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heckofabecca · 4 years

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some headcanons for morwen steelsheen’s daughters

l-r, oldest-younger, Morneth, Cynwise, Forodiel. (WIP. Not pictured: Théodwyn.)

1. Morneth, b. winter 2953.

Stern, book-smart, and patient.

Morneth, like her mother, has black hair that she likes to leave unbound before she marries. (Her mother is scandalized—Gondorian girls bind their hair from childhood.) She also has her mother’s gray eyes.

She takes easily to reading and inhales the written word.

Her handwriting is fantastic, and she’s a good harpist.

From age twelve, she serves as a scribe for her mother and Morwen’s Gondorian ladies-in-waiting for non-private matters.

Her harp skills stem more from patient practice than innate talent.

Morneth is a middling fighter and poor bookkeeper—when she eventually marries a lord from Lossarnach, she has a kinswoman to help manage her household, and she never picks up a sword again.

Morneth is only a few months older than Elfhild, Théoden’s wife. She has little in common with Elfhild, but she appreciates how Elfhild listens closely whenever Morneth is explaining something. During the spring of Théoden’s courtship, Elfhild and Morneth practice harps together.

Elfhild and Théoden marry in 2977. Morneth and Elfhild become closer over the following year, but Elfhild dies in childbirth while Morneth is in the room.

Elfhild’s death brings Théoden and Morneth closer than they had ever been. The relationship she has with him in the next few years is the closest she ever is with a sibling.

Morneth dotes on baby Théodred, but as he’s given to a nurse, she soon longs for her own child.

Morneth marries in 2980 at 27, just a few months before her father dies.

She leaves for Gondor and rarely returns. She (and Morwen) return when Théodwyn dies in 3002, which is the only time she meets Éomer and Éowyn as children, and for Théoden’s funeral in 3019.

She and Théoden exchange letters a few times a year until the war—and Théoden’s health—make it difficult.

In Lossarnach, her interests are limited to her three children (two sons and a much-longed-for daughter, Lassil), her nearby relatives, and her library.

Unfortunately, Morneth never achieves a truly close relationship with Lassil, who’s too sociable to enjoy being holed up in a study like Morneth is.

When her second son is grown, he becomes Morneth’s true favorite.

At her husband’s urging, she takes an interest in local education.

Lothíriel of Dol Amroth visits Morneth and Morwen in Lossarnach in 3015 and helps in one of Morneth’s schools for an afternoon. She is deeply struck by the experience, and later bases her efforts to educate the people of Rohan on Morneth’s work in Lossarnach. (Lothíriel’s efforts in Rohan are less successful—she is seen as colonizing and southernizing the Mark—but useful for those who seek it out.)

After Théodwyn is married in 3890, Morwen returns to Lossarnach and eventually settles into Morneth’s household. She joins Morneth on a final voyage to Rohan after Théodwyn dies in 3002.

As the years grow darker under the shadow of Mordor, it is Morwen, not Morneth, who writes to Théoden to encourage him to join with Gondor.

Morneth is little bothered by war and politics; Morwen is far more politically astute.

After the war, Morneth travels north to Rohan for Théoden’s burial. She stays a short time and returns to Lossarnach.

Her wedding gift to Éowyn in 3020 is a set of books about Gondor.

2. Cynwise, b. spring 2955.

A sharp tongue, a passionate temper, and a snarky sense of humor.

Cynwise has brown hair, gray eyes, and a heart-shaped face. She’s the most comely of her sisters, but her face lights up in the best way.

She is the best shieldmaiden among her sisters, though like Morneth she prefers reading.

She marries Théoden’s lieutenant Egric at 26 in 2981, but he is killed by orcs a year later. As a childless widow, she returns to her father’s house.

Cynwise stays in Meduseld until her youngest sister Théodwyn marries Éomund in 2990. At 35, she moves with 27-year-old Théodwyn to Aldburg, where she becomes fluent in Rohirric, becomes lovers with Éomund’s widowed sister Effe, and teaches her niece and nephew to read and write.

At Thengel’s court, Westron was used more than the language of the Mark. Only Théoden gains fluency in the Mark’s native language before coming of age, and Morneth never really learns it at all.

Cynwise is bisexual. She loved her husband and mourned him; she loves Effe and hopes to never mourn her.

More notably, Cynwise teaches Éowyn to fight.

After the deaths of her sister and brother-in-law in 3002, Cynwise, 47, Cynwise brings Éomer and Éowyn to Meduseld and stays for some months before returning to Aldburg and Effe. They keep house in Aldburg, finish raising Effe’s two sons, and wait for Éomer to reclaim his seat.

Both of Effe’s sons are of age within five years. The elder joins the éored that will one day be Éomer’s command; the younger works overseeing Aldburg’s herd and training young horses.

Effe had three other children, but they all died in the cradle.

Cynwise spends three years in Meduseld (3014-3017, ages 59-62) to tend to her ailing brother before she is driven out by Gríma Wormtongue, who publicly exposes her relationship with Effe. Their relationship was a badly-kept secret in Aldburg, but once out, had to be addressed.

Cynwise is not very patient with her brother. She’s a poor nurse at the best of times, and to watch a brother she admired become so frail is more than she can bear. Not to mention Gríma, who becomes bolder during her stay.

While in Edoras, Cynwise becomes close with her nephew Théodred, who has a secret love of his own. When Théodred dies two years after Cynwise’s expulsion from Edoras, Cynwise goes into full mourning, which is normally reserved for parents and children.

With Cynwise’s forced departure, Éowyn, 22, must now bear the brunt of Gríma’s emotional abuse essentially alone.

After the War of the Ring, Cynwise, 64, stands in for Éowyn’s mother during the wedding preparations and ceremony. During Faramir’s long stay in Edoras after Théoden’s burial, he and Cynwise talk at length about Théodred and Boromir. (It’s not a subject Éomer is comfortable with.)

Despite having no children, despite her relationship with Effe, despite her temper, it is Cynwise who proves the most dutiful of her sisters where the Riddermark is concerned. She is the most involved in the Mark’s politics, provides useful council in Edoras and Aldburg, and is the only sister to tend to her ailing brother.

3. Forodiel, b. autumn 2961.

Sharp-tongued, perceptive, creative, and bipolar.

“Daughter of the North.” Forodiel is the first of Morwen’s daughters to have her father’s yellow hair and blue eyes. Like Morneth, she has a long nose, and like Cynwise, a heart-shaped face. The shortest, slightest, and most beautiful of the sisters.

She’s aware of her beauty, and she can be vain.

She’s a difficult child, and can be a difficult adult. As a girl, she had few lasting friends, and as a young woman, few suitors who persisted for reasons beyond her beauty and position. But she’s a fundamentally good person who generally means well, even if her “meaning well” often goes beyond a scope most people could manage.

Forodiel reads slowly—she’s dyslexic. Other than that, she works quickly when not in a slump, so she dislikes reading as a rule.

However, she’s a gifted archer. Women’s archery contests are common festival events during her youth, and she excels. At ten, she shot an apple out of Cynwise’s hands during a summer picnic, which got her a beating.

Forodiel and Cynwise do not get on. They’re both sharp-tongued, and Forodiel would constantly get underfoot as a girl. Plus, they competed for Théodwyn’s attention. By the time Cynwise is 16 and Forodiel is 10… well.

She’s also a good singer and harpist. When she hears a song or chant that she likes, she learns it quickly.

Unlike Morneth, she has a natural gift for both singing and the harp. She wouldn’t have had the patience to persist at it if she wasn’t a talented (and quick) learner to begin with.

Swidhelm, her eventual husband, was born the same year and is bipolar himself. He’s the grandson of a lord from the West-enmet; his visits to Edoras are almost always short, but he recognizes Forodiel as a kindred spirit. However, he manages to get himself a post in Edoras in 2987. Forodiel falls in love with him quickly.

Still, she refuses him multiple times between 2987-2988 before she’s convinced he knows exactly what he’s getting into. Forodiel is privately uncomfortably aware of how difficult she can be by the time she’s of age.

Théoden is not happy that a sister of his—his most beautiful sister! a real beauty!—should want to marry the second son of a second son. Nor is Morwen, for that matter. Still, when Swidhelm asks permission, Théoden agrees on the spot without consulting his mother, which Morwen resents.

The crux of the matter for Théoden: Forodiel’s unwillingness to marry any of her more suitable suitors left Théoden in an awkward position with more than one of the Mark’s best men. Having her settled far from Edoras makes her less of a sore subject.

Forodiel and Swidhelm marry in Meduseld in April, 2989. They remove to the West-enmet in May.

Forodiel’s grandfather-in-law, the lord, is alive for two years after her marriage. He’s extremely fond of Forodiel and calls her the jewel of the West-enmet. At his death, he bequeaths a parcel of land to Swidhelm close to Fangorn, where Forodiel oversees the restoration of a ruined tower-house with alarming competency.

This somewhat reconciles Théoden to the marriage: Forodiel’s children will now have a home of their own, one that befits the children of a princess.

Forodiel has six children.

A son (Aeldun, b. 2990) and daughter (Aethelfled, b. 2992) both die as children from a plague in 2997 while visiting their lordly uncle. No one in Forodiel’s family ever met them.

Her twin sons Oswald and Ethelwold (b. 2994) meet their mother’s family in 3002 after their aunt Théodwyn dies. They die in skirmishes: Oswald in 3016 and Ethelwold in 3018.

The youngest children, Thengel (b. 2999) and Aelfrith (b. 3001), are too young to truly fight in the war. Still, Thengel takes an active part in the ongoing struggles against orcs and hill-men sent from Isengard to weaken the West-enmet’s defences. Both children fight alongside their parents when their keep is under direct attack in early 3019. Aelfrith loses an ear in the fight.

After the war, Forodiel, 58, and Swidhelm travel to Edoras for Théoden’s funeral. Forodiel is privately satisfied to think that she was more beautiful than Éowyn at 24; Swidhelm teases her about it, but concedes that she’s right.

Once home, Forodiel and Swidhelm work closely with Swidhelm’s second cousin, the new lord, to manage rebuilding the West-enmet. Forodiel’s skills are praised, and her advice is sought by others around the Mark.

4. Théodwyn, b. summer 2963.

Gentle (no one knows where she got that from), clever, and generally cheerful, but prone to depression.

Théodwyn has gold hair and gray eyes. Like her mother, she’s tall.The most beloved of all the girls—beloved by her father, her brother, and all three sisters. She was a happy, shy baby, more lovely as a young child than even Forodiel. Despite the favor she has, she’s rarely haughty.

Théodwyn doesn’t really understand Morneth, and Forodiel scared her too often as children for Théodwyn to be fully comfortable with her. Her favorite sister is Cynwise.

Théodwyn is a slow reader—she has a slower processing speed than the rest of her sisters.

She has a beautiful voice, though it takes her a long time to memorize a song.

After Cynwise’s husband dies in 2981, Théodwyn becomes closer with her than ever.

Her voice and smile captured Éomund’s heart more than anything else.

They have a short courtship. They meet properly and marry in 2990.She’s clever and gentle enough to calm much of his anger in far less time—and with far less shouting—than others would take. It doesn’t take too long for him to realize how well she manages him once they’re married. After that, he’s even happier about his choice.

Théodwyn is hugely relieved when Cynwise agrees to come to Aldburg. She’s less pleased when she finds out some months later that Cynwise and her new sister-in-law have become lovers, but she agrees not to tell her husband unless he explicitly asks.

Éomund’s duties as Third Marshall take him from home often, and Cynwise and Effe are discreet enough to evade notice while Éomund is alive.

