Unofficial Court Report – The Last Court of Kenric and Avelina and the Coronation of Edward II and Thyra
By: Baron Rowen Cloteworthy
And so it was on crisp, clear morning, the 13th day of October, the
47th year as these things are reckoned, that the people of the East
gathered at the Church of All Saints in the Barony of Concordia of the
Snows. The populace had come to see Queen Avelina settle the affairs
of her husband, King Kenric, fallen from injuries sustained in a great
boar hunt the prior weekend and watch the Coronation of Edward II and
Thyra as the new King and Queen of the East.
As the choir sang “Pange Melos Lacrimosum”, His Majesty Kenric’s body
was processed silently up the aisle of the cathedral, borne by Duke
Lucan von Drachenklaue, Sir Culann mac Cianain, Pan Jan Janowicz
Bogdanski, Sir Arnwulf Æthelreding, Baron Matthew Moraveous Avdenmork,
and Lord Buyanderlger, and followed by the Queen’s Guard, Her Majesty,
the ladies-in-waiting, and other attendants.
Her Majesty expressed Her thanks for the support of Her people, then
gestured to Master Anton of Winteroak, Their Majesties’ wita or
lawyer. Master Anton began to address the conditions of His Majesty’s
last will and testament.
Svoi Ivanov was called forth. Her Majesty spoke of his loyal service
and how His Majesty did not wish Svoi to be left destitute, and gave
him lands, and Awarded him Arms. A document was drawn to attest to
this, created by Mistress Saerlaith ingen Chennetig with words by His
Majesty Kenric.
The wita then called for Rebecca Tomasina de Venezia. Queen Avelina
spoke of Their appreciation for Rebecca and that King Kenric wished
that she be given some small lands to maintain herself and so Awarded
her Arms. The words of His Majesty were taken down on a scroll
prepared by Mistress Alisay de Falaise.
His Majesty’s chief retainer, Baron Matthew Moraveous Avdenmork, was
called before the Court. He had been summoned by His Majesty at Four
Tourneys and an Investiture in the Barony of Bergental on the 15th of
September. For his service to His Majesty, a scroll calligraphed by
Lady Heather Rose de Gordoun with words by Kenric Rex was crafted,
awarding him a King’s Cypher as of that date.
Their Majesties majordomo from their Royal Encampment at Pennsic,
Master Ernst Nuss von Kitzingen, was asked to present himself as he,
too, had been summoned on the 15th of September at Four Tourneys and
an Investiture in the Barony of Bergental. In thanks for his service,
King Kenric had written down His words, penned by Mistress Kayleigh
McWhyte, presenting him a King’s Cypher, dated to the Investiture.
Duke Lucan von Drachenklaue, Their Majesties’ Chief of Staff, was
asked to present himself and did so. Her Majesty spoke in a choked
voice of his many long years of support and how King Kenric’s
attainment of the throne would not have been possible without His
Grace’s help. The wita then read from His Majesty’s will, that Lucan
be gifted the King’s Cypher, and a document with His Majesty’s words,
calligraphed by Sir Culann mac Cianain, was drawn up to attest to
this.
Master Anton then called for Baron Brennan mac Fearghus, the Royal
liaison, and Baroness Caoilfhionn inghean Fhaoláin, the Head
Lady-in-Waiting, and they were summoned to hear His Majesty’s last
wishes. Queen Avelina spoke of their many hours of service to the
Crown over the past several months, how many last minute requests
they’d handled. In King Kenric’s will, Baron Brennon was gifted a
King’s Cypher, and this was attested to on a page calligraphed by
Mistress Eva Woderose in His Majesty’s words. Baroness Caoilfhionn was
also bequeathed a King’s Cypher, and this, too, was penned by Mistress
Eva from King Kenric’s words.
Before they were dismissed from the Presence, Queen Avelina spoke her
own words to Baron Brennon mac Fearghus and Baroness Caoilfhionn
inghean Fhaoláin, relating how she had come to rely on them, and
further spoke that She wished to reward their service in Her fashion
as well. And then to Baron Brennan She presented Her Queen’s Cypher,
on a scroll created by Mistress Fiona O’Maille ó Chaun Coille and to
Baroness Caoilfhionn a Queen’s Cypher as well in the form of an
embroidered cloth stiched by Mistress Eleanor le Brun.
His Majesty’s last wishes concluded, Master Anton retired his role as
wita and His Majesty’s body was removed by the bearers and His
attendents as the choir sang a reprise of “Pange Melos Lacrimosum”.
Her Majesty then began settling her own affairs of State. Mistress
Sfandra Dmitrieva iz Chernigova, who had been called to attend the
Crown at Freimarkt Fair in the Barony of the Bridge on the 22nd of
September, was again summoned, and given a beautiful box containing a
sewing kit assembled by Mistress Michal Almond de Champagne, in
recognition of her time in art in clothing the King, and was
furthermore named Seamstress to the Crown.
Godewyn of Bois Ardent was called forth and recognised for his skills
in leatherwork, woodwork, and research of the Anglo-Saxon people, and
for these things he was Awarded Arms, and this recognition was
recorded on paper by Baron Ian Raven of Tadcaster, who illuminated a
scroll upon which Baroness Annys Wolf of Wharram Percy calligraphed
the words of Master Godfroy de Falaise.
Baroness Cateline la Broderesse and Baroness Marguerite de Saint
Nazaire were then requested to attend Her Majesty and they did so, and
Queen Avelina said that She had called for them at the Pennsic War on
the 8th of August and so from that time thanked them both for their
gifts of clothing and said that as of that prior day they were to be
recognised as Seamstresses to the Crown.
The Honourable Company of Brewers and Fermenters of the Barony of
Concordia of the Snows then approached and offered a bottle of heather
mead to Her Majesty as a small thanks for her kindnesses, and Her
Majesty spoke that She believed that their gift would indeed provide
comfort in this troubled time and offered Her thanks.
her Majesty then spoke of Baroness Elisabeth Borden, the many years
they had talked together and planned, of Her Excellency’s help and
advice and the garb she had crafted for the Crown and though she was
not present upon the day, Baroness Elisabeth was gifted with the
Queen’s Cypher, and this deed was recorded by Pan Jan Janowicz
Bogdanski.
At the Queen’s word, Baroness Medhbh inghean ui Cheallaigh, the Royal
Scheduler, was summoned once again, as she had been at Freimarkt Fair
in the Barony of the Bridge on the 22nd of September though
circumstances prevented her from attending the Crown that day. Her
Majesty spoke of the many hours of work Her Excellency had given, and
the great help she had been, and gifted to Baroness Medhbh her Queen’s
Cypher in the form of a scroll that Baron Wulfgaar Silverbraid had
created with words written by Baroness Theodora Brennanoif called
Treannah.
Her Majesty the called for the Captain of the Guard, Baron Karl of
Aschehyrist, called Karl Meerstapa. With sadness, She told him that
the time had come to stand down Her Guard, and so the Guard was called
forth and they kneeled before the Queen, and one by one they silently
and with honour presented Her their baldrics. As they made to retired,
Queen Avelina spoke to Her Captain with tears in Her eyes, and thanked
him for his loyalty and dedication, and she gave to Baron Karl Her
Queen’s Cypher, which had been inked by Mistress Eleanor MacCarthaigh
and penned by Lady Henna Sinclair, upon which the entirety of the
Guard dispersed to return to their lands and homes.
Her Majesty then called for Mistress eLeri of Nefyn, the Kingdom
Mistress of the Lists, who was brought forth in a sedan chair, and
also called for Mistress Lylie of Penhyll. Mistress eLeri then said
that to be Mistress of the Lists that one needed hands to write, and
feet to run, and that she no longer had the use of either, and wished
that Mistress Lylie be named Mistress of the Lists. And that thing was
done, and Mistress Lylie accepted the role of Mistress of the Lists.
Mistress eLeri said then that Kenric and Avelina were her King and
Queen, and that she loved them, and Her Majesty again near tears said
that She in turn had come to have great love for eLeri in the long
years eLeri had been known to Her, when eLeri was still Chatelaine to
the Kingdom. And Her Majesty spoke of Mistress eLeri’s works as
Chatalaine, and Listmistress, and Baroness of Concordia of the Snows,
and how the Kingdom was greater for her being there, and gave unto
eLeri a scroll prepared by Ladies Elisabeth Greenleaf, Isabel
Chamberlaine, and Heather Rose de Gordoun, from words written by
Master G. Emerson True on behalf of the Crown, and those words were
spoken for all to hear, and at that time and in that place Mistress
eLeri of Nefyn was given a Kingdom Augmentation of Arms by the Crown
to her great surprise, and with that Mistress eLeri retired the
Presence.
Her affairs set to rights, Queen Avelina closed Her Court and
commanded the presence of Prince Edward.
The choir sang “Gaudete Heres Optatus” as His Highness entered,
preceded by Duke Gregor von Heisler representing the Order of the
Pelican and Duke Gryffith fitzWilliam representing the Order of the
Chivalry, and followed by Don Griffith Davion, representing the Order
of the Golden Rapier and carrying the Reliquary of Earth from the
First Tourney, and with them squires carrying helm and shield.
Prince Edward presented Himself to Her Majesty who said to Him that
She, having not attained Her Crown by right-of-arms, recognised His
claim to the throne according to ancient custom. Prince Edward then
knelt, took the reliquary into His hands, and upon it swore to defend
the realm, protect its laws and customs, serve as the first defender
of the ideals of honor and chivalry, and to hold to these oaths to the
peers, baronage, and people of the realm. And with that, Queen Avelina
removed Her crown and passed it to Mistress Hedewigis Ockenfüßin, the
Kingdom’s Seneschal, took up the Crown of the East, and placed it upon
the Prince’s head, naming Him Edward II, King of the East.
King Edward assumed His throne as Avelina quietly departed to
“Firmetur Manus Tua” as performed by the choir and then His Majesty
called for His Champions, who assembled beside him.
The Ampulla, holding water from the Bay of the Mistlands whereat the
World was born, was brought forward by Mistress Alys Mackyntoich, and
some of the water placed on His Majesty’s brow to remind Him of those
who ruled before.
A ring was brought forward by Baroness Cassandra Gray and placed on
King Edward’s hand, to remind Him of royal dignity, to be a seal of
the bond with His people, and establish Him protector of chivalry,
honour, and truth.
Next, Baron Brennon mac Fearghus, King’s Champion of Arms, brought
forth the Sword of State which His Majesty accepted, agreeing to
defend widows and orphans, strike down iniquity, restore things gone
to decay, and to maintain those things which were restored.
Lastly, the rod of virtue and equity was presented to the King by the
Honourable Lord Lachlann Graeme, that His Majesty might exalt the good
and terrify the wicked, repress the proud and lift up the lowly.
Mistress Hedewigis then raised a point, stating that by Law and
ancient custom it was not right that the king should rule alone and
asked if His Majesty would stand by the treaty previously made between
the Houses of Lochleven and Darostur. King Edward agreed to this, and
so Princess Thyra was summoned.
Her Highness entered to the music of “Dromte Mig en Drom”, preceded by
Countess Marguerite ingen Lachlainn, representing the Order of the
Rose, and Mistress Eva Woderose, representing the Order of the Laurel,
and followed by Mistress Ygraine of Kellswood as a representative of
the Order of the Sagittarius. Princess Thyra was asked if She would
agree to the treaty as well, that She might rule alongside King
Edward, and She agreed to do as such.
At this time, then, the treaty was read, and it stated in no small
part that Earl Edward Gray of House Lochleven and Baroness Thyra
Eiriksdottir of House Darostur, agreed that upon Their victory in the
Crown Lists to stand together and lead the East from the ashes of war
to a renaissance of courtesy and wisdom, of dance and of song, and
also that They would renew friendships within and without the Kingdom.
By this treaty Edward was named the undoubted King of the East and
Thyra the rightful Queen of the same; that together They would also
rule the Crown Principality of Tir Mara until such time as new Heirs
to that place could be determined, which was to be no later than the
next feastday of Saints Simeon and Jude; that the Lady AEthelthryth,
until lately called the Princess Royale, renounced her claim upon the
throne; that her mother, until now Queen and wife of the late King
Kenric now deceased, as well relinquished her claim to the Tyger
throne and that she be given lands to keep her in good stead as due
her service.
This treaty agreed to by both King Edward and Princess Thyra, Her
Highness then took into Her hands the Reliquary of the First Tourney,
and upon it swore that she, too, would defend and protect the realm,
protect its laws and customs, keep the peace, serve as chiefest patron
of the arts and highest example of grace and courtesy, and to hold to
these oaths to the peers, baronage, and people of the realm.
With this oath, King Edward placed the Crown of the East upon Her head
and named her Queen of the East. Her Majesty rose and called for the
Queen’s Champions to take their rightful places by her side.
Mistress Alys again brought forth The Ampulla of the waters of the Bay
of the Mistlands, and some of the water placed on Her Majesty’s brow
to remind Her, too, of those who ruled before Her, that Her reign be
happy and worthy of inclusion in the Rolls of the Crowns of the East.
The choir reprised its playing of Dromte Mig en Drom, as Queen Thyra
was clothed by Her Ladies in an heraldic overgown, then Her Majesty
was escorted to the Throne of the East by King Edward.
Lady Ellisif Veymundardottir brought forth a ring, which was placed
upon Queen Thyra’s finger, that it might remind her of royal dignity,
be a seal of the bond with Her people, and establish Her protector of
courtesy, honour, and truth.
A septer of virtue was brought forth by Lord Maurin Lessault, that it
might remind Her Majesty to govern Herself aright and defend the realm
and people of Her charge, that She, like His Majesty, might punish the
wicked, protect the just, and lead the people of the East righteously.
These things done, it was proclaimed that Their Majesties were now
lawfully crowned, and They were tasked with remembering to honour the
oaths They had given to the peers, baronage, and people of the East.
Their Majesties stood, and the choir sang to them “Te Regem Laudamus”.
The Great Officers of State were called for, and each in their turn
swore that they would be diligent in their duties and execute the
lawful commands of the Crown. And so, too, was the House Runnymede,
the assembled Landed Baronage of the East called forth, and they each
in their turn as well swore that they would faithfully hold their
lands and see to the prosperity of their people in the name of the
rightful King and Queen.
And with those things all done, the Brigantia Principal Herald
presented to the people Edward II and Thyra, undoubted King and Queen
of the East, and called for the people’s homage to the Crown, to which
the people of the East responded, “Long live King Edward! Long live
Queen Thyra! Long live the Kingdom of the East!” And with that, the
people rose, the Coronation concluded, and Their Majesties Edward II
and Thyra departed to the singing of “Album Regum Orientis”, the Roll
of the Crowns of the East.
These are my recollections of the events of the day. To those who were
recognised, many congratulations. To all those who made the day
possible, many thanks. May the reign of Kenric and Avelina reside in
blessed memory and the reign of Edward II and Thyra be glorious.
Pray know I remain,
In service to Crown and College,
– Baron Rowen Cloteworthy