The First Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic

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June A.S. XIII (C.E. 1978)

obert of Two Cliffs, formerly pursuivant for Noerlanda, became baronial pursuivant for Septentria. At this time he lived in Oakville, where he gathered a small number of Society folk. Illtyd, who had served as listmaster for both Noerlanda and Eoforwic, was appointed listmaster for the barony, an office he exercised with great skill.

July A.S. XIII (C.E. 1978)

n the VIIIth of this month a tournament celebrating the foundation of Septentria was held in Eoforwic. As in the past, the weather was very fine. Folk from North Woods, Cleftlands, and Rhydderich Hael were present, inddition to many Septentrians. There was much fighting. Sylard of Eagleshaven won the novice tourney, and Hugo a no-shield lists. Everyone played at blind samaurai, a game where hooded warriors tried to find and strike each other with two-handed swords.

There was also much melee fighting in anticipation of the Pennsic War, for the shire and House de Taahe (including House Elandris) had formed a wartime alliance. This event was notable for the presence of sixteen folk from Skraeling Althing. That canton had recently lost its founder, Tsivia bas Tamara, who had returned to Noerlanda; fortunately Thomas of Linlithgow and Enid Aurelia of the Tin Isles had taken up the leadership of the group. Thomas, a fighter himself, had succeeded in recruiting several aspiring warriors. Some of these attended the tournament, eagerly learning all they could.

The baronial celebration ended with a remarkable revel. It took place in the beautiful West Hall where, between ancient carved walls, the people danced, enjoyed mimed ballads, and ate and drank. Here also the baroness held her first court, at which the folk of the Skraeling were officially presented to her by their seneschal Thomas. Baroness Gillian also attempted to legislate by banning the troika from the barony, as a dance too rowdy for gentlefolk. But the people of Septentria, ever scofflaws, immediately took to the dance floor and performed the troika before her very eyes.

August A.S. XIII (C.E. 1978)

arriors from all over the Known World marched to the Debatable Lands to fight in the seventh Pennsic War. Rory O'Tomrair, the Midrealm Seneschal and the other folk of Carraig Ban, s well as Bolverk of Momchilavitch, passed through Eoforwic at this time. Septentria mustered for war in greater numbers than ever before. In contrast to the previous year, the Midrealm army found that it greatly outnumbered the Eastern forces. The Midrealmers did not become overconfident, but spent much of the first day practicing manoeuvres in friendly melees. Thus prepared the Midrealm crushingly defeated the outnumbered East both in the battle of the twenty champions -- in which both Finnvarr and Hugo fought -- and in the grand field battle. In this latter Duke Finnvarr led a large contingent, which fought in the front lines. This company included Eoforwic, House de Taahe, House Elandris, Castel Rouge, and Thomas of Linlithgow from the Skraeling.

The field battle was the first for Aedan and Kaffa. In it they learned the virtue of teamwork in battle, a discovery which would serve them well in the future.

September A.S. XIII (C.E. 1978)

n this month there were tournaments both in Eoforwic and in Skraeling Althing. The first was a small but enjoyable affair which attracted several new members and many curious scribes. One of the latter encouraged Sylard to do some rash deed worth recording, and he responded by throwing Caitlin Stuart over his shoulder and carrying her off. the next day a picture of this vile act was distributed throughout the town. The tourney was won by Hugo, who had sworn to fight all day without a shield.

At this event Finnvarr surrendered Ursus to the care of Wulfram Wulfscilding. Megan of Silverthorne and Alistair Kirk of Inness joined the canton around this time. And Torbin took up the herald's office and Ragni became exchequer for Eoforwic, duties which Hugo had been responsible for previously.

A fortnight later a number of Eoforings went to the Skraeling to attend the first tourney there. A small tourney took place, won by Finnvarr, in which Sylard, Aedan, and the fighters of the host canton all distinguished themselves. Torbin amazed the company with his skill at blind samaurai. Soon after this Torbin, heretofore a peaceable man, took up the use of the sword, as Ragni had some time before.

The Skraeling presented a marvellous feast, cooked and planned by Enid Aurelia. It included a champion's portion of turnips presented to Finnvarr -- who gave it to his mercenary Sylard -- and a wondrous gift for the Baroness, a salad dressed à la Cleopatra, i.e. in wine vinegar in which a pearl had been dissolved. At evening's end all agreed that Skraeling Althing had proved itself a most civilized outpost of the Midrealm and the barony.

On this occasion Eanor of Amberhall was given by her parents to Baroness Gillian as a fosterling to be trained by her in courtesy and to serve her as lady in waiting. And soon after David aus Fresa left the Skraeling for Kingston and founded the ill-fated canton of Fortress Royal.

October A.S. XIII (C.E. 1978)

King Moonwulf stepped down from the throne and was succeeded by Nathan von Daritz, who was yet a squire. King Nathan decreed that the Crown Tournament should be held in North Woods, the home of Queen Kirsten.

It was a most eventful day. Duke Finnvarr de Taahe was invested as Earl Marshal, an office he exercised for a year. There was also a meeting of the Kingdom's chivalry midway through the tournament, where they discussed what new knights should be created. One of the leading candidates was Hugo von Feuerklippe, whose prowess and chivalry had been proved on many fields. King Nathan was favorable to his elevation, but several of the knights were not, and there occurred an acrimonious argument, which greatly upset Hugo when he heard of it. Nevertheless King Nathan, after consultation, decided that he would knight both Hugo and Corin du Soleil that evening.

