Let’s start with the news first. Thing’s have been quiet from over here lately, and I apologize for the lack of articles, but the short story did well enough that it stoked something, and I’d like to announce that I will be releasing a short story anthology very soon. In a flurry of creativity and writing I have been able to complete around twelve new short stories, as well as outlining (and somewhat writing) eight others. I find the short story format to be extremely liberating, and I came to the realization that I have basically been doing the background research for something like this for the last few years. Events and chronology and places have already been worked out far in advance, and so filling in the gaps with creative flourishes has been a simple task. I am going to be using a pen name for the first time, as you will see on the cover preview above. This is less because I want to, and more because it is more likely to gain greater traction outside of my normal reach with a more mainstream sounding name. I will continue to write here and on X (Formerly Twitter) as Aurochs and may still go back to Aurochs for this project before I release it.
Below is the current list of short stories, each featuring a Coeling prince (or princess) from the early 5th century, all the way to the early 7th. Dux looks at a young Garbanion, fighting his first battle along with his father Coel. The Relentless Raider features Coel’s daughter (Known as Gwawl to history, but here renamed to Dwywai), and Ceneu and Garbanian putting down a revolt of Cunedda of the Gododdin. Caer Ligualid is a tale of rebuilding featuring Gwrwst ap Ceneu, the founding King of Rheged. A Monster from the Irish Sea features Gwrwst and Mar ap Ceneu, driving away an Irish raid. The Stolen Sword follows Llenneac on a daring covert operation. In The Wolves of Eidyn Bran ap Dyfnwal watches as his cousin Arthwys crushes Anglian Foederati. The Horde is another tale of rebuilding, featuring Einion ap Mor and riches he stumbles across. The Boar’s daughter is a new take on the Tristan and Iseult tale, featuring Cynfarch of Rheged. The Cattle Raid follows a young Pabo ab Arthwys, on an unsanctioned raid against Lleuddun of Gododdin. The Beast of Ynys Mon is my own take on the story of Cath Palug, a monsterous Cat, featuring Ceidio ab Arthwys. Perpetual Winter falls during the volcanic winter of 536-537, with Cynfelyn ab Arthwys preparing for the worst. The Terrible Chieftain features Eliffer ab Arthwys, newly crowned High-King. A Blood Feud features Guenddoleu ap Ceidio at the battle of Arfderydd. The Maid at the Fountain features a young Owain ap Urien, and an unfortunate event. Yr Affalleneu is Myrddin’s hidden musings amongst the Caledonian forest. Catraeth is… well Catraeth. Fear the One-Eyed King is already released, Urien discussing with Owain why Guallauc is allowed to continually terrorize the north. Morfydd is our own Romeo and Juliet with her betrothal and love for Cynon ap Clydno. The Rising Flame is my own take on Alex Woolf’s theory that Cadwallon of Gwynedd was actually Cadwallon Liu, a great-grandson of Pabo ab Arthwys. And the final story, chronologically out of order, is Arthwys, and his victory at Badon.
In this endeavor I have not abandoned my “Illustrated Guide to the Hen Ogledd” which is roughly 80% completed, and I hope to have it released before Christmas still. The illustrations for it are mostly completed, and I am currently making decisions for a map (or series) of maps to be included.
As far as things here on substack. I am steadily chipping away at a major article looking at the Picts, as well as something a little different, an article discussing the pitfalls and problems with researching the historical Arthur, especially when jumping to the conclusion of “It’s this one guy in particular”. More looks at poetry, especially Moliant Cadwallon, and analyzing it in the context of Alex Woolf’s theories, as well as a sweeping broad chronological outline of the Coeling and events in the Hen Ogledd, as well as a ‘wild theories’ kind of article that I have mentioned I was working on earlier this year.
As always thank you all for reading and subscribing, I hope you all enjoy the upcoming projects.
Fantastic. But I seem to have lost access to the like button for this post
When will this be available? I can't wait.....