Tallen Cyenns, Tales Of His History And Life

Tallen Cyenns, a simple man of noble landed gentry and yeomanry, was born in the year of 1289 supposedly in the southeastern area of the County of Cork in Ireland. Long before his birth, there had been rumors told of a very unusual statue erected in the center of the hamlet in which he was born. Not much is truly known of Tallen and what is, only comes from those who knew him and have retold personal stories which they have passed down from generation to generation of their acquaintanceship with him. It was told that he was the son a well known orator and the youngest of five siblings. Some have said that his family moved many times while he was growing up and that he had a somewhat troubled childhood with problems within his family life. There came a time when he was near the thirteenth year of his life, in about a 3 to 4 year time span, to which he witnessed the final break up of his family and he soon watched his brothers and sisters leave in what he often called "under other than less pleasant conditions".

One of the childhood memories that Tallen recalled was about a time when his family was living near an area that was once the first permanent capital of the southern region they were in. There was also a nearby river which was the longest substantially free-flowing river and was among the most scenic and biologically diverse rivers in that area. It was a major tributary of a much larger river and part of an even a larger river basin of the entire region. Tallen told a story about during a family outing when they were visiting this area near where two of these rivers intersected and there were ruins of the old capital and a few artesian wells. Tallen remembers at how cold the water from those wells were and unfortunately also about an itchy rash that he had gotten from coming in contact with some poisonous ivy vines in a tree that he had climbed. He also remembers the strange chalky pink colored lotion made of calamine being used to treat that itchiness. Back in the city where his family lived there was a bridge that spanned one of those larger rivers previously mentioned that had been the site of where hundreds had once marched across in protest of some of the civil inequalities that were taking place in the years prior to and after Tallen's birth.

Another childhood memory of Tallen's, around when he was twelve years of age, was when his family had moved to a region far north of where they had lived for most of his life. In the short time span they lived there, about a year, he had an opportunity to travel with his family to a foreign country for the first time in his life. He thought this was a wonderful adventure and admired the beautiful countryside of that foreign country. He remembered seeing a couple of people fishing on the side of the pathway they were traveling on in between the areas they were going through and also stopping at a large marketplace that sold all sorts of interesting trinkets to those traversing the area. Also during the time when he lived in this area there happened to be the disappearance of the leader of what was thought to be a group of unscrupulous marauders. Someone was said to have taken by force this person from a local tavern of which he had been partaking of food and drink on that day. As of the present days that person's remains have never been discovered. Another event that took place many months later and during the wintertime was when a ship had set sail on a great lake and sank during a fierce winter storm and claimed the lives of all 29 on board. Tallen recalled that the ship had belonged to the FitzGerald family. Not long afterwards a well known troubadour wrote a song about that ship that sank during the "Gales of November". Tallen always loved this song even though it was about a tragic event it always reminded him of the innocence of his youth. And about a year after this song came into existence there was another one from a group of troubadours that sang about a "delightful afternoon". Even though Tallen had a great love of music he always despised this tune as it reminded him of the beginning of the end of the innocence of his youth for it was about this time when his normal family life came to an abrupt end.

In the year of 1308, when he was nineteen years old Tallen joined the ranks of the military, as did all men of the times who had a love of their Country and a desire to Serve and Protect it. It was during this time when he met and became friends with John FitzStephen, who later became the Baron of Winterbourne in Berkshire, England after succeeding his Grandfather in the Lordship, holding it conjointly with Thomas de Bradeston. John was born in 1282 and died in the year of 1374. He was a descendant of Airard FitzStephen who was a nobleman of Normandy that was placed by William the Conqueror to command the ship "Mora" that was used for conveying the Norman forces to England for the battle of Hastings in 1066. Airard was also the owner of the "la Blanche-Nef", or "White Ship", which sank off the coast of Barfleur, France in the English Channel in November of the year 1120, taking with it the heir to the English throne and over 150 members of the leading families of England. Thomas FitzStephen, son of Airard, was the ship's Captain on that ill-fated night and had offered his ship to Henry I of England to use to return to England, however Henry had already made other arrangements but allowed many in his retinue to travel with Thomas on his ship. According to chronicler Orderic Vitalis, the crew had asked William Adelin, Henry's son, for wine and he supplied it to them in great abundance. By the time the ship was ready to leave there were about 300 people on board although some had disembarked due to the excessive drinking before the ship sailed. Thomas was ordered by the revelers to overtake the king's ship, which had already sailed. The ship was fast and of the best construction which had recently been fitted with new materials. This made Thomas and his crew confident they could reach England first. But when it set off in the dark, its port side struck a submerged rock called Quillebœuf, and the ship quickly capsized. William Adelin got into a small boat and could have escaped but turned back to try to rescue his half-sister, Matilda. His boat was swamped by others trying to save themselves, and William drowned along with them. There were only two who survived by clinging to the rock that night. One was Berold, a butcher from Rouen, the second eventually drowned, Godfrey, the son of Gilbert of Laigle. Orderic Vitalis further wrote that when Thomas came to the surface after the sinking and learned that William Adelin had not survived, he let himself drown rather than face the King.

