The Third Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic

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A.A.S. (V)MCCVII (B.C.E -4240)

n this year the World was created in six days. At this time the land of Ealdormere was fashioned by God, separated from Northwoods by the Lakes of St. Clair and Loggan Mor[1] separated from the Cleft Lands and the Middle Marches by the Silver Tarn[2]nd separated from the East Kingdom by the Old Lake Ealdormere[3]nd by the River Ottawa. Together these and other lakes are called the Middle Seas, for while their water is sweet yet together they are as large as a sea, and their waters as stormy and treacherous.

[1]The Loggan More is usually identified with Lake Huron.

[2]The Silver Tarn is one of the recorded names of Lake Erie.

[3]The Ealdormere or Elder Mere is Lake Ontario

In this year were the stars created, and the astrologers group them into constellations. And just as the land of Ealdormere was created as a separate and distinct place so was the constellation Ealdormere set out in the sky as a distinct creature of the heavens. And Ealdormere wears a belt of three bright stars and some call her Orion the hunter.

A.A.S. (V)CCXVII (B.C.E -3250)

n this year Adam died, and he was the first man. From him was descended Noah, and from Noah was born Japheth. From Japheth came Ashchenaz and from Ashchenaz came Zarphath, and from Zarphath came the line of de Taahe. Great scions of that line have included King Fionbarr of the East, King Fionbarr of the Middle, Sir Barinn de Taahe and Duke Fionbarr de Taahe (a righteous gentile).Also from Japheth came the Trojans, and of the heroes of the Trojans there was one Aeneas, who did found the City of Rome, and from him were descended the Scoti, and whatever uneducated men may say, they were descended from Adam through Eve his lawful wife and not through any other. Others say that the Scoti are descended from Scota, the daughter of Pharaoh, who brought the Stone of Destiny from Egypt to Tara in Ireland and thence to Scone in Scotland. From the Scoti sprang the line of Brian Boru, the King of the Irish, and one of his lieutenants was the Baron Aedan of Kincorra, the Baron Septentria. From the Scoti also sprang the line of the kings of Connaught. And from this blood was born Maeve, Queen of Connaught, and from her came Caffa Muiraith, the Baroness Septentria.

December A.A.S. MCMLXVI (C.E. 1)

In this year Jesua ben Joseph was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, and the Paynims call him a prophet and the Christians call him the son of God.

May A.S. I (C.E. 1966)

In this year the Lists were made in the lands of the Mists in the West.

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

t this date the Seneschal of the Middle King was Countess Genevieve du Vent Argent. the king's herald was Baron Charles O'Connor, who was the first Baron of Knight's Crossing in Drachenwald. The mistress of Arts for the Kingdom was Myrra of Blackwood, who was later the Seneschal. The Earl Marshal was Sir Lucas Oswald Gustav Otto Stephan von Schnecke, called by his initials Logos. The chronicler of the Kingdom was Siobhan Medbh O'Roarke, of North Woods. Bardolf Ulfacson was the Chirurgeon General. The Chancellor of the Exchequer was Robert MacGryffun, who sat his office for many years.

At this date the Seneschal of Eoforwic was Aethelwold Mierca. His exchequer was Jane of Hendon. The Knight-Marshal was Baroness Caffa, who would hold that post for a long time, and the Mistress of the Lists was Genet of Ashertor. The Mistress of Arts and chatelaine of novices was Dierdre Carlyle, and the mistress of sciences was Mordreth Colwyn though she concealed that. Eanor of Amberhall was chronicler. As was Eoforwic's wont, there was no official chirurgeon, though many were skilled in physik and surgery. The pursuivant was Tarver the Pole, though he soon turned the sacred tattered baldrick of office over to James MacAndrews.

At this time was Elizabeth de Lom first seen, and the Saxon maiden Brithwin of Wolfstead as well.

The chronicle of William of Roncesvalles and Trevarius has described the day in the reign of the second Corin when Lord Iago, sometimes called Iag or Yog the Undesirable, a Welshman (and thus called by his own people other names, not pronuncible by the sons of man), won the tournament and was made Champion of the Land of Ealdormere. His lady, Hannorah O'Neill, was known at that time not only as a lady of great beauty and charm, but for openly keeping Glandeth Rhysmordwen as a concubine. Since Glandeth and Iago were great friends, there was no contention. As soon as the tournament ended, Hannorah and Iago returned to Ben Dunfirth, and Hannorah commander her ladies to spin scarlet wool into thread and plait that thread into cords, that she might have tokens to give her people in times of war.

At this time James Macandrews was in the Holy Land, and he desired greatly to know who had won the tournament and what had befallen that day in Eoforwic. So James sent messengers from the desert monastery where he lived, to go to Rhiannon of Wye who lived near the place of the tournament. And Rhiannon of Wye was engaged in the general f?ete in honour of Iago, and she was not at home. So the messengers came back empty-handed, having merely left messages nailed to her door. then James sent a message to Tech na Cerdchad M?oire, the Baron's house, to know what had come to pass. And the Baron and Baroness were caught up in the f?ete, and they were not at home. But Fionn, Aedan's son, was at home, and he told the news.

