Chasing Rose

Some historical notes--

This is without a doubt one of my favourite pieces I've ever written. It got me asking a lot of philosophical questions and fueled my foray into imperfect narrators. Also, the Middle Ages. They were cool, yeah?

Anyways, I've gotten some questions asking about the language thing-- if you haven't seen my comments, I'll explain them here.

Before 1066, England was under the control of a tribe called the Anglo-Saxons. They spoke what we refer to now as Old English (which is not "thee" and "wherefore" but basically a Viking language/old German) and was also just called Saxon. Even after 1066, when the Norman French invaded England and took over almost all the nobility, most of the peasant class still spoke Saxon, or English (which, side note, is named after the Angles, the other tribe that sort of blended with the Saxons. So both parts get some recognition here!) even though the king and lords would speak only Norman French. In fact, English kings did not begin to use English as their primary language until the time of Henry V in the 15th century as far as I can tell! So there was an ENORMOUS class divide that got sort of wrapped up in the languages. Poor people generally only spoke English. The rich spoke French and that was seen as a mark of being a better person because, hello, you're rich, and this was the Middle Ages where morality was skewed. Just kidding. It's still pretty skewed.

Also, it's pretty unlikely historically that the illegitimate daughter of a minor lord would be used as a marriage pawn. I just thought it would make a good story. Though, illegitimate children were used as political players in other historical times, especially if they were the king's illegitimate children, so it's not like it never happened. I just don't know how often it would have happened in the 12th century, if it happened at all.

Anyways, I hope that helped you to understand things a bit better. Please ask me questions if you have them! I'm happy to help!