Spring Coronation 2018
Dalwhinnie Fields, Marion, AL
Barony of Iron Mountain/Barony of Osprey
6-8 April 2018
Dalwhinnie Fields, Marion, AL
Barony of Iron Mountain/Barony of Osprey
6-8 April 2018
The Last Court of Timothy and Ysmay
Figimond, I
hope this missive finds you and those in your care in good health and of sound
state. Find peace in the knowledge that your kin and holdings on the plateau are in good care and prosperity during your absence. It is for another matter that I send this missive.
I place these words to parchment to inform you and the brothers of the
Meridian contingent of changes of fortune here at home and abroad. In the
retelling to follow, please know that all is well with the kingdom. Meridies
is, as it ever has been, strong in faith, purpose, and prosperity.
Under grey clouds,
my honorable lady Ellen and I attended a morning court held at a new holding to
the south of our home in Easaraigh called Dalwhinnie Fields. As you may recall,
Ellen and I have been retainers of the Royal Court of Timothy and Ysmay for
some time now. They are most excellent examples of royalty and have been good
monarchs in this kingdom. Generous in charity and the epitome of humility, the
kingdom truly loves them and thanks the Lord every day for their ascendance to
the throne.
The assembly
convened and proceeded as the business of these gatherings normally does. Early
in the gathering, proceedings were interrupted by Graf Sir Ulrich von
Brandenburg, the kingdom Seneschal. This interruption, in itself was not of
major concern, as His Excellency often has business before the court. I had
never seen His Excellency in full kit of a holy order, but there he was
marching into court in Hospitaller regalia.
I must say, that my
position at the back of the long hall where the court was held was not ideal
for close confidence of all the words relayed to our monarch as the head of the
hall. But I am confident that I was able to share in the import and the sincerity
of the messages relayed at the high end of that hall.
Graf Ulrich
presented a letter of some import to Their Majesties. From my vantage, I could
see the seal of Jerusalem on the document. I do not know all of the content of
the document, but I do know that it concerned logistical needs for your efforts
there in the Holy Land from what I could hear of His Excellencies presentment.
Their Majesties conferred from their dais and proclaimed that 'Aid would be
given' in the form of supply from the vast stores our blessed Kingdom has to
offer. Horse and ox, feed and food, arrow and sword; would be prepared and sent
with all dispatch to the Kingdom of Jerusalem and our army there. Graf Sir
Ulrich was dismissed and left the hall. I might note, the grumblings of His
Excellency's as he passed my place in the back, departing the hall , reinforce
my supposition of the letters content. I do not believe the royal decree was
the answer he sought.
The skies remained
grey, foreboding.
Court proceedings
continued. Awards of recognition were given to several of the most loyal
servants of the crown. After some time, there was a disturbance at the doors of
the hall. The doors opened and in came Knights of our kingdom. In a column of 2
ranks, they petitioned the king and queen. As it wasn’t enough of a surprise
that the chivalry interrupted the court in this manner, the fact that they
entered in the attire of holy orders was. The colors of Templar, Hospitaller,
Jerusalem, and St Lazarus stood out in sharp contrast in the middle of the long
hall. Many horses could be heard outside the doors. I peered out to see not
only the fine mounts of these peers but many more of squires and man-at-arms
the chivalry had with them in attendance.
Much of the populace
was alarmed by the appearance of an armed column in the hall. I knew these men.
They were all loyal Meridians bound by oath of fealty and the chivalric code to
bring no malice into this hall or its loyal people. Not one of them would raise
blade toward this monarchy. Therefore, I concluded that the letter that Graf
Sir Ulrich presented earlier was not here alone. These men, these knights, had
attended the letter.
The skies began to
weep a fine mist.
Stern faces, urgent
words, and furrowed brow were all I could make of the commentary at the head of
the hall. After some discussion, I saw Their Highnesses, Thorstenn and Dalla
rise and join the knights. It seems Their Majesties had upped their offer of aid
to include man and material. As surety of their oath to the holy land, Their
Highnesses had become part of the grant of aid to Jerusalem.
Everyone in the
court sat in dismay as The Heirs of our kingdom took to the head of the column
of knights and led them from the hall, mounted horse, and rode toward the ports
to our south where ships must be waiting.
The business of the
kingdom advanced as if nothing had occurred out of the norm. More awards were
given. Servants acknowledged. Debts repaid.
Another commotion at
the door to the hall. The doors flew open. Knights in order livery entered
following
Countess Ellawin of
Eaglewood, a royal peer of renown and stanch supporter of the Meridian efforts
in the Holy Land.
Silence fell on the
court. The crowd parted as the Countess
entered. The look of determination she presented shot like an arrow at our
monarchs and their entourage behind the thrones. All that fell under her gaze
held their stout, Meridian ground, but shared looks of concern. This Countess
was of impeccable repute and everyone in Meridies held her in the highest of
esteem.
From what I was able
to gather, for Her Excellency is not a robust speaker to be heard in the back
of such a large hall, the Countess was organizing the effort to fund the
Jerusalem campaign and continue on the work laid down the late, Earl Sir
Richard Raefen. Those efforts, and the needs of our contingent in Jerusalem
were great. So great, that only the power wielded by a King and Queen would
suffice to make the effort succeed. A final plea, and possible admonishment, to
our reigning monarchs was laid at their feet. There was only one right answer
to be had. From what I could see on the faces of Their Majesties, I knew that
acceptance of what fate delivered to them was inevitable.
Their Majesties
stood. In a loud voice, His majesty called for a messenger to be dispatched to
Their Highnesses location and bid them return. They placed their crowns on
their thrones. Retainers came forward and began to drape them in the trappings
of the Templar order.
It was then, that
their Majesties relayed these words to the populace in attendance. It was good
that I had quill in hand…
Timothy,
"During our reign, we have been blessed at seeing all that is Meridies.
Seeing the hard work and effort of its populace. Seeing the traditions that we
hold dear has been a truly magical honor. The Society has existed now for over
50 years. 50 years that we have shared a common dream. 50 years that we have
come together despite our differences in religion. Despite our differences in
politics or political affiliation. We have found a way to find a foundation
that we can all share. We have found a way to overcome many challenges. We
leave this Kingdom to address challenges that exist elsewhere. We do not leave
this Kingdom in our hearts, but it is important that we address that there are
still problems here. As we look back over our 50 years of noble history that
our Society has had, the 40 years of noble history that our Kingdom has had, it
has not been without its hurdles, it has not been without its challenges. Those
challenges have been ever present and will remain ever present as our Society
in the SCA and our outward society continue to evolve."
Ysmay, "We have
just celebrated 40 years of our wonderful Kingdom and the place we call home.
And we continue to grow. We have watched as our Kingdom has birthed other
kingdoms. And they have continued to grow. And it has truly been an honor to
sit on these thrones and enjoy this last year with all of you."
Timothy, "Words
have power. Words have power when they are spoken. Words have power when they
are written. Words have power when they are typed. The way that we communicate
with one another bears messages both on the surface and underneath it. Some of
those messages, we do not necessarily mean. Some of them, we do not imply. It
is always in the eye of the beholder how that message will be interpreted. It
is important that we consider the way that we communicate with one another.
Moving forward as you have a new crown at your head, you still share the same
passion. You still share the same dream. You still have so much more in common
than is different from those people that you may disagree with. "
Ysmay, "As I
have donned this yellow belt again, I remember and I would encourage all of you
to remember the service and love that you all share for this Kingdom and that
we are all sharing in the same dream."
Timothy, "The
Society cannot continue to live on without us remembering those things that we
share. Without treating one another with chivalry, courtesy, honor, and grace.
From that very first party in a backyard in Berkley, California to the next 50
years in the Society, we will always have a common foundation and that
foundation is the Dream. If we put the Dream before our differences, then a
kingdom, no matter who is in charge, will always live strong."
"So Meridies,
as we march forth to help the Kingdom of Jerusalem; as we take off these
earthly crowns and move forth to new challenges, we hope that you remember the
challenges that you have before you as well. And now, as a final reminder of
the beauty and glory of Meridies…"
…"CORONA!"
Populace returns,
"VULT!"
…"CORONA!"
Populace returns,
"VULT!"
…"CORONA!"
Populace returns,
"VULT!"
And they were gone.
The hall in silence. The thrones holding crowns where the royal line of
Meridies once sat.
The skies wept.
So, dear friend, be
alert of their coming to that great city. Make them feel welcome. Great and
beloved monarchs surrendering their thrones in support of that great endeavor
will always be remembered here. I hope that the peoples of that land find them
in good grace. Please send us a message of their safe arrival. Hopefully their
heirs will return soon. A kingdom without a monarch can fall prey to dire
circumstances.
Put to parchment at
the Fields of Dalwhinnie, on the seventh day of the month of April, in the year
of our Lord, two thousand eighteen.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
THL Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde', CACM, CKP, CAS
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire , KSCA, OL, OP
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Knight Marshal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire , KSCA, OL, OP
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Knight Marshal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
