LORE: NOBLE HOUSES OF THE MYRCNA
Like many early medieval tribal cultures, the most fundamental unit of Ænglisc society was the
hús (“house,” i.e. “household,” “family”). Each family belonged to a larger kinship group known as a
cynréd (“kindred” or “clan”), of whom the senior-most member was the
ealdor (“elder” or “chieftain”). A group of related kinships constituted a
cynn (“kin,” i.e. “tribe”), and a collection of allied or related tribes was a
folc (“folk,” “people,” or “nation”).
We know the names of hundreds of Ænglisc kindreds from this period, almost all of which end with the suffix “
-ing” or “
-ling,” which was an indicator of descent or belonging. However, the names of the three most prominent families of Mierċe (outside of the royal Iclingas) remain uncertain. Scholars refer to these lineages as the “B,” “C,” and “W” dynasties because of their proclivity for choosing dithematic names for their heirs that began with these respective initials. The names of these kindreds that are used in this story are therefore conjectural, but they are nonetheless actual Ænglisc tribal names—simply the ones that made the most sense to use in this context. Their family seats are likewise mostly educated guesses. A few random details below have also been invented to fill in the gaps, which have been woven in seamlessly with the facts as we currently understand them.
The following were the most prominent noble families of Mierċe during the eighth century:
The Iclingas: The royal dynasty of the Myrcna.
Dynastic Head(s):
Ealdorman Heardberht (de jure),
Ealdorman Offa (de facto)
Family Seat(s): Tomeworthig, Mierċe (royal court), Legaceaster, Wreocensæte (Offa’s hold)
Named for their great ancestor Icel, the warlord who first led the West Ængle across the Norþsæ to Britannia, this once mighty dynasty is now a dying breed. This is due in part to the misdeeds of their most prominent scion, the notorious King Penda
Hæþen (“the Heathen”), who ruthlessly dominated the neighboring kingdoms for years until he was slain in battle in A.D. 655. The subsequent period of internecine conflict between his descendants ensured that they eventually became entirely extinct in the patrilineal line. The most senior Iclingas in the eighth century were therefore the descendants of Penda’s brother, King Eowa, which included the murdered King Æthelbald and his kinsman, Offa. Their
ealdor at this time was technically
Ealdorman Heardberht, brother of the late king, but he was elderly and infirm. It fell to
Ealdorman Offa to lead the dynasty, as the only remaining Iclinga of any prominence who was of sound mind and body.
The Ceolingas: The “C” dynasty of Mierċe.
Dynastic Head:
Ealdorman Cuthberht
Family Seat: Ægelsburh, Middel Ængle
A cadet branch of the Iclingas who were descended from a sister of King Penda. She returned to Mierċe after being repudiated by her husband, King Cœnwalh of West Seaxe (who was himself a descendant of a warlord named Ceol, hence the dynastic name). Although their noble lineage was through a lesser line, this comparative lack of prestige ultimately served in their favor, as it meant that their lineage survived when many of their higher-born kin perished during the decades of civil strife following Penda’s demise (making the tragic fate of Cynethryth’s family all the more ironic). The Ceolingas tended to be consummate survivors and clever politicians who stepped in to fill the gaps left by their less-fortunate kinsmen. Most of them had names that began with
“Ceol-,” “Cœn-,” “Cyne-,” “Cwén-,” and
“Cuth-” as a mark of their heritage. The murder of
Ealdorman Cyneberht meant that the leadership of this family devolved upon his brother, Cuthberht.
The Beorningas: The “B” dynasty of Mierċe.
Dynastic Head: King Beornræd
Swica (“the Traitor”)
Family Seat: Ligeraceaster, Útera Mierċe
The dynasty of the usurper and regicide, King Beornræd. They claimed descent from Beowulf, the legendary culture hero of the Geatas, and had a reputation for relentless brutality to match that of their purported ancestor. Their line may have originally hailed from the lands of the Beornice (possibly “bear-like ones,” referring to their bravery) in Northanhymbra, as their warriors’ ancestral totem was the bear. Most of them had names that began with
“Beorn-,” “Beorht-,” “Bryht-,” and
“Burg-.”
The Wigingas: The “W” dynasty of Mierċe.
Dynastic Head:
Ealdorman Wigheard
Family Seat: Badecanwelle, Pecsæte
A Myrcna family that rose to prominence in the northern hill country. They claimed descent from Wiglaf, a hearth-companion of Beowulf and a prominent member of his warband. As such, they were distant kin to the Beorningas. Their proximity to Hréopandún meant that they regularly participated in the
Witenagemot. The
ealdor of their dynasty at this time was Ealdorman Wigheard. In fact, all of them had names that began with
“Wig-.”
The Ossingas: The royal dynasty of the Hwicce.
Dynastic Heads: Petty Kings Eanberht, Uhtred, and Ealdred (jointly)
Family Seat: Wincelcumbe, Hwicce
This lineage was descended from the marriage of a Hwicce king and a daughter of King Oswiu of Northanhymbra, who was a mighty overlord of Britannia (called a
“Bretwalda”). Their sons all bore names that began with
“Os-“ in honor of their grandfather’s noble lineage (although that tradition soon fell out of fashion because of Mierċe’s longstanding rivalry with Northanhymbra). Due to Hwicce’s law of partible inheritance, each king divided his lands and wealth between his heirs, who then ruled the kingdom jointly. At this time, the kings of the Hwicce were three brothers, Eanberht, Uhtred, and Ealdred. Their father had likewise previously shared the kingdom with his own brothers, but he was the only one who had surviving issue. Their royal titles notwithstanding, these petty kings only kept their thrones by acknowledging the suzerainty of the Myrcna.
The Ealingas: The royal dynasty of the Lindisware.
Dynastic Head: Petty King Eanfrith
Family Seat: Lindcylene, Lindissi
At this time, the kings of the Lindiswara were tributaries or vassals of the Myrcna rather than part of the kingdom proper. That is how their dynasty preserved its semi-independence for so long, by swearing fealty to whichever of their neighbors was strong enough to exercise regional hegemony (usually either Mierċe or Northanhymbra). They were shrewd negotiators, but not particularly reliable in a fight. In the eighth century, most of them had names that began with
“Ea-,” “Ean-,” or
“Eald-.”
***
Author's Note: Historically, the Iclingas eventually died out and the "B," "C," and "W" dynasties fought over the Mercian throne until the last man standing married a West Saxon princess and became a vassal of Alfred the Great. Somehow, I don't think things are going to play out quite the same in
Mead and Blood, but don't expect these feuding houses to get along. This concludes the second history book update. I'm pleased to report that Chapter 2 is already in the works. Thanks for reading, and as always, please feel free to share your thoughts!
