The First Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic

Page 5 of 10

August A.S. XII (C.E. 1977)

n this month King Finnvarr led his armies to the Debatable Lands to do battle with King Fernando of the East. And the Midrealm narrowly escaped defeat, for the East had many allies and mercenaries, including several dukes out of the West and the savage Tuchuks. King Finnvarr defeated the Eastern monarch in single combat, after which both armies withdrew. Sylard later drew the story of these battles, and copies were sent throughout the realm. In the peaceful competitions Liliane d"Alezane excelled, winning the second place among the artisans. And Lady Gillian proved her skill in songwriting, poetry, and dancing.

September A.S. XII (C.E. 1977)

orth Woods celebrated Their Majesties' mutual birthday with a tourney. King Finnvarr fought twenty-seven challenges and was kissed by twenty-sevenadies, in honor of his age. Hugo von Feuerklippe was again champion of the day.

On the XVIIth Torbin and Ragni of Amberhall led a quest in Eoforwic. The questors were challenged by drunken knights, enchanted damsels, and a basilisk on their way to win a scroll from the Wizard of the Tower, who again was troubling the shire. The goal was finally accomplished by Lilladrel and her company. Among those who made the quest possible were Conrad von Wollenrodt, Konrad von Drachenruhe, Aedan, Kaffa, and their son Finn, as well as Batwarda, a friend of Dubadaessa newly arrived in Eoforwic. The King awarded arms to Torbin, Ragni, and Liliane d'Alezane. Also, Lady Gillian, after three years of service, resigned the seneschalate in favor of Dubadaessa of Kilkerry, long her deputy.

October A.S. XII (C.E. 1977)

n the Ist and IInd Eoforwic participated along with many other guilds of the town in a performance of the York cycle of Mystery plays. Maelstrom, Gwendolyn Smardon, and Finnvarr, under the able direction of Dubadaessa, presented the story of the Expulsion from Eden. Many outland folk came toee the pageant, despite torrents of rain, and various members of Eoforwic sold goods and food to them.

On the XVth Finnvarr and Caellyn surrendered their thrones to Merowald and Kirsten in the march of the Cleftlands. the retiring monarchs threw gold to the populace and awarded arms to Maelstrom. the accession of Merowald was celebrated by a grand masque of the Norman Conquest written by Lady Gillian and performed by the folk of Eoforwic and North Woods. Many fierce battles were re-enacted and the chief parts were taken by the Saxon Earl Merowald and the Norman Duke Dagan du Darregonne. In the evening court Finnvarr de Taahe and Caellyn FitzHugh were made Duke and Duchess.

November A.S. XII (C.E. 1977)

ugo von Feuerklippe journeyed alone to Carraig Ban to fight in the Midrealm Crown Tourney. And he took third place in that contest. Later in the same month he was champion a third time in North Woos, whence he returned to Eoforwic to teach the bransle officiel, a new dance he had learned there.

About the same time news came to Eoforwic that Tsivia bas Tamara had founded a new shire named Skraeling Althing at Bytown-on-the-Ottawa. Also, word came of the shire of Kalenda Formas in Ayton, which included Nicholas Tiercel and Reinald, the brother of Konrad von Drachenruhe; this shire was, however, short-lived.

December A.S. XII (C.E. 1977)

This month Eoforwic went wassailing for the first time.

January A.S. XII (C.E. 1978)

t Twelth Night Torbin and Ragni of Amberhall hosted a most delicious twelve-course feast at Amberhall. On this occasion Konrad von Drachenruhe was honored with a mimed ballad written by Gillian, played by Caitlin, and performed by the shire folk.

A week later both Konrad von Drachenruhe and Caitlin Stuart were honored in North Woods by King Merowald and Queen Kirsten with awards of arms, Konrad for his long service to the shire, Caitlin for her talents as an embroiderer, musician, and illuminator. For she had begun to practice these arts with great skill, and was then producing many scrolls for the Crown. It was here that Sylard heard that there were Society folk in Amherstburg near Starleaf Gate. For a short while Eoforwic believed, falsely, that there was a shire in Amherstburg.

At the end of this month, Sylard showed the shire folk the blades, armor, and tools that he had created at his forge. Soon after this, Aedan began to work metal as well; for the new fighters of the shire, who included Aedan and Kaffa, needed armor, and there was none to be bought in nearby baronies. Over the next two ears Eoforwic would become a center of armoring.

February A.S. XII (C.E. 1978)

oforwic celebrated the beginning of Lent with a feast of pancakes. At Three Hills' Valentine's Day Massacre, Duke Finnvarr distinguished himself as a commander of melee teams. At Thescorre, Hugo won a tourney and Aedan and Kaffa fought for the first time. Following this, Finnvarr departed for oversea and visited the Barony of the Far Isles, and many foreign cities and libraries.

March A.S. XII (C.E. 1978)

n this month the Shire of Rhydderich Hael held the tourney of the Passing of the Ice Dragon. the people of Eoforwic were much in evidence. There was a great arts competition, which Lady Caitlin Stuart won, followed closely by Sylard. And Hugo was runner-up in the lists to Master Frederick. The shire-folk, on request, performed various mimed ballads. In this period a great friendship grew up between Hugo and Morgan Elandris, the seneschal of Rhydderich Hael, and for a while Hugo bore Morgan's favor.

Noerlanda hosted the third Feast of the Bear. There was good food, song, and storytelling; the occasion was remarkable for a live chess game, which was most confused.

April A.S. XII (C.E. 1978)

oforwic joined with the townsfolk in support of the Royal Museum. Numerous members of the shire fought and danced or the amusement of the barbarians, who in return gave them rich gifts including, strangely, a meal of insects.

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

n the XIIIth of May, a great company from Eoforwic went to North Woods to attend a tourney at which, it was rumored, the King would recognize Septentria as a barony. When the Eoforings arrived, however, they found King Merowald absent and his household leading a squires' revolt. Now the knights of the realm rallied to Queen Kirsten's side, and Duke Finnvarr and Lady Gillian joined them, but others of Eoforwic, including Lord Hugo, went over to the rebels. The chivalry, who were only seven, were greatly outnumbered but they prevailed anyway, cutting down all the rebels except Hugo, who escaped their vengeance. The celebration of this victory made the evening revels especially joyous; only the apparent loss of Sir Elestron saddened the populace. Queen Kirsten, after graciously awarding her supporters, recalled the Royal Promises in regard to Septentria. Lady Gillian d'Uriel was summoned before the Throne, and invested as baroness of the Northland. Scarcely had Gillian received proper congratulations forhis when she was summoned by the Crown once more, and admitted to the Noble Order of the Laurel in recognition of her contributions to dance, poetry, and drama in the Society. Thus the thirteenth year of the Society proved a lucky one for Septentria and Gillian, who returned to Eoforwic both a baroness and a Peer of the Realm.

In the same month Moonwulf and Zarina were crowned in the barony of Rivenstar. The new Queen sponsored a tournament for women, which Kaffa Muiriath won. Kaffa, however, was dissatisfied with the conditions under which the lists were held, and ever afterwards refused to consider this a true victory.

A week later the Crown Lists were held in three Rivers. despite the terrible heat, which felled several combatants, Hugo again distinguished himself, beating three opponents with one blow each and placing third in the lists. Here Duke Finnvarr agreed to take Morgan Elandris of Rhydderich Hael as his squire. House de Taahe thus allied itself with House Elandris which, though yet small, was already gaining a reputation as a band of skilled warriors.