THE LIONHEART

charles butler earl of ormond written by bonnie for bloodydayshq

[charlesbutler]

THE LIONHEART Charles Butler, Earl of Ormond written by Bonnie for bloodydayshq

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[charlesbutler]

open , hampton court's great hall

The pageantry and splendor of the evening was not something that entirely suited the Earl of Ormond. Though he came from a family of wealth and was no stranger to the fanfare of nobility, he found himself more suited to a battlefield or an evening spent in privacy. Nonetheless, he was present as the ladies' performances gave way to less scripted frivolity, and he took his moment to survey the room around him, slowly sipping from the cup of sweet wine. "The ladies have outdone themselves this evening," he mused. "The noble men of this court might do well to apprise themselves of the knowledge and skill more often, I should think. My wife certainly says the same in the midst of every quarrel."

[charlesbutler]

Charles Butler, Earl of Ormond as Hephaestus

Despite his status as an up-and-coming courtier, Charles isn't much inclined to the courtly festivities that have thus far marked King William's reign. Nonetheless, he attends the gathering at the beckoning of his wife, who is herself attending as Aglaea, Hephaestus's consort and one of the Charities. His costume is, admittedly, lower effort than some of his counterparts, as he is dressed in plain white with a blacksmith's apron draped over it. In a sachel, he carries blacksmith's tools, such as a forging hammer. To get around, he uses the cane he is often seen with, wooden with a carved falcon at its handle, one of the symbols of his house. The connection is unplanned, but it does fit with his costume, too, as Hephaestus was also said to need the aid of a walking stick.