''The Shadow of the Lion'' is an alternate history/historical fantasy novel set primarily in the
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice ( vec, Repùblega de Venèsia) or Venetian Republic ( vec, Repùblega Vèneta, links=no), traditionally known as La Serenissima ( en, Most Serene Republic of Venice, italics=yes; vec, Serenìsima Repùblega de Venèsia, ...
in the 1530s. It is a part of the ''
Heirs of Alexandria'' series. The book was written by
Mercedes Lackey
Mercedes Ritchie Lackey (born June 24, 1950) is an American writer 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. Her Valdemar novels include i ...
,
Eric Flint
Eric Flint (February 6, 1947 – July 17, 2022) was an American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works are Alternate history (fiction), alternate history science fiction, but he also wrote humorous fantasy adventures. ...
and
Dave Freer
Dave Freer is a South African–born, Australian-based science fiction author writing mostly humorous or alternate history novels.
Biography
Freer was born and educated in South Africa. He grew up on the edge of a city next to a ~500-acre natu ...
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. The book was published in various
e-book formats in the
Baen Free Library and on ''Baen CD #01'' (
Honorverse
The Honorverse is a military science fiction book series, its two subseries, two prequel series, and anthologies created by David Weber and published by Baen Books. They are centered on the space navy career of the principal protagonist Honor ...
).
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
Chernobog
Chernobog ( "Black God") and Belobog ( "White God") are an alleged pair of Polabian deities. Chernobog appears in the Helmold's '' Chronicle'' as a god of misfortune worshipped by the Wagri and Obodrites, while Belobog is not mentioned – he wa ...
.
* 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, she works as a smuggler.
* Valdosta, Benito: Grandson of the Duke of Ferrara and a pickpocket while in hiding.
* Valdosta, Marco: Grandson of the Duke of Ferrara, he is 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, which answers only to the wearer of the Winged Mantle.
History
Point of divergence
In our own universe,
Hypatia
Hypatia, Koine pronunciation (born 350–370; died 415 AD) was a neoplatonist philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician, who lived in Alexandria, Egypt, then part of the Eastern Roman Empire. She was a prominent thinker in Alexandria where ...
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 Chrysostom
John Chrysostom (; gr, Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος; 14 September 407) was an important Early Church Father who served as archbishop of Constantinople. He is known for his preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of ...
, 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.
Church in Europe
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".
Great Powers of Europe
Italy
* 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.
* 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 thing the Empire wants. Caesare Aldanto hails from Milan.
* Venice: The most trade-oriented and tolerant city in Europe.
* Verona: Venice's land-based rival
Others
* Aquitaine: A realm that encompasses most of our universe's France and England. Francesca de Chevreuse hails from the southern capital, Orleans.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
The novels
* ''The Shadow of the Lion'' by Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint & Dave Freer
: Copyright© 2002
* ''This Rough Magic'' by Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint & Dave Freer
: Copyright© 2003
: Webscription electronic version
* ''A Mankind Witch'' by Dave Freer
: Copyright© 2005
: Webscriptions electronic version
* ''Much Fall of Blood'' by Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint & Dave Freer
: Copyright© 2010
: Webscriptions electronic version
* ''Burdens of the Dead'', by Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint, and David Freer.
: Copyright 2014
* ''All the Plagues of Hell'', by Eric Flint and Dave Freer.
: . December 2018
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shadow of the Lion, The
Fiction set in the 1530s
2002 American novels
American alternate history novels
American fantasy novels
Novels set in Venice