The nation of Barzun was conquered by Tortall in 378 HE, during the reign of King Jasson, giving Tortall control of the eastern coastline from Scanra to the southern delta of the River Drell.[1] Before being conquered, it had been situated to the south of Tortall and extended over the whole of the Great Southern Desert to the shore of the Great Inland Sea.[2]
Queen Jessamine, wife of King Roger II was a princess of Barzun.[3]
Politics and culture[]
In the 200s HE, Barzun seemed to be interested in procuring long-standing peace with its northern neighbor, and arranged for a marriage between one of their princesses, Jessamine, and the King of Tortall. It is unknown what exact provisions they got from this marriage, but Queen Jessamine is an ancestor of the entire Conté family in the 400s HE.
Deirdry Noll mentioned Barzun when expressing pretend sympathy for Rolond Lofts who was murdered by the Shadow Snake. She said that taking anger at a man out on his child was something that would happen in Scanra or Barzun, not Tortall.[4]
Economy[]
Not much is known about Barzun's economy except for the manufacture of perfumes and cosmetics. Hanse Remy often purchased makeup and perfume in Barzun for the Amber Orchid while guarding merchant caravans traveling there.[5]
Trade was likely a large part of their economy as well.[6]
Appearances[]
Barzun is often mentioned, but never appears, in the Provost's Dog books. It appears as the Great Southern Desert, part of Tortall, in the Song of the Lioness books.
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Trickster's Choice, p. 6
- ↑ Terrier, Glossary (pg. 576; Random House paperback)
- ↑ http://tpwords.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/king-roger-ii-and-his-wives
- ↑ Terrier, Wed Apr 1, 246 (pg. 47; Random House ebook)
- ↑ Bloodhound, Ch. 14
- ↑ Bloodhound, Ch. 12