Clyde's Travel Log - Iris Faire 2019: All the Things

Iris Faire 2019: All the Things
Montgomery Bell State Park
Burns, TN
20 April 2019

A letter I drafted to my friend, Figimund of Faraway, traveling abroad…

Eoin, Warden of the Northern Plateau, to the venerable and esteemed friend, His Lordship Figimund of Faraway, his most kind greeting.

Because I know that you especially desire to hear and to learn the state of affairs in the Laurel Kingdom of Meridies, I write to share a retelling of my journey to our neighboring Barony of Glaedenfeld and their yearly Iris Faire I attended on the day prior to this writing.

I had the pleasure of good company for the  early journey westward off of the Plateau. His excellency, Earl Sir Benen, my benefactor, made it known that he wished to travel to Baronial lands from his holdings north of the shire. While he had no official business to resolve, as it is early spring here and the king's taxes are not due for some time yet, he expressed a need to 'stretch his legs' and the journey to Iris Faire, being not long or arduous, was  an excellent opportunity to do just that.

The morning started damp but did not persist much after the noon bells. We made good time down the king's highway west into the old Lion's Mountain lands into the Baronial holdings proper. Traffic was light in the early morning hours of our journey. We held good converse on a wide range of topics and the time of the passage flowed by quickly.

We arrived at the site to find a warm hearth waiting in the long hall and much of the attendance arrayed therein, out of the damp and slight drizzle that persisted from the previous day. I found my good wife, Ellen, and many other folk from Easaraigh there. Much of the shire made the trek down, as is becoming our custom, to welcome the spring with our neighbor. Our shire prospers of late with a strong sense of purpose and duty. We genuinely enjoy one another's company and find pride in our accomplishments. Like our neighboring Barony of Glaedenfeld, we have stood our ground and been tempered and honed by time into metal of the best sort.

The Baronial proctors had laid out many activities throughout the weekend. There were tournaments in archery, thrown weapons (axe, knife, spear), heavy and rapier. There were also several levels of arts and sciences competition and instruction overseen by the Laurel peers of the Barony. 

I regret to inform you, Figimund, that the nagging injury I have been struggling with has still not healed completely and that I was not able to present myself as a combatant on the heavy tourney field. Many of my respected comrades-in-arms as well as Chivalry at the event inquired as to my status and how my recovery was progressing. The compassion and concern of my minor, but nagging, issue was heartfelt and received with much gratitude. No person likes to be put out of service to your kingdom and it was good to know that my absence was noticed and even missed.

From my observations from the heavy and rapier field gallery, the combat I witnessed in both venues was well fought and pleasant for spectator and participant. In the heavy list, I saw one of our own, Lacey, newly added to the Fyrd rolls, fight with honor and courage through the early rounds of combat. The heavy list was eventually carried by Duke Sir Seth over Sir Hrothgar in a well fought final.

The afternoon hours revealed a spring sun and returned warmth to the slumbering Baronial lands and much of the populace was able to leave the warmth of the fires that the morning warranted.

That afternoon I spent time attending to my liege and in council with locals whom I had not seen since middle winter. Many topics were discussed. Chief among them was related to an inner turmoil that has taken hold in Meridies that many in the populace find hard to articulate. Rumor, later confirmed by the Meridian Seneschal, Graf Ulric, is that a committee will be coming all the way from Rome to the Barony of Iron Mountain's Black Axe Tournament held in the high summer south of our Shire. To that end, I am considering attending the event and to witness the spectacle, as it is such a rarity to see a delegation from Rome in our part of the world.  As with all things of such gravity and import, most of the people I spoke with have wildly varying degrees of speculation. My Earl, who is wise in such things, says they will most likely provide counsel to the populace and its peers over law and custom. But, what will come of the interaction, none can say for certain.

Late in the day, Their Excellencies Stephanie and Griffon, held court. Not only did they have Baronial concerns to present, but as a pleasant surprise the new Basileus and Basíleia, Sebastianos and Morgan, had their herald, THL Sara al-Garnatiyya, in attendance to present Kingdom business through the baronial court. To that end, several members of our good shire, Easaraigh, received recognitions from the sovereigns for service and Arts and Sciences. Awards of Arms and Order of the Meridian Cross were the presented. Jacob also won a prize for his demonstration of skill on the range. Our shire, Easaraigh, was also recognized with the 'Crown's Favor'. We have a hard working and loyal Meridian shire. This was the second time in recent years the light of the throne has shone upon us. I'm very proud of who and what we are.

Another pleasant surprise was that our own Lacey, through effort and determination, won the Baronial, 'All the Thing's' competition that was held throughout the day. It seems, somehow, she managed to do 'All the Thing's', meaning she participated in just about everything that was offered as an activity at Iris Faire. For her reward, she was gifted a cart that the Barony had commissioned. The wagon will be a big help at harvest time on the plateau later this year.

Iris Faire is a fun event with more activities that most can do, except of course for our Lacey. While my view from the gallery was not my preference, I still enjoyed my time with the people of the northern Kingdom. As dusk came, Earl Sir Benen and I mounted the road east and made the climb back up to the plateau and a warm hearth in Easariagh. Our neighbor's lands are beautiful and it's peoples welcoming, but there is no place like home.

God willing, this missive will find you in good health and fortune. We render to you the gratitude which you deserve for your concern for Easaraigh and for the very great fidelity which you have shown to us. Scribed this 21st day of April, Anno Societatis LIII.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

THL Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde', CACM, CKP2, CAS
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Squire to Earl Benen Mac Tire, KSCA, OL, OP
Knight Marshal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies