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 The Third Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic
Page 3
of 6
March A.S. XX (C.E. 1986)
 t the beginning of this month many malevolent omens were seen. There was a great plague amongst the livestock which caused them to grow thin and resemble ferrets. There was a cloud upon the land, and the frost was colder than even the oldest Septentrian could remember. The star called Comet was not seen, and though some sages considered Comet a bad omen, others said that Comet's not coming was itself a bad omen. There was an outbreak of leprosy in the hinterlands near Skraeling Althing, and several towns had to be burned. This, all agreed, was a bad omen.
Towards the end of this month the Baron of the Rhydderich Hael invited all
to come to his lands for the annual tournament of the Passing of the Ice
Dragon. Many from Eoforwic and Ealdormere travelled to the Rhydderich Hael,
braving the winter storms and the avaricious bandits who haunt the bridges
near Rising Waters. Word was out that Prince Palymar would be there, and
since many rightly accounted him a friend of Ealdormere, many attended
merely to see him.
Now some weeks before the tournament, while King Alen Elegil was sitting in
council in his keep near the Great University at Cynnabar, there came to
him two letters. One latter came from Lady Hannorah, consort to Iago the
Champion of Ealdormere. The letter concerned various citizens of Ealdormere
and their worthiness for royal honours. The other letter came from James
Macandrews, and it was a request that the Land of Ealdormere be made a
Crown Principality, after the manner of the Crown Principalities of the
West Kingdom
[4]
. King Alen went to his closest advisors and
friends, and said "Who are these of Ealdormere? Who is this champion? He
swears me no fealty, nor to my barons, yet his lady would be arbiter of
honours as though she were queen! Who is this Macandrews? He would take a
subject province and turn it into a separate realm to stand against me! No,
they go too far!" And King Alen's advisors agreed. So King Alen sent
messengers to all his council and told them that Ealdormere did rise in
revolt. He proposed to outlaw the "regions" which had been the names for
the lands of the Middle. No more could Northshield be Northshield or
Ealdormere be Ealdormere, and none could utter the names of the regions on
pain of high treason. No more could the lands have their own champions.
Some said that he wished to take this action from the start, and that he
only awaited an excuse, but cooler heads said he acted in the heat of the
moment at the promptings of his advisors. Now his council heard is words,
and agreed that the regions of the Middle, Ealdormere in particular, must
be laid low.
The king called a meeting of the bare minimum of his council at his keep,
and since it was so quickly called this meeting has been called the
"Washroom Curia" based on the fiction that the King held court in his
garderobe with only his intimates.
Prince Palymar came, on his way to the Rhydderich Hael. The king's
seneschale came, the Countess Genevieve, and Isabella the Queen. Some say
others came as well, and some say that Mistress Graidhne, the Pale Herald,
was there. The council agreed that the king's will would be done
[5]
, and Prince Palymar was dispatched to tell the folk of Ealdormere since
they loved him well, and would not feel the hurt of the degree so much an
it came from their beloved Prince.
So, two weeks and two days later, at the Ice Dragon tournament, when the
fighting had ended though the feast had not yet begun, the heralds called
all folk of Ealdormere to a small chamber, where Mistress Graidhne and
Prince Palymar was waiting. Genevieve, King Alen's seneschal, was at the
tournament but she disdained to address the folk as well. There Graidhne
and Palymar told the nobles and gentles of Ealdormere of the king's
decision, and they were confused. Some waxed wroth and shouted that an
injustice had been done. Some were sad and cried freely, rending their
garments in sorrow that their land was treated so ill. Others merely sat
quietly and asked why the king had not first asked them to mend their ways
before punishing them.
That night and all the next day the folk of Ealdormere wended their way
back home in sorrow to a land that could no longer bear its name. It was a
black day in Septentria and in Skraeling Althing there was no joy. Wailing
could be heard throughout the land. It was not that they were so concerned
with a name, nor the champion; for all knew that these things were but
bagatelles which could be adopted or discarded at will. What caused them to
cry was the meanness of spirit which had been directed against them by
those whom they thought were friends, compatriots and comrades in arms.
