2024 Wiesenfeuer Yule

A Summary of Court at the Barony of Wiesenfeuer Yule Revel

As documented by Golden Staff Herald, Maitre Etienne De Saint Amaranth.

It was December 21st, the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle, a day celebrated in some parts of central Europe with ancient customs of "driving demons away” on that night and during the following nights (Rough Nights), with much noise, cracking of whips, ringing of hand bells, and parades of figures in horrible masks.

In Wiesenfeuer, there were no horrible masks and, while the day was full of noise, the noises were of friends chatting, bardic, and actions from the court. Court seating was not in its usual precedence formation. There was a small “single step up” stage with room for two pairs of thrones, but there were four pairs of thrones present. Their Royal Majesties were joined by Their Royal Highnesses and their Sanguine Highnesses of the Principality of Vindheim, and all were hosted by the Baron and Baroness of Wiesenfeuer. Their Majesties, after consultation with Their Heirs, had Their Excellencies of Wiesenfeuer seated to their right on stage as their two courts would be active at the event. The Heirs and Vindheim were seated off stage with the Heirs to Their Majesties’ left and Vindheim to Wiesenfeuer’s right. Heralds love to get into precedence and proper order but “Precedence happens. But the Crown is always right.” It is worth remembering that Crowns in period often held the places by them at feast or court as places of honor. A knight and lady at their wedding feast (if the Crown attended) would frequently be seated by the Crown as it was “their day”, even if Dukes and Duchesses were attending. At Gulf Wars one year, Ansteorra had three other Crowns visit their court and Calontir, as a treaty partner was given the place of honor even though other, older, Crowns were present. The precedence of rank gives us a default way to order people and Crowns and show due respect; but that formation can shift if there are reasons for a Crown to give special recognition or honor. In this case, the arrangement allowed Wiesenfeuer to be on stage at their own event (which was important to Their Majesties) and also made the function of court simpler since The Heirs and Vindheim did not open court. Throughