KINGDOM WARLORD and BARONIAL CHAMPION
Collective Chronicle by People of Bordermarch
July 2000
The exuberant rush of "battlefield thrill" was in the air while some 200 subjects gathered at the pleasure of the Crown. To start the day, at His Majesty Alaric's request, Lady Shaundra of Loch Rayburn sang her anthem for Ansteorra joined on the chorus by voices in the crowd. By day's end, Ansteorra had a new Warlord! On June 13, 2000, A.S. XXXv, the Ansteorran Kingdom Warlord contest in Barony Bordermarch began as a summer snowball melee: one vs. one; two vs. two; four vs. four; eight vs. eight; etc. Next, a discussion team with His Majesty Alaric and His Highness Timo and a panel of advisors interviewed five proven able commanders. These guys are certainly no "cream puffs" although during the heat of the day, the royals and perspiring warriors were served delicate, chilled cream puff pastries - in the tradition of hospitality in Bordermarch!
New Kingdom Warlord was determined to be His Excellency Baron Ulstead the Unsteady, who has already proven himself as Coastal Regional Warlord. Heads up, all. In response to His Majesty's request to prepare siege weapons for Gulf War, several ballistas were on site being used or tested. Queen Kayleigh and Princess Allyson were elegant inspirations to all combatants and artisans, to Their entourage, and to visitors in Their court. Her Majesty jovially distributed delicious cookies from her basket, inviting each and all to a personal visit with the Queen.
In evening court when Baron Ulstead accepted the new Kingdom Warlord post, he passed the helm for Coastal Regional Warlord to Lord Lawrence, squire to Sir Keif and student to Sir Romanius. Additional accolades were named at the event which also hosted local Bordermarch Baronial Championships in Their Majesties' Crown Barony. Including gift prizes and scrolls, Bordermarch titles were named as follows:
Artisan: Her Ladyship Ehlen Kirchenknopf
Children's Artisan: Buddy, page to Sir Sion Rhys of Badon
Bard: Ihon Vinson Mac Fergus
Chivalric Champion: Sir Miguel (re-claiming his position from last year)
Rapier Champion: Don Modius (re-claiming his position)
Equestrian: HEx Mistress Neassa, Baroness of Stargate
The equestrian prize, pottery knight on horse pitcher, wonderfully enough was made by Lady Ehlen K. who the arsitan category.
Archery: Lord Fergus (re-claiming the position)
Also in evening court, Their Majesties Kayleigh and Alaric gifted several people with titles, elevating them. These include Award of Arms to Lady Katica Brendwyth who is known to sing;
AoA to Lord Jacques Francois Le Noir who is known for helping House Morning Glory flourish;
Lord Armand De Lacy who is known for his gleeful service, varied interests in combat history and
his acquired skills with rapier; Lady Catrin De Lacy who has stewarded 12th Night and sewn many period garments for the populace; and to Lady Crystal of the Wood, a youth, well known for her page services.
A scroll was read into court in the absence of (now Lord) Caleb MacLaughlin for an AoA. Two colorful ceremonies followed. With a distinguished group of OSTB companions summoned before Their Majesties, to Lord Galan St. Amand was given companionship in the baronial Order of the Silent Trumpet (OSTB) for his service to the populace. In a very moving ritual, the peerage Order of the Pelican was presented to Mistress Charla Noel du Lac with a medallion which depicts both laurel and pelican being given by her husband, Master Sir Henri. Members of the esteemed circle greeted and congratulated her.
The event co-steward was Lady Isabella Rodrigue who, with a couple days notice, finished autocratting the event alone. She conducted a fund raising silent auction which brought funds into the baronial coffers. Neighbors of Greywoood were of immense help from beginning to end. The populace thanks them. The Children's Ministry for the day was cared for by (now Lady) Caitrin De Lacy. The children made gifts for Father's Day. The site was beautified with several of the period tents that Lord Stiamna and Lady Marguerite have made. With short notice but guidance from Countess Tessa then from Baroness AmberLea, Lady Pheissettee D'Avignon filled-in unexpectedly as List Mistress for Bordermarch Chivalric Championship, her first list to ever administer. Baroness Dona Leah was List Mistress for the Bordermarch Rapier Championship list.
Before the fighting commenced, witnesses gathered around royals and nobles to observe the red-scarf cadetting of a gleaming (now Lord) Armand de Lacy unto his teacher, Don Sir Simonn; immediately followed by the "joined" red-scarf cadetting of Lord Amber-Gate Zane ap Simonn unto his admired example, Don Ansgar of Aashen, as well as unto his esteemed sire, Don Sir Simonn. With history in the making, Her Majesty Kayleigh, a Dona in her own right, graciously commented worthy of note that the one who had named the first Don in Ansteoraa (...in 1979 Countess Tessa was reigning when the order was created and she named the first Don, Don Tivar Moondragon...) had now pinned the initial "second generation" cadet scarf on Ld. Zane, her son. There was obvious emotion in the moment.
The feast was planned and cooked on site by Lord Stiamna McFinn, squire to Count Sir Simonn, and his Lady Marguerite des Fluer, student of Countess Mistress Tessa, and many able assistants named in Marguerite's thank you notice. Service for the feast was provided by many gentry, nobles, squires and cadets, led out by the volunteering Mistress~Mistress Charla. Beautiful subtleties, stained-glass-window castle cookies, were prepared by Lady Birgette Frenzl and her helpers and served amid oooohs and ahhhhs. Another highlight of the feast had been when six men bore the last remove, a heavily laden tray-door of roasted cornish game hens served individually by Countess Tessa. The varied feast was more than plentiful after a summer's day of giving one's all to combat or the arts. The slight rains of late Friday had helped to keep the site cooler, then reoccurred briefly during breakdown. The inevitable breakdown of site and cleanup of kitchen and bath houses and hauling away of rubbish were tasks completed by a tired but cooperative populace. By noon-time Sunday, the site was nearly erased, storage tended to, and those who were able gathered for an Italian lunch with continued goodwill among the populace, looking forward to the next time we come together again.
The Dream Lives On!