St Matthew's Guild

Ophelia was born a day's walk outside of Newcastle Upon Tyne, at the same moment as her half-twin sister, Meg Tacket. You might ask, "half-twin?" However, this was because her mother had been married to a stableman at the local tavern, one Philip Tacket. The two girls were born unto this man, but upon their births, she did divorce that man and immediately marry a sailor by the name of Martyn Shirwood. There being two girl children of exactly identical natures, it was decided that each parent should keep one child. Meg did stay with Philip Tacket, and Ophelia was raised in the dockside area of Newcastle under the name of Shirwood.

Fortunes being uncertain in the sea-faring life, her "father" was lost to sea when she was still quite young, and she did mostly raise herself. This was because her mother was oft in the habit of leaving to search for new husbands. Because she wishes not to lose so many husbands as in her mother's tradition, Ophelia has determined that the best means by which to keep a husband is to not ever let him leave. Therefore, she has caught herself a good, sturdy Scot for to be a husband, and whom she plans to marry forthwith. He is in the habit of traveling much, and of finding many small jobs upon which to support himself, so she plans to travel with him for ever and always, so as not to lose him.

Her half-sister, Meg, has recently come to reside in Newcastle, and has found steady work at one of the local taverns. Ophelia tries to visit regularly, but often finds that Meg is away running some errand whenever she does arrive. Ophelia also runs errands for people as a means to earn money. However, she has found it most profitable to work in the employ of the knights of the joust, encouraging the interest of all who pass by.

It is often remarked that her speech does sound strange. Upon one moment English, and upon the next Scottish. It is no mystery. As she plans to marry a Scot and perchance travel one day to Scotland, what type of a wife would she be if she did not learn the language?

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