Week Three

The ghosts need us

Hi all. Thought I'd share my thoughts on Ludlow's map and what it all might mean, especially with all these clues I've been left.

We know now that the clues are to the identities of ghosts who haunt the places on the map. Why we have to find them is something I've been pondering since we found the first two � Lady Caroline Lamb and Anne Boleyn.

My feeling (and I've started to get some very strong feelings recently, though that of course may be due to the amount of oranges of the chocolate variety I've been consuming of late � the BBC canteen is so near!) is that the ghosts are in some sort of danger.

But whoever left the clues didn't want these ghosts' identities exposed straight away. Why � I'm not sure � but the mystery and cryptic clues seem to indicate these ghosts are in hiding, or being hidden from someone who must not find them.

I know this all must sound a little paranoid and Ghostbuster-ish, but if you believe, as I do, that darkness is always just lurking one step away waiting to pounce, than clues like this must not be ignored and must have great import in the truth they reveal.

Oooooh, I've come over all goose-pimply. Time for another canteen visit!

7th April 2003

The map and its secrets

Morning all. There's been more messaging about Ludlow's map and the discrepancy of dates regarding some of the locations. Just to let you all know, there are locations - Tower Bridge and Big Ben amongst them - that were built after the 1830's, the date the map shows.

The map was Ludlow's, and was used to document his battle (which would end up being his last one) with Balberith. The battle was fought in 1829 and the map recorded the location.

Since then, I've discovered that certain locations have been added to the map as the years have passed. Alongside these locations are the clues I've been sharing with you over the past weeks. The updated locations and clues must have been added by William, Tamara or even later Protectors of Albion - but who they were remains a mystery. And why.

But there are murmurs that the ghosts we've found that haunt those locations are in jeopardy. I plan to visit the very sites soon and see if there's anything to... well, see I guess. No idea what I'm looking for, but work's been done and now it might be time for action. I sound like Arnie don't I? All this mystical animation is getting to me I guess.

8th April 2003

The Soul of England

Some people have been asking about the name Albion and what it really means. I thought I'd talk about this (from what little I know) and also a bit about the Protectorship that my ancestors once held.

From all I've read, Albion seems to be defined as the ancient and literary name of Britain. It is usually restricted to England and is perhaps derived from the Latin 'albus' meaning 'white', referring to the chalk cliffs of southern England.

On a more esoteric slant, Albion is described as the 'soul' of England. Today, England has a wondrous mix of ancient and modern landscapes, but to our ancestors the whole earth was an organism, pulsating with life. They chose to worship their gods in wild, remote places, their temples open to the sky and the wonder of the heavens.

These places may have irrevocably changed over the millennia, but they still somehow retain all their atmosphere and mystery, and Albion is the spiritual boundary that marks out our country. It is this ancient domain that is under attack by the very ancient evil the protectors fight against.

And as for whether other ancient regions exist and have Protectors too, I don't see why not. I've never heard of others, but there's no reason to think that other countries wouldn't need protecting as much as us.

They all have histories, myths and legends of their own, dating way back, and no doubt 'souls' that encompass the very land their people live on and fight for these days.

9th April 2003

The story continues

Morning all - welcome to the most exciting day in the week for those of you glued to this site. The next instalment should be live and as you can see, things are hotting up for the Swift siblings.

Now, safely (for the time being) ensconced in Nigel's house, the Swifts have a bit of time to learn to use the magical powers they have inherited. And boy do they need to.

It's looking like Tamara is the natural sorcerer of the two. Maybe her willingness to open her mind to what she previously thought were just fairy tales and stories allows her to more freely connect with the supernatural both inside and out.

But William is struggling to come to terms with things - and who can blame him? His family is either dead or possessed by evil demons and his home is overrun by horrible hybrid monsters. But these fears are holding him back, and that's not a good thing.

Oh, and we've now met our third ghost of Albion for this series, and what a fine one he is. Horatio Nelson - one of England's greatest defenders in life, now continuing his defence of the realm in death too - a true hero and brave man.

And what about Nigel, eh? We will have to wait and see where that goes...

Lastly - clues are up too - let's see what you make of this lot. Enjoy!

10th April 2003

Inheriting a Legacy

Well, as I look at my site, I'm truly astounded by the collective research powers you lot bring. The info you've amassed already is brilliant, and I'm pretty sure we're found one, if not both ghosts already. Well done!

Yesterday we saw the Swifts learning to master the craft of magic, the legacy they inherit as part of their mantle as Protectors of Albion. I just thought I'd talk a little about the Protectorship and legacy, and how it is passed on. The legacy is not genetic, it's passed onto someone chosen by the current Protector.

But the chosen recipient must have some facility to become a Protector, some inherent gift for magic and its powers. The recipient has no power until the legacy has been bestowed upon them officially.

With regard to others, there have always been Protectors of Albion. The Swifts held the legacy for most of the 19th Century, but not always. There's very little information about other Protectors past, but maybe, like me, their stories are told through their family lines and are secrets to most (until now I guess!)

Just one last point to make about terminology, which may seem pedantic, but for those of you, like me, who like to get things right, is important. The term 'Protector' is used for those, like Tamara and William, who have to describe the legacy, which can only be inherited, bestowed on them. 'Defenders' of Albion are those, both living and dead, who fight alongside the Protectors to preserve Albion.

Just like our ghosts. Without both, we would not be enjoying the life and freedom we take for granted today. And using that freedom, it's about time for a trip for some chocolate from the canteen. Bye.

11th April 2003