That night in Judaea there were seen many falling stars. James consulted the wise men o the land, and though some said that stars always fell in July others said it was an omen and a dire one indeed.

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

n this month did Corin the Sun-king (the second Corin) lead the array of the Middle into battle against Morguhn the Sheridan, King of the East, the first of that name. In this war did Corin's army defeat the East in the woods, and it is aid that after the victory Corin's countenance did shine like the sun for which he was named. In a battle on a bridge, the East was affrighted by the serried ranks of the Middle, and did withdraw. They hoped to draw the Middle forces across the bridge, and press the Middle against the raging river beneath. But the forces of the Middle, including the men of Ealdormere who chanted for beer and who were whipped into lust for blood by Naon's drummers, were held in check. And Duke Siegfried and Master Kobayashi and Duke Aonghais Dubh issued out from the Eastern array and did attempt to break the bridge with their swords and bare hands, but to no avail. In the battle on the field there was much carnage, and when the dust cleared, there were but two men standing from the Middle, and they were James mac Art of Tree-girt-sea and Iago, the Champion of Ealdormere. And the Easterners allowed them single combat, and James mac Art was killed. One after the next Iag slew his foes until he was too weary to fight more. And on the field that day Corin the King awarded Iag the Dragon's Tooth.

At this war the soldiers of Septentria first wore the crimson tabards made by Domenica of the Welfengau that had the golden bears upon them, and they did carry the plaited cords of scarlet which Hannorah and her ladies made. They marched out in shining array, with drummers playing the cadence on broad Irish drums. And in the field they were led by Iago, and under Iago were Baron Aedan and Sir Mordain Blackcloak who had been Sir Fionbarr's squire before. At this war did the Septentrians begin the tradition of forming the majority of the royal guard, and Charles of Hamme did first stand guard at this war and for many hours.

At this war did Amanda of Walworth, a squire of Count Tadashi's Dreadnought household in North Woods, convince James Macandrews to fight for the Middle rather than the East, and James Macandrews was forsworn of his command of the Eastern banner rangers for the love of his lady, and for one year he dared not look Duke Hasdrubal in the eye, for that duke, stout of heart though narrow of limb, had been General of the Eastern armies at this war. At this war did Constance of Purneos pitch her tent with Ealdormere as did Barak ben David, called Red. And the love of the people of Ealdormere for Constance grew. And there were great downpourings of rain at the war and many were soaked. And the miserable were succoured, by Tamarra de Romany and Frederic l'Avare, who set out hot food and drink for the weary and wet in their tent, and by Gunnar Halfdan who did the same in service to Tarver, Fionnbarr's squire.

At this war was Robert of Two Cliffs made a Master of the Laurel, and there was much rejoycing. Also was Fern made knight, and for her there was such cheering that the hall in which court was held was near unto falling in upon itself. Tarver the Pole was made a companion of the Silver Oak. And soon after court was Alistair Kirk made squire to Countess Fern.

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

s had been their ancient custom, now the citizens of Eoforwic exhibited their skills and works at the walls of the White Tower that is also called Fort Book. Once they held their display at Philosopher's Walk, but in AS XIX the Queen of Albion had been visiting Eoforwic on the day of the display, and in the interest of space and transport the Eoforings moved. >From that time until AS XXII, the display was held at the White Tower. In AS XXIII the site was moved to the common before King's College, in order that the Eoforings might assist the University in bettering relations between town and gown.

In this month the Welfengau held a Tournament of Romance, and unto the most promising fighter did Lord Iago give a sword and a gauntlet and this became a custom of his to give the most promising fighter a sword and gauntlet. The swords were known by the red enamelled hilts, and the gauntlets by the brass decoration that marked them as Glandeth's work. And Robyyan of Elandris, one of the last to bear the name of that fierce and noble house, and Countess Fern and Amanda came from North Woods.

Now at this tournament there was a feast, and at this feast there was a contest to see which of the ladies could flirt, leer and wink the best, a most unseemly competition. The judge of the competition was to be a bishop. Tsivia of Amberview, of Skraeling Althing, entered this competition. "This man cannot be a priest," she said unto herself, "for no bishop would consent to judge such an unseemly competition. This man must needs be an impostor." And so Tsivia pitched woo with great vigour, aiding her case with a curious pomander she had fashioned from a cucumber and some cloves, though some say it was with a pickled onion decorated with a single clove. Only when she had coaxed the bishop into very intimate circumstances did she desist. Later that even, she had cause for shame when she discovered that while not a bishop, the priest was indeed a genuine man of the Cloth. And there was much mirth on this account.

In this month the Shire of Noergate hosted a fall fair, and many attended, even some from Eoforwic.

In this month Angharad of Nankivel came from the Midlands to Eoforwic, having heard of the scholarship of the Great University of Saint George and of the power and knowledge of Duke Fionbarr. She had heard tales of Fionnbarr's greatness and wisdom at the table of her uncle, the Duke Moonwulf Stakaaderson. At this time Tarver the Pole departed to study the Trivium and Quadrivium at the small university in Rising Waters. Although he was seen occasionally thereafter, there was nonetheless much sadness at his departure. Soon after this time did Sir Mordain Blackcloak and Aelfleda fitz Alain his lady leave Skraeling Althing to live in An Tir, where Mordain would study siege guns and engines.

