The raids on the Scottish, British border have increased. The death toll is over fifty now and rising. The Scottish have always raided the British but it has escalated. Livestock has been run out all along the border. Barns and farmers homes have been destroyed and/ or set on fire.
The King has sent his troops to see if they can silences the raids. They are having no such luck. The King’s Knights are slowly making their way down the border. The Scotts tend to leave a wake of destruction, so if you see anything the King highly advises you to run. The Knights of the King are of about fifty men at arms and about twenty five knights.
The Scottish tribes have been raiding and pillaging for hundreds of years. It seems to have gotten worse somehow and one of the larger tribes is to blame.
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Black Death Spreading
By: Cheslie Brumfield
Last month, Merilyn a young girl, was at the harbor in Sicily where the ships docked awaiting her father’s arrival. Gasps and screams arose from the gathering crowd as some of the sailors came stumbling out of the ships, coughing and crying for help. She was overcome with fright and shock as she caught sight of the men. Almost all of the men on the Genoese ships were dead; few had survived and were ill. The sailors were covered in black boils with pus leaking out of them. Merilyn searched frantically for her father, but couldn’t make out where he was through the huge crowd. She ran along the docks in search of the right ship in which her father had come, but could find no sight of the S.S. Royale.
When the young girl finally found her father he was in grave condition, the same as most of the sailors. Her father was rushed to Dr. Fendrel, one of the best doctors in Sicily. The doctor claimed that he was very shocked at the sight of the man. Dr. Fendrel stated:
“He was covered in these boils and his nails were black as if they were rotting. he had a very high fever and was vomiting constantly. The smell was revolting.”
Merilyn’s father was brought back home and given some homemade remedies but to no avail. His condition grew worse and soon Merilyn’s uncle who was also living with them began to show the same symptoms as her father. Cristiana, Merilyn’s mother claimed: “He began to get headaches and then he was overcome by a high fever just as my husband I tried everything I could to get rid of his headache and fever, but nothing was working. His nails soon grew dark and he began to get bumps all over his body.” Merilyn’s uncle and her father were diagnosed with what has now become known as the “Black Plague”. Merilyn’s father passed two weeks ago and her and her mother left Sicily leaving Merilyn’s sickly uncle in the hands of Dr. Fendrel. He said that this had not been his only case for he has gotten at least 17 other patients with the same exact symptoms and is still trying to find a cure. Merilyn and her mother have moved into her grandparent’s home in London and are safe, but Europe is rapidly being taken over by this “Black Death”.
King Loses Ducal Joust
Jousting tournament
Nicholas Samuels of Ghent
Last weekend at the Royal Tournament Ground in London, The Right Honorable Lord Mayor of the City of London hosted the 30th Annual Ducal Joust, in which Their Graces The Dukes of Cornwall and Lancaster joust against one another in a tradition that existed since the creation of the Duchy of Lancaster, which was preceded by the creation of the Duchy of Cornwall.
Once again this year, His Majesty King Richard II, as Duke of Cornwall, competed against His Grace Sir John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. In an upsetting ending, His Majesty was defeated by His Grace after an hour and one-half of tournament. The loss of the Joust hit His Majesty especially hard after the recent Peasants’ Revolt and the storming of the Tower of London (see page ##). Only time will tell whether His Majesty will try to act out against his uncle, the Duke of Lancaster, after His Grace beat His Majesty for the tenth time in a row. The 14 year old King may resort to violence, and close Palace officials say His Majesty is a regretfully sore loser, and occasionally has violent fits to satisfy his adolescent urges.
OBITUARY An unidentified peasant swordsman was found slain by his own sword. Any leads, please contact law enforcement.
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An Original Adaptation to The Sword in the Stone
Lady Arabella
Last year, out in a wooded country, a strong boy who was known as Arthur was being raised in the household of a noble knight known as Sir Ector. He was treated as if he was one of the family even though he wasn’t blood related. Arthur had a brother, Kay, who was always by his side when practicing and playing. They would run and gallop around all day af if it would never end. Arthur was a young boy with much to learn. He was eager to become a great man just like his father. Kay, on the other hand, was much more free-spirited. He was always practicing in order to become a brave knight like his father as well. The brothers were indeed very close. Neither of them knew that Arthur had been adopted into the family. Sir Ector had kept the truth hidden from them to make Arthur feel like he belonged. Nonetheless, the brothers were treated the same by their loving parents.
Several months ago, when out in the woods, Arthur came across a man with a long, white beard. He was alone, for Kay had been out training with a lance. The old man had seemed familiar to Arthur. He knew he had encountered this peculiar being before. The man came up to him and began talking.
“You are Arthur, yes?” the man asked.
“Yes. I am Arthur. And who might you be?”
“I am Merlin, the wizard. I have come to you in order to explain your past. I trust you know that you have been adopted into this family, right?” the wizard questioned.
Arthur was, apparently, never told that he was adopted, but he had felt at some points that he was different from his family.
“What? Why should I believe you?” demanded Arthur.
“I know I’m merely a stranger, but I know you. I was a friend of your father’s. Your real father. We were very close. I used to help him keep the future of Camelot secure. I am here to help you as well.”
“I don’t need help. I am perfectly happy with my family and life,” insisted the stubborn Arthur. “I don’t need your assistance. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to return home.”
Arthur turned, but was stopped when Merlin abruptly appeared in front of him.
“You may not believe me right now, but you will know who you are meant to be when the time comes. You are destined for greatness, son of Uther Pendragon,” and with that, Merlin disappeared.
Arthur left and returned to his house. He pondered on the words of the wizard. It seemed as if he didn’t know if he should believe him, but something told him he was telling the truth. Arthur removed all these thoughts from his mind. He walked to the Cathedral where he was to meet Kay and his father.
When Arthur reached St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kay ran toward him and told him the great news. Kay had just become a knight. Arthur congratulated his brother for such a victory. Just then, a group of men had brought forth a stone with a sword in it. Above, golden letters were shimmering. The words had said:
WHOEVER PULLS THIS SWORD OUT OF THIS STONE
IS BORN TO BE KING OF ALL ENGLAND.
Everyone wondered who was worthy enough to be King. Arthur wondered who it could be as well. In all the excitement, everyone had forgotten that a tournament was about to take place. They rushed out and made their way toward the tournament. Kay, who was boasting about his knighthood, thought that the tournament would prove that he was meant to be a strong knight. He, Sir Ector, and Arthur made their way toward the tournament along with the rest of the people. Along the way, Kay had realized that he had forgotten his sword. He told Arthur to go back home to get it. Arthur, being loyal to his brother, ran and went to look for any sword to give to Kay.
Back in the churchyard of St.Paul’s Cathedral, Arthur came across the sword stuck in the stone. Forgetting how important this particular sword was, Arthur pulled it out and ran back to Kay. Arthur had no idea that he was holding the most important sword in history in his hand. He found Kay and gave it to him.
At first sight, Kay had realized what this sword was. He ran to Sir Ector and told him that he had the sword.
“I have the sword, Father! This must mean that I am King! Right?” said an eager Kay.
Sir Ector looked at his son and knew that it couldn’t be him. Sir Ector, Kay, and Arthur all walked back to the Cathedral. Sir Ector asked Kay where he had gotten the sword from. Kay sighed and told his father the truth. He had come across the sword because Arthur had brought it to him. Sir Ector turned toward Arthur and told him to put the sword back. Then, he asked Kay to get it again. Kay tried, but could not pull the sword out. After him, Arthur went up to it, and with a swift motion, the sword was released again.
“My son, you are the King of Camelot,” Sir Ector told Arthur.
Arthur remembered his encounter with the wizard. Marlin had told him that he was destined for greatness. Is this what he meant? Arthur asked Sir Ector about his true parentage. Then, everything was explained. Arthur was the son of the former King, Uther Pendragon. He didn’t know if he was pleased or grief-stricken. Arthur felt blessed because he was King, but at the same time, he didn’t want to leave his family behind.
In this whole commotion, the people came back to the Cathedral because the tournament had been over. They saw the sword in Arthur’s hand and were astonished. They didn’t believe that a boy could be their King. They made Arthur put the sword back and pull it out over and over again until they were all convinced that this boy really was their future king.
Two days ago, Arthur was deemed King and Merlin’s prediction had come true. He became King, and he found a special place for Kay and Sir Ector to serve him in his new castle. The people of Britain took long to convince, but soon, they rejoiced the fact that Arthur was their king. Finally, after so long, had Camelot and all of Britain regained their rightful King.