Excerrpt – Historia Regum Pendraconiae by Godfrey of Lindisfarne

In several volumes, the lengthy Historia Regum Pendraconiae by Godfrey of Lindisfarne can be found in the library – an exceedingly long and meandering account of the lives of the Kings and Queens of the Pendragon Royal Line, this book is not as detailed as one might hope, talking in grand terms about the merits of each King or Queen, their works and deeds, but little else. There are, across the many volumes, a few passages which could aid our search for knowledge:

On Matthew Pendragon, we find:

“Let it not be said that only in those to wear the Crown does the blood-wisdom flow, for time and time again have we seen evidence of such in the many members of the lines and cadets of the Great and Royal House of Arthur.

With the loss of the White Ship, the Great Council did look to the Royal line to find he who should sit upon Arthur’s throne as the Once and Future King once did.

The late and lamented King Frederick who had been lost at sea had perished with both his male and female heir, though hope yet remained for his father Edward had other issues than Frederick. Indeed Frederick was, when born, second-in-line to the Pendragon Throne, for his elder brother Matthew had renounced his claim.

Matthew Pendragon, born to rule, first child of Edward, had been raised to sit upon the Throne of Kings, yet he had, for some reason which we have been unable to discover. And so it was that Matthew Pendragon did leave the line of succession and depart court to live his life in obscurity. Records indicate that he did travel the Heartlands for some time.

His decision to depart court was one which seemed, according to records, a surprise to the nobles of the land – as far as we can tell, Matthew lived his life as a private subject of the Throne. There are no records of being able to locate Matthew in the wake of the White Ship disaster.”

On Isobel Pendragon and her issues, we find:

“With the loss of her father Prince Jeremy in battle with Caledonian raiders, Isobel Pendragon became third in line for the Pendragon Throne. Alas, her son Simon did accompany his grandfather to the Northern marches to war with the Caledonians, with Simon, who was her cousin, son of Princess Ursula.

Prior to the war in the north, Isobel was present during Ursula’s attempt to quest for the Seven Swords. We know through records that Ursula was unsuccessful in her attempt, but it is only through examining letters from around the time that we learn the effect that this quest had on the Princess.

With such losses and heartaches, Isobel did retire from public life, and leave the troubles of the Court far behind her.”

On Ursula Pendragon and her issues, we find:

Alas, Ursula’s attempts to Quest for the Seven Swords was unsuccessful.

On Eleanor Pendragon and her issues, we find:

“On the Lady Eleanor we may only go by accounts of her early life, for she departed the shores of Albion for Lyonesse, and though we know she married, it is believed that she purposefully kept a low profile in the years after the loss of the White Ship.

It is said that Eleanor was a joyful child, and was indeed the very apple of her father’s eye. As the fifth child of the King, Eleanor’s life had few requirements of her, for she was not destined for the Throne, nor was she particularly needed for a political marriage for her sister and her cousins were called to this duty.

We are told by writings and correspondence that Eleanor was as accomplished with the sword as she was with the bow, and yet her ways with the feminine arts of courtly ladies were also to be admired, especially her singing voice.

The court lost a great beauty when Princess Eleanor departed for Lyonesse.”

Of Edgar and Simon, we find:

“Although there was no evidence, Edgar accused Isabel’s husband and swords were drawn. Within six months Albion was swamped in civil war. They called it, poetically, the Dance of the Dragons – but there was no poetry in that war, only bloodshed and loss. Brother fighting brother, sire fighting son – the Pendragon family turning against itself, and taking with it the flower of Albione chivalry.

The great houses took little part at first; Corvidae being busy trying to run what was left of the Kingdom, Hunter and Karlennon busy on their respective borders but inevitably they were at last drawn in.

Turmoil ruled the land for some years with none gaining the advantage. Isabel’s husband had died and her son, Simon, now fought on her behalf. He and Edgar were well matched militarily and in September of 844AF it came to a final battle on a field near Warwick. The losses on both sides were dreadful, none more so since the battle of Camlann.

One account of the battle describes seven unmatched warriors striding through the field wreaking havoc wherever they went, unharmed by all weapons. Later a warrior in blue armour was seen winning a fight with Edgar and another all in black had bested Simon. Thus at the end of the battle both claimants to the Pendragon Throne were slain. The two sides left the field in disarray, where now to turn for leadership? As these scions of the dragon left no heirs to rally behind, the land was once more thrown into confusion and doubt.”