<html><head></head><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:13px">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3159" style="margin: 0px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3160" style='margin: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;'>Greetings
Atlantia, </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3261" style="margin: 0px;"><span style='margin: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;'><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3201" style="margin: 0px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3200" style='margin: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;'>Over the last week We have heard much concerning the Polling of Confidence
regarding the Baronage of Black Diamond. Much of the information that is being
pushed around social media is uninformed, incorrect or blatant misinformation
used to cause further dissent throughout the kingdom. I fear that due to real
life obligations We are not able to be very active in the online SCA, and
because of that We are behind the curve of the <span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3161" style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3162" style="margin: 0px;"> </span>negativity
that is sweeping today’s society. However, I would like to take a few moments
to share some facts regarding the situation. Throughout Our Reign Her Majesty
and I have received several letters of concern from the populace of Black
Diamond as well as many more individuals who approached Us personally
expressing concern with the behavior of Their Excellencies, especially toward
newcomers. These letters, in conjunction with multiple violations of Kingdom Law
on the part of Their Excellencies, determined that according to Society and Kingdom
Law we had a DUTY and an obligation to act and uphold those laws. Although We
could have acted with more severe action including Expulsion from the SCA due
to violations of Kingdom Law, we chose instead to seek the council and guidance
of the populace by conducting a Polling of Confidence. We consulted with the
Kingdom Seneschal and were informed by him that under the current
interpretation of Kingdom Law that the Polling of Confidence was acceptable. We
spoke with their Excellencies about our concerns at 12th Night. <span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3163" style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Due to the reaction on their part following
the conversation, We decided to move forward with the polling and informed
their Excellencies that We would be initiating a Polling of Confidence. Her
Excellency stated at the time that she was confident that they would win the
vote. Additionally, Her Majesty and I have been completely withheld of any
knowledge or involvement in the sanctions of our predecessors against Duke
William Thomas so We have no knowledge or concern of Their Excellencies’ involvement
in that case. Given that, the fact that their Excellencies have now claimed
that the polling is retaliation or revenge are entirely false. Their statement
that they were told that they would be removed regardless of the polling
results is absolutely not true. The Society Seneschal has reinterpreted Kingdom
Law and determined that there is insufficient time to complete a Baronial Polling
and therefore the Polling of Confidence is invalid, to which We have conceded.
Although We still have other means of upholding Kingdom Law available to Us,
including Expulsion from the SCA due to violations of Kingdom Law and the SCA Anti-Bullying
Policy, now that we are aware of their Excellencies’ possible involvement in
the investigation against Duke William Thomas We are choosing to recuse
ourselves from the situation and pass along all information to our Heirs
Dietrich and Una. We hope that Their Highnesses will give this situation the
attention that it deserves. To those who have offered Us wise, genuine and
courteous council we thank you for contacting Us and hope that you know that
your council is valued. To those who have taken this opportunity to voice your
concerns via social media, please remember the virtues that our Society is
supposed to represent. To those victims who have been affected in this matter, We
pray that you can forgive Us that We could not investigate this matter further and
We hope that you will continue to participate in the Society and can find a
place that you feel safe and accepted. To the kingdom, we have fulfilled Our
duties as outlined in the law and now consider Our involvement in the matter
closed.<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3164" style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If you wish to voice further
concerns, We ask that you contact us via email at <a id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3165" href=""><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3166" style="margin: 0px; color: windowtext;">king@atlantia.sca.org</span></a>
, <a id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3167" href=""><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3168" style="margin: 0px; color: windowtext;">queen@atlantia.sca.org</span></a>
or via Private Message.<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3169" style="background: rgb(229, 228, 228); margin: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3170" style="margin: 0px;"><font id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3171" face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3172" style="margin: 0px;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3173" style='margin: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;'>Regards,</span></div>
<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518459135265_3174" style='margin: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;'>Amos</span></div></body></html>