Here begins the Chronicles of the Courts of the Fourth Reign of Timothy and Gabrielle, King and Queen of Sylvan Æthelmearc, held on the twenty-first day of September, AS 54 (2019), at Their Coronation in the Shire of Angel’s Keep. Submitted by Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson, Jewel Herald of Æthelmearc.

During morning court:
Their Majesties first invited the assembled populace to seek their comfort, then summoned to them Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson, desiring him to become their Voice [Jewel Herald]. After Lord Snorri’s acceptance, oaths of fealty and duty were duly sworn.

Their Majesties then summoned Their Reign Coordinator, Baroness Elena de la Palma, followed by their Captain of the Queen’s Guard, Lord Jakob Krahe, their Head Retainer, THL Antoinette de Lorraine, and their Chamberlain, Lord Tassin Tresseul. Each of these dutifully swore good and proper oaths of service and discretion, as did their assembled staffs, and took their positions about the hall.

The Great Officers of the Sylvan Kingdom there present then attended Their Majesties where they swore their oaths to serve the Kingdom….

…followed by the gathered Landed Barons in attendance, each in turn according to precedence: Baron Brandubh Ó Donnghaile and Baroness Hilderun Hügelmann of the Barony-Marche of Debatable Lands, Baron Eldjarn the Thoughtful and Baroness Dubheasa inghen Dubgaill of the Barony of Thescorre, Baron Padraig O’Branduibh and Baroness Juliana Rosalia Dolce da Siena of the Barony of Rhydderich Hael, Baron Ixac ben Simone and Baroness Amalie Reinhardt of the Barony of Delftwood, Baron Ichijo Honen and Baroness Cerridwen de Skene of the Barony of Blackstone Mountain, and Baron Stefan Luftskyn and Baroness Fiona the Prepared of the Barony of Endless Hills.

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The landed Barons swear fealty. Photo by Baron Steffan.

The Royal Peers then present were summoned forward, led by their ranking member, Duke Marcus Eisenwald, who promised to forego any armed rebellion for the duration of Their Majesties’ reign. His Majesty Timothy, wishing to speed them along their way to their long travels ahead, then requested that Their Excellencies, Count Gareth Kincade and Countess Juliana Delamere, remain a moment more. He spoke admiringly of the great service these two gentles had just done the kingdom and confirmed their new stations as a Duke and Duchess of Æthelmearc. Shining ducal coronets made by Duke Gareth’s hand were then placed upon their heads, Duke Gareth’s by King Timothy, and Duchess Juliana’s by Duke Gareth. Scrolls by THL Shirin of Susa and THL Phelippe Ulfsdotter.

The Royal Peers swear fealty, and Gareth and Juliana are invested as Duke and Duchess. Photo by Baron Steffan.

Mention of an Augmentation of Arms was also made by His Majesty, but in His haste to speed Their Graces along their path, His Majesty rolled right past actually having that honor read into the record. Fear not, gentle readers – fortunately, His trusty Jewel Herald made note of the omission, and it was rectified some minutes later.

The Royal Peers were followed by the Most Noble Orders of the Chivalry, Laurel, Pelican and Defense, each order duly swearing suitable oaths.

The peerage orders swear fealty. Photo by Baron Steffan.

The Order of the White Scarf then appeared before Their Majesties, and asked Her Majesty to bear their token, and swore to defend her at all costs. Her Majesty, having had this Noble Order’s service several times before, had with her a favorite white scarf token, which was ceremonially tied upon the left arm of Her person.

At this point, the Jewel Herald gently reminded Their Majesties that to actually award the Augmentation of Arms to Their Graces Gareth and Juliana, the scroll would need to be read in court. Fortunately, such is the courtesy of Their Graces that they had not yet departed to take their rest in their lands in the far southern reaches, and they were able to be called back into court again, where their arms were duly Augmented with the addition of a demi-escarbuncle. The double scroll for this is a work in progress by Baroness Mistress Graidhne ni Ruaidh.

Finally, the kingdom’s Moneyers’ Guild begged a moment of their Majesties’ time in court, and Earl Thomas Byron of Haverford approached the throne and showed Their Majesties a sample of the coins the guild would be minting for Their reign.

There being no further business, court was suspended until such time as Their Majesties desired.

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That evening, after a day of fine tournaments, excellent food, good company, and lovely arts, Their Majesties did again call all gentles there present to attend Their court. Their Majesties first called for Lord Dyryke Hastings, to tell Them of the Youth Tournaments held that day. Lord Dyryke confirmed that, indeed, the youth heavy fighters of the kingdom had vied honorably in tournaments, each according to their Division, and that three winners had emerged: Armbjorn Lodenhodi in Division One, Simon a Fjarfelli in Division Two, and Cormac mac Conchobar in Division Three. Each of these was made Their Majesties’ Youth Champion for their respective divisions and given identical scrolls to appoint them as such, by Vonda of Finndale.

Next, Their Majesties bade all children present to approach the throne and called for Douglas of Arindale to be the ceremonial sacrifice. After young Douglas was given an adequate head start with the kingdom’s toybox, the hounds were loosed, and the children of the kingdom did give merry chase.

It was then Their Majesties’ pleasure to indulge in a bit of informal business. Lady Meggie Gormley and Bruce MacNayre were summoned, and given good wishes for their birthdays, and roundly cheered by all present.

Their Majesties then bade Lady Annika Iosafova come forward to speak of the day’s Largesse Derby. The Lady spoke glowingly of all the gifts received that day, but indicated that a winner had been chosen, and so Baroness Edana the Red was summoned. Her Majesty Queen Gabrielle did then name Her Inspiration, and award unto her a Golden Escarbuncle in token of her fine work on that day.

Next, King Timothy did express an interest in hearing about the Heavy Weapons tournament held earlier. Said tournament was won by one Duke Dietrich von Stroeheim, who was regrettably unable to remain at the event, and the King did make him Their Majesties’ Heavy Weapons Champion for their reign with a scroll by
the Scribes of Æthelmearc.

At that time did Their Majesties summon to them Lady Magdelena Txoperena. His Majesty spoke of how this Lady had previously been inducted into the Order of the Keystone in absentia, but that the scroll and medallion had been lost to hazard or misfortune before reaching her hands. Their Majesties wished to now rectify what part of that they could, and so affirmed Lady Magdelena’s place in the Order with a new
medallion.

Maximus of Nithgaard was then summoned into court, and Their Majesties spoke of the fine start he had made in the Society, and so did Award him Arms, with a scroll by Duke Marcus Eisenwald, former Signet Herald of the Kingdom of Drachenwald.

Next, Hannah of Hunter’s Home was called before the throne. Their Majesties spoke of her many fine qualities, particularly her remarkable art for one so young in age, and deemed it appropriate, as she is approaching her age of majority, to then Award her Arms, with a scroll by THL Vivienne of Yardley.

Lord Donnchadh Ruadh mac Griogair was bade approach the throne. His Majesty spoke admiringly of his drive and perseverance in the fencing lists. Master Raev Halle was then summoned into court to speak words of admiration for his cadet, and provide a medallion, as Their Majesties inducted Lord Donnchadh into the Order of the Golden Alce. Scroll by Lady Eilionora inghean an Bhair.

Spying her across the field, Their Majesties then bade their Herald loudly summon Lady Tangwystyl verch Gwyn from her merchant’s tent. The Lady, clad in her undergarments, quickly donned a shift and scampered into court. Their Majesties then spoke of her skill at research and construction of period undergarments and saw fit to enter her name into the rolls of the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll by THL Máirghréad Stíobhard inghean uí Choinne.

At that time did Their Majesties demand that Lord Bjarki Rikarðarson present himself to their court. His Majesty lauded him for his efforts to present a period appearance while engaging in martial activities, and stated that he has great respect for anyone who deliberately chooses equipment that imparts a disadvantage in performance to advance the dream. Lord Bjarki’s martial accomplishments have made Their Majesties deem him worthy of induction in to the Order of the Golden Stirrup. Scroll by Lady Gemina of Krull, with words by Mistress Gwendolyn the Graceful.

Her Majesty Queen Gabrielle then desired words with a Lady she admitted to being most admiring of, THL Svana in Kyrra, and so The Honorable Lady was requested to attend Her Majesty. The Queen spoke of THL Svana’s continued commitment to our dream, whether it be cooking another dayboard, or creating a lovely knit, or other fiber arts item, and particularly admired her commitment to perfect garb while doing so, and was so moved as to award her the Æthelmearc Award of Excellence, and gave to THL Svana a token from her own hand, and there was much cheering.

In due time Lady Therasa du Domremy was summoned before the Sylvan throne. His Majesty noted her skill in millinery, pointing to the Cap of Maintenance resting atop His Royal head at that very moment. Deeming her work and efforts remarkable, Their Majesties summoned to the throne their Noble Order of the Fleur d’Æthelmearc, and so Lady Therasa is now styled The Honorable Lady Therasa du Domremy after being written in their rolls. The scroll is a work in progress by Baroness Mistress Graidhne ni Ruaidh.

Finally, Their Majesties called up all scribes there present who had contributed a scroll to the day’s courts, and each was given a token of appreciation from Their hands.

Engaging in a bit of Royal subterfuge, they caught hold of The Honorable Lady Máirghréad Stíobhard inghean uí Choinne as she made to depart, and bade her bide a moment more. They then called for Their Most Noble Order of the Pelican. After verifying that it was still the will of this Order to take her ladyship into their ranks, Their Majesties presented her with a Writ to Contemplate Elevation to this order.

THLady Máirghréad receives a Writ for the Pelican. Photo by Baron Steffan.

There being no further business, court was closed.

Respectfully,
Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson
Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald