11-14-2022, 11:50 AM
At the risk of asking a question probably answered elsewhere (although I did a search first, really I did!), did Sir/Baron Jenkins ever hold Blackmoor Castle? We know he was Baron of Glendower at one point, but how about Blackmoor proper?
There are two pieces of possible evidence that could support his being the Baron of Blackmoor Castle for a short time after Baron Fant’s rule, depending on interpretation of these pieces:
First, in Corner of the Table Vol. 4 No. 6, there is a line that reads: “Megarry and Jenkins return to Duane’s castle where Megarry quickly got into trouble and was lost during a dungeon trip in Blackmoor’s depths.”
If “dungeon trip in Blackmoor’s depths” is interpreted to be Blackmoor Castle’s dungeon, then wouldn’t that imply that the castle they returned to was Blackmoor Castle? We know Fant was not Baron of Blackmoor at this time, as COTTv4n6 describes the adventures of the Blackmoor Bunch after being exiled to Loch Gloomen (but also mentions the pardoning of Jenkins and Fant by the Earl of Vestfold after their Loch Gloomen adventures). Another line in the same issue states “…Dave Fant, who has returned to Bramwald…”, so we know Fant did not resume rulership of Blackmoor after his pardoning.
The other interpretation of which dungeon is being referred to could be the Glendower dungeon below Glendower, which we know Jenkins was Baron of at some point.
The second piece of “evidence” is the 1984 Origins convention map of Blackmoor Castle, drawn by Ken Fletcher. Although drawn in 1984, it can be presumed that this map is supposed to represent the castle from an earlier time, as per the line “Original Exploration and Maps - David L. Arneson 1971”. On the second floor, it mentions a room as “Lady Jenkin’s Bedroom”, with the unnamed Baron’s bedroom being on the 5th floor.
Interpretations: Is “Lady Jenkins” supposed to be the wife of Baron Fant, or Baron Jenkins? If Fant’s wife, even though he married a relative of Jenkins as per the Domesday Book #13 write up, would she not then be called “Lady Fant”? Some may say that this is neither of their wives, but merely a relative staying at the castle. After all, why would the Lady and the Baron have different bedrooms? Good point, but remember that Jenkins’ wife is described in Blackmoor Gazette and Rumormonger thusly: “whose face has smashed a thousand mirrors and sunk a dozen ships” - can Jenkins be blamed for not sharing a bed with her? LOL! Also, it was not uncommon during medieval times for king and queen (or other rulers) to have their own separate bedrooms.
Any other thoughts out there on this? Would love to hear them!
- Xylarthen
There are two pieces of possible evidence that could support his being the Baron of Blackmoor Castle for a short time after Baron Fant’s rule, depending on interpretation of these pieces:
First, in Corner of the Table Vol. 4 No. 6, there is a line that reads: “Megarry and Jenkins return to Duane’s castle where Megarry quickly got into trouble and was lost during a dungeon trip in Blackmoor’s depths.”
If “dungeon trip in Blackmoor’s depths” is interpreted to be Blackmoor Castle’s dungeon, then wouldn’t that imply that the castle they returned to was Blackmoor Castle? We know Fant was not Baron of Blackmoor at this time, as COTTv4n6 describes the adventures of the Blackmoor Bunch after being exiled to Loch Gloomen (but also mentions the pardoning of Jenkins and Fant by the Earl of Vestfold after their Loch Gloomen adventures). Another line in the same issue states “…Dave Fant, who has returned to Bramwald…”, so we know Fant did not resume rulership of Blackmoor after his pardoning.
The other interpretation of which dungeon is being referred to could be the Glendower dungeon below Glendower, which we know Jenkins was Baron of at some point.
The second piece of “evidence” is the 1984 Origins convention map of Blackmoor Castle, drawn by Ken Fletcher. Although drawn in 1984, it can be presumed that this map is supposed to represent the castle from an earlier time, as per the line “Original Exploration and Maps - David L. Arneson 1971”. On the second floor, it mentions a room as “Lady Jenkin’s Bedroom”, with the unnamed Baron’s bedroom being on the 5th floor.
Interpretations: Is “Lady Jenkins” supposed to be the wife of Baron Fant, or Baron Jenkins? If Fant’s wife, even though he married a relative of Jenkins as per the Domesday Book #13 write up, would she not then be called “Lady Fant”? Some may say that this is neither of their wives, but merely a relative staying at the castle. After all, why would the Lady and the Baron have different bedrooms? Good point, but remember that Jenkins’ wife is described in Blackmoor Gazette and Rumormonger thusly: “whose face has smashed a thousand mirrors and sunk a dozen ships” - can Jenkins be blamed for not sharing a bed with her? LOL! Also, it was not uncommon during medieval times for king and queen (or other rulers) to have their own separate bedrooms.
Any other thoughts out there on this? Would love to hear them!
- Xylarthen