In this month was James Macandrews stripped of the office of Eoforwic
Pursuivant by the Dragon Herald, Baron Charles O'Connor. Charles gave as
his reason that James was an herald in the East Kingdom, though even
Charles himself knew that was no longer so. Wise men said that Charles had
been instructed by the King himself to so punish James for proposing that
Ealdormere be made a Crown Principality. And some in Eoforwic said that the
post should be left vacant in protest, but James said that this would hurt
the commonwealth of Eoforwic and do their enemies no harm. And so Angharad
was made Eoforwic Pursuivant.
April A.S. XX (C.E. 1986)
 n this month was the great judging of the arts and sciences in Eoforwic for all of Ealdormere. And Fern came, and there was revelry though it was subdued. And the collars of the office of the Champion of Ealdormere and his consort were both displayed. At the feast the Baron caused to be read a tragic tale called "The Doom of Ealdormere," concerning the betrayal and death of the heroine Ealdormere. And Alistair Kirk read the tale, and in all the hall no eye was dry[6]
Later in this month there was a tournament in the Middle Marches and some
from Eoforwic travelled there. And at court afterwards did King Alen relax
the kingdom's census requirement for principalities. And a wise woman said
that this was an invitation for Ealdormere to become a principality
[7]
.
May A.S. XXI (C.E. 1986)
 n the very eve of this month and the few days preceding was the celebration of the twentieth year of the Society. The celebration was in Ansteorra, and it was a great hardship and expense to travel there, but from Eoforwic Frederic and Tamarra travelled thence, as did Duke Fionnbarr and his lady, Ragni Dzintara. From elsewhere in Ealdormere went several, including Mistress Tsivia, Fionnaidh Averylle, Dathi Thorfinsson, and Cerdic o Cuilamhan. And there was a great storm there, and Frederic and Tamarra's tent was cast down. It was then that Frederic resolved that he would have a vast pavilion that would never be cast down save when he willed it. And on his return to Eoforwic he began to employ tradesmen in the crafting of the pavilion. The great pavilion of Frederic l'Avare took nearly a year to complete, and although it was not ready for the next Pennsic War, it was completed for the one after.
In this month was Palymar crowned King of the Middle at W?urm Wald. And
there was a great tournament fought among groups of eight men, and the
group of House de Taahe included Count Nathan von Daritz who had rarely
been seen in the years before the tournament, Ranthulfr Asparlundr and
others, as well as James and Tarver. Frederic l'Avare and Tamarra his lady
came, and when James was injured, Tamarra provided soothing salve which was
made from the fat of puppies. At this coronation there was a great judging
of the arts by various nobles. Tamarra was adjudged the Arts Champion of
the Middle. James Macandrews was adjudged the best at calligraphy, and his
team-mate Ranthulfr was adjudged the best at illumination. Many others of
Ealdormere were adjudged to have submitted entries that were of the finest.
Thomas the Mailer, then of Rivenstar, entered gloves crafted of mail so
fine that many assumed them to have been made by machine. At this time
Sigridr R?ognvaldsd?ottir was first seen, and she was Tarver's lady.
Later in this month was there a tournament held at Carraig Ban to ensure
the succession, and Emrys of Gwyntarion was the victor and he was made
Crown Prince. His Princess was Emmelynne, who was named for Emmelynne who
had been queen to Alen I.
At this time the fair of Doon, near to Dubhras, was first held there;
before it had been held at Barrie
[8]
. Now did the folk of
Eoforwic and Vest Yorvik and Ben Dunfirth and the Welfengau meet there and
celebrate with the folk of the fair. And the folk of the fair gave the
Septentrians ale in return for protecting the site of the fair by night.
June A.S. XXI (C.E. 1986)
n this month Palymar the King and Katherine his Queen came to Septentria seeking soldiers to fight with the unbelted champions at the upcoming war. And there was a great tournament of teams at Ben Dunfirth in the Dunmark Park near Ancaster, and at this tournament many great deeds were done. The winners of the tournament were the King and his friends who travelled with him for they were fell fighters indeed, and Emmelynne the Princess fought with them. The de Taahe team gained great honour for their courtesy, and they were invited to fight with the unbelted champions, and they were given tokens of favour by the Queen herself. And the team consisted of Finnvarr's squires James, Tarver, and Alasdair of Raasey, Alasdair's man Alaric de Brus called Cato, and John of Slaughterfield, who fought with the de Taahes for love rather than fealty.