Théodwyn is reluctant to let Cynwise teach Éowyn to fight, but Éomund rightly points out that Cynwise is the best fighting woman in Aldburg.

In time, Théodwyn accepts Cynwise and Effe’s relationship.

Of all the sisters, Théodwyn has the “best” marriage. She’s married to one of the highest lords in the land, and she’s the only sister who hosts Théoden in her married home. However, Éomund’s long period away from home make it less happy than Forodiel’s marriage and far less blissful than what Cynwise and Effe have.

When Éomund is away, Théodwyn is far less cheerful than when he’s at home. Cynwise and Effe go to often great lengths to keep her active and involved.

When Théodwyn is dying, she asks Cynwise and Effe to raise her children. Instead, Théoden brings them into his household to raise as his own.

Cynwise brings Éomer and Éowyn to Edoras when summoned, where she tells Théoden of Théodwyn’s wish. Théoden tells Cynwise that she can stay in Meduseld to assist, but that the children will be far better for growing up in Edoras. Cynwise longs to argue, but she can’t bear the thought of leaving Effe, even for her niece and nephew. It’s a decision Cynwise grapples with for the rest of her brother’s life, particularly during the years she spends nursing Théoden before the War of the Ring and seeing how Éowyn and Éomer are still scarred by their parents’ deaths.

Théodwyn’s death in 3002 prompts a Meduseld family reunion of sorts, one that is never repeated. Théoden (54) and Théodred (24) receive Éomer (11), Éowyn (7), and Cynwise (47) from Aldburg; Forodiel (40) and her twin sons Oswald and Ethelwold (8); and Morwen (80) and Morneth (49) from Lossarnach.

Forodiel takes an instant liking to pretty Éowyn, and her sons, like Éomer, latch onto Théodred.

Morneth and Théoden take early rides together whenever he can manage it.

Morwen checks that the scribe she left in charge of Meduseld’s library has kept things up to standard. She tells stories to the gathered grandchildren, and even Théodred listens, if only to hear the melody of her voice.

Forodiel and Morwen talk about losing their children. Cynwise and Forodiel make peace.

At night, Éomer and Éowyn sneak into Cynwise’s bed. She holds them tight and tries not to let them feel her crying.

#morwen of lossarnach #morwen steelsheen #théodwyn #théoden #rohan #lotr #tolkien #lotr headcanons #morwen's daughters #my art #FEEL FREE to ask more anything #i know this is thousands of words but uh #feel free lol #this consumed me for many hours

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444names · 2 years

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american states + french forenames + animals BUT excluding the letter "T"

Albeas Albelia Alingle Allinefle Almonker Almou Ampiker Anchamelle Anchre Andrish Aniame Aniève Anlucas Ansil Aphinadger Arannis Arcard Arflyne Arginefine Aroose Arour Arrey Aslobed Auder Aulig Aurey Babeerfis Babiliow Bamed Bandsh Barcamic Barigerber Baslainch Basper Beagle Beannoine Bearidak Bearle Beavermon Bengue Berflyne Berge Berhel Berie Blabbooss Blaine Blarwil Blasichruna Blaudre Blucke Bluse Bobricoo Bravienzel Buffal Camina Canechale Caniquisa Capenor Caphawk Carfly Carille Carle Carpida Charce Chaëlle Cheanieck Chellice Chergin Chiena Chieu Chinguanguy Chion Chiper Chrilbervé Chrin Chrine Chrionker Clairger Cocerflarna Cockbie Codpanne Colaur Coles Colvird Conde Conie Coonne Corminel Craille Crandrak Dannevira Delphirefly Dinès Docucine Dovell Driamele Dundaho Dunoé Dybaranne Dybuffis Dylam Eaddolf Eafowl Eaphark Earce Echinèse Eclab Eclérakey Egrice Elamelpark Elexandrunk Ellifowl Emmacoce Emmarwhamed Emunk Emuno Emurogeonne Engbird Eniferm Ergechis Ershawale Fabie Fabire Falie Fanne Ferflydia Finew Fishin Fissiline Flowl Flyne Fralaul Froli Frunda Frunk Gaarcel Gaaria Gabradia Gabruine Galcormonne Geoparico Georie Ghillion Gianne Gillenne Ginkenny Ginès Giracke Girew Goallimpsh Goalmonk Grane Grayfis Grayineck Grennebric Grine Groon Grédérômee Grémiss Guaillin Guandory Guane Guine Guink Guisal Gérène Hadich Hamelion Hammainny Hammil Hance Handrinick Handsloce Harkanne Harre Heavièle Hedbugaël Henia Herep Herre Hoppikey Horic Hovie Hugabirane Hugopois Humpe Hélia Hérass Ighipeafow Ildfis Ionkeep Ireler Jackencia Jaclaingar Jacolf Jagle Jagnèse Jagoria Jamer Janzebril Jeaden Jeaderounk Jeaffab Jeaffe Jealil Jeand Jeane Jeang Jeanie Jeanlor Jeann Jeapie Jeara Jearich Jeark Jeashaël Jeassamaile Jence Jenne Josquejack Josse Jullana Juselle Jérie Kadrégo Kalianny Kenne Kinda Kingehon Kingfis Kiwilk Krindsh Kroacuse Lacor Lacquid Laine Lançoine Laude Lauderose Laurede Lerrefish Llemurice Lobonossh Lopos Lorchelle Lornaddo Loucaphar Lucka Luckbieu Luenrichen Luguis Lémich Maccon Mackey Macky Madshrusk Magnès Mainck Mairenes Malio Mamaximely Mamedocka Mamélig Manary Mandel Manne Maragazebas Marce Mariance Maric Marickane Marle Masilde Maskiwifow Maspeckanne Meanne Micariecky Michrichel Micoredgerm Miechichar Milloran Mingfird Minken Mirey Mishodord Mockannia Monien Muline Munos Murus Myrick Mélion Mélione Mélish Nadog Narnie Nemmaridel Nemmisania Niquel Nièvermine Noissipe Ockaralde Ockpandan Ockrie Ocucia Ocushienée Odenne Odenny Ohion Oklauruse Ordfis Ordfishal Oriella Packer Pacouis Panne Parflouse Parichug Pascask Passalieu Paudora Paudrunk Paulinne Paullauray Peanie Pechèle Penia Perce Piechriss Pielie Pierpig Pighis Pikey Pirgin Polleora Praine Puffe Quandellamp Quesone Quingo Radia Rafox Ralis Ranisk Ranne Rannian Ranon Ranzon Rassou Relle Repha Rhodingard Rhopume Rhormwhar Rodine Rodpeand Rooseahodel Rouingle Rouink Rouse Rédérienier Régile Réminnoé Saberfise Salaw Saricar Sconewha Seadorse Shalaudo Sharizon Shimp Shrisis Sicawnflyne Sileine Siseafowl Sisèle Skanne Slanlo Sloraymon Slucard Slugoo Snaring Snichiel Solanfray Soliforsely Sonde Sophan Sparc Sparidené Spigen Squer Squess Squew Suzzarina Swaii Swaine Swide Swishiniel Swolfloreph Swomin Sworgernia Sylaii Sylaingbel Sylaseacone Sylvand Sylvird Verchiennis Virawnfrole Volibon Volpar Vérachidah Walimagnèse Weandean Weari Weascang Weasp Wessh Whane Wifow Wifownfin Wigerm Wilishricel Wolaudovine Wolaumparca Wolflydin Woodine Woosshaëlle Worierrenzo Wormon Worshidna Wyomarle Wyomichrien Yanzona Yançoish Yveron Yvolada Zeefle Zeericharoa Zelles Élifow Élissolah Éminnia Érène Éverm

#444names #444 names

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canuterex · 4 years

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Anglo-Saxon Chronicles (2)

“(...) About the same time, king Canute arrived in the port of Sandwich with a large fleet, and shortly afterwards, sailing round the coast of Kent, entered the mouth of the river Frome, and swept off much booty in Dorsetshire, Somersetshire, and Wiltshire.

