dark purple to lavender)

Standard/Flag:


Cultural Notes:
Ashton is the self-proclaimed cultural capital of Adesia. Beautiful architecture and stunning murals are only a few of the trademarks of this duchy. Artists of all walks of life (sculptors, painters, musicians, writers) find refuge within the beautiful and inspirational Glennon.

When it comes to fashion, the courtiers of Ashton are leading the way, coming in second only to the Duchy of Pemberton. Unique cuts, vibrant hues, and rich fabric are the norm. Popular right now among ladies' fashion is a high, square neckline with a dipped back, fitted waist, and flaring sleeves. Among the men, using chain jewelry for decoration and as a sign of wealth has become increasingly popular. The more chains (and the more extravagant) the wealthier you are.

Unlike some of the other duchies, women are not required to hide their hair beneath hoods, though some still choose to. Many prefer gold or silver hair nets, leaving their hair loose, styling it in intricate braids... whatever tickles their fancy.

Girls come of age at 14 while boys come of age at 16.

PM Monica, Duchess Lucy Rochester, with any questions or requests of the Rochester Family. We are currently accepting new members, PM for information and details.


Duke: Duke Andrew Fonteyn
Duchess: Duchess Lucy Rochester-Fonteyn
Children:

• Lord Peter Fonteyn, 22; the Duke's son from first marriage
• Lady Beatrice Fonteyn, 19; the Duke's daughter from first marriage
• Lady Isabelle Rochester; 17, daughter to Duchess Lucy

Other Members:

• Marchioness Catherine Seymour of Winchester, 32; sister to Duchess Lucy
• Marquess Philip Seymour of Winchester, 35
  - Lord Henry Seymour, 16
  - Lady Janet Seymour, 14
  - Lady Joyce Seymour, 14
  - Lord Roger Seymour, 9
• Baroness Emma Norwood of Glennon, 28; sister to Duchess Lucy
• Baron Thomas Norwood of Glennon, 30
  - Lady Anne Norwood, 12
  - Lady Bridget Norwood, 8
  - Lord George Norwood, 5

Family History:
It was just another ordinary day in the Duchy of Ashton. Well, perhaps "ordinary" wasn't quite the right word, as the self-proclaimed "Cultural Capital of Adesia" was in the midst of its annual Midsummer Festival, a celebration of everything involving the arts. The all-day choral competition had concluded that evening, and everything was prepared for the following day, the final day of the festival, which would consist of a grand feast followed by an extravagant ball, characterized by the intricate, beautiful music and dancing for which Ashton was so well known. The Duke and Duchess of Ashton, Henry and Anne Rochester, along with their four daughters, retired for the night to dream of the festivities to come. But when morning broke, only the four daughters rose to greet it. The Duke and Duchess were dead.

Chaos erupted among the Rochester family and throughout the duchy. The Duke and Duchess had been well-loved by all for their kindness and generousity, particularly to anyone with a talent in any of the arts. A widespread investigation was immediately conducted, but no evidence was found, and so the deaths were officially ruled to have taken place naturally. As the late Duke had had neither sons nor brothers, his eldest daughter Lucy inherited the title of Duchess, as well as her father's seat on the Sapphire Court, despite her young age of 18. But because of her youth, she selected an advisor to aid her until she felt capable of ruling the duchy on her own.

This advisor was her uncle, Sir Edward Fleetwood, the husband of her father's younger sister, Lady Alice Fleetwood (nee Rochester). Sir Edward, Lady Alice, and their children moved in to Lockewell Manor with Lucy and her sisters so he could help Lucy with her ruling duties, while his wife, Lucy's aunt, would help her and her sister Rose to raise her two youngest sisters, who were only 10 and 6. Naturally, there was some muttering at first by some in Ashton who resented Lucy's position because of her gender and youth. However, once she had shown her strong leadership by quickly taking control, her continued support of the arts by ensuring that the final night of the festival still took place, and her discretion by allowing someone older and wiser to advise her, she was embraced by her duchy as their rightful Duchess.

Lucy's first year as Duchess was a turbulent one. First she had to fend off her advisors, led by her uncle, who wished her to marry as soon as possible. She also began forming alliances with some of her fellow duchy leaders, namely Duke Westley Castyll of Harleston - to whom she also arranged the engagement of her sister Rose - and Duke Alden Brighton of Marcheford. Then all of the inter-duchy alliances were rendered unnecessary by the ascent of a king, Ambrose by name, formerly a Lord of Benthey. Lucy began seeking King Ambrose's good opinion (though still harbouring royal ambitions of her own), and was far too successful for her taste, as he promptly began courting her.

The next Midsummer Festival, shortly thereafter, was to be the setting for the announcement of the engagement of Duke Castyll and Rose. But before that announcement could be made, an announcement of a different sort was made public - that it was Lucy's own uncle and advisor, Sir Edward Fleetwood, who had arranged the deaths of the previous Duke and Duchess, and was now plotting against Lucy's own life. He was immediately taken into custody (where he would be found dead in his cell the following day), and the evening after that proceeded as planned. But later that night, Lucy encountered Duke Alden Brighton in the halls, and the night ended with a secret engagement between the two.

The drama in Ashton would not end with that first year, however. Over the course of the next year or so, King Ambrose was deposed by the combined strength of the duchy leaders. That was followed not long after by the tragic death of Duke Brighton, a devastating blow for Lucy, who had fallen deeply in love despite having shielded her heart from those emotions since the deaths of her parents. She no longer had any desire to marry, ever; but then something happened to change her mind.

Lucy had met Lord Richard Castyll, younger brother of Duke Westley, on several occasions, and they had discovered an intense mutual attraction toward each other, though they were prevented from acting on it. Nearly a year after Alden's death, they met again, and this time there was nothing in their way. This affair continued in secret for the next two years, until Lucy discovered one day that she was with child. Immediately, she went to her advisors, who were still pushing for her marriage as they had never ceased doing. She told them that she would agree to an immediate marriage to the man of their choice, but only under two conditions. First, she would only bear one single child to that husband - the child she already carried, though they did not know that - and that child, male or female, would be the acknowledged heir to the duchy. Secondly, the child she bore, male or female, would retain the last name of Rochester, so that her family name would survive.

Within a month, Lucy was married to Lord Andrew Fonteyn, a widower with two young children. And a few months later, she gave birth to a daughter, Isabelle. Now it is seventeen years later. Lucy and now-Duke Richard (Duke Westley having passed away) have continued their affair quietly, though not meeting often. Lucy's husband has kept to his word, not pushing for another child nor saying anything against Isabelle succeeding her mother as Duchess. His children from his first marriage, however, feel much differently. The son especially, Peter, resents that a mere girl, and a girl five years his junior, is to inherit Ashton instead of him; while the daughter, Beatrice, completely supports her brother. This internal struggle is likely to turn into much more, very soon. Neither Lucy nor her husband are getting any younger, and what will happen after their deaths is beyond anyone's guess.

Family Estate: Lockewell Manor