The Beaver King, Cautionary Tales of Medieval Dysfunction

Once the Little Lords began regular practice under the supervision of the Field Wardens at the Concordant Grappling Circles, improvement followed.

They learned the forms and holds. They learned balance, leverage, and controlled movement. The Field Wardens were knowledgeable and fair. Instruction was age-appropriate. Corrections were explained, and the matches were moderated. For boys of their age this was ordinary participation. It was structured, social, and safe. They took pride in progress earned through instruction and repetition.

This portion of their involvement did not cause harm.

Within the Circles, weight functioned as a practical measure. While age was considered, placement was governed primarily by size to promote safety and fairness. Weight classes were descriptive rather than evaluative. Movement between classes occurred naturally and without commentary. Within sanctioned practice, the system functioned as intended.

The harm began when the measure was removed from the Circle and imposed upon the household. There, weight ceased to be neutral and became a target. King Robert redefined weight as a measure of worth, effort, and obedience. Numbers were no longer descriptive. They were directive.

Weigh-ins were conducted at home. They were frequent, observed, and compulsory. The three eldest boys were monitored without allowance for growth, fatigue, or circumstance. Normal fluctuation was treated as failure. Loss was praised. Gain was challenged.

Food intake was regulated accordingly. Only one meal per day was permitted. Portions were required to be weighed before consumption. Protein was restricted to a single source. Chicken was the only meat allowed. No substitutions were offered. No consideration was given to exertion, age, or developmental need.

When a boy’s weight approached a threshold deemed unacceptable, he was presented with a choice: eight ounces of water or eight ounces of chicken. This was framed as agency. It was not.

Water was treated as expendable. King Robert stated that “water weight was the easiest to get off.” Hydration was therefore restricted deliberately. Thirst was encouraged. Dehydration was treated as strategy rather than harm.

Exercise was added beyond sanctioned practice. Workouts occurred outside Circle hours and without oversight from Field Wardens. These sessions were corrective rather than instructional. Repetition was emphasized over recovery. Fatigue was treated as evidence of insufficient effort.

This regimen did not apply evenly. The youngest child was largely excluded due to age, but was still on a diet restriction. The three eldest bore the full weight of expectation. Their bodies were treated as projects requiring constant adjustment. Growth was managed rather than accommodated.

Language reinforced the control. Deviation was described as being “soft,” “heavy,” or “lazy.” Hunger was reframed as discipline. Discomfort was reframed as improvement. Eating ceased to be restorative and became conditional.

No physicker was consulted. No nutritional instruction was sought. No training regarding child development was undertaken.

One incident extended beyond the household. On a morning prior to attendance at the Parish Primer Hall, Brystin the I was denied breakfast at home. No substitute was provided and no explanation was offered to the little fellow. Upon arrival, he cried repeatedly and told the Learning Mothers that he was hungry. His statements were consistent and unprompted. He described lack of food.

The Learning Mothers, acting out of concern for the child’s welfare, alerted authorities in Vireholt. The matter was referred to the Magistrate of Domestic Order. This was not the first time the Magistrate had been summoned.

During the inquiry, King Robert addressed the children directly. He warned them that removal from the household could result from continued “misunderstanding.” Compliance was framed as protection.

Brystin the I was instructed on what he was to say. He was told that he had been meant to eat breakfast at the Primer Hall and that he had misunderstood the arrangement. This explanation was presented despite being inconsistent with the child’s statements and routine practice.

It was accepted. The investigation concluded without consequence.

The Dutchess of Non-Intervention took no action.

This incident reinforced the existing control. The children learned that hunger could be denied and later erased. That outside concern would be met with intimidation. That speaking plainly resulted in fear.

The practices described in this exhibit were not isolated misjudgments or lapses in understanding. They were sustained, intentional, and repeatedly reinforced despite clear signs of harm. By regulating food, water, exertion, and weight in growing children without medical guidance or restraint, King Robert imposed a regime incompatible with health and development. The resulting harm was neither incidental nor unforeseeable.

Exhibit B is entered as record of deliberate bodily deprivation imposed upon the Little Lords under the guise of discipline.