His Excellencies staff finds Their Royal Majesties gift basket to him behind his baronial seat!
Photo by Genevieve de St-Denys (mka Rosalie Kubik Ferris)
The wheel turns and as the longest night approaches, it is time to celebrate the season with friends and family. On the 1st day of December A.S. LIII, known in the common era as 2018, in the Kingdom of the East the people gathered together to do just that. This celebration of Yule, hosted in the Barony of Bergental with the cooperation of Barony Beyond the Mountain, was attended by many, including The König and Königin of the Kingdom.
Joyous activity of all sorts were planned for the day. There was to be an Arts and Science display and classes, performances, merchants, Bergental’s Luminary competition, a Spear Tourney, the Heavy Weapons Champion’s Tournament for the Barony Beyond the Mountain, and a fencing list, all the delights of the season. But before the martial activities could begin, King Wilhelm bade his herald to gather everyone’s attention, and to open His court. He spoke about the desire that drives a fighter to train and practice and want to get better. He spoke about a fighter who has this spirit, one Svafnir Thorvaldson, and as she presented herself before Him, the order of the Silver Tyger was also called forth, that she might be added to their ranks. With a medallion and a scroll by Lorita deSiena, it was done – and court was suspended, that all might enjoy the day’s offerings.
Later in the day, all gathered in the great hall, that The King and Queen might hold court. Once all had found seats and the procession was completed, Their Majesties exchanged gifts with the Baron of Bergental, Johannes Filius Nicholai, and then allowed him to hold his court. In his court competitions were discussed and champions named, and worthy gentles where added to the Baronial orders.
Once Bergental’s court was concluded, Their Majesties exchanged gifts with the Baron and Baroness of Beyond the Mountain, Mark Red Hand and Gwenllian Ferch Llewelyn, and then allowed them to hold their court. They too spoke of competitions and named champions, and then added worthy gentles to their Baronial orders.
Now a discussion ensued – for it seemed there were people who resided in Barony Beyond the Mountain, who were currently serving as champions of the Barony of Bergental. With some careful negotiations a trade agreement was struck, and peace was able to continue between the baronies.
Now Royal Court was begun. The first to hear their name called before the King and Queen was Eryn fitzPatrick. The young woman was quite an equestrian and Her Majesty spoke of how impressed She was by Eryn. Then The Queen had the order of the Gawain called forward, and with a green garter and a scroll made just for her by Leonete d’Angely, Aeryn was added to their numbers.
Their Majesties thought that now would be an excellent time to call forward Agapios Cargos. Four weeks previous, Agapios had volunteered to run with the toy box that the children of the East might enjoy a merry chase. While there was some brief discussion as to whether Agapios was brave or foolish, he seemed to realize that sneaking out of court with the toy box increased his odds of survival, and slowly began to do so – but the children of the East are wise (and eager) and well before the count of 3 was concluded, they were running pel mel after poor Agapios.
Next to hear their name was Aurelia Colleoni a’Buccafurno. For all of her art, drawings, garb and baking – Their Majesties were eager to add her to Their order of the Silver Brooch. Once the order was assembled around her, the scroll by Fiona O’Maille was read, and a medallion placed round her neck, and her addition to the order was complete.
Now King Wilhelm and Queen Vienna had Their order of the Silver Mantle called forward. For they felt this order was not complete, and They would add a few gentles to their numbers this day. First was Safiya al-Naghira who is the number one ranked woman in the East for thrown weapons, and the Queen, as all should know, is quite fond of throwing weapons. Safiya was read words that Their Majesty’s herald, Treannah had written and was given a medallion and promised that a Scroll was forthcoming.
Thrainn Steinsson was next to be called forward to be added to the order of the Silver Mantle. The Queen talked about how well he had done in Their Thrown Weapons Championship and he too was read words that Their Majesty’s herald, Treannah had written and was given a medallion and promised that a Scroll was forthcoming. With that Their Majesty declared the order complete for the time being and they were sent to welcome their new members.
Jibril al-Ghazal next heard their name called. The selfless service and devotion this gentle showed to assisting another at events, that they might participate was noted. The Queen commented then on the fact that She had heard this gentle played the flute, and had won the instrumental category at the Ffesty Pen competition in Settmour Swamp recently. Words written by Treannah where then read, awarding Jabril arms. However King Wilhelm then stood, and declared that service such as He had heard described was exactly what the order of the Silver Wheel was for, and had this order called forward that Jibril could be made a companion then and there. A medallion was sent for, and the order was asked to remain, as there were additional gentles to include.
The Royal herald now called forward Agnes Edith Godolphin, and as Their Majesties discussed her service to Carolingia, voices raised in song could be heard. It was Lucien de Pontivi and Aidreda of Tamworthe singing the words illuminated on the scroll made for Agnes by Thyra (Þóra) Eiríksdóttir, Gundormr Dengir and translated by Aelia Fortunata. With a medallion as well, she was also included in the numbers of the order of the Silver Wheel.
The order was bade to remain a bit longer, as there was one more to add this day. The name of Stephen of Circus of the Damned was now called. Once he was kneeling before his King and Queen, the Queen spoke about his work with the Gypsy diner at Pennsic, and how with only 3 days’ notice, they had catered a same sex wedding at Pennsic because the originally hired caterer had just backed out upon finding out it was two women being wed. She commended them for proving with action that this is not acceptable and with a scroll made just for him by Aurelia Colleoni a’Buccaforn, and Edmund Beneyt, along with a medallion he too was included in the order of the Silver Wheel.
Now Their Majesties took a moment to give tokens to all individuals who were attending their 1st, 2nd or 3rd event. There were so many newcomers present that even Her Highness, Fortune, needed to assist in passing out those tokens.
Muirenn Ingen Ciric was next called before Their Majesties. The King noted how often Muireen had killed Him when they faced off, and how that certainly helped Him appreciate Muireen’s skills. The Order of the Silver Rapier should most certainly include this gentle among them, and so they were gathered around her, and with two medallions- one for fighting in and one fancy one for wearing to court, and a scroll by Saerlaith ingen Chennetig and Lucius Aurelius Varus, she was made a companion.
Their Majesties would now have Kazimierz of Carolingia before them. As They discussed with him how well he’d been doing as a Thrown Weapons fighter, he noted that he had finished second at Kings and Queen’s Thrown Weapons quite a few times. They then called forward Their order of the Golden Mantle, which is currently a small order. There was a medallion and a scroll made by Aaradyn Ghyoot to mark Kazimierz’s addition to the order.
This order’s numbers would be further increased this day. Now Symon of Barnesdale was called forward. His contributions to the Thrown Weapons community within Carolingia and elsewhere were noted, and with another scroll by Aaradyn Ghyoot, and a medallion, Symon was also added to the companions of the order of the Golden Mantle.
However Their Majesties had one more name to be added to this order’s ranks. They had Their Herald call The Queen’s own champion of Thrown Weapons forward, one Matteo Genovese. The Queen thanked him for helping Her get started with Thrown Weapons, and then with a scroll by Onora ingheann Ui Rauirc and a medallion, Matteo too was made a companion of the Golden Mantle.
Next the Herald called the name Kendra Thorsondaughter –this gentle was not present, and after a moment’s confusion, it was determined that this was another name for Svafnir Thorvaldson, who had received a Silver Tyger from the King that very morning. Since Their Majesties held in Their hands another Sylver Tyger scroll made specifically for this gentle – it was read and appreciated, and then was sent home to her with another who was present.
Aaradyn Ghyoot was then called for. Their Majesties noted that there were so many things she was helping with – head of the Calligrapher’s guild for Carolingia, a chatelaine, an Eastern artist – surely she must be added to the order of the Silver Crescent. The members of the order who were present came forward, and with a medallion and a scroll made just for her by Svea the Shortsighted, she was added to their numbers as well as given a Grant of Arms.
Angus Gove MacKinnon was next to hear his name. And after some discussion of his skill with spear, shield, buckler, two sword and great axe, the order of the Tygers Combatant was called forward. His Majesty noted that the medallion They were placing around Angus’s neck for this order was more of a target than a decoration. The scroll by Aelfgifu of the Hazel Thicket was then read, noting that this addition to the order came to him with a Grant of Arms.
The King then called before Them the order of the Laurel. He spoke about how the work of the Eastern artists were the envy of the Known World, and of how much They appreciated all the efforts that went into creating the various things they did. As Their Majesties prepared to finish speaking Their gratitude, Estgar æt Hrofeceastre stood from among the Laurels gathered there, and begged a boon. He spoke of a talented gentle from among Their Majesties people, who had certainly done the work to earn Their notice, and he asked of them a writ, and then named the gentle, one Ulfgeirr Ragnarrson. With a look of surprise, and the eager help of some friends, Ulfgeirr made his way before his King and Queen, and knelt before Them. The King spoke of His conversation the previous year with Duke Kenric, and how proud he would certainly be, and the Queen spoke of the beautiful works Ulfgeirr made, and even commented that She owned a few. Their Majesties clearly agreed that it was right and proper that he be given a Writ for inclusion in the Order of the Laurel. The writ scroll made by Ulfgeirr’s own wife, Lavina Attewode, along with Estgar æt Hrofeceastre, and translated by: Aidreda of Tamworthe was read out in both languages by Aidreda. It was noted that he would sit vigil at the Thawing of the Mud.
Their Majesties now called in Baroness Emma Makilmone & Mistress Jovonne d’Esprit who were the Event Stewards and thanked them and their entire staff for the wonderful day, and with that, Their Majesties’ court was then closed that all might enjoy the Yule feast.
Court Heralds this day were Theodora Bryennissa, called Treannah, Kirsa Oyutai, Marian Kirkpatrick, Simona bat Leone, Aaradyn Ghyoot, Kazimierz of Carolingia, Aildreda de Tamworthe and Wulfgar Silfrahárr
These are the events as I recall them unfolding before me.
Yours In Service,
Theodora Bryennissa, called Treannah
