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The Tale of Fendegist

AUTHOR: Irwin

The Tale of Fendegist

Much like Oscar's deer symbology was inspired by a cast of a Pictish pillar cross in the British Library, this story probably owes it's existence to the Ancient Europe Gallery at the British Museum, which contains the Lindow Man, Raedwald's Helmet and Grave Goods (or the Sutton Hoo treasures as they're better known), and a case full of rather creepy Frankish artifacts with stary eyes. The parts involving the Avalon take a lot from the novels on the same subject by Marion Zimmer Bradley, but portray the Lady as a little more traditionally elfin and immortal. It could really be set anywhere between the fifth century and the ninth, but is mostly likely set around the 500AD, some time after the fall of the roman empire, when Christianity was gaining a true foothold in the lands of Western Europe, half a century after the probable existence of Jesus Christ. In his journey, Fendegist passes through some of important mythological and historical outposts of this conflict and runs into a few of the players.

Useful Info

Jorgen and Fendegist's tribe are probably Suevians, or Swabians, who migrated into the Schwarzwald (at that point the Roman Province of Agri Decumates, the Grain Basket of Western Europe) around the fouth century and became amalgamated with the local Allemani. About 500 AD (probably when the Tale is most likely to be set), the area came under the control of the Christian Frankish Empire, ruled by the Merovingian dynasty. Swabia was practically independent again by 689, but was brought back under control by Charles Martel, the founder of the Frankish Carolingian Dynasty. It was to continue under their control until around 900 when it became semi-independent again.

Some considerable time may well have passed before Fendegist followed the Anglo-saxons to England, as Raedwald didn't ascend the throne of East Anglia until 599 and Edwin of Deira didn't take refuge in Raedwald's court until 615. The existence of the double pagan/christian altar and his wife's preference of paganism is recorded by the Venerable Bede. Raedwald is considered the most likely candidate for the Sutton Hoo burial. Augustine of Canterbury (whom Irwin particularly dislikes) didn't land in Kent until 597, died in 604, seven years later, before Canterbury cathedral was finished.

There have been several mythical and real Queen Machas, but the one on whom Fendegist's wife is based is Macha Mong Ruad ("red mane"), daughter of Áed Ruad, the only High Queen of Ireland to rule in her own right. Fendegist would have been her second husband, as Cimbáeth the original High King (Ard Rhi) was her first. According to the Irish King lists, she may have ruled anywhere between 468 and 654, putting her roughly in the correct time frame for the Tale.