Unofficial Court Report: Fall Crown Tournament 2017
Their Majesties, Tsar Ivan and Tsaritsa Matilde, rulers of the East, did determine they needed heirs. Thus it was on the 4th day of November, AS LII, they ventured to their Barony of Bergental, and held their Crown Tournament.
The entrants presented themselves to their Tsar and Tsaritsa. Then, they received words from the Kingdom Marshal of Armored Combat, and the rules of the list from the Troubadour Herald. Their Majesties did say some words, and opened a court.
Ivan and Matilde called before them Alton Hewes. They spoke of his prowess in combat, and called forth the Order of the Silver Tyger. He received a medallion, and a scroll by Palotzi Marti.
The Tsar and Tsaritsa next invited before them Dmitri Stephanovich. They spoke of his artistic skills, and called for the Order of the Silver Brooch. He received a medallion.
Next, their Majesties called before them Thomas of Effingham. Having previously received a writ, they placed him on vigil for the Order of Defense.
Ivan and Matilde called before them Viktor Dominik. Having previously received a writ, they placed him on vigil for the Order of Chivalry.
Their Majesties invited Briony of Chatham into their court. She reported that her term as Mistress of the Guild of Athena’s Thimble was over, and named Vienna de la Mer as her successor.
Their Majesties suspended their court, and the Crown Tournament began.
It was a day of impressive, honorable and chivalrous combat, and at the end Brennan mac Fergus faced Matthew d’Arden. Both fought well, but Brennan emerged victorious.
Their Majesties crowned Caoilfhionn inghean Fhaolain Princess of Tir Mara, and Brennan mac Fearghus Prince of Tir Mara, and the heirs to the Crown of the East. 
Not long after the end of the tournament, Their Majesties held court.
The Tsar and Tsaritsa invited the Ladies of the Rose to join them. The nine Roses did select and award tokens to gentles who had impressed them. Further, they presented the Shield of Chivalry to Euric Germanicus.
Next was Matthew d’Arden called into Court. For placing second in their Crown Tournament, they named him Admiral of the Armies, and he received the traditional hat.
Their Majesties next invited Damian Isolfsson into court. The named him a Lord of the Court, presenting him with an Award of Arms, and a scroll by Aradyn Ghyoot.
Ivan and Matilde next welcomed before them Duncan Kerr. They spoke of his prowess as an equestrian, and called for their Order of the Golden Lance. They inducted him into the order, presenting him with a medallion and a scroll featuring illumination by Carmelina da Vicari and calligraphy by Harold von Auerbach.
The Tsar and Tsaritsa called forward the children. As always, they entertained the populace in attendance as they chased the toybox.
Their Majesties welcomed into their court Kellenin de Lanwinnauch. She was made a Lady of the Court, receiving an Award of Arms, and a scroll by Wulfgar Silverbraid with words by Theodora Bryennissa, called Treannah.
Ivan and Matilde invited Kai of Mountain Freehold to attend their court. He was made a Lord of the Court, receiving an Award of Arms with a scroll by Aelisif Hoarr Kona.
The Tsar and Tsaritsa did welcome into their court all those attending their first, second or third event. The newcomers received tokens, and were welcomed into the SCA.
Next was Þórý Veðardóttir invited into court. Their Majesties invited the Order of the Silver Wheel to attend. Þórý was presented with a medallion, and a wood scroll by Elen Alswyth of Eriskay.
Ivan and Matilde next invited Eloise of Coulter to attend then. She was accompanied by several members of the Order of the Laurel who were present, and read a petition signed by numerous members of the Order of the Laurel of the East, denouncing the actions of Mord Hrutsson.
That unfortunate business complete, Their Majesties invited the Kingdom Exchequer, Ignatia la Ciega, to attend them. Her term of office was up, and they presented her with a sock, the symbol of her freedom. They called for Hugh Tauerner, who spoke his fealty, and became Kingdom Exchequer.
The Tsar and Tsaritsa invited before them Bryon De Burgh. They spoke of his prowess with Thrown Weapons, and presented him with a medallion for being the 2nd in the kingdom to achieve the rank of Master Thrower. Not finished yet, they inducted him into the Order of the Silver Mantle. His induction into said order made him a Lord of the Court, and Awarded him Arms.
Their Majesties called before them Thomas of Effingham, to answer the question for which he’d sat vigil. Thomas was inducted into the Order of Defense, receiving a Patent of Arms, a coat, three separate collars and a pair of gloves, as well as a scroll illuminated by Camille des Jardins, with calligraphy by Eva Woderose and words by Alys Mackyntoich.
Next was Marieta Charay invited before the Court. Her scribal works noted, their 
Majesties called for their Order of the Silver Brooch. Marieta received a medallion, and a scroll by Eva Woderose with words by Alys Mackyntoich.
The order not yet complete, the Tsar and Tsaritsa invited before them Antonii Machinevik. They inducted him into the order, presenting him with a medallion made by his own hand, and a scroll with illumination by Nataliia Anastasiia Evgenova,
calligraphy by Þóra Eiríksdóttir, and words by Merrill Wyntere.
Though the order departed from the presence, their Majesties had further business with Antonii Machinevik.
Speaking of his prowess in armored combat, they called for their Order of the Chivalry. Antonii was presented a writ to sit vigil at A Market Day at Birka, and received a scroll by Tola knitýr.
Ivan and Matilde called for Viktor Dominik to answer the question for which he’d sat vigil. Viktor was knighted, receiving a Patent of Arms as he was inducted into the Order of Chivalry with belt, spurs and chain. He received a scroll by Aleksei Dmitriev.
Court complete, Their Majesties and their newly crowned heirs departed. Long live the Tsar and Tsaritsa! Long life the Prince and Princess! Long live the Kingdom of the East!
In Service,
Malcolm Bowman, Brigantia Principal Herald
PS – Thank you to the heraldic staff for the day. Kirsa Oyutai, Maria von Ossenheim, Lucien de Wyntere,
Lorenzo Gorla, Audrye Beneyt, and Lorita da Siena for working as the sign herald.
Photos taken by Brendan Crane, except where marked otherwise.