The New Year has come in the Duchy of Tradgardland. All over the Duchy ,in communities large and small, the Guild of St Barbara are igniting fireworks to herald in the New year- 1758!
Karl Frederick stands with his family upon the Palace balcony and muses upon the year just ended and on the times to come . The cheering crowds throng the streets and many a loud Huzzah can be heard! A Happy New Year to all friends of Tradgardland everywhere - we have enjoyed your company !
In the Palace the court assemble after dinner to hear the ancient words of the ancient plays that tell the legends of Tradgardland. Handed down in families , from one generation to the next, these plays are performed during the twelve days of Christmas. Characters include a knight portraying the first Duke, a Saracen representing the bodyguard of a long forgotten Duke, a Dragon representing the enemies of the Duchy and a magi who stands for men of learning, wisdom and faith.
The Duke presides over the festivities happy and secure in his role and his Court. He has seen many ,many mummers over the years, and God willing, will see many more. The play has begun...........................
Max is exhausted! The travelling was insufferable enough but things have got worse since his arrival in Schwartz Wald See. The amount of papers and ancient tomes ( explaining the history,customs and traditions of the land) to read and acted upon is immense. Petitions from the high and the low, communications and veiled threats from the Imperium, household accounts and much ,much more!
Max and Benedict have arrived in Schwatz Wald See. Through the mist the Castle appeared and loomed before them . The coach stopped outside the front door. The Steward ushered them into a large room supplied with Claret and a roaring fire.
Well , we have arrived in your Heimat now brother Benedict- what will this land hold for us?
What indeed Your Grace! Now let us drink to the future and the past and thaw out.
The two figures raise their glasses and look into the flames ,their thoughts private yet converging........... The Future!
The starry night covered the departure of Max and Brother Benedict as they commenced their journey to Schwartz Wald See. Benedict sits outside with the footmen , ready to offer directions when required.
Max sits huddled in a cloak with a number of loaded pistols secreted amidst its folds. He cannot sleep no matter what he attempts to think of.
Outside the faint cries of wolves ,human or animal, can be heard keeping pace with the coach. Max wonders why he ever left the Vatican.....
The Ducal family gather for a rare meal together. Alisona is fully reconciled with her father and all are glad for a brief respite from matters of state. The table is set for a light meal. Karl Frederick, Liv , Max and Alisona enjoy the anticipation of the season - the horror of the sleigh incident however is not far from mind and conversation.
A guest at table, Brother Benedict adds little to the conversation. The incident of the sleigh weighs heavy on his shoulders regardless of the mantle of attainment his studies provided. He fears it is the work of the Brotherhood of the Wolves. He hopes, nay prays , that he is very,very wrong......
The Duke is engaged in using his microscope to view the hidden and arcane world it reveals - in this case the contents of the palace water supply. A knock comes to the door . The Duke looks up and beckons the figure to come in .
A young man with chains on hands and feet shuffles in- he is plainly terrified.
The Duke reminds him that judicial torture has been outlawed in the Duchy so he has nothing to fear. The Duke quietly and calmly awaits an explanation.
The young man breaks down in tears and throws himself at the Duke's feet. He asks for mercy and tells of his home land in Schwartz Wald See. He tells of troubled lands and oppressed peoples. He talks of how he was to kill Max before he even saw his new domain. The Duke looks thoughtful and remains silent for sometime . He calls for the guard and asks that the prisoner be escorted from the Duchy as soon as is possible bearing a note for the ones who sent him
The Ducal court take the chance to enjoy the newly fallen snow and engage in seasonal hunting of the Tradgardland boar. Karl Frederick,Liv and Alisona take the lead sledge surrounded by hussars in winter uniforms. Lances shine in the brilliant sun . Behind in a sledge of his own is Max. He is accompanied by Brother Benedict who will be his guide to the unknown land of Schwartz Wald See. Max hopes to spend some time with the Ducal family ,combining the visit with a visitation of the Abbeys and Cathedrals of the Duchy.
In the Ducal Palace the woodworkers are bring the royal Sleighs out of storage for the snow that is expected soon. After nearly a year in the palace vaults they will need re -painting , not to mention the waxing of the runners with boar grease. There is much to be done and the new harnesses will need adjusting prior to the first sleigh ride of Winter.
The Ducal court is famous for reckless midnight races where courtiers throw their sleighs around a forest course by lamplight . It is not unknown for heads or worse to be broken...
The Duke and Duchess have beeen invited to sample the Annual Birch Wine which is now ready . The wine is made from Birch Sap - collected when it is rising.
They make their way through the cellars that lie within hailing distance of the Sea in Althavn. It has become custom for the Ducal Family to sample the wine prior to the sale of it at the Advent Markets soon to take place. The wine is poured into the ceremonial silver flagon and poured into the wine glasses of the Duke and Duchess. With due care and attention to the solemnity of the day they drink and drink once more. With the ceremonial words -The Birch is well and well for all ! pronounced the Duke will sit and take his ease again. This afternoon he is to visit the rehearsals of the Mystery Play depicting the legend of the golden herring.
Narrator : if anyone reading would like to try Birch wine may I humbly suggest they seek out Silver Birch Wine by Moniack Castle Winery , Inverness , Scotland. It is well worth the search and effort...
It has been a pleasant Weekend . I have read about Stollen on the Duchy Blog , helped the family make some Christmas decorations and watched some of Barry Lyndon amongst other things.
The idyll is over and Alisona remains numb with the events of recent days. Of one thing she is certain -after the funeral she will take a passage for Tradgardland. At her feet a well thumbed Missal lies open at the story of the Prodigal Son....
Narrator : in the event of Alisona returning permanently to her Father in Tradgardland this Blog will continue to visit Ny Tradgardland for the entertainment and edification of all readers everywhere!
Alisona's husband) is out on patrol with the militia and their scouts. They have observed the movement of Brittanian troops.They are moving in great numbers.
There have been comings and goings all day in the Ducal Palace. Men ,puffed -up with their own self importance have waited hours for a few minutes of the Duke's time. The corridor is full of the hopeful,the disappointed and the resigned. One by one they are called into the presence of Karl Frederick,one by one they leave disguising their feelings with bluff greetings. For this is the day when the officers ( and would- be officers ) find out if they have a place in the reformed army.
The Duke has thought long and hard,realised he will have made enemies but has carried on for the good of Tradgardland. Tomorrow he will address the army and those who command it . Tonight he will dine quietly,exhausted by the day's proceedings, retiring early with his beloved Duchess to their inner sanctum.
Dear Brother
From their Palace balcony the Duke and Duchess watch the annual fireworks display put on by the Artillery Guild of St Barbara. As ever an infinite number of patterns and colours have graced the black night sky. The Duke muses upon the events that have illuminated his life so far - marriage, taking up the burden of the Duchy,the birth of his children and the death of one. Life's pleasures and satisfactions light up the sky for an instance and then are gone . Duty to God and Duchy remain constant and comforting ,in a strange way,too.
The Duchess ponders those officers and wives known to her ,some who are upon the sea this night rather than being illuminated by the products of alchemical expertise. She draws closer to her husband as the night turns chilly with the erupting of the stars.
Life proceeds well for Alisona and her new husband in Ny Tradgardland. Both are happy and still living incognito . They have found accommodation and military service has proved agreeable and uneventful so far.Winter is fast coming and life is settling down to a quiet and peaceful pattern.
The Duke cannot sleep this night- nor many others it would appear. His mind fills with images of naval disasters, lost daughters and false friends. Little other than his faith seems solid to him . He is relieved to see the first hint of Dawn breaking over the east tower of the palace...
The Herald gets his breath back and proclaims as follows:
The Autumn Maneuvers over for another year provides the Duke with much to ponder. He is due to meet the Inner Council to discuss promotions within the Army. He will also hear the state of readiness of the Navy and hear from the Ducal Gunpowder Mills as to their state of production.
Tradgardland being a sociable and enlightened Duchy manages to combine the above with a visit to the Alefest where a room has been set aside for the forthcoming deliberations.
The Duke takes a carriage to the meeting , sharing it with his wife who will attend to give council over matters of uniform design and sundry artistic matters.
At the end of the recent manoeuvres in Tradgardland the regimental flags were trooped before the assembled formed bodies of troops.
This year the Duke declared himself delighted with the standard of drill and mock combat. He declared that the forces of the Duchy were the envy of Europa and that all involved should hold their heads high.
The same unit from a different angle.
Seated at his writing slope Von Bergman writes as follows:
To Duke Karl Frederick
Greetings from your humble servant at Versailles. The negotiations are going well and we are in a favourable position I venture. I have kept your wishes close to my heart and lips in recent days. Soon I am to meet the King and I will be able to return home -my work completed. I will write again very soon with greater details.
your humble servant
Von Bergman
It is now October. The Brewers Guild get ready for the annual Ale Fest. Apart from large concerns like the Karlsberg Brewery each community is engaged in producing their own ale . The competition is great, the awards immense....
It is full moon once more in Tradgardland - the time of changing over. Songs,stories gossip and news are exchanged upon the roads large and small.
People consult the moon Dials carved above doors and built into village squres. They wish to know when loved ones will be around the fireside once more.
The weather is taking a colder turn and people say it will be a cruel winter. The logs are piled higher than ever to dry. It is time to prepare ...
The meagre harvest has been gathered in around Ny Tradgarland but the inhabitants are grateful. Soon a vessel will arrive with supplies,news and people.
The days of waiting can be hard but people fill them as best they can and there is much to do...
In fields and courtyards the practice has begun.The people of the Duchy prepare for another season of jousting. Talk is of horses and the best wood for lances, of last season's victories and hopes for the coming year. Teams train, drink,squabble and pray together. The honour of a hundred guild,herrengard or fraternal group is at stake.
The rules are simple :
Teams of five riders plus two spare horses. The teams take it in turns to gallop at a suspended ring. If it is caught fair and square they gain a point. Each rider rides twice. At the end scores are compared and a winner declared. In the event of a tie it is "sudden death " until a mistake is made and a ring missed or dropped.
And so in the season of mellow fruitfulness and harvest the Duchy can again turn its thought and energies to this sport of Dukes ,Kings and everyman.
