Professor Efa Foster and the Museum curators who worked with the White Palace Scribe on the exhibition felt that they could not display certain items without a couple of notes attached to them. The White Palace Scribe agreed with the wording of the notes, and checked this blog post before it was published.
There are numerous artefacts on display in Riversouth and Rookpot that come from Wild Wolvern Mey. These include numerous pieces of wolvern jewellery, gems worn by Meyricks and their families, including the ruling ring, and bejewelled gifts of Musril-embossed skins from wolvern Clans.
It should be noted that many wolvern artefacts were given as genuine gifts to the Meyricks from the Clans in Wild Wolvern Mey, and these are considered the rightful property of the White Palace. However, several items discovered in the Palace Archives have a more dubious provenance. These are items that were taken from wolvern Clans without permission, and in many cases the wolvern had requested that the items be returned to them. The Museum is working closely with the Palace Archives to see if this is feasible. At the time of the exhibition no wolvern artefacts have yet been returned to the Clans, but there are ongoing talks being held in the neutral territory of Rookpot Museum, which representatives from the White Palace and the Sperakeden Clan have attended.
The second note concerns the Musril language, particularly its origins. We all know that Riversouth prides itself on protecting and promoting Farynshire’s native language. Indeed, most academics acknowledge that without The White Palace’s devotion to the language it might very well have died out many years ago, amongst the human population anyway. What has been increasingly challenged, particularly in recent years, is the long-held theory that Musril spread out to the rest of the county from Riversouth. In fact, there is no evidence that Musril was created in Riversouth. Despite this, many well-respected academic books, articles and theses make this claim; some of them from many years ago, but, perhaps surprisingly, some published in the twenty first century as well. This is very much a live and current theory, as evidenced by recent podcasts and online videos that are popular around Riversouth. Rookpot Museum distances itself from this theory. If anything, recently discovered evidence suggests that Musril did not originate in Riversouth.
It is important to acknowledge new discoveries and revise existing theories, however well established, accordingly. Rookpot Museum is committed to pursuing the truth of history, rather than a version of it.
The 213th Rookpot History Conference
The Peoples of Farynshire: Challenging the Narrative
The Scribe of the White Palace, Aderyn Tooking and Professor Efra Foster from Rookpot Museum will chair the 213th conference of the Rookpot History Conference. The theme of the conference is challenging the traditional theories concerning the Peoples of Farynshire. The programme has been deliberately designed to be radical and provocative and many of the speakers could be considered controversial.
The Programme
“Four Peoples, One County” Professor Roland Coombes
“Our Common Language: Musril for All” Professor Lana Evans and Doctor Peter Wallace
“The Voices of our Forests” Doctor Rhyll Jones
“Following the Seafolk” Sephus Moxley
“The Meyrick, the wolvern, and Wild Wolvern Mey” Aderyn Tooking and Professor Efra Foster
“A wolvern in Rookpot” Botolf ken Geirolf os okto
There are limited places available for the public – so book your place early!
Recent research has challenged the longstanding narrative around Riversouth’s relationship with seafolk and wolvern. This has been made possible by examining the other side of the story, and re-learning history through the memories and stories of the Peoples themselves. We hope one day to run that exhibition.
The focus of this exhibition is the Meyrick and Riversouth, and all of the sources and exhibits used and displayed are human. This exhibition has started to challenge the traditional historical narrative, and we will continue to explore wider historical perspectives in our work.
The Impact of the Seafolk (begin in The White Palace, Riversouth)
These days even occasional and rare sightings of seafolk in our coastal waters are met with both extreme scepticism and obsessive theorising, so it is hard to imagine a time when seafolk were not only a common sight in Farynshire’s waters, but regularly interacted with humans. They may be elusive, but it is important to remember that they are one of the four Peoples of Farynshire, and they created one quarter of the ancient seal that hangs on the wall in the Council Chambers in Rookpot.
Before the Seal that brought the Peoples together (for a time anyway) there was often conflict between the seafolk and the human coastal communities, including Riversouth. There are numerous stories and tales about seafolk raids on Meyshore Bay. One of the oldest and most fascinating records in the Palace Archive is an eleventh century book listing the loss of sea vessels to seafolk attacks. Some boats disappeared, and the book claims that witnesses on shore observed boats being pulled underwater.
Sephus Moxley, who has spent a lifetime researching, studying and searching for seafolk, has written a book about the history of seafolk in Riversouth for this exhibition, and you can buy How the Seafolk shaped Riversouth in the Rookpot Museum shop and The Lilac Beech. In his hefty tome, Moxley explores the relationship between the seafolk and the growing Riversouth, postulating that the seafolk are the reason Meyshore Bay never became a bustling port like Sylnmouth, despite being a natural and safe harbour. The seafolk raids usually targeted fishing vessels and it is believed that they were defending their foodstocks. In response to these raids Meyrick the True through to Meyrick the Thrift-Purse oversaw the building of defences along the shoreline. There is very little to be seen here now, although some ancient timbers have been excavated that were once part of what looked like extensive fortifications. Stone forts were constructed on top of the Sussen Orchelflilin, and if a seafolken was spotted in the waters below a beacon was lit to warn any boats that were already out in the Bay, and to rally the defenders – though Moxley believes these had little to no effect on the seafolk, certainly none were ever captured or killed.
But what eventually kept the Bay waters seafolk-free was the construction of the underwater defences. Moxley spends a good portion of his book explaining the significant of this remarkable architecture. Most of it was buried for centuries, before Diggers from Rookpot Museum re-discovered it in the 1970s. Since then it has been carefully preserved in its underwater setting using techniques that involve coating the metal and timbers in specially created waterproof lacquer. The defences cover the entire seabed of the Bay, and start below low tide, making them invisible from shore. Moxley believes that what has been discovered is but a remnant of the original structures. He also suggests that the defences prevented the development of a port in Riversouth. It was always assumed that the Meyricks discouraged the growth of a port because they did not want Riversouth to become like Sylnmouth, and possibly that was a secondary purpose of the underwater defences.
As part of the exhibition you can take a glass-bottomed boat trip out over some of the more stable defences. Your guide and accompanying divers will ensure you get a good view of the marvels beneath the waves.
Before you do that, first visit the art exhibition, Seafolk Encounters, in the magnificent Emerald Hall in the White Palace. This beautiful exhibition has brought together art that features seafolk from around the county. There are vast watercolours from the Vaults of Rookpot Museum, exquisite porcelain figurines from Cowley Maggs, mixed with the varied and ancient collections from the Palace Archives. The exhibition is dominated by mermaids, of course, as they are the most frequently sighted of the seafolk, but some older, rarer works depict distant sightings of large males or family groups. It seems that everyone who has ever encountered a seafolken has tried to capture its likeness in paint, pottery, glass, china or wood.
Wild Wolvern Mey (the White Palace, Riversouth, and Rookpot Museum, Rookpot)
Sephus Moxley argues that it was the pressure of the seafolk on Meyshore that led to the Meyricks pushing out beyond wider Riversouth area and eventually into the territories that would become known as Wild Wolvern Mey. In truth, it is likely that this expansion would have happened with or without the seafolk.
There is evidence of Bronze Age trade between the pre-Meyrick communities in Riversouth and early wolvern Clans, such as wolvern jewels in Riversouth graves and human daggers, axes and swords in the mountains. There are also very rare and prized finds of joint endeavours: metalwork created by wolvern and human, human pottery encrusted with wolvern stones.
Sephus Moxley might be presumptuous about why the Meyricks started to expand out beyond Riversouth, but he is right about when. Rather than the pressure of the seafolk raids being the reason, it seems as though the new sea defences gave the Meyrick confidence to turn their attention away from the sea and focus their energy inland. One of the first developments was re-building the route network, repairing and strengthening existing tracks, and building new roads. There is archaeological evidence of old toll stations along these new roads, particularly at the new turnpikes and bridges.
Numerous settlements were built along the new roads, and the villages and towns that are descended from them bear the Mey names to this day. The Meyricks learned from the success of Meyshore and all of the initial settlements were designed by a Riversouth architect, Ogilby Hooke, who created one streetplan that was then applied to every new community, which makes it easy for archaeologists to identify these original settlements, even if they have been subsequently demolished or altered. Hooke’s streetplan is on display in Rookpot Museum.
Hooke also drew up plans for a canal to run through Riversouth, out into the hinterlands to Skrudfenrion Lake, crossing a tributary of the River Spurtle, before joining the Bychan Darkflint River that winds its way from the mountains into the Lake. It was a hugely impressive and ambitious project, and Hooke did not live to see it finished. But there can be little doubt that the Riversouth Canal (Farynshire’s only canal) accelerated the Meyrick’s expansion projects.
The humans soon attracted the attention of the local wolvern Clans, including the infamous Sperakeden Clan. At first, relations between human and wolvern seem to have been respectful. The wolvern were particularly interested in trading the jewels and precious stones they mined for sheep, wool, and human textiles. Some wolvern even exchanged tracts of land that they considered unusable, which the humans quickly settled in. Living in close proximity, though, it was inevitable that disagreements would occur. Both wolvern and human are territorial, and boundaries were only respected when convenient. Wolvern raided livestock, and humans continued to encroach and build upon wolvern land, constructing forts to deter wolvern attacks. Most disputes were settled by jeldanas, an old method of settling scores whereby an agreed payment is given for a wrong, but resentment on both sides lingered.
The arrival of the railways in the mid nineteenth century changed everything. Meyrick the Third Tall paid for a line of track to run straight into Wild Wolvern Mey, at the same time as the Age of Industry enabled extensive mining in the region. Meyrick the Third Tall’s successor is known as Meyrick the Scarrer, and is the only Meyrick to have an epitaph bestowed upon them by one of the Peoples. Human miners were known as scarrers, and they changed the landscape in Wild Wolvern Mey forever with their dynamite and heavy machinery.
As the scarrers blasted their way further into wolvern territory, the wolvern were pushed deeper into the mountains. The name Wild Wolvern Mey appeared at this time, attached to registered companies and materials that were mined from the area. The industrialisation made the Meyrick and Riversouth very rich, but they did not have it all their own way. The Sperakeden Clan constantly harassed, disrupted and attacked the railway and canal supply routes, and sometimes even the mines.
In the Palace Archives there is correspondence between the White Palace and the owners of the mining companies operating in Wild Wolvern Mey that reveal they all knew that their time in the area was not going to last long. At this time the Peoples attended Council meetings in Rookpot, and the minutes from those meetings show that the wolvern representative petitioned the Council many times on behalf of the Sperakeden and other wolvern Clans.
Because they knew that they had limited time to reap the rich rewards from their mines, the scarrers ruthlessly exploited as much of the area as they could. There are early photographs of the devastation that was inflicted on the area. Forests were burned to the ground, rivers and streams were polluted by the run-off and turned brown and toxic, slag heaps rose up in mockery of the surrounding mountains, the slopes of which were blasted, resulting in landslides and permanent damage. Meyrick the Scarrer’s rule was short, rich, and ruinous for Wolvern Mey.
The Meyrick’s short and sudden advance beyond Riversouth shaped modern Farynshire, and you can follow in the footsteps of the scarrers via two routes. The first is to step aboard a converted barge to make your leisurely way via the Riversouth Canal, or you can take the land train from Riversouth along the old roads to Wild Wolvern Mey. Either route will stop to visit one of Ogilby Hooke’s villages, Norssenmey, a reconstructed settlement using Hooke’s streetmap. From Norssenmey the tour continues over a wide stone bridge, and via a crumbling fort, and on to the modern town of Gorssenmey. The mines still exist, though most are too dangerous to visit, but there is one that has been preserved, and this is where the tour ends.
The Retreat of the Meyrick (Rookpot Museum)
The Meyricks left a lasting legacy on Wild Wolvern Mey, and many people assume they must have been there for centuries, but, in truth, everything that you can still see – the mey names, the roads, infrastructure, railway, mines – all happened within the rule of two Meyricks, or less than fifty years. For most of that time, protests were regularly raised during Rookpot Council meetings.
What expediated the Retreat of the Meyrick was the Leader of the Sperakeden Clan, Conri, who travelled to Rookpot to petition the Council to stop the mining and the occupation and expel the humans. The Council minutes record his speech in full, both in the original Musril that Conri used, and translated into Welsh and English; you can see and read these minutes in the exhibition in Rookpot Museum. Unfortunately nobody thought to make an audio recording, so we can only imagine the oratory power of a wolvern Leader speaking for his Clan, his home and his people. But we know it must have been passionate and compelling because it provoked enough sympathy amongst the Councillors and the Peer Families that they put pressure on Riversouth to stop their activities in Wild Wolvern Mey.
The mining was stopped immediately, and over the following year the Meyrick’s authority fell back to Riversouth. The White Palace never publicly or formally renounced its claim on Wild Wolvern Mey, but from that moment on it essentially acted as though it had never heard of such a place, and paid no attention to anything that happened there.
These were big victories for Conri and the wolvern, but they did not get the full expulsion of humans that they wanted. The villages and towns remain to this day, and the region is still known (amongst humans, at least) as Wild Wolvern Mey. The wolvern, like the seafolk and the foresteens, would eventually break all contact with Rookpot, the Council and humans, but the concessions to Leader Conri delayed this for a few more years.
As well as selected excerpts from the Minutes of the Rookpot Council, this part of the exhibition is a wonderful collection of maps. Ogilby Hooke’s original streetplan for the settlements can be viewed here, as well as modifications future planners made to his design. The Scribe of the White Palace documented in detail the expansion and retreat of the Meyrick in and out of Wild Wolvern Mey, and you can see the growing and shrinking territories on intricate maps. It is an extensive collection, and we are indebted to the Palace Archives for allowing us to make it public.
Rookpot Museum is home to countless archives, stories and finds from all over Farynshire. Since its conversion from a glassworks factory in 1762 to the magnificent building standing today, its mission has been to explore, explain and share the rich history of our county and its Peoples. To this end, we thought we would highlight some of the splendid and fascinating exhibitions the Museum has held over the years.
The Reach of the Meyrick was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get close to the truth and myth of the family who has shaped Farynshire more than any other.
This is an exhibition that allows you to get up and close and personal with history as it is unearthed and reclaimed by Diggers and academics.
The Museum had been given unprecedented access to the archives in The White Palace. We are indebted to Aderyn Tooking, the White Palace Scribe, who granted extensive access to the Palace Archives and curated this exhibition across both cities. We also thank Professor Efra Foster from Rookpot Museum for devising, coordinating and overseeing this vast project.
The focus of the exhibition is how the Meyrick’s influence spread out from Riversouth throughout Farynshire, with a particular focus on Wild Wolvern Mey, and then receded back again, leaving plenty of evidence of their presence in their wake.
This is the largest exhibition ever put on by the Museum – you might need to spread your visit over a few days!
The Rise of Riversouth
The Meyrick and the region of Riversouth have been part of each other since the dawn of history.
This part of the exhibition uses recent archaeological evidence and current projects to reveal new insights into this region, and how the first Meyricks established their dominance.
Explore the Dig (the White Palace, Riversouth)
By making use of the latest archaeological techniques and technology, Diggers from Rookpot Museum have begun exploring the early history of the White Crag upon which sits the White Palace of the Meyricks. This is the first time the Meyrick has given permission for archaeological exploration in the grounds of the Palace, which has allowed us to trace the story of the Crag from its prehistoric settlements to its current splendour and influence.
The project is likely to take years to fully explore the secrets hidden within the White Crag, and these live and open excavations are part of the exhibition. You can take a tour around the site, and speak to the Diggers as they work. There are opportunities to take part in the dig itself, uncover a piece of history, and see some of the extraordinary fines that have already been unearthed.
The History of the White Crag (Rookpot Museum, Rookpot)
The Diggers’ finds have been brought back to the Rookpot Museum so that they can be catalogued, preserved and studied. The most impressive and revelatory of these have been put on display.
The earliest settlement on the White Crag dates from over 8,000 years ago. Fragments of early seacraft, probably coracles, have been discovered, and it is thought that they were used on the calm waters of the gentle bay beneath the Crag. From this time onwards, the White Crag’s natural resources gave early settlers the security and confidence to come together, build homes, raise families and develop their societies.
It looked like these early people often clashed, as there is evidence of tribes fighting all over the Crag. It is not uncommon for fossil hunters to find arrowheads, smooth missile stones, and even the occasional axe head around Meyshore Bay and Sussen Orchelflilin
At some point one of the tribes conquered the Crag’s summit and built a palisade around their community. You can see artists’ reconstructions of the firstly timber, and later stone, walls in the exhibition. Behind this stood what is known as the Hill Fort, which some historians claim is an early ancestor to the White Palace. The community that lived here thrived behind their high walls.
This was the site of the first Mint in Farynshire. One of the most exciting finds during the excavations was a hoard of coins from this Mint, with the earliest dating from the eighth century. Coins struck from the Riversouth Mint were used throughout the county for hundreds of years, and finds have been unearthed as far afield as the Daggerrock Mountains, Tropsog and Cwm Purne. The Old Mint now stands on the original site, a wonderful little tea room in the public grounds of the Palace. One of the coins in the hoard bore the name Myrreck in an old form of Musril, and is on display in the Museum.
The success of the Mint enriched the Myrrecks (who soon after changed their name to Meyrick), who invested their wealth in developing the community on the White Crag. The first permanent structure was a dark castle with a round tower, and the ruins can be seen within the grounds of the White Palace. When the early Meyricks discovered how to dig the white rock out of the Crag itself the building did not stop for hundreds of years. The founding stone of the White Palace has not yet been discovered, but experts think it was laid under the current Wessen Tower in the early eleventh century. From then on each Meyrick used the Palace to show off their opulence and power by adding more and more magnificent architecture. The building projects continued until the nineteenth century whereupon the attention of the Meyricks and their vast wealth turned to industrialism. The Palace you see today, shining bright atop the Crag, has not changed much since that time. Meyricks have modernised the interior, and there are always ongoing maintenance projects, but you can see in old paintings and then photographs and early film that the main structure remains the same.
The City (the Meyshore Tour, Riversouth)
Today both the region (boundary markers can be found on the Crag, over the cliffs of Sussen Orchelflilin in the village of Aracely Cheth, beyond the Crag on Hewmey, and in the fields that lead to Tel-Yarridge) and the city have the same name. Those outside of the region are usually referring to the city when they speak of Riversouth, whereas those within the boundary marks refer to the large urban area around Meyshore Bay as the city. But before it was a city it was simply known as Meyshore, and it was the beginning of the Meyrick’s influence over the wider region.
In the written records in the Palace Archive and Rookpot Museum Meyshore is the first place name in Farynshire that includes the mey that is now so common throughout the county. There are signs of early settlements around the Bay, and soil analysis has revealed that many of them were burned to the ground. It is likely that these settlements were absorbed into one, large community.
Once Meyshore had been established it grew quickly. It is the perfect place for a community to thrive. It sits between the ocean and the Sussen Orchelflilin, with the White Crag to the south and the rocky cliffs to the north, and the Rivers Spurtle and Darkflint end their journeys through Farynshire here, providing a plentiful and reliable supply of fresh water.
The first town of Meyshore was planned in advance before a single stone was laid. What would shortly become the Promenade on the shoreline was the starting point, and from here straight streets were constructed up the slopes under the cliffs, until a network of narrow roads, avenues and thoroughfares spread parallel to the Bay. Unfortunately the plans for this new town have not been found in The Palace Archives. There are later schematics that map the streets and parks, and it is assumed that these were copied from the lost original. These are fascinating in and of themselves as they very clearly show, stage by stage, how Meyshore grew into Riversouth, but it would have been a true insight into an early genius to see the idea and shape of the town before it had even been built.
There are two main theories for the creation of Meyshore. Since the Bronze Age, traders wishing to sell their wares would trek up the Crag to The White Palace. This was where the Meyrick’s people – fishers, blacksmiths, millers, tailors, carpenters etc. – lived and worked with their families. The community grew to large for the Palace grounds, and were re-located to their town. Meyshore attracted more trade than the Crag had done because it was easier to get to. The Meyrick stayed in the White Palace, overlooking the ever-expanding town of loyal citizens.
We know the exact time that Meyshore became Riversouth. In Volume 45 of the Year One thousand and Ninety Two of the Chronicle of the Scribe, it is written (in Musril):
The Meyrick has designated the city Riversouth.
That is all there is. It is the first time that the area is known as a city, and as soon as it received that accolade Meyrick the Lonely changed the name. The new Grand Hall had been completed in this year: a formidable grey and white square tower at the far end of the Bay, and it is possible the name change deliberately coincided with this. Of course, the new city was not known as Riversouth but its Musril name, Kelsussen. Much like today, the Meyrick encouraged the use of Kelsussen, but it was the English name that took hold and became widespread.
The best way to experience the history of Riversouth is to take the Meyshore Tour. Specifically designed for this exhibition, you will start at The White Palace so you can see the early maps of the town, and then travel down the Crag to the Promenade. Your expert guide will show you all the historical secrets hidden all over the city. You will need a whole day for this one, but don’t worry – there are plenty of planned teashop stops along the way, and you will finish the day by attending an elegant meal in the Grand Hall.
This is certainly not the end of the Meyrick and Riversouth’s history. We have not even mentioned the Peoples yet …
Rookpot Museum is home to countless archives, stories and finds from all over Farynshire. Since its conversion from a glassworks factory in 1762 to the magnificent building standing today, its mission has been to explore, explain and share the rich history of our county and its Peoples. To this end, we thought we would highlight some of the splendid and fascinating exhibitions the Museum has held over the years.
The Voices of Rookpot Archive contains personal accounts from everyday Rookpotians. The oldest example is from the eleventh century, and the most recent are a collection of podcasts from 2020.
One of their completed projects brought together recollections from the 1903 Flood. These diaries, interviews, letters and testimonies formed an exhibition that allowed the public a rare insight into what life was like in Rookpot during this extraordinary period when the city was cut off from the rest of the county.
Below are extracts from some of the sources in the exhibition.
David Ivor Crunn
Lived at 34, Apple Orchard Gardens
Age during the flood: 10
This interview appeared in The County Voice in 1923 during the paper’s coverage of the construction of the new flood defences for Lower Winding Park Estate.
How many flood survivors have you interviewed? Did you find any that were opposed to the defence plan? We know it’s expensive – but if you had seen what we had you would not care about the cost.
I lived with my mum and dad and two sisters in one of the newer streets off Down Lower Winding Street, which was really on the pastures rather than the tor.
We heard the water burst out of the gorge. It sounded like something had exploded, and we had no idea what it was at first. There was this constant roaring sound, and we now know that it was the water. Nobody knew what to do, and I think a lot of people stayed where they were, because although we could all tell there was something very very wrong, we didn’t know where it was coming from. If we left our homes we might run straight toward whatever it was.
We were lucky because my Aunt Hillie lived above Dameg Square – we were always visiting her. So mum quickly grabbed what she could, and we all carried something, and we started to walk up the tor. As soon as we left the house the noise got even louder. And there were people shouting all over the place, as they moved up the tor.
We had reached Mid-Upper Winding Crescent when the crowd surged forward – people were pushing us from behind. My dad picked up my little sister, and my big sister grabbed my hand. The mood had changed from uncertain fear into outright panic. It was a stampede through the streets, and more and more people joined us, pushing from all sides, crushing us altogether.
My sister and I lost our parents and our little sister for a few streets – that was the most scared I ever was, because we could have been trampled. We heard people screaming “keep running!” and “the water!” It was terrifying to hear so many frightened adults. We found the rest of our family on one of the Upper Lower Winding roads. For the first time we looked back down the tor at what we were running from. It was black – just completely black. The slopes of the tor are usually lit up at night – warm light from lamp-posts and homes. The slopes below us were utterly devoid of light, and it felt like they were devoid of life, except for the roaring sound.
Instinctively the crowds headed for Dameg Square, the centre of the city, the place everyone goes in times of trouble. We carried on passed the Square and up to Aunt Hillie’s house, and cried with relief when she opened the door.
We learned about the flood the next day. Dad took me and my older sister to Upper Lower Winding Arch Crescent, where the water had stopped. Looking out over the pastures was a shock. The patchwork of fields and hedges, with the Darkflint snaking its way through the landscape, was now all underwater. We knew that our house, and everything in it, was gone. Hundreds of houses on the lower slopes were now underwater, you could just about see rooves and the tops of lamp-posts, but even they sunk below the water further down the slopes. I tried not to think about the people who had stayed in their homes.
We were lucky, though I don’t think we realised that for quite a while! We all stayed with Aunt Hillie in her lovely old house, whereas most of the others – the displaced, we were called – were put into the Council Chambers and the Cathedral in Dameg Square, or sent to other halls and churches.
My dad always deals with stress by keeping busy, and he volunteered early on as a salvager, which meant he went out onto the floodwaters to retrieve anything useful. I was really proud of him – still am – because salvaging was dangerous work, and four people lost their lives. In the first couple of weeks salvagers rescued eighty more people from the lower slopes who had taken refuge on the rooves of their houses. My sister and I couldn’t leave the street, especially when Mum became a watcher, so we were relieved when the schools opened in November. Our school was in the Raven Theatre, which was just the best place – I loved going to school there. Aunt Hillie opened up her house to be a school and care centre for the young children, which my little sister went to.
Rookpot has always been robust; robustness is in the cobbles, the chimney stacks, the bricks, the walls of the gorge. It has really bounced back, like we all knew it would. It helped that everyone living in Rookpot who is over eighteen years old was invited to contribute to the Clean-Up and Forward Planning committees. The whole community got to decide how the Rookpot Flood Relief Trust should be spent. And now it’s being used to fund new developments out on the pastures. We think this is really wonderful, and we support the expansion.
We just think that it is prudent to include flood defences – so we never have to go through anything like 1903 again.
Will Bebb
Ninth Councillor
Age during flood: 38
This extract was taken from the transcripts of Rookpot Council’s 1903 Flood Investigative Committee. Bebb appeared before the Committee on five separate occasions; this extract is taken from the session on managing the initial stages of the crisis.
[Committee Chair]: Could you please state your name for our record, please?
[Will Bebb]: You want me to introduce meself? Sure, of course. My name is William Samuel Bebb, and I was the Ninth Councillor of Rookpot in 1903. I’m Sixth Councillor now. The Ninth Councillor’s role is traditionally to support the Second Councillor; it is a training position, basically, a good way to break into local politics, get a feel for how things are done, make some contacts.
I’ll say right now that Second Councillor Cafell could not have done more. I know it’s the First Councillor that’s always lauded for his effective leadership – and I ain’t here to dispute that, he was certainly good at the fancy speeching side of things. But no one, certainly no one on the Council, worked harder than Second Councillor Merritt Cafell.
[Committee Chair]: I just wanted to start off by clarifying something – you were the one who opened up the Council Chambers to the displaced, were you not?
[Will Bebb]: I was.
[Committee Chair]: Why the Council Chambers? You must have known the Council would need them.
[Will Bebb]: It was the biggest place I had a key to. I live off William Tyndale Crescent, and I saw ‘em coming. They needed somewhere to go, and there was nowhere else I could have taken them.
[Committee Chair]: Did you know at this point what had happened?
[Will Bebb]: The people told us, so we knew there was a flood, but we thought it was a burst water pipe that had flooded a couple of streets; we had no idea as to the true scale of the disaster.
The Second Councillor immediately organised for water pumps and sand bags to be sent to the Lower Windings, so that the floodwaters did not rise further into the city.
He also took over the Library in Dameg Square, because the Chambers was full of people. The Library became our HQ.
[Committee Chair]: It was Second Councillor Cafell who introduced the Constraints, is that correct?
[Will Bebb]: That’s correct, yes.
[Committee Chair]: There was no Council debate, was there? The Second Councillor introduced them on his own authority?
[Will Bebb]: There was no time for a debate. That first day was utter chaos. The displaced had fled in the early hours of the morning. When the sun rose, crowds gathered in the Lower Windings – people wanted to see the floodwater, and some folk tried to get back to their flooded homes to rescue belongings, pets or family members they had lost contact with. I think they finally said the death toll from the night the flood hit was over three hundred people.
[Committee Chair]: They recovered a two hundred and eighty six bodies when the waters receded. A hundred and three people were reported missing and their bodies were never found. So yes, close to three hundred fatalities.
[Will Bebb]: Terrible, just terrible. We did not know that at the time, of course. Everything was confusion and panic. On the 7th of October people started to panic buy from the shops, and then they just started clearing the shelves, looting anything they could carry. A few houses were broken in to. All on the first day.
We needed to regain control and establish some order. So the Second Councillor initiated the Constraints. He had First Councillor Slarrock’s support.
A cordon was put in place in the Lower Windings so that civilians could not enter the floodwaters. To stop the looting and the general confusion on the streets people were confined to their homes. This was later relaxed to give people the freedom of their street.
[Committee Chair]: This all put enormous strain on Rookpot Constabulary.
[Will Bebb]: It did initially. That’s why the Watchers Corps was set up. We wanted at least three on every street to ensure people complied with the Constraints. As it turned out, we got over a thousand volunteers, city-wide, which exceeded our expectations, and took a lot of pressure off the police. The watchers had no police powers, you understand, but they could stop and report anyone who broke the Constraints.
[Committee Chair]: What were their responsibilities?
[Will Bebb]: They set up the checkpoints, and were the point of contact for everyone in their street. They drew up inventories of all the food and medical supplies their street had and needed, and they reported to Library HQ. We did not know how long Rookpot would be cut off, so we needed to do a city-wide stocktake and then ration supplies fairly.
[Committee Chair]: Did the watchers issue the passes?
[Will Bebb]: They did not issue them – Library HQ did that – but they did check everyone’s pass at the checkpoints.
[Committee Chair]: What were the different grades of passes?
[Will Bebb]: There were the free passes, which all Councillors, police officers and health workers had, and these allowed complete freedom of the city. There were occupation passes for those who had to leave their homes to carry out an important job, like a shopkeeper, the boatmen, various other supply chain or administrative roles – these passes allowed travel between specific points in the city.
[Committee Chair]: We have the list of occupations here.
[Will Bebb]: That’s the final list. The longer the city was cut off, the more occupations were added. We ended up with over a hundred, I think.
[Committee Chair]: A hundred and fifty eight.
[Will Bebb]: All essential occupations, I’m sure. The final grade of passes were called neighbourhood passes, and they were for those who looked after vulnerable people, helping with shopping, cleaning, keeping an eye on them. Some called them caring passes.
The Constraints were designed manage the situation as best as possible. They were gradually relaxed as we came to rely on other methods like the ration cards.
[Committee Chair]: When were the boatmen recruited?
[Will Bebb]: As soon as we realised we needed to get word out! The telephones on the tor were not working – I think an exchange went down in the flood.
It was a bit of a challenge, because there ain’t many boats on the tor!
There were already salvagers who were trying to recover items from the floodwaters. They had made boats, or things that floated anyway, out of all sorts of things: furniture, outbuildings, anything they could get hold of. We commandeered the salvagers and organised them into the Rookpot Fleet.
[Committee Chair]: Isn’t “fleet” a bit of a grandiose term?
[Will Bebb]: I don’t think so. We wouldn’t have survived without them – and I don’t think I’m being overly dramatic in saying that.
The flood waters were difficult to navigate, because there were submerged obstacles and dangers, and the waters were very choppy for the first few weeks. Real boats would have found conditions a challenge, what we had was a flotilla of cabinets, wardrobes, doors – including the fifteenth century oak doors from the Cathedral – fence panels, beds, and three preserved boarhide coracles from the Museum vaults. They set up a supply chain across the water, and it was dangerous work.
They were our only contact with the outside world. The first boat to return informed us that a Rookpot Relief Station had been set up in Cwm Purne, and efforts were coordinated from there to receive donations and support from all over Farynshire. They had warehouses full of all sorts of supplies for us. They sent newspapers and radios so we could stay up-to-date with the news. They were also a mail service, so we could stay in contact with people outside the city. Small boats had been sent from Riversouth and Sylnmouth and the villages on the coast. These were the boats we used for the exodus.
The Rookpot Fleet was crewed by a group of very brave volunteers, most of whom had no prior sailing experience.
[Committee Chair]: We know that some of them charged extra for their services. There have been many trials.
[Will Bebb]: That was a tiny number. I will not allow the bravery and self-sacrifice of the overwhelming majority to be subsumed by the selfish opportunism of a few individuals – all of whom were brought to justice subsequently.
The fleet kept supplies coming into Rookpot, allowing the Council to relax the Constraints, and ensured communication lines were kept open in both directions.
[Committee Chair]: Thank you, Sixth Councillor. Your passionate recollection is fascinating, and will be preserved in our records.
[Will Bebb]: Good. This was an extraordinary experience to live through. And I will never forget how the city, and the entire county, came together with a real and genuine community spirit. That’s what got us through.
Cyril Orville
A student at Rookpot University
Age during the flood: 18
A volunteer watcher in Red Brick Halls
This interview was carried out in 1968 after the Voices of Rookpot project tracked Cyril down to Auckland, New Zealand, where he emigrated after the Second World War.
I’ve seen some strange things in my time, believe me – but that flood – never seen anything like that! We could not see an end to the water – it looked like the whole world had flooded, and only Rookpot was left as an island. There were ducks and swans on submerged rooves or bobbing on top of grey waves.
I was in my first semester at Rookpot University, living in dorms on Wessentor. It was my first time away from home, and my immediate thoughts were for my family back in Liverpool – was everywhere underwater? That’s what caused the most anxiety, because we couldn’t find out. All the phone lines were down, and no post could get out or in. We would not get any word from our families for another two weeks.
The university closed – all classes were cancelled. I was in Red Brick Halls, which was where the Humanities undergraduates lived. We all went to the water’s edge in the Lower Windings as soon as it got light on the first morning. It was devastating. All the streets from the train station right to the bottom of the tor were underwater. At the time we had no idea where it had come from –the assumption was that the Darkflint River had burst its banks, because there had been no recent rain, but nobody could see how it could have held so much water. I remember in those first days people were worried that more water would come. We helped build a blockade using all sorts of debris that was brought from all over the city to build a wall right down the middle of Upper Lower Winding Arch Crescent.
The Council were very on the ball, I remember. It was the next day when someone from Library HQ came round to the dorms and talked to the House Masters. The assumption was that Rookpot would be cut off for a while, so the priority was to ensure everyone on the tor was kept safe, and that was the point of the Constraints.
We were not allowed out on to the streets until watchers had been recruited. I signed up immediately, one of three for our dorm. We were given occupational passes, so we could travel through the city to Library HQ – we had a specific route that we were not allowed to deviate from. I still remember it now: from Red Brick Crescent, up Second High Street, along Sylnmouth Avenue, through the Dark Cut and into Dameg Square. Truth be told, I did not really like walking around Rookpot at this time – it felt like a different city. Rookpot is usually bustling and the empty streets were really creepy. There were barricades across some roads – barricades!
I think a lot of the incidents the police had to deal with – the fights, those fires, the vandalism – were because of boredom. I had to stop five of our boys from embarking on a night time excursion – they just wanted to get out for a change of scene.
The call for volunteers kept most people busy. A few of our lot joined the Fleet. When the supplies started coming in there were roles in the redistribution offices, sorting out rations for each area of the city.
I remember when the first delivery came from Cwm Purne. The Rookpot Fleet had been out on the waters for a couple of weeks, we could see their homemade craft in what we called Rookpot Harbour, tethered to chimney pots. This was the first time a boat from outside came to us.
Everyone gathered at the water’s edge to watch the boat come in. It was a dinghy from Riversouth with a small sail, and it towed another boat full of boxes that had been donated from people from all over Farynshire. Nobody outside really knew what we needed yet, so there were medical supplies, boxes of fruit, children’s toys, blankets, a crate of green wine, and seven pallets of mushrooms from Tropsog. Everyone was so excited. The crowds carried the boxes up to Library HQ. I don’t think any of it was stolen either. Later on supplies had to be escorted up the tor by the police to ensure it all reached HQ for fair redistribution – but everything in that first delivery made it.
I took up a role in the redistribution office for Red Brick Crescent. Every street had one, a place that would receive the rations and then allocate them to each house. More and more boats came across the flood plains, and they carried supplies like food and blankets and medical supplies, but the most important thing were the messages and letters from family and others outside of Rookpot. When those started coming in, the mood in the city definitely lifted.
Do you know what I find really strange? This is the first time I’ve talked about it properly. I stayed on to re-start my degree in September ’04, rather than go to another uni back over the mountains. My parents wanted me to do that. I wanted to be in Rookpot, to see the re-building and help if I could. We didn’t really talk about the flood in those years – not like this, not talking about what we went through. It was all about how to move forward. How to recover, re-build and help those who had lost so much in the flood. There was a resolute determination to make things better for everyone. I haven’t been back to Rookpot in decades, but I hope they’ve still got that.
Llywd Roke
Worked as a boatman
Age during the flood: 45
These excerpts were taken from the court proceedings of The City of Rookpot v Llywd Roke case that concluded in 1905.
[L. Roke]: You should know that everyone was doing it. I wasn’t doing anything that everyone else wasn’t doing too. We all saw an opportunity and we took it.
It was just business, a business opportunity.
[A. Whittaker]: In this moment of crisis, you saw a business opportunity?
[L. Roke]: I saw that people were in dire need, and I provided a service – a much-needed service. And I think I saved a lot of lives too – let me just say that. Had I not been there, a lot of people would have died – I really believe that.
[A Whittaker]: I believe you started your venture almost immediately?
[L. Roke]: It was complete chaos in that first week.
The people from the Lower Windings, whose houses were now underwater, were completely desperate. I saw it myself when I was on Upper Lower Winding Arch Crescent, which is where the water reached up to.
There was a young family near the edge of the water. The woman was completely hysterical, screaming at her husband who was in the water, wading further out to try and rescue what looked like wet rat that was getting dragged further and further away by the current. Two small children were running up and down, shrieking. This chap was clearly about to do something stupid like dive into the water.
It was dangerous, alright – so what else could I do? He could have drowned.
Somebody had to do something.
One of the houses nearby had water inside it, reaching halfway up the stairs, and the front door was hanging off. So I pulled that door right off and used it as a raft, didn’t I? Didn’t think twice – just jumped straight on and made off across the water, steering with my hands.
I grabbed the rat, which was the family dog – one of those small, fluffy ones that go all scrawny when they’re wet.
We were both soaked through when we got back to the shore. The woman snatched the dog off me and squeezed it half to death. The man shoved two five pound notes into my hands!
[A. Whittaker]: And you took it?
[L. Roke]: He gave me ten pounds! Called me a hero! Pays well, being a hero.
‘Course, that’s when the lightbulb went off. People should pay the salvagers – we was risking our lives for their belongings! We deserved proper recompense.
People had fled up the tor with nothing they couldn’t carry. They were desperate to see if anything had survived in their houses, but they often did not have any money on them. So we would take any valuables they offered.
[A. Whittaker]: You insisted on being paid?
[L. Roke]: I have people to take care of too, you know –got to put food on the table for my wife and boy.
[A. Whittaker]: But you knew it was illegal to take money for salvage? That was the first decree the Council issued.
[L. Roke]: What were we supposed to do if folk wanted to pay us? Most times we did not need to ask at all! They felt we should be fairly compensated for the service we provided.
[A. Whittaker]: I see. You made your own craft, didn’t you?
[L. Roke]: I did. I work in construction, see. The new ticket office in the station? That was me. I had the skills and tools to make something substantial – you needed something substantial to safely negotiate the waters – they was rough in those first weeks, and you never knew what was lurking just below the surface. I adapted the door I used to save the dog. I used it as a part of my boat – and I realised I needed a lot more material. I broke apart my garden shed and used that. Never been much of a sailor, but at least she floated. Called her Green Betty.
[A. Whittaker]: And that’s what you used when you became a boatman?
[L. Roke]: That’s right. I signed up with the rest of the salvagers – they recruited all of us.
[A. Whittaker]: Voluntarily?
[L. Roke]: Of course voluntarily. As soon as they said they were going to take our boats and prosecute us, all the salvagers volunteered.
[A. Whittaker]: “They” being officials from the Second Councillor’s office?
[L. Roke]: That’s right. Some small skinny guy called Shebb, I think. They were recruiting a fleet – Rookpot Fleet, they called it, so at least they had a sense of humour!
They made up these complicated plans, but basically the fleet was split into two main groups. The smaller vessels carried on the salvaging work – trying to recover anything from the flooded streets. And those of us with more seaworthy craft went further afield – reconnoitring, like. Eventually we found safe routes through to Cwm Purne.
[A. Whittaker]: You were one of the latter?
[L. Roke]: I was. But not the farm work. That was the boats that went to check on the farms that were on the pastures, which were all underwater, of course. And the work was bloody – sorry, m’lud- awful – recovering loads of animal bodies, mainly.
I already had Green Betty, so I was one of the first to get to Cwm Purne. The waters reached that far. Strangest journey, I’ve ever made. When I looked back I saw Rookpot Tor, which is normal, you know? You can always see the tor from miles away. But usually it’s surrounded by the pastures; I was looking at an island, surrounded by a grey sea.
[A. Whittaker]: What were your duties?
[L. Roke]:Green Betty was big enough to carry cargo, so we brought back supplies. Cwm Purne train station was where all the supplies were deposited, and they had runners, trolleys and carriers to bring the supplies down to whichever makeshift jetty you were moored at and off you went.
[A. Whittaker]: How many trips did you make a day?
[L. Roke]: Once everything was up and running, on a fine day, with good weather, we could easily do ten or so round trips. On days when it rained, maybe five or six. There were only a couple of days when we couldn’t get out at all.
[A. Whittaker]: Even when the real boats came from the coast?
[L. Roke]: Excuse me –we had the real boats! They offered us some of those “proper” boats, but we all stuck with the ones we had made ourselves – we knew they worked for us just fine.
[A. Whittaker]: Say you did ten trips in a day – how many of those did you charge for?
[L. Roke]: *silence*
[A. Whittaker]: Did you understand the question, Mr. Roke? You have admitted to accepting money when you were salvaging. But when you were recruited into the Fleet you were paid a stipend, as all the boatmen were. Despite this regular wage, you also charged for transporting certain cargo. Is that correct?
[L. Roke]: Look, what you have to understand is that folk wanted to pay us. They were willing to pay extra for goods off the boats, rather than wait to buy it from the shops, when they usually had to queue for hours anyway to get to empty shelves.
[A. Whittaker]: When the police caught you, you were selling bread from out of your vessel at four times the price it would sell for in the shop.
[L .Roke]: People were willing to pay far more than that, believe me.
[A. Whittaker]: Did you ask for money before you delivered private correspondence?
[L. Roke]: Only to those that could afford it. Only to the Peer Families – they sent their servants to collect their mail, and the servants always carried money.
[A. Whittaker]: I have a list here of people who said they had to pay you money for private correspondence before you would relinquish it to them. There are indeed some Peer names: Ayres, Slarrocks, Witherick-Fosters. But there are also non-Peer names like Gudges, Hethersetts and Nalls. There is even a Ruby Roke here – is she a relative of yours? Please, don’t interrupt, Mr. Roke. And even if they were Peers, what you did is still reprehensible, immoral, mercenary, and most pertinently, illegal. Do you have anything to say in you defence?
[L. Roke]: I was never in it for the money! I was one of the heroes – I was part of the Fleet! We saved Rookpot!
[A. Whittaker]: I see. The prosecution rests. We are done here.
Llywd Roke was given the standard sentence for illegal salvaging of two years, and the standard sentence for racketeering of two years, to be served consecutively.
