Thursday 29 July 2010

The Chastity Belt

Magpie 25



Once again the king of Goodlands called his lords, who owed him allegiance, to join him in war. The unruly hordes living in Badlands to the South threatened to invade his borders.  The lords passed on the call to arms to the barons, the barons to the humble knights, the knights rounded up their yeomen, all were expected to drop whatever they were doing, gather their body servants, and muster beneath the standards. Bugles sounded in towns, villages, hamlets, finding their way to hovels on island reed beds in the river and poor farmsteads, high up on the moor. Every able-bodied man, young and old, was obliged to follow the call. Only the old and sick and feeble-minded were excused from service.

Baron Edwin, who had been on many such forays, always returning home to his beloved Matilda unharmed and in good working order, spoke to her while they were at breakfast the morning he was due to leave:-

“My dearest wife, all is in readiness, my armour is rust proofed and polished, the smith has sharpened my sword, my harness has been mended. The men are awaiting my command. There is only one thing left to do”.

Edwin held up the chastity belt which his wife had worn during each of his absences at war.

“It is not that I don’t trust you,” he said, “but rules are rules. I would ask you to please be so kind and wear this belt yet again, as a sign of obedience to my wishes and to secure your good name once more”.

She sighed. Really, they were both far too old to bother with such silliness, but if he wanted her to, then she would do him the favour.

“Thank you, my dear”, he said, attaching the lock to the belt and carefully putting the key into the pouch hanging from his own. “I am sure I will not be away for long, and you shall soon be free”.

Matilda kissed him dutifully, fondly, patting his back, and sent him off with her good wishes for a speedy and healthy return.

The horses’ hooves clattered out of the castle courtyard; for a while she remained where she was and gave a last wave to the disappearing cavalcade with her white kerchief.

Servants shut the gate and she went back inside. Now, where had she put that second key she had had cut many years earlier? Silly man, did he really expect her to wear this irksome contraption for months at a time? There hadn’t been any need for it for years; besides, with only the old, sick and feeble-minded men left behind, Matilda felt herself totally safe from any temptation.

She sighed again.



Another of Willow's fun prompts

27 comments:

  1. Frico this is such a fun and captivating story...It is amazing how so many women had to go through this...must have been horrid! Hope she finds her key! :-)

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  2. Women have always been smarter than men.

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  3. I have often thought that women would have figured out some way to get around the wearing of a chastity belt while letting their husbands think they had. Never mind unfaithfulness, the hygiene issues must have been wretched.

    fun story

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  4. Oh this is so good - the silly old man!

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  5. lol. i can not imagine the chaffing...nice magpie...

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  6. Good job, Friko! Great details!

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  7. Friko...this was a fun story
    thanks for the good laugh...silly old man!

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  8. What a good little story - made me want more.
    Did you know that, in Alberta, there really is an area called Badlands?

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  9. You sure know how to pick your titles!!

    Terrific story, Friko. I confess to having sped-read through it because I was SURE she was going to have it off with the stableboy, inadvertently left behind.

    Oh god, yes. Pondside is right! Only a 2 1/2 hour drive from my house. (Not close enough, I say..)

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  10. What a nicely crafted story! Really enjoyed reading it. You sure you're not up for a wordzzle?

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  11. Matilda has it right:
    Appear to be subservient
    Until they're out of sight.
    :-P

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  12. So creative and unexpected! Glad to read that women were smarter, even back then.

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  13. I love the way the story unfolds. Or should that be, unlocks?

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  14. Another good post Friko. I think cb's should be standard issue for the men. It takes two to tango:>)

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  15. One never knows what tasty tempting treats are lurking just around the haystack ... go get that key woman!!!

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  16. Nicely done.. silly Edwin! ;)

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  17. Fine tale of chastity belts and chivalry. Great take on the theme, Friko!

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  18. Great Magpie! Unwavering love and humor in gthe same story.... :)

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  19. Men have always been trying to fit women into painful fashion. Though I sometimes wish I could travel through time, I realize I'd want to do it my t-shirts and jeans.

    Good job of making me pause and think.

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  20. I love this! Makes perfectly good sense to me!

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  21. Hilarious story, loved it. I always thought those belts were silly, but they sure make for funny writing material. great magpie.

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  22. Ha! Ha! We had a parliamentary debate once about chastity belts!

    Loved you magpie to bits!

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  23. Great take on this prompt. I was only thinking of locks on doors. LOL never know what ideas are out there. Great job. I don't know if I told you I had to change blog names, but I'm still around. Just
    QMM

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