The Fourth Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic

Page 5 of 7

Of Great Court at Pennsic, of Katerina de Turenne and of Rhiannon of Wye.

he night after Midrealm court (the eighteenth of August), two ladies received high honours in the Great Court that marked the final evening of Pennsic XIX. One was Lady Katerina de Turenne from West Yorvik, and the other was Lady Rhiannon of Wye from Eoforwic.

Lady Katerina was the first seneschal of Ealdormere, even before there was an Ealdormere in the eyes of the Kingdom. She worked long and hard to bring the outlaw land in from the cold of Alen's proscription. Without her there would have been no Principality of Ealdormere, and so she was rewarded by the Crown with membership in the most noble Order of the Pelican. All agreed this was meet recognition for Mistress Katerina's labours, but all knew that the greatest reward for Katerina was the strong and peaceful land of Ealdormere itself, a reward she did share liberally with all.

Lady Rhiannon of Wye was a lady who studied at the University and learned from wise men the language of the Gaels. She taught herself to play the harp and won both fame and rich rings with her skill, for she wrote songs which pleased many. She became harper to Baron Aeden and Baroness Kaffa and joined their House. When King Alen made his terrible proscription Rhiannon wrote a dirge for Ealdormere. So sad was this dirge that all who heard it wept and rent their clothes for the loss of Ealdormere. Lady Rhiannon also worked precious metal and studied the science of enamelling jewellery. While her skills as a jeweller were notable, her great love and talent was the harp. At Pennsic XIX she did play her harp for Queen Lisa I in the Queen's camp, who was well pleased with her and bade Rhiannon sit a vigil and then join the Order of the Laurel at Great Court. These things were done, and when the War was over Mistress Rhiannon did return to Eoforwic from the Debatable Lands. On her return she did take several apprentices from around Eoforwic, all of whom were young girls of spirit and mischief. These included Luanmaise and Aveline, who did study the harp.

Of the travails of arms in Eoforwic.

bout this time Eoforwic lost its venerable site for winter fight practice. For various reasons the scholars of the magistri artium did no longer allow the fighters of Eoforwic to train in their venerable and well-worn gymnasium. For a time practice was held in the school sponsored by the University (which had been a grammar school for wayward and dissolute boys, until young girls were admitted as students and the institution sank into a shmble of heresy and depravity), but this was not a success and the school's extortionate fees for space became too high for even the richest of the City's burghers to tolerate. In the years to come other sites would be sought for when it was too cold to fight in the fields around the white tower of Fort Book. As time ssed many noticed the decline of skill-at-arms in Eoforwic, for while the City Militia were ever steady in battle there were no great tourney fighters in Eoforwic as was the case as recently as when John Slaughterfield fought. There was not even a pell within the City walls on which fighters could practice.

Some blamed the lack of regular winter practice for this decline in martial skill and ardour, though others noted that the fighters were aging, verging on respectability and their wives and sweethearts ^[38] were not amused by the stink of a warrior's honest sweat. Whatever the reason, the proficiency of Eoforwic's fighters began its decline. Promising tourney fighters began to sojourn outside the City to seek training and worthy opponents.

^[38] Or both; everything you've heard about Eoforwic IS true.

Of the second Coronet Tourney in Ealdormere and other matters.

t the end of the first reign of the Prince of Ealdormere, the twenty-second day of September in the twenty-fifth year of the Society, David and Tangwystl went to the land of the Rising Waters to see their heir selected and enthroned. This was the time in the history of Ealdormere when a Prince's heir was marshalled in the morning, selected by combat before dinner and made Prince after dinner. It may seem hard to believe, but it was so for the first eight Princes of Ealdormere and is attested to in many Chronicles. That morning Prince David and Princess Tangwystl stepped down from the Trillium Seats, and that evening were made first Viscount and Viscountess Ealdormere.

It was also on this day that the first edition of "The Book of the Reign of David and Tangwystl" was distributed to its subscribers.

The tourney to select the second Prince and Princess of the North was long and hard-fought, though it was fought outside Eoforwic and no Eoforings distinguished themselves. In the final bout met Michel d'Arques from West Yorvik, and Roak, a warrior of the great House of the Rozakii, who hailed from the farm country around Ben Dunfirth. This final bout was terrible to behold, for many thunderous blows were thrown and few were seen to register. Several folk far away from the list field feared for their lives, for the snorting and crashing in the field resounded like a stampede of a herd of the dread Rhinoceros. In one passage at arms Roak was struck on the leg and fell to his knees. He made to defend himself as Michel advanced again and Michel announced, in a loud voice, "Ordinarily I'd give you a point of honour, but it's the finals of Coronet so I won't." At that moment many realized that it was wrong to associate Michel with the Rhinoceros for, though his skin was thick as a Rhinoceros' and his manner was subtle as a Rhinoceros', a Rhinoceros has a prominent horn and with such comments Michel revealed he was missing an important point altogether.

Michel won the bout and the day. He claimed the Coronet for the lady who had given him her favour to bear, Lady Kaellyn MacDermott from West Yorvik. Kaellyn was a diligent chirurgeon who had once hailed from Noerlandia, before it fell into ruin; she welldeserved the great honour done her that day. While Kaellyn had given her favour to Michel to bear in the list, it was simply as a friend.

That afternoon King Comar I and Queen Lisa I ^[39] presided as the first Prince and Princess stepped down from the Trillium Seat. That evening the Crown elevated Michel and Kaellyn to the Coronet, and they also gave several awards. Premier among them was the elevation of the new Viscountess Tangwystl to the Order of the Laurel for the excellence of her research into the art and science of costuming, especially in later periods. As is sometimes the custom when creating a Peer, the Crown bade other Peers speak on the candidate's behalf. Sir David rose to speak as a member of the Chivalry. Many perceived a rent in his clothes needing repair, and in good humour they cried out "Fix! Fix!" to indicate this. To quell the noise King Comar stood and made it known that he would speak his peace for he was both Knight and King and none dared stop him. There were no rents in his Royal garments and indeed none dared cry "Fix!", not even in jest, so the court continued and Tangwystl became a Laurel.

^[39] This also meant that for the few hours between the stepping down of one Coronet and the investiture of the next, the Crown of the Middle also held the title of Prince and Princess of Ealdormere. This was the case of each Crown from the time of Comar I and Lisa I to Dag II and Ilsa II, who was the last King to see a Coronet of the North made in one day (Cordigan and Diane). King Jafar and Queen Catherine saw Gunter and Jolecia made Heir and Heiress of Ealdormere, closing the periodic gap in the Northern succession.

Among others recognized that evening was Lord Helmut of Greenland. He was also made a member of the Order of the Laurel, for his mastery of the blacksmith's art. While aware of the honour done him, Helmut was not pleased by this turn of events. He worked day-in and day-out in the old village near the ruins of Noerlandia. Master Helmut deemed it unseemly that the King and Queen recognize with a Peerage that work he did in the village for pay, so he renounced his Laurel some weeks later (though it was said that he never formally resigned his Peerage according to law). Be that as it may, he was a fine smith, a kind man and his blades were prized.

Several lesser awards were given that night. Among them were Awards of Arms to Lords Trumbrand the Wanderer from Ben Dunfirth and Ranulf of West Yorvik, who were not Eoforings but in years to come would separately make most of the basket hilts for the swords of the City Militia. Feardubh of Eoforwic received the (first of what would eventually be two Awards of the) Purple Fret from the Crown for his service to all as a musician, especially in his role as the tireless bassoon "oom-pah"ing away under the rest of the musicians at dance practices and events, and all were well pleased. Baron Menken Brechen from the Skrael also received a Purple Fret that night, for he was ever a faithful servant of both Crown and people and a kind and gentle man also.

Lord Rory Cennedi the Kid received from the hands of the Crown an invitation to join the Order of the Dragon's Tooth, for while some called him "the Kid", on the field no fighter thought him a callow boy for long. This is the same Cennedi who some calle

"Duke-Slayer" for besting the great Easterner Morghun Sheridan in the open field in the shadow of Mount Eislinn, but that is another tale.

Lord Tai Chin Wu was awarded the Doe's Grace by Queen Lisa, and all agreed that he was well worthy of such attention, though some wags observed that the Queen's Favour was not the only favour given by a lady to the rakish Mongol Tai. Scurrilous comments aside, Lord Tai received his award from the same hand that had just given the Doe's Grace to her Excellency Baroness Fiona of Rising Waters, and all present agreed that Tai was therefore in good company.

The Lady Arwen Saint Amour of Eoforwic was made a member of the Order of the Willow, for her calligraphy and illumination was of especial skill and great worth. This, of course, was before she travelled off to the lands south of Trimaris and disappeared in the sinister jungles while stalking the fabled Tail of Ix, the Jaguar who Walked like a Man. Lord Alasdair of Ra'asay (he who was Finnvarr's squire and Sylard's man) also joined the Order of the Willow, and many marvelled at this for his diverse arts were of such skill that all assumed he had joined this august order long before. This was not the case, and he took his rightful place that night.

The Coronation of King Dag I and Queen Ilsa I.

s is the way in the Middle Kingdom, King Comar I and his Queen Lisa tired of the great burden of the Dragon Throne and their heirs, Crown Prince Dag and Crown Princess Ilsa, saw this. They became resolved to seize the Throne and make themselves King an

Queen. While this aspiration smacks of regicide and patricide, such has been the custom in the Middle Kingdom for many years and is accepted as a rightful course of events by great lords temporal and spiritual, and even by the counsellors of the Imperium who sit on the ancient Board in the far west. Comar and Lisa planned to visit their Canton of Roaring Wastes, across the narrows from that den of heretics Starleaf Gate, on the thirteenth of October, Anno Societatis XXV and in Roaring Wastes (which was all known to them) did Dag and Ilsa resolve to act.

In morning court, which was held in the glory of a gothic church rivalling the finest of the cathedrals which I have seen in my recent wanderings, several awards were given. Queen Lisa did with her own hands make Awards of the Doe's Grace to two Ealdormerians, Ladies Elaine Walais of Cawdor from West Yorvik and Madinia Devereaux O'Tuatail, later from Eoforwic. While both ladies had been Ladies-in-Waiting to Princess Tangwystl and had offered the Coronet good service, they had also provided service to Queen Lisa at Pennsic XIX for which Her Majesty was grateful.

The Crown was also minded to offer Baroness Fiona Averylle O'Connor of Maidenhead, the founding Baroness of Rising Waters and former Dragon Herald, membership in the right noble Order of the Pelican. Her Excellency Fiona had been placed on vigil some weeks before, that she might consider her decision. To the Crown's great pleasure she decided to join the Pelicanate and was invested with the tokens of her new degree.

After this happy event there was a great uproar and from every door of the church came men in black and white livery, brandishing arms, some of whom lined the sanctuary rail with pikes. In the gallery of the church hidden archers stood to their arms ^[40] . There was a cloud of smoke in the narthex and through it strode Prince Dag, followed by his closest retainers and squires. He made his way up the aisle and was challenged by the King, who bade him state the purpose of his interruption. Prince Dag looked the King in the eye and declared "I am come for your Crown, your Throne and Oathbinder, great sword of the Midrealm."

^[40] And some were seen cocking crossbows and nocking arrows on strung bows. This excessive and dangerous behaviour was commented on for some months thereafter.

