Cordelia

11×14″
private collection.

Cordeleia of Kronin (1440 – 1504)
A carnival performer since childhood, she was raised in a nomadic tribe known as Brothers of the Serpent — infamous for gambling, grave robbing, and juggling. It was during her acrobatic horse riding at a festival that she caught the eye of a wealthy architect and was sold to him by her uncles. She had a small career as a courtesan to wealthy, but politically unimportant men. While drunk on ginger ale at a ball, she began to strip her clothes, and perform her acrobatic routine for the guests. She was an overnight success; invited to perform in most affluent homes of the day. She was no longer dependant on wealthy partners, but became trapped into supporting relatives who squandered her fortune. When her youth faded, she went back to her horse routine performing for carnivals.

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