1) Graf Arnulf Von Griefen takes an evening stroll with his latest acquisition, Lotte, at his medieval fortress, Griefenburg. 2) The Margrave Herman Von Kinnlos sends heralds to inquire about his favorite horse Schnitzel, which was riding with his niece Lotte when she was abducted. 3) When faced with a ransom of 20,000 bezants for the horse, the Margrave decides to besiege Griefenburg with his army. However, during the siege his tower collapses in an accident, killing several of his men.

1. The
GreifenBurg
A medieval Romance from
the ‘Bayko Baron’

2. • Graf Arnulf Von Griefen takes the evening air with his latest
acquisition – the Gravina Gunhilde-Ermingarde-Brunnhilde-Gretchen-
Hildegarde-Marlene Von OhneKinn (known to the weary as ‘Lotte’).

3. • The Griefenburg, once a byzantine fortress, taken by the Norman
Sicilian Hardouin Grossteste – later lost in a regrettable after-feast
game of Russian Roulette using crossbows – today the lair of the
most infamous of the Dalmatian robber barons.

4. • The Austrian Margrave Herman Von Kinnlos, (Herman the German), sends his heralds to
enquire after the well-being of Schnitzel, his favourite horse - which his niece happened
to be riding when abducted. Graf Arnulf sends his jester in reply.

5. • Faced with a ransom of 20,000 bezants for the mare, the Margrave decides to send for
his direct negotiation team – here the wagons carrying his siege train file through the
narrow streets of Schnurt

6. • Graf Arnulf retaliates by drawing his bridge and cutting away
the pontoon causeway before expending one of his precious
supply of snooks – cocking it at the fuming Margrave.

7. • Dramatic irony – the Margrave uses the abandoned pontoons to bring his
siege tower up.

8. • A horde of archers and arbalestier backed up by the trebuchet
deliver a storm of missiles to keep the defenders off the walls.

9. • The moment of truth – Graf Arnulf stands to meet the assault, Rolf, his trusty
squire, polishes his great sword, Gladys, ready for the slaughter.

10. • Towering tragedy – with its bridge already lowered and laden with warriors,
the tower ran over a loose plank, lost a wheel and over-balanced, destroying
the support boat in the process and sending several score of the Margrave’s
best men to the bottom in their armour.

11. • Graf Arnulf celebrates the miracle, with an unexpected companion –
cupid, it seems, slipped an arrow in among all the rest.

12. • Overcome by an unexpected bout of chivalry Graf Arnulf challenges
the Margrave to tourney – for the hand of the Grafina Gunhilde-
Ermingarde-Brunnhilde-Gr……… Lotte!

13. • Yesterday they were dire enemies, but today they are trying to skewer each
other in valorous comradeship – medieval chivalry at its best.

14. • The knights of Greifenburg return home with their trophies

15. • The Graf Arnulf carries his winnings over the threshold and sends for his priests – the
ransom for the now captive Margrave Herman will pay for the wedding celebrations.