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 Pax Interruptus, 9 July, Anno Societatis LVII, in the Barony of Thescorre. As recorded by Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres, Meistr-y-gân, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald, assisted by Drotinn jǫrundr hinn rotinn, Silver Buccle Herald, with the additional assistance of Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir, Silent Herald, The Honorable Lady Sophie Davenport, and Baron Ixac ben Simone.

In the morning, Their Majesties requested that Baroness Bronwyn nic Gregor, Seneschal of the Barony of Thescorre, and members of the election committee, come forward to certify the results of the election.

Her Excellency being unavailable, Lady Nicole du Marais attested to the legitimacy of the Barony’s will.

Their Majesties therefore inquired of Baron Eldjarn the Thoughtful and Baroness Dubheasa inghean Dubgaill whether they were prepared to retire, and whether they had any remaining business to attend before so doing. When Their Excellencies replied in the affirmative, Their Majesties gave them leave to open their final court.

Upon that court’s conclusion, Their Majesties recalled Their Excellencies, thanked them for their service, and received back from them the Baronial coronets, and released them to their leisure among the populace. Their Majesties then called for Mistress Nuzha bint Saleem and Lord Andriú mac Domhnaill, as their duly elected successors, to present themselves and swear fealty to the Crown. Thereafter, Their Majesties placed the coronets upon their heads, and further Granted Baron Andriú Arms. Thus was the (temporarily hereditary) line of Thescorre secured.

At this time, Court was suspended.

In the evening, Their Majesties allowed Their Youth Champion, Hjotr Sigvardsson, to run the toybox, and encouraged the youth of the kingdom to pursue him…and pursue him…and pursue him….

Their Majesties invited forth all those attending their first event and presented them with cups as gestures of welcome. (So abundant were the newcomers that a resupply of cups was required, thanks to the timely and swift assistance of His Excellency, Baron Brandubh!)

Her Majesty requested that The Honorable Lady Cristina inghean Ghriogar come forward to thank Her Ladyship for the pouch she had gifted to Her Majesty earlier in the day. Her Majesty also noted that Her Ladyship had many, many examples of such fine workmanship, so much so that others had taken goodly note and found it worthy of further recommendation. Thus, Their Majesties requested to be attended by Their Most Noble Order of the Laurel and entreated that Her Ladyship set a time and place at which to sit vigil and contemplate whether she would accept elevation into that company. Scroll by The Honorable Lady Sophie Davenport.

Their Majesties gave leave to The Honorable Lord Angus the Bull, as Event Steward, to thank his staff. Before releasing His Lordship, Their Majesties also recognized his ongoing efforts to support his Barony and the Kingdom and named him a Companion of the Order of the Keystone. Scroll by Lady Vedis Aradottir.

Their Majesties gave leave to Baron Snorri skyti Bjarnarson, Archery Champion, to recognize the skill of Cricket Karasson in the day’s shooting and invite him to bear the Bow of State for the remainder of Court.

Their Majesties then invited Baron Andriú and Baroness Nuzha to hold their first Baronial Court.

Following the close of Baronial Court, Their Majesties requested one to come forward as the representative for Lady Dehka the Dancer. Baroness Dubheasa inghean Dubgaill answered this call.

Understanding that Lady Dehka will be unable to attend Their Court for some time to come, Their Majesties wished to convey to her Their appreciation of her skills, including dance, pottery, and gameplay, in token of which, they named her a Companion of the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll by Baron Caleb Reynolds.

Their Majesties then sought Lady Gwen Cooke. Their Majesties took good note of Lady Gwen’s dedication to her Barony, her tireless service, and her efforts to keep the Barony an industrious jewel in the crown of the Kingdom. Recognizing that such service is deserving of more than idle praise, Their Majesties were moved to name her a Companion of the Order of the Keystone. Scroll by Lady Murdia Drusilla Vettia Portia.

Noting the workmanship of the scroll, Their Majesties desired that Lady Murdia Drusilla Vettia Portia present herself before Them. Their Majesties also recalled that this lady had done many, many works of service that day, including serving her Baron and Baroness, as well as providing the luncheon served in the Royal pavilion. Further, Their Majesties observed that this lady had performed similar service on many other occasions as well, and more besides, and for these acts They were minded creating her a Companion of the Order of the Keystone. Scroll by Nikolai Vasiliev.

Their Majesties wished once more to be attended by Lady Nicole du Marais. To this lady, they imparted Their knowledge both first-hand and by good report, that she contributes materially in many ways to the arts within the Kingdom. Her talent for capturing memories and providing the visual record of Æthelmearc’s events and its subjects; her gifts as a scribe; and her skill at creating garb, were all worthy of recognition, and thus They were pleased to name her a Companion of the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll by Dame Zofia Kowalewska upon wording by Mistress Beatrice de Winter.

Their Majesties next greatly desired to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Ceirech na Hinnsi, for a closer audience. They noted that Her Highness is a lethal warrior in her own right, having for some time been a driving force in siege combat. Their Majesties also conveyed the esteem and respect of others who had taken notice of Her Highness’ dedication to siege warfare, her skill upon the field, and her inspiration and leadership among her siege crew. Thus, they also invited His Royal Highness Arnthor, as the representative of Their Noble Order of the Scarlet Battery, to welcome Her Highness into that Order, and granted her Arms. Scroll by Ren Xing upon wording by “Some guy in a hat” (AKA Master Po Silvertop).

Before Their Highnesses could get too resettled, Their Majesties also sought Lord Chebe to join Them in Court. Their Majesties shared Their knowledge of the ways in which Lord Chebe promotes siege combat not only within his Barony, but throughout the Kingdom, as Their deputy marshal for siege. Noting his enthusiasm for engineering, his service to the Kingdom, and the prowess he brings to the battlefield, they were also moved to induct him as a Companion of the Noble Order of the Scarlet Battery, as well as Granting him Arms. Scroll by Baroness Ekaterina Volkova.

 

Their Majesties then requested that Baron Andriú mac Domhnaill approach once more. They desired to speak with His Excellency about the ephemeral nature of food as one’s art, and of the curious effect that despite this, the memory of a highly enjoyable morsel may linger far beyond the product itself. Noting that His Excellency’s gastronomic creations are the stuff of which such memories are formed, Their Majesties invited Their Noble Order of the Fleur D’Æthelmearc to join them and welcome His Excellency Andriú as their newest Companion. Scroll by Baron Caleb Reynolds.

 

Their Majesties then had further need of Baroness Nuzha bint Saleem. Her Excellency presented herself and asked what further service she might offer. Their Majesties replied that Her Excellency’s service was indeed the subject of Their discourse with her, for indeed it can be said that her entire life has been spent in the service of the Society, even from her childhood when she might be found in kitchens, to her years of continued devotion to her Barony, to her current commitment to guide that Barony in the very seat previously occupied by her parents. Their Majesties declared Themselves not alone in this assessment, and thus called for Their Most Noble Order of the Pelican to draw nigh. In addition to Her Excellency’s new responsibilities, Their Majesties did command her to appoint a place and time at which she might give answer whether she would consent to induction into that good company. Scroll, in the form of a book, calligraphed by Mistress Abigail Kelhoge upon parchment of her own making, with words by Mistress Sadira bint Wassouf.

Her Majesty addressed the populace to name as her inspiration, Sarah, who had not only returned to the Society after many years’ absence, but had brought along several others, including her children, all of whom had participated in the day’s activities with enthusiasm and interest.

Their Majesties invited forward the scribes who had contributed to the day’s scrolls, for replenishment of supplies. Lady Kara Ivarsdottir also presented Moss, child of Sarah, with a traveling scribal kit to further encourage their newfound art.

His Majesty warned of the rumblings of coming war. Word has reached the Kingdom that foreign powers are soon to converge upon the fields of Pennsic, and all are needed to defend the Sylvan Lands against this impending threat. His Majesty entreated all to come with swords, bows, axes, with siege engines, and even scribal kits, to prove to the Known World that the forces of Æthelmearc are not to be engaged lightly.

There being no further business, Court was closed.

Faithfully Submitted,

Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres (OL)

Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald