The Second Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic

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April A.S. XIX (C.E. 1985)

hen the time came again for the artisans and scientists of Ealdormere to compete among themselves, as the first Regional Arts and Sciences Decathlon. This was upon the XIIIth day. The number of artifacts to be seen at the tables was astonishing in number, and hardly less astonishing in quality. The judging of such an array was formidable, but the good organization of the Canton of West Yorvik, which hosted the event, and the skills of Frederick l'Avarre, upon his singular abacus, eased the task considerably, so that all could repair to the feast hall in good time.

It was on this day that the Wolf was chosen as the animal which would symbolize the new Region. Lady Mordreth's design was chosen for the "Collars of State" which were to be worn by the Champion and Consort. Also, Madeleine de l'Este made her first appearance, John Broadbottom became the new Chronicler of Ursus, and Deirdre of Carlyle became Eoforwic's new Mistress of Arts.

The Court that night saw a veritable high point in the history of Eoforwic and Septentria and Ealdormere. In Baronial Court, the winners of the Decathlon were made known. Also at this time, there was a call for any remaining persons who were desirous of declaring Intent to compete in the Regional Championship. Here is the list of all those who declared in this Court, and in all previous Courts, and who then fought in the Tournament:

Lord Aescferth Wolfsonne declared that he would fight for Lady Jane of Hendon, Alaric Blacksword declared that he would fight for Lady Tamarra Amalthea de Romany, Lord Alasdair of Raasey declared that he would fight for Lady Monika z Gniezno, Lord Alistair Kirk of Inness declared that he would fight for Lady Deirdre of Carlyle, Lord Belgar Thorbjorn declared that he would fight for Lady Katerina de Turenne, Lady Ceara ni Sirona declared that she would fight for Lord Bergelmir Sigurdsson, Lord Edmund Fitztonge of Kent declared that he would fight for Lady Aislinne, Duke Finnvarr de Taahe declared that he would fight for Lady Ragni Dzintara of Amberhall, Francis Pesket of Arundel declared that he would fight for Lady Theophania Ivey of Carisbrooke, Lord Glenn of Caerleon declared that he would fight for Lady Katerina de Turenne, Lord Glandyth Rhys-Mordwyn declared that he would fight for Lady Hanorah O'Neil, Lord Llwellyn o'r Glynne declared that he would fight for Baroness Enid Aurelia, Lord Reinald Fitz Albert declared that he would fight for Lady Fionnghuala, Lord Robert of Two Cliffs declared that he would fight for Mistress Tsivia bas Tamara, Lady Searu Frid Dracwyn declared that she would fight for Gibson Mathie Syme, Lord Tarver the Pole declared that he would fight for Lady Deirdre of Carlyle, and Baron Torbin of Amberhall declared that he would fight for Lady Aelflaeda fitz Alain; each stood forward and loudly declared his Intent, and his intended Consort, and his reason for thus declaring. Yog the Undesireable, who was not an Armiger, was loudly acclaimed by the people in the Court, and so he joined those who could enter the tournament, and Yog declared that he would fight for Lady Hanorah O'Neil.

Again, Queen Fern was present for the occasion, and many and great were the awards: Yog the Undesireable received an Award of Arms on the spot "for overcoming his name," as did Aethelwold o'Mercia, for his artistic talents and his service as Seneschal of Eoforwic; both Lady Deirdre of Carlisle and Sylard of Eagleshaven were received into the Order of the Purple fret for interminable toil at unlovely tasks; Robert of Two Cliffs was received into the Order of the Queen's Favour; and their Excellencies Aedan and Kaffa and Baroness Enid were all received into the Order of the Dragon's Heart. the great wisdom of Queen Fern was thunderously applauded when Lord Henry of Linlithgow was elevated to the rank of Court Baron.

The most singular award of the night was the Award of Arms unto Claude de la Beche, the token whereof was a knife graved in characters in Latin, and set with a plate etched with his symbol, a Stag's Head Caboshed. The Latin was composed by Rudrig; the rough blade was provided by Master Sylard; it was ground, etched and hilted by Tarver; the oaken hilt was marked with the Royal Initials, for both Herself and Valerius, by Queen Fern; these initials were carved out and dyed by Baroness Kaffa; and Duke Finnvarr graciously read the inscription aloud to the populace. When Claude was called into Court, he was at first rather alarmed when the Queen solemnly produced a huge knife, but as the good Duke read the words inscribed thereon, he realized its meaning, and he was moved to tears at the beauty of the thing. All marvelled at this sight.

And that night, in that Court, the feelings of pride and love there present could have fuelled the very torches on the walls.

May A.S. XX (C.E. 1985)

n the IVth day of the month the Competition of the Arts and Sciences was judged at Sternfeld, at the Coronation of Corin and Myfanwy. Olaf Tarverson again claimed a first prize, but the overall winner of the competition was Lady Tamarra Amalthea, and fortune dealt a double stroke, for that night inourt was Lady Mordreth Colwyn elevated to the rank of Laurel for her skill in the culinary arts, making her the fourth Peer of the Realm native to Eoforwic, and the very first Master in this field.

There were at this time other things worthy of mention happening in the Region. Upon the XVIIIth, House Eagleshaven sold off its surplus possessions and established a permanent keep, and it was thought that the Viking was becoming prosperous and content, despite his protestations otherwise. Also, His Serene Grace, Sir Finnvarr de Taahe, was serving upon the Board of Directors of the Society, which was seen as also making Eoforwic of a class ranking highly with any good old town in the Known World.

June A.S. XX (C.E. 1985)

On the IXth, the minstrels Steeleye Span performed in Eoforwic, along with another ensemble called Fairport Convention; and of the many who went to hear them, few will ever forget the peculiar rendition of Gaudete.

The second Murder Melee in the Meadow took place on the XXIInd day of the month in Ben Dunfirth. Remembering the last year, the spot was chosen for its hard earth, with the result that no one could drive a tent peg.

A Midsummer Feast of the Sun took place in Skraeling Althing on the XXIXth day of this month. Eoforwic fighters made a good account of themselves, and Maximillian Morganed of Glamorganshire, who had only very recently joined their number, authorised in the lists. Lord Tarver emerged victorious using a round shield which he had only finished making the day before, and the prize was yet another piece of rattan. For a long time Gunnar of Lund and Tarver the Pole had worked together on various projects, and around this time Gunnar began to assist Tarver as his Man-at-Arms, but always more on terms of friendship than of sworn fealty.

July A.S. XX (C.E. 1985)

n the XXth day of A.S. XX, Eoforwic celebrated its Xth Year, and Ealdormere chose its Champion. Duke Finnvarr de Taahe, who was the first of our Society in these lands, was the host of the day, and he did not fight in the Championship tournament. he was aided in his work by a secret committee of co-autocrats who tagged all of their works with purple ribbons, and only revealed themselves to him at Court.

Many Eoforings of yore did return from the four corners of (t)he world whence they had travelled, including Queen Fern, Baroness Gillian, Sir Mordain and his lady Aelfleda, Baroness Enid and Baron Henry, Lady Megan of Silverthorne, and all of Finnvarr's illegitimate daughters. John the Churl and Ugh were said to be nearby.

There was a museum of ancient relics displayed, and there to be seen were a captured PACE banner emblazoned with an impaled guinnea pig, Aedan's Troll nose, Gillian's ancient scepter and coronet, Sylard's Deed to the North signed by King Finnvarr, a picture of a famous Western Duke attended by the ladies of Eoforwic, Finnvarr's old gambeson and freon can helmet, the earliest editions of Ursus which were then called Eoforing, dolls in the likeness of Aedan and Kaffa, and many other priceless treasures.

The play Eoforwic Ten Years From Now was performed again, and at the feast Fern reenacted her escape into the balcony, as Alistair Kirk lowered her a ladder.

Yog and Glandeth were late arriving, and almost did not gain admittance to the lists. This was the last appearance of Baron Torbin in the lists. As this was an important tournament, all the rules were scrupulously followed, and several shields were sawn down to 26" so that noone would have any unfair advantage. One man took an unlucky blow to his most importance piece of armour, and this could be heard all through the quadrangle, and many looked up when they heard it, and that piece of armour was found to be split in twain, and many who saw this nearly fainted in horror. Yog won the tournament, undefeated, besting Lord Tarver and then Lord Belgar in the last bouts. Belgar was killed with a thrust to the heart.

At the feast, each Canton served forth a splendid dish, and the hall was filled with the joyous sounds of revelry and old friendships renewed and new friendships begun. The high table was served a Lobster, but since this food was a novelty to many sitting there, it required much explanation.

At Court, Yog and Hanorah were invested with the Collars as Champion and Consort of Ealdormere. Aedan placed a collar on Yog's shoulders, and Enid placed one on Hannorah's, and all the Peers of Ealdormere stood by and witnessed this.

The Collars were splendidly wrought by Mordreth with Sylard's assistance, and they were richly embellished with the Tree of Life, with Livestock to show the Wealth of the Land, and with Grain to show its Richness; there were figures to show the People, Swords and Arrows to tell of the Strength of Arms, and Scales to tell of the Strength of Justice; the Bear of Septentria and the Rabbit of Skraeling Althing and the Wolf of Ealdormere were inscribed thereon, as were all Four Elements, and many, many other things.