King Ethelred then lying sick at Corsham, his son Edward the etheling, on the one hand, and Edwin Streon, the ealdorman, who was steeped in stratagems and deceit, on the other, levied a great army. But when their forces were united, the ealdorman laid all manner of snares for the etheling, and plotted his death; which being found out, they presently parted same ealdorman inveigled the crews of forty ships of the royal fleet, which were manned by Danes, to follow his fortunes and joining Canute with them placed himself at his service.

The West- Saxons also submitted to him , giving him hostages, and afterwards furnished horses for his army. On the death of Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester, he was succeeded by Elsy, called also Elfwin.

[A.D.1016] Canute, king of the Danes, and the ealdorman Edric Streon, the traitor, having before our Lord's Epiphany [6th May ] crossed the river Thames at Cricklade, with a powerful body of horse, commenced hostilities in Mercia, laying waste and burning many vills in Warwickshire, and massacring all the people they met with.

When this came to the ears of the etheling Edmund, surnamed Ironside, he lost no time in collecting troops; but when the army was mustered, the Mercians refused to engage with the West -Saxons and Danes, unless they were joined by king Ethelred and the Londoners; in consequence, the army was disbanded, and every one returned home.

The feast (of Epiphany) being over, Edmund the etheling gathered a still larger army, and, when it was assembled , sent messengers to London requesting his father to join him as soon as possible with all the troops he eould muster; upon which, the king levied a number of united, it was intimated to the king, that unless he took precautions, some of the auxiliaries would betray him to the enemy.

In consequence, disbanding his troops, he returned to London, and the etheling went into Northumbria; from which many conjecture that it was his intention to assemble a still larger army against Canute; but as Canute and Edric on the one side, so he and Uhtred, earl of Northumbria, on the other, ravaged several provinces.

They first laid waste Staffordshire, then Shropshire and Leicestershire, because the people of those districts refused to take arms against the Danish army. Meanwhile, Canute and Edric Streon devastated, first, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire, and after wards Northumbria.

On learning this, the etheling Edmund desisted from ravaging the country, and hastened to his father at London. Earl Uhtred hurried home, and, compelled by necessity , submitted, with all the Northumbrians, to Canute, and gave him hostages; nevertheless, by Canute's command or permission, he was put to death by Thurbrand, a noble Dane, and Thurketil, the son of Neavan, fell with him.

This crime being perpetrated, Canute appointed Egric earl (of Northumbria) in Uhtred's place, and then returning south with great expedition by another road, he regained his ships with his entire army before the feast of Easter.

But the citizens of London, and some of the nobles who were then at London, unanimously chose Edmund, the etheling, to be king. Raised to the royal throne the intrepid Edmund went without delay to Wessex, and being received with great joy by the whole population, he quickly brought it under his rule; and the people of many provinces in England, hearing this, gave him their voluntary submission .

Meanwhile, Canute sailed up to London, about the Rogation days [7th May], with his whole fleet, and on his arrival there they dug a broad ditch on the south side of the Thames, and dragged their ships to the west of the bridge.

They then surrounded the city with a broad and deep trench, so as to cut off all ingress and egress, and made frequent assaults on it, but the citizens resisting them manfully drove them to a distance from the walls.

Therefore, raising the siege for the present, and leaving part of the army to guard the ships, they made a forced march into Wessex, and allowed king Edmund Ironside no time to get together his army.

However, with such troops as he was able to muster in so short a space of time, he boldly encountered them in Dorsetshire, giving them battle at a place called Pen, near Gillingham, where he defeated and put them to flight.

After midsummer, having again assembled an army larger than before, he determined to attack Canute with spirit, and fell in with him in Hwiccia, at a place called Scearstan."

#Knútr #Koning Knutr #canute the great #canute rex #King Canute #king kong #Cnut the Great #anglo-saxons chronicles

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