Post by hubertbartels on Mar 22, 2021 15:17:58 GMT -5
A Chronology of Magic in the World of the Unicorn Club
1588 – Summer
John Dee and Edmund Kelly unlock the first gate to the Feywild in Mortlake, Surrey. This was done on the request of Queen Elizabeth I in an act of desperation to raise storms against the Spanish Armada. The first Elf Lords make their entrance on England as emissaries of the Seelie Court.
1588-1590
The Invisible College of Magic is founded at Mortlake. Queen Elizabeth I encourages the study of magic as long as it is under Royal Command. More gates to the Feywild are opened as the Elf Lords desired a quick return home rather than having to travel to London. The number of practicing mages is still small. Edmund Spenser writes ‘The Faerie Queen’, an epic poem, influenced by stories of the Feywild – which he calls ‘Faerie’. The small flower, named Bloody Mary, begins to spread across England. This flower, named after the white and red blossoms, is shown to ease menstruation pains and prevent pregnancies when prepared as an infusion. The Church of England and the Roman Catholic church warn against its use to no avail.
The first accounts of Unseelie Court slipping through the Feywild Gates. Hags and worse start residing in the woods and wild parts of the world.
1595-1596
William Shakespeare writes ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, inspired by talks he’s had with Elven Lords in London. Average men and women become aware of magic and the presence of the Feywild gates. The first practicing witches and warlocks begin to practice their craft, outside of the oversight of the Invisible College at Mortlake.
1603
King James I succeeds Queen Elizabeth I on the throne of England. He tries to rein in the number of witches and other unregistered magic users in the country. Practicing witches, mages and warlocks begin to go underground to avoid Royal Witchfinders.
1625-1649
King Charles I continues his father's policies. The first gates to Shadowfell are opened by mages from the Invisible College at Mortlake. Their discovery of what lay on the other side horrified them so much that they closed the gate right away and sealed the gate with Cold Iron – an alloy of soft iron that weakened magic. Matthew Hopkins became the first Royal Witchfinder General and purged the country of magic users. They try to close and seal any gates that they find.
1649-1660
Oliver Cromwell becomes the Lord Protector of England by defeating King Charles I. Under his reign, the Invisible College at Mortlake was closed, the books burnt and magic users sent into exile or hiding. Many more Feywild gates were opened by Elven Lords fleeing the prosecution. Teams of Witchfinders roamed the land, sniffing out any rumors of illegal magic. Exiled magic users abroad, bring the study of magic to other lands. Gates begin to be opened in America, France and Russia. Bloody Mary flowers are reported to have spread to Europe and the Americas
1660
King Charles II takes the Throne after the Restoration. He reopens the playhouses and the Invisible College at Mortlake. Slowly, the magic users start to return their studies of the art. The prosecution of witches and other magic users outside of the Invisible College ends although they are still watched with suspicion.
1685-1688
King James II, a Roman Catholic, replaces King Charles II on the throne. He reigns only a few years before being forced from the throne by William of Orange.
1688-1714
King William III and Mary II take to the throne. During their reign, the Invisible College is mostly ignored. The lords and ladies of the Seelie Court return to England. But from unguarded Feywild gates come goblins, orcs, halflings and other denizens of the Feywild. Dragons begin to make their influence felt, entering England in human shape and taking control. Most inhabitants in England have heard of magic but never seen it used. This continues through Queen Anne’s reign.
1714 – 1727
King George I begins the reign of the Hanoverians. The Invisible College continues to be a place where magic is studied, and analyzed in an academic manner. Out in the real world, hedge-mages, warlocks and witches begin to take apprentices. None are very powerful and most of their magic is self-learned. Spellbooks are rare and almost always hand-copied.
1727-1760
King George II takes over from his father. The war with the French King takes hold, leading to the defeat of the French forces in the French-Indian War. The Invisible College is shook up by King George II and asked to produce more results than a scholarly journal, appearing quarterly.
1760-1814
King George III is now King of the British Isles and facing the greatest threat to England since the invasion of the Normans. Under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte, France has become a world power, poised to invade England. Napoleon decides to call off the landing and go after Russia instead, much to the relief of the British authorities. The Invisible College is tasked to produce mages that will help defend England as there is evidence that Napoleon has encouraged the development of French magical power. The founding of magical schools in Wales, Scotland and the Midlands is considered. Guides to the casting of magic begin to be printed.
1815-currently
It was a close thing at Waterloo. Napoleon’s forces almost overwhelmed the Duke of Wellington’s armies and only a magically induced rainstorm prevented the Prussians from joining Wellington and defeating Napoleon. A truce was declared, followed by Napoleon’s abdication in favor of a regency for his son, the King of Rome. King George III and the Prince Regent have decided to encourage the study of magic in England over the complaints of the Church of England.