On the 1st of April, A.S. LI, also numbered 2017 in the common era, Their Majesties Brion III and Anna III traveled to the Barony of Dragonship Haven, there to witness the Coronation of Their Heirs. That morning, Their Majesties opened their Last Court of the reign.

Lord Alexandre Saint Pierre was called forward. Praising his skills as a calligrapher and artist, Their Majesties called for the Order of the Laurel and bade Alexandre to sit vigil and contemplate whether he would accept a place in that Order, his answer to be given that evening.

Cosimo de Venezia and Lady Elaine Howys of Morningthorpe were called forward and recognised as Master Bowmen.

Mistress Mercedes Vera de Calafia was called forward. Though she was absent, Her Majesty bestowed upon Mercedes her Queen’s Award of Courtesy for her exemplary behaviour as Kingdom Seneschal.

Their Majesties called for Lord John fitz Thomas and Lady Janna von Guggisberg. For their good works as event stewards for King’s and Queen’s Bardic and Arts & Sciences Champions, they were awarded the Order of the Burdened Tyger.

Laurence Vaughn was summoned before the Throne. In recognition of his skills as a fighter and winner of the year’s Novice Tourney, in addition to service to multiple baronies, he was awarded the Order of the Silver Tyger. A scroll will be forthcoming.

The Crown called for Baron Duncan Kerr. They praised his skill with horses and at the equestrian games and named him the premier of the new Order of the Silver Mantle. He was given a scroll calligraphed by Mistress Nest verch Tangwistel with illumination by Melina al-Andalusiyya.

Mistress Eloise of Coulter was called for and Their Majesties spoke of her attention to detail in researching and practicing her clothing, lifestyle, and mannerisms and awarded her the King’s Order of Excellence. She was given a small girdle book created by Mistress Sarra the Lymner with words by Sir Jan Janowicz Bogdanski.

Master Rowen Cloteworthy and Mistress Suba al-Hadid were announced as the next Baron and Baroness of Bhakail.

Their Majesties called for Lady Nastassiia Ivanova Medvedeva called Tasha. They spoke of her work as record-keeper and webminister for the reign and for that and more gave her a Court Barony. She was given a scroll created by Mistress Saerlaith ingen Chennetig with words by Sir Lucius Aurelius Varus.

Mistress Kayleigh MacWhyte was summoned and praised by the Crown for her work as royal scheduler and scribe. She was given an Augmentation of Arms and a scroll created by Lord Vettorio Antonello.

The Crown next called for Mistress Lucie Lovegood and Baroness Isabelle de Montreuil sur Mer. They were each given a small gift.

Before she was dismissed, Their Majesties had further words for Baroness Isabelle de Montreuil sur Mer. For her excellent work as Head Lady in Waiting, she was given an Augmentation of Arms, with a scroll illuminated by Lady Palotzi Marti and calligraphed by Mistress Eleanor Catlyng.

Their Majesties called for Duchess Katherine Stanhope and Duke Randall of the Dark, thanked them for their friendship and gave them gifts as a token of that friendship.

Lady Anne de Basillon, Lady Audrye Bennett, Lord Hugh Tauerner, Rhiannon Grimolfsdottir, Lord Robert of Angelspur, and Baron Robert dwe Makmayane were called before the Crown. For their efforts assisting the reign, they were each presented with tokens of the Queen’s Award of Esteem.

Next, King Brion called for Elian of the Fellswood, Lady Marian Kirkpatrick, Agnes de la Court, and Baroness Alana of Skye. For each of their efforts, they were given tokens of the King’s Award of Esteem.

His Majesty called for Lady Cellach Dhonn Inghean Mhic an Mhadaidh, Baron Cristoff Gockerhan von Loch called Clockwork, Master Ryan McWhyte, Duchess Aikaterine Fitzwilliam, Baron Duncan Kerr, Baroness Jeanne de Robin, and Master Rowen Cloteworthy. For their service to His Majesty and the reign, each was awarded the King’s Cypher.

