Viriconium (series of books)

Last modified: 2006-10-07 by marc pasquin
Keywords: book | novel | viriconium | northmen |
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• Introduction
• Viriconium
• The Northmen

• Fictional flags in books
• Fictional flags

The series is part of the Dying Earth subgenre of science fiction, popularized by Jack Vance in the 50's and characterized by a setting in the very far future, in the twilight of the planet, usually in decadent, foundering societies haunted by past glories. Harrison brought to this a postmodern touch, subtly shifting times, events, and places for a certain paradoxical dreamlike quailty--as he says, "Viriconium is never the same place twice."
Eugene Ipavec, 16 february 2006

Reconstruction by Eugene Ipavec, 16 february 2006. Based on an image by Vincent Morley

Appears several times in short story "The Dancer from the Dance." It is said to be a "...black cross on a red and white flag." This is somewhat vague, but lends itself to being interpreted as a white and red bicolor. Harrison is English, so I have taken the liberty of borrowing the English flag.
Eugene Ipavec, 16 february 2006

Reconstruction by Eugene Ipavec, 16 february 2006. Based on cliparts from heraldicclipart.com

Tribes with a long-term grudge against Viriconium that take part in a bloody dynastic war in the novella The Pastel City. The flag is not described in one place, but can be reconstructed from fragmentary descriptions scattered about the piece:

• The arms of the pretender to the Viriconese throne, Canna Moidart, are given (on a coin) as "wolf's head beneath three towers."
• The wolf's head is described as "wine-red" and as being on a black background in the form of a painted badge on a Northern aircraft at the end of the novel.
• The use of these arms on a banner is mentioned during the battle between Lord Waterbeck's troops and the Northerners outside Duirinish.