Book 4, Chapter 10: And A Warm Embrace
During the periods of the Kingdoms of Francia, Brittany (Breton: Breizh), in its position occupying the westernmost peninsula of the region, was regarded as a stubborn outsider—culturally Brythonic Celtic instead of Gallo-Roman, with a different and distinct language, identity, and historical background. Beginning as independent petty kingdoms formed by displaced Celts from the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain, Brittany spent the next few centuries fully independent, occasionally joining forces with the Roman Empire against the likes of Attila the Hun, but otherwise being mostly occupied with domestic political matters and associating with their fellow Celtic nations in the Isles, occasionally sending reinforcements to the Cymru, Picts, Kernowyon, and Gaels as they fought against the Anglo-Saxon invaders.
Later, in the 9th century AD, Brittany became a tributary suzerain state to the Carolingian Empire under Emperor Charlemagne, who managed to impose vassalhood on the region, reducing the Breton lords to semi-autonomous status. This did not last long, however, as in the aftermath of Charlemagne’s death, they rebelled against the Carolingians, securing their independence as a unified kingdom of Brittany in 851 AD after defeating Charles the Bald at the Battle of Jengland. From there, they proceeded to expand their kingdom at Francian expense, taking large swaths of territory around the eastern extents of their peninsula, and reaching their greatest territorial extent in 867 AD.
Internal political disputes ensued, stopping the kingdom’s expansion, and rendering it ripe for conquest by Viking raiders in the early 900s; by 919 AD, the entire kingdom was fully occupied by Norsemen, who looted and pillaged many cities and monasteries without facing organized resistance. The region was eventually liberated from the Norse occupiers by Alan “Twistedbeard” II, grandson of King Alan the Great, the prior king of Brittany, between 935 and 939, culminating in an attack on the last Norse stronghold at Trans-la-Fôret by joint Breizh and Frankish forces. Meanwhile, to the neighboring east on what had once been part of the kingdom of Brittany, Rollo the Viking had settled in with his own men, offering allegiance to King Charles the Simple in exchange for claim to what would become known as the Duchy of Normandy.
With his lands in ruin from decades of war and looting, Alan could not hope to restore his prior kingship and likewise made the same decision as Rollo had, offering tribute to King Louis IV of Francia in 942 AD as the Duke of Brittany. This action ended Brittany’s time of independence and politically brought it into the Kingdom of Francia as the Duchy of Brittany. However, the newly-born duchy still had a long independent history and a cultural identity as separate from the rest of the kingdom…
—A History of Old Francia, 1432, Oxford Press
Tropes that appear in this chapter:
- Actor Allusion: Picknose notes that Lord Macintosh sounds like Gobber, not surprising since both characters in their original canons are voiced by Craig Ferguson.
- Band of Brothels: The Bog Burglars enforce codes of conduct for male customers seeking pleasure from a prostitute under their protection. Unruly men get kicked out. Repeat offenders are blacklisted.
- Content Warnings:Chapter Trigger Warnings: Explicit Scene of Medical Treatment (compound fracture)
- Oblivious to Love: Picknose is missing the hints that Mairwen and Signy are attracted to him.
- The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Sir Henry has a reputation as The Dragonslayer despite having never actually killed a dragon, something William's courtiers lampshade.
- Relatively Flimsy Excuse: A man tries claiming to be the older brother of Stoick's mother, but Picknose pokes holes in that claim before identifying him as a fraud.
- Spotting the Thread: Picknose realises the man claiming to be the older brother of Stoick's mother is lying when he realises the man looks too young for it.
- Unproblematic Prostitution: The prostitutes that Gwen and Cwen brought in as Bog Burglar sanctuary women decide to continue being prostitutes, just on their own terms, shifting prostitution from an act of desperation to a legitimate trade.
