The Shadow of the Lion
Encyclopedia
The Shadow of the Lion is an alternate history/historical fantasy novel set primarily in the Republic of Venice
in the 1530s. The book was written by Mercedes Lackey
, Eric Flint
and Dave Freer
and combines elements from the styles of all three authors, such as Lackey's approach to tolerance and magic and Flint's sense of history alteration.
, and stopped the mob from destroying the Library. She continued her correspondence with John and St. Augustine
, which eventually led to the modern (1530s) divisions of the Church. The Library was a great storehouse of magical knowledge - the inference being that the information was lost to us in this universe when the Library was destroyed. In this universe, while magic is not commonplace its existence is no secret to the general populace and is practiced by those with the inborn power and/or discipline to use it. Notably, the clergy utilize elemental magic.
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
in the 1530s. The book was written by Mercedes Lackey
Mercedes Lackey
Mercedes "Misty" Lackey is a best-selling American author of fantasy novels. Many of her novels and trilogies are interlinked and set in the world of Velgarth, mostly in and around the country of Valdemar...
, Eric Flint
Eric Flint
Eric Flint is an American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works are alternate history science fiction, but he also writes humorous fantasy adventures.- Career :...
and Dave Freer
Dave Freer
Dave Freer is a South African-born science fiction author writing mostly humorous or alternate history novels.He was conscripted into the South African Defence Force and sent to the Angolan Border as a medic....
and combines elements from the styles of all three authors, such as Lackey's approach to tolerance and magic and Flint's sense of history alteration.
Characters
- Aldanto, Ceasare: Milanese sell-sword and spy
- De Chevreuse, Francesca: most powerful Courtesan in Venice, formerly of Orleans
- Garavalli, Maria: a sharp-tougued canaler, one of the most feared women in the canals
- Hakkonsen, Eric: An Icelander, bodyguard and mentor to Manfred
- Jagiellon: Grand Duke of Lithuania, possessed by the demon ChernobogChernobogChernobog is a Slavic deity, about whom much has been speculated but little can be said definitively. The name may also be given as Crnobog, Czernobóg, Černobog, Црнобог, Zernebog and Чернобог, meaning black god...
- Lopez, Eneko: A Basque cleric and ecclesiastical magician
- Manfred, Earl of Carnac, Marquis of Rennes, Baron of Ravensburg: nephew of the Holy Roman Emperor
- Marina, Dottore Luciano: Strega Grand Master, wearer of the Winged Mantle
- Montescue, Katerina (Kat): heiress to the bankrupt House Montescue. Works as a smuggler.
- Valdosta, Benito: grandson of the Duke of Ferrara; a pickpocket while in hiding.
- Valdosta, Marco: grandson of the Duke of Ferrara; a skilled doctor (when trained) and powerful mage; heir to House Valdosta and the Lion Crown
- Winged Lion of Venice: the city's ancient guardian- answers only to the wearer of the Winged Mantle.
Point of divergence
In our own universe, Hypatia of Alexandria was killed for her non-Christian views, shortly before the destruction of the Library by an angry mob. In this universe, Hypatia was converted to Christianity by John ChrysostomJohn Chrysostom
John Chrysostom , Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic...
, and stopped the mob from destroying the Library. She continued her correspondence with John and St. Augustine
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
, which eventually led to the modern (1530s) divisions of the Church. The Library was a great storehouse of magical knowledge - the inference being that the information was lost to us in this universe when the Library was destroyed. In this universe, while magic is not commonplace its existence is no secret to the general populace and is practiced by those with the inborn power and/or discipline to use it. Notably, the clergy utilize elemental magic.
Petrines
Led by the Grand Metropolitan in Rome, the Petrine branch of the Church (named for St. Peter and built on the teachings of Hypatia and Chrysostum) is the creed of choice in Italy and Spain, with a relatively large following in Aquitaine. The Petrines are noted for taking a mediative role in politics and a more tolerant attitude to other faiths.Paulines
Most of central and northern Europe follow the Pauline creed (named for St. Paul and based on the writings of St. Augustine). The Paulines are recognized for a general intolerance to all non-Christians, though some members of the Church are more politic about it than others. There is no official head of the Pauline church, though the Holy Roman Emperor is the "Bulwark of the Faith."Italy
- Genoa: The only rivals of the Veneze on the open seas, in terms of both trade and navy.
- Milan: The Milanese and the Visconti house are the leaders of the Motagnards, who are bent on the Empire annexing northern Italy. They are oblivious to the fact that this is the last the thing Empire wants. Caesare Aldanto hails from Milan.
- Verona: Venice's land-based rival
- Ferrara: Like Venice, the Ferrarese are politically non-aligned, and they serve as agents to both the Empire and the Grand Metropolitan. Duke Enrico Dell'Este, grandfather of Marco and Benito, is known as the Old Fox.
- Venice: the most trade-oriented and tolerant city in Europe.
Others
- League of Armagh: a coalition of Celtic states. Most of their territory lies in the British Isles. Manfred of Brittany is the heir to a part of the League as well as the Empire.
- Aquitaine: A realm that encompasses most of our universe's France and England. Francesca de Chevreuse hails from the southern capital, Orleans.
- Holy Roman Empire: ruling over all of central Europe, including Austria, Germany, and Denmark, the Empire is the most powerful nation in Europe, and adheres to the Pauline creed. Manfred of Brittany is an heir to the Empire, currently ruled by Charles Fredrik Hohenstauffen.
- Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland: dominating most of eastern Europe, the Duchy is ruled by the iron fist of Grand Duke Jagiellon, who is possessed by the demon Chernobog.