Documented from the Rolls and Files of the Coram Regibus of Thomas Byron et Ariella, Rex et Regina Æthelmearc: Being a True Record of the Business of Their Majesties’ Royal Court at the Bog Three-Day Event, 16 July, Anno Societatis LI, in the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog, accompanied by Their Heirs, Prince Marcus and Princess Margerite, and Their Excellencies Iago and Emilia of St. Swithin’s Bog. As recorded by Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald, with the assistance of the Honorable Lady Gytha Oggesdottir, silent herald, the Honorable Lady Caitilin ni Mhaolchonaire, and Master Orlando di Bene del Vinta.
In the morning, Their Majesties received Master Lodovic of Grey’s Inn. Upon confirming that it was indeed his wish to proceed, They brought forward Their Order of the Defense to conduct him to the place of his Vigil, where any who wished to give him counsel could help him in the kitchen. Court was suspended.
Master Lodovic is sent to vigil for the Order of Defense. Photo by Lady Mary Christina Lowe, aka Jinx.
At mid-day, Their Majesties brought Their Champion, Duke Duncan von Halstern, before them to announce the winner of the tournament to determine his successor. Of the large number of combatants, His Grace, Duke Timothy of Arindale, was victorious over all. Her Majesty pointed out that His Grace is also the current holder of the Shield of Chivalry, and looked forward to an occasion when he might stand bearing both. His Grace was given a new belt token as regalia of his office, and one of the spears that held the canopies from Their Majesties’Coronation procession. He was then entrusted with the Sword of State and took up his rightful place in the Court. Scroll by The Honorable Lady Ursula of Rouen.
Next did Their Majesties desire the attendance of Mistress Aleea Baga. They noted with gratitude her tireless efforts to create tabards, fighting cotes, medallions, and other regalia for Themselves, Their Heirs, Their Champions, and other subjects of the Kingdom. In recognition of her efforts, They awarded her the Golden Escarbuncle (Vert), a new award given for a singular act of artistic merit.
Mistress Aleea is the first recipient of the Golden Escarbuncle (Vert). Photo by Jinx.
Their Majesties summoned before them Cheng Tai Ren. Well pleased were They to speak with this gentle of his dedication to fighting, particularly to recreating faithfully the armor and style of the Chinese court. For his skill and perseverance, They were moved to raise him to the nobility as a Companion of the Order of the Golden Alce, thus Awarding him Arms. Scroll by Fa Ren Zhang Ming Li.
Their Majesties next desired to speak again with Master Lodovic of Grey’s Inn, and demanded his answer whether he would join the Order of Defense. At his reply, the said Masters of the Order were called before the throne, and read a letter attesting to Master Lodovic’s courtesy, prowess, chivalric conduct, service, and humility, and the ways in which he will enrich the Order by his inclusion. Hearing these words, Their Majesties asked that the ancestral collar of the Masters of Defense be placed upon Lodovic’s shoulders. The book of the Masters of Defense was read by Maestro Bastiano de Iacopo and presented to Master Lodovic, who then swore his oath of fealty unto Their Majesties. Scroll by Duchess Dorinda Courtenay.
Their Majesties sought the presence of The Honorable Lord Juan Miguel Cezar. As he had been commanded the week before at Pax, Their Majesties directed His Lordship to sit vigil the remainder of the day to contemplate whether he would accept elevation into the Most Noble Order of the Pelican. With his assent, the Order took him forth to the place of his vigil, to hear the counsel of those who would speak with him.
THLord Juan Miguel is sent to vigil. Photo by Jinx.
Their Majesties required that Lady Vika Vyborgskaia attend Them next. Their Majesties, mindful that her time was about to be claimed by another priority, wished first to claim but a moment of it to praise her skill and dedication to fencing, and to name her a companion of the Order of the Golden Alce. Scroll forthcoming.
Lady Vika receives a Golden Alce. Photo by Jinx.
This being done, Their Majesties were prepared to receive The Honorable Lord Jussie Laplein. They reminded him that on this day, They had decreed he should sit vigil to contemplate whether he would accept the accolade of Chivalry. As it was indeed his wish, They did convene those members of the Most Noble Order of Chivalry present to take him to the place where they might counsel and commune with him in vigil and pas d’armes for the remainder of the day.
THLord Jussie is sent to vigil for the Chivalry. Photo by Jinx.
Spying one whom Their Majesties had not expected to see, They seized the opportunity to summon Meistari Urho Walterinen into Their Presence. His Majesty spoke of the long acquaintance He has enjoyed with Meistari Urho, His gratitude for the teaching, the support, and the friendship Urho has offered through the years. Her Majesty also reminded him of teaching the Royal Children to shoot, of many events held at Their home, and of long years of service not only to Them, but to the Kingdom and, indeed, the Known World. Thus, They did announce with privilege and pride Their decision to name Meistari Urho Their Jewel of Æthelmearc, the 41 st Jewel of the Kingdom. Scroll forthcoming. Court was once again suspended.
