The Second Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic

Page 2 of 7

A.S. XVI (C.E. 1981)

t this time, the land of Eoforwic was a star in the zenith of the firmament, for the seat of the realm was there. The King of the Middle Kingdom was Sir Hugo von Feuerklippe, and the crown sat fair upon his brow; with his Queen, Caitlin Stuart, together they ruled the land. The whole of the Kingdom came to know Eoforwic and its people, despite its distance from the accustomed centre of the Kingdom.

The folk of Eoforwic numbered many, and the officers were these: Bronwyn Meredith Kirk was Seneschal, Torbin of Amberhall was Pursuivant, Kaffa Muiriath was Marshal, Mordreth Llanelli Colwyn was the Mistress of Arts, and Megan of Silverthorne was Exchequer. The office of the Master of Sciences could not be wrested from the control of the peasant rebels. And the Households that were in strength at this time were these: de Taahe, Eagleshaven, Teacht Ceartha Mor, Amberhall, Inness, Trahaus, and Winnan Blowan.

August A.S. XVI (C.E. 1981)

he East was once again threatening the borders of the Kingdom. Eoforwic therefore girded itself for battle and travelled into the Debatable Lands. The Xth Pennsic War was a milestone for the Midrealm, for it was the first War that was lost; the huge host of the East and its allies fell upon them, and force of numbers won the day. In the defence of the forest, the Midrealm Standard was defended on an island in a river, and this was where the Eoforwic forces stood against the onslaught of both the Rhydderich Hael and the Prince of Atlantia's troops, but even this emplacement was overrun. King Hugo fell in the wane of the battle, so Moonwulf gathered about him the best warriors, and pressed full forward towards the Eastrealm Standard, and laying about him with many great blows, came within a spear's length of the Eastrealm Royal Household and their Standard. But alas, even this great effort c(a)me to naught, and the Midrealm swore that such a defeat should never happen again.

Also at this War was created the Order of the Bear's Claw, an award of the Barony of Septentria, given to those who give a significant contribution to the war effort, be it material or otherwise; and its first recipients were Helmut of Greenland and Broder from Castel Rouge. Kaffa was at this time the King's Champion. This was the first year that anyone ventured to inhabit the forests below the fields on which the armies camped and fought. Septentrians were the first to settle these lands, and they cleared the brush from between the trees, and made this place habitable, and thus established their right to pitch their camp in that place.

Upon their return from the War, the people of Eoforwic found their peasantry in open revolt, and the matter was decided on a day that was coincidentally Queen Caitlin's birthday. The rabble made show of battle with many rustic implements, and were led by Tor, Ugh, and John the Churl. The peasants of Rising Waters presented their Queen with a freestanding garde-robe. By even-time, the nobility could again show their faces with out fear. At Court, Lady Mordreth Colwyn was received as a Companion of the Order of the Willow, and Torbin of Amberhall and Illtyd the Apostate received each an Augmentation of Arms.

It was around this time that Perygryne and Rowena joined the folk of Eoforwic, as well as a group of friends of Guillaume de Provance, among whom were Monica z Gniezno, and Gwynedd who was called Gill. They were musicians, and they played as the Eoforwic Consort.

September A.S. XVI (C.E. 1981)

t this time, the Region of Calontir desired to become a Principality, and it was King Hugo that lent great support of the Crown to their venture. It was a great day, then, when King Hugo and Queen Caitlin presided over the first Calontir Principality Coronet Tournament, which sealed many bonds between the folk of Calontir and the King and Queen and their homeland.

Although Hugo and Caitlin seemed to the people of Eoforwic and many others to be good and conscientious monarchs, a few influential folk took some of their actions amiss. At Calontir's Coronet Feast, Caitlin was astonished to hear from her successor that the Ladies of the Rose had decided not to admit her to their Order, and this greatly saddened Hugo, Caitlin, and their well-wishers. Thus the ending of their reign was less happy than it should have been, and the folk of the north were no little discouraged. By the same measure, a pall was cast over the Order of the Rose.

It was around this time that Ragni Dzintara began to print a monthly pamphlet to keep the people of Eoforwic informed of happenings within the Canton, and it was called the No Name Newsletter, after the likewise nameless public house at the hall at the magistri artium. House Inness maintained a great list of the gentlefolk of Eoforwic, complete with records of where they lodged, and suggestions for how best to reach them.

October A.S. XVI (C.E. 1981)

ll great times have their end, as befits the great scheme of things that hath wrought heavens and earth, and there came the day when King Hugo and Queen Caitlin stepped off the Dragon Thrones, and placed their crowns upon the heads of their successors, Moonwulf and Takya; and Sir Hugo was instituted as Graf, and Caitlin as Countess. Torbin of Amberhall fought in the lists which Moonwulf won. On this occasion, Carolyn of Amberview received her Award of Arms, Enid Aurelia received a Willow for the performing arts, and Countess Caitlin was received into the Order of the Laurel in recognition of her talents at embroidery and her teaching thereof.