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

n this month Alen Elegil claimed the throne from Corin and Myfanwy. At his last court Corin awarded arms to James Macandrews while Tamarra de Romany received the Purple Fret. James contrived that she would receive the award in Eoforwic at the same time as it was awarded in Gwyntarian. At that same court, a dog was made a lord, and comparison was made by some between Corin and the Emperor Gaius, who raised an horse to the rank of consul. At about the same time, Siegfried was crowned king in the East, the third of that name to rule that land.

Soon after the coronation, the folk of Rising Waters held their Feast of Bacchus and Duchess Kunegunda came from the Rhydderich Hael, and she brought the Hens, her ladies. And John of Slaughterfield came to a feast for the first time, for while John had long attended tournaments, he had been of ascetic bent, and would retire to meditation after the fighting. It was at this feast that he developed great admiration for the Duchess. At this tournament there was joy for a nearby alewife still brewed her Brown Mead after the ancient fashion of North Woods and not after the new fashion, and many bought her mead. This was the time when the Guild of Imps, founded by Rhiannon gan g'Wye in January, celebrated its last meeting. Seeing in her wisdom that the mirth had gone from the game, Rhiannon disbanded the guild soon after.

In this month there was a Crown Tournament in the Roaring Wastes to choose a successor for Alen. The tournament was held in a barbarous section of the town, and there was much fear of barbarian bandits. Palymar fought Dag Thorgrimsson, who is lately called Svartvargr, in the final round and was victor and prince, and there was much mirth among the squires of the kingdom that two squires should battle for the Crown, with a pile of the bodies of knights rotting beside. Baron Aedan and Duke Fionnbarr fought in the tournament as well, and did great honour to Baroness Caffa and Lady Ragni.

Soon before Crown Tournament, the guild of merchants in Leaside in Eoforwic paid the exchequer of Eoforwic a great deal of money to have the Eoforings revel and fight on their high street. And at a theatre on that high street was appearing the actor Atkinson, who made popular the gestes of Edmund Blackadder. But this was early in the career of Atkinson, and the Eoforings knew him not.

In the next month, Richard Tempeste came to Eoforwic. Now Richard was a friend to Etienne, who was chamberlain to John of Slaughterfield. Richard was a hearty fellow with many tales to tell of his years in foreign armies before he came to Eoforwic.

January A.S. XX (C.E. 1986)

ising Waters hosted a feast on Twelfth Night, and Prince Palymar came. On his return from the feast, he was attacked by bandits and though none of the enemy survived, his carriage was destroyed. This was taken by some as a sign of favour from God, and by some as an ill omen indeed. It was fortunate for Prince Palymar that his lady, the Princess Katherine, was a prudent woman. For she, for(e)seeing this sort of danger, had prevailed upon Palymar to wager with a local bookmaker that just this sort of misfortune would befall him. Since the odds of this misfortune were long, Prince Palymar paid only a little while the bookmaker wagered the entire value of the wagon. So in the end, though Palymar lost his carriage, he won his wager.

Constance of Purneos came to the feast. At this feast there appeared a lady named Anne Cr?eveuve whom no one knew, but whom some said was a friend of Constance's who came with her from Purneos, while some said she was kin to James Macandrews. Catherine de Guise and Elsbeth of Sherbourne came to Vest Yorvik at this time, and this Twelfth Night celebration was their first. Here did the Baron and Baroness award to Ricard of Sable Tree the Cauldron of Ceridwyn to keep for a year in honour of his inspiration of the folk of the Barony to both gentle and warlike pursuits, and his contribution to the great Game of the society.

In this month, Eoforwic celebrated Twelfth Night at Cumberland House, and Deirdre Carlyle was the lady of the hall. James MacAndrews was Lord of Misrule and Lady Angharad was Lady of Misrule. Some said Deirdre had contrived this, but all knew that the choice had been that of chance, by the ancient method of baking a bean into one of a lot of cakes. Belisarius toadied splendidly and Baron Torbin was the Royal Banner, and he banned many things. These revels were the last to be heard in Ealdormere for a time to come.

As had been the custom from of old, the king and queen celebrated the twelfth night of Christmas at North Woods, and there was Dag made knight. The noble Brenainn of Roscommon, who was later Buckler Herald and Trillium Herald, as ennobled as well.

And James and Tarver and Angharad and Rhiannon did go to W?urm Wald for the Festival of Maidens, and many unseemly things did happen. And James's banner was adjudged the best in the hall. On their long journey there was a great storm and much hardship. At this tournament did James first carry the Baroness's favour. He set the favour down when John of Slaughterfield was made Champion of Septentria.

February A.S. XX (C.E. 1986)

est Yorvik held a Tournament of Love in this month, and many gentles came to the College at Erin Dale to fight. At this tournament it was decided by Fionnaidh Averylle, the Trillium Herald, that the generative organs of the Septentrian bear ought to be tinctured azure.

Copyright (c) 1989 A.J.S. Nusbacher