Midhe

Midhe, "the middle kingdom," was one of the five early provinces of Eíre. By 400-500 CE it comprised much of the territory of the Southern Uíneill with its capital at the royal site of Tara, long the capital of Eíre. Located on the eastern shore of the island, the kingdom has 20 miles of coastline that has historically been subject to occasional invasions by Prydaín pirates. Good land with strong farming traditions, the kingdom is a large producer of potatoes. Quarrying and mining west of Navan and horse breeding and training at Tara complete the primary sources of wealth and industry.

The eastern part of Midhe is also known as the kingdom of Bregha. The name derives from the plain where Tara (Temuir), the ancient capital of Ireland, stood. For over 500 years, beginning with Niall of the Nine Hostages in 445CE, the Southern Uíneill held the kingship at Tara, giving the title-holder the Kingship of Ireland as well. Many of the Bregha family who founded Newgrange moved northeast to live in the kingdom dominated by their kin.

King Aelfys

The youngest king to ever sit in rule over Midhe, Aelfys was elevated to the throne when his father choked on the bone of a roasted fowl. Aelfys is said to be advised closely by two of his father’s most trusted men. Still, there are those in the kingdom who are made uneasy by the youthful and inexperienced Aelfys, who has never proven himself in combat. His policies of increased tolerance and commerce with the zealots of Prydain are not popular. Many fear that the king’s life may be in peril. Without an heir to secure the future of Midhe, the death of Aelfys could prove a terrible event for all of Eíre. A few Satiric Bards have begun singing tales which allude to a young and weak king, overtaken by those he trusted most.