17thcentury Stories

In the narrow closes of old Edinburgh, history was never written in grand halls alone. It whispered through stone corridors, hid in shadowed doorways, and lingered where fear, faith, and reason quietly collided. Set across the 17th and 18th centuries, this anthology gathers untold stories of a city caught between superstition and enlightenment-where secrets were buried deep, and some were never meant to be forgotten.

In a city where a single flower is worth more than a man's life, some secrets are deadly enough to kill for. Amsterdam, 1637. At the height of the insane Tulip Mania, a group of the city's wealthiest speculators gather on a lavish barge, De Vergulde Lelie (the Gilded Lily), for a secret auction. The prize: the Semper Augustus, a tulip bulb so rare it could buy a palace. But before the first bid is cast, the night is shattered by a scream. The host, a ruthless and widely hated speculator, is found murdered. The priceless bulb is gone. Trapped on the barge by the frozen canals, a handful of suspects are locked in a cage of opulence and fear: the bitter rival on the brink of ruin, the indebted English lord, and the vengeful farmer who claims the bulb was stolen from him first. The city watch sees a simple case of greed. But they're not looking closely enough. Signor Alvise Grimaldi, a disgraced Venetian glassmaker living in exile, sees what the others miss. He's not a detective; he's an artist with an eye for fatal flaws. While everyone else is blinded by the missing bulb, Grimaldi is drawn to the real heart of the crime: the silent, stolen glances between the victim's beautiful, trapped wife, Katarina, and the brilliant, obsessive painter, Frans van Loo. Their forbidden love is a secret far more dangerous than any financial debt. As Grimaldi peels back the layers of deception, he realizes the murder wasn't a simple robbery. It was a crime of passion, a desperate act disguised to look like greed. Now, he's in a silent duel with a killer who is just as much an artist of deception as Grimaldi is of glass. In a world gone mad with speculation, can a broken artist expose a truth hidden in a single drop of paint before the ice thaws and a devastating secret sinks them all?

The Song of Vaiya continues... the Master's will be done With the World now cleansed... it may breathe again From the Ildier, the Vir, the Duwod... let the new kin come The World's cycle continues...

Almost 400 years ago in the 17th century, Diana Cavendish created a magical relic that would help witches who wanted to have children but were married or dating each other. This story tells how Diana created her and overcame several difficulties that she suffered, despite being a Cavendish, she was far from being a spectacular witch that her descendants would ever be or that Beatrix once was.

"His genius was very rich, and ran much upon poetry, in which he excelled. But alas! In the issue. Wine and Love were the ruin of this ingenious Gentleman." John Dunton (1659 - 1733) English bookseller and author, writing of Benjamin Bridgewater. INTRODUCTION This completed story will form one full episode of a larger, historical fact/fiction work. The story here relates to Benjamin, one of my many Bridgewater ancestors. These early forebears include: Benjamin: the current subject, a rogue black sheep of the family (for every family has at least one in their closet) who was a London Lawyer of the Middle Temple, a writer, poet and all round bad 'un. In later years, the sad life of this once promising Cambridge scholar spiralled in an ever downward direction to the dark abyss. Henry: an Elizabethan Gentleman, who named in his Will a titled Lady who was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I (the Virgin Queen), and whom Her Majesty affectionately called 'My Black Crow'. Nathaniel: a Gentleman and servant to Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset (known as 'The Proud Duke'). One of Nathaniel's many rôles was as 'Waiter on the Robes' to Queen Anne. Thomas: a Master Joiner/Carver, an example of whose handsome ornamental work can be seen to this day on the wooden pulpit inside the famous London church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Benjamin: (father of Benjamin above), who was a Freeman Citizen of The Worshipful Company of Dyers and elected to the Court of Common Council. Roger: an 18th century actor who performed with the celebrated players of the day at the Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres in London. Extracts from the 1697 Calves-Head Club anthem and the poem on Mary II are the contemporary works of Benjamin Bridgewater. The Epistle to him is by his contemporary, John Tutchin. There is 'A readers' abridged FAMILY TREE of Benjamin Bridgewater', at the end of this work, which may help with your journey through his story.

