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 Final Royal Court at Harvest Raid and Coronation, 25 September, Anno Societatis LVII, in the Shire of Heronter. As recorded by Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres, Meistr-y-gân, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald, with the assistance of Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir, Silent Herald, and Drotinn jǫrundr hinn rotinn, Silver Buccle Herald.

In the morning, Their Majesties brought Baroness Rois o’Faye before them and asked whether she was prepared to sit vigil in contemplation of elevation into the Most Noble Order of the Pelican. At her affirmation, they invited that Order to take her into their care and instructed Her Excellency to present herself to Their Heirs by day’s end to give her answer.

Their Majesties requested the presence of His Grace, Duke Gareth Kincaid and Her Grace, Juliana Delamere, to express gratitude for the new walls that encircled the Kingdom encampment at Pennsic. Their Majesties also invited Their Graces to bring up the others who labored on this project: Lord Rikardr inn Blakki Bjarn, and Lady Birna Rikardskona inn Blakki Bjarn. Their Majesties then presented all four with Golden Escarbuncles (Rouge) as a token of thanks for helping to create this outward symbol of Æthelmearc’s hospitality.

Their Majesties then sought Lord Finnigan mac Cormacc. Finding him not within the Court, they inducted him into the Order of the Golden Alce, in absentia. Scroll by Sir Murdoch Bayne.

Likewise, Their Majesties called for Lord Frey Gore. Despite regret not to see him in person, they inducted him into the Order of the Golden Alce, in absentia. Scroll by Lady Abby Rose.

 

Their Majesties sought Lady Eithne an Locha, who was sadly not present. Dismayed but undeterred, Their Majesties saw fit to recognize her skills at weaving and sewing and created her a Companion of the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll a work in progress by Sir Arden Scot.

At this time, Their Majesties received His Royal Highness, Prince Arnthor inn Sterki. His Highness praised Their Majesties’ leadership, particularly into and through War, and spoke of the honor it was to fight by Their Majesties’ side. But, His Highness continued, with the change of season, so too, now the Kingdom once again entered a time of peace, and this shift in focus also called for new heads of state.

His Highness then reminded the Crown that at Their grand tournament some months previously, he had proved victorious, and Their Majesties had then promised that he would ascend the throne at the appointed time. Their Majesties acknowledged this, but desired further confirmation from those who would remain to safeguard the kingdom and to support His Highness once the crown passed to him.

Mistress Illadore de Bedegrayne, Kingdom Seneschal, vouchsafed that the tourney to determine Their Majesties’ Heirs was indeed held lawfully, in accordance with the policies and traditions of the realm.

Viscount Sir Bear the Wallsbane, representing the Earl Marshal, affirmed that he witnessed with his own eyes as Prince Arnthor bested all others. Meestress Odriana vander Brugghe, Kingdom Mistress of the lists, also attested truthfully that His Highness was the rightful victor. Finally, Drotinn jǫrundr hinn rotinn, Silver Buccle Herald, averred that there was a Court held following the final bout of that tournament, and that King Byron did at that time place the Heir’s crown upon Arnthor’s head, named him Prince, and declared that the line of succession was secured. Finding, therefore, that Prince Arnthor’s claim was credible and proper, Their Majesties agreed that it was time to cede the thrones. They begged His Highness’ leave to conclude a few final items of business, and They promised to call His Highness forth shortly. To this wish, the prince consented, and went to prepare for succession.

Their Majesties next summoned The Honorable Lady Eleanore Godwin. Recounting the sheer volume of scrolls, largesse, and scrolls, and the many acts of service Her Ladyship has performed over the years, as well as the many scrolls inscribed, Their Majesties felt it fitting that as Their final act as monarchs, they might convey Her Ladyship to the keeping of the Most Noble Order of the Pelican, and instructed her to consult with Their Majesties-to-be to find an appropriate time and place for her to sit vigil in contemplation and give answer whether it be her wish or no to join that Noble Order. Scroll by Baroness Ekaterina Volkova.

Their Majesties then wished to thank all those who served the reign and crowned heads with distinction. In keeping with Her Majesty’s love of dessert, instead of a Sigil token, they provided presents of sweets and potables, for the following gentles: Hon. Lord Abdullah al-Rashid; Master Alaric MacConnal; Baroness Alianora Bronhulle; Baroness Amalie Reinhardt; Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope; Hon. Lady Aurelia Argentia Prima; Hon. Lord Bjarki Rikarðarson; Hon. Lord Cassiano da Castello; Master Clewin Kupferhelbelinc; Contess Elena D’Artois le Tailleur; Hon. Lady Elsa Talliard; Hon. Lady Elss of Augsburg; Hon. Lady Fede de Fiore; Lady Forveleth Dunde; Mistress Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen; Lady Genevieve O’Connor; Hon. Lady Gesa von Wellenstein; Mistress Graidhne ni Ruaidh; Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres; Drotinn jǫrundr hinn rotinn; Lady Kara Ivarsdottir; Karl Fritz Kupferhelbelinc; Dame Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina; Master Kieran MacRae; Sir Magariki Katsuichi no Koredono; Baron Magnus de Lyons; Mistress Mahin Banu Tabrizi; Sir Marek Viacheldrago; Baroness Muirgheal inghean Dubhghaill; Hon. Lady Nichola Beese; Mistress Ottilige Rappoltsweiler; Mistress Renata Rouge; Sigrid von Fredeburg; Hon. Lady Silence de Cherbourg; Baron Snorri skyti Bjarnarson; Hon. Lady Sumayya al Ghaziyah; Baron Tassin Trasseaul; Hon. Lady Thalia Papillon; Mistrees Ts’vee’a bas Tseepora Levi; and Hon. Lady Violetta da Valencia.

Next, Their Majesties received the Captains of Her Majesty’s Guard: Master Clewin Kupferheleblinc and Lady Kara Ivarsdottir. His Majesty remarked that frequently, a king might thank the Guard for keeping the queen safe and protecting her person throughout the reign, but in Her Majesty’s case, the thanks owed were more for keeping up with the Queen on the field and off. Her Majesty also expressed appreciation for all the guards, most of whom had already been relieved. Master Clewin added an additional note of thanks to Lady Kara for all her assistance. Her Majesty then released them both from their service.

Following this, Their Majesties called forth Master Alaric MacConnal, Mistress Graidhne ni Ruaidh, and The Honorable Lady Nichola Beese, Head Retainers, and granted Mistress Graidhne a moment to present to Them, on behalf of Master Christofano Vecchione, a sampler he had illuminated for them, consisting of piscatorial marginalia, inscribed with immortal words about fish and farewells. Their Majesties expressed delight at this present and thanked all their retainers for the countless hours and miles logged in service to the Crown. The Head Retainers asked all those still on duty to turn in their baldrics, whereupon they also removed their own, and Their Majesties released all from service.

Their Majesties requested that Baroness Muirgheal inghean Dubhghaill step forward to thank her personally, for all her labor as reign coordinator, and to release her from her oath of service.

Currently, Gwendolyn the Graceful, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald, begged leave to conduct heraldic business, as the time had come for the office to revert to the Silver Buccle Herald. Their Majesties granted this boon, and Drotinn jǫrundr hinn rotinn entered the Court to relieve her from her duties and release her from her oath of office. Their Majesties thanked her for providing the voice of the Crown to Their satisfaction, and They released her. The Silver Buccle Herald then took up his place to preside over the succession.

Their Majesties then recalled His Royal Highness, Prince Arnthor inn Sterki, to come forward. His Majesty spoke to Queen Ariella, promising that although the burden of the crown might now leave her, she would remain forever his queen; she replied that he too, is forever her king. King Byron then took Her Majesty’s crown and placed it upon the Queen’s throne, and released Her Excellency, Countess Ariella, back to the populace.

His Majesty drew the Sword of State and upon it Prince Arnthor swore an oath of fealty and service to the Kingdom and its people. In response, Byron affirmed that he knew Their Highnesses would be good and true stewards of the realm. Whereupon His Majesty removed the prince’s coronet from His Highness’ brow. Earl Byron then relinquished the crown and placed it upon Arnthor’s head, anointing him, and kneeling before him, right him King.

Thus ended the reign of Thomas Byron II Rex and Ariella II Regina, forty-eighth King and Queen of Æthelmearc.

Faithfully Submitted,

Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres (OL)

Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald