An Introduction to the Eastern Territory
Posted: Tue, 2010.03.09 11:33
The Eastern Territory covers parts of North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio, as well as the entire states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland and Delaware, in the US. It also covers all of Labrador, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, on the Canadian side of the border. Witches and Wizards raised here are usually schooled at the Salem Witches' Institute.
Wizards of the Eastern Territory are frequently even more uptight and traditional than their counterparts on the other side of the pond. As the territory was primarily settled by Wizarding deists and Muggles who feared magic, there is a strong tradition of secrecy and attribution of magical talent to the Christian god. Many Wizards of the Eastern Territory speak of directing miracles, rather than casting spells, and Wizarding traditions have fallen under strong Puritan covers, in much the fashion that the Crypto-Jews of Spain "converted" to Catholicism.
Wizarding villages in the region frequently appear as Amish towns, and the inhabitants are, in fact, generally Amish. They have no need for the fast-paced interruptions of Muggle society, because their magic -- generally referred to as 'the grace of God' -- provides everything outside the basic necessities. They are self-contained magical communities that trade with both other Wizarding villages and Muggle Amish villages. As far as they are concerned, they are no different from their neighbours, but only from the city-folk.
However, as in England, the presence of Wizarding villages in no way excludes Wizarding areas of major cities or Wizards distributed among the Muggle populace. Clearly, not all or even most Wizards in the region are Amish, but they do make up a sufficiently significant portion to warrant mention.
Reasons for Wizards of the Eastern Territory to return to England and join the Knights of Walpurgis Death Eaters frequently revolve around genealogy and wanting to learn the roots of their traditions, by returning to the source. Voldemort's ideals can be particularly appealing to Wizards who have been raised under such strong restraints from the Muggle world.
One of these days, I'll finish writing this.
Naming Conventions
Generally speaking, names in this area reflect an adherence to very different traditions than European wizards' names. While, in Europe, astronomical, mythological, and Latin names are frequently used, in the Eastern Territory, Biblical, German, English, and Hebraic names are much more common.
Examples
Faith Endicott
Rebecca Gower
Make-peace Palmer
Ann Talbot
Nathaniel Bishop
Hosea Bancraft
Lamentation Ward
John Emery
Sources
- A Catalogue of the Names of the First Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut
- Biblical Names
- Puritan Names
- More Puritan Names
- Saints' Names
- Late 16th Century English Surnames
Wizards of the Eastern Territory are frequently even more uptight and traditional than their counterparts on the other side of the pond. As the territory was primarily settled by Wizarding deists and Muggles who feared magic, there is a strong tradition of secrecy and attribution of magical talent to the Christian god. Many Wizards of the Eastern Territory speak of directing miracles, rather than casting spells, and Wizarding traditions have fallen under strong Puritan covers, in much the fashion that the Crypto-Jews of Spain "converted" to Catholicism.
Wizarding villages in the region frequently appear as Amish towns, and the inhabitants are, in fact, generally Amish. They have no need for the fast-paced interruptions of Muggle society, because their magic -- generally referred to as 'the grace of God' -- provides everything outside the basic necessities. They are self-contained magical communities that trade with both other Wizarding villages and Muggle Amish villages. As far as they are concerned, they are no different from their neighbours, but only from the city-folk.
However, as in England, the presence of Wizarding villages in no way excludes Wizarding areas of major cities or Wizards distributed among the Muggle populace. Clearly, not all or even most Wizards in the region are Amish, but they do make up a sufficiently significant portion to warrant mention.
Reasons for Wizards of the Eastern Territory to return to England and join the Knights of Walpurgis Death Eaters frequently revolve around genealogy and wanting to learn the roots of their traditions, by returning to the source. Voldemort's ideals can be particularly appealing to Wizards who have been raised under such strong restraints from the Muggle world.
One of these days, I'll finish writing this.
Naming Conventions
Generally speaking, names in this area reflect an adherence to very different traditions than European wizards' names. While, in Europe, astronomical, mythological, and Latin names are frequently used, in the Eastern Territory, Biblical, German, English, and Hebraic names are much more common.
Examples
Faith Endicott
Rebecca Gower
Make-peace Palmer
Ann Talbot
Nathaniel Bishop
Hosea Bancraft
Lamentation Ward
John Emery
Sources
- A Catalogue of the Names of the First Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut
- Biblical Names
- Puritan Names
- More Puritan Names
- Saints' Names
- Late 16th Century English Surnames