Being the Chronicle of the Courts of Timothy and Gabrielle, King and Queen of Sylvan Æthelmearc, held on the twelfth day of October, AS 54 (2019), at Their Crown Tournament in the Shire of Coppertree. Submitted by Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald, assisted by THL Sophie Davenport, Silver Buccle Herald, Lord Rónán Ó Conaill, Sycamore Herald, and Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir, Silver Sycamore Herald.

During morning court, Their Majesties did command the following Royal Sanction to be pronounced: On October the twelfth, Anno Societatis fifty-four, we, King Timothy of Arindale and Queen Gabrielle van Nijenrode, issued a Royal Sanction – Exile from the Realm against Doug Schiffer, known in the Society as Godfrey of Coppertree. The sanction will expire on the date of Our Heirs’ Coronation. This sanction was duly witnessed by Baroness Hilderun Hügelmann, the representative of the Kingdom Seneschal, Master Illadore de Bedagrayne.

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

A short time later, Their Majesties did desire to greet, inspect, and have words with the combatants and their consorts assembled there that day. The Honorable Lady Sophie Davenport, Silver Buccle Herald, began, and after inspiring words from His Majesty King Timothy, bade Lord Rónán Ó Conaill, Sycamore Herald, to begin to call the combatants and consorts to process forward and present themselves to the crown.

After all were duly presented and greeted, and Her Majesty Queen Gabrielle gave each consort a rose from Her hand, the day’s tournament did begin. At its conclusion, one warrior remained: Duke Maynard von dem Steine, and his consort, Duchess Líadain ní Dheirdre Chaomhánaigh. The heir’s coronets were presented by Duchess Siobhán inghean uí Liatháin, the Kingdom Chamberlain; King Timothy placed the coronet of the Prince of Æthelmearc on Duke Maynard’s head and proclaimed him Prince of Æthelmearc. Then Prince Maynard placed the coronet of the Princess upon Duchess Líadain’s brow and called her Princess of Æthelmearc, and there was much cheering and rejoicing. Those assembled then took their leave to prepare for evening court, to be held one hour hence.

Prince Maynard crowns Princess Liadain. Photo by Baron Steffan Wolfgang von Ravensburg.

That evening, the day’s fine fellowship, exquisite food, and glorious combat entirely compensating for the dismal weather, Their Majesties did again call all gentles there present to attend Their court.

Their Majesties first called for the youth Fritz Flußmüllnerin. They spoke of his joy and skill upon the field of combat, and did induct him into the Order of the Silver Alce. The scroll is a work in progress by Graidhne ni Ruadh.

Fritz receives a Silver Alce. Photo by Baron Steffan,

Their Majesties did then summon forward all children then present. When they had assembled, with feral gleam in their eyes, His Majesty summoned forward Their Lil’ Peanut, Sir Thorsol Solinauga. His Majesty spoke of Sir The Thorsol’s fine footwork in avoiding Prince Maynard’s glaive in the tournament, and bade him use all his skill escaping from the pack of youths before him. The kingdom toy chest was presented, and a countdown began, with Sir Thorsol, lover of cephalopods, making rapid escape. The hounds were then loosed, and Sir Thorsol was seen no more…

The children prepare to chase Sir Thorsol for the toy chest. Photo by Baron Steffan.

Next was summoned before the court the Kingdom Chronicler, Baroness Aine O’Muirghesan. Her Excellency apologized to Their Majesties for missing Their Coronation, and then swore her oath of service to the Crown, which was accepted with pleasure by Their Majesties.

Baroness Aine swears fealty as Kingdom Chronicler. Photo by Baron Steffan,

Then Their Majesties heard that that the days’ Autocrat wished words in Their court. They bade their Jewel Herald, Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson, summon forth the Autocrat of the event. Conveniently, this was also Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson, and so things proceeded rapidly. Lord Snorri begged Their Majesties’ permission to address the populace, and then called out for recognition the names of his deputies for the day: the Head of Troll Baroness Mathilde des Pyrenees, the Reeve Lord Hafdan Dansson (called Bones), the Dayboard Chief Lady Ewa of Caer Cinnuit, the Royalty Liaisons Duchess Rowan de la Garnison and Baroness Rowena ni Dhonnchaidh, the Program Scribe Lady Euron Wen (called Aerin), the Master of Sanitation Drottin Sigurdr Isolfsson, and his Assistant Autocrat, Lady Annika Iosafova. Lord Snorri gave all credit to those fine gentles, who did the actual work of running the event while he simply walked about in undirtied white clothing.

At that time, the court’s unofficial business being completed, Floki Manisson was summoned before the throne. Their Majesties did speak warmly of all his assistance and good works in the Shire of Coppertree, and so were moved to Award him Arms with a lovely scroll illuminated by Brother Riobard Michael Padraig Timothy Seamus O’Sulleabhain and calligraphed by Mistress Liadhain Ni Clarigh na Coilte.

Floki receives an AoA. Photo by Baron Steffan,

Next did Their Majesties call for Lady Ewa of Cair Cinnuit, who appeared, unsurprisingly, from the kitchen clad in well-used apron. They spoke of her long service to her Shire, taking on many necessary jobs unwanted by others, and so would have her name entered into the rolls of the Order of the Keystone. Exquisite scroll by Lady Aurelia Argenta Prima.

Lady Ewa receives a Keystone. Photo by Baron Steffan,

At this point, it was His Majesty Timothy’s will to hear from the Royal Consorts present, regarding the chivalry and honor of the day’s combatants and participants. A great number of them did approach, and many gave tokens: Princess Liadain to Lord Bjarki Rikarðarson, Countess Caryl Olesdatter to Lord Salvador Moro di Medici, and Viscountess Lucilla Theresa de Courtenay to young Otto Brandulfarson for his exceptional helpfulness as a list runner, but rising above all these gentles was Master Kieran MacRae. Upon Master Kieran’s name being called, the Shield of Chivalry Master Jacob Martinson stepped forward from the Royal retinue, divested himself of the Shield of Chivalry, and gave it to Master Kieran, bidding him good wishes. Master Kieran was then cheered, and took his place with the Royal retinue.

Master Kieran receives the Shield of Chivalry. Photo by Baron Steffan.

That business being finished, Their Majesties required the presence of Lady Vedis Aradottir. They spoke of her work at illumination and calligraphy, as lovely as it is prolific, and so saw fit to induct her into the Order of the Sycamore, with a scroll by THL Helena Mutzhazenin.

Lady Vedis receives a Sycamore. Photo by Baron Steffan.

Next, Their Majesties summoned to them Drottin Matheus hundamaðr. His Majesty waxed philosophical on the relative merits of sekanjabin and other period cooling drinks for some time, speaking at length about his enjoyment of such beverages, and then made Drottin Matheus a Companion of the Sycamore for his skill in period cooking, giving him a colorful scroll by Master Dagonell Collingwood.

Lord Matheus receives a Sycamore. Photo by Baron Steffan.

As Drottin Matheus made to rise, he was asked to remain a moment longer, as the Crown had further business with him. They spoke of his long service to his Shire, as a cook, Knight Marshal, and many other and sundry duties, and then called forth the Noble Order of the Millrind. King Timothy then added the name of Drottin Matheus to this Order’s ranks. The superlative scroll had illumination by Baroness Juliana Rosalita dolce di Siena, and  poetry by THL Emer Nic Aiden calligraphed by Baron Padraig.

Lord Matheus receives a Millrind. Photos by Baron Steffan.

While the Millrinds were still present, Their Majesties stated that there was one other in the hall needing addition to their order. They called for Baron Ulrich Drachendonner, who was currently holding the Sword of State in the Royal retinue, and spoke admiringly of his many years of dedicated service, and so added him to the Order of the Millrind. Sir Murdoch Bayne presented him with an ancestral medallion after reading its lineage, and a scroll by Sir Murdoch was read and presented in recognition of this honor.

Baron Ulrich receives a Millrind. Photo by Baron Steffan.

The Sword of State needing a new carrier, Lord Bjarki Rikarðarson was beckoned forward to take Baron Ulrich’s place, as His Excellency had been taken to the rear of the hall, along with Drottin Matheus, by a gaggle of unruly Millrinds to receive congratulations.

Their Majesties next demanded the presence of Lady Glenna Cholmondeley of Delftwood. His Majesty again waxed philosophical on the various arts of the kingdom, speaking glowingly of Lady Glenna’s sprang weaving, for which he has particular admiration and fondness. Feeling that such skill needed further recognition, the Noble Order of the Fleur d’Æthelmearc was called to attend, and Lady Glenna was added to their order.

Lady Glenna receives a Fleur. Photo by Baron Steffan.

As the Fleurs departed with their newest member towards the back of the hall, a great number of them stopped and turned about, for Their Majesties had called for their Most Noble Order of the Laurel to attend the throne. When they were assembled around Them, Baroness Nuzha bint Saleem was called forth from the populace. Their Majesties inquired of the assembled Order if they still wished this lady to join their ranks, and they did, and so a Writ to Contemplate Elevation to the Most Noble Order of the Laurel was presented to Baroness Nuzha, on a scroll by Baroness Ekaterina Volkova.

Baroness Nuzha receives a Writ for the Order of the Laurel. Photo by Baron Steffan.

The Queen then stood and addressed the populace, and spoke at length of the prowess and chivalry of the day’s other tournament finalist, His Highness Maynard’s opponent, Sir Arnþór inn Sterki. Sir Arnþór fought valiantly in the finals against Prince Maynard, battling through an injury (from which he assures me he will recover, in four to six weeks) to take one bout from the Prince. She named him Her Inspiration, and awarded him a Golden Escarbuncle in token of this.

Sir Arnþór processing with his wife, Lady Ceirich. He received a Golden Escarbuncle at Court. Photo by Baron Steffan.

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.

There being no further business, court was closed.

Submitted by:

Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson
Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald