Book III, Chapter 1
Theodora Porphyrogenita (AD 980 – 15 April AD 1068) was a Byzantine Empress whose rule typically marks the beginning of the Dragon Era in most histories. Born into the Macedonian Dynasty, which had ruled the Empire since AD 867, and the niece of the popular emperor, Basil II, she was the final ruler of that dynasty; upon her death, the empire fell into a period of decline from which it never truly recovered. Noted as highly intelligent, capable, and possessing an extremely strict moral character, she spent the majority of her rule attempting to repair the damage inflicted on the empire by the mismanagement of her immediate predecessors. During the nearly twenty-six years of her reign, she disciplined the feuding nobility and blocked numerous abuses. However, her reign was also marked by considerable strife due to the growing chaos and conflict of the Dragon Era…
— Encyclopedia Norlandia, 7th Edition, AD 1642, Edinburgh, Scotland
Tropes That Appear In This Chapter:
- Book Dumb: Harthacnut apparently can’t read all that well.Cracking the seal, he unfurled the scroll, and then read the words slowly, being only moderately skilled with his letters.
- Converting for Love: Defied, this chapter reinforces that neither Magnus or Ruffnut are going to convert to the others faith.But it hadn't been a trade, just a long and exhausting argument that they were who they were, and neither of them would change the other person.
- Illegal Religion: Defied. Magnus declares that worship of the Norse gods is no longer outlawed.If any man or woman or child in my lands still feels that, in their heart, they follow the ways of our forefathers, then you may do so openly, without fear of censure or retaliation, and enjoy the full protection of the law as you do so.
- Jews Love to Argue: A good portion of the scene at the Jewish Quarter Synagogue is everyone arguing.And there was the uproar again. People were arguing, shouting, arguing, yelling, arguing, and generally carrying on. Everyone had an opinion, and they all wanted to express theirs. After another long moment, he pounded on the table again to get their attention."Let me finish first. And then we can argue."
- Mythology Gag: One of the Gronkles recruited by Gobber to help make steel is named Horrorcow, the same name as Fishlegs' dragon from the books.
