A report of the events at Debatable Lands 12th Night, submitted by Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope
Baroness Constance and her sister, Lady Sarab, in gowns crafted by Lady Sarab. Photo by Mistress Hilderun Hugelmann.
The Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands’ Twelfth Night on January 17th was chock-filled with activities. The day began with a short Royal Court at which Their Majesties gave awards to several good gentles and then bid the attendees gather for a short “Get Well” video to be sent to Lady Ruadh mac Aodha, sister of Baroness Constance Glyn Dŵr and Lady Sarab bint Alima, who is in the hospital recovering from injuries received in a serious vehicle accident a week before the event. Then gentles scattered to partake of the pot luck feast, try their hand at arts and crafts run by Lady Aíbell ingen Chernacháin, shop the many merchant tables, peruse the entries in the A&S competition, taste the brews made available at the Taster’s Tavern hosted by THL Madoc Arundel, or just schmooze with friends.
Later in the day, Lady Ceindrech verch Elidir ran a pillow fight tourney in which numerous children and teens waged ferocious combat with stuffed animals as well as pillows. Even His Majesty, ever competitive, went pillow-á-pillow with some of the other combatants.
King Titus vs. Lord Hartman. Photo by Mistress Hilderun.
THLord Sionn the Lost taught dancing to an eager crowd of teens and adults, then Their Excellencies Baron Liam and Baroness Constance were faced with the daunting task of choosing a Baronial Bard from among the many talented performers. Entrants told stories, sang songs, and played instruments as they entertained the populace.
As the afternoon wore on, there was a hotly contested gift exchange, and a performance by the Debatable Choir, which led into the Baronial and Royal Courts.
The Debatable Choir performs a concert of renaissance choral music. Photo by THL Ishiyama Gentarou Yori’ie.
Their Excellencies recognized Lady Hara Kikumatsu as their new Baronial Champion for her Japanese garment, and thanked Lady Sumayya al Ghaziyya for her service as the outgoing A&S Champion and winner of the Seven Pearls A&S Competition.
Lady Hara Kikumatsu, Baronial A&S Champion. Photo by THL Ishiyama.
Lady Bugga Bilibit, outgoing Baronial Bard, spoke for herself and her Bardic co-Champion, Master William de Montegilt, who was too ill to attend the event, in recapping the bardic competition. Their Excellencies announced that they had selected Lady Silence de Cherbourg as their new Bardic Champion, to great applause.
Then Lady Abbatissa Dreye di Banbury was called to announce the results of the Baronial Brewing Championship. His Excellency Liam noted that he had asked Sir Thorgrim Skullsplitter to judge this competition along with Baroness Constance, as His Excellency does not partake of alcohol. Lord Valaric Dalicieux was chosen as the winner; although he lives in St. Swithin’s Bog, Baron Liam noted that there is no prohibition on having a champion from another Barony, and since there’s no Seven Pearls Brewing competition, Lord Valaric wouldn’t have to worry about competing against his own Barony.
Springerle cookies by Lady Luceta di Cosimo, which won King’s Choice in the cookie competition. Photo by Mistress Hilderun.
Their Excellencies recognized a number of gentles with baronial awards, as well as announcing the winners of the cookie contest and heraldic quest. The Canton of Steltonwald generously gifted the Barony with a large sum of money, as their coffers had been well fed in the previous year. The auction of useful things also brought in a goodly sum. But the highlight of the baronial court was when Their Excellencies bestowed the Barony’s highest award, the Copernicus, on THLady Elss of Augsburg. Her Ladyship has autocratted five 12th Nights, cooked feasts at many other events, performed with the commedia troup i Genisii, and served as Baronial Chronicler and a Thrown Weapons Marshal. Their Excellencies noted that all of the other members of the Order of the Copernicus are peers, so THLady Elss would be in august company.
During Kingdom Court, Their Majesties recognized many gentles for service or skill in the martial and peaceful arts. They also recognized Lord Madison Morai for his brewing, noting that his Apple Strudel Cordial had won both the populace choice competition and the Queen’s Choice.
In addition, They welcomed several newcomers attending their first event, instructing the populace to chant with Them to these new gentles, “We like you and we want you to come back!”
Court ended with multiple renditions of “Happy Birthday” for those gentles whose birthdays had recently been celebrated.
The evening was capped off with more dancing led by THLord Sionn, to music provided by the Debatable Consort.