#burgh castle

[syninplays]

Made some small process on Burgh Castle 🏰

[careerinruins]

Burgh Castle Roman Fort, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

The late 3rd century 'Saxon Shore' fort at Burgh Castle was built as part of the Roman network of coastal defences, and probably abandoned just over a hundred years later. Three of its imposing stone walls survive, almost to their original height, making this one of the best preserved Roman monuments in Britain. The fourth wall collapsed into the surrounding marshes a long time ago.

The land around the fort is a wildlife haven and offers panoramic views over Breydon Water.

It is managed by English Heritage.

[vinlynce]

mostly Lucy-posting for poke-slayers yayyayayayaya

[chiefyteethies]

📍Burgh Castle Roman Fort, Norfolk

[skull-designs]

"Are we running out of time / Something so momentary that you can only be it / So momentary" Blur / The Heights.

St Peter & St Pauls, Burgh Castle, Norfolk.

[whencyclopedia]

Robert the Bruce

Robert I of Scotland, better known as Robert the Bruce, reigned as King of Scotland from 1306 to 1329 CE. For his role in achieving independence from England, Robert the Bruce has long been regarded as a national hero and one of Scotland's greatest ever monarchs.

Robert succeeded John Balliol (r. 1292-1296 CE) but only after a tumultuous decade of side-switching and military ups and downs against English armies led by Edward I of England (r. 1272-1307 CE) and those of rival Scottish barons. A grand victory over the English at Bannockburn in 1314 CE cemented Robert's claim to be the rightful king of Scotland and his skilful diplomacy brought recognition of Scotland's full independence both from the Pope and Edward III of England (r. 1327-1377 CE). Robert was succeeded by his son David II of Scotland (r. 1329-1371 CE).

Early Life

Robert (VIII) the Bruce was born on 11 July 1274 CE at Turnberry Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland. His father was Robert (VII) the Bruce (d. 1304 CE) and his mother was Marjorie, Countess of Carrick. The Bruce family had been the lords of Annandale since the 1120s CE, and they claimed descent from Earl David, younger brother of William I of Scotland (r. 1165-1214 CE). Robert spent a period of his youth in either the Western Isles or Ulster. As the family had estates and properties in England, so, too, he spent time in Carlisle Castle and London. In 1292 CE Robert inherited the earldom of Carrick.

Around 1295 CE Robert married Isabel of Mar (d. c. 1296 CE), daughter of Donald, earl of Mar, and then, in 1302 CE, Elizabeth de Burgh (d. 1327 CE), the daughter of Richard de Burgh, earl of Ulster. With Isabel, Robert had a daughter Marjorie (b. c. 1295 CE) and with Elizabeth, he had two daughters - Matilda and Margaret - and two sons - David (b. 1324 CE) and John (possibly the twin of David but he died as a child).

Continue reading...

[scotianostra]

Robert the Bruce was born in Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire on 11th July 1274.

Well where do we start with this one? I think the majority of us know about Robert and how he led us to victory at Bannockburn so I will put a bit background together of his immediate family.

His mother Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, I think nowadays the term we would use, and it's quite appropriate , is battle-axe. According to what has been written about her she held his father, Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandaleprisoner until he agreed to marry her, it was through his mother that he drew most of his Scottish ancestry. The marriage must have worked for as well as Robert they had 7 more children.

After the Battle of Methven his wee brother Nigel de Brus was captured at Kildrummy Castle and was taken to Berwick to be hanged, drawn and beheaded for high treason, he was protecting Robert's wife, Elizabeth, his daughter Marjorie, his sisters Christina and Mary Bruce, and Isabella MacDuff, Countess of Buchan and helped them escape, although they were later captured by Balliol's army and handed over to Edward I. Nigel was executed for high treason by being hanged, drawn, and quartered in September 1306 at Berwick-upon-Tweed by the English. Two of his other brothers, Alexander and Thomas were also judicially murdered at Carlisle on Februaey 17th 1307 after being captured at Loch Ryan Galloway in 1207, after landing an invasion force consisting of eighteen galleys trying to take land from Dungal MacDouall, who was a supporter of the Comyns,.