At this time, then, was the reign of Moonwulf and Takya. At their first Court, Torbin was received into the Order of the Purple Fret. Later this month, Afon Araf had a Sou'e'en event at which Hugo acted as butler.

November A.S. XVI (C.E. 1981)

Rhiannon of Wye made first her appearance in this month. This lady knew much of arts and music, and was to accomplish many things in this wise.

January A.S. XVI (C.E. 1982)

On the IXth day of this month, the founding Baroness Septentria, Gillian d'Uriel, was married to Lord Alair of the Bloody Fountain.

Fast away the old year passed, and Twelfth Night arrived. In Eoforwic, this was celebrated on the XVIth of the month. Tamarra hosted the populace at the Latvian House, and all were fêted grandly. Eoforings were very warlike in those days, and so there was a tourney. This day was the birth day of Fionn mac Aedan, the Baron's son, and senior squire to Sir Hugo. He had reached the age when he would pass into manhood, and the Baron, to mark the occasion, called forth his son before the populace at Court, and placed around his neck a golden torque to let all present know that he was now indeed a man.

On this occasion, Aedan and Kaffa each gave the other a Bear's Claw, and this was the way of it: Charles d'Arnaud raised a petition and gave it to Aedan, that he receive Kaffa into the Order, which he did. She then awarded him the same honour in turn. The Baron and Baroness then resolved never to give awards to each other again.

The Eoforwic players put forth a play entitled Eoforwic Ten Years From Now:

Act I, "Court:" Sylard (played by Finnvarr) is "King of the North," and is advised by Finnvarr (played by Sylard), a senile old Duke. The Court hears various petitions (from Bronwyn and Imrahael, among others), and, in the spirit of true Northern hospitality, all are offered beer, which is the seat of power. Morgan Elandris (played by Mordreth), King by Right of Arms of the East, arrives -- with dozens of King's Consorts -- for diplomatic negotiations. She and King Sylard retire to a back room, and return to announce that the Middle would be fighting for the East at War.

Act II, "War:" The entire forces of the Known World array themselves on the battlefield, and discover they have no-one to fight. A mysterious black knight arrives, and destroys them all. He reveals himself to be Fionn (played by Illtyd).

The Canton of Rising Waters hosted the Baronial Twelfth Night on the XXIII(rd) of the month.

February A.S. XVI (C.E. 1982)

A child was born unto Eoforwic's Seneschal, Bronwyn Kirk of Inness and her husband, Alistair, on the VIIth day of this month, and she was named Trista.

Edmond Fitztonge passed the Chronicler's office and care of the Ursus on to Artair of Orkney about this time, and Strygor von Talmetz published the infamous Nasty Book of Viking Verse.

March A.S. XVI (C.E. 1982)

In this month, Mordreth Colwyn assumed the duties of Baronial Mistress of Arts in addition to her duties as the Eoforwic Officer of that capacity.

Upon the XIIIth day, all traveled to the edge of the Barony, to the Canton of Starleaf Gate, which did host the IIIrd Clancy Day Tournament and Feast. Graf Hugo won a thirty-six man list. Within the Royal Court that was held that evening, Perygryne, Rowena of Bristol, Edmond Fitztonge, Valentina Althea, and Stepann Ruthenko all received Awards of Arms; Sylard of Eagleshaven was received as a Companion of the Order of the Willow, for his skill in metalwork and the decoration thereof; and Aelflaeda fitz Alain rec(ei)ved a Purple Fret. The baby Trista was presented in Court, and Hugo and Caitlin were given the deed to Casa Loma, which they had been given in fief, and the matter of squatters was discussed.

Also of note and import to the folk of Eoforwic and Septentria was the recognition of the King and Queen that Skraeling Althing had reached the stature of a Barony. Lady Enid Aurelia of the Tin Isles was instituted Founding Baroness of the new Barony. Also at this time was a musical performance of "Baron Aedan and his Consort."

April A.S. XVI (C.E. 1982)

n the IIIrd day of this month, the brother Canton of Noerlanda held its annual University and Feast of the Bear. Of the lords and ladies there present, there were some who had not been seen before: Megan Oriel la Rodeuse, John of Slaughterfield, and Tarver the Pole. Megan was a lady passing fair, with long dark hair. John was at that time called Draco, and he sought to improve his "knight life." Although Tarver was greater in height than most men, he was at that time still an impressionable young man, and had as yet no beard. Among the various classes presented at this University, there was a comprehensive discussion of Wenching, but it was the last class of its kind ever to be presented.

May A.S. XVII (C.E. 1982)

In this month began the reign of King Andrew and Queen Shara.

On the XXIIIrd, the fighters of Eoforwic gathered in the shadow of the Great Library of the University and partook in a small tournament among themselves to celebrate the return of warm fighting weather. Unfortunately, the warm weather did not actually return until a short time later.