time for a different kind of prompt

[bedlamsbard]

Because I clearly can't be trusted to actually turn out fic, at least at this point in time. So! Something different.

Give me the title of a figure, artifact, location, or legend from Narnian history (something mentioned in Dust or my other fics, or something that has suddenly sprung to mind, canon or not), and I will give you a caption and a description, or perhaps an encyclopedia entry, or an excerpt from a history book or play or other piece of textual history. For example:

The Glorious Revolution (mentioned in Dust 11)

The Glorious Revolution, written and performed to celebrate the tricentennial anniversary of King Caspian X's coronation, was the seminal work of the young playwright Tenaillon, who died during the Calormene occupation of Cair Paravel a few years later. The Glorious Revolution takes place in five acts and features two main plots: the first that of the young Prince Caspian X as he struggles to raise Narnia against his treacherous uncle King Miraz, and the second that of the lovers Ondino and Helida. It was performed numerous times throughout the year, including several times in Caspian's Castle for King Erlian and Prince Tirian. When Narnia was conquered by the Tisroc, it was banned along with a number of other plays.

Does that make sense?

Comments

[sporky_rat]

The last human king and queen before the Long Winter.

[bedlamsbard]

(from an auctioneer's notes in Calormen)

Lot #3224: Small painting in the Narnian style, featuring two royals of Narnia in the Little Autumn. Believed to represent King Rickert III and Queen Briant. Painter's signature identified as Aleydis Longhoof, a minor portrait artist of the period. Ages of Rickert and Briant place the painting as shortly before or after the birth of their daughter Gwendolyn (the last Frankian royal).

[juniperphoenix]

What did ordinary Narnians know or believe about the origins of Caspian X's wife?

[bedlamsbard]

(excerpted from a letter written shortly after Caspian's return by one of his nobles)

...our Noble King has returned from Abroad with a woman of astounding beauty. He has announced that they will be married shortly and has set the date for Midsummer Day, whereupon the gates of the Castle shall be thrown open and all of Narnia invited. I find this a matter of Some Concern, as our New Queen-To-Be has no family to stand at her wedding, or indeed, any believable background at all. My old friend Drinian swears that she is noble and pure-hearted, but I find myself doubting her veracity...

[lady_songsmith]

Geb Gearding. ( I think that's right? the castle before Cair Paravel)

[bedlamsbard]

(from a fairy tale told to small children)

The tall walls of the castle stretched above her, many times the height of a giant, so that even when the young satyr craned her neck upwards and strained her eyes she could not see their tops. Shuddering, she squared her jaw and stepped forward, then raised her fist and rapped sharply at the small door set in the great gate of King Frank. When no one came immediately, she knocked again, and this time she heard the sound of steps before the small door creaked open.

"I have come," she said, before the man in the livery of the king could answer, "to tell King Wyl why it is that his son will not wake from his slumber."

[autumnia]

Was thinking of the White Cliffs of Dover Morgencolla, but I think I'd like to know more about the country of Alvarado instead.

[bedlamsbard]

(oh, gods, woman, you're going to make me look at my notes, and I have exactly two notations on it.)

(from Prince Tirian's notes for class)

Alvarado: island in the far south of the Great Eastern Ocean, about three weeks sail from the port of Tashbaan. independant. spice production, permanent presence of South Terebinthia Trade Commission. low military presence. oligarchical. two major cities.

[autumnia]

Interesting... The thing is, I had read up your random bits about some of the other lands buried deep in your LJ/DW but didn't see anything about Alvarado except for those very minor mentions in your fics.

Thank you! :-)

[bedlamsbard]

One of the reasons I am glad I have a paid account: I had to run a search to see the other times I'd mentioned Alvarado in case I'd mentioned anything notable. (I hadn't. My notes on the subject literally say, "Alvarado (s, i); prominent goods: spices," and that's it.)

[alyndra]

Tell me something about previous generations of Mayor's family? There've gotta be stories there, really!

[bedlamsbard]

(excerpt from a newspaper article about a century or two prior to Dust)

A Call for the Execution of the Tetradivine Heretics

We, the noble and loyal citizens of the city of Cair Paravel, respectfully petition His Most Royal Majesty, Absalian, the Second of his Name, King of Narnia, King of the Telmarines, Lord of Cair Paravel, Emperor of the Lone Islands, etc., to have the heretics put to Death lest they poison any further minds in Narnia. They perform numerous and terrible crimes against Aslan, including the sacrifice of children, the cannibalistic eating of the flesh of Talking Animals, and most terribly they place the High King and his kin above Aslan, some of their heretical kind even denying the existence of Aslan. We petition His Majesty to have their leaders put to Death and the rest expelled from Narnia... The most notable Names being:

Edouard Longtoe (Seek Wisdom In The Heat Of Summer)
Brucetus the Faun (Fear Not For The End of Winter Shall Come)
Meryetre the Minotaur (Forsake All Worldly Cares)
Senemut the Minotaur (Remember Who Has Fought For This Land)
Cruikshank the Tiger (Kill Sin So That You May Leave This World Clean of Spirit)
Arlotte Bergasa (More Trial Shall Come To Test My Faith)

[alyndra]

Wonderful, thanks! They're just so beautifully nutty....although omg baby killing and cannibalism, seriously?

[bedlamsbard]

They're being accused of it, but it's probably not happening. Religious persecution!