Arguably the most famous of his siblings was Edward Bruce, if you have been paying attention you will remember his part in fighting with Robert at Bannockburn, he later went and fought in Ireland and indeed became King for a short time but lost his life in the Battle of Faughart, the, it's said the victor John de Bermingham then took his head to England to be put on display before Edward II.

Robert's sisters, Christina and Mary, as I said earlier were captured after the siege at Kildrummy, along with Isabella MacDuff, now Isabella crowned the Bruce at Scone, it was tradition that the MacDuffs performed the crowning of Scottish monarchs, Isabella arrived the day after Robert had been crowned but the Bruce agreed to second crowning as otherwise some would see the ceremony as irregular, not being performed by a MacDuff.Isabella was imprisoned in cages for four years of Isabella, Edward Longshanks is said to have commanded "Let her be closely confined in an abode of stone and iron made in the shape of a cross, and let her be hung up out of doors in the open air at Berwick, that both in life and after her death, she may be a spectacle and eternal reproach to travellers."

The sisters faired a wee bit better, Isabel Bruce became Queen of Norway as the wife of King Eric II., so escaped the First War of Scottish Independence. Christina and Mary, also captured after Kildrummy, were sent into solitary confinement at a Gilbertine nunnery at Sixhills in Lincolnshire. Mary Bruce was given the same treatment as Isabella MacDuff, but held at Roxburgh Castle.. The sisters sspent eight years as English prisoners, and returned to Scotland in October 1314 as part of the ransom for the Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, who was taken prisoner after the Battle of Bannockburn.

There is not a great deal of detail about the other sisters, Margaret married one Sir William de Cairlyle. Lady Elizabeth Bruce married Sir William Dishington of Ardross, in Fife, and finally Matilda, (Maud) Bruce married Hugh 4th Earl of Ross.

Robert was married twice in his life, first to Isabella of Mar, who died in 1296, , with whom he had a daughter Marjorie, from whom the Stewart dynasty was to trace its lineage. His second wife was Elizabeth de Burgh, with whom he had five children – Margaret, Matilda, David, John (who died in infancy) and Elizabeth. His eldest son succeeded his father as King David II of Scotland.

The photo shows Isabella MacDuff and King Robert I in “The Crowning of Bruce” part of an exhibition at Edinburgh Castle.

[agentc0rn]

As someone who has made tons of oc's in the past but never showed them, I decided to try making an OC trainersona for fun and practice - her name is Aglaissa ( Aglais = peacock butterfly ) which is meant to fit her Bug type expertise. :)

One of her hobbies and skills is gardening, which links to her goal in highlighting the ecological nexus between bug types and grass types that many people tend to overlook.

Enjoys learning history; has visited historical sites of Unova (relic castle ties with volcarona), Sinnoh and Paldea. Also went to Alola to study its culture, fauna and flora.

Not a strong battler, but does hope to pick up some techniques. Has taken on the gym challenge in her home region Kalos. Has no plans nor ambitions to become Champion or engage in any league tournaments.

Her passions were kindled by her inspirations - Burgh's and Brassius's artworks + Viola's photographs.

Volunteers at community gardens + helps educate people on growing vegetables, growing certain flowers for endangered species, etc.

Once met AZ's floette when she was a teen during a walk (years before reunion in xy happened). Helped recovered its flower after a strong wind blew it away and subsequently got wedged in between rocks. At that time, she felt like she was useless and her dreams were nonsensical until that encounter shifted her perspective on life.

[antihibikase-archive]

Blight / Blur Major Arcana Symbolisms

Blight / Ace of Wands / Knight of Swords (BW Arc, Dreamworld Arc, Floccesy Arc) :

0 - The Fool : The False King, Natural Harmonia Gropius

I - The Magician : The Archivist, Lenora Magnolia

II - The High Priestess : The Scholar of Truth, Bianca Alabaster

III - The Empress : The Analyst, Fennel Dreamer

IV - The Emperor : The Doctor, Nikolai Colress

V - The Hierophant : The Agent, Zinzolin Ryder

VI - The Lovers : The Eyes, Anthea and Concordia Harmonia Gropius

VII - The Chariot : The Warrior of Truth, Hilda Weiss

VIII - Strength : The Chroniclers, Ingo and Emmet Graystone

IX - The Hermit : The Lorekeeper, Alder Redwood

X - The Wheel of Fortune : Guidance, The Soldiers ( Drayden / Clay / Skyla / Brycen )