Baroness Caffa gained some renown for her crying out in no uncertain terms
to Michel d'Arques to stand and fight, and many nobles were entered into
orders of honour. Angharad of Nankivel was admitted to the Order of the
Willow for her needlework, and because of the mysterious heraldic ceremony
just prior to the court she was more than a bit inebriated. Charles of
Hamme was ennobled, and John of Slaughterfield and many others. Belisarius
of Anatolikon was ennobled for his "frank service" to Eoforwic, a
left-handed compliment from the Crown, for to a Greek the appellation Frank
is no honour. Maximilian Morganed of the Baron's house was ennobled, as was
Marigha ni Sean de Sianan, who was also called Liana. Glandeth Rhysmordwen
was made a companion of the Silver Oak, Deirdre of Carlyle was entered as a
companion of the Queen's Favour and both Tamarra de Romany and Fionnaidh
Averylle were created members of the noble order of the Dragon's Heart. And
at this time, the Kingdom Spear of the Middle was given to the Baroness of
Skraeling Althing to keep. And Michaele del Vaga, the Exchequer of the
whole Society came, and with her from Thescorre James Macandrews's cousins
Friedrich and Oriana and their family with them.
In Skraeling Althing was there a midsummer's revel, and there was fought a
tournament to select a champion for all of Septentria, Skraeling Althing
and Noergate. And this would be a champion for all of Ealdormere though he
would not be called such. And John of Slaughterfield was the victor and
champion, and Dierdre of Carlyle was the lady for whom he fought. An John
was Champion of Ealdormere for a long time thereafter.
So after this, Tarver the Pole and Charles of Hamme and Monika z Gniezno
departed for Drachenwald and Tarver travelled further to the lands beyond,
those of the Iron Curtain, where the boar-hunting was good. His search for
boar carried him past the borders of Poland and even into the lands of the
Rus, who were a fierce people, not keen on hunters poaching their game.
Fortunately for Tarver the Rus did not find him. Tarver claimed these
latter lands of the Iron Curtain for the Middle King, and returned with
much amber.
July A.S. XXI (C.E. 1986)
In this month Robert of Two Cliffs and Jane of Hendon did host a feast in
commemoration of the Battle of Hastings. It was a hot day indeed, in combat
as well as in weather, though it ended in rain.
And Rosanne came from the North Woods, and Robert fitz Hugh of Bannockburn
came, and from that time on were he and his lady famous friends with
Bronwyn Meredith and Lothar von W?ulfing of Eoforwic.
At this time did Deirdre of Carlyle resign her office as Mistress of Arts
and Chatelaine of Novices. Angharad of Nankivel took up the office, and
resigned as Eoforwic Pursuivant. Belisarius of Anatolikon took up the
ancient felt baldric of the pursuivant's office.
August A.S. XXI (C.E. 1986)
Early in this month, Branwen o'r Gelli Aur was first seen in Vest Yorvik,
and she would later come to Eoforwic.
Late in this month, King Palymar led the Middle to war against Ronald the
King of the East on the Pennsic fields. It came to pass that once again
that valiant warrior the Duke Laurelen Darksbane, the Baron of the
Cleftlands, was asked by the generals whom he would have under his command.
And he said the folk of Septentria, for the Septentrians had done well by
him in past wars. So the Septentrians fought in the Woods with Duke
Laurelen; and although he was a fighter full fell, sin that he knew little
of proper deployment the Septentrians were slaughtered, though their lives
they sold dearly indeed. And sin that he did not reinforce the Septentrians,
the banner and the battle were lost. In a battle on an open field, the
East attempted to deploy in maniples, after the fashion of the Romans, but
their lack of discipline betrayed them. Their left flank, in trying to
sweep the Midrealm right, was trapped between the forces of Septentria and
Calontir, the latter of which had defected to the side of the Middle from
the opposing army. In attempting to flee from their predicament, the
eastern left ran directly into the forces of Myrkfaelinn, led by John the
Pell. There was much slaughter and the Easterners died to a man.
Now John the Pell was a great lord, and the virtual ruler of Myrkfaelinn in
the East Kingdom, site of Wriotheseley Hall, seat of great learning. And
Myrkfaelinn was a great demesne, verily the size of a barony; and there was
the shop of Robert de la Mante, the greatest armourer in the known world.
