Warning
Contains spoilers for The Shade Between Shadows
Beatrice’s name means ‘voyager’ or ‘traveller.’ It is also related to her personal association with the brightest star in the sky, which is in actuality the planet Venus. The word ‘planet’ is itself derived from the Greek term “wandering star.”
Venus is variously known as the morning star and evening star. In The Seven Ravens, the heroine seeks assistance from the morning star in finding her lost brothers; the heroine of The Twelve Brothers bears a star upon her forehead (also referenced by Beatrice’s birthmark); and in Jane Eyre, Jane paints a fantastical portrait of the evening star, lamenting that she is unable to capture everything she beholds. Beatrice draws a similar image to express her sense of self. Beatrice’s surname, Elliott, is taken from Elliot Street in Liverpool, where she was found as an infant. Naming unidentified orphans after the place they were found was sometimes practised by 19th century orphanages. Elliott is also the alias taken by Jane Eyre while in hiding.
Beatrice’s mutism is inspired by the vow of silence taken by the protagonists of The Six Swans, The Twelve Brothers and The Wild Swans; themselves part of the wider fairy tale category ATU 451: The Brothers Who Were Turned into Birds (now known as The Maiden Who Seeks Her Brothers). Several characters’ essences carry symbolism. Linus’s is a mallard duck, known for their sexual aggressiveness; Sir Rudi’s is a goldfinch as a reference to the Rumpelstiltskin element of spinning gold; Mr Sweet’s is a teal duck as a reference to a detail in his fairy tale namesake Sweetheart Roland, where his beloved was turned into a duck; Rosahild’s is a falcon in allusion to Freyja’s cloak of feathers in Norse mythology, as well as being one of the fastest birds; Lady Hazel’s is a robin, known for their beauty and aggressiveness; and Tilda’s is a little owl, known for being unassuming, yet vicious.
Mr Holland is a corn merchant who invested in the Liverpool and Manchester Railway: the first inter-city rail link in the world, which opened in the early 1830s. In this vein, he is loosely inspired by real-life Liverpool merchant Joseph Sandars, who, like Mr Holland, lived in Pembroke Place. Beatrice sings songs in her head throughout the novel; most of which are Child Ballads. The first, when she is going to meet Mr Holland (and subsequently repeated several times), is The Twa Corbies, also known as The Three Ravens. The second, when she first enters Thornvale Castle, is Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight. This ballad features similarities to the fairy tales Fitcher’s Bird and Bluebeard, which are referenced in Edward’s character.
The date Beatrice was found as an infant, and which is used as her proxy date of birth, is 26th August. This is the same as my own birthday. Beatrice notes that Nightland joined the United Kingdom during the Acts of Union. Historically, these were passed in 1800 by the British and Irish Parliaments, and both Acts remain in force today, albeit with amendments and some repealed Articles. In the context of the novel, the mention of the Acts shows that Nightland was included alongside Ireland, resulting in the fictional United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland and Nightland.
Upon leaving Pembroke Place, Beatrice and Mr Lude pass the Bluecoat School. This is one of the few buildings of modern Liverpool which would have existed in 1838. Mr Lude’s name is taken from the fourteenth century Dean of Hamelin, Johannes de Lude, who was said to possess a chorus book containing an eyewitness account of the disappearance of the town’s children. The Pipers themselves are inspired by The Pied Piper of Hamelin, as well as several theories which attempt to explain the real historical disappearance. These theories include the suggestion that the piper was a medieval subcontractor who encouraged Germans to emigrate, or that the children were tricked into slave markets.
The Pipers are claimed to have been plying their trade of reclaiming greys since the thirteenth century. This corresponds with the actual date of the Hamelin disappearance (26th June 1284), with 130 people taken. The ferry which transports Beatrice out of Liverpool is the precursor to the modern Mersey Ferry service. The route mentioned in the novel ran between 1820-1870, and connected the city to the then-recent town of Birkenhead.
The Exchange was a building which existed in Chester between 1698-1862. Chester Town Hall now stands close to the site. The hundred pounds which Mr Lude initially offers for Beatrice’s indenture equates to roughly £11,370 in 2021. She is eventually sold for seventy pounds; roughly £7,960. The three pennies which Sir Rudi charges for her use of notebooks equates to roughly £13. The two hundred and fifty pounds Edward pays for her, Gretchen and Anselm equates to roughly £28,430.
Sir Rudi Stiltson is based on Rumpelstiltskin, particularly his appearance and position of spinning magical substances. His coat of arms bears reference to the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, including a spinning wheel, golden sheaf of straw, and three diamonds representative of the three trades made with the miller’s daughter. His title of 1st Baronet, the only British hereditary honour which is not a peerage, shows that he was created as such by the King so that he could directly service the Crown. Linus’s name means ‘flax’: a reference to his family’s profession as spinners and weavers.
Lady Hazel is inspired by both the miller’s daughter from Rumpelstiltskin (her maiden name is Miller), and the fairy tale The Hazel Branch, in which the titular branch protects the God-child from discovery. Gretchen’s mention of Der Gevatter Tod refers to the fairy tale Godfather Death. The story of the Reaper’s Touch, later recounted by Mr Sweet, is loosely inspired by it.
