I look back on my term as Sylvan Signet of the Glorious Kingdom of Æthelmearc​ in wonder. Through the position I have met and worked with some of the most amazing and talented artists in the Known World.

This started 5 years ago when Duncan von Halstern​ and Ilish O’Donovan​ said “Sure, let’s hire her” when my name was presented to them to take over for the Retiring Gillian​. They have the first of my thanks. I also give thanks to all the Royalty that I have served under: Christopher and Morgen, Isenwulf and Rosalinda​, Andreas and Kallista, Khalek and Branwyn, Maynard and Liadain, Timothy and Gabrielle​, Tindal and Etain; and Titus Germanicus​ and Anna Leigh. I learned a great deal from all of them and hope that they too feel that a friendship has formed.

But I could not have done the job without my various deputies. To Marija Kotok​, Giana di Aurelio, and Sthurrim Caithness, who at some point stood as my drop deads, I told you I wouldn’t do it. To my education deputies Giana and Yvianne, thank you for coordinating classes for Heralds and Scribes. To my Pennsic University Coordinator Matilda Bosvyle​, you were a godsend, thank you for helping to increase the reputation of the scribes of our Kingdom. To Filippo​ and Anna Leigh​, who were my fund raising deputies – because of your works we were able to host the known world at Pennsic. And to Giana and Juliana Rosalia Dolce di Sienna, my webministers, thank you for the work you did to make our website better.

Also a big thank you to my Heralds, Master Brandubh and Master Kamishima – thank you for being the Yang to my Yin in making court happen smoothly and being a sounding board when I needed.

To Kayleigh MacWhyte, Marguerite Louise Gingraix​ and Augusta Weyfare​ – fellow Signets who helped me at times throughout my terms.

A big thank you to Baroness Alexandra dei Campagnella, who agreed to take this job after me. I know I leave the office and its people in good hands.

And finally, a thank you to the ones I could not have done this without… my scribes. I am awe at the skill, talent, dedication and generosity that you have all shared. The scribes of Æthelmearc are the Kingdom’s true jewels. These fine folks have produced 1599 scrolls in the last 4.25 years. They worked under all kinds of pressure, usually short notice being the biggest. They were given an average of 37 days to make unique one of a kind scrolls (more often than not, it was closer to 15 or fewer days) to help make someone’s special moment even more special. These are the unsung heroes that deserve the praise and rewards for my term. No matter how long I am gone from the office I will always think of you as MY scribes. I can only hope that I was able to serve you well.

To the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, my home and the best Kingdom a person could hope to live and work in, I thank you for being you and appreciating the scribal arts as strongly as you do. Don’t forget to thank your scribe.

Sincerely,

Ekat
Sylvan Signet of Æthelmearc, Rtd.