[MR] Royal Court Report: Holiday Faire, 20 Nov 2010 (AS xlv)

[Evan da Collaureo]

Unto Their Majesties of Atlantia, Their Highnesses of Atlantia, the populace of Atlantia, and all who read these letters:

Greetings from Evan da Collaureo, Sackbut Herald, and lead royal herald for Holiday Faire.

On a clear and surprisingly mild twentieth day of November, A.S. XLV, the halls and grounds of the Barony of Stierbach's annual Holiday Faire were graced with the presence of Brianna O Duinn, Queen of Atlantia. Courts were held at various points throughout the day as well as at eventide. Herewith a record of that which occurred in those courts.

During the morning hours, the Queen stopped near a corner of the main merchant hall, and Lady Gwenhwyfar Ywein was summoned into Her presence. Her Majesty explained her purpose and intent, to which Lady Gwenhwyfar replied "Are you serious?" To this the Queen retorted that this was one of her best practical jokes ever, considering all the people she had gathered around her to help out with it… OF course she was serious. The Most Noble Order of the Pelican was called forth, and with Her Majesty they escorted Lady Gwenhwyfar to her place of vigil to contemplate elevation to the Peerage and induction into the Order of the Pelican.

Shortly after luncheon, the Queen wandered over to the list field. At a convenient break in the action, the rapier fighters were called over to attend her; most of the heavy fighters also came over. Lady Ella de Lille was then summoned. For her achievements in learning and teaching period rapier fighting manuals, particularly Capo Ferro, Lady Ella was made a companion of the Order of the Coral Branch.

At the Queen's Tea a bit later, Lord Watkyn of Kent had been invited to provide some musical background for a time. As the tea was nearing opts close, Lord Watkyn was called before Her Majesty, who created him a Baron of the Court. (Talorgen Hersir nepos Wrguist was the primary herald for this session.)

Shortly thereafter, Her Majesty progressed to the archery range. There, before the gathered archers and friends, were honors bestowed on various archers.

Nuala of Needwood, Geoffrey of Needwood, Fen of Needwood, and Breccan Albers were all inducted into the Order of the Kings Missiliers. 

Karl von Königsberg was called forth to be recognized as achieving the rank of Bowman Elite.

Esperanza Susanna Flecha was summoned to be recognized as achieving the rank of Grand Bowman Elite, being the first lady in Atlantia to attain that rank.

Valgard av Mors was brought into the Royal Presence, and for service both within and beyond the archery community was inducted into the Order of the Opal.

Godai Katsunaga was requested to come before Her Majesty. His skill with a particular Japanese style of bow (whose name escapes me right now) was noted, as well as his service to the archery community, and his achievements in archery in general. The companions of the Order of the Yew Bow were then summoned, and this gentle was added to their ranks.

Baron Flaithri and Baroness Rhonwen were also present on the archery field. Her Majesty asked Her Excellency to recognize other archers for their achievements. Lara of Sudentorre, Philip ap Mereduth, and Elaine of Sudentorre, were recognized as having attained the rank of Archer. Eleanor de Chester, Shawn Mulligan, Wulff Nuremburger, Monty Myers, and John of Sudentorre were recognized as having attained the rank of Marksman.

As the final action on the archery field, Eleanor de Chester was again called in; she had been called for earlier, but was indisposed at that prior time, and called for again after her return to the archery area. She was then inducted into the Order of the Opal.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

As the sun was readying itself to set, the populace assembled for Evening Court. The following occurred there.

The children present were called into court, and notified that Hersir Talorgen might possibly have some items of interest to them. The predictable chase ensued.

Lady Esperanza Susanna Flecha was summoned before Her Majesty. For service as seneschal of Stierbach and in various other areas, Lady Esperanza was inducted into the Order of the Opal.

Their Excellencies of Stierbach asked leave to hold Baronial Court within the Royal Court. This leave was granted, and Baronial Court was held. The proceedings of that court will be proclaimed in a separate missive from the herald of that court.

When Royal Court business resumed, the following were summoned as a group: Susan McClure of Hadley Hall, Richard McClure of Hadley Hall, and Rose of Hadley Hall. These three young Atlantians have been participating in youth combat activities and doing well for themselves. For this they were each recognized as companions of the Sea Tyger.

Anastasia of Sudentorre was brought into the royal presence. For her activities in Stierbach, and in the Middle Kingdom prior to moving to Stierbach, Anastasia was given an Award of Arms.

Isabel de Nedham was then called forth. She too was given an Award of Arms.

Hersir Talorgen announced the proceedings of the day's previous courts.

Lastly, the Order of the Pelican was summoned. Lady Gwenhwyfar Ywein was then invited into the Royal Presence, and asked if she had contemplated that day what the Queen had communicated to her that morning. Lady Gwenhwyfar inquired if Her Majesty was still serious. Her Majesty gave assurance that indeed she still was. Then, with all due ceremony, Lady Gwenhwyfar was elevated to the Peerage, and made a companion of the Order of the Pelican.

There being no further business, Her Majesty's Court was then closed.

This account is accurate to the best of my knowledge and complete to the extent of the information available to me. I regret that I have not the information to hand regarding who created the scrolls for the various gentles in this court, and welcome supplemental information to that effect; I am able to report that what information we had about the scrolls was announced in court. My efforts to assist Her Majesty with Royal Court were greatly aided by Talorgen hersir nepos Wrguist, who wrangled much of the court business beforehand as well as heralding one court and seconding the others, by Lady Glynis Gwynedd who seconded evening court (along with Talorgen), and by Baroness Rhonwen who handled the scrolls up until the start of Court. With thanks to these good gentles, and to all those others who assisted Her Majesty with Court on that day, I remain yours in service,

Evan da Collaureo, Sackbut Herald.