Saturday 17 October 2009
I have been saying recently that Sigefrith must never have publicly affirmed that Colban was not his son, and that Colban would therefore have continued to be called a prince and be treated with the same deference as Caedwulf and the girls.
However, while I was writing the last chapter, I found evidence that seems to say otherwise.
In “Sigefrith makes up for lost laughter”, dated November 3rd, 1085, Cubby announces to Sigefrith:
“My father says I might stay with you while he’s away!”
In the same room were Cedric, Caedwulf, and (most importantly) Ralf. Now, while I wouldn’t be surprised to know Cedric and Caedwulf were in on the unofficial secret, I can’t believe Sigefrith would have confessed to Ralf, especially not to the point that Cubby knew it was OK to just blurt out “my father” in front of him.
So I assume that after “Sigefrith tells the plain truth” (in May, 1084) Sigefrith made some low-key but public announcement than Colban was not his heir and was henceforth not to be called a prince.
Given Edris’s awkwardness in “Malcolm wears the ghost of a band”, however, it does seem to be something people try not to talk about.
Chapters
Well, you know, Edris has pretty delicate sensibilities. While it would seem to stand to reason that people in general just don't talk about it, it could also be a thing of someone like Edris or Hetty or Eadie feeling too awkward mentioning it. I mean, no one cringed in a room full of men when Cubby's paternity was mentioned.