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In the winter of [[501]], [[Maelgwyn]] sent the following letter to Baron [[Basile]] de Wallingford == The Letter == <poem> To the Right noble, and Valorous, Baron [[Basile]] de Wallingford, Sir [[Maelgwyn]] sends greetings in the lord. Your Lordship, let me first extend to you my thanks for releasing me from your captivity and by your grace letting me and my friends leave your lands. Yet I have a favor to ask of you even though I know that it is completely in your rights to refuse me. The belt you took from me is a family heirloom passed down for generations in my family and one of those things that tie my bloodline to its most ancient heritage. For me, and indeed my family, the loss of the belt is a great tragedy. I therefore ask, no beg, of you lordship to return the [[Belt of Agenor|belt of agenor]] to me and my family so that we can know peace. <span class="sign">Sir [[Maelgwyn]] ap [[Ceiwyn]]</span> </poem> == The Response == <poem> To Sir [[Maelgwyn]] It was with great sadness that I received the honorable nobleman's letter of demand this autumn. The honorable nobleman was taken as a prisoner by ancient law in this land, and by surrendering to me and my men he gave up what was on his person to me. We should not be so quick to write of such ancient custom because we are driven by our selfish nature. It was because of my selfless generosity that I left the honorable nobleman ride of with almost everything, even his horse, after the discourteous visitation from his fellow [[Salisbury]] knights. With silver tongues and honeyed words they took advantage of my poor brother's slow wit to gain entry into land where they were not welcome. The belt is a small price for the discourteous visit. It is with the greatest courtesy that I ask that he desists in sending me these outrageous claims. It does him no service to his honor. I would also like to remind the honorable nobleman that he is not welcome on our land, as granted to us as freeholding Barons. As written by brother Maynard, in the name of <span class="sign">Baron [[Basile]] de Wallingford</span> </poem> == The insult == The following letter was received in Oxford during the early spring. It seems hastily written. <poem> To [[Basile]] de Wallingford, usurper and louse of the first water, Lord [[Maelgwyn]] sends greetings in the lord. It was with great pleasure I received your last letter for I long feared you would come to your senses and this affair would be solved without my hands around your neck. How dare a serpent as you speak of ancient customs? How often was not your pug-faced brood missing in the throngs of honourable battles when the good high king [[Uther]], thrice blessed be his name, mustered the forces of our realm? No you hid like cowardly slugs and cared for nothing but yourselves, never doing your Duty. I fully understand that you are by no right obliged to return my heirloom, not that obligations is a word your ilk know the meaning of, but I still believed some common courtesy was to be found in a man who calls himself a knight. For what your touched brother is concerned the thieving oaf could have been outwitted by any wildlife, or indeed rock, in all of [[Logres]]. Iβm sure he would have sold his horse and tunic for magic beans long ago had he not had a viper such as yourself to guide him. Furthermore I can promise you to never enter your lands since you have none. Your lands and legacy are stolen from far superior men and in time I swear to see them returned. So until we meet again [[Basile]]: sharpen your [[sword]] and make good with the Lord. Eat and grow fat on your stolen lands while you still can. By the name of my good family I will see you disposed and the belt returned. <span class="sign">Sir Mealgwyn of the Tarrens </span> Servant of the Lord most high, Loyal Subject of [[Lady]] [[Ellen]], Lord of [[Chillmark]], Bulwark of [[Hillfort]]. Ps And if I seem unfamiliar with the customs of hostage taking the cowardly [[Basile]] de Wallingford must remember that my [[sword]] arm rarely allows any prison taking. </poem> == The apology== The response arrives only weeks later, hand-delivered by a messenger. It's overly decorated and scented with perfume. It comes with a small leather pouch. <poem> To [[Maelgwyn]], my former prisoner The honorable nobleman must forgive me, I must have misunderstood how important this old piece of leather was to him, his family and his heir. It is therefore with utmost, sincere and honest courtesy that I return the belt with a messenger and hope that any further misunderstandings can be avoided. <span class="sign">The Right Honorable [[Basile]] de Wallingford</span> P.S. Call my brother touched again and I have the remains of that beloved sister of your dug up from her grave and given to my pigs. There are plenty of priests willing to undo the burial-ceremony for a piece of copper or two. Only I can call him out on his stupidity. Call it a brother's right. </poem> [[File:ashes.png|200px|link=|center]] [[Category:Journals]][[Category:{{Periods_nolink|501}}]][[Category:501]] <comments />
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