Documented from the Rolls and Files of the Coram Regibus of Thomas Byron II Rex and Ariella II Regina, King and Queen of Æthelmearc: Being a True Record of the Business of Their Royal Court at Melee Madness, 28 May, Anno Societatis LVII, in the Barony of Endless Hills. As recorded by Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres, Meistr-y-gân, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald, assisted by Drotinn jǫrundr hinn rotinn, Silver Buccle Herald, and with the assistance of Lady Magdalena Txoperena, as well as Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir, Silent Herald.

In the morning, Their Majesties gave leave to Baron Stefano and Baroness Fiona to hold their final Baronial Court.

At the conclusion of the final court of Stefano and Fiona, Their Majesties allowed Sir Murdoch Bayne to speak to his associate, The Honorable Lord Lotharius qui et Segimundus, in order to release His Lordship from his responsibilities as squire. Their Majesties then inquired of His Lordship whether he still wished to contemplate elevation into the Order of the Chivalry. Upon his affirmation, Their Majesties gave him to the custody of that Most Noble Order for the purpose of preparing him for his vigil.

Their Majesties then sought The Honorable Lady Juliana Woolworth, seneschal of the Barony of Endless Hills, to confirm that the Barony had held an election, according to its policies, and that the results of that election had been properly certified, and that the winners of that election were present and prepared. Their Majesties then released Stefano and Fiona from their station as Baron and Baroness of Endless Hills, and entrusted the baronial coronets into the hands of Baron Ulrich Drachendonner. They then called for the successors, Lord Nicolo dei Gaetani and The Honorable Lady Magge Illfoster, and invested them as Baron and Baroness, and received Their Excellencies’ oath of Fealty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their Majesties then gave leave to Their Excellencies to open a brief Baronial Court for the purpose of installing their Herald in accordance with their policy and custom.

Their Majesties then recalled Stefano and Fiona to Grant them again that rank they had held and name them a Baron and Baroness of Their Court. Calligraphy and illumination for Baron Stefano’s scroll by Lady Christina Mary Lowe (known as Jinx) and for Baroness Fiona’s by Lady Kolfinna Jodisardottir, with wording for both by Master Po Silvertop and Baron Nicolo dei Gaetani. There being no further business at that time, Court was suspended.

In the afternoon, Their Majesties asked Sir Thorsol Solinagua to bear the toybox to the rear of Court and supervise the distribution of toys to the youth in attendance..

Their Majesties were well pleased to see a large number of newcomers attending their first Royal Court, and gifted them all with drinking vessels to welcome them.

Next, Their Majesties noted Abigail Greywolf within the Baronial Court personnel and entreated her to present herself. Faced with frank evidence of her service, They were moved to Award her Arms. Scroll by Master Jon Blaecstan with wording by Master Po Silvertop.

Their Majesties desired that Logan of Endless Hills come forward. Noting his varied service and his initial efforts in the arts of rapier combat, They saw fit to Award him Arms. Scroll by Sir Arden Scot.

Their Majesties next required the attendance of Lady Abby Rose. By virtue of the fact that Lady Abby had also been recognized by both Baron Stefano and Baroness Fiona’s court and by Baron Nicolo and Baroness Magge’s court, They were reassured in Their decision to bestow upon her further accolades. Thus they named her a Companion of the Order of the Keystone, in testament whereof, Mistress Ríoghnach ní Rose (aka Mom) provided her own medallion. Scroll by Lady Magdalena Txoperena.

At this time, Their Majesties called forward Revna Lunaris, who had been fetched from the kitchens. Citing that this was not an uncommon place to find her, as well as in other places of service to her Barony, Their Majesties thought it mete to raise her to the nobility and Award her Arms. Scroll by Baroness Magge Illfoster upon wording by Baron Nicolo dei Gaetani.

Next, Their Majesties wished to be attended by The Honorable Lady Antoinette de Lorraine to speak with her about her research and her sundry arts, including embroidery, lucet, painting, and more. For these pursuits, They were moved to name her a Companion of the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll by Masteritsa Zaritsa Zavodchikovna.

Their Majesties also sought Lady Birna Hakadottir in order to praise her embroidery, which was abundantly evident upon her clothing and that of her family. Given her exemplary skill and her efforts to adorn others within the kingdom, They were well pleased to name her a Companion of the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll by Sir Murdoch Bayne.

Their Majesties next summoned Lord Daubh O’Doolin into the Royal Presence. With praise for the joy, chivalry, and attention to technique with which he approaches rapier combat, They were pleased to induct him into the Order of the Golden Alce. Scroll by Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir upon wording by Baron Nicolo dei Gaetani, forthcoming.

Their Majesties at this time requested the attendance of Lady Æsa Helgulfsdottir. They reminded her of the phrase “from sheep to shawl” and took good note of how accurate it was when applied to her research and pursuits within fiber arts and related research. Their Majesties further explained that her work had impressed not only Them, but others, and thus, called for Their Noble Order of the Fleur D’Æthelmearc to attend and witness as They Granted her Arms and named her among the Order’s Companions. Scroll by Sir Murdoch Bayne.

Before releasing the Order of the Fleur D’Æthelmearc, Their Majesties requested that Lady Margareta le Sayre also come forward to be recognized for her needlework, including embroidery and other fiber arts. Their Majesties Granted her Arms as well, and inducted her also into this Noble Order. Scroll illuminated by Eleanor the Grey, Thea de Nas, and Sir Murdoch Bayne, with words and calligraphy by Sir Murdoch Bayne.

Her Majesty then requested that Baron Tassin Tresseaul receive from Her Majesty’s hands some fabric for the purpose of making favors, a task for which he had volunteered previously. However, in noting that he had undertaken this mission, Her Majesty also observed that His Excellency was in fact always volunteering and always serving. Knowing that there were others who had made this same observation, Their Majesties invited forth Their Noble Order of the Millrind and were pleased to induct His Excellency among their number. Scroll by Posadnik Zvonimir Zavodchikov.

Following this, Their Majesties demanded that The Honorable Lord Lotharius qui et Segimundus reenter the Court to give his answer whether he would accept elevation into the Most Noble Order of the Chivalry. His Lordship desiring to undertake this responsibility, Their Majesties called upon Their Knights and Masters there assembled to step forward and bear witness. Their Majesties received the endorsements of worthy Peers to attest to His Lordship’s merits:

From Duke Magnus Tindal of the East, who carried the words of Count Eckehard Thurn of Atlantia, They heard of franchise, a quality hard to define, but easily recognized in its bearers. From Countess Caryl Olesdottir, representing the Ladies of the Rose, They heard the familiar phrase, “For honor and glory.” Her Excellency noted that while many have differing definitions of honor, glory can only be experienced in small doses, and that one cannot chase honor, but instead must chase excellence. From Baron Cormacc mac Gilla Brigde, delivering the words of His Grace, Duke Timothy of Arindale, They heard of His Lordship’s service as a teacher of other fighters, of his way of instructing so that his students can understand and apply his instruction. From Master Po Silvertop, carrying the words of Master Benedict Fergus Atte Mede, Masters of Defense, They heard of valor, strength of skill, but particularly of courage, and that His Lordship exhibits these along with love for his family and duty to his Kingdom. To this, Master Po added that he has observed His Lordship at many a practice, and noted his dedication to creating venue for fighters, even when there was no assurance that anyone would come. From Master Silvester Burchardt, Laurel, They learned of the craftsmanship necessary for the accolade of Mastery, and that His Lordship’s craft was the wielding of two swords.From Mistress Ríoghnach ní Rose, Pelican, They heard of the weight of Peerage, and the expectations upon a Peer to be thoughtful, kind, encouraging, and courteous. In His Lordship, she attested to his desire to create a welcoming, thriving environment, enhancing our activities and fostering new members. And from Sir Murdoch Bayne, Knight, They heard that the Chivalric virtues, whether they number seven, nine, or twenty-one, rarely speak of ability upon the field. Generosity, courage, faith, hope, and the like speak not to a Knight’s prowess, but to their character. Loyalty, dedication, and these qualities are what separate a knight from a common thug, and that in His Lordship, his character is that of a knight, regardless of the color of belt that he wears.

Hearing these testaments, the Crown was pleased to continue, and called for the trappings of station to be conferred upon His Lordship: a belt presented by Earl Yngvar the Dismal and placed upon His Lordship by Lady Birna Hakadottir and their children; spurs, buckled on his heels by Sir Beatrix Krieger and Sir Thorsol Solinagua; the ancestral chain of the Knights of Æthelmearc, with lineage read by Sir Tigernach mac Cathail; and a cloak presented by Lord Ulfkell Dungelsson and The Honorable Lady Æsa Helgulfsdottir. Their Majesties received Lotharius’ oath of fealty, found it acceptable, and then dubbed him Knight. Then did His Majesty bid him rise and accept one final unanswered blow, and welcomed him as a Companion of the Most Noble Order of Chivalry. Scroll by Sir Murdoch Bayne.

Her Majesty desired to speak with Lord Chaghagen Duras to thank him for assuming the duties of guard for the day, and named him her inspiration as a result.

Their Majesties invited the scribes and wordsmiths who had contributed to the Court to come forward and claim an item to replenish their supplies, if they so desired.

There being no further business, Court was closed.

Faithfully Submitted,

Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres (OL)

Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald