That Mystical Needle

"I would," said the elder, " we had that mystical needle which mariners talk of, that points ever to the north, and enables them to keep their way on the waters, when there is neither cape nor headland, sun, moon, nor stars, nor any mark in heaven or earth, to tell them how to steer." 

"It would scarce avail us among these mountains," answered the youth; "for though that wonderful needle may keep its point to the northern Pole-star, when it is on a flat surface like the sea, it is not to be thought it would do so when the huge mountains arise like walls, betwixt the steel and the object of its sympathy." 

The mystical needle referred to in Walter Scott’s “Anne of Geierstein”, is the needle of the compass, which, as mentioned in notes to the text, is first mentioned in Europe in the 12^th century.  The text note also mentions the supposition that the explorer Marco Polo introduced the compass to Europe in the year 1260, discounting that theory with the observation that some form of compass was in use in Norway at that time.  Marco Polo, by the way, died on January 8, 1320.

Battle of Bosworth Field

‘…But the star of Lancaster, at that period, began again to culminate, and called the banished lord and his son from their retirement, to mix once more in politics. The treasured neck lace of Margaret was then put to its destined use, and the produce applied to levy those banks which shortly after fought the celebrated battle of Bosworth, in which the arms of Oxford and his son contributed so much to the success of Henry VII…’

The text above is from Walter Scott's :"Anne of Geierstein".  The Battle of Bosworth Field spelled the death of Yorkist Richard III of England, and with his death, Lancastrian Henry Tudor, the first Tudor king, acceded to the throne, as Henry VII of England. Richard is said to have fought bravely, but was the victim of subterfuge, as three of his noble supporters (two Stanleys, and Henry Percy) changed sides in the middle of the battle.

First Battle of St. Albans

"We must not tarry," said Margaret; "let us part here — you for Dijon — I to Aix, my abode of unrest in Provence. Farewell — we may meet in a better hour — yet how can I hope it? Thus I said on the morning before the fight of St. Albans — thus on the dark dawning of Towton — thus on the yet more bloody field of Tewkesbury — and what was the event? Yet hope is a plant which cannot be rooted out of a noble breast, till the last heart-string crack as it is pulled away."

There were two battles fought at St. Albans during the Wars of the Roses.  The first occurred this day, May 22nd, in the year 1455.  This battle ended in victory for the Yorkists, under Duke of Warwick Richard Neville.  Edmund Beaufort, the Duke of Somerset led the defeated Lancastrians.

The text above is from Sir Walter Scott's "Anne of Geierstein".  Margaret of Anjou, wife of Lancastrian King Henry VI of England speaks in this passage.  Margaret was actually present at the Second Battle of St. Albans, which occurred in 1461; also Towton and Tewkesbury, as Scott credits her in her speech.

Battle of Tewkesbury

"It is the signal of parting," said the exiled Queen, collecting herself. " Do not fear, noble Oxford, I am not often thus; but how seldom do I see those friends, whose faces and voices can disturb the composure of my despair! Let me tie this relic about thy neck, good youth, and fear not its evil influence, though you receive it from an ill-omened hand. It was my husband's, blessed by many a prayer, and sanctified by many a holy tear; even my unhappy hands cannot pollute it. I should have bound it on my Edward's bosom on the dreadful morning of Tewkesbury fight; but he armed early — went to the field without seeing me, and all my purpose was vain.

She passed a golden chain round Arthur's neck as she spoke, which contained a small gold crucifix of rich but barbarous manufacture. It had belonged, said tradition, to Edward the Confessor. The knock at the door of the chapel was repeated.

"We must not tarry," said Margaret; "let us part here — you for Dijon — I to Aix, my abode of unrest in Provence. Farewell — we may meet in a better hour — yet how can I hope it? Thus I said on the morning before the fight of St. Albans — thus on the dark dawning of Towton — thus on the yet more bloody field of Tewkesbury — and what was the event? Yet hope is a plant which cannot be rooted out of a noble breast, till the last heart-string crack as it is pulled away."

The Battle of Tewkesbury was a Yorkist victory over the Lancastrians; part of the Wars of the Roses, as Sir Walter Scott termed it.  This battle took place on May 4, 1471.  The Wars of the Roses are part of the background for Scott's "Anne of Gieirstein" (text above).

William Tell

"I say not but that he deserved death," replied the Landamman; "but for your own sake and for ours, you should have forborne him till the Duke's pleasure was known."


"What tell you us of the Duke?" answered Laurenz Neipperg, the same blue cavalier whom Arthur had seen at the secret rendezvous of the Balese youth, in company with Rudolph,—" Why talk you of Burgundy to us, who are none of his subjects? The Emperor, our only rightful lord, had no title to pawn the town and fortifications of La Ferette, being as it is a dependency of Bale, to the prejudice of our free city. He might have pledged the revenue indeed] and supposing him to have done so, the debt has been paid twice over by the exactions levied by yonder oppressor, who has now received his due. But pass on, Landamman of Uuterwalden. If our actions displease you, abjure them at the footstool of the Duke of Burgundy; but, in doing so, abjure the memory of William Tell, and Staufbacher, of Furst, and Melchtal, the fathers of Swiss freedom."


" You speak truth," said the Landamman; " but it is in an ill-chosen and unhappy time. Patience would have remedied your evils, which none felt more deeply, or would have redressed more willingly, than I. But O, imprudent young man, you have thrown aside the modesty of your age, and the subjection you owe to your elders. William Tell and his brethren were men of years and judgment, husbands and fathers, having a right to be heard in council, and to be foremost in action. Enough —I leave it with the fathers and senators of your own city, to acknowledge or to reprove your actions. —But you, my friends,—you, Banneret of Berne,— you, Rudolph,—above all, you, Nicholas Bonstetten, my comrade and my friend, why did you not take this miserable man under your protection? The action would have shown Burgundy, that we were slandered by those who have declared us desirous of seeking a quarrel with him, or of inciting his subjects to revolt. Now, all these prejudices will be confirmed in the minds of men, naturally more tenacious of evil impressions than of those which are favourable."
 
The Swiss set "Anne of Geierstein" is an appropriate place for Walter Scott to bring in Swiss patriot William Tell.  November 18, 1307, is considered the date when he famously sent an arrow through an apple sitting atop his son's head.

Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

'The question introduced a contradiction on the part of the host, who contended that three and one made four, not six; and this again produced a retort from the Ratisbon trader.  Other clamours rose at the same time, and were at length with difficulty silenced by the stanzas of a chorus song of mirth and good fellowship, which the friar, now become somewhat oblivious of the order of Saint Francis, thundered forth with better good-will than he ever sung a canticle of King David...'

Saint Francis is referenced twice in the pages of Walter Scott's "Anne of Geierstien" (one above).  Blessings of the animals continue to this day in Catholic churches on Saint Francis's feast day.  Saint Francis actually died on October 3, 1226.  On October 4, Francis's body was carried in a procession through his home town of Assisi, where all could view his stigmata.

Battle of Towton

"...We must not tarry," said Margaret; " let us part here — you for Dijon

— I to Aix, my abode of unrest in Provence. Furewell — we may meet in a better hour—yet how can I hope it? Thus I said on the morning before the fight of St. Albans — thus on the dark dawning of Towton — thus on the yet more bloody field of Tewkesbury — and what was the event? Yet hope is a plant which cannot be rooted out of a noble breast, till the last heart-string crack as it is pulled away..."

From Scott's "Anne of Geierstein".

The Battle of Towton occurred on March 29, 1461.  The Yorkists, under King Edward IV won the battle decisively, giving the Lancastrians a crushing blow.  Edward had claimed the throne on March 4, 1460 soon after the death of his father Richard.  Edward held the throne until 1470, when Lancastrian King Henry IV was restored to power.  Henry's second reign ended the next year, with the Battle of Tewkesbury, after which Edward was himself restored to the throne.

Henry VII of England

Henry VII was born on January 28, 1457.  Henry Tudor became the first monarch of that line, gaining the throne with a victory over Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth.  This next to final battle in the Wars of the Roses decided things in favor of the Lancastrians. 

The Wars of the Roses was covered in Scott's Anne of Geierstein, Henry himself is mentioned in passing:

...The treasured necklace of Margaret was then put to its destined use, and the produce applied to levy those bands which shortly after fought the celebrated Battle of Bosworth, in which the arms of Oxford and his son contributed so much to the success of Henry VII.

The Wars of the Roses

"...The Queen's dress was black, without any adornment except a gold coronel of an inch in breadth, restraining her long black tresses, of which advancing years, and misfortunes, had partly altered.  There was placed within the circlet a black plume with a red rose, the last of the season, which the good father who kept the garden had presented to her that morning, as the badge of her husband's house..."

The quote above is from Walter Scott's "Anne of Geierstein".  The wars between the Houses of York and Lancaster, which took place between 1455 - 1487, may have come down to us by a different name, if it were not for this novel.  Though set in central Europe (esp. Switzerland), rather than England,  Scott's use of the rose device fed familiarity of this episode in English history.  Time-wise, the novel is set after the Battle of Tewkesbury, which was a victory for Yorkist forces. 

Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, was killed in one of the earlier battles; Wakefield.  On December 30, 1460, York and his forces left their stronghold of Sandal Castle to attack Lancastrian forces who had taken the city of York.  Richard died during the fight, and his head was later displayed by the Lancastrians on a spike over Micklegate Bar at York.