Unofficial Crown Tourney Court Report
On the 5th of November, in the 51st year of the Society, on chilly morning in the Province of Malagentia, those who sought to be Heirs to Brion III and Anna III, as determined by a Crown Tournament, and those others who had gathered to watch and serve, came together before Their Majesties.
The combatants and consorts lined up in a great Procession to each speak with the Crown, each couple presenting themselves in turn. However, when Ameria Browne and her Champion presented themselves, the Crown announced that Ameria’s station was not found suitable. Their Majesties opened Their Court and presented the words of Their forebearers, Brennan II and Caoilfhionn II, and named her a Lady of the Court and Awarded her Arms, dated to November 7th, A.S. 50, and presented her a scroll to commemorate this with calligraphy and words by Mistress Rhonwen glyn Conwy and illumination by Miriam bat Pessah.
At the end of the Procession, Their Majesties called together Their populace. They then called for Doña Camille Desjardins and spoke of the exceptional artwork she produced as a scribe and said that such surpassing skill should be recognised. They then called for Their Order of the Laurel and set Doña Camille on vigil to consider whether she would accept the accolade of Peerage in that Order.
Their Majesties felt that the Order was still be incomplete and so His Majesty, with a look of consideration, strode into the gathered crowd and took by the elbow Sir Michael of York, to that one’s look of great shock. Sir Michael knelt before the thrones and he, too, for his great skill and research into storytelling, was offered to opportunity to consider whether he would join that ancient and noble Order in Court that evening.
Their being no further business of the moment, the Crown spoke to the assembled combatants and then the tourney began. As the dust of combat settled, Master Ioannes Aurelius Serpentius stood alone. Their Majesties brought forward the Coronets of the Prince and Princess of the East. At Master Ionness’ request, his consort and inspiration, Mistress Ro Honig von Sommerfeldt, was crowned first, making her Princess of the East. King Brion, Queen Anna, and Princess Honig then crowned Ionness the new Prince of the East. There was a pause then, so that the Heirs could prepare themselves for Court.
Court then resumed, but found much solemnity in the first piece of business. Their Majesties asked for a moment of silence for Lord Wulfgang Gruenwald, who had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. “To absent friends.”
The moment over, His Highness Ionness was invested as the Crown Prince of Tir Mara in accordance with Kingdom tradition. Her Highness Honig was invested as the Crown Princess of Tir Mara. Both were given capelets with the arms of the Crown Principality.
Their Majesties called for Master Ávaldr Valbjarnarson, who fought Prince Ionness in the finals, and named him Admiral of the Armies.
The Ladies of the Rose then came forward and offered tokens to those who had impressed them during the day. Duchess Ethedreda’s token went to Baroness Mari Clock van Hoorne. Countess Elsepth’s token was given to Baron Sigurthr VigurHafn. Countess Mara’s token went to Lady Vasia Von Königsburg. Duchess Thyra gave her token to Sir Matthew des Arden. Master Ávaldr Valbjarnarson received Duchess Avelina’s token. Duchess Katherine gave two tokens, one to Baron Rory MacLellan and another to Lord Richard Crowe. Jarl Valgard Stonecleaver accepted Duchess Brenwen’s token. Countess Svava gave her token to Sir Edward MacGyver dos Scorpus. Countess Violante gave her token to Prince Ionness. Princess Honig’s token went to Lady Solveig Bjarnardottir.
Queen Anna then called for the Shield of Chivalry from its current bearer, Sir Wilhelm von Ostenbrucke. Sir Wilhelm was, sadly, called away for the day but the shield was brought forward by his wife and inspiration, Mistress Vienna de la Mer.
Her Majesty then called for Sir Hrafn Bonesetter and named him the newest bearer of the Shield of Chivalry.
The Crown called for Mistress Mercedes de Calafia and accepted her to another term as Kingdom Seneschal.
The King and Queen then called for the children of the East to attend them. As has become Their custom, they set before the children a quest to learn more about the SCA while receiving a toy. Their Majesties called for their Earl Marshal, Sir Jibril al Dakhil, who may have denied he was there before skipping up the aisle, and asked that he speak to the children of the ways of chivalry and combat.
Those new to the Society, attending their first events, were called forward and given tokens that they might remember the day with fondness in the future.
Next, the event stewards – Lord Nicolas de Wyntere and Baroness Molly Schofield – were called forward and thanked for the wonderful event they put together. Lord Nicolas and Baroness Molly then thanked Talia of Malagentia for her work with the dayboard.
Their Majesties summoned Murtagh O’Kelly and spoke of his fighting, garbmaking, runecraft, and boat-making, and felt these things all very worthy. They Awarded him Arms and gave Lord Murtagh a scroll to remember the day, a woodblock print by Mistress Renye Wurm, with words and calligraphy by Mistress Nest verch Tangwistel.
Lijsbet von Catwick was called forward. The King and Queen spoke of her work as an herbalist and preparer of fine foods and shaped sugar. They then asked the Order of the Silver Brooch to stand and made Lijsbet and member of that Order and also Awarded her Arms. She was given a scroll to commemorate this, illuminated by Mistress Agatha Wanderer, calligraphed by His Lordship Gwilliam Kynith, with words by Mistress Aneleda Falconbridge and Anna Bijns.
The Order of the Silver Brooch not complete, Their Majesties requested the presence of Lady Elgiva Wilhelm. For her work as a tailor and cook, They named her a Companion of that Order, giving her a scroll crafted by Baroness Marieta Charay.
Next, the Crown called for Aesa Ormstunga. For her skill in rapier and service to that community as a marshal for Malagentia and at Great Northeastern War, she was inducted into the Order of the Silver Rapier. She received a scroll penned by Lady Aesa feilinn Jossursdottir.
Their Majesties then had read a scroll for Conner MacSeamus O’Neal awarding him the Order of the Maunche. Lord Conner was not present, but he had been inducted into the said Order at K&Q Rapier Champions on October 22nd, A.S. 51. The scroll was made by Lord Vettorio Antonello.
Titus Claudius Silvanus was called before the Crown, who spoke of his skill fighting in both the Birka bear pit and on the Unbelted Champions team, and named him a Companion of the Order of the Silver Tyger. To remember the day, he was given a scroll prepared by Lady Myrun Leifsdottir, with words by Mistress Alys Mackyntoich.
King Brion and Queen Anna then requested the attendance of Lord Brenden Crane. For his work documenting the events of the East Kingdom for all to see, and teaching those skills, he was named a Companion of the Silver Wheel and received a scroll crafted by Lady Svea the Short-Sighted.
Her Majesty then called for Jarl Thorvald Halversson called Thorson and thanked him for his friendship and “being you”. She took a ring from Her finger and presented this token to him.
Their Majesties then called for Lord Samuel Peter DeBump called Speedbump. They spoke of his skill as a combat archer, his dedication, skill, and teaching, and his time as a regional marshal and found all these things worthy. They asked the Order of the Golden Mantle to stand, named him a Companion of the same, and gave to him a scroll crafted by Boyer Aleksei Dmitriev.
The Crown then requested the answer to the question set before Sir Michael of York. He agreed that he would accept a place in the Order of the Laurel. The Order was called forward, and words from the worthies of the peerage were read. Duke Kenric aet Essex read the words of Duke Brennan mac Fearghus for the Chivalry. Duchess Thyra Eiriksdottir spoke for the Roses. Master Frasier MacLeod brought the words of Master Nataliia Anastasiia Evgenova Sviatoslavina vnuchka for the Order of Defense. (There may be rumours that he kneeled so he could properly convey her words.) Countess Svava Þorgeirsdóttir spoke for the Pelican. Lastly, Mistress Anne of Framlingham spoke for the Order of the Laurel. Sir Michael was then outfitted in the regalia of the Order. He was given a cloak, a hood, and a pin. That finished, he renewed his oath of fealty to the Crown. Lastly, he was given a scroll with calligraphy and illumination by Mistress Eleanor Catlyng, words by Mistress Aildreda de Tamwurthe, and seals by Mistress Nest verch Tangwistel.
That business completed, Their Majesties called for the answer to the question set before Doña Camille Desjardins. She agreed to accept a place in the Order of the Laurel but first needed to be released from her apprenticeship. Mistress Bryn de Luna, Camille’s grand-Laurel, released her in the absence of her own Laurel, Mistress Carolyne de la Pointe. That finished, words were spoken of Camille’s character. Sir Edward MacGyver dos Scorpus spoke for the Chivalry. Duchess Katherine Stanhope read the words of Countess Marguerite ingen Lachlainn, speaking for the Order of the Rose. Master Frasier MacLeod spoke for the Order of Defense. Colonel Christian Woolfe spoke for the Pelican. Finally, Mistress Bryn de Luna spoke for the Laurel. Camille was then bedecked in the regalia of her Order. She was given a set of garters, a medallion, a cloak, and a wreath that had belonged to her Laurel, Mistress Carolyne. Mistress Camille then offered her fealty to the Crown and was then given a scroll illuminated by Mistress Ro Honig von Somerfeldt with words and calligraphy by Lady Christiana Crane.
Their Majesties then asked the people of Malagentia to stand and thanked them and offered Their gratitude for the wonderful event they put together.
Princess Honig then stood and, tears in her eyes, thanked her family and the people of Malagentia for the day.
There being no further business, Court was concluded and Their Majesties and Their Highnesses processed from the hall.
These are the events of the day as I recall them. My thanks to the people of Malagentia, the guards and retainers, the heralds and scribes, the combatants and consorts, and all those who made the day the event it was.
For Crown and College,
Pray know I remain,
Master Rowen Cloteworthy