The First Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic

Page 7 of 10

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

he squires of North Woods invited the Midrealm's chivalry to a day of peaceful arts, and a large number of Eoforings went to take part. When they arrived they found that the squires were actually planning revolt. When the knights once again quashed the rebellion, the defeated squires were permitted to discharge their debt of honor by fighting each other in a grand melee, which Caelwulf Longstrider won. As a reward, he was given a silent squire, that is, a small cart for hauling Sir Rolac's armor. Torbin and Ragni both distinguished themselves in the tourney lists, and Sir Hugo was the ultimate victor. At the evening court, Finn mac Aedan and Batwarda both received arms. Later, in the midst of the dancing, Sir Hugo proposed to Lady Caitlin Stuart.

That same month Morgan of Lindisfarne became the first to hold the title of baronial mistress of arts.

And there was a Spring Tourney in Beau Fleuve, which Duke Finnvarr won, his first victory since he began to fight left-handed. He crowned Lady Ragni Dzintara as his Queen of Love and Beauty, which was accounted a scandal by some.

May A.S. XIV (C.E. 1979)

n the Ist Eoforwic celebrated the beginning of the Society year with a revel at Amberhall. It was the first appearance of Dea Carlyle, who attended as a potential employer of fighters and dancers. She remained after her business was completed and soon was a member of the canton.

Crown Tournament was held this spring in the March of the Unicorn, in the Barony of the Flaming Gryphon. Sir Hugo was defeated only by the two finalists, the victorious Sir Alen and Duke Merowald. He was disappointed at this result, for he knew that Merowald had only been convinced to enter the tourney at the last minute to fill an uneven list. King Laurelen challenged the knights of the Midrealm to take up the Great Quest for knowledge; and several knights did so. And Laurelen summoned Torbin of Amberhall, and for his contribution to this Quest, made Torbin baron. Ragni Dzintara was highly honored as well -- for her hospitality and her cooking she was made a Companion of the Purple Fret. Lady Jehanne l'Enragee was named Poet Laureate of the Middle Kingdom for her great skill in that art.

June A.S. XIV (C.E. 1979)

n this month Eoforwic held its usual summer tourney. his time it was called the Round Tourney, and was hosted by Lady Caitlin Stuart. The tourney was graced by many noble guests, especially King Laurelen, Prince Alen and Princess Emellin. Duke Cariadoc of the Bow, that noble Moor who first sat on the Midrealm Throne accompanied these latter and amazed the po(p)ulace with his prowess. There was a Round Robin melee tourney which was won by Sir Hugo's company, and much other fighting, including a battle where the King, Prince, and Princess took on many times their number and won.

The feast was another of Ragni's triumphs. It featured a series of round subtleties, ending with a cubical representation of the Known World, filled with nuts. The King elevated Jehanne l'Enragee, Illtyd, and Enid Aurelia to the Order of the Purple Fret for their outstanding service to their cantons. Also, at this time Kaffa Muiriath became Knight Marshal of Eoforwic.

Thereafter Jehanne l'Enragee, long a loyal supporter of Eoforwic, moved to the Roaring Wastes. She helped revive that canton of North Woods from its long dormancy and has served to this day as its seneschal.

Lady Morgan of Lindisfarne was elevated to the Order of the Willow. She was honored for her accomplishments in costumery and embroidery.

July A.S. XIV (C.E. 1979)

he people of the town performed the play of the Castle of Perseverance. The merchants of Eoforwic and some of Skraeling Althing sold food and other goods, and Eoforwic performed a play of a wicked abbess and a valiant yeoman who escaped her oppression.

Later, the Middle Kingdom fought the East in the Debatable Lands, and was fought to a standstill. Yet the fighters of Septentria did well. In the great woods battle, where most of the Midrealm army was cut down, Sir Hugo and Aedan na Kincora fought to the end around the Midrealm standard. Stepann Ruthenko, then a very new fighter, showed praiseworthy prowess in battle. Duke Paul of Bellatrix was present at this war, training fighters old and new. The folk of Eoforwic were very impressed by his teaching, and decided to bring him to Septentria later in the year. Lady Caitlin undertook to make the necessary arrangements.

August A.S. XIV (C.E. 1979)

hortly after the Pennsic War, two notable outlanders settled in Eoforwic. The first was Bolverk of Momchilavitch, no stranger to the older members, and her lord, Sir Seamus Peacemaker. Seamus had been a founder of Drachenwald (then Thairis) in oversea and was now one of the foremost fighters of the Principality of An Tir. Eoforwic greatly benefited from their wide experience of the Society and from Bolverk's unflagging enthusiasm. They taught the canton's fighters new techniques, and founded the Eoforwic Culinary Guild in imitation of the one existing in the Barony of Madrone.

In the middle of this month Eoforwic held its customary fall tourney at Philosopher's Walk. There was an open lists won by Sir Hugo and a novice lists won by Barak Elandris Mago. There were also numerous melees, in which Caelwulf Longstrider showed particular skill as a commander. But the day was most memorable for the number of new members who appeared. Three came to Eoforwic from Castel Rouge: Vladimir Bohdan Blahuciak, an experienced fighter, Mordreth Llanelli Colwyn, and Breanaidh ni Naoimin. Others, no less remarkable, were completely new to the Society: the wandering scholar Huisdean nan Eilan and the merchant Helmut of Greenland. And Alistair Kirk returned to Eoforwic after a summer absence with his new wife Bronwyn. These folk made a great contribution to the canton, which now became a sizeable community. Most notably the number of fighters doubled, as all the foregoing save Mordreth and Bronwyn, but including Megan, Illtyd, and Llyra, the new seneschal of Noerlanda, trained and authorized for the lists. Vladimir soon became Sir Hugo's squire.

