La Chanson du Beau Danseur IX, X, XI (492, 493, 494)
(I missed the sessions for 492 and 494, and 493 was a wee bit ago, so I'm afraid the write-ups are rather brief and boring! There was a raid on Sir Benesek's demesnes, however, in 491. This has been pushed into Book IX. The events of 491/2, 493 and 494 are told below in somewhat fragmentary fashion.)
*****
Book IX (491/2)
... then did the Black Knight learn that, whilst he was commended unto the King at Tintagel, and wounded most sorely in such grace's service, a false knight had treated his demesnes most sorely, putting hamlets to fire and sword, and committing much rasure. This did the blackguard do, ere he was driven thence by Sir Carantoc, the banneret's grandfather, who defended the launds unto his own death. Sir Beleus of Rydychan, was this robber knight called, and Sir Benesek was goodly wroth.
... in this year [492] did the Lady Ellen visit for several weeks as the forests goldened, for she was most concerned for the Black Banneret, laid low as he was by the passing of his dear wife. Muchly did theyhawk upon the launds aside the Avon, but naught could stir Sir Benesek from his grief.
*****
Book X (493)
... and alas! 'twas ill for the Banneret of Netheravon, for a great malaise had laid stricken his demesnes: naught would be sown or suffered to grow, and there was great dole. "The lady is the land, and the land the lady!" cried Sir Benesek in anguish.
[To make matters worse, Lord Roderick visited in the Spring, accompanied by his retinue. He was suspicious that his wife had spent so much time there the previous year. Over the past three years Ellen and Roderick together had been eating Sir Benesek out of house and home.]
With great wood and chafe did Sir Benesek gather his companions to seek just recompense for such as was done to his launds the years previous. Thusly did cleanest mighted Sir Gorvannon, Sir Evan and others besides join the Black Banneret in seeking for Oxford, in County Rydychan, to bring the matter before the lord of that place...
... the lord was most sore that his vassals should act so, and in waiting for Sir Beleus to appear to his summons did the knights of Salisbury hunt amidst the great bows of the Forest Sauvage, a beauteous arboreal realm, accompanied by the argent knight Sir Tustin; and there too did they chase a mighty unicorn until they were smitten with wonder at the beasts majesty. Upon laying gentle hand upon the creature did Sir Benesek's dole at his maid's passing melt as the snows in Spring, and the knight was black no more...
[Sir Tustin gave great boons to the knights after the hunt; Sir Benesek received a male peregrine of great skill. Eventually Sir Basile, a kinsman of Sir Beleus, made his presence known, and agreed to pay £9 in compensation.]
*****
Book XI (494)
... and in this year was there a goodly harvest, the malaise passed, with good stuffing for all be they ne'er so vile, and all was well.
Sir Benesek (Winter Phase 494, aged 33), Glory 6,062
SIZ 14, DEX 13, STR 13, CON 15, APP 16
Main Skills: Compose 11, Courtesy 10, Dancing 22, Flirting 15, Orate 10; Battle 15, Horsemanship 15, Lance 16, Sword 21.
Famous Traits and Passions: Energetic 16, Generous 16, Valorous 18.
*****
Book IX (491/2)
... then did the Black Knight learn that, whilst he was commended unto the King at Tintagel, and wounded most sorely in such grace's service, a false knight had treated his demesnes most sorely, putting hamlets to fire and sword, and committing much rasure. This did the blackguard do, ere he was driven thence by Sir Carantoc, the banneret's grandfather, who defended the launds unto his own death. Sir Beleus of Rydychan, was this robber knight called, and Sir Benesek was goodly wroth.
... in this year [492] did the Lady Ellen visit for several weeks as the forests goldened, for she was most concerned for the Black Banneret, laid low as he was by the passing of his dear wife. Muchly did theyhawk upon the launds aside the Avon, but naught could stir Sir Benesek from his grief.
*****
Book X (493)
... and alas! 'twas ill for the Banneret of Netheravon, for a great malaise had laid stricken his demesnes: naught would be sown or suffered to grow, and there was great dole. "The lady is the land, and the land the lady!" cried Sir Benesek in anguish.
[To make matters worse, Lord Roderick visited in the Spring, accompanied by his retinue. He was suspicious that his wife had spent so much time there the previous year. Over the past three years Ellen and Roderick together had been eating Sir Benesek out of house and home.]
With great wood and chafe did Sir Benesek gather his companions to seek just recompense for such as was done to his launds the years previous. Thusly did cleanest mighted Sir Gorvannon, Sir Evan and others besides join the Black Banneret in seeking for Oxford, in County Rydychan, to bring the matter before the lord of that place...
... the lord was most sore that his vassals should act so, and in waiting for Sir Beleus to appear to his summons did the knights of Salisbury hunt amidst the great bows of the Forest Sauvage, a beauteous arboreal realm, accompanied by the argent knight Sir Tustin; and there too did they chase a mighty unicorn until they were smitten with wonder at the beasts majesty. Upon laying gentle hand upon the creature did Sir Benesek's dole at his maid's passing melt as the snows in Spring, and the knight was black no more...
[Sir Tustin gave great boons to the knights after the hunt; Sir Benesek received a male peregrine of great skill. Eventually Sir Basile, a kinsman of Sir Beleus, made his presence known, and agreed to pay £9 in compensation.]
*****
Book XI (494)
... and in this year was there a goodly harvest, the malaise passed, with good stuffing for all be they ne'er so vile, and all was well.
Sir Benesek (Winter Phase 494, aged 33), Glory 6,062
SIZ 14, DEX 13, STR 13, CON 15, APP 16
Main Skills: Compose 11, Courtesy 10, Dancing 22, Flirting 15, Orate 10; Battle 15, Horsemanship 15, Lance 16, Sword 21.
Famous Traits and Passions: Energetic 16, Generous 16, Valorous 18.
posted by Stewart Stansfield | 4:10 pm
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