As it happened, two more men were knighted first: for Alen and Laurelen, who were both of Cleftlands and bosom friends, showed great skill and courtesy in the lists, and reached the finals. At this point the King ad his knights resolved that both should be knighted on the field before their contest was decided. And this was done, with Duke Andrew and Duke Dagan holding the dubbing swords with the king. Laurelen went on to victory.

There were so many folk in attendance at that event that four hundred sat for dinner, yet such was the skill of the cook, Duchess Caellyn, that all were well fed. The feast was long, however, and the court began near the time that most revels end. Thus it was very late when Aedan and Kaffa were awarded arms and later still when Hugo von Feuerklippe was made knight. Duke Finnvarr released his squire from service in the German fashion, by striking him with a mailed gauntlet, and was privileged to hold the sword when the king dubbed the new knight. Thus was the bittersweet creation of Eoforwic's first native knight.

November A.S. XIII (C.E. 1978)

oerlanda held a tournament to honor the memory of Henry of England and hisueen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. It was attended by folk from North Woods, Rhydderich Hael, and Cleftlands, including Prince Laurelen and Sir Alen Elegil. These latter particularly showed their prowess in the lists, with Alen the final victor. At the end of the day there was a grand melee in the early tournament style, where each defeated warrior had to pay a ransom to his vanquisher, either his armor or another forfeit. And the fighting was particularly dirty, as the field was wet, muddy, and slippery. That evening Sir Hugo took his first squire, Finn mac Aedan. There also took place a famous Court of Love, where Baroness Gillian, ably assisted by the host, Lady Tsivia, passed wise judgment in a number of dauntingly complex cases. Otherwise the gentlemen shoed themselves more learned in the laws of love than the ladies. Tsivia told the camel story for what she professed was the last time, and was given a stuffed camel by her friends.

That evening, the idea of the Great Quest first came to Prince Laurelen. He was later advised on this matter by Torbin.

Caitlin Stuart, who had been deputy seneschal to Dubadaessa for some time, now took over the leadership of Eoforwic. Dubadaessa married her lord Maelstrom and was seldom seen thereafter. Caitlin, who was energetic in the exercise of her duties, soon found herself in some distress. She had suggested to Morgan of Lindisfarne and others that Wulfram might be more effective if he were either baronial seneschal or chronicler rather than both. Morgan and Wulfram took great exception to her remarks, and Caitlin was surprised by accusations that Eoforwic was trying to dominate the barony. This controversy lasted for some weeks, and nearly caused Caitlin to resign her own office.

December A.S. XIII (C.E. 1978)

Skraeling Althing held a small event in memory of the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Soon after this Thomas of Linlithgow returned to the Principality of Atlantia whence he had come, (m)uch to the distress of his canton.

At about the same time the Eastern Crown, heretofore oblivious, finally recognized that Morgan Elandris had gathered many folk to the Society in Rhydderich Hael and Beau Fleuve, and recognized her as baroness of those lands. This necessarily entailed her to affirm loyalty to the East, and therefore she resigned her position as a squire in House de Taahe. The parting was an amicable one, but it held the seeds of a future rivalry between Eoforwic and Rhydderich Hael.

January A.S. XIII (C.E. 1979)

his month Lady Ragni Dzintara hosted a second Eoforwic Twelfth Night. The feast reflected the great growth of the Society in Septentria in the previous year: Where the last Twelfth Night had fit in front of theireplace at Amberhall, this one filled the Enoch Turner School.

A king and queen of fools were chosen, and the lots fell to Duke Finnvarr, ironically the highest ranking person present, and to Tsivia bas Tamara. This unlikely pair amused the populace by issuing bizarre and fanciful commands until they overreached themselves and were deposed in favor of Donovan, the son of Teneen and Ariella of Ben Dunfirth. The best of a number of excellent subtleties was created by Kaffa Muiriath: It was a stag with an arrow I its heart. When the arrow was withdrawn by Sir Hugo, blood -- that is, wine -- poured forth from the wound. It was a marvellous evening, and celebrations continued at Amberhall until dawn.

Later this month, at North Woods, Illtyd the Apostate was awarded arms. Also, Caitlin Stuart was made a Companion of the Willow for her many arts.

February A.S. XIII (C.E. 1979)

n this month Illtyd, who was a scholar of note, delivered a lecture to Eoforwic on common superstitions and fallacies. The lecture contained both learning and wit, and was warmly received. As a result, Illtyd was asked to deliver several more thereafter.

There was also a tournament in Rhydderich Hael in which Torbin and Ragni authorized for the lists, and Torbin was named the most chivalrous fighter of the day. And there was a tourney in Skraeling Althing won by Aedan.

March A.S. XIII (C.E. 1979)

everal folk from Eoforwic went to Rhydderich Hael to the Ice Dragon Tournament. Sir Hugo won the tourney, beating his old rival, Countrederick. The travellers feasted on Lady Ragni's excellent food, then returned home, where she and Torbin hosted a day of games at Amberhall and once more fed their guests.

The next week Noerlanda, following the suggestion of Duke Finnvarr, hosted a baronial fighting practice in conjunction with the Feast of the Bear. The fighters were delighted to discover that the tourney hall held a pool and sauna, and they were able to relax after their battles in luxurious surroundings. They were thus uncommonly refreshed for the evening revels. That day Alistair Kirk introduced his betrothed lady, Bronwyn Meredith, and announced the formation of House Inness. Bronwyn and Alistair were married in the summer.