We might even be able to locate a year for "Sorceress of Averoigne". Smith listed "Sorceress of Averoigne" in the "Averoigne Chronicles" after "Venus" (plotted 1931, set 1550) and before "The Oracle of Sadoqua" (plotted sometime mid-1930s, set Roman-era). Therefore we cannot use the "Chronicles" list to place "Sorceress" in Averoigne's timeline. But we have other hints.
In Istarelle's times, an Archbishop in central-to-south France - Vyônes - has been elevated to the Cardinals. This story, then, is to postdate at least "The Maker of Gargoyles" and probably "The Holiness of Azédarac" too.
I lean to the Avignon era, 1309 to 1376; less likely, the Schism, 1378 to 1417. I would prefer earlier over later given the magickal elements. The Plague is not yet here, with the concomitant collapse of Parisien authority. The English - from 1337-1349 - had been fighting in Gascony, Brittany, and Picardy; not yet as interior as
Berry much less Auvergne. (In fact I don't recall that this whole region did much over the whole Hundred Years.)
"The Third Horseman" of William Rosen's book - the 1315-17 flood and famine - affected more the French (and Belgian, and Rheinlander) heartland, in the north. Although, the presence of the bog in the tale - and its sudden absence - may point to some floods, at least in the Isoile's watershed if not from rain on upland Averoigne directly.
I propose that
the heavy rain starting AD 1315 is what prompted the Vyônards to Do Something about the lady of the marsh.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11 Nov 19 | 05:03PM by zimriel.