The Bucket Debacle
One of the most memorable duels in the history of Vilender was one fought between families of Edgar Fulker and Torben Costen. The legendary battle, known to the future generations by the name of The Bucket Debacle. And it all starts with a bucket of blueberries.
The Conflict
Prelude
In year 3804, Kingdom of Vilender was experiencing a rise in the economy, especially in the agricultural front. Since the signing of the First Saldarn Treaty in 3799, Vilender had been introduced to several new crops and new species of old ones, that had a significant impact to the country for years to come. However, in these early years, a competition was particularly harsh, and it started the most peculiar conflict with two wealthy families in the city of Vilsel, families know as the Fulkers and the Costens.
Fulkers and Costens were wealthy landowners in Vilsel, known from its excellent agriculture. The spring and summer had been particularly stressful, due to unpredictable weather, mild drought and later increased amount of crickets in the area. Lands of Fulker and Costen were near to one another, and there had been some minor incidents between the families in the years, but the early year had been particularly sour: daughter of Torben Costen, Evelien, had become pregnant out of wedlock, and son of Edgar Fulker, Nathan, had been eyeing on Evelien for a good while.
Torben accused the boy of seducing his daughter and kept pestering Fulkers to take responsibility by being persistently obnoxious. Edgar was upset by this and eventually snapped, proclaiming to Torben:
"With those buck teeth and frog eyes, your daughter should be happy that any man would desire her at all. My Nathan wouldn't touch that creature even with a ten feet pole. Get off my back."
Torben was upset by this, and the family relations since then had been very salty, but everything escalated in an unexpected way in 13rd of Jul.
Jarl Josias Broug whose court was located in Vilsel, proclaimed that in 7th of Aug, he would be holding a great feast and they were looking for a provider for the tasty treats offered in such event. Family able to offer the best food would be promoted by the jarl, and such honour was greatly coveted. And Edgar and Torben, as two richest and renowned producers, were particularly sure this would be the opportunity for them to shine.
As jarl's advisor was having a stroll through the market in this fine Wednesday, making first check-ups to the fruits and vegetables offered by different families, they stopped to converse with Elmer Costen (Torben's elder son) that was, with their workers, taking care of the stall the family had on the market place - a stall that stood next to the stall of the Fulker family.
While advisor was having a chat with Elmer, Lottie Fulker, Edgar Fulker's wife and mother of Nathan was scolding one of their workers for their clumsiness. She slapped the misbehaving boy and small barrel boy had been carrying dropped on the ground and started roll towards the stall of the Costen's. Barrel hit the stall and caused a table to move, sending several products scattering around: and one fateful bucket, filled to a brim with freshly picked, beautiful blueberries that toppled on the advisors fine and expensive cape, that got absolutely ruined in the process, causing the advisor to storm off, furious.
Elmer Costen was furious, claiming that Lottie Fulker had tripped the boy on purpose to further humiliate his family, while Lottie Fulker would blame that the Costens had a bad quality stall anyways and were just trying to make up excuses to hate on the Fulkers. Eventually, Lottie started to throw Elmer with turnips while Elmer would throw corns of the Fulkers on the ground and told he would shove one in the Lottie Fulker's behind.
On that moment, the war had begun.
The Engagement
For the next 19 days, nothing in Vilsel was safe. In the same night of the starting incident, some of the Costens caused ruckus by throwing a bucket from one of the windows of Fulker household, and let one of their horses loose. Next night, some of the Fulkers would go and topple the cows of the Costens, tying a bucket as a muzzle for Costen's price cow, that very much pissed for weeks and only made sour milk during the time.
Costens would come early in the morning to the market, and pour buckets of charcoal on the Fulker's spot, leaving buckets there as a reminder of the incidents. One of the Fulkers went and bit a piece of every apple on the Costen's stall, and toppled a bucket as they went. Costens replied by pouring veggie oil on the ground before the Fulker's stall, causing several people to trip on themselves. The small things turned to bigger things, that would become more and more disrupting also for their other neighbours.
Eventually, Costens let two dozen rabbits make havoc on the lands of Fulkers, causing a lot of destruction on their crops. Fulkers replied by collecting swarm of crickets and dumping those on the lands of the Costens. Both rabbits and crickets proved to be hard to get rid of, and they multiplied and started to cause trouble to neighbouring fields as well.
Outcome
After weeks of havoc, citizens of Vilsel finally got enough of this horseplay, and took the matter to jarl Josias Broug, who got absolutely furious. He commanded Edgar Fulker and Torben Costen to come before him, and scolded both, demanding them to cover all the expense caused by their childish feud for the citizens of Vilsel. Due to their childish attempt to use buckets as the sign of their feuds, the two men were taken to the streets rolled in tar and feathers, only wearing buckets on their heads as they marched.
Jarl decided to give the privilege of providing to his party to Westerhof family, that excellently provided fine foods for the event.
It is told that Nathan Fulker and Evelien Costen took their child and ran from home that night, got married and started their life together somewhere else, where they did not need to stand their parent's quarrel.
Aftermath
The harvest of Vilsel 3804 turned worse than expected, causing temporary food shortage on the area. Costens and Fulkers ended up in deep debts, and would step side from the large markets. Westerhof family would end up massing fortunes, and would eventually end up as one of the richer families in the region, and played an important part on the events that turned Kingdom of Vilender from absolute monarchy to a constitutional one.
Historical Significance
Legacy
While at the time, the Bucket Debacle was a serious and unfortunate event, it is seen by later generations with a sense of hilarity. Event has inspired comedies, both plays and books, art, poetry and some common sayings in the local population. The practice of putting those who have done ill wearing a bucket on their head as a sign of shame has spread and become quite common practice.
It's interesting how such a weird, hilarious series of events can have such serious consequences. This is a really well thought out article. I love the quote, too. XD