The Five Towers

Historical Epilogue

The Five Towers is fiction inspired by fantasy, faith, and history. Many characters grew out of rich stories from the past. This note offers brief historical snapshots for prominent characters, in chronological order. Some names are omitted or changed to protect the innocent.

Helena (248-330 AD): Helena of Constantinople is a legend and mystery of history. Long ago Saint Ambrose wrote that she was a young stabularia, which can mean either innkeeper or stable maid. She likely met the future emperor Constantius while he was fighting a campaign in Asia Minor. Some sources refer to Helena as the emperor’s concubine, while others say they were officially married. In any case, Constantius eventually left Helena for a woman of higher birth. Helena’s son Constantine became the first Christian emperor. Helena found what was believed to be the True Cross and other relics while in Jerusalem. She is considered today to be a saint.

Crispus (295-326): Flavius Julius Crispus was the son of Emperor Constantine and, through many military victories, rose to become Caesar of the Roman Empire. Historians believe he had a close relationship with his father. One historian writes that Crispus was “an Imperator most dear to God and in all regards comparable to his father.” Yet, after allegations of an affair with his father’s wife, Crispus was condemned to death and executed.

Karl (748-814): Charles the Great, known today as Charlemagne, was born as prince of the Franks and rose to be the first Holy Roman Emperor. Through almost constant warfare, he united all Germanic peoples into one kingdom. He fervently followed Augustine’s “City of God” and converted those he conquered to Christianity, with penalty of death to those who refused to be baptized. In 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as emperor. Many consider him the Father of Europe. 

Fugger (1459-1525): Jakob Fugger was an extremely wealthy German businessman. His decision to loan money to one archbishop and the ensuing events led Martin Luther to publish his 95 theses, which was a catalyst for the Christian Reformation. He funded kings and popes, backed wars, and helped propel the Hapsburgs to become the most important dynasty in Europe. Some historians call him the most influential businessman of all time. 

Kiyo (1563-1600): Hosokawa Tama lived in medieval Japan. She married young and had five children. Her father betrayed and killed the Japanese leader, Oda Nobunaga, putting her life in danger. Her husband sent her into hiding in the mountains. In the face of intense persecution across the country, she secretly visited a church where she was baptized and given the name Gracia. Rival lords later invaded Osaka castle and attempted to take her hostage. She died in the conflict; her family household committed seppuku as the castle burned. Fictional context for Kiyo’s story can be found in novels such as Silence by Shusaku Endo and Shogun by James Clavell. 

Omaki (1584-1645): Miyamoto Musashi was a Japanese swordsman and philosopher. He was renowned for wielding a double-bladed sword to win 61 duels without a single loss. He authored The Book of Five Rings, which discusses the craft of war, strategy, and martial arts. Although he was not the grandson of Kiyo, her son Omaki embodied many of Musashi’s principles.

Seneca (1743-1833): Mary Jemison was born aboard a ship from Ireland to America. Her family settled on the frontier in Pennsylvania, where she enjoyed happy childhood days. At age fifteen, however, during the French and Indian War, Native American warriors captured her family. The Seneca tribe purchased Mary. She integrated, married, and took the name Dehgewanus. She moved to a valley near the Genesee River. Her husband died, but she remained among the Seneca people. She became known as the “Old White Woman of the Genesee.”

Hank (1743-1805): Many early American pastors lived on the frontier. They were plain-folk itinerants and circuit-riders. A good horse was paramount to their work. Saddlebags often carried no more than a watch, a change of clothes, boots, a Bible, and a hymnal. One such itinerant, Henry Smith, was overtaken by a snowstorm on the frontier. His journal entry recorded that his “lot was hard, and wept,” but that the following day he preached to a small town and a person was saved. Other inspiration for Hank’s story came from the folksy ballad Long Black Veil.

Tom (1743-1826): Thomas Jefferson, the Founding Father and third U.S. President, wrote for his epitaph: “Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the statue of Virginia for religious freedom, and father of the University of Virginia.” Debates about his views on religion, slavery, and Sally Hemings have lasted two centuries and show few signs of stopping.

Napoleon (1769-1821): Napoleon Bonaparte rose in power like few others in history. Born in Corsica, he led French armies during the French Revolutionary Wars. He became Emperor of France in 1804, at the age of 35, saying, “I am Charlemagne.” Many regard him as one of the greatest military commanders in history, and his liberal legal system, the Napoleonic Code, has shaped the modern world. His failed invasion of Russia ultimately led to his exile, and he died on the remote island of Saint Helena. In exile he reflected: “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself founded great empires; but upon what did the creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions would die for Him….”

Sally (1775-1835): Sarah “Sally” Hemings is believed to be the daughter of John Wayles and his slave Betty Hemings. If so, Sally was three-quarters European and a half-sister to Martha Jefferson. As Martha’s property she joined Thomas Jefferson’s estate. After Martha died, it is widely believed that Thomas and Sally began a long-term relationship and had six children. Controversy and speculation about this relationship began in the 1790s and continues to this day.

Emma (1810-1840): The idea of Emma Chamberlain was born in the works of the Brontë sisters, Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights, as you prefer. Charlotte Brontë was an Anglican who once wrote in a letter: “if your lips and mine could at the same time, drink the same draught from the same pure fountain of Mercy—I hope, I trust, I might one day become better, far better, than my evil wandering thoughts, my corrupt heart, cold to the spirit, and warm to the flesh will now permit me to be.” Emma would have said the same with her royal dignity.

Baron (1839-1937): John Davison Rockefeller was an American titan and one of the richest men in history. He rose from poverty and steadily earned his wealth in the oil industry through shrewd business moves and fortunate timing. He often quarreled with his youngest brother Frank, who had fought in the Civil War, never succeeded in business, and depended on John’s generosity. Rockefeller became a frequent target of criticism as a symbol of the robber barons, and he was known to hold a grudge and flame with selfish indignation. But in private he was a kind family man and devout churchgoer. His vast philanthropy has left its mark on the world. Historian Ron Chernow writes of Rockefeller: “What makes him problematic…is that his good side was every bit as good as his bad side was bad. Seldom has history produced such a contradictory figure.”

Neville (1869-1940): Neville Chamberlain served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the start of World War II. History remembers him for signing a concession to Germany that preceded German attack against Poland and beyond. Many claim that his weakness and failure to prepare contributed to the outbreak of war. He resigned in 1940, replaced by Winston Churchill, and died only six months after stepping down from his position. One historian observes that expecting Neville’s reputation to be restored “is rather like hoping that Pontius Pilate will one day be judged as a successful provincial administrator of the Roman Empire.”

Max (1980-2060?): Max and his daughter, Li Min—or others quite like them—live today under oppression. The Communist Party of China represses freedoms and increasingly monitors citizens in every aspect of life, even using a “Social Credit System” to score its citizens. It may not be long before resistance against this authoritarian regime arises, perhaps led by someone like Max. Technology’s danger grows dire without freedom.

Cipher (1982-2065?): No one like Paul Fitzroy, the hero of the Five Towers, has made it yet into Earth’s history books. But perhaps someone will. Dr. Fitzroy was a brilliant neurosurgeon who used his unique drive and skills to study the mysteries of the human brain and nanotechnology. This sparked breakthroughs for a computer chip that could be installed in the mind, enhancing humans’ processing abilities to levels never before imagined. As to whether this was a good thing, and how it might relate to the end of the world, a great place to look is another series by J.B. Simmons, The Omega Trilogy. You can find it on Amazon here: https://bit.ly/OmegaTrilogy.