XI - Justice : Liberation, Team Plasma

XII - The Hanged Man : The Heart, Cheren Slater

XIII - Death : Idealized Truth, The Party of Truth

XIV - Temperance : The Prodigy, Amanita Dreamer

XV - The Devil : The False Prophet, Ghetsis Harmonia Gropius

XVI - The Tower : Fort of Ash, The Relic Castle

XVII - The Star : The Successor, Marshal Redwood

XVIII - The Moon : The Princess, Caitlin Bloomingdale

XIX - The Sun : The Heiress, Iris Chibana

XX - Judgement : Dragon of Flame, Reshiram

XXI - The World : The Hero of Truth, Hilbert Blackburn

Blur / Page of Cups / King of Pentacles (BW2 Arc, Abyssal Ruins Arc, Relic Castle Arc)

0 - The Fool : The Wavering Truth, Hilbert Blackburn

I - The Magician : The Counselor, Audrea Juniper

II - The High Priestess : The Scholar of Ideals, Rosa Whitefield

III - The Empress : The Heroine of Life and Death, Serena Cendrine

IV - The Emperor : The Hero of Life and Death, Calem Laflamme

V - The Hierophant : The Agent, Godfrey Rood

VI - The Lovers : The Eyes, Yancy Rosewood and Curtis Greenville

VII - The Chariot : The Warrior of Ideals, Hugh Obsidian

VIII - Strength : The Apprentices, The Striaton Triplets

IX - The Hermit : The Priest, Natural Harmonia Gropius

X - The Wheel of Fortune : Guidance, The Poets ( Burgh / Elesa / Roxie / Marlon )

XI - Justice : Subjugation, NEO Team Plasma

XII - The Hanged Man : The Revered Vessel, Cheren Slater

XIII - Death : Realized Ideals, The Party of Ideals

XIV - Temperance : The Idealist, Diana Obsidian

XV - The Devil : The Doctor, Acro

XVI - The Tower : Ruins of Time, The Abyssal Ruins

XVII - The Star : The Enchantress, Shauntal Del Rosario

XVIII - The Moon : The Gambler, Grimsley Slater

XIX - The Sun : The Heir, Benga Redwood

XX - Judgement : Dragon of Thunder, Zekrom

XXI - The World : The Hero of Ideals, Nathaniel Blake

[antihibikase2]

Request a drabble using this prompt list!

After his ceremony, a banquet is held in his honor, as well as the two that ascended alongside him.

Though he was encouraged to enjoy himself, he remains seated on his table, anxious hands holding onto a piece of paper delicately placed on his lap.

His glassy eyes clung onto every word of the letter, a lifeline he had been holding onto for almost two years now.

"Cheren,"

Cress, recently retired, approaches him with a gentle smile.

"Do you want to dance?"

He takes a moment to ponder- the Striaton triplets had been nothing but kind to him, despite his failures.

With a stiff nod, he rises from his seat, folding the letter and tucking it into the pocket of his blazer.

He takes Cress' hand and is led to the center of the ballroom- from the corner of his eye, Grimsley's worried gaze settles into him, only for Alder to pat his back, reassuring him of his brother's safety.

As Cress guides him, Cheren sees the thousands of eyes watching them, the curious and inquisitive minds- and the hands that wished to dig deep into his skin, to pry it apart and see nothing but half a heart nestled between his ribs.

The rest of the Elite Four and its retiring champion watched them with pride in their eyes, chatting amongst themselves.

Iris and Benga bicker for a moment before Alder pushes both children to join with a laugh.

Burgh waves and smiles- and quickly offers a dance to Emmet by his side, eager to join his student on the dancefloor.

Elesa laughs, covering her mouth with her hand as Skyla rolls her eyes and Ingo makes a snide remark, one he could not hear.

Back turned away from the performance, Dr. Colress takes a sip of wine by the balcony, someone approaches him, offering their hand, and he stares- only for Grimsley to interrupt the conversation and whisk the good doctor away.

He follows the path laid before him effortlessly. He always has.

Until he missteps- and Cress corrects his mistake, catching him by the waist just as he's about to hit the floor.

The crowd cheers- and within the crowd, Cheren could imagine a head of brown hair, a pair of earnest eyes, and blue flames surrounding white wings.

Dizzy eyes try to keep Cress in his mind- but the more he stares, the more they danced, the modern ballroom melts into the golden castle that erupted from the depths of the earth.

The audience- the league, their guests, the media, all were but a blur, faces concealed by light blue hoods and robes of white.

"Cheren?"

Cheri!

"Look at me."

Look at me!

He looks- and rather than Cress, the eldest of the Striaton Trio, all he sees is Hilbert, the runaway champion, Reshiram's chosen hero, and his savior.

But at the thought of the latter, something bubbles in his throat- and he doesn't know what it is.

"You-"

And suddenly, as Cress pulls him up, he's in the coffin again.

"Cheren?"

He's underneath the glass, blue and pink mist swirling inside- the air is intoxicating, and his tongue tastes of rotten apples.

"Cheren, hey,"

A closed fist punches against the glass- but the more they do, the more frost grows to conceal him from the world, enveloping him in a world of icy cold.

"Cheren-"

As Cress places his palms on his cheek, Cheren grabs his wrist.

"You never-"

Underneath the icy glass, his hero runs away to seek the truth, in denial of the reality before him.

"You never came to set me free."

"Cheren?"

Cheren puts Cress' hand down, meets his eyes,

and the image of Hilbert's smile disappears from his sight.

"I'm sorry," He whispers. "I can't."

Without another word, Cheren makes a run out of the ballroom, lowering his eyes as to not see his face amongst the visitors.

[grimsley-official]

👑

//OOC: I made this really gay👍

//Anyways my thoughts were that Grim and Burgh are both royalty.

//Grimsley was either banished or ran from his kingdom. Either way, he’s run far from where he grew up so many people don’t know who he is and visa versa.

//Burgh, however, often will skip out on his responsibilities as royalty to instead go out and enjoy nature/paint/learn about the things he enjoys. He’s seen as someone who constantly has his head in the clouds by others.

//The two of them meet without knowing that the other is royalty. They hit it off right away and will often meet up at “their spot” to talk. Burgh comes clean about his status first, which consequently gives Grimsley the idea to start sneaking around the castle to see Burgh more *insert sneaking in through window scene here*.

//Royalty aus are a classic and always more fun when it’s gay bc then it’s extra scandalous.

[syninplays]

Some random pics I took of (almost) all the builds in my medieval save 👉👈

ps: made a beacon for Dunwich too but couldn't make it functional ):

[soulsanitarium]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿WITCH TRIALS IN SCOTLAND- Stirling

The 250-foot- high volcanic plug on which the present castle stands was probably occupied by the early British Picts. The settlement had developed sufficiently for it to be made a royal burgh about 1130. Alexander II of Scotland granted another charter in 1226 and made the castle a royal residence.(Britannica)

🏰Both Mary Queen of Scots & James VI celebrated here baptism of their children (Mary was also mom of Infamous witchhunter James).

From Stirling Castle's you can see the National Wallace Monument on the edge of the rolling Ochil Hills before looking north east for the mountain peaks of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

⚖️According to a Survey of Scottish Witchcraft Database Bessie Stevenson’s trial happened 3/1659 in Tolbooth - Stirling. She confessed to healing with deeds, but denied using any words. Other witch trials linked to this:

Magdalene Blair, Janet Millar, Issobell Keir, IIssobell Bennet, Margaret Harvie, James Kirk…According to Martin (2009) Total Number of Suspects in Stirling (1561–1736) was 53.

Survey of SWDB:

💦”She (Bessie) knows a blasted person, which means a bewitched person 'by the gogling of their eyes and turning hither and tither to ather side.' Washes their clothes in St. Ninian's well for healing. This will either 'end them or mend them.' She learned it from lady McFarlens daughter 24 years prior. She transfers the disease if she meets anyone on the way back from the well. Also layed two foxtree leaves under their head and middle. She cures maw turning by leading people around an oak tree three times, repeating words. For curing persons forespoken she recites words and takes some of the illness into herself. For curing heart fires she uses a belt and two threads she rolls them and if the threads are on the top and the bottom the person has heart fires.”💖

Probably older folklore believes was behind Bessie’s magic than this Christian saint (Ninian). She used magic in her healing more than any herbs. Stevenson was executed outside the city and her body was probably burned at the sight.🔥

[mochiiikko]

Prologue + Little Town

𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 !

