A Bard's Blog

Written for the challenge of "Every Ending is a New Beginning"   "Everyone loves a happy ending, but a happy ending that could be the beginning of another adventure is even better. Present a work that gives a new chapter to a well-known tale or new verses to a beloved song." I picked a legend that ends with death ('cause dammit A LOT of Medieval/Renaissance stories DO) and decided to do it as Alienor Hathaway, English Lady at the time of Mary who's worried that the natural order of things is a mess with a Queen on the throne. I had to go against Mariessa's feminist views to write it. The World I live in is in turmoil. A Queen by divine right can only mean the divine retribution. King Arthur’s gravestone at Glastonbury says “Hic jacet Arthurus, rex quondam, rexque furturs” or ‘Here lies Arthur, king that was, king that shall be.’, Hearing tell of this, King Philip, consort of Her Majesty, Queen Mary, has sworn that he would give up all claims and ...

The Maiden’s Tale Addition to the General Prologue A Maid there was young and fair Modest a maiden unbound in hair The daughter of the Knight’s sworn brother He was her guardian; she had no other. She was to be married above her degree To a Baron much older then she. Being full pious she feared to be wed Believing she would be sped She wore a gown of modest blue That had a medal of her name saint pinned too. She was to pray the Saint give her Aid Thus to Canterbury goes gentle younge Maid. Here begins the Maiden’s Prologue “Dear Mistress Agnes” said mine hostes We have need of a tale from thee now the most Can you tell a tale as part of our game? We pray you thou not us disdain. “By my honre” quothe she The tales I knowe are those of joy and courtesyie Those tales I heard at my guardian’s whim I heard them but to please him. Alas he wishes me to be wed, And I myself would rather be dead. I pray Saint Thomas to take my husband to be So he may leave this world of misery. Perhaps instead ...