[MR] WHBC Thanks

[sajah at att.net]

People of my beloved Barony and fellow citizens of Atlantia,

There are so many people I wish to thank. This missive will be quite long.

No event is the work of one, or even of a dozen. It is the product of careful 
planning and flexible execution by all off the staff – those with titled 
positions and all of the on-the-spot volunteers, before and during the event. I 
say now that if I leave you out of this list please find me and make certain I 
know what aid you contributed. Do not think it prideful to bring such attention 
to yourself. For it is right and proper that each one be acknowledged for their 
generosity of time, skill, toil, or sweat. My mind is fallible and my body 
sorely tired – I’m going to forget some folks!

First, I must thank my lord husband for offering me the encouragement to 
attempt autocratting and the support and supper during planning sesions, and 
for staying behind to help Lord Declan with the showers so I could toddle on 
home.

And in no particular order … and in no way reflecting the level of service 
rendered or gratitude felt…

Lord Declan for bringing showers and libation. We ALL owe you a debt of 
gratitude.

Lord Wystan and the Canton of Buckston on Eno for the wonderful new hall 
decoration banners in documentable Hispano-Mooresque architectural patterns. 
And Wystan personally for being one of the first four folks on site and one of 
the last four folks to leave.

The People of Ravenscove for driving all this way and volunteering every time 
you come. You all worked at the Renn Faire demo in the spring and you worked 
for me helping with set-up and hall decoration. Thank you so much! Your 
presence always enriches our Barony

Lord Robert for all of his toil in preparing field set-up and then in executing 
the plan – adjusting repeatedly due to several last-minute changes. Thank you 
for lending your experience to this difficult task.

Lord Alaric and Lord Galen and your marshaling staff for lists that were smooth 
running, closely watched, and governed by sound judgment. The lack of injury 
and dispute speaks of the caliber of your work on the field.

Mistress Francesca and her assistants at MoL for a well-organized and smoothly 
run afternoon in both lists – as well as a personal thanks for saving the 
sniffling Sajah in court by getting one of His Excellency’s hankies passed back 
to her!

Lord Stephan O’Reily and his lovely wife Lady Luisa for not only running 
archery and running it longer than any of the other competitions during the day 
but for moving location without complaint and with good grace, putting the 
safety of the campers over the walking distance for themselves “back to 
civilization”. Beyond that, Stephan, you are the Baronial Quartermaster and 
schlepped all the heavy items back and forth from the storage shed for our use, 
something every autocrat in the Barony is grateful for every time we call upon 
you.

Lady Derdriu and her deputy Lady Rebecca the Contrary and Lady Ysolt, 
separately. Lady Derdriu served not only the double duty of being Baronial MOAS 
and Static A&S Champion but filled in as Performance A&S Champion who was 
unable to attend. She organized and then sat and safeguarded all of the 
precious items in the hall all day, sequestered from the fighting and other 
activities so that questions could be answered and judging sheets turned in. 
Lady Rebecca was endlessly helpful rounding up judges in the various 
disciplines of Static A&S as well as providing an abundant spread of 
hospitality on Friday night – which kept this autocrat alive even on Saturday 
morning! Lady Isolate for stepping up to assist Lady Derdriu in organizing and 
running the Performance A&S competition – experience shows, thank you.

Baroness Benefse. You dear lady are what any autocrat would be well-served to 
have as Royal Liason and moreso friend. You are organized, have a sense of the 
scope of the job, are sensitive to all whims as well as needs, and are both 
gracious and patient with changes of plan and schedule. 

Baron Alejandro who would take a pause from duties on the Rapier field, with 
the Royals, or any one of the other dozen duties I’m sure he was doing that I 
was not aware of to stop and herald the populace for me. You got so much 
accomplished for me and I am deeply grateful that you would afford me the time 
and utilization of your skill.

Lady Brigita and Baroness Julia Winsor for one of the finest teas for any Queen 
I have seen in a very long time. For those who did not at least see the table 
it was set exquisitely and the food was carefully selected to reflect the theme 
of the day – including the most delectable figs which made His Excellency 
Rodrigo’s day.

Lady Gisselle who sat Troll from open till after 2 am Friday, stayed up all 
night working on garb for her 6 year old, then opened Troll an hour early 
Saturday morning and sat till after 4, checking in almost all 355 people on 
site. That speaks for itself, dear lady, of your commitment to excellency. 
Bless you.