There was a story that was never officially confirmed through military records about Tallen, John FitzStephen and some of their companions, each of which were experienced young horseman. There came a time for them to be called upon to go on a scouting mission during one of the battles they were in. For several days torrential rain had fallen and as they were moving down a storm struck road in the forest they ran upon some of their opponents that were also on horseback. Being outnumbered, Tallen and his friends turned their horses to make their escape and were quickly pursued. They ran their horses into a mire and the horses fell and they were surrounded and thought to be captured at the moment. The leader of the opposing force immediately took their weapons and requested their headgear. It was told that Tallen being young and daring replied, "Damn you, if you think you can take my headgear, try it, and someone will meet their fate from the grip of my bare-hands". The other Soldiers began laughing at hearing the young "up-start" speaking like this and their leader replied "I like your spiritedness, you may keep your headgear". This moment turned out to be just the distraction needed to keep Tallen and his companions from actually being captured, for it was during this time when some reinforcements arrived and ended up capturing the opponents. Since there was never anything officially recorded on this event, some think it may have been simply just an exercise or simulation of a war time scenario. However Tallen ended up wearing that headgear long after the his time served.

Another tale told but hard to believe is one of when Tallen and John were on a far away tour somewhere in the frozen northern part of the country where they encountered a "Pooka". While it may seem like a cute and cuddly name, Pookas, though not classified as a wholly malevolent spirit, are said to mostly appear in the form of horses and goats, although occasionally they will appear as other animals or even in human form and were said to be prone to violence and considered to be vicious pranksters. It is not known if the Pooka was ever seen anywhere else in the world. Many centuries later in North America there was mentioned an animal called the "Jackalope". It was described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns. There had been reports of this animal being seen in or near military outpost scattered throughout the states of Wyoming and South Dakota. Often these stories were told by those stationed at those outpost and who had on occasions been snowbound, or "homestuck" if you will, for several days and just perhaps their imaginations may have been running wild or maybe they were just stories made up to pass the time away. Stories or descriptions of animal hybrids have appeared in many cultures worldwide. A 13th-century Persian work depicts a rabbit with a single horn, like a unicorn. In Europe, the horned rabbit appeared in Medieval and Renaissance folklore in Bavaria known as the "Wolpertinger". But perhaps now is the time to put this "bunny" tale back in it's box.

One thing that can be confirmed though is that a part of one those heavily guarded military complexes that Tallen and John once patrolled in the frozen northern part of the country was turned into a museum years afterwards. Generations were now able to visit and take tours of that facility where they can learn about the "War of Cold" that lasted almost 50 years. Tallen was said to have often mentioned that he thought it was kind of interesting that a place where he once worked, ate and slept was now a part of historical significance. It's probably true that not very many people can honestly make a claim such as this.