Beauty and the Beast au, Eventual Clevarr, Multi-Chap

↳ Catherine Parr, Henry Tudor, Bessie Blount, other characters mentioned, Anna of Cleves

𝐀𝐨𝟑

2.202 words

Once upon a time in the hidden heart of France a beautiful young princess lived in a beautiful castle. 

Although she had everything her heart desired, the princess was selfish and unkind.

She taxed the village to fill her castle with the most beautiful objects and her party's with the most beautiful people.

And then one night an unexpected intruder arrived at the castle, seeking shelter from the bitter storm. 

As a gift she offered the princess a single rose.

Repulsed by her haggard appearance the princess turned the woman away. But she warned her not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within.

When she dismissed her again the old woman's outward appearance melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. 

The princess begged for forgiveness but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in the princess' heart. 

As punishment she transformed her into a hideous beast and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived there. 

As days bled into years the princess and her servants were forgotten by the world for the enchantress had erased all memories of them from the minds of the people they loved. 

But the rose she offered was truly an enchanted rose. If the princess could learn to love another and earn their love in return by the time the last petal fell, the spell would be broken.

If not she would be doomed to remain a beast for all time.

As the years past she fell in despair and lost hope. 

For who could ever learn to love a beast?

.....

Catherine fixed her dress as she walked out the door, her eyes slowly adjusting to the vastly different light outside. 

She took in the still quiet streets, looking up at the town's clock tower, it'd only take about a minute for the quiet to change.

In an effort to fill the silence she started muttering to herself as she went down the steps.

"Little town, it's a quiet village every day like the one before." 

Catherine smiled as she went, her gaze still fixed on the clock waiting for the bell to ring inside. "Little town full of little… people."

Her gaze traveled to the windows and laundry lines. "Waking up to say.."

"Bonjour!"

"Bonjour!" 

"Bonjour!"

Catherine chuckled as she waved at the people she passed, the streets which were silent and empty now bustling with life in under a second. "There goes the baker with his tray like always. The same old bread and rolls to sell."

Despite her words, she bought a roll of bread and stuffed it into her bag. "Every morning just the same." 

She went up to pet one of the horses, the horse attempting to eat the few crumbs on her hands as she smiled brightly. "Since the morning that we came. To this poor, provincial town."

"Good morning Cath!"

Catherine turned around and waved, moving closer to talk. "Good morning monsieur John, have you lost something again?" She asked, a small tease in her voice.

He nodded. "Yes i believe i have, the problem is i can't remember what." Catherine laughed, like every single day.

"Oh well, i'm sure it'll come to me." He said, grinning. Cathy nodded as she turned to wander off.

"Where are you off to?" He asked, getting Cathy to turn around and dig into her bag.

She got out a book, showing off its cover. "To return a book to Edward Burgh, it's about two lovers in Fair Verona."

The other shrugged. "Sounds boring." Catherine giggled, shaking her head as she continued on her journey.

Catherine caught small pieces of chatter as she wandered through the town's large streets.

"Bonjour, good day. How is your family?" Ah Thomas, always trying to woo a new lady.

"Bonjour, good day. How is your wife?" Catherine snickered at that, turning for just a second to see the look on the man's face.

"I need six eggs… that's too expensive!" 

Catherine sighed as she continued. "There must be more than this provincial life." 

The woman reached her destination, taking out her book and smiling at the familiar sound of the bell ringing, which signified her presence to the man dusting.

Edward smiled. "Ah if it isn't the only bookworm in town, where did you run off to this week?"

Catherine smiled and went to put her book back in place. "Two cities in northern Italy, i didn't want to come back." She turned to him with a bright grin. "So, have you got any new places to go?" She asked.

Edward sighed, shaking his head. "I'm afraid not, but you may reread any of the old ones if you'd like."

