Scotland, The War of Scottish Independence
This was a troublesome time indeed. The Kingdom of Scotland was without a king and subsequently, was without a strong leader to fight against their main foes, the English.
Almost a century earlier, the man of legend, William Wallace, fought fiercely for Scotland's independence. He was a relatively unknown person at the time but gained prominence from his battles, particularly the Battle of Sterling Bridge and his capture of several English Castles. Sadly, it was not until Robert the Bruce, also known as Robert I, forged a peace treaty a century later that finally secured the country's independence in 1328 and himself as King of the Scots.
The McDowell's 'parent' clan, the McDougalls, were originally strong supporters of Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence a century ago. However, they were betrayed and their lands were ceded to other clans who supported House Bruce.
For almost ten years, they fought a bitter mini war with House Bruce, eventually culminating in their defeat in 1308 at the Battle of Pass of Brander.
Although King Robert was responsible for creating an independent kingdom, his allies and stance was rocky at best as his alliances often switched between the English and Scottish armies leading to great mistrust by the other clans, namely the McDougalls and Cowyns. Before his ascension to the throne, he had a list of crimes and betrayals on his list. One of them was the murder of the then most powerful person in Scotland, John Cowyn.
John Cowyn, who had a much more solid reputation for his opposition of the English, also had a more powerful claim to the Scottish throne through his descent from Donald III, who was the 20th King of Scots on his fathers side and David I, who was 24th King of Scots, on his mothers side. In addition, he was also the nephew of King John, 30th King of Scots.
However, in the late summer of 1305 in a secret agreement sworn, signed and sealed, John Comyn agreed to forfeit his claim to the Scottish throne in favor of Robert Bruce upon receipt of the Bruce lands in Scotland should an uprising occur led by Bruce.
According to some historians, Comyn betrayed his agreement with Bruce to King Edward I, and when Bruce arranged a meeting with him in the Church of Greyfriars in Dumfries and accused Comyn of treachery, they came to blows. Bruce reportedly killed Comyn before the high altar of the church of the monastery and fled.
Bruce hurried from Dumfries to Glasgow, where, kneeling before the bishop, he made confession of his violence and sacrilege and was granted absolution by the Bishop. The clergy throughout the land was adjured to rally to Bruce by Wishart. In spite of this, Bruce was excommunicated for this crime, which eventually led to the excommunication first of the barons who supported him and then the entire country. With no one else to turn to, he was presented with two choices: become king or a fugitive. Bruce naturally chose the former and asserted his claim to the Scottish Crown.
He was crowned King of the Scots on the 25th of March, 1306 with all formality and solemnity. The kingly robes and vestments which were hidden from the English during their initial invasions were brought out by the bishop and set upon King Robert. The bishops of St. Andrews, Moray and Glasgow were in attendance as well as the earls of Atholl, Menteith, Lennox, and Mar. The great banner of the kings of Scotland was planted behind his throne. Robert the Bruce had become the new king, although in the eyes of the rest of the country, Robert was no more king than a filthy Englishman. He had stolen the throne from its rightful heirs all because he had the backing of the church. The story was passed down through the Cowyns, who had ties to Clan McDougall, and later on to Clan McDowell.
Castle McDowell, Scotland 1377 A.D.
Now when a little girl thinks of living the life of a princess, she tends to think…an amazing castle with servants at your beck and call…..lounging around eating fancy meals and wearing pretty dresses, and so on like a fairy tale. But not for a certain young girl. Life in a castle for Evangeline Anthanasia Katherine McDowell, and being a princess…well for lack of a better word, sucked.
To begin with, she wasn't really a princess. She was merely the ward and daughter of one Lord Alexander Mauris McDowell. Though that is not to say she still didn't enjoy the perks one would have if she was a princess.
But putting it in perspective, when Clan McDowell is in the middle of fighting a war and your father is never at home in the castle because he is out in battle or other business and your mother is so obsessed about ruling in his absence, that she is constantly punishing and scolding you for, "not being the proper lady," or "you're not allowed to leave the castle," life for the young girl wasn't as great as one would think.
The eight-year-old Evangeline McDowell was contemplating this for the umpteenth time as she lay wide awake in her grand four posters bed in the early hours of the morning. She stirred when she heard a knocking at her door.
"Milady Evangeline, do you awaken from your sleep?" a female voice called out from the other side of the oak door.
Eva rose up her long flowing hair falling to her sides. "Aye, I am awake. Charlotte, the door is open."
The door opened to reveal one of the McDowells' many servants. She was rather tall for her age and her most noticeable feature was her long oddly green hair.
The now named Charlotte walked in carrying a tray with the day's breakfast and placed it on Eva's lap. "Did you sleep well mistress?"
"Yes, quite well Charlotte. Thank you for asking, etiquette lessons wore me out the other night, mother is so strict."
Unlike most of the castle staff, Eva's personal maid Charlotte was easy to talk to…or rather one of the only two people's company she actually enjoyed. Everyone else paid too much attention to her position as the only daughter of a clan leader and possibly a ruler in the future.
"Ah yes, but you should know your mother is only trying to make you into the proper lady to lead some day. Your father has yet to bear sons or other heirs." Charlotte was being sympathetic as she drew the drapes to let in the morning sun's rays.
Eva sighed as she began eating. "Yes I know. But......sometimes I only wish I could have been born just a few years past."
Charlotte took a seat on the bed next to her and nodded, "So as to not be confined in this castle and be able to see the outside world like a bird in the skies?"
The blonde haired mistress let out another sigh and continued eating. "Yes, with this stupid war going on father is never home," she pouted. Yes this was the life of a ward during these times.
Charlotte gave a smile, "Forgive me for not knowing more about what is happening out there, but I know your father is doing his best to keep us all safe."
Evangeline sighed and looked down at her almost-clean plate. She knew this was the truth but it still bothered her. She could count how many days she saw him the past year alone and it was not even four moon cycles. She finished eating and got out of bed and proceeded to get dressed. "Still, I wish I could spend more time with father."
Charlotte presented Eva with her daily clothes, "Of course, your mother is still here."
"Yes, but with her it's all about memorizing procedures, studying and being a proper ruler." Eva began dressing, "I can't really ever think of a time when Mother actually wanted to spend time with me."
"Hmm, well maybe you need to take the initiative?" the green haired Maid suggested.
"Initiative?" Evangeline's mind couldn't make heads or tails of this.
"It could be my women's intuition but I think your mother must also be suffering a great deal of stress as of now, what with her husband out in the war an all." Charlotte was trying to lighten the mood while helping Eva lace up the strings of her dress on her back.
Now the naive Evangeline was even more confused. "Mother is under stress? How could that be?"
"Why not give her some flowers to let you know you appreciate her. I happen to know Lilacs are her favorites." Charlotte gave a smile or what she hoped to be a reassuring one.
Evangeline thought about this as she picked up her favorite comb from her dresser and combed through her long hair. She had been growing it out for some time now, and already reached past her waist. Her servant Charlotte just always seemed to know the right things to say to make her feel better. No matter how strict her lessons were, Evangeline could always count on seeing Charlotte's pale, young face the morning after always there to give her a boost. In all honesty in the young Evangeline's mind Charlotte was more of a mother than her actual mother, Lady Athanasia Victoria McDowell.
"You are quite right Charlotte, but wouldn't mother be cross with me for being with you so much?"
Charlotte took Evangeline's clean tray and clothes, "Well, it will be our little secret. Tell you what, after your morning tutoring sessions let's go into the garden and pick some fresh lilacs for your mother," the maid gave a wink.
"Morning lessons?" Something dawned on Evangeline as a wide smile appeared on her face. She set the comb back down on the dresser.
"Ah that's right, Sir Vincent is coming today!" She exclaimed as she ran out of her room. Charlotte spun around to see Eva's retreating form.
"Have a fun time Mistress." She said as she continued her duties.