Queen Anna then called for Lady Serafina della Torre and Lady Fortune St. Keyne. For their service to Her Majesty, they were awarded the Queen’s Cypher.

King Brion called Lady Clarice d’Allaines le Comte and Lord Corwin Blackthorn before the throne. In recognition and thanks for their service, they were awarded the King’s Cypher.

Thereafter, Her Majesty called for Lady Sitt al-Gharb ha-niqret Khazariyya called Raven, Lord Johannes Mikkinen, Lord Grimolfr Skulason, Lord Alaric Godricsson, Lord Hassan ibn Abd al-Malik, and Lady Yasemin bint al-Hajjar. For all their service to the Queen and the reign, they were each awarded the Queen’s Cypher.

The Crown asked for the attendance of Lord Agapios Cargos. For his exemplary service and comportment on the Queen’s Guard, he was presented with a Court Barony and Granted Arms. He was given a scroll to commemorate this, created by Mistress Fiona O’Maille ó Chuan Coille.

Finally, Their Majesties called for the Princes Royale, Lord Duncan Tarragon and Lord Nigel Tarragon. In recognition of all the young men gave, and gave up, for their parents’ reigns, each was given a Court Barony and a Grant of Arms. Both received scrolls crafted by Brion Rex and Anna Regina.

The main business of Court concluded, Brion turned to Anna and sang “You Will Always Be My Queen”. The audience could be heard quietly singing along with him on the chorus. Her Majesty was moved to tears.

Her Majesty then dismissed the retainers, ladies-in-waiting, and Queen’s Guard. The royal household now dismissed, the Crown called for Their Heirs. Prince Ioannes walked in by himself, then waited as his Princess, Honig, processed in with her retainers and ladies to the sound of drumming and a recorder solo by Lord Arne Ulrichsson. With Ioannes and Honig kneeling before them, King Brion then took the crown from Queen Anna’s head and he and Anna crowned Honig Empress. Brion then took the crown from his own head and he, Anna, and Empress Honig crowned Ioannes Emperor of the East. Now Duke Brion and Duchess Anna withdrew to much applause and thus began the coronation ceremony of Ioannes and Honig.

These are the events of the Court as I recall them. My thanks to all the heralds who helped with this reign, and all those other retainers, ladies in waiting, guards, scribes, and all those others who made the day and the reign the wonderful time it was.

Long live the King! Long live the Queen! Long live the East!

Pray know I remain,
For Crown and College,

– Master Rowen Cloteworthy

On the first of October, Anno Societatis 51, in the Barony of Bergental, there was a Coronation. By the hands of King Kenric III and Queen Avelina III, Duchess Anna Ophelia Halloway Tarragon was crowned Queen Anna III. There was a brief pause in the Coronation ceremony as Brion sang “My Queen” to Queen Anna, bringing her – and several among the attending staff and audience – to joyful tears. Queen Anna then crowned Duke Brion Anthony Uriel Tarragon as King Brion III. They took the fealty of Their Great Officers of State, and of House Runnymede, and of Their Champions, and the people of the East and swore fealty to all of them in return. Rightfully crowned, they then called for Duke Kenric aet Essex, Duchess Avelina Keyes, and Lady Aethelthryth Kenricing and gave them gifts in return for the time they served the Kingdom. They then installed the Queen’s Guard and the Lords and Ladies in Waiting to their stations, before retiring to sit in State. Some little while later, the first Court of Their Majesties Brion III and Anna III was opened.

Duchess Rowan de la Garnison, Ambassador from Their Majesties Marcus and Marguerite of the Kingdom of AEthelmearc, was called before the Crown. She presented the words of Their Sylvan Majesties, words of friendship and unity, and gifts of the produce of their lands, cloth of their colours, and jewels. Duchess Rowan was warmly thanked for the gifts and instructed to bring Their Oriental Majesties’ own words of friendship back with her.

Their Majesties then called for the children of the East. King Brion spoke to the children, saying that if they wanted a toy from the chest, they must pursue scholarly deeds. He called for his Champion of Horse, Baroness Lillian Stanhope, and sent the children to follow her and learn something of horsemanship before each could take a toy.

Her Majesty then called for Duke Brennan mac Fearghus and thanked him for being a stalwart companion during Her time as Princess. She gifted him a bottle from the royal cellars as thanks for his guidance and friendship.

Queen Anna then called for Duchess Aikaterine FitzWilliam who, though not present, was thanked for the splendid Coronation garb she created for the Crown.

King Brion asked for Duke Gryffith, who was also absent, but thanked him for organising the Coronation tourney Their Majesties had requested.

Their Majesties then asked those newcomers to the Society to approach the throne and gave them handcrafted beads as tokens that they should remember the day.

Next the event stewards, Mistress Jovonne d’Esprit and Mistress Eleanore MacCarthaigh, were called before the Crown. They were thanked for the wonderful day they had organised and gifted bunches of roses as a thank you.

Master Julian le Scot was summoned by Queen Anna, who spoke of the fun times they had shared, the deep respect and admiration she had for him, and how Master Julian was someone who she wanted to emulate. She gifted him with a white glove and named him a Companion of the Queen’s Order of Courtesy.

Their Majesties called for Jehannette Bouchart. They spoke of her work as a tourney herald, as kitchen staff, and as a retainer for the Crown. Wishing to reward such works, They Awarded her Arms and made her a Lady of the Court. To commemorate this, Lady Jehannette was given a scroll created by Duchess Thora Eiriksdottir.

Drake MacGregor was brought before the thrones and Their Majesties praised him as a workhorse, quietly getting things done and striving to better himself. In recognition of his accomplishments, They Awarded him Arms, making him a Lord of the Court. A scroll by Baroness Mari Clock van Hoorne was presented to Lord Drake so that he would remember the day.

The Crown then asked for Lord Pádraig Ó Riain, who came forward. They spoke of the many years he had been involved in the Society, his time as Seneschal, his running of events and his work setting up and breaking down events for others. Wishing to recognise his many works, Pádraig was made a Companion of the Order of the Silver Wheel and given a scroll crafted by Heather Rose de Gordoun.

Celia le Taverner was summoned and Their Majesties spoke of her time attending previous Royals and her time spent braiding hair for others, and how she made others feel good about themselves. The King and Queen wished to reward such works and Awarded her Arms and gave the new Lady Celia a scroll with calligraphy and illumination by Lady Aesa Lokabrenna Sturludottir and words by Lord Arthur le Taverner.

King Brion then announced the winners of the tourney held that day. Duke Brennan mac Fearghus was called forward as the winner. He was presented a glass in recognition of his feat. His Majesty then called for Lord Corwin Blackthorn and praised his comportment in the lists and gave him a glass that he might remember his accomplishment.

Their Majesties then asked for Baron Simon Montgumery. That morning, Simon had been sent to vigil to contemplate whether he would accept the accolade of the Order of Chivalry. Simon knelt before the thrones and offered that he would be honoured to accept the belt of a Knight. Simon first returned his squire’s belt to his knight, then King Brion noted that he was very pleased to be the one to knight his great-grandsquire. Worthies from across the Known World came to speak on Simon’s behalf and, those words accepted, he was then girded with the spurs, belt, and chain of knighthood. Simon offered his oath of fealty. Their Majesties dubbed him Sir Simon Montgumery and King Brion gave him the last blow to be accepted unanswered. A scroll to commemorate the day, crafted and sealed by Pan Jan Janowicz Bogdanski was presented.

The business of the day finished, King Brion and Queen Anna thanked the people of Bergental and the people of the East for supporting Them and attending Their Coronation. On that note, Court was closed and Their Majesties processed out.

These are the events of the day as I recall them. My thanks to all the scribes, heralds, Champions, guards, retainers, event staff, and attendees for their help creating a wonderful day.

Pray know I remain,
For Crown and College,

Master Rowen Cloteworthy