Cathy frowned for a second, before spotting one of her favorites and taking it happily. She gave the man a coin as she clutched the book to her chest. "Thank you, your library makes our small corner of the world feel big." She said as she walked out.

"Always a pleasure, bon voyage!"

Catherine smiled and waved. "Bye!"

She immediately opened the book and started reading as she wandered back home, catching a few people talking about her but she couldn't care that much.

She smiled as she reached the flower shops, just in time for her favorite part.

"Oh, isn't this amazing? It's my favorite part because.. you'll see.." She flipped another page. "Here's where she meets prince charming, but she won't discover that it's him till chapter three."

"Look at her, Bessie." Henry Tudor put down his monocular and gave it to the girl beside him. The two stood on a hill a bit away from the village, both on horseback.

"My future wife." He added as Bessie adjusted so she could see as well. "Catherine is the most beautiful girl in the village, that makes her the best." 

Bessie pushed down her offense at the comment and gave the man his monocular back. "But she's so well read and you're so.." She bit back the word 'not'. "Athletically inclined."

Henry grinned. "I know, Catherine can be as argumentative as she is beautiful."

"Exactly! Who needs her when you've got us?" Bessie said rather enthusiastically.

"Yes, but ever since the war i've felt i've been missing something. She's the only girl that gives me that sense of.." Henry stopped, trying to find the right words to describe it.

Bessie searched through her mind for a second in an attempt to aid. "Je ne sais quoi?"

"I don't know what that means." 

Bessie froze in a moment of confusion before following alongside the man into the village.

"Right from the moment when i met her, saw her. I said 'she's gorgeous!' and i fell." Henry started. Bessie raised a brow as she turned to the three women staring at them walking by.

"Here in town there's only she, who is beautiful as me, so i'm making plans to woo and marry Catherine." 

The two dismounted, a few people immediately rushing to their aid with their horses.

The three women quickly ran out of their small boutique to gush over the man, which Bessie had to resist the urge to gag at.

"Oh there he goes, isn't he dreamy? Monsieur Henry! Oh, he's so cute! Be still my heart, I'm hardly breathing!"

Henry spared them a single glance.

"He's such a tall, dark, strong and handsome brute!" 

And with that Henry's horse stepped a little too hard in a puddle of mud, sending splashes of it onto the three.

Henry walked away from them, While Bessie quickly rushed over to them. "Never gonna happen ladies." She whispered before she followed the older man.

Catherine still walked through the market while reading, though minding to greet anyone who greeted her. There was still a lot of chatter around her, in fact it was kind of hard to get through the swarm of people.

She closed her book with a sigh as she reached the fountain where she took her chance and tossed a coin in. "There must be more than this provincial life!" 

"Just watch, I'm going to make Cath my wife!"

Catherine continued reading again as she walked, now noticing most of the chatter was about her.

"Good morning Catherine!" And as if on cue the many people behind her continued with their day and normal conversations.

She gave a polite smile to the man and closed her book to take part in the inevitable conversation. 

"Lovely book you have there." He said, a little hesitant.

Her smile brightened immediately bringing it closer to Henry's view. "Have you read it?"

Henry stopped for a second. "Well, no. But i've read.. books." He handed her the flowers he'd gotten in an attempt to change the topic. "Here, for your dinner table." He said.

Catherine hesitated, but put her book away and took the flowers with a small smile. 

"Shall i join you this evening?"

Catherine's smile dropped. "Sorry, not this evening." She said as she slowly backed away. 

Henry raised a brow. "Busy?"

Catherine grimaced as she turned around to head for her house. "Not exactly." She said before leaving completely.

Bessie approached, whistling. "Giving up yet?" 

Henry hummed. "No, Bessie. It's the ones who play hard to get that are always the sweetest prey." He said.

Bessie sighed, groaning softly. 

"That's what makes Catherine so appealing. She hasn't made a fool of herself trying to gain my favor. What would you call that?" 

"Dignity?" 

"Outrageously attractive, isn't it?" 

Catherine let out a sigh of relief as she closed the door behind her, immediate relaxation hitting her as she untensed.

A quiet humming filled her ears, accompanied by the sound of a music box. Catherine smiled softly, wandering to the source of the sound.

She found her mother, humming to herself as she messed around with a music box, one she'd personally crafted to depict her family.

