Back to normal

If I could have taken the house back with me...

After a week of the adventures of Brom in Scotland, I am back to writing again. He will have (likely) two more chances this year, but I am not saying anything about that until. Of course I have been back to normal for a week already, starting work last Monday. Well, Tuesday really since I had Monday off!

A little 'I'm sorry'-gesture to Brom for forgetting him
Plus I felt rotten with a massive headache the day before

As you could read in Brom's posts I had a great holiday with my family. From the missing suitcase (the dopes at KLM) to the missing Tattoo tickets it was a good week. Not a bad word between us. Normally I would have gotten very antsy after only three to four days of spending every waking moment in the company of my family (and sleeping moment as well for that matter), but ever since my sick leave in February/March I have gotten a bigger respect for family and as a result a higher threshold for antsyness. 

Before the holiday

Not that I wasn't glad to be home on my own again (with suitcase, I knew the KLM could do it), because I was. And waiting at home for me was a very furry and bumpy kitty-cat! Because of her long hair, she will occasionally get stuff caught in it. Like baby slugs and twigs. Or poo. So, the first thing I had to do was play hairdresser and cut her hair! Good thing she has long hair: it doesn't show at all!

Even though it was pouring out, she insisted on going out
She was back soon!

Speaking of Miss Oswin, even though she still loves to be outside, it seems that she stays closer to me now. Sleeping on the couch with me, providing there is a piece of paper to lie on, sleeping in the basket next to my bed or even (like this morning) on the bed. It will probably fade, but it's nice while it lasts. 

Brom in the garden of Cawdor Castle

Since Brom was writing the posts last week, I had some time to do other things and I spent a fair bit of time on my ancestry research. I have at the same time a better and worse understanding of my grandmother thanks to some information given to me by my parents. I have finally made the link to Charles the Great online. I had it on my baby laptop and on paper, but it took a while to fill it all in online. There is still a fair bit to be done, but I have a more set plan of what I want to do with it all in the end. 

It's uphill finding everything out, but I will get there eventually!

I want to make a book of the stories I have found. The corrupt politician, the princess who eloped, the man with the red hair, my grandmother and many more stories. And that's just on my mother's side! Hopefully I will also be giving some information about the time they were living in and the circumstances they most likely would have lived in. Talk about a job and a half!!

Anyway, those are the plans. There is still work of course, plus several other things coming up and popping up, so it won't be as soon as I think or hope. A vel, it will keep me busy!

Judith of West-Francia

Over the past few weeks I wrote a diary of Judith of West-Francia who happens to be one of my foremothers (I am the 38th generation). The basics were fact, the details were (mostly) fiction.

Judith was born in October 844 as the eldest child to Charles the Bald and Ermentrude of Orléans. She had one little brother: Louis the Stammerer. When she was twelve she was married off to Aethelwulf of Wessex who was then in his fifties. After his death she was married to his son Aethelbald who was then about 16. Neither the church nor her father accepted the marriage to Aethelbald and after his death the marriage was annulled. After her return home she somehow met Baldwin. It's not really clear from the records whether she was a willing elopee, but since they stayed with relatives of hers (albeit ones that wouldn't mind pestering her father), I would (and many others would) consider her a willing accomplice.

After their marriage they travelled through Europe for a while before finally going to Rome to get some help from papal quarters. Fortunately Pope Nicholas I was willing to help and after his intervention Charles finally allowed the two to be properly married which happened in Auxerre on December 13th 863. As part of Judith's dowry a piece of land in the north of Charles' realm was given to Baldwin. It is quite probable that Charles expected Baldwin to perish within months, since the area of Flandria was heavily attacked by the Vikings at that time. However, Baldwin rose to it, managed to beat the Vikings, expand his lands and properties and raise quite a big army.

Judith and Baldwin had four children: Charles (who died very young), Baldwin II (who married a daughter of Alfred of Wessex, a former stepson and brother-in-law of Judith), Rudolf of Cambrai and an unknown girl. Judith died in 870, aged 26. Baldwin died in 918.

Judith's life wasn't very long, but during her lifetime she was married to three different men, travelled a great deal, was Queen twice and turned out to be the founder (with Baldwin) of Flanders.

January 7th, 864

My heart is still in my throat. Papa has given Baldwin an area in the North. It's called Flandria and today we arrived in Bruges. It was very quiet on the way there and we didn't see a living soul for hours. When we were nearly there, we saw a massive bear. Baldwin was so brave! He immediately got off his horse to protect me. I was very scared because the bear was so big, but Baldwin speared the bear with his lance and the danger was gone. We could make our way safely into Bruges.

December 12th, 863

Tomorrow I am getting married. For the fourth time. I should be used to it by now, but this time it's very exciting, because it's with Baldwin. With Papa's permission.

August 22nd, 863

Father Nicholas has written a letter to Papa and yesterday there was a letter back. Papa doesn't like it, but because Baldwin and I have been away together for so long, he has had to give his permission. Yippie!

July 3rd, 863

Result: Father Nicholas has promised to help us. I so hope it works out.

June 29th, 863

It was a long way, but we are finally in Rome. We have rented some rooms overlooking a big stadium. Baldwin says it's called the Collosseum and that the Roman emperors used to throw Christians in front of the lions. Strange people those Romans and I am happy they don't do that anymore!

April 11th, 863

We've been everywhere from Trier to Paris, because Papa's men kept coming after us. But this past week we haven't seen them and today we are finally leaving for Rome.



October 7th, 862

It's not safe anymore at Uncle Lothar's, so Baldwin has said we are leaving tonight. I don't know where we are going yet, but as long as we stay out of my father's hands, it's okay. Papa made sure our marriage is invalid and Uncle Lothar said that we have to try and see the Pope. Perhaps he can help us.

January 16th, 862

We've arrived at Uncle Lothar's. He thinks it's a hoot we got married even when Papa didn't want us to and he doesn't mind us staying here for a while. Tomorrow he is throwing a party for us.

January 2nd, 862

Baldwin and I got married in Senlis. Papa is furious and Baldwin says we can't stay around here. As long as I'm with Baldwin I don't mind.

December 26th, 861

We only stopped for a little while to change the horses for our carriage, so I have the chance to write something now. Baldwin came last night when everybody was in bed. He had a carriage at the ready and when my trunk was on it, we left. I only hope Louis won't get in trouble for helping me.

December 19th, 861

Charles the Bald

Baldwin went to see Papa, but Papa says I can't marry Baldwin. He wouldn't be a good match! Papa only wants me to marry creepy old men!

December 12th, 861

I think I'm in love. No, I am certain: I am in love. His name is Baldwin en he is cute. I think he likes me too. At least I hope so.

February 9th, 861

Finally home again. It was great to see Louis again. He was ill and was in bed, but he was happy to see I was home again. Mama was happy too. Papa said he had to start looking for a new 'good' match for me.

December 20th, 860

The King is dead and I can go home. Finally!

December 3rd, 858

Praying and being quiet, those are the only two things I am allowed to do. I want to go back home, but Papa says I am still married, so I can't!

June 20th, 858

I am still Queen of Wessex, but with a different King: Aethelbald. He's Aethelwulf's son and he's a creep too. The priest didn't agree to the wedding and yesterday a letter from Papa arrived: he's very angry and I have to go to a nunnery!

February 27th, 858

I had hoped I could go back home to Papa and Mama and Louis. But Aethelbald wrote to Papa and wants to marry me. When his father wasn't dead yet, he always looked funny at me and he's a bit creepy. He's got a beard and a moustache and keeps scratching it.

January 13th, 858

He's dead. The King is dead!