This day of May the First ushered in a glorious new tradition as Duchess Dorinda Courtenay was elevated as the first Æthelmearc Mistress of Defense (and what could well be the first in the Known World since we believe the Lochac Masters were made on May 2, being far ahead of us in hours).

The Gazette will post a full story later this weekend, but suffice it to say that it was a day filled with fencing followed by a most moving elevation ceremony.

Vivat to Duchess Dorinda!