Lady Rangela of Edsholm
by Herman Hofberg
The Mean Lady and the Clever Farmers
Once, there was a big castle. A mean lady lived there. Her name was Lady Rangela. The castle was old. It was a bad place. Bad people lived there before.
Lady Rangela owned the castle. She owned all the land too. She was very mean. She was very greedy. She wanted more and more.
Lady Rangela made people sad. She was not fair. People crossed a bridge. She asked for money. She asked for too much money. It was not fair.
Two farmers had a plan. They were very clever. They wanted to trick Lady Rangela. They would talk loudly. She would hear their words.
The Farmer went to a big hill. His Friend went to another hill. The hills were far apart. They could shout. Their voices would carry.
The Farmer shouted. "Friend, lend me your big pot!" His Friend shouted. "Why do you need it?" The Farmer said. "Trolls are angry. They want Lady Rangela to leave. We need a big pot. Troll plan. It will make her go away."
Lady Rangela heard them. She was in her castle. She thought Trolls were real. She thought Trolls wanted her. She thought Trolls wanted her to leave.
Lady Rangela was scared. She packed her gold. She packed her treasures. She ran to a boat. She left the castle. She went away fast.
A big storm came. The wind blew hard. Big waves crashed. Her boat got lost. She was in the boat. Her treasures were there. She was never seen again. Her treasures were lost.
The people heard the news. Lady Rangela was gone. She was not in the castle. The castle was empty now. They were happy.
The people went to the castle. They took down the walls. They made a nice space. The castle was gone. Now it was open. Everyone felt safe.
And so, the people were free. They were happy. The mean lady was gone. The land was peaceful. Being mean is not good. Being clever can help everyone.
Original Story
Lady Rangela of Edsholm.
A few miles west of Karlstad, on a little island near Slottsbrosund, was located, in former days, an old fortress called Asa, or Edsholm Castle, otherwise notorious as the residence of the cruel stewards of Vestersysslet.
A niggardly and cruel woman, Lady Rangela, for a time owned Edsholm and all the land thereabout. She soon made herself bitterly hated by the peasantry because of the oppressions she heaped upon them, and especially because of the unreasonable toll she demanded every time they crossed the castle bridge.
According to agreement, two peasants went one day, the one to the top of Edsholm Mountain and the second to a mountain on the other side of the sound near the castle, whereupon the following conversation was carried on between them, in a loud voice:
“My dear neighbor, lend me your large kettle.”
“What do you want with it?”
“I want to cook Lady Rangela of Edsholm Castle, because she demands too high toll from passers over the bridge.”
“You shall have it gladly.”
This was heard at the castle, and Lady Rangela, believing it to be the Trolls planning her destruction, hurriedly packed her treasures and deserted Edsholm. She had, however, gone no further than to Rangelsund, or Ransund, which is named after her, when a severe storm overtook her and sunk the boat, with people, treasure and all.
When the peasantry learned what had happened, they poured into the castle and razed it to the ground, since when there has been nothing to indicate its existence more than a few heaps of gravel.
Moral of the Story
Oppression and cruelty will eventually lead to the downfall of the oppressor, often by unexpected means.
Characters
Lady Rangela ⚔ antagonist
A woman of average height and a somewhat gaunt build, her features likely sharp from a life of severity and greed. Her posture would be rigid and unyielding, reflecting her cruel nature.
Attire: Wealthy but practical clothing befitting a medieval Swedish noblewoman, likely dark, heavy wool gowns in colors like deep forest green, burgundy, or dark blue, possibly trimmed with fur or simple embroidery. She would wear a wimple or coif covering her hair, and a sturdy belt at her waist. Her attire would emphasize her authority and lack of frivolousness.
Wants: To accumulate wealth and maintain absolute control over her lands and the peasantry, driven by greed and a desire for power.
Flaw: Her extreme superstition and paranoia, which leads her to abandon her castle based on a misunderstanding.
She begins as a powerful and feared oppressor but ends up fleeing in terror, losing all her possessions and her life due to her own paranoia and the peasants' cleverness.
