THE MAKING - CAST OF CHARACTERS
Strong influential women were key fixtures among Celtic tribes of the Franks, Saxons, Danes, English and Irish up to and well after the demise of Roman Imperial Power.
In the novel, "...a rib from Eve", Fictional and mythical characters woven among strong historical figures bring to life the excitement and chaos of Pagan conversion to Christianity as well as clashes for power.
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Main Characters
- MALGVEN (MAl-veyn) – AD 620 - 643
- Fictional character taken from a mythical figure. Fictionally, the only child of Gomatrud and King Dagobert I. The historical mythic figure was a pagan sorceress or Drui priestess who married a semi-Pagan Breton king by the name of Gradlon.
Merovingian Frank-Danish-Saxon-Irish, Pantheist
KING DAGOBERT I (dA-gaw-beRT) – AD 605 - 639 - Historically the King of a subservient Austrasia and eventually High King of the Franks. Fictionally depicted as Malgven’s Father.
Merovingian Frank, Catholic Christian with a hint of Pagan
KING JUDICAEL (joo-dik-ey-el) – AD 614 - 658 - Historically, the High King of the Bretons during this time period. He was known as very fierce and brave. As a child, Judicaël was hidden and protected by Christian monks at monastery of St. Meven at Gaël in Breton from his evil brother king Haeloc. When he became old enough, after defeating his brother and taking over Breton, he was a constant irritation to the Franks, winning many a skirmish with the border nobles. King Dagobert respected him, and sent Eligius to negotiate peace. Fictionally, he is Malgven’s true love.
Breton, Pagan/Christian
This fictional persona of Judicaël is also combined with an actual Breton legend of Ker Y’s, Gradlon (grad-luhn), the king of Breton (Brittaney). According to the legend, Gradlon fell in love with a sorceress-Druidess by the name of Malgven, who followed the pagan religion. In the legend, they have a daughter named Dahut.
GOMATRUD (Go-mA-trooth) – AD 603 - 631 - Historically, the first wife of King Dagobert I set aside for infertility. Fictional mother of Malgven. For the purposes of the story she is depicted as heralding from a Saxon noble family.
Saxon-Danish-Irish, Pagan heritage with a hint of Catholic Christian
LEVINIA (Lah-vin-ee-uh) – AD 578 - 637 - Fictional character. Mother of Gomatrud, grandmother of Malgven. Seer and High Ban Drui of the Saxons but of Scotti (Irish) heritage. Born on the Isle of Man. Eorlderman Wiglaf’s wife.
Irish, Pagan
WIGLAF (wig-lahf) – AD 560 - 637 - Fictional character derived from an actual historical figure. High Eorlderman of the Saxons, father of Gomatrud, husband of Levinia, Malgven’s grandfather.
The historic figure lived around this time period and was said to have been the last of the prestigious clan, the Wægmundings, and also a hero and companion to the historical figure, Beowulf, in slaying a dragon-like beast.
Danish-Saxon, Pagan
FINN(fin) – AD 618 - 695 - Fictional nephew of Wiglaf. Gomatrud’s Saxon Wægmunding cousin who falls in love with Malgven.
Saxon-Danish, Pagan
BOETHIUS (bo-thee-uhs) – AD 582 - 633 - Fictional character derived from an actual historical philosopher who interacted with Germanic kings. He is depicted as the grandson of Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius. He is a Greek teacher, philosopher and mentor to Malgven. The historical Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius lived AD 480-524. He was known as a great scholar, and as such was entrusted as master of the offices by King Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths, another of the Germanic tribes. He studied and translated a number of Greek texts, theology by Plato, logic by Aristotle, arithmetic by Nicomachus, geometry by Euclid, music theory by Pythagoras, and astronomy by Ptolemy into Latin. Theodoric had him tortured and beaten to death with a club in AD 524 for treason and practicing sorcery. While waiting to die in prison, he wrote “The Consolation of Philosophy”, one of the most popular works of literature in the Middle Ages.