This interview was carried out in 1953 as part of Owenna’s granddaughter, Katrin Grepe’s, postgraduate research project, long after Owenna had retired.
I’m originally from Sylnmouth, but I stayed on in Rookpot after I completed my training. I took up a position at St Agatha’s as a district nurse in 1900.
It’s likely that there were unlucky folk whose bodies we’ll never find, God rest their souls. But there were others we could save. The waters broke at about five ‘o’clock in the morning, and rose so quickly that people were caught unawares. In the streets on the lower slopes, water gushed into houses, and the first patients we saw had injuries from being swept into walls, or from objects hitting them. The wards filled up quickly, and every one of us was called in or kept on for extra shifts. I would usually not work on the wards, but it was all hands on deck at that time.
I worked half shifts in St. Agatha’s, usually in the mornings, then I’d hop on my bike to do my community rounds. Everyone who worked in the hospital was given a free pass so we could go anywhere in the city. Each of us was assigned a grid to look after, and I was given the area between Upper Lower Winding Arch Crescent and Wilberforce Crescent.
I got to know most of the watchers really well on my visits to my regulars. I had to show my pass at every checkpoint, and they always checked my basket to make sure I wasn’t taking anything but prescribed medical supplies into their street. One confiscated my lunch!
The Cathedral bells rang out every evening, just to keep everyone’s spirits up. I did go to one or two services, and the Cathedral was full of people –some of whom lived there!
The Party was the first time we were allowed to have fun and let off steam. We went to the roof of the hospital and sang and danced until we dropped. It was a much needed release. The whole tor came alive in defiant celebration. There were fireworks so everyone in Cwm Purne could see we were alright and we were not beaten. Every street made as much noise as they could during the parties – Cwm Purne could probably hear us too!
The exodus was the evacuation of those who had lost their homes, those who were vulnerable, and also some of the hospital patients. There were limited places on the boats, and the people were carefully selected. Many wanted to leave, and the police had to keep them away from the exodus boats to stop them clambering on and sinking them. These people were desperate: some did not see why they had to stay, some thought they could buy their way out, some had family they wanted to return to. I ensured our patients were settled on their boats before returning to my rounds. Quite a few people offered me money if I would let them take the patient’s place instead. There were times when I was on my rounds when occasionally someone would offer me money or jewellery to get them on a transport out, but even if I had had the authority to do that I never would have.
But that was rare. Mostly what I encountered was a stoic determination to help out their family, friends and neighbours. Most people could not move freely about the city, so they asked those of us with free passes to take messages to family or friends in other streets. I had to discourage them from giving me food parcels, as the watchers would not have let them leave the street.
I saw the waters begin to recede during November. Every time it rained, especially if it lasted for a few days, people would get nervous, fearing another surge, but gradually the waters drained away.
But even after the floodwater was gone there was the mud, and then in December there was ice and the snow, so most of us still could not leave. I finally left on February 23rd, just to go back to Sylnmouth for a few days to see my family. I came back two weeks later. There was still a lot to do in Rookpot.
Violet Ayres
Age during the flood: 71
Violet kept diaries comprised of short entries for over six decades. These extracts were taken from the 1903 volume. Violet’s diaries have been kindly donated by the Ayres family to the Voices of Rookpot
6th October
Never seen anything like this. The Darkflint has burst its banks. Rookpot is an island. Can see waters for miles around. It’s like the sea has rolled into the middle of the county. The View not affected, but lower slopes look in a bad way. Family alright. Checked with Reynolds re servants: all accounted for.
7th October
Arklay Slarrock doing the rounds, just checking all Peers are well. Said the Council has it in hand – suspect this means Cafell – he seems competent. Arklay decent chap, but not very practical, never took the First Councillor role seriously. Reynolds taking inventory of the stores and kitchen – see how many days we have. Must think what we can do.
8th October
Went to Dameg Square. Council have set up HQ in the Library. Many displaced people. The lower slopes were hit hard. Loss of life. Cafell doing a good job – needs more resources. Not possible to get through waters on foot, so Cafell wants boats! In Rookpot!!
Volunteered (Teddy made a fuss) – they need everyone they can get. Received my pass! Lots of organising to do. Might be able to help in other ways too – will talk to Teddy.
11th October
Rookpot on emergency footing. No signs of the flood easing at all.
Volunteering duties include making lists of displaced – names, addresses, losses. Whole of Library ground floor taken over. Very impressive organisation, very quick off the mark. Cafell has opened the Council Chambers to the displaced long term – Arklay not pleased! Impressed with Cafell – really cares about the city. Wonder how long Rookpot can be self-sufficient for.
Rookpot Fleet launched. Sounds like it went well. Must have been a sight! Hope it doesn’t sink!
17th October
Teddy fuming – thinks Peers should be exempt from having passes and should have freedom of the city! Disagree (and told him so) – you only get a pass if you are useful. I have an occupational pass, because I have an occupation. Told Teddy that being rich is not an occupation.
Visited the Cathedral – people sleeping on the floor and on the pews. Services carrying on morning and evening.
23rd October
Teddy very peeved! Exerted my authority as Grandma and eldest Ayres to open up the View to the displaced. Might as well use the sixteen spare bedrooms – each one big enough to house a family, at least temporarily – better than them staying in the cramped conditions in the Council Chambers. Big operation – rallied the whole family; Reynolds rallied the servants. Lovely to have a full household!
Took Reynolds and the children to the Cathedral service. Cathedral completely full – people on streets outside. Singing filled the streets. Love hearing the bells every evening.
25th October
A member of one of our new families, Peg Hethersett, and our footman, Hughes, have volunteered to be watchers – helping with inventory of the View.
Found Teddy in the smaller wine cellar trying to remove a few bottles – said they shouldn’t be part of the inventory because they’re not ready to drink yet! Pointed out the hospital could use them for sterilising equipment – didn’t go down well!
2nd November
Boats are coming to Rookpot regularly now – who would have thought! Sent letters to Luella in Riversouth and Dinah somewhere over the mountains – heard nothing back yet – not sure if they got through. Think a party might cheer people up – will recommend to Cafell and Arklay.
6th November
Arklay utterly useless! Couldn’t make a decision if his life depended on it! Could not say whether a party would contravene the Constraints. Seems like our First Councillor is really second in command.
Asked Cafell instead, but he was too busy. It’s up to me! Recruited Hughes and Peg to help. Can’t use rations, so this will have to be about dressing up and music, I think, not food and drink.
9th November
Party! Have to give enormous credit to Peg, Reynolds and Hughes for spreading the word. Every street in Rookpot came out for a street party! Biggest party the city has ever seen – fireworks, music, dancing! Amazing scenes from the View. Must make an annual event.
12th November
Received ration cards. Teddy furious. The View is entitled to very little extra, despite the extra families. Explained that the rations are conservative until the supplies can be guaranteed. Hughes a marvel – reassured us that we have plenty in storage. Hughes has worked out our own rationing system. Only Reynolds, Hughes and Cook allowed in the stores. Meals prepared every hour for staggered sittings, as there are too many of us to eat together.
15th November
Schools opening around the city – surprised it took so long. Peg escorted the children at the View to the temporary school in Raven Theatre. Insisted that Honor and Otto go as well, as Bonheddig unreachable (and probably closed). Teddy objected, but no grandchild of mine is going miss schooling. Other Peers are sending their children to local schools as well – could be the end of Bonheddig!
20th November
Getting used to this new normal. Days consist of volunteering with whatever needs doing – usually recording rationing, but sometimes coordinating other volunteers. Boats come in a few times a day – depends on the weather. The mail is distributed by watchers throughout the week (received letters from Dinah and Luella – they are relieved we are all well). Dedicated shops receive supplies and open for one day so people can buy their rations.
22nd November
Hughes and Reynolds informed me that Teddy had bought “extra rations” from unscrupulous boatmen. Should inform watchers and police – very tempted.
24th November
Anonymously left Teddy’s ill-gotten gains in Library HQ. Hope they get to the right people – Cafell will make sure.
27th November
Waters are receding!
Visited Peg’s house in the Lower Windings – there is a lot of damage. Can’t possibly live there. Thick mud covers everything. Nothing left to salvage at all. Peg devastated. Told her there and then that we will make this well and whole again. We will re-build. We must.
2nd December
Met with Arklay and Cafell (Teddy suspicious; insisted on being present). Asked them to help promote the Rookpot Flood Relief Trust. Asked the Peer Families to pledge a contribution. Ayres will double the largest pledge.
21st December
Rookpot open for business again! Relief Trust booming – and in much need. Cafell organising the Clean Up, then the re-building. Opportunity for re-design. Will talk to Arklay.
22nd January 1904
Peg and Hughes (first name possibly Frank) announced their engagement! Have offered the use of the View – Teddy thrilled!
Amos Whittaker (55 at the time of the flood) and Gifford Piper (30 at the time of the flood)
These excerpts were taken from letters written between Amos Whittaker who was trapped in Rookpot by the flood and Gifford Piper who was in Cwm Purne. They were in the process of establishing the law firm, Whittaker and Piper, and we thank their descendants for making these letters public
12th October 1903
Respected Pips,
Hope this note finds you well – hope it finds you full stop!
Have entrusted it to one of the Fleet in more faith than expectation.
By the time you read these words you will know of the exceptional, biblical, events that have befallen Rookpot.
Know that I am perfectly safe and well. I remain in the office in Dedd Cut.
Will continue to write in hopes you receive these notes.
Yours, Amos
15th October 1903
My dear Whit,
So good to hear from you!
I was returning home and alas was halted at Cwm Purne, and here I shall stay for the foreseeable future. I can see Rookpot from here – a lonely island in an unnatural sea. A truly strange and unexpected sight.
The first boats arrived from Rookpot this week. I never suspected I would write such a sentence! I was amongst the crowds waiting on the water’s edge. I wish I could accurately describe the otherworldly spectacle of a fleet of boats sailing from the tor. It was like a scene from a novel.
This Rookpot Fleet will be the city’s lifeline until the waters subside. They are bringing supplies back to you – and there will be regular shipments.
They are also the only means of communication. I suspected you would write, and spoke with the boatmen until I found the one with your letter. I quickly wrote this note so he could take it with him on his return. I sincerely hope you receive it.
I eagerly await your reply.
Stay safe, my friend.
Gifford
18th October 1903
Respected Pips,
I received your letter this morning, my dear chap.
Restrictions have been placed upon our everyday lives here to ensure civil compliance. We are not allowed to leave our streets unless we have been issued Council issued passes. Watchers are augmenting the police presence by manning checkpoints on every street. The watcher for Dedd Cut is a young actuary called Col Drew. He took an inventory of everything in our premises, mainly interested in food and beverages. The idea is that each street will share its resources among its residents for as long as possible. Was not able to contribute much!
The supplies the fleet bring in will help.
The watchers bring the mail for their street, and I instructed young Col to take this letter to a boat with great haste. It should reach you soon.
Yours, Amos.
25th October 1903
My dear Whit,
Received your letter!
The authorities on this side organise and distribute correspondence, and the bureaucracy inevitably leads to delay.
Have taken a room near this operation. Was lucky to find space, as Cwm Purne is full to bursting with Rookpotians (like myself) trapped outside the city, those concerned for family and friends on the tor, and assorted interested and curious parties such as journalists and opportunists.
Heard the Cathedral bells over the water – the sound filled my heart.
It probably will not surprise you to learn that this extraordinary predicament has attracted attention from beyond Farynshire’s borders.
This note should be accompanied by a selection of sweetmeats and some bread rolls that I bought from a baker.
Take care and stay safe.
Gifford
1st November 1903
Respected Pips,
Alas, your note arrived alone. I questioned young Col most sternly in this matter, but he pleaded ignorance, and I believe him innocent. I lament the loss of the bread and sweetmeats, but your words are of the greater value and sustenance to me.
This alleged theft is not an isolated occurrence. I believe our services will be much in demand post clear up, as, according to young Col, the scammers and salvagers are rife. Young Col mentioned our firm to Library HQ, and I have been receiving legal queries with regards to the petty crimes that have happened during these strange times. My advisement is to collate the misdemeanours and address them post-flood.
Meanwhile, this restricted existence has become routine very quickly. I have ample time to read over potential cases. I have requested many legal tomes from the Library that young Col is only too willing to fetch for me. I am compiling a list for the firm library when we have the opportunity to establish it.
The Cathedral bells ring out every evening. It lifts my spirits to know we can both hear them.
Yours, Amos.
7th November 1903
My dear Whit,
Appalled though not shocked to hear of theft. There are constant stories of such scandalous behaviour.
I have placed this note within a sealed tin with half a nettle cake. Curious to hear if entire contents reach you.
Had similar thoughts to you re taking on future cases. There are farmers here who lost their properties in the flood and are seeking advice with regards to compensation. There will be a surfeit of legal wranglings.
Have set up room in Burke and Bartlett – under the Whittaker and Piper name. Offering legal advice; anticipate increased caseload. Good to keep working.
Hope to see you soon.
Gifford
12th November 1903
Respected Pips,
Nettle cake got through! Sealed tin effective transportation method.
Intrigued to hear that we have a Cwm Purne branch! I have complementary good news: Second Councillor Merritt Cafell came calling today, requesting that our firm represents the Council in upcoming City cases. This could establish the firm as a legal force in Rookpot.
Think a boat should be on the firm crest – too adjacent?
There are rumours within the city that the waters are beginning to recede. I do not have a pass, so cannot verify. Any confirmation from your perspective?
I look forward to our reunion very much.
Yours, Amos
20th November 1903
My dear Whit,
Apologies for the delay in my response – received your note dated the twelfth only yesterday.
Suspect that this is because the boats have started ferrying people, resulting in chaos on our “docks”. There is more confusion in distribution and organisation. They call it an exodus. Soon those trapped here will be permitted to embark upon a staggered return to Rookpot.
I was tempted to volunteer, but I have work to do here! Does it sit well with you if I remain here for the foreseeable?
Re the firm crest – had not given this much thought! You wish to acknowledge the flood’s part in our ascendancy? I advise caution.
I hope this note reaches you.
Expect to see you and Rookpot soon.
Gifford
29th November
Respected Pips,
Chaos here too. Many people wish to leave, and I understand that the police had to intervene in our “Harbour”. We have not yet heard that anyone will be allowed into the city – I suspect the Council will exercise caution.
Young Col tells me the waters ebb daily. Though there are now ice floes to contend with.
Caseload building. Have advised the Council and courts to batch them in a few weeks.
Embark on the first ferry you can.
Yours, Amos
6th December
My dear Whit,
Packing up here now.
Caseload building this end also. Enough for twenty plus law firms.
Fear that the water is now too low, so a few ferries leaving in a couple of days.
Paid to assure passage.
Bringing raisin muffins.
See you this week.
Gifford
12th December
Respected Pips,
Will see you very soon. Prepare for hard work and no rest.
Yours, Amos
Merritt Cafell
Second Councillor
Age at the time of the flood: 49
Despite his public role, Second Councillor Merritt Cafell rarely gave interviews. There is only one profile piece on him in The County Voice, written by dogged journalist, Rhys Stone, who managed to get Cafell to talk to him at the ten year commemoration of the flood.
Stone: Thank you for your time, Mr Cafell.
Cafell:This will have to be a short interview: I’m fearfully busy.
Stone: I appreciate that. Will you be attending the 10 Year Anniversary Commemorations at the View?
Cafell: No, will you?
Stone: Definitely. The Ayres have thrown the doors open – the whole city is invited. Were you asked to give a speech? You led the city during this time.
Cafell:First Councillor Arklay Slarrock led the city. I believe he is giving a speech tonight.
Stone: Did Mrs. Violet ask you?
Cafell:She did. I think she was being polite. Mrs. Violet certainly knows how to throw a party.
Stone: She organised the street parties during the flood, didn’t she? Do you think they helped with morale?
Cafell: I suppose that they did. They also served as a useful distraction; kept everyone busy.
Stone: Mrs. Violet also set up the Rookpot Flood Relief Trust that is still going to this day. It would have been impossible to re-build the city without it, wouldn’t it?
Cafell: Probably. It would definitely have taken more time. The Trust ensured we did not have to partner with private construction firms, which would have involved long negotiations, and those firms would have wanted to reap a profit.
Stone: Didn’t First Councillor Arklay Slarrock want to do that anyway?
Cafell: Council meetings are public record
Stone: They are, sir. You vetoed the idea.
Cafell: I did. It would have meant selling the properties back to the displaced, because technically they were new properties. That was unthinkable.
Stone: It would have earned the Council much-needed money for other projects
Cafell:It would have been immoral and wrong.
Stone:Why have the Council granted planning permission for the new housing developments on the pastures? Surely in the event of another flood, all of these homes will be doomed?
Cafell:There won’t be another flood. ’03 was the result of a specific and unique set of circumstances, and cannot happen again.
Stone: With respect, sir, how can you be so sure?
Cafell: We know now that a rockfall in the gorge resulted in the river building up behind it until the pressure grew too great and the dam burst, sending thousands of gallons of water rushing out of the gorge with terrific force. You can see the ridge in the distance from vantage points on the tor – it circumvents the entire area. Rookpot tor sits in the centre of a depression, which has resulted in a bountiful farm and pasture area that feeds the city. When the makeshift dam burst the water was caught in and swirled around this depression, creating an enormous lake. If the city had been built in the depression it would have been wiped out, like the farms were. We inspect the gorge every year now, clearing any blockages to ensure that the river flows freely.
Stone:Thank you, sir.
Cafell:Have we finished?
Stone: I suppose so, sir. Thank you for your time. I look forward to seeing you at the party.
