---
title: Stonehenge during the Schism War
---

For the purpose of describing the setting, we divide the area of
Stonehenge into five regions.

+ Wales
+ Mercia
+ Wessex
+ East Anglia
+ Northumbria

**Wales** is home to two old and strong covenants, namely 
Cad Gadu and Blackthorn, in addition to the nameless covenant
eradicated in 1011.  The Diedne fled completely when the nameless
covenant fell, and the region sees no further conflict during the
Schism, and the Order is trying to rebuild.

England was unified about 100 years prior, from four older kingdoms.
When Knut conquered England in 1016, he divided her into four earldoms,
corresponding to these older kingdoms.

**Northumbria** is in the North, spanning from coast to coast.
The Schism war still rages, with Diedne raiding from their powerbase
in Loch Leglean.   There are three [Covenants]() which survive
the Schism, including the Flambeau stronghold of Ungulus.

**East Anglia** on the East Coast (South of Northumbria) and
**Wessex** on the South Coast (West of East Anglia) have always had
little Hermetic activity.  There was a covenant in Kent, called Roma Nova,
but it fell in 1008.  

**Mercia** is in the middle, bordering on all the other three fiefs as
well as Wales.  She has seen a lot of action in the Schism War, particularly
in the early years, including the fall of Lumen already in 1003. 
Also the mundane population suffered greatly from the war, and 
when Eadric rose to power as Ealdorman from 1007, he outlawed magic
and started prosecutions to the best of his ability.  Hermetic magi
gave up holding their covenants, and most fled the region.

# Hermetic Customs

The dangerous times has taught the magi to be discreet.
Unless travelling with the force of numbers, magi will 
disguise as mundane people.  The cocern is not only the
enemy in the Schism, but also the witch hunters of Eadric,
and their likes of mind.

The old covenants would generally be known to men of power,
and they rely on fortification and power to keep enemies away.
New covenants would rely on subterfuge to go unnoticed.  

# More details

## Northumbria

In Northumbria,
covenants are under attack from Diedne wizards from Loch Leglean
and their Giant allies.  

Having won the War on the Continent, the Order sends reinforcements
to Loch Leglean from 1013.  
This turns the War in Northumbria and Loch Leglean from 1014/15,
and Diedne loose quickly.

By 1017, Diedne is no longer a threat, but
Northumbria is devastated.


## Mercia

Eadric Streona became Ealdorman of Mercia in 1007
[[wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadric_Streona)].
He was the first earl under Knut, but was killed by Knut in 
December 1017.

Eadric rose to the post of ealdorman following a number of
devastating battles of the Schism War.
He immediately started outlawed magic, in all its forms,
and both Hermetic and hedge wizards were hunted down. 

By 1013, Eadric's rule is stable and mundane society is 
starting to recover from the devastations of the War.
People are optimistic.  Magi keep a low profile.

Eadric was given the epithet "Streona" (translated as "The Acquisitive”) 
in Hemming's Cartulary because he appropriated church land and funds 
for himself. [wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadric_Streona)
This gives rise to an ongoing conflict with the Church and its
allies.

## Wessex

Like East Anglia, and Wessex always had smaller Hermetic populations,
and have not seen battles of the Schism for years.

Knut arrived first in Wessex in 1015, and
took her under his direct rule at first.

## Wales

In Wales the Order is strong.
Cad Gadu saw little of the war.
Blackthorn is rebuilding.