Earlier in the year while I was at Gulf Wars with Earl Benen, an opportunity found its way to our doorstep back at home for our shire. The Kingdom had sent messengers that it was in need of a host for the Spring Crown List and Arts and Sciences Faire (Artsy Crown) in May. Mistress Ellen, our seneschal, got to work trying to figure out if it would be possible for us to be of service to our beloved kingdom.
Our shire, in good order and well attended, is strong and full of good folk but we were already obligated for a rescheduled Kingdom's War College and Fighter's Collegium event in June which (originally slated for January 2026). For this reason, we needed some help if we were to host another Kingdom event in such a short time period.
It was at this point, seeking a partnership to help us, that the Shire of Vulpine Reach was approached and graciously accepted our request for assistance. Meetings were held with both groups and membership of both agreed that we would answer the Kingdom's call. The Shire of Easaraigh in partnership with the Shire of Vulpine Reach would host Artsy Crown. But, there was a caveat…
The event is structured as a 2 day event, held over the Memorial Day weekend. The A&S Faire is held on Saturday. The Crown List is held on Sunday. The site that we would bid the event for is a day trip site. It doesn’t have the amenities for an overnight event. So, we bid the 2 day even as a 1 day event.
Our great Kingdom of Meridies accepted our bid with a compressed 1 day structure for Artsy Crown. This was the event I accepted the honor of stewarding for our two shires.
A lot of rapid, fast planning went into it. The two group seneschals, Zayn al-Munajjima known as Mittens and Ellen Delacey, got to work on getting the two groups merged into one event team. Easaraigh taking the lead in some areas, Vulpine Reach led in others. Together, we moved forward and together we pulled it off. This was a first event behind the curtain for many of our members. Mentoring was the rule of the day. Everyone that could, pitched in and a lot was learned in the process.
In the compressed timeline, our Kingdom held its Crown List and secured its legacy with new heirs in TRH Conrad and Genevieve. The Rose Tea was held with Mistress Katherine Spencer and the Valkyries providing support to that effort. Mistress Ellen managed the hall where A&S Faire entrants showed their work for both judging and display after which the Queen chose her new champion in M. Ysabel de Sancte Croix and a Writ for Order of the Laurel was presented to Master Rodrigo Luis de Alburquerque.
And then there was the usual event stuff that was done while everything else was going on. Mistress Zayn (Mittens) and crew served a filling lunch for everyone that attended. Cecily, Kilat and Kira supported many newcomers at the first event with help from The Oloye Kehinde running guided tours. Lord Ronan of Axbridge oversaw the pavilion activities for us while the list was happening then he and HL Ignatius Xavier Cortez Galeno de Compostella oversaw pickups for armored and rapier in the afternoon. All day long, Duke Lawrence of Ashana hosted a thrown weapons range (he would be asked to join the Order of the Mark later in the day). Ldy Eleri uxor Ronani and her staff managed an orderly check in and registration. Ldy Constance Saxham ran children's activities for all the children present. So many people chipped in to fill out the staff teams and make it happen. My appreciation to all of you.
It was a busy day. For my part as event steward, there were no issues of note. My role was that of a fireman. I was there to put out fires. But, there were none. The train ran on time. We hit our checkpoints. The kingdom and populace was served. It just worked. I could not have asked for things to have run much better than it did.
For those that attended and shared the day with us, Thank You! All day long, people were jumping up to help us with this and that. The assistance of the populace as we went through our plan was the intangible thing that really made light work of the whole thing in the end.
An event is not easy. I do not want to make light of the work and effort that went into bringing this to completion. But, every hand, contribution, word of advice, and the support of our kingdom made the hard, possible and seem like it was routine.
Please know that these words are the truth that I believe, my part in this affair was nothing but that of a figurehead.
Many people came to me during the event and took time to thank me for the work the team did. It was the work of both shires and Kingdom officers that made all this happen and gave us a successful result. Every word of thanks and comment of appreciation I received goes to them.
For the Shires of Easaraigh and Vulpine Reach, I say Thank You! I applaud you and will sing your praises for all to hear.
To TRM Randver and Arianne and the Kingdom Seneschal, Duke Wulfstan - Thank you for placing your faith in us.
Ad Astra!
Syr Eoin Mac Cana, OP
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Event Steward for the Kingdom of Meridies Spring Crown List and Arts and Sciences Faire