Cafell: I really must get back to work.
The full records of all the contributions featured here are accessible to the public in the Voices of Farynshire Archive in Rookpot Museum.
Rookpot Museum is home to countless archives, stories and finds from all over Farynshire. Since its conversion from a glassworks factory in 1762 to the magnificent building standing today, its mission has been to explore, explain and share the rich history of our county and its Peoples. To this end, we thought we would highlight some of the splendid and fascinating exhibitions the Museum has held over the years.
We start off this series with the exhibition that dived straight into the wolvern culture, educating us all, The Cold Earth.
The Cold Earth Exhibition
Early Reviews
“Five stars – epic and transformative!” The County Voice
“A true wonder – I spent hours looking at the wolvern jewellery.” Elora Ayres, The Peer Review
“An educational marvel. Everyone should see this!” The Tor Gazette
“A true insight into a secretive, complex and wondrous culture.” The Hen Post
“An achievement.” Doctor Percy Wallace, Rookpot Museum
Introduction
The wolvern are one of the four Peoples of Farynshire. The wolvern (earth). foresteens (forests), seafolk (oceans) and humans (fire) have lived and shaped the county in which we live, and we are beginning to appreciate and understand how interconnected we all are. The wolvern live in the Daggerrock Mountains on the county’s border with the rest of England, and rarely venture further than Wild Wolvern Mey.
The wolvern took one of the People’s Seats in the Council of Rookpot. They were the last of the Peoples to leave the Council for good in 1921, retreating into the mountains. Since then, the People’s Seats have stood symbolically vacant during Council meetings.
Since the early twentieth century all official contact between the wolvern and humans was severed. Even humans who live in the mountains, peaks and foothills rarely saw wolvern, though they often heard them.
Early in the twenty first century representatives from the Bloon Peaks Clan travelled to Rookpot to re-connect with humans. These were the Leader of the Clan, Geirolf, and his sons, Botolf ken Geirolf os okto and Blaeze ken Geirolf os dwoshu. Their mission was to re-forge relations with humans.
The Reciprocal Exchange was set up (to the bemusement of the wolvern, but they have to learn about human bureaucracy at some point), which involved staff from the Museum, the Library and the Tourist Office. The Museum funded an expedition to the Bloon Peaks to start the cultural exchange. This was an unprecedented and exciting opportunity explore wolvern life and culture.
The project to understand wolvern culture will never end, this is just the beginning. More exchanges are planned for the future. The Museum’s Farynshire Department now works closely with the Tourism Board and the Council to encourage more wide-ranging and inclusive projects with the wolvern.
The wolvern have been over-generous in their willingness to share! The Museum had to send lorries into the mountains to bring back all of the gifts and artefacts. Many of these are displayed in the Exhibition, alongside finds from the Diggers’ ongoing expeditions in the Peaks. The Exhibition gave Museum staff the excuse to trawl through the Vaults in order to re-discover finds archived over the centuries.
The Exhibition is presented as a timeline. When you walk into the Main Exhibition Hall you dive straight into pre-history when wolvern roamed widely over the county. The artefacts from this period are few, but Museum Diggers have unearthed a few rudimentary tools. As you move through time, you encounter the other Peoples and the wolvern’s interaction with them. The relationship between wolvern, foresteen and seafolk is an ongoing research project for the Museum’s Farynshire Department, as we still know very little about how the Peoples interacted, as most recollections of them revolve around humans. And this relationship – between wolvern and human – is the focus of the Exhibition.
Highlights
Here are some highlights from the Exhibition picked out by our early critics.
“The interactive material is amazing. The virtual walk through the wolvern cave system is incredibly atmospheric – it feels like you are really there, they have even replicated the chill of the deeper caves so that the hairs rise on the back of your neck as you walk through! The whole trip can take over two hours as you move through the upper system where the wolvern families live, through to the deeper store chambers, and – if you make it!- the mines at the roots of the mountains. It’s even more breathtaking to think that the Diggers mapped this route for real, and subsequent expeditions painstakingly captured all the details needed to recreate the experience in the virtual world. Extraordinary.” The County Voice
“The wolvern jewellery is exquisite. From jayd pendants encased in purls hanging from intricately wrought golden chains, to delicate saaffyres fused with blazing orange roobis that were gifted to Leaders of Clans, it’s all extraordinary craftsmanship. The examples of brooches, bracelets, necklaces, nose and eyebrow rings on display show off the incredible artistry and skill of wolvern smiths. Who knew wolvern were so creative, and knew so much about beauty?” Elora Ayres, the Peer Review
“I spent the most time at the end of the Exhibition. This is where the displays focus on contemporary wolvern society. There are comprehensive explanations as to the complex make-up of Clan society, and interviews from all sections of their community. It is revelatory that these extraordinary people have lived side-by-side with us for all these centuries and this is the first time we are learning about them and their lives in any detail.” The Tor Gazette
“Definitely go and see the hunting section! Not only does it feature video footage of an actual wolvern hunt, it also provides an insight into wolvern diet – which is not just made up of deer and rabbit, as I had assumed. They are vastly knowledgeable about the culinary usages of the flora and fauna in the mountains. There is also a detailed explanation of a wolvern hunt, including maps of routes they use, which gives a fascinating insight into the teamwork involved and the complex strategy they employ. As well as all of that, there are numerous examples of tools and weapons used in the hunt and food preparation. I thought wolvern hunted like wolves, but they use weapons as well as their natural gifts to bring down prey.” The Hen Post
“The fascination for myself and my academic and research colleagues is the relationship between wolvern and Musril, both written and spoken. There is a whole section devoted to wolvern writing through the ages. The examples of ancient Musril written on bones is one of the finds of the century. It is, according to colleagues in Riversouth, the oldest example of written Musril found anywhere. We are able to track not only the evolution of writing materials (such as the various animal skins – including wolvern! – some fragments of bark, gold, snowdim and other metals), but also the evolution of Musril itself. Modern wolvern use clay to write upon, which is then fired in a kiln to produce stone tablets. There are numerous examples of these in the Exhibition. The revelation that wolvern speak Farynshire’s native language has sent shockwaves through the linguistics community, particularly in Riversouth. The Musril that humans use, even in Riversouth, is often mixed with English and Welsh, but wolvern Musril is untouched and quite pure. There are recordings in the Exhibition of wolvern howling and singing in Musril that send shivers down the spine.” Doctor Percy Wallace, Rookpot Museum
Events
The generosity of the wolvern, and the interest generated by the Exhibition, has enabled us to put on a full programme of events for The Cold Earth. Everyone is welcome, but space is limited so please sign up early to avoid disappointment.
Lectures
Title:"The first expedition"Lecturer: Professor Deandre Eldergaard,
Venue: Nightingale Tower Lecture Theatre, Wilberforce Avenue
Title: "Letting wolvern back into our lives - how the Peoples co-exist"
Lecturer: Professor Deandre Eldergaard
Venue: Nightingale Tower Lecture Theatre, Wilberforce Avenue
Title: "Diggers"Lecturer: Rhys Gruffuyd
Venue: Rookpot Museum, Dameg Square
Title: "Musril - the language of Farynshire and its Peoples" -
Lecturers: Doctor Peter Wallace (Rookpot Museum)
and Aderyn Tooking (White Palace Scribe)
Venue: Rookpot Museum, Dameg Square
Title: "Looking after the artefacts" -
Lecturer: Ceri Bebb
Venue: Rookpot Museum, Dameg Square
Title: "The wolvern perspective"Lecturer: Botolf ken Geirolf os okto
Venue: Nightingale Tower Lecture Theatre, Wilberforce Avenue
Title: "Gems, stones and minerals: wolvern mines and jewelry"Lecturers: Ceri Bebb and Botolf ken Geirolf os okto
Venue: Rookpot Museum, Dameg Square
Community Events
There are numerous Show and Tell sessions in Rookpot Library for all the family. These involve getting up close and personal with some of the finds in the Exhibition, as well as the opportunity to talk to Diggers and experts and scholars from the Museum. These events are for all the family and are running every day this month as drop in sessions.
The Raven Theatre in EassenBren Square has commissioned an entire season of plays and dramatic readings that includes newly commissioned pieces., performances by local theatre and community groups, matinees put on by local schools, as well as versions of older plays from years gone by. See the Theatre’s website for the full programme and tickets.
The Exhibition on the Road is a tour around Farynshire of some of the most rare and valuable finds and exhibits. The tour will land in the following places:
May 4th - 8th - The White Palace, Riversouth 10th - The Village Hall, Baypemnon 12th-13th - Old Street, Oakenfen 15th-17th - Pillars Arch, Llum 22nd - 25th - Mountain View, Mountain Pass Road, Brish
June 1st-3rd - Cowlery Hall, Cowlery Maggs 5th-8th - Sylnmouth 10th-12th - St Paul's, Rookpot Road, Cwm Purne
Farynshire: County of Many Lands 