The rondel is also linked with the Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd. If a brave man sharpened his sword on this stone, it would kill anyone from whom it drew blood. If a cowardly man used the whetstone, his sword would refuse to cut at all. This was Fantasia’s problem, but once the jewel was removed from the pommel, the spell was lifted, and she began to recover. She was not far from death.
The Chariot of Morgan Mwynfawr would transfer its owner quickly to wherever he wanted to go. The old car discovered in the barn was its current manifestation. With certain music on the player, it seemed as though no time was passing, but of course you can’t fool Time. Ankerita was convinced it didn’t need fuel, but the Legend ensured that her companions always provided what was needed, so in effect it didn’t.
The Halter of Clydno Eiddin originally would deliver a horse for its owner as required. In this case, the halter is Genet’s necklace, and brings help and support whenever needed, including transporting the suspended existence from Kathartirion into the real world, and taking pain away from the sick.
Jo has taken the Coat of Padarn Beisrudd (also linked to the Mantle of Tegau Eurfon). If someone of good faith put it on, it would adjust to be exactly the right size; otherwise it would be too short, which might explain some bizarre clothing in these enlightened times. Here, it fits Ankerita perfectly, and also corrects for Jo as she takes it over. This could also be the Mantle of Arthur in Cornwall (Llen Arthyr yng Nghernyw) although Jo doesn’t yet realise it. Whoever wears it cannot be easily seen, an invisibility coat, if you like. We have yet to see how this manifests in future undertakings.
Genet’s ring is actually Eluned’s Stone and Ring. This is a later treasure added to the legends, and comes in from the bardic tale ‘Owain’, also called ‘The Lady of the Fountain’. It is said that if one covers the stone with a hand, the wearer becomes invisible. Ankerita never realises this, but there are clues which she seems to have missed. What it does do is reveal those spirits who are trying to obscure themselves.
Undiscovered so far, the other artefacts seem to be linked with food and drink, without doubt a major concern in mediaeval times. The Cauldron of Dyrnwch Gawr worked so that if meat for a coward were put in, the water would never boil, but food for a brave man would cook quickly. Link this with the Hamper of Gwyddno Garanir, which was supposed to contain an endless supply of food, and the Horn of Brân Galed which would supply the drink. For the latter, the legend does not say what drink, but one would hope it was a really good ale. This also includes the Crock and the Dish of Rhygenydd the Cleric, of whom whatever food might be wished for in them, would be found.
The last treasure that is still to be discovered, both in location and usefulness, is the Chessboard of Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio. The board was of gold, and the men of silver and crystal. If the pieces were set correctly, they would play by themselves. Now what’s all that about? Oh wait and see in the third Ankerita novel...
Thomas, Earl of Lancaster
The son of Edmund, fourth child of Plantagenet, Henry III and at one time the most powerful man in England. He was an ally of Edward I, Longshanks, but when Edward II succeeded, they disagreed on policies, in particular the favouritism of the king for Piers Gaveston. After Robert the Bruce defeated the English at Bannockburn in 1314, Thomas took control, and governed the country for four years before falling foul of a new regime headed by Hugh le Despenser, first Earl of Winchester, and paying with his life.
Timekeeping and Abbey Bells
Religious house timekeeping was achieved through the tolling of the Division Bell (usually a tenor, but sometimes handheld and shaken in the ears of tardy canons), roughly at the following times:
Matins – sometimes at 2am
Prime (first Hour) - 6am
Terce (pronounced terse-ee, third hour) – 9am
Sext (sixth hour) - noon
None (pronounced non-eh, ninth hour) – 3pm
Vespers – sunset or 6pm
Compline – 9pm before retiring
Proper, joined up timekeeping only came into the UK after the expansion of the railways in the nineteenth century (1840-46), using Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which was eventually formalised in 1880.
About the Author
Robert Wingfield is a multi-genre writer who also provides editing and formatting services to aspiring authors under the guise of a ‘wordsmith’.
His fiction stories are developed as they are written, and when he starts one, he usually has no idea how it is going to turn out. “They write themselves,” he says, and quite often the ending is as much of a surprise to him as it hopefully is to the reader. Once the story is in place, he goes through it again and again, crafting the words so that they flow, and can be read smoothly out loud, as well as from the page. The characters are all in his head, so again they should be as real as his imagination.
Other works, apart from the Ankerita series include:
The Dan Provocations—bawdy satirical sci-fi.
Countdown to Omega, a tale of ancient aliens and first contact.
The Mystery of... adventures for young adults in the style of Swallows and Amazons.
The travel diaries of the One Man in a Bus series...
and general satire, such as Everyone’s Guide to not being an Old Person.
Quotes
“Writing fiction is as good as a holiday, only without the malaria and jellyfish stings.”
“I am famous; it’s just that not a lot of people know it.”
More details are at: www.robertwingfieldauthor.co.uk
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