During a time of danger for both women and black cats, a young woman struggles to protect herself when she is given a companion in the unlikeliest of places. * a fictional short story based on true historical events

When the all ports are closed, and pestilence markers adorn every dock, what is left to do? Staying on board a boat with limited provisions might seem the safest thing to do, but when food runs out, water runs low, and push comes to shove, is it really a lifeboat?

After the death of Duke, the friends and Lisette make their way through the world at their leisure. They meet many cultures and participate in major events in history.

1676, France "I don't understand... I have no relationship with the king" Arienne reassured."Its forbidden" Arienne is from a poor family and had no choice but to work for money. She finds herself finding work in the castle where the King lives. Arienne is torn between risking the Kings reputation and loving him. It is forbidden for a King and a servant to be betrothed but if it is real love, then can this be dismissed so easily? *i am currently rewriting some chapters*

Yvaine; our main character in the story,is a young lady from a rich family back in the late 17th century, an aristocrat,daughter of the grand duke in paris, beautiful,gentle and kind,like any young woman,she loves fashionable clothes,including her father,until a beautiful night.she soon met the love of her life.

These infamous fables tell of a ragamuffin gang of adventurous Half-Pirates, sailing aboard their proud ship the Cerulean Phoenix, we'll join this crew on their never ending treasure hunts. While every person has a kooky personality of their own the Captain enforces a strict moral code as these intrepid explorers take on more than just the average rival pirates. Battling Skeletons, Snakes, Sirens, Sharks, Sea monsters, and Squids, even though there's really nothing that they haven't taken on, they are in for much more than a few rival swords |- Please note that I do not own the game the Sea of Thieves nor its storylines or lore, I do own the 7 main characters/pirates in the story, other characters belong to the creators, RARE -|

**Winner of Round 4 - Write To Survive contest hosted by SecretTreasures and joined by FreeTheLGBT** Have you ever thought of having some solid sign that would lead you to your soulmate? While you think, there's Juliet who has the sign, a birthmark to be precise; and the only person who carries the same birthmark is the destined one for her. This is her story of knowing that person.

"In the beauty of their death, they danced." Clara is the descendant of an old wealthy family from the 17th century, she has just begun college but is home for summer. Clara has dreams of becoming an author so for her summer break she is temporarily moving to the family estate in London from her family home in America. Clara was looking for some form of inspiration hoping to find some in London unknowing of whom / what she would find there. *Every character in this book along with the plot belongs to me and I take full credit for every detail in this book* cover by @haruhiifowl ©️weepingstatues2021

To break the curse of Flying Dutchman, Captain Jack Sparrow and Henry Turner embark on a mission to find the Trident of Poseidon. They also try to stop Captain Salazar who intends to rule the seas. Samira Salazar wife to Armando Salazar, Phoebe Lopez fiance to Moss Hernández, and Ellie Garcia fiance to Santos Morales are the best of friends. One being married to the Captain and two being engaged to two of their Bestfriends husband's crew members, they are bound to spend everyday together and eventually they trusted each other with anything. However what happens when they are aboard the Silent Mary when Jack Sparrow tricks them into going into The Devil's Triangle to die but are cursed instead? Will they break the curse or not? What will happen if they do break the curse? -------------------------------------------------- Samira - "I will kill you for what you have done to me, mi esposo(my husband) and his tripulación(crew) even if it is the last thing I do!!" Phoebe - "Samira, cálmate(calm down)!" Ellie - "Don't stop her!" -------------------------------------------------- Started ~ 24/11/2022 Finished ~ ??/??/????

Delilah Williamson is the Daughter of the Duke of Celio tasked with the responsibility of helping a prince get back to his hometown unscathed (by giving him money of course) among other things. Julius Beauregard Davenport the Fifth has a long name but that's the least of his problems. He's been displaced from his route home during an impromptu attack on his carriage which ended up killing everyone there but him. Due to some circumstances he's met the Daughter of the Duke of Celio...

Bonnie Daniels. A name known all across the destitute German town. She is heeded by many names...Insane...Monster... Liar... But they're forgetting one more word... Alone...

Hungary 28th March 1609, Anna Darvulia receives a visit from a mysterious woman, the countess Elizabeth Bathory. This countess, so feared by citizens, visits her for a proposal... Will Anna agree? Are the stories about Elizabeth, that terrify people so much, true? What will Anna find out?