Lady Zita for slipping into place to relieve me of one duty so that I might 
attend to others during an extremely busy afternoon.

Lord Dunstan for giving me a smile after such a busy day by singing me a song. 
About me.

Lady Tangwistle for doing such a good job with the courts during the course of 
the day. Triton isn’t the only one impressed by your burgeoning skills, dear 
lady.

Lady Generys, Lord Gerard, Lady Beatrice, and the kitchen staff – I saw how 
long you were cooking, I saw how much everyone ate – and with relish, but 
mostly I saw how few left-overs there were.  Also, your were all very gracious 
and well-prepared for the shift in both time and location of feast due to 
weather concerns. Phenomenal job.

Lady Kathryn Rous, who volunteered to be the Pages Academy sponsor-for-the-day. 
Pages are great and anyone who has not worked with this age group should. She 
taught a class as well as ran a quest for them – one of their favorite 
activities - carefully prepared to be event-specific by the Lady Tehair and 
emailed for our use.

The pages – who arrived eager to participate and diligently filled out quests 
but then in the rush of a long court were inadvertently missed for recognition. 
My apologies.

Lady Idonea for getting the email from Tehair and printing the quest as well as 
making sure I got it in time. Phew! But moreso for the casting the site tokens. 
I know what the original image she was given looked like. It is an Elizabethan 
floor tile, very similar to some Islamic tiles I had seen. And the casting is 
perfect. Please thank your father as well (who was visiting and aided her, as 
he is quite a caster in his own right)

Lady Brigit and Lady Idonea for preparing and setting a Royal Breakfast well-
suited to TRM’s taste. I know they sent back for seconds. And you afforded the 
diabetic autocrat a hefty dose of protein to start her day. Lifesavers, both!

Baron Valdemar and Lady Ursula. How can one properly thank these two good 
gentles? They came with the Big Orange Truck of Wonderful Stuff to Share and 
set up not only their own dayshade under which many garnered shade and 
hospitality but a pavilion and furniture for His Excellency Rodrigo, the Troll 
pavilion, and the changing pavilions. In addition, when the quiet call was sent 
out that our kitchen clean-up staff had been obliged to leave site they and 
their household(s) left their own protégé ceremony and trouped to my kitchen 
and sang while cleaning up till I sent them home just after midnight. Vivant.

Sir Daemon and Provost Vivian and other members of your family and party for 
staying beyond the call of duty to help a very tired autocrat drop all the 
remaining pavilions on site so that we could clear and get out /almost/ on 
time. Sir Daemon took charge and got it done. My humblest apologies to the 
members of his party who had to wait while he and the other gentlemen helped to 
get me home to a nap faster.

Lady Phillippa for her hard work and that of her son crafting a number of 
period board games at my request. They were not used for this event but will 
enrich our Barony and please its populace at future events by offering them an 
activity during rainy afternoons or cold evenings. 

My waterbearing staff and all who donated water to their cause. On a day such 
as Saturday your service is invaluable. Both combatants and the populace at 
large are indebted to your diligent service.

Lady Ren for being ever-ready to take care of emergencies. Gratefully we had no 
serious concerns from combat, accident, or heat.

Baroness Adrianna and Lord Calli with the people of Elvegast for setting up 
hospitality during the day. Largesse is always appreciated and such selfless 
service enriches our Barony.

Lord Lothair for working to complete the Baronial ERIC in time for the 
tournament. His Excellency was well-met in commending your work. Thank you.

George, a newcomer, who worked tirelessly Friday and again Sunday morning, 
including making a dish-soap run and hauling all of the trash offsite.

My personal thanks to several good gentles, some on this list and some not, for 
your encouragement, support, and advice for this first-time (but not last-time) 
autocrat. 

All competitors in all five disciplines. This event was about all of you, not 
just the champion competitors but all of you. Thank you for bringing your 
crafts and skills to bear, for your courtesy on all fields, and you’re 
outstanding display of skill in all five areas.

Their Royal Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses for gracing us with your 
presence, enriching our day, and being examples of grace and courtesy on a very 
hot and busy afternoon.

His Excellency Rodrigo Falcone who persevered through personal physical pain 
and chose wisely his champions. The populace is well-pleased and proud.
And, of course, for my fellow autocrat, Lord Tankred Bras-de-Fer, for allowing 
me the opportunity to serve all of you this weekend. 

Yours in Service,
Saaida Sajah bint-Habushun ibn-Ishandiyar al-Hajajji