Maud grabbed a tool before she started to sing softly. "How does a moment last forever, how can a story never end?" 

Catherine's eyes wandered to a portrait mounted on the wall, one of her as a child with her father. Clearly, she wasn't the only one.

"It is love we must hold on to, never easy but we try." Maud turned back to her work, smiling at the moment it portrayed. "Sometimes our happiness is captured, somehow a time and place stand still. Love lives on inside our hearts, and always will."

Maud looked up, jumping back slightly when she saw her daughter. "Oh! Cath."

Catherine smiled as she came closer. 

"Oh, could you hand me a…" Maud stopped to think of the tools name for a moment, while Catherine chuckled and got what she guessed was needed out.

"Oh, thank you." Maud said, getting a giggle out of Catherine as she handed the tool.

"Oh could you get me a.." 

Catherine hummed as she searched again before showing what she thought Maud had needed.

Maud smiled but shook her head. 

"Oh wait, yeah that is.. what i need. "Thank you, love." Maud said, smiling sheepishly. Catherine laughed softly.

She hummed in thought as she watched her mother work.

"Mama, do you think i'm odd?" She asked quietly, maybe the chatter had gotten more to her then she'd initially thought. Maud raised a brow.

"Odd? My daughter? Odd? Where did you get that idea?" Maud asked, a hand on Catherine's knee in comfort.

"I don't know. People talk." Catherine shrugged. Maud huffed.

"This is a small village you know, small minded as well. But small also means safe."

Before Catherine could add anything, Maud continued. "Even back in Paris i knew a boy like you. He was so.. ahead of his time. So different. They all mocked him, until the day they all found themselves imitating him."

Catherine listened intently, taking her mothers hand in her own. "Could you tell me more about him?"

Maud nodded softly. "Your father was…. Fearless."

Catherine smiled, squeezing her mothers hand. 

Maud looked her up and down for a second before getting her own smile. "Fearless."

She took her hand back in order to close up her music box and put it away. "So.. what can i bring you from the market?"

Catherine hummed. "A rose." She responded. "Like the one in the painting."

Maud laughed. "You ask for that every year." 

Catherine chuckled and pressed a kiss to her mothers cheek. "And every year you bring me one." 

Maud returned the kiss before she continued. "And i shall bring you another one. You have my word." 

Catherine followed her mother outside after an extensive routine to check if she had everything she needed. 

Maud mounted the family's mare, Catherine going up to give it a treat in the form of an apple as she did.

"Bye, Mama." She exclaimed as her mother rode off, Maud immediately waving back.

"I'll see you tomorrow!"

Catherine smiled as she watched her mother ride away. The moment she lost sight of her she turned and got back into the house.

A pile of laundry awaited her inside. Right yeah she still had to do that.

Catherine examined all the supplies in the room.

Or… maybe.

[venicepearl]

Blackness Castle is a 15th-century fortress, near the village of Blackness, Scotland, on the south shore of the Firth of Forth.

It was built, probably on the site of an earlier fort, by Sir George Crichton in the 1440s. At this time, Blackness was the main port serving the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow, one of the main residences of the Scottish monarch. The castle, together with the Crichton lands, passed to James II of Scotland in 1453, and the castle has been crown property ever since. It served as a state prison, holding such prisoners as Cardinal Beaton and the 6th Earl of Angus.

Strengthened by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart in the mid-16th century, the castle became one of the most advanced artillery fortifications of its time in Scotland. A century later, these defences were not enough to prevent Blackness falling to Oliver Cromwell's army in 1650. Some years after the siege, the castle was repaired, and again served as a prison and a minor garrison. In 1693, the spur protecting the gate was heightened, and the Stern Tower shortened as a base for three heavy guns. Barracks and officers' quarters were added in the 1870s, when the castle was used as an ammunition depot, until 1912. The castle was briefly reused by the army during World War I. It is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Because of its site, jutting into the Forth, and its long, narrow shape, the castle has been characterised as "the ship that never sailed". The north and south towers are often named "stem" and "stern", with the central tower called the "main mast".

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"Suppose I'm on my own tonight" Blur / The Heights.

St Peter & St Paul, Burgh Castle, Norfolk