I am Brangien [Brangaine] of Weisefort, Ireland, lady-in-waiting to my cousin Isolde, who became promised to King Marc of Cornwall. His nephew Tristan escorted us to England by ship. But Tristan and Isolde fell in love at sea. As ye may know, or will find out, they cite the philter they drank as the cause, over which I was supposed to keep vigil. I would like to share my perspective of how I have created good in the world through my herbs and observations. There is much to tell, including how I have adopted this odd language. In good time. My life is in God’s hands. –Inspired by the modern French translations of the Tristan and Isolde texts
Next to the king, Isolde and I sat at the highest level of the stands. The queen mirrored the morning blaze as it climbed, golden glow hitting human form embellished in a gold on gray brocade bliaut.
After the Commencement, the grand charge rang out from the herald’s mouth.
“Tintagel!” Tristan shouted.
He moved forward with the other knights as though one arm. After a loud clash of armor at the impact of the two lines, hooves thundering and trumpets sounding, the men traveled outward beyond the trees. All we could see was a glint here and there where the sun hit the arms and helmets of knights, then nothing. The herald, balanced atop a tall bank of earth, tried to comment on the action nonetheless, becoming creative about what he thought he saw, as though the angle at which the grass blades blew gave us any indication of how the fighting proceeded.
The ladies down below were gossiping about who might win and who they admired. Their voices wore a cagey glimmer. But Tristan carried with him linen Isolde had embroidered in green and buttercup, and if there was mention of Tristan, Isolde and I ignored it.
Dazzled by the glare and a state of anticipation, my hands fidgeted to be busy. I took out my needlework, squinting, and time passed less slowly.
Hello, welcome to my blog! I hold an MA in French Literature, and my master's thesis reflected on the realistic aspect of female servants in French literature, one of whom was Brangien, lady-in-waiting to Isolde. The Tristan and Isolde "story" first intrigued me in my undergraduate medieval French literature class and stayed with me. As I developed my graduate thesis, studying the modern French translations of the Tristan and Isolde texts, the latter mostly from the 12th century, I extrapolated what I could from the scant information about Brangien. This felt meaningful yet also dissatisfying. I hunger to know more about Brangien, and since I enjoy creative pursuits, I am currently writing a novella in order to try to answer my own questions. This blog is one way to explore who she could be. I will try to remain true to what I learn(ed) from the Tristan and Isolde texts and to my vision of Brangien (i.e. embellishments will not be found in the original texts), as well as medieval history, as an art, not a science. I am also a knitter so you may see the crafting bug manifest. Please feel free to leave a comment if you like. Thanks!
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9 thoughts on “Tournament”
Hi Meara,
It’s good to serialise your writing like this, and I hope that it brings you success.
Many thanks for following my blog, which is much appreciated.
Best wishes, Pete.
Hi Meara
Like Pete, I think it is a good idea to serialise your writing I hope you have much success…I enjoyed what I read. Thank you for following my blog 🙂
This is SOOOO cool!!! I’ve never seen anyone write a blog from a character’s point of view! Just love this. Your writing is lovely and it’s really nice that You have Your posts cut to a small size. Smiling so big. Thank You and Cheers!!! 🙂
Hi Meara,
It’s good to serialise your writing like this, and I hope that it brings you success.
Many thanks for following my blog, which is much appreciated.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hi Pete, thanks for your message.
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Hi Meara
Like Pete, I think it is a good idea to serialise your writing I hope you have much success…I enjoyed what I read. Thank you for following my blog 🙂
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Thanks, Carol!
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“Their voices wore a cagey glimmer.” Love that line!
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Thanks, Priscilla!
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This is SOOOO cool!!! I’ve never seen anyone write a blog from a character’s point of view! Just love this. Your writing is lovely and it’s really nice that You have Your posts cut to a small size. Smiling so big. Thank You and Cheers!!! 🙂
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Katy, thanks so much for the appreciation and support!
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My pleasure, Meara!!! 🙂
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