Nightcloaks are inspired by the shirts and mantles of various swan maidens which appear throughout folklore and mythology; most famously the Valkyries and the Children of Llyr, the latter of which is also connected to The Brothers Who Were Turned into Birds fairy tales. Another inspiration is the cloak of feathers worn by the Norse goddess Freyja, which allows her to shift into bird form. Nightwort, the fibre used as the basis of nightcloak fabric, burns to the touch in its raw form. This is an allusion to the process of creating the magical shirts of nettle and thistledown featured in The Wild Swans and The Six Swans.
Noctorum, the location of the Stiltson home, is the name of a village near to where I lived while writing the novel. Anselm and Gretchen are inspired by Hansel and Gretel. Their backstory of their parents surrendering them to feed themselves is based on the fairy tale of the same name. Their surname, Becker, is a German surname meaning ‘baker’: a reference to the gingerbread house.
Anselm and Gretchen’s essences both take the form of swans. As well as representing their loyalty to each other, this alludes to The Six Swans fairy tale, and also The Ugly Duckling, since the siblings are considered unattractive due to their goblin heritage. The use of lard to soothe dry and chapped hands was a real method employed during the 19th century. Other Victorian methods mentioned in the story include cleaning one’s teeth with charcoal, and knocker-uppers providing a waking service.
When preparing the Noctorum guest rooms, Beatrice shakes the bedding so the feathers ‘fly about like snowflakes.’ This is an allusion to the fairy tale Mother Hulda, in which the shaking of the title character’s pillows causes snow to fall. Linus’s remark concerning miasma, as well as the custom of leaving a window open at night regardless of weather, are references to the prevalent miasma theory of the early 19th century. Predating germ theory, the theory stated that illness was caused by unpleasant smells and vapours, and that the proper circulation of air was paramount in maintaining one’s health.
Many of the characters from Noctorum, including Anselm and Gretchen, suffer from cotton lung, also known as byssinosis. This was a common issue among textile mill workers in the 19th century, from constantly inhaling tiny fibres in the air. Beatrice notes the historical spiriting away of children for indentured servitude. In the mid-18th century, a thriving trafficking trade existed, selling prospective servants to North America and the Caribbean. The kidnappers were known as 'spirits.' Since this was prevalent only a few decades before Beatrice's time, she would be aware of such dealings.
Beatrice, Anselm and Gretchen becoming lost in the woods alludes to the dark forests of Hansel and Gretel and Snow White. The toxicity of bloodrose bears some similarities to deadly nightshade, which may have inspired the poisoned apple in Snow White. The plant's long spindle-like thorns are a reference to the spinning wheel in Sleeping Beauty.
The ruined Lunaton cathedral is inspired by the ruins of St John’s Church in Chester and St. Luke’s Church in Liverpool. Anselm explains that it was a Catholic cathedral which was destroyed, while Beatrice notes how Catholic relief (also known as Catholic Emancipation) did not begin until 1819, when Parliament allowed the reduction and removal of restrictions against Catholics in Britain. Anselm explains that he and Gretchen are originally from the Kingdom of Hanover: one of several territories in the German Confederation. Its ruling House had held a personal union with Britain since 1714, being ruled by Queen Victoria’s grandfather and uncles, until she herself ascended the throne in 1837.
The Nightland tradition of the youngest child inheriting is inspired by a theory for the cultural context of the Brothers Who Were Turned into Birds fairy tales. According to folklorist Jack Zipes, in the area and time period in which stories such as The Seven Ravens and The Twelve Brothers were collected, the women of a family were made heirs due to the sons being drafted into armies, and thus had no guarantee of survival. The Chester bridge crossed by Beatrice, Gretchen and Anselm is Grosvenor Bridge. The Kaleyard Gate, where the trio are captured, is also a real location in the city walls.
Beatrice’s remark about wishing to stamp hard enough to fall through the floor is a reference to the ending of Rumpelstiltskin, after the queen learns the secret of the title character’s name. Ironically, though Beatrice herself is unaware of it, this remark occurs when Sir Rudi has learned of her secret. The verse which Beatrice thinks of during her beating is a version of the traditional ballad John Barleycorn.
True to its name, Thornvale is located within a valley, and the castle is surrounded by large growths of bloodrose. It is also a reference to Thornfield Hall: the main setting of Jane Eyre. By extension, the bloodrose wall is a reference to the wall of thorns which grows around the castle in Sleeping Beauty. The tree-lined avenue leading to Thornvale Castle is inspired by the Long Walk at Windsor Castle.
Connor’s essence being a lapwing is a connection to his Irish heritage: the northern lapwing is regarded as one of the national symbols of the Republic of Ireland. The Red Room in which Beatrice sleeps is based on a similar location in Jane Eyre.
Edward is named after, and is loosely inspired by, Edward Fairfax Rochester from Jane Eyre. The name itself means ‘rich guard’: an allusion to the way he conceals the details of his intentions. Gideon’s name means ‘great warrior’ or ‘one who cuts down’. His actions against Rosahild in the Midnight War are inspired from the hero Gideon in the Old Testament, who led the outnumbered Israelites against the Midianites, defeated them, and killed their kings.
