(i) In historical fantasy set in the fourteenth century, as in hard sf set in the future, human beings interact with other intelligent species.
(ii) Magnates of the Hanseatic League (p. 126) become more powerful than kings like their successors in the Polesotechnic League which was modeled on the Hansa.
(iii) Catholics and Orthodox of different rites survive into the periods of the Polesotechnic League and of the Terran Empire.
Looking not forward but backward, a provincial ruler in the fourteenth century is protected from evil spirits by "'...a fingerbone of St Martin...'" (p. 132) Bishop Martinus was a prominent figure in the earlier period of Ys. The fingerbone is carried in a cross on which:
"A crystal covered a hollow theren." (ibid.)
The evil spirits include a vodianoi:
humanoid;
tailed;
as bulky as three war horses;
with moss and weeds growing on him;
long toed;
webbed;
taloned;
bristled;
flat face;
cavernous mouth;
glowing red eyes.
Explorers find similar beings on other planets in the future.
8 comments:
Paul:
It occurs to me that "theren" makes a bit more sense in that sentence if it's another typographical error -- for "therein." That is, the crystal covered a hollow IN THE CROSS, rather than a "hollow theren" ON the cross.
David,
I thought that but then I did google and find "theren."
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Interesting, "theren" is real, not simply a misprint for "therein." Yet another example of Poul Anderson's willingness to do research and use interestingly obscure words.
Sean
Sean,
Unless this one really is a misprint!
Paul.
Looking more closely at that dictionary definition of "theren" as "hunter," it doesn't fit the context.
Kaor, Paul!
Darn! It seems "theren" really was a misprint for "therein". Which chapter of THE MERMAN'S CHILDREN is "theren" found? I would like to check my copy.
Sean
Book Three, Chapter III.
Kaor, Paul!
Thanks! I will check when I have more time.
Sean
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