Once, many years before, the eastern king had offered to make Myrkfaelinn a
barony and John a baron, and he refused. He was no baron, he said, only a
simple soldier. Besides, he preferred not to be bound by fealty, and he and
his men fought for whom they list. Years later another king offered to make
John a baron of his court, but John would have none of it, for he was a
modest man, though very generous. Only much later did a king finally
disprove the Pell's contention that he was but a modest soldier by giving
him the accolade, and so was the valiant John the Pell made a peer of the
Eastrealm.
At Pennsic court King Palymar made Mistress Graidhne a baroness of his
court, and all were much pleased by this. And Myrra of Black Wood, who had
once been the mistress of arts for all the kingdom, was made a Mistress of
the Pelican. The same court was an occasion of glory for Septentria since
Queen Katherine created Caffa a Mistress of the Laurel for her service to
the Arts, and there was much rejoycing, and she was showered with laurel
leaves. From court she was dragged to a conclave of the laurels, and there
se was held in converse while elsewhere her people did rejoyce in her
honour. With the Septentrians was their friend Aelred, a Master of the
Laurel who had no truck with these conclaves; and he did go unto the
conclave, and he did cry that Baroness Caffa's people had need of her. So
she left the meeting and joined in the merriment.
Once again did the Septentrians form the greater part of the royal guard,
this year standing watch to the exclusion of almost all others, and this
year did Septentrian heralds take up most of the duties of royal encampment
herald. Soon after did Vittoria Riola first come to Vest Yorvik.
September A.S. XXI (C.E. 1986)
 he Universitas Gryphonica was held this month in the Welfengau, and much was learned. And Chengir and Akivasha his lady came from Thescorre to the university, and they brought some of their Eastern ways. Chengir was one of the many Eastern rebels who fought with Septentria against their own king. Another of these was called Ursus, for he was truly built like a bear. Gladly did the Baron give him a bear tabard for the duration of the war.
As had been the custom, the canton of Eoforwic did display their arts and
their military skill at the walls of the White Tower that is called Fort
Book, and it rained and it was cold. Sin that the Eoforings had expected
rain, some asked what they would do in event of a downpour. Here Baron
Torbin answered, saying, "get wet, of course," and all acknowledged his
wisdom.
October A.S. XXI (C.E. 1986)
n this month was Emrys crowned king, and Emmelynne queen with him. In the East was Sebastian the Juggler-King crowned and with him Sirillian his queen. Soon after, at Crown Tournament in Tyrnewidd, was Talymar made Crown Prince, and Eislinn was made Princess. At about this time did Duke Fionnbarr close his house in Eoforwic, and move his family to a vast holding in Mount Albert near Newmarket.
Vittoria and Branwen did begin to frequent the meetings in Eoforwic at this
time. Now these two ladies were persons of great beauty, but also of
learning and skill. In particular were they known as scribes and
illuminators.
November A.S. XXI (C.E. 1986)
n the kalends of this month, King Emrys came to Rising Waters for the Feast of Bacchus. And there was a great tournament, and there was a great feast. And King Emrys held court, and there Thomas Uroshima was made companion of the Silver Oak, and James MacAndrews was made companion of the Willow. John of Slaughterfield was here made Queen's Champion and here was the Spear of the Middle Kingdom given to Septentria to keep, the shaft that lost its head but had it restored.
At this time was the Feast of the Hare celebrated at Skraeling Althing.
January A.S. XXI (C.E. 1987)
he celebration of the Twelfth Night of Christmas was conducted now in several places on several dates. The Baron celebrated the day in Trinovantia, on a day with much gaming and gambling. Here was the Cauldron of Ceridwen passed on to Robert of Two Cliffs. On another day, the Eoforings celebrated at the hall of the Lochac Merchants, and many came from Vest Yorvik. And there was a great game to determine the King and Queen of Fools, and Elsbeth's sister, a child from Vest Yorvik, was adjudged the victress. And Grimwulf the Hairy was her consort, sin that he had been next to the victor in the estimation of those gathered there. And many forfeits were paid by many gentles, and Tarver danced his Slavic dance of the seven veils, and many were glad. Elsbeth of Sherbourne came to Eoforwic in this month. Deirdre Carlyle was here gravely displeased by the conduct of one gentle, and was seen much less hereafter.
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