(no subject)

[bedlamsbard]

So I finished reading Beowulf and now I kind of want to write Narnian epic poetry. You know, the kind that goes, Peter, Summer's King, High King of Narnia / who brought spring to Narnia / in the days of long winter / rode from his great castle / Cair Paravel by the sea / the white city, with his sword / lion-headed Rhindon, bound in gold / and magic, gifted by Father / Christmas when Peter and his kin / came to Narnia as children / answering the country's call for / salvation from the White Witch / Jadis, who called herself / Empress and Queen of fair Narnia / locked in eternal winter until / Peter, Summer's King, brought spring / and victory.

Except. I think I'd kind of end up wanting to hurt something after about a page of that.

Comments

[ineptshieldmaid.livejournal.com]

*stares enrapturedly*

Have you read the Song of Roland? This reminds me of the Song considerably more than it does of Beowulf. *Scratches nose* When I'm reading the Song lately I wind up thinking of Peter and Edmund in place of Roland and Olivier, and it's your Peter. Which makes me sad, because Roland is a big knightly puppy, and not nearly as screwed up as your Peter. BUT ANYWAY. YEAH. What Lassiter said about OF- definitely. EARLY Old French, eg the Chanson de Roland, would suit your Narnia just nicely.

[bedlamsbard.livejournal.com]

I have not, actually. God, I keep feeling like I'm not nearly well-educated enough to be in this fandom. *facepalm*

[ineptshieldmaid.livejournal.com]

ahah well, you're a darn sight more rigourous in your world-building than most, so that'll make up for it ;)

Insert obligatory medievalist flailings of the OMG ROLAND type here. If you're ever at a loose end, see if you can grab the Penguin and read the first half. The second half, once Roland is dead, is not NEAR as much fun, although interesting to study. The first is all SHINY SHINY PEOPLE bashing each other with swords.

[bedlamsbard.livejournal.com]

I am getting to the educated part: this is what comes of writing At College.

[ineptshieldmaid.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I did like your Educated Theatrical Plans. ;)

[bedlamsbard.livejournal.com]

*facepalm* This is what college is doing to me: making me want to write related Narnia fic.

[ineptshieldmaid.livejournal.com]

What it's doing to ME is ruining my ability to appreciate fantasy literature. I was reading Tamora Pierce and appreciating the fact that Kel's world is so much better structured than Alanna's, and then I was all "HEY! They have a standing army AND two standing auxilliary forces AND they're paying the knighthood out of the crown purse. WTF? They've had years of war and famine, their economy can't support that!"

Tortall must be either the most densely populated medieval kingdom EVER (possible- there's certainly tons of refugees), or it's ridiculously top-heavy. FAR TOO MANY NOBLES.

Also this is what fanfic is doing to me: making me derail my supervisor for twenty minutes and getting him talking about medieval diet JUST so that I can find out what to feed them on board the Dawn Treader. Mind you I found out way more than that and I mustn't forget to write up the Very Picky Fanficcer's Guide To Medieval Catering...