Life on a Medieval Barony

Anno Domini MCCXX

In this year, on the fourth day before the Nones of June, when the weather was clear and fair as a sign of divine favor, the noble lord CONON, Baron of St. Aliquis, betrothed and gave in marriage his sister ALIENOR to OLIVIER, eldest son and heir of the Count of Perseigne. The marriage was solemnized in the church of St. Aliquis by the hand of a most venerable bishop who is cousin to the house of Perseigne, in the presence of many witnesses so that no man might afterwards contest the legitimacy of the union.

By this alliance the baron sought to strengthen the friendship between his house and the county of Perseigne, and to secure powerful protectors against the ambitions of certain neighbors. For the dowry of the lady Alienor, the said Conon granted his castle and lands in Burgundy, which he held of the Duke, together with its appurtenances, woods, meadows, and rights of justice.

Present at the nuptials and the great feast that followed were the Duke of Quelqueparte, suzerain of the baron, with many of his knights; the Count and Countess of Perseigne themselves, the lords of Foretvert and of Bovri, and other barons and worthy men of the region.

During the celebrations, the baron Conon caused his younger brother AIMERY to be knighted with great honor in the same church, girding him with the sword and giving him the spurs. To this Aimery he granted the castle of Petitmur with its revenues, that he might maintain himself fittingly in the estate of knighthood.

Thereafter, on the Wednesday after the feast of Saint Ancildus the Confessor, a great tourney was held before the walls of St. Aliquis, in which many valiant men broke lances. In this tourney the newly made knight Aimery acquitted himself most honorably, unhorsing the boastful knight Sire Paul and performing feats of arms that were much praised by all.

Thus was peace and kinship confirmed between the houses of St. Aliquis and Perseigne, and joy was had by all for the space of two weeks. May Almighty God grant the married pair long life, fertile issue, and concord, and preserve the baron Conon and all his lineage in honor and prosperity.