Cool! Thanks for the breakdown :) I apologize for any offense to Fitzchen. :)

>>>But how old is Hannalore?
>per the 'other witches' profile section on the >>OWaW page - so, 45.

OK, missed that page (sorry & thanks). So yeah she is about 15 years older than I had in my head.

>it may be worth noting that what she said was, "I will
>not bear you heirs," and not, "I cannot bear you heirs."

Well the original statement could be interrupted as either or both

>Hannelore has no interest in being anyone's dynastic baby machine.

I think very few people like to be thought of as primary a dynastic baby machine.
I could see her wanting to have children for the sake of love, family and to pass on her gift of magic (if magic is tied to bloodlines).
But nothing written has indicated that that is a priority. This just confirms it. She is nothing if not practical.

>In practical terms, that's a significant factor for Fritz to consider
>- it runs directly counter to the reason he agreed to marry in the
>first place.
>--G.

Oh most definitely, Fitzchen is definitely caught between Love and Duty here. And Hannalore doesn't seem like the type to share once a commitment has been made. So there isn't an option of a consort to bear an heir. And Hannolore does't strike me at the type to be the "consort"; again I don't blame her at all. But it wouldn't be totaly crazy idea for the time period.
I agree that neither Fitzchen nor Hannalore are the types to "sink" to that, cuz if Fitzchen had been, there probably wouldn't be this pressure now ;)

As for the record, I hope he goes for love over duty and at some point down the line they get a lucky break ;) But I kinda fear for karlsland if his line doesn't continue; still love over duty they deserve it!

Switching gears, writing a period piece is hard, because so many ideas, norms, and opinions have changed since then compared to now. As usual, it is done very well.
You have me caring about this characters, especially since I haven't seen the source material. So well done sir!

"When you have eliminated the
impossible, whatever remains,
however improbable, must be the
truth." - Sherlock Holmes