Working Title: Song of Love
Time: 13th C
Check on:
13th C English Nobility and Household titles
Common names
Costumes
Customs
Housing
Lifestyles: Royalty, Nobility, Peasantry
Characters:
King Stephen
William-- Eldest son of King
Edward-- Second son of King Stephen
XX -- servant or companion of William
Lord Blah Blah Richard -- Earl XX and Father of Bridget
Lady Eleanor -- Mother of Bridget
Bridget -- our heroine who falls for William
Margaret -- Bridget’s handmaiden and best friend.
William sees Bridget at the faire/market. He’s captivated by he. “Who is she?” he asks his companion. “She the daughter of Lord Blah Blah, a (minor) landholder.” In terms of lineage, probably below William’s notice. The King wants him to marry well, of course. **Note: Perhaps the King has Bridget in mind for Edward, his younger son, which would make for a good conflict between the two brothers, or the father has someone else in mind for Bridget--in boths cases, the individual is handsome but cruel.
William arranges to fight in battle (a border uprising? A rebellion of some kind?) for the Baron (earl whatever), but in disguise, hooded, not under his own name, in an effort to get close to Bridget. They win the battle, and the other Baron’s lands which were forfeit as part of the spoils and returned to the Barons manor/castle to celebrate, cheering on Will’s unequaled battle prowess. Bridget, pouring ale or mead for the rejoicing men, recognizes the young prince as the man she’d seen at the faire buying pasties from a buxom wench and flirting shamelessly. She colors, he grabs her hand, their eyes meet. Sparks fly. Will, disguised, claims he is maimed or scarred, shamefully disfigured, and that’s why he insists on wearing the hooded cloak. But Bridget knows otherwise. She also knows he’s the prince. Later on, he find her returning to her room and they converse. “Won’t you lower your hood?” she asks. But he always says no.
On returning homw (?) Will leanrs of the Baron’s will to hire a music instructor for his daughter. Will, seeing this as a fine opportunity, etiehr bribes the real instructor to let him go in his place, OR offers his own services, as he is an excellent musician as well as soldier. Harp and flute. The baron sayw, Very well, you’re hired. Teach her the harp. But, having not had the opportunity to speak to this able hero at length before now, begins to recognize a familiar timbre in his voice. “I don’t belive we’ve met before this battle, yet I fell I know you.” Will backs into the shadows and denies any acquaintance. “Were you to see my scars and hideousness, you would realize my face is not easily forgotten. We have never met, my lord. Take my word on it.” The Baron aquiesces but remains skeptical. This unknown soldier is too well bred, and well spoken, and his battle prowess and easy physicality strike a cord. But he lets it go for the moment. He has more pressing issues at hand, and bids the young man farewell.
Bridget makes herself ready for her music lesson. She is less than enthusiastic, for she’s had instruction before and shows no aptitude.
No comments:
Post a Comment