Due to their time served together in the military, Tallen's friendship with John FitzStephen grew strong over the next seventeen years and beyond. John began to confide in Tallen, he felt that Tallen was an honorable and trustworthy individual. John also always enjoyed the tales of some of Tallen's more unusual dreams, some of which were of a dark and ominous nature and were often thought to be visions from a much distant future or perhaps even times passed. At the very least it was thought that perhaps some of Tallen's dreams were to be used as a guide for making it through the every day life of the present times. Even those dreams which were more lighthearted and seemed to be fun and entertaining. At times John would also recall Tallen's love of music and often wondered about some of the strange tunes he talked about had been found in those unusual dreams he had or perhaps Tallen had actually traveled to the future. Because some of the musical instruments he mentioned were not of the kind used in their times. After his years of honorable military service Tallen served in constabulary duties for many years. It was here too that it became known that he could be trusted by many others within the district he patrolled. As a matter of fact throughout his life people from all walks would come to him for advice or to simply have long, meaningful, engaging and interesting conversations, knowing that he would never divulge any secrets or tell anything of confident in nature told to him. While Tallen may not have always agreed with certain topics talked about, he never made judgement upon another or attempted to force his beliefs on them.

Some that knew him remember Tallen talking about an incident when he was performing his constabulary duties in which he was dispatched to a very unusual accident involving some sort of self-propelled winged flying contraption which closely resembled one of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous inventions known as the "ornithopter". Tallen said that upon arriving where this accident took place there were no sounds or sight of life coming from where this flying contraption had crashed. It was later determined that there were two individuals that were on board and that each of their remains had to be picked up piece by piece by piece. Sometime after this accident Tallen was attending a local festival and it was during this that a roasted pig was made ready to feed those in attendance. As the pig was being served and Tallen saw it's flesh being removed piece by piece by piece he had an immediate recollection and visions of being at that horrific incident in which those two individuals lost their lives. It had also been told that Tallen often had these recollections and visions for many years whenever he heard about other similar incidents.

In the year of 1325 Tallen left for a quest and it is believed that he traveled to the place of his birth which was thought to be in the southeastern area of the County of Cork in Ireland. It was during this quest that he was married and soon started a family. His wife was loving and caring, seeming to always put her husband and children before herself. Their first born son had talents in the arts and in music as well. While their second born wasn't much of speaking in public he had a unique gift of making some wonderful written words. Coincidentally Robert FitzStephen, an ancestor of Tallen's good friend John, was active in war in Wales and later the conquest of Ireland. He was rewarded in 1177 by receiving from the King of England, jointly with Miles de Cogan, a grant of the kingdom of Cork with the exception of the city of Cork. The native princes of that province disputed the King's right to dispose of the territory on the grounds that they had not resisted King Henry, or committed any act that would have justified the forfeiture of their lands. In consequence, Robert had difficulty in maintaining his position and was nearly overwhelmed by a rising in the Kingdom of Desmond in 1182. Having no living male heirs, Robert eventually ceded these territories to Philip de Barry, his half-nephew around 1180. In a decree Robert wrote, "Robert FitzStephen to all his lords, friends, and dependents, French, English, Welsh, and Irish, Greeting. Be it known to you that I have given and granted to my nephew, Philip de Barry, three cantreds in my land of Cork, namely, Olethan, with all its appurtenances, and two other cantreds in the kingdom of Cork, just as they shall come by lot to him, for ten knights' service, to himself and his heirs, to be held of me and my heirs, for the service aforesaid, in land, in sea, in waters, in ways, to be held as freely of me as I hold of our lord the King, save to me the service of the aforesaid ten knights."

As was mentioned before, Tallen was a simple man of noble landed gentry and yeomanry. "Landed gentry" is a largely historical British social class consisting of land owners. Those in this class often worked as administrators of their own lands, while others became public, political and armed forces figures. The word "gentry" itself is defined as a "well-born, genteel and well-bred" person and one of high social class. While the word "yeoman" normally described a farmer who owned his land. Members of the yeomanry were not obliged to serve overseas without their individual consent. The gentry lacked hereditary titles, but exercised extensive political influence at the local level. Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace were usually chosen from among the gentry. The gentry were regarded as "gentlemen". Below the gentry was the yeomanry who farmed at least fifty acres of freehold land and had an income of at least 40 shillings, the income required for voting in Parliamentary elections.

While being of noble landed gentry and yeomanry was a well respected social position it was one that those who held it never obtained the official right to bear a Coat of Arms. Despite this, and on a whim, one day Tallen sat down and quickly drew what he wanted his to look like. He decided upon using a Celtic Cross and Taloned Claws. The Celtic Cross was chosen to represent his heritage as well as his belief in God. While the Taloned Claws were chosen to signify the strength and grip of an eagle to which Tallen thought that to be a majestic animal spirit guide. In medieval times, the Celtic Cross symbol was used as a public monument much like present-day Christians often place a cross atop a church. Irish legend says that the Celtic Cross was first introduced by Saint Patrick, who was attempting to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. Some of these pagans worshiped the sun, so it is said that he combined the Christian Cross with the circular pattern of the sun as a way to associate light and life with the Christian Cross in the minds of his converts. Another story has him marking the pagan symbol of the moon goddess, a circle, with a cross, and blessing the stone, making the first Celtic Cross. Another theory suggests that, by laying the symbol of the cross over the symbol of the sun, Christians were illustrating the supremacy of Christ over the sun god or moon goddess. Others have said that the Celtic Cross is a Druid symbol appropriated by Christians.

Some had thought that Tallen included the Taloned Claws as a result of him suffering from an ancient affliction of unknown origin in his right hand that has been described as the shortening, thickening, and fibrosis of the palmar fascia producing a flexion deformity of a finger of which resulted in the hand resembling a "claw". Tradition has it that the disease originated with the Vikings, who spread it throughout Northern Europe and beyond as they traveled and intermarried. Because of this it is found mostly among those of northern European descent, which is why it has sometimes been called "Viking disease" and it has also been dubbed the "Celtic hand". After Tallen had became afflicted with this he was known to have worn a copper infused cloth on his hands that seemed to give him some temporary comfort. Because of this, some thought that perhaps he held some unknown mystical powers. This premise was further enhanced upon knowing about the dreams Tallen had too that were sometimes thought by John FitzStephen to have possibly been visions from that much distant future or perhaps even of those times passed.

Many years after his military and constabulary duties Tallen began working in one of those large marketplaces that were becoming popular at the time. At one place he was quickly promoted into a managerial role. And it was as a result of this line of work he met his future wife. After a few years and changes of working in various marketplaces Tallen began at one in which he stayed at for around fourteen years. Then one day the person in charge of this particular marketplace made the decision to unjustly terminate Tallen's employment. This came as a great blow to him and his family. Luckily for them though he was without employment for only around ten days. It wasn't long after starting at this other marketplace that it was determined that Tallen had extensive knowledge in several areas and was often utilized in an assortment of areas in that marketplace. Even some of Tallen's longtime customers from that previous marketplace began making purchases where he was now. Some of Tallen's fellow marketplace workers often joked with him as to which area he might be working in on any particular day. It is believed that since he had served in those previous military and constabulary positions that made him well suited and adaptable for this new line of work.

It was almost 30 years after Tallen's honorable duty in military service when he met and befriended another former Soldier of the time. This person had begun a mission to erect their Nation's Flag at the dwelling places of all of those who had served honorably. Tallen was very pleased to be the recipient of one and proudly flew that Flag each day. Also around the same time he met yet another former Soldier that was working to help others that had served their Country and were suffering from various conditions as a result of things seen in battle. This person was the owner of several acres of farmland, earlier described as a "yeoman" and he and others assisting him used it to give strength and foster independence and sustainable living habits for those who were struggling. As it often is, those who once served their Country continue to do so in some other form long after they had taken an Oath. It was almost as if that Oath never expired. Tallen admired and respected these two individuals for their dedication to other former Soldiers and made it a point to talk and share about them as often as he could.

Tallen's whereabouts were unknown for a long time prior to what is thought to be the year of his death in 1396, which would have made him 107. Being the simple man of noble landed gentry and yeomanry, he never sought fame or fortune but throughout his lifetime he gained the respect of most everyone he met. Many had thought that Tallen was some how related to the FitzStephen family but this has never been confirmed. Legend has it that there are some of the decedents of the FitzStephen family that on occasion Tallen has manifested himself in, even up to present day times. Tallen Cyenns, while his existence may not be an actuality, his personality certainly is.

"In this life one should have hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. But at times one may come to question everything that was once regarded as an absolute truth and consider the realization that everything you once believed in might not exist." - Tallen Cyenns