First 200 Words (part 11)

Before one can write a story set in the Wold Newton Universe, which usually entails interactions between characters of disparate origins, reseach must be done. Hours and hours spent verifying such meetings could have really occurred. Win Scott Eckert has, in all likelihood, put more hours into such research than anyone, including Phil Farmer himself.

“The Blakeney Family Tree”

by Win Scott Eckert

Readers of “Is He in Hell?” may have noticed the rather unusual relationship Sir Percy has with his wife Marguerite and their friend, Alice Clarke Raffles. The relationship intimated in the story is based on chronological and genealogical observations culled from Baroness Orczy’s canonical series of Scarlet Pimpernel novels, Philip José Farmer’s fictional biography Tarzan Alive: A Definitive Biography of Lord Greystoke, and “John Blakeney’s” fictional biography The Life and Exploits of the Scarlet Pimpernel (Sir Percy Blakeney, bart.), or, A Gay Adventurer. The result of these observations is, in true Creative Mythographical fashion, a genealogical reconciliation of these sources: the Blakeney Family Tree. Along the way, I’ll include some helpful suggestions and thoughts from fellow Creative Mythographers Mark Brown, Jess Nevins, Cheryl L. Huttner, Dennis E. Power, Matthew Baugh, and Jean-Marc Lofficier.

Much of the framework of the Blakeney Family Tree is built upon John Blakeney’s family tree from his biography, The Life and Exploits of the Scarlet Pimpernel, which can be viewed at <http://www.blakeneymanor.com/books/gay/g.html>. However, there are a few inaccuracies and omissions, perhaps purposeful, in this particular tree. A new, expanded tree has been constructed and is available for reference at the conclusion of this note.

Cheryl L. …

(Copyright © 2010 by Win Scott Eckert)

The rest of the “The Blakeney Family Tree” can be found in The Worlds of Philip José Farmer 1: Protean Dimensions. Keep watching this space for more 200 word excerpts.