There was a touch of unexpected snow the morning of March 23rd, A.S. LIII, known in the common era as 2019.  Still, Their Majesties, Wilhelm and Vienna arrived to join the many others who had come from near and far to enjoy Black Rose Ball, and the Investiture of Barony of the Bridge’s newest Baroness.
First court of the day began with welcoming Ulric von der Insel and Clotilde von der Insel to hold their last court as Baron and Baroness of the Bridge.  Once they had concluded what business they had, they were called before Their Majesties.  With heartfelt thanks Their Majesties spoke of all these two had done, and promised a basket of goodies to them later in the day.   Next Ulric von der Insel received a beautiful thank you scroll made by Perronnelle de Croy and Thyra Eiriksdottir, and Clotilde von der Insel received a beautiful thank you scroll made by Harold von Auerbach and Caremlina da Vicari.  Their Majesties took the coronets from Ulric and Clothilde and bade Their Herald to call for the next Baroness of the Bridge.  The Herald called for Avelina Keys and she did approach the dais and kneel before her King and Queen.  Queen Vienna now spoke of how thunderous the cry was that Avelina be this barony’s next leader, and how much joy this gave Them both to do.  With a coronet made for her by Olaf placed upon her head, and fealty sworn, Avelina arose, the newest Baroness of the Bridge.
Their Majesties called Lady Amia Turner and Baron Steffan ap Kennydd of Sliverwing forward now, for They had been told that these two gentles had business with this court.  First Lady Amia spoke of all that Clothilde von der Insel had done for the people of Barony of the Bridge, all the offices she had held over the years, and all that she had taught them.  Then Baron Steffan begged a boon on behalf of the Order of the Pelican, that Their Majesties might know that they believed their company was incomplete without Clothilde’s presence.  King Wilhelm and Queen Vienna called forward Their Order of the Pelican, and then drew Clothilde through their numbers to stand before Them.  Their Majesties asked her if she would join the order, and once she had taken a good look around her, she agreed.  With an embroidered applique of a Pelican, to add to her existing cloak, and some of the words from her scroll spoken by her very husband (the scroll had been a bit delayed by the morning’s snow) Clothilde found herself not only the most recently past Baroness of the Bridge, but also the newest companion of the Order of the Pelican. (more…)