Evangeline ran as fast as she could down the spiral stone staircase to the first floor of the castle. Her room was located in one of the towers and was connected by a corridor. She had to run down a ways because the be chambers were on the fourth floor. When she reached the hall overlooking the first floor, she saw him entering through the entrance hall's grand oak doors.
"Ah Sir Vincent!" Evangeline called out with a big smile on her face and waved.
The young man in question looked to be in his late teens to early twenties. He wore spectacles, and had long brown hair groomed neatly to his shoulders. He was dressed richly for his work and had an air of elegance about him.
"Ah There's little Evangeline now!" The man known as Vincent smiled back and returned her wave.
Aside from Charlotte, Evangeline's private language tutor her parents hired for her was the only other person she felt comfortable with. Vincent always seemed to make her studies more enjoyable than her other tutors. Whenever he came by he would always tell her fascinating stories from the birth of the Roman Republic to the fall of the Frankish Empire, and even stories that surrounded Scotland's hero, William Wallace. On many an occasion, he would bring gifts from the unfamiliar "outside world," the world that laid beyond the stone fortifications of the castle. It was only natural that Evangeline saw him as the prominent father figure in her life right now.
"Sir Vincent!" Evangeline ran down the last flight of stairs and nearly tacked the man. Vincent just laughed, "Ha ha, good to see you again too young mistress. How do you do this fine morning?"
Eva was excited, "So, Sir Vincent, what are you going to teach me today, do you have any stories, or did you bring me something from your travels?"
Vincent merely laughed again. "Ha ha ha, settle down Kitty. I'll tell you once we get to your studies." He always enjoyed Evangeline's lively spirit and likened it to a cat, hence her special name, Kitty. He couldn't help smiling as they made their way to the library.
Sir Vincent was hired by the Lord several months ago because he heard that he traveled far and wide and could speak four languages fluently. He was instructed to teach Eva Latin and French, the first so that she may one day be able to read the bible and classical texts and the latter for diplomatic purposes as the Scots and the French both hated the English.
Castle McDowell Library:
"So Kitty can you translate the phrase Memento mori?" Vincent pointed to the slate in the wall with the Latin phrase.
Evangeline nodded. "Yes Memento mori….it is a Latin phrase that stands for, 'remember that you are mortal.'" She recited straight from memory.
Vincent applauded. "Very well done Kitty." He looked out the window. "Hmm, it looks like we still have some time before I go." He looked at little Evangeline with a warm look in his eyes.
"How about I tell you a story?" he said. The second he finished his sentence, Eva practically jumped up from her chair. "Oh really?! What are you going to share today Sir Vincent?"
Vincent smiled as he picked up his book, "Oh, it's a fascinating story about a mysterious witch who actually used this very same Latin phrase to conjure magic spells."
"Wow really?" Eva looked on in fascination as she listened intently. "Where do you get such fascinating stories from?" Evangeline asked when Vincent was done.
Vincent smiled warmly, "Well you pick up on these sort of things when you travel a lot like me. I had to run many an errand for Lord McDougall to France and the other kingdoms on the mainland."
Evangeline got gloomy again, "Wow, the outside world sounds exiting if only mother and father would let me out of the castle grounds…"
"It's only because of the war going on Kitty. Trust me, it isn't a place for girls your age to be out there right now. You needn't worry about such things. You may be Lord McDowell's daughter, but you are still only a young lady. I do however have an idea," he smiled.
"What Sir Vincent?" Eva was curious.
Vincent laughed "Tell you what Kitty. How about when you turn ten years old I promise to show you the outside world. The war should be over by then and I don't think your parents would object." He stated gently.
"Really?! Do you promise?" Eva was so exited that she ran over and gave Vincent a hug.
Vincent nodded and patted the top of her head, "I promise on your tenth birthday I will show you the outside world."
A/N: Yay! I finally have Eva's past life started! However, I could not have done this without the help of two people. The first is Kafka'sdragon. I could not have done this much research of her past without his help and I am very grateful. The second is Donkeykong75m, who has been one of my strongest supporters. He helped write the majority of this part and helped me to plan out the tone of Eva's back story.