Edward and Gideon’s surname, Fitcher, is a reference to the fairy tale Fitcher’s Bird: a Germanic variant of Bluebeard, in which a powerful sorcerer instructs his new wife to not enter a specific room containing the corpses of his previous spouses. The symbol of the family references the fairy tale: a cage containing a single white feather. Here, the feather is derived from the suggested etymology of ‘Fitcher’ by the Brothers Grimm: “The Icelandic fitfuglar (swimming-bird), which looked as white as a swan.” Gideon’s essence is a house martin. This is a reference to the martlet symbol of English heraldry: a bird without feet, which is generally taken to be swifts and house martins. Martlets were used on the arms of younger sons to represent their landlessness and wandering. This is inverted for Gideon: as the elder son, Nightland custom dictates that he holds less power to inherit than his younger brother Edward.
Alba is inspired by Snow White. Her name means ‘white’; she is described as having ebony hair and always dressing in white clothes; and is placed into a deathlike sleep, during which she is displayed in a glass coffin. The detail of her being secretly kept in the topmost tower of Thornvale Castle, surrounded by a wall of thorns, is inspired by Sleeping Beauty, as well as by Bertha Mason’s imprisonment in the attic of Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre. Rosahild is inspired by Rose Red from Snow White and Rose Red, being Alba’s wilder sister. Her name means ‘battle rose’, and is a reference to the Valkyrie Brunhild, who can be taken as an early variant of the Sleeping Beauty story. Rosahild also draws inspiration from Freyja, Norse goddess of love, sexuality, war and death. Her red cap is a reference to Little Red Riding Hood, who is sometimes depicted as wearing a hat or chaperon rather than a cape. Further homages to Little Red Riding Hood are the royal family name, Wolfhart; and Rosahild’s army, the Order of the Wolf.
Roland Sweet is named after a character from the fairy tale Sweetheart Roland. His skill of playing the violin is taken from his folkloric counterpart. The butler and housekeeper of Thornvale Castle, Mr Crane and Mrs Rackham, are named after Walter Crane and Arthur Rackham: two influential artists who each famously illustrated Brothers Grimm fairy tales in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The moment Beatrice first sees Alba foreshadows the fact that she is not actually dead. As well as Alba appearing so fresh that she seems to be sleeping, condensation has gathered inside the glass coffin, as a result of her continuing to breathe. Alba’s passing and funeral are loosely inspired by those of Princess Charlotte of Wales in 1817. Charlotte, aunt to the future Queen Victoria, was held in high regard by the British people, compared to the others in the royal family, and she would have been queen had she not died at the age of 21. Her death led to an intense outpouring of grief across the kingdom, with the entire nation essentially shutting down for two weeks. A similar reaction is shown in Nightland, in response to Alba’s death.
Edward reveals that his father died during the Siege of San Sebastián, which took place in 1813. Since Edward is 28 in the novel, this shows he was three years old at the time. Gideon’s mention of Victoria’s interest in “some little Coburg prince,” whose family had “spread their seeds widely enough,” refers to Prince Albert, her future husband. The Coburgs included Victoria’s mother Victoire and her maternal uncle Leopold, King of the Belgians, who had previously been married to Victoria’s paternal aunt, Princess Charlotte. Leopold assisted in arranging the match between Victoria and Albert, in order to maintain English support for his young throne in Brussels.
Gideon mentions how King Ernest of Hanover attempted to change the kingdom’s constitution to suit himself, resulting in the protests by, and subsequent dismissal of, seven professors. These professors were known as the Göttingen Seven, and included Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. The song performed by Lady Hazel and Mr Sweet is the Child Ballad Barbara Allen.
Beatrice’s thought of England as a “green and pleasant land” is lifted from William Blake’s 1808 poem And did those feet in ancient time. This poem is best known today as the hymn Jerusalem. Lord Melbourne’s complaint of feeling ill the day before Victoria’s coronation is historically accurate. He was suffering from an upset stomach, which he medicated with brandy and laudanum: a common treatment of the period.
Many aspects of the coronation are historically accurate, including the ringing of bells into the early hours of the morning, the special scaffolding to hold onlookers, the 21-gun salute shortly before dawn, the coronation oath, and even Prince Esterhazy’s diamond-encrusted outfit. Victoria’s essence being a wren is symbolic of her journey to the throne. It refers to a legend of how all the birds held a contest that whoever flew highest would be their ruler, and while the eagle was originally presumed the winner, a tiny wren hid under his wing and soared above him at the highest point. Victoria herself was considered physically small and unassuming, and by some, unfit to be Queen; including several characters in the novel.
Although the waltz gained popularity during the Regency era, the physical closeness of the participants was seen as scandalous and shocking until shortly before Victoria’s reign began. This accounts for some of Beatrice’s alarm when Edward teaches her the dance. Beatrice’s shoes of Starmine crystal are inspired by the glass slippers from Cinderella. When Edward is seducing her, one of the shoes slips from her foot.
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