The nice thing about writing historical fiction is that you can visit many of the locations where the story takes place. So one hot summer day in July, I decided to return to the origin of my novel and revisit the spots in the Black Forest that inspired me in the first place. In my backpack, I had a bunch of handwritten cards with quotes from the book. I took photos of them against the background where the scenes take place: the castles Hachberg and Kastelburg, Freiburg city, the Minster of Freiburg, and Tennenbach Abbey.
Here’s part 1 of ‘The 11th Code in Quotes’ (ha, that almost rhymes).
Castle Hachberg, 1354
“The margrave of Hachberg’s illustrious guests had rushed onto the impromptu dance floor and quickly formed three circles. A group of minstrels dislodged from their dais by the far wall and moved deftly towards the dancers.”
– Chapter 1 – A Knight
Martin’s story starts here: at the mighty Castle Hachberg that thrones above the town of Emmendingen in the Black Forest. He’s a guest at his sister’s wedding. Elisabeth becomes the wife of Margrave Otto of Baden-Hachberg, master of this castle.
Castle Hachberg, 1360
“Or she’s incredibly beautiful, like the Lady Guinevere,” Martin whispered, bringing their exchange to a grinding halt. Next to him, Casimir was silent. Martin slowly turned his head to find his friend staring at him, an unreadable look in his eyes. “Not as beautiful as you are,” Martin breathed without thinking. Casimir let his hands glide from his stomach. His little finger came to rest on Martin’s.
– Chapter 5 – A loss and a letter
During his time with the Margrave, with Martin meets Casimir, a boy his own age who works in the granary at castle Hachberg. On the eve before Martin is being wed to Anna of Thierstein, Casimir and Martin spend some time together….
Castle Kastelburg, 1360
“That’s it, I’ve had enough of unpleasant surprises for one day, Martin thought bitterly as his gaze climbed up and along the girth of castle Kastelburg’s outer wall. The castle – if it even deserved to be called that much – balanced precariously on a low hill. With just a glance Martin was able to gauge the castle’s entire laughable extent.”
– Chapter 6 – The house of Malterer
Martin sees ‘his’ castle Kastelburg for the first time – and is not impressed. Compared to the massive Hachberg, this little dwelling feels cramped and inadequate to him .
Tennenbach Abbey, 1360
“Martin almost climbed the steps to round the altar, catching himself just in time before committing yet another sin. It was not a secular man’s place to step up so boldly to face the Saviour. Instead, Martin stopped at the foot of the altar to stare up at the crucified Lord. Casimir’s tanned, smiling face rose to his mind, heart-shaped and ringed by a shock of lively curls.”
– Chapter 9 – Repentance
Unable to return to castle Hachberg due to an outbreak of the Black Death, Martin, his knight the margrave Otto, and Martin’s sister Elisabeth seek refuge in the nearby Tennenbach Abbey. The bad news keep piling up, however, as the lists with the names of the dead come in …
Castle Kastelburg, 1362
“The city of Freiburg, Master,” Balduin said. “Or rather, how she is treating its noble families. This has been the subject of much complaint from Hesse Snewelin and your mother, to be honest. The city council now mostly consist of non-noble merchants. As such, the council tends to treat nobility increasingly unfairly.”
– Chapter 11 – Works in progress
Martin’s castellan Balduin informs his master of the rising strife between nobles and the city council in Freiburg. Freiburg becomes increasingly emancipated and seeks to rid itself from the influence of nobles. Including that of the despised Count Egino III.
Castle Hachberg, 1362
“If you insist on seeing my father in me, my lord, then I beg of you to only see in me his virtues; his talent as a knight, his unwavering loyalty to a cause he had sworn his blade to.” Martin said. “Virtues I hold sacred as well, yes, but the choices my father made are not the same ones I intend to follow once I receive my accolade.”
– Chapter 12 – Babylon the Great
The Count Egino III visits castle Hachberg to beg from margrave Otto support against the recalcitrant city of Freiburg. Martin sees in the old count a kindred spirit and is quick to pledge his sword to his cause. Although he’s still just a squire.