Niggardly, cruel, oppressive, superstitious, cowardly.
First Peasant ◆ supporting
A man of sturdy build, weathered by outdoor labor. His hands would be calloused and strong, his face tanned from working the fields. He would be of average height for a medieval Swedish peasant.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing typical of a medieval Swedish peasant: a coarse linen tunic in a muted color like grey or undyed flax, sturdy wool breeches, and a leather belt. He would wear rough leather boots or wooden clogs. His clothes would show signs of wear and mending.
Wants: To alleviate the oppression of Lady Rangela and improve the lives of his fellow peasants.
Flaw: His vulnerability to the Lady's initial cruelty.
He participates in the clever ruse that leads to Lady Rangela's downfall, contributing to the liberation of his community.
Clever, resourceful, courageous, community-minded.
Second Peasant ◆ supporting
Similar to the First Peasant, a man of sturdy build, accustomed to hard labor. Perhaps slightly older or younger, but equally weathered by the elements.
Attire: Similar to the First Peasant, practical and worn clothing: a coarse linen tunic, wool trousers, and sturdy footwear. Perhaps a different muted color for his tunic, like a faded blue or brown.
Wants: To support his fellow peasant in their shared goal of ending Lady Rangela's tyranny.
Flaw: His vulnerability to the Lady's initial cruelty.
He plays a crucial role in the deception that leads to Lady Rangela's flight and eventual demise.
Supportive, practical, courageous, community-minded.
Locations
Edsholm Castle Island
A small island near Slottsbrosund, a few miles west of Karlstad, where the old fortress of Edsholm Castle stood. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge.
Mood: oppressive, isolated, later liberated
The general setting for Lady Rangela's cruel rule and the peasants' oppression.
Edsholm Castle
An old fortress, notorious as the residence of cruel stewards, specifically Lady Rangela. It is implied to be a fortified structure with a bridge leading to it.
Mood: foreboding, oppressive, seat of power
Lady Rangela's residence where she hears the peasants' 'plot' and from where she flees.
Edsholm Mountain and Opposite Mountain
Two distinct mountains on opposite sides of the sound near the castle, used by peasants to communicate loudly.
Mood: open, strategic, conspiratorial
The location where the peasants stage their 'conversation' to trick Lady Rangela.
Rangelsund (Ransund)
A body of water, named after Lady Rangela, where she attempts to escape by boat.
Mood: treacherous, fatal, chaotic
Lady Rangela's final, fatal journey where her boat sinks.
Story DNA
Moral
Oppression and cruelty will eventually lead to the downfall of the oppressor, often by unexpected means.
Plot Summary
Lady Rangela, a cruel noblewoman, oppresses the local peasantry with excessive tolls at Edsholm Castle. Two cunning peasants devise a plan to rid themselves of her by staging a loud conversation across the sound, pretending to discuss cooking her in a large kettle. Lady Rangela overhears this, mistakes it for Trolls plotting her demise, and flees with her treasures. However, a severe storm sinks her boat, killing her and her companions. Upon learning of her death, the relieved peasantry razes the castle to the ground, erasing its oppressive presence.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects historical tensions between feudal lords and the common people, and the use of fear and superstition as a means of resistance.
Plot Beats (11)
- Edsholm Castle, notorious for its cruel stewards, is introduced.
- Lady Rangela, a niggardly and cruel woman, owns Edsholm and the surrounding land.
- She oppresses the peasantry, particularly with unreasonable tolls at the castle bridge.
- Two peasants agree to stage a conversation to trick her.
- One peasant goes to Edsholm Mountain, the other to a mountain across the sound.
- They loudly discuss borrowing a large kettle to cook Lady Rangela for her high tolls.
- Lady Rangela overhears this from the castle, believing Trolls are plotting her destruction.
- Panicked, she packs her treasures and flees Edsholm by boat.
- At Rangelsund, a severe storm sinks her boat, killing her and her companions and losing her treasures.
- The peasantry learns of her death and the castle's abandonment.
- They storm the castle and raze it to the ground, leaving only ruins.