Greek-Gallo-Roman, Pantheist
ELIGIUS (e-lee-jee-uhs) – AD 588 - 660 - Historically, a goldsmith in the court of King Clothar II. He became chief chancellor and highly trusted advisor of King Dagobert. Eventually, he became the Bishop of Nouyen. He was an incredible politician and a “good Christian”.
Signature claimed to be by Eligius from seventh century artwork:
Gallo-roman, Catholic Christian
Signature claimed to be by Eligius from seventh century artwork:
PEPIN (pip-in) – AD 585 - 640 - Historically, part of a strong influence of Austrasia aristocracy at the time, he was designated as Mayor of the Palace (maior domus) of Austrasia when Dagobert was placed on the throne at ten years of age.
Frank, Catholic Christian
BISHOP ARNULF (ahr-noo lf) – AD 582 - 641 - Historically, the Bishop of Metz. Also part of the strong influential Austrasian aristocracy of the time, he was designated as Dagobert’s primary tutor when Dagobert was placed on the throne. His daughter and Lord Pepin’s oldest son married at a later date to join these two powerful Austrasian families, referred to as the Pippinids and the Arnulflings.
Frank, Catholic Christian
FATHER OUEN (O-wahN) – AD 600 - 684 - Historically, a chancellor for Dagobert. Son of Saint Authaire. Acquainted with Saint Columbanus and other influencial educated secular scholars and clergy of the times. Served in the courts of King Clotair II, King Dagobert I, and King Clovis II. He became Archbishop of Rouen, France in 641. Very influential in missionaries to the pagans.
Fictionally, depicted as also responsible for Malgven’s Christian tutoring and mentoring. The fictional character is an ordained priest serving on Dagobert’s council. History portrays him as leaving secular life behind after Dagobert’s death.
Gallo-roman, Catholic Christian
RAGNETRUD (RAG-neh-trooth) – AD 603-639 - Historically, the second wife of Dagobert and mother of his oldest son, Sigibert III. She was a “maiden in the house hold,” daughter of the Duke of Aquitaine.
The fictional character is depicted as the niece of King Clothar’s last wife, Sichilde, although it is historically suggested that either Gomatrud or Ragnetrud was indeed a sister of Sichilde.
Frank, Catholic Christian
NANTHILD (nuhnt-hilt) – AD 610 - 642 - Historically, the third wife of Dagobert and mother if his second son in succession, Clovis II. She was a “maiden in the house hold”, a servant of Saxon decent. Fictionally, she is depicted as Levinia’s handmaiden and later Gomatrud’s friend and handmaiden, as well as the third “wife” of King Dagobert.
Saxon, Pagan converted to Catholic Christian.
ADELA (uh-dey-luh) – AD 636… - Historically, rumored to have been the daughter of King Dagobert. The fictional character is the only daughter of Ecgtheow II and Malgven.
Merovingian Frank-Danish-Saxon-Irish, Pantheist, semi-Christian
BROTHER GUENOLE (goo-in-o-ley) - Fictional character based on a legendary Breton figure. This monk protected and mentored Judicaël and his little brother. The historical Brother Guénolé is mentioned in the legend of Y’s as the Christian monk who influenced King Gradlon.
Irish, Christian
CANTUS (kan-tuh s) – AD 622 - 703 - Fictional character. Mystic Scotti Drui initiate who befriends Malgven and watches over her and her progeny.
Irish, Pantheist
CEOLWULF (see-o-woolf) - Fictional character derived from a Celtic historical figure. Close friend and advisor to King Judicaël.
Breton, Semi-Pagan, Semi-Christian
GRIMOALD (grim-ah-olth) – AD 617 - 658 - Historically the Son of Lord Pepin, Mayor of the Palace.
Historically, the son of Lord Pepin, Mayor of the Palace.
Fictionally he is depicted as a loathsome, despicable human being who sought Malgven’s hand in marriage.
Historically this persona may not be far off, as he does twist the Merovingian line for his own use when he becomes Mayor of the Palace for Sigibert III upon Pepin’s demise.
Frank, Catholic Christian