Well, Gilbert can make once per day 27 knowlegde check (any) or bardic lore check around 23. So he can provide daily a written 'report' what Rose could study from nobles and any military forces in the world at the moment. Only what he does not have is K:local in any specific areas but I think bardic lore covers that (altough it's mostly rumors). History can back up some facts of some more distant organizations or noble groups.