A week after the Eoforwic tourney, several Eoforings travelled to North Woods, where Sir Seamus and Bolverk made their marks, each in a characteristic way: Seamus won the tourney, and Bolverk, challenged by Princess Emellin, convinced her that they should decide the contest by placing two crickets in a circle and seeing whose jumped out first. Bolverk won this duel.

The next week, at Beau Fleuve's Summer's End Tourney, Seamus was once again victorious in the lists.

Also this month Caitlin Stuart resigned as seneschal in favor of Ragni, and Sylard lay down the arts office. Megan succeeded Ragni in the exchequer, and Caitlin was briefly Mistress of Arts. Mordreth then took up the latter office.

October A.S. XIV (C.E. 1979)

hroughout this year Aedan had become increasingly more skilled as a designer and builder of armor. At their last court King Laurelen and Queen Ithriliel chose to recognize his contribution to knowledge by making him one of the first members of the Order of the Silver Oak. Both Aedan and the rest of Eoforwic heard of this later, since none had attended that event.

There followed the Crown Tournament in Illiton, where Finnvarr surrendered the Earl Marshalship to Earl Laurelen, and Bolverk defeated three knights in challenges.

November A.S. XIV (C.E. 1979)

n the IIIrd Afon Araf held its first tourney. This new canton had been founded in Stratford by Strygor von Tolmetz, once of Eoforwic, and Artair mac Artair of Orkney, assisted by Gottfried von Beringen and Christian von Rosenberg. It was an event remarkable for fighting and dancing. The tournament was won by Sir Seamus; Hugo later held the field for five fights with dagger and buckler, until Sylard finally defeated him with dagger and shirt.

The next week the Feast of the Hare was celebrated in Skraeling Althing. The hosts were Spurius Furius Eruditus and Aelflaeda FitzAlain. Those attending were challenged to bring a dragon, or a representation, and Ragni's was judged the best -- it was Eanor, marvellously attired. Several dances choreographed by Baroness Gillian were performed, and Sir Hugo was victorious in the lists.

December A.S. XIV (C.E. 1979)

n this month Duke Paul of Bellatrix visited from the West Kingdom. With the assistance of Sir Seamus, he taught twenty fighters from Septentria and North Woods both the rudiments and the subtleties of sword and shield combat. His strenuous training sessions were followed by equally strenuous revels, which became notorious in their own right. This was a most memorable occasion.

The month ended with wassailing and a local tournament sponsored by Bolverk and Seamus. It was won by Skylock, a protege of Sylard's, a yet unauthorized novice who beat all comers. Skylock left with his prize, a keg of beer, and was never seen again.

January A.S. XIV (C.E. 1980)

nce more Eoforwic celebrated Twelfth Night with a feast. Megan of Silverthorne was the host, and with the help of the Culinary Guild she provided well for the canton. Baroness Gillian forbade the feast to be served forth until a prodigy took place. As if by command, one did. The Lady Kaffa Muiriath appeared at the door, carrying a great treasure to present to the Baroness and her court. But as she entered the hall, a ragged knave ran out fro(m) the crowd of bystanders, seized the treasure, and escaped into the night. Kaffa was bereft. She explained that a holy hermit had entrusted her with the True Belt of Peace, and that she had brought it tonight that the barony might enjoy its blessing. Gillian then commanded a Quest for the Belt of Peace, so that it might be recovered by Midsummer. Many undertook the quest.

After this prodigy Hugo and Caitlin were installed as King and Queen of Fools. And they ruled well until Alistair and Bronwyn surpassed them in foolery and took their thrones. This was the first time that Frederick l'Avarre and Tamara Amalthea of Romany appeared in the canton. They were adherents of the Old Religion; because they themselves were such charming folk, their beliefs slowly gained followers.

Also, news came to Eoforwic that Caelwulf Longstrider had been honored by the Crown for his poetry, and elevated to the Order of the Willow.

February A.S. XIV (C.E. 1980)

ver since Duke Paul's visit, the fighters of Eoforwic had been waiting for an opportunity to practice their new skills on outsiders. In this month Rhydderich Hael gave them that chance. Helmut of Greenland, in his first tournament, fought very well. Mordain Blackcloak, who had traveled all the way from Skraeling, did great deeds. Sir Hugo, however, fought best of all, winning two lists in one day.

Later, Skraeling Althing hosted a tourney which was won by Aedan na Kincora. Mordain Blackcloak showed himself a worthy adversary. (The Skraelings properly date this to Feb XIII.)

Sylard of Eagleshaven, who had long been unpaid by his master, Duke Finnvarr, closed his forge suddenly and left Eoforwic for the far North. He was not to return until the fall.

On St. Valentine's Day Baroness Gillian held her court in Eoforwic and judged cases of Love with the help of Lady Caitlin and Sir Seamus. She was shocked at how low virtue had fallen in the last year, and handed out strict forfeits to all offenders. many, indeed, were sent on quest to give them an opportunity to reflect on their sins. Duke Finnvarr was not present, but sent word that he was held captive by Saracens.