Meistari Urho becomes the 41st Jewel of Æthelmearc. Photo by Jinx.
In the evening, Their Majesties asked the children forward and invited them to amuse themselves with activities provided by Lady Alethea Cowle.
Their Majesties gave leave to Their Excellencies Iago and Emilia to conduct the business of their Court.
Baroness Emilia and Baron Iago make a presentation to Their Majesties. Photo by Jinx.
Their Majesties summoned Dalton of Grey’s Inn into Their Presence. They spoke of the long years he has spent in kitchens, serving his Barony, and working both alongside his father and on his own. As a symbol of his dedication to the Society, They were minded to name him a companion of the Order of the Silver Buccle. Scroll forthcoming.
Dalton receives a Silver Buccle. Photo by Jinx.
Their Majesties next sought Jacen Teague, and spoke with him of his accomplishments in heavy fighting, thrown weapons, and leatherworking. In recognition of these efforts, They elevated him to the nobility by Awarding him Arms. Scroll by The Honorable Lord Tigranes de Rhina.
Next Their Majesties desired to see Rachelle L’ymagiere. They thanked her for her services as a water bearer, and praised her dedication to fencing. Moved by her efforts, They Awarded her Arms. Scroll by The Honorable Lord Aelric Ravenshaw.
Donatella da Fano was next called forward for audience with Their Majesties. Her skill as a scribe earned the praise of the Crown, as well as her assistance at demos and service to her Barony. For her acts of generosity and art, They were moved to elevate her to the nobility and Award her Arms. Scroll by Mistress Antoinette de la Croix, on text by Lady Elizabeth of the Bog.
Their Majesties summoned Lord Ru Cavorst into the Royal Presence. There did Their Majesties take note of his service as both archery and fencing marshall, in recognition of which, They did name him a companion of Their Order of the Keystone. Scroll forthcoming.
Lord Ru receives a Keystone. Photo by Jinx.
Next did Their Majesties wish to be attended by Lord Cyrus Auger. They found his service as seneschal of Silva Vulcani, and as rapier and archery marshal greatly worthy of praise, and noted that service to college shires in particular aids the growth of the Society. To acknowledge his efforts, They were minded to create him a companion of Their Order of the Keystone. Scroll by The Honorable Lady Rachel Dalicieux.
Their Majesties further desired words with Lady Ashling na Ngleannta’n. So many, so varied, and so marked are the skills and arts practiced by this lady, in leather work, wood carving, jewelry, painting, sewing, and music, to name but a few, that Their Majesties were well-disposed to bestow upon her the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll gilded and painted by Shirin of Susa and calligraphed by Mistress Antoinette de la Croix, on text by The Honorable Lady Rois O’Faye.
Their Majesties next invited La Comtesse Elena d’Artois le Tailleur to attend Them. For some time, Their Majesties had noted for some time the kind of service Her Excellency provides, particularly to the fencing community, but also to other activities within the Kingdom. While service is, of course, expected of a Royal Peer, there are acts and patterns of service that go beyond simple duty, and for these reasons, Their Majesties called forth Their Noble Order of the Millrind, that Her Excellency might be counted one of its Companions. Scroll by The Honorable Lord Kieran MacRae.
Next, Their Majesties somewhat nervously allowed Don Po Silvertop to approach. They expressed to him Their intention to recognize a gentle currently in Don Po’s service, to which he replied that he would bring forth the individual, one Lord Jehan LeBlanc, to discuss how he might further serve the Crown. Don Po reminded Their Majesties that Lord Jehan had indentured himself, and that the full indenture had not, as yet, been paid. Her Majesty offered payment in a form pleasing to Don Po: nuggets of fowl obtained from the house of Golden Arches, but still, Don Po remained unmoved and insisted that Lord Jehan’s debt was yet higher. Her Excellency, Comtesse Elena D’Artois, agreed that it was right and proper that the debt be satisfied so that Lord Jehan could be released to serve the Kingdom at large. At this, the Crown issued a call for any who could satisfy Lord Jehan’s obligations, which was met by Baron Perote Campbell, who bore into Court a creation of his hand which, Don Po agreed, satisfied Lord Jehan’s contract. Hearing this, Their Majesties called Their Order of the White Scarf, Don Po removed Lord Jehan’s cadet’s scarf, and the White Scarf was placed upon Lord Jehan’s arm. He was also presented with a sword baldric and blade to mark the Arms Granted by Their Majesties upon his induction. Scroll by The Honorable Lady Alianora Brunhille, upon text by Don Po Silvertop.
Then Their Majesties invited The Honorable Lord Juan Miguel Cezar forward and inquired regarding his answer whether he would be elevated into the Most Noble Order of the Pelican. Receiving his reply, They called for that Order to join them and heard words of testimony. La Comtesse Elena spoke as a Royal Peer, attesting to his humility and ability to simply get things done. Duke Timothy of Arindale recounted that in the recent past, it was unclear whether other martial specialties would be namd Peers as part of the Order of Chivalry, and that in preparation for that possibility, His Lordship was one of those His Grace had considered naming worthy to be deemed a Knight and his brother. Dame Crestienne de Waterdene attested to His Lordship’s hospitality and inclusiveness, producing scarves and tokens for the Scarlet Guard, and his creation of badges and other tokens for the enrichment of the Kingdom. Master William Parris offered his observations of one who works to sustain, to provide for, and to inject energy into a community. And Maistir Brandubh Ó Donnghaile read words from Master Robert the Grey, including a litany of acts of service that His Lordship has provided, such as cleaning the kitchens at nearly every Tournament of the White Hart, serving as regional marshal, and quietly supporting the community since the days of Principality, but more importantly, citing the way in which His Lordship inspires others, as a role model and a leader by example. Moved by these words, Their Majesties called upon Sir Murdoch Bayne to present the ancestral medallion and case. Countess Kallista Morgunova also presented a personal medallion, and Dame Chrestienne bedecked him with a hood made by her hand. Then did Maestro Juan Miguel swear his oath to the Crown, and he was greeted as a Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Pelican. Promissory scroll by Maestra Gianna di Aurelio.
Their Majesties next brought before Them The Honorable Lord Jussie Laplein. On affirming his wish to proceed, They invited Their Most Noble Order of Chivalry to attend Them. Duchess Morgen of Rye, as a Royal Peer, noted His Lordship’s boundless enthusiasm for fighting, the joy that he brings to the field, and that he exhibits off of it, the value he places in his family, and the way he inspires others. Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope further spoke of his teaching, which is one of the duties of the Laurel, and in particular the way that he teaches the youth fighters, with patience, with joy, and with enthusiasm, imparting technique but also instilling the fun into their young charges. Baroness Allessandra d’Avignon represented the Pelicans, speaking with pride of the many times they were among the last to leave a site after cleaning it, and of the many times he would leave the field without complaint just to help others. His Grace, Duke Adhemar, then recalled meeting His Lordship as a new fighter, and knowing even then that he would eventually achieve Peerage. He assured the Crown that His Lordship knows what it means to be a member of the Chivalry, and that indeed, he has taught His Grace as well, and inspired him. With these words, Their Majesties declared Themselves satisfied, and called for such symbols of Chivalry as His Lordship required to display his rank and station. His lady, Lady Vyka Vyborgskaia, brought forward a baldric that had been felted from their family dog’s own hair, which Their Majesties placed about his shoulder with her assistance. Duke Adhemar also presented him with the belt used to bestow the accolade of Knight upon Henri d’Artois, to keep and pass on as he sees fit. Master Jussie then swore an Oath of Service to the Crown, that his left hand may strike as needed, and his right may guard and defend the Kingdom. Their Majesties bid him to rise, and together, They did strike him and instruct him to let it be the last blow he received unanswered. He was then released unto his Order to be greeted accordingly. Scroll forthcoming.
His Grace, Duke Matthew Blackleaf, was given time to address the populace. He announced the winner of the day’s leg of the Æthelmearc 500: In a shocking upset, it was His Grace, Duke Maynard von dem Steine.
Her Highness congratulates Duke Maynard for winning the AE 500 tourney. Photo by Jinx.
Her Majesty then announced her Inspiration for the day: The Honorable Lady Alianora Brunhille. Her Majesty noted that at Her Rapier Championship, She had remarked to Lord Durante Her desire to see him garbed as befit his station; Her Ladyship Alianora rose to meet this whim, not only for Lord Durante, but for his lady, Lady Lasairfhiona, with new attire. In gratitude for fulfilling Her wish in so short a span, Her Majesty presented Her Ladyship with Her token.
THLady Ailianora is Her Majesty’s Inspiration. Photo by Jinx.
Their Majesties recognized all those who contributed scrolls, medallions, and regalia for those recognized in Court that day. They further thanked all the staff who had worked to make the event enjoyable and successful, and the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog for their generosity and hospitality.
There being no further business, the Coram Regibus was closed.
Faithfully Submitted,
Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres
Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald