Post by Zillah on Mar 19, 2007 20:40:35 GMT -6
The People
Norman – the Francophone descendents of the Conqueror and his followers – form the upper echelons of English society, though a number of Angevin and Poitevin families have also gained considerable influence since the enthronement of Henry II. Power and land across England is focused in the hands of a small number of families whose influence – as demonstrated by the end of John’s reign – can threaten that of the king. The former lords of England, the Saxons, continue as landholder in many regions, although their influence is sorely curtailed. In the eastern regions, the peasants are principally of Saxon and Danish stock, with light skin and fair hair. People of Celtic blood with darker features predominate the southwest, Welsh borders and northern regions.
Over 160 years of Norman rule have begun to take the edge of Saxon-Norman relations, but cultural differences continue to dog interactions between the two groups. The Normans French customs and language distinguishes them from the lesser ranks and prompts many Englishmen to regard them as “foreign invaders”. Nonetheless, French has become the language of choice of the nobility – Saxon and Norman – though the Anlgo-Saxon tongue is still used among the peasants.
Racial differences play a major role in Cainite politics, as many of these differences have survived far past the nadir of their respective groups. Saxon Cainites remain the mainstay of vampire society in England, particularly among the elders, and unlike their mortal kin, these Saxons have fared better at holding off the Norman encroachment. Many Saxon Cainites resent the Norman presence but have largely kept the peace over the last five decades under threat of grave reprisals from Mithras. Rome and Roman-British Cainites have largely succumbed to torpor or final death over the centuries but a handful remain active in England, albeit eschewing the trappings of power and influence. Only Marcus Verus, Baron of Chester, acknowledges his origins in the time of Rome. Rumors abound that several pre-Roman Methuselahs call England home, but only one – Mithras – is widely known.
Norman – the Francophone descendents of the Conqueror and his followers – form the upper echelons of English society, though a number of Angevin and Poitevin families have also gained considerable influence since the enthronement of Henry II. Power and land across England is focused in the hands of a small number of families whose influence – as demonstrated by the end of John’s reign – can threaten that of the king. The former lords of England, the Saxons, continue as landholder in many regions, although their influence is sorely curtailed. In the eastern regions, the peasants are principally of Saxon and Danish stock, with light skin and fair hair. People of Celtic blood with darker features predominate the southwest, Welsh borders and northern regions.
Over 160 years of Norman rule have begun to take the edge of Saxon-Norman relations, but cultural differences continue to dog interactions between the two groups. The Normans French customs and language distinguishes them from the lesser ranks and prompts many Englishmen to regard them as “foreign invaders”. Nonetheless, French has become the language of choice of the nobility – Saxon and Norman – though the Anlgo-Saxon tongue is still used among the peasants.
Racial differences play a major role in Cainite politics, as many of these differences have survived far past the nadir of their respective groups. Saxon Cainites remain the mainstay of vampire society in England, particularly among the elders, and unlike their mortal kin, these Saxons have fared better at holding off the Norman encroachment. Many Saxon Cainites resent the Norman presence but have largely kept the peace over the last five decades under threat of grave reprisals from Mithras. Rome and Roman-British Cainites have largely succumbed to torpor or final death over the centuries but a handful remain active in England, albeit eschewing the trappings of power and influence. Only Marcus Verus, Baron of Chester, acknowledges his origins in the time of Rome. Rumors abound that several pre-Roman Methuselahs call England home, but only one – Mithras – is widely known.