From Johannes, Summer 1222
To the respected Mathieus of House Jerbiton, Johannes Roth sends greetings and good wishes:
My friend Alexios has spoken much of your wisdom and understanding, and thus, being unsure where else I might turn, I am venturing to contact you in this matter, and hope that you will not take it amiss that I have done so, whether you are able or willing to help, or not.
I have reached that age wherein a man begins to consider marriage and the continuation of his line. Sadly, owing to the strain in my relationship with my father, Baron Roth, the origin of which lies in the irregularity of my conception, I find myself unable, to seek his advice - or at least unwilling to do so and reopen old wounds.
I know you have many claims on your time, but I am hoping nonetheless that you might be able to offer me some advice on how I might proceed; I would be most grateful no matter how much or how little.
Yours with respect,
Johannes ex Guernicus
From Mathieus, Summer 1222
To Johannes Roth, Quaesitor of Stonehenge,
I am, of course, willing to offer my advice. This question is one that I have been asked about on many an occasion, although few of those who ask seem to go on to fulfil their course of action.
The problem is complicated, of course, because there's no commonly accepted status for an Hermetic Magus. Many of my charges are in fact full members of the nobility; and for them I recommend that they proceed in exactly the way they would if they were any other younger son or daughter.
In your case as one outside of the supporting structure of the nobility I suspect you're going to have to make some kind of compromise.
Potential options might be, firstly a Maga of the Order; secondly the younger daughter of an impoverished nobleman; thirdly the daughter of a prosperous merchant or craftsman hoping to rise in the world; fourthly the daughter of one of your Academic compatriots at Cambridge or Oxford; or fifthly abandon any concept of your correct place in the world and court anyone you please and submit yourselfs to the arrows of public opinion.
In the first or second case I might be able to arrange introductions. Or indeed in the fourth case in respect of Paris.
I hope that this overview has been helpful; do please feel free to consult me further.
Mathieus.
From Johannes, Autumn 1222
To the respected Mathieus of House Jerbiton, Johannes Roth sends greetings and thanks:
I have received your kind reply, and much appreciate the helpful overview. which you included.
I am surprised to hear that few Mages fulfil their aim in this regard; perhaps it bodes ill for my own prospects?
Were you aware of a Maga of the Order or a noble daughter who might find my suit welcome, I would be glad indeed of an introduction, if such could be arranged.
Yours in gratitude,
Johannes ex Guernicus
From Mathieus, Winter 1222
To Johannes Roth, Quaesitor of Stonehenge,
I think the primary reason that many young Mages do not succeed in marrying is that they get distracted by their Arcane and Academic studies to the extent that they ignore this other goal.
If you are wishing to court a daughter of the French court then I would suggest that you visit here for a season whilst the King is in residence in the Louvre and I can arrange for you to be invited to major court functions. Alternatively the Duchy of Burgundy hosts the most cultured court in Europe.
Alternatively were you to wish to meet eligible Magae then I could be persuaded to organise, say, a week of social events here in Paris; culminating in a Ball of course. There are a number of recently gauntleted Magi and older apprentices whom I would invite.
Yours,
Mathieus.
[Attached is a short summary of some eligible Magae]
From Johannes, Winter 1222
To the respected Mathieus of House Jerbiton, Johannes Roth sends greetings and thanks:
I can certainly understand that the pressures of time are an obstacle; between mundane and magical studies it often feels like there will never be enough time in the day!
I would be very interested in meeting several of the young Magae you mention, and a week of social events in Paris would be a most welcome break from my usual regime of study. If it were not too much trouble for you to arrange it, I would be delighted to attend such an event, and I pray you tell me what I might do to facilitate it.
Yours in gratitude,
Johannes ex Guernicus