King Comar cast a cold eye on the dozens of Dag's warriors who surrounded him, looked back at his heir and asked, "And will all these men hold Oathbinder for you?" Despite the smoke in the hall, a chill breeze seemed to run down the main aisle of the great church. Somehow the proceedings did not come to blows, and as is the custom Dag then became King ^[41] . His lady was invited to enter and Ilsa came in on a great white palanquin borne on the shoulders of eight belted Knights and surrounded by a dozen ladies in pure white garments, each bearing a rod from which hung a flickering candle lantern. As the ladies wore white, so too did Ilsa show all her Kingdom a pure white face and snow-white knuckles: the palanquin swayed most alarmingly and the new Queen hung onto it for dear life as the procession made its way to her Crown up the aisle, through the wisps of smoke from the narthex. Neither before that day nor since has there been such a Coronation spectacle in this Kingdom, and it was most memorable for all present.

^[41] Though he added a minor change to the liturgy; before Dag I was crowned, the populace assembled was asked if it was the will of the people that Dag become King. There was a moment's heavy silence as several wags in the hall wondered what would happen if they replied in the negative. There were many armed retainers in Dag's livery, so prudence won out, at least among the populace.

One of the warriors in Dag's band that day was Lord Trelogin Tavistock, a Darkyarder from around Roaring Wastes, who is famed as one of the most chivalrous gentles in all the known world, even as kind and courteous as Lord Ephriam ben Shlomo, the warrior and storyteller from the far Cleftlands Such is high praise indeed for any man, be he pauper or King. This is the same Trelogin who was Archer General of the Middle and later was made a Master of the Pelican and then a Knight. Thegn Gunnbjorn Gunnarsson was also among the warriors, who in coming months was that King Dag's skald, though not the other one's.

Of a Crown Tournament, soon after the second Coronet Tourney.

ut a few weeks after stepping down from the Coronet, in the month of October in the twenty-fifth year of the Society, Viscount David and Viscountess Tangwystl travelled far to the west edges of the Midrealm for Crown Tourney, for King Dag I and Queen Ilsa I would secure the Royal line. In that great Tourney David's combination of fluid grace and blinding speed was unstoppable. He went through all the preliminary rounds and even the final bouts without a single blow landing on his person. Once Sir David stepped back, thought for a moment and addressed his opponent with great courtesy. David apologized profusely and said that though he felt a blow, he could not in good conscience say it had landed with sufficient force to cause a wound. The opponent, to his great credit, replied honestly and said that while Sir David may have felt a blow land, he the opponent was not responsible for that blow and did not know it had been thrown, nor that he had thrown it. The closest any blow came to David was that stray wrap from a wobbling sword-point. With such a virtuoso performance David won the Crown and became Prince of the Middle^[42] As he and Tangwystl had worn the Coronets of Ealdormere at Pennsic XIX, so they would wear the Crowns of the Midrealm at Pennsic XX.

^[42] It must be noted that Sir David possessed a most precious relic, a hauberk of rinks crafted by the very hands of the Celtic Saint Brand the Black of Ben Dunfirth, patron of armourers and mail-makers. Saint Brand figured prominently in the devotions of young maids in the Debatable Lands, where they did see visions of him on the roads and erect shrines. Owning saintly armour could not have hurt Sir David's chances (though he never fought in mail); due honour must fall on both sides, for as it is an honour to own mail made by a Saint, it is also an honour to make mail for one of Royal blood and manner.

Many applauded wildly, for David and Tangwystl were well-loved in many lands and it was believed they would bring to the Crown the romance and idealism that had buoyed up their tenure in Ealdormere. Others closer to home worried, for their retainers had offered stalwart service to the Coronet for six months and were tired. Others worried even more, for David and Tangwystl came to be less happy than had been the case scant months before.

Of the loss of Arwen and the discovery of Elena.

ady Arwen Saint Amour, who was a most delicate lady though sore intent upon fighting in armour, did attend the University. Her clothes were always magnificent and her skill with pen and brush were notable. Her studies caused her to sail far south, beyond the fetid swamps of Trimaris, in search of the ruins of Hybrasil and its ancient neighbours. This caused much merriment, for few great strapping Northern fighters could imagine the petite Lady Arwen hacking her way through jungle with the machete (like a falchion, only less elegant) that Grimwulf had given her before her departure. This weapon Grimwulf did obtain from an honest merchant named Ed, whose goods were well known to many in the City.

Arwen did carry Grimwulf's gift south, and while there she did claim for her Barony all the lands she crossed and the jungle she cleaved, and she did proclaim these lands New Septentria, or Nuevo Septentriones in the language of the inhabitants. When tidings of her deeds reached Eoforwic there was much joy and several local burghers contemplated new trade routes. Unfortunately Arwen Saint Amour did not return from the far south lands and was believed to have fallen in battle with savage, ill-read tribes while searching for a relic of Hybrasil, the fabled "Tail of Ix", the Jaguar who Walked like a Man ^[43] . After this tragedy was reported, a Doña Elena Rosanna Mercedes Virgoe de Valencia did return to the City in her place. This was a lady who bore a striking resemblance to Arwen but was less concerned with maintaining her civic status ^[44] . This important status devolved upon the Lady Ceridwyn gan Gwynedd. Ceridwyn also served as Chronicler of Septentria, then she handed the chronicler's duties over to her collaborator, Lady Nicolaa, while retaining her civic status.

^[43] Obviously the far south was a most hazardous place full of proficient swordsmen and, in consequence of this revelation, most of the good burghers of the City abandoned all hope of winning profits from such lands.

^[44] As a "fabulous babe."

Of Rigunth af Bern, a nun's error and Madinia O'Tuatail.

lady named Rigunth af Bern did also attend the University, coming from lands south of the Inland Seas, and many were the hours she spent amongst the learned priests of the Pontifical Institute. She became exceeding wise in all manners of historical knowledge and was generous in sharing that knowledge with all in Eoforwic. Also she did sew and embroider with skill, and did publish the Ursus for the edification of all Septentria when Aeden and Grimwulf (his assistant) tired of this task. For a time Lady Ceridwyn assisted Rigunth in this.

Lord Gunther Wahlstadt of Bremen was greatly taken with this talented lady and did woo her and win her. Rigunth did settle in Eoforwic with her new husband, having been wed on the centre island in Eoforwic harbour, with much civic merriment. In her studies Rigunth did discover that the nuns who raised her had made an error and shortly after birth switched her in the cradle with a waif named Nicolaa de Bracton, from Leicester. Not wishing to live a lie nor deny the name of her baptism, Rigunth cast off her old name and adopted what the priests said was her true name of Nicolaa. All were content and her husband observed that while the seamstress' name had changed his clothes were just as splendid. Being so splendid in attire, he thought he might someday enter City politics. As for Lady Nicolaa herself, she showed great interest in the art of the rapier, though she gladly did abide by the King's word and did not practice said art in the Midrealm until such time as it was legal to so do.

About the same time that Rigunth and Gunther were wed the Lady Madinia Devereaux O'Tuatail ^[45] did settle in Skeldergate, to the north of Eoforwic, though she did often travel into the City to buy fabric. Madinia did hail from Cynnabar, where she had been among many great Dukes and Knights who did insist upon elegance in dress and manner. Madinia did adopt this fashion as her own and taught many in Eoforwic that the corset can be an Elizabethan lady's friend if properly fitted. She did bustle about the City, which she found somewhat rough (or ruff, to be precise) and did enrich many silk merchants in the process of her travels.

^[45] This is the same Madinia who was made a member of the Order of the Willow by Their Majesties Tadashi and Ariake for her excellence and design of clothing, as the Chronicles of Saint Brand do record.

Of the third Coronet Tourney.

he third Coronet Tourney of Ealdormere, like the first two and several afterwards, was not held in Eoforwic, and no Eoforings distinguished themselves in the list. It was held on the twentieth day of April in the twenty-fifth year of the Society, in the seat of the Barony of Skraeling Althing.

There were several notable happenings at the Coronet Tourney. It was well-known that Lord Cordigan de Arnot would be Prince and that one of the major stumbling-blocks for any contestant to overcome would be the mighty right arm of Yog Rhys Mordwyn, who had been first champion of Ealdormere and the finalist in the first Coronet Tourney against Viscount David. To achieve his desire, Cordigan made a canny deal with his friend and fellow Faeringold, Osis of the Livery. They agreed that Osis would enter the Coronet list and would, with luck, face the mighty Yog. Osis would beat Yog, eliminate Cordigan's great obstacle and then Osis would, no doubt, fall in the later rounds.

As fate would have it, Osis did meet Yog in the later rounds of the Tourney. However, canny Cordigan met other opponents during the afternoon who quickly placed him on the loser's list and then onto the sidelines, where he nursed a dream delayed.

In the semi-finals Osis and Yog met in a battle unmatched in the history of Ealdormere for its enmity. No-one is entirely sure of the root of the quarrel (not even the participants, in most estimation), though it is clear that Hanora O'Neil, the lady fo whom Yog fought, was involved. It will suffice to say that neither fighter was in a charitable mood and no blows were pulled. The fight was best of three, and the first fight went so long and was fought so hard that the list-mistress actually allowed another bout to be fought between the first and second fights, to allow Yog to catch his breath. Finally Osis won, but there was bad feeling between the two after.

In the finals Osis met Baroness Elizabeth Stafford ^[46] , who was fighting for the honour of Baron Menken Brecken. Elizabeth reached the finals by defeating several promising fighters, including Baron Menken Brecken who was in turn fighting for her honour. Such are the travails of chivalry! Many hoped Bess would win, for she would have been the first Royal Lady in the Midrealm by the right of her own arm were it so, and in like wise Menken would have been made Prince of Love and Beauty. This was not to be, but it was about that time that Duchess Rowan von Kempfer of Ansteorra did defeat her own husband, Duke Hector Martell, and win for herself the jet-starred Crown of the far south ^[47] . Thus it can be seen that while the notable deed was first done in Ansteorra, the spirit was first felt in Ealdormere.

^[46] This is the same Elizabeth Stafford who, it seems, was adopted by the rich and famous Mortimers in later years as part of a dynastic re-adjustment, and changed her name to Mortimer as a result.

^[47] And in turn making Duke Hector the first, and as yet the only Lord of the Order of the Rose in all the Known World, though His Grace has a Scots heart and occasionally is said to refer to himself as a "Laddie of the Rose."

In the finals Osis' long reach and two swords over-powered Bess' sword and shield. His combinations boomed off Elizabeth's shield, winning for him the title of "Shield-hewer", as some have said. Finally Osis stood victorious and that evening made Lady Ragnheithr Thorbjorndottir the third Princess of the North. That court was notable for a variety of reasons. A great ship came and noble maids carried off Prince Michel, who was seldom seen in the North thereafter and was later reported in An Tir. Before anyone claimed the Coronet from the Crown, King Dag I called Osis into court to accept his Award of Arms, which was a notable thing. Finally, this was the evening when, after court, the new Prince was seen sitting at a table in the King's chamber, staring into space and asking himself, over and over; "what the hell do I do now?"

As it turned out Osis was a good Prince and Ragnheithr (called Heithr by many, with love and respect, not with undue familiarity, even though she was a most congenial Lady and Princess) a good Princess, especially when they led the Northlands to the great Pennsic War. Historians have recalled the fate of Osis, Cordigan's erstwhile spoiler, as a cautionary tale for all those who forget that a strong arm wins a battle but luck of the draw sets the stage in a tourney list.

That same day, before the third Prince and Princess were invested, the second Prince and Princess were minded to create a new Order, to honour great service to the Principality. This Order was called the Order of the Bee, which insect does strive with patience and diligence for the good of all its kind.

The Principals of this Order were three; Lady Anne Grey, who had served long and faithfully as the Principality Mistress of Arts, Master Ricard of Sable Tree and Lord Ceallac from Eoforwic, who was Principality Marshal and had been since the days of the Crown Principality. All save one agreed that these three were worthy companions of such an Order and that all those who would follow them into the Order of the Bee would be hard-pressed to live up to their example. The sole dissenter was Master Ricard himself, for at the time of this recognition he was serving the Principality as its second Seneschal. Ricard did not deem it seemly that he be given especial honour for what he said was merely doing the job he had accepted willingly, so he resigned from the Order some days later. He accepted the honour in court merely to avoid causing embarrassment to the Coronet whom he served.

Later Osis and Ragnheithr selected a bard for their Court, Lord Timothy Nichol of MacQueen. He lived in the Hael, across the narrows of the Inland Sea, but he loved Ealdormere and counted himself among the Northern folk.

The Election of a second Lord Mayor, and the first Mayor's new Agenda.

fter a year, the people of the City decided that they would look at the service of their Lord Mayor, Grimwulf. All were pleased at his stewardship, but all saw that the coffers of the City were less full than the good burghers would desire. Accordingly. thhe guild-masters and -mistresses of the City gathered at Michaelmas and declared it time to elect a new Lord Mayor and Sheriff. As ever the campaign for office was an exercise in directed generosity^[48] Most notable was the mayoral campaign of the local burgher and venerable Eoforing Gunnar Halfdann. He sent a ship off to trade in distant and dangerous lands, which came back loaded with a processed extract of cocoa beans. With this product Candidate Gunnar curried much favour among the populace.

^[48] "Graft" remaining a coarse and vulgar word.

Obviously a man able to produce ship-loads of imported delicacies (for throughout the campaign Gunnar distributed a ship-load of this processed cocoa, called "chocolate" by the inhabitants of Nuevo Septentriones, in various forms) would be a Lord Mayor sensitive to the needs of the City's traders and investors, so the guilds elected Gunnar the second Lord Mayor and Luanmaise the sheriff, though at first the result of the election was in question. On balloting night Gunnar Halfdann and Gunther Wahlstadt von Bremen tied for total guild votes. As there was no possible way to use graft to further influence the result, an unspent bribe coin was taken into the hallway of Cumberland House and the two Mayoral finalists flipped for the post. Gunnar won; such are the vagaries of constitutional negotiation ^[49] .

^[49] Would that other politicians could find such a simple and trust-worthy way to amend constitutions and other such things!

Upon his successor's election, His Worship Grimwulf retired to the exalted status of a City Alderman. It was said that with the affairs of the City well accounted for, he was free to pursue affairs of the heart. Thus Grimwulf the Hairy, politician, patron, warrior and bon vivant of the beer, beans and bangers set, resolved to seek for a wife.

Of Edward Unraed in brief, and of Aelfwyne the Wanderer in detail.

round this time alfwyne the Wanderer did become Marshal of Eoforwic, replacing Edward Unraed, who many believed was a secret follower of the cult of Oomrah. Edward moved to the far West for a time to seek his fortune. He returned to Eoforwic before he had planned, but once he was returned was not often seen thereafter.

Aelfwyne did deserve his name, for he had come to Eoforwic from far Ruantallan in the East Kingdom, on the shores of the Atlantic. alfwyne did serve in the house of Aeden and Kaffa, though he was also a faithful man to Frederic L'Avarre. For several summers AElfwyne did campaign in the Debatable Lands wearing the bear's livery of Septentria on an azure field, for he found himself bound to serve the Eastern Barony which had raised him. Later, with debts of honour paid, he did wear Baronial livery, as did the rest of the Eoforwic Militia. AElfwyne had learned well the ways of war from Aeden and Kaffa. His spear was feared on the field and he was a fine leader. Also, Aelfwyne was the most generous of men. He served many feasts and all marked his grace and courtesy, even Kings and Queens, for he was the finest of servers and served the King's plate many times. He also threw his home open after fight practices, where his wise counsel was treasured by all who heard it. Many in Eoforwic knew his friendship and counted themselves fortunate as a result.

This is the same Aelfwyne who became a sword-brother of the Khan of the Great Dark Horde, Kevin, and in later years served as Aorkhan or Warlord of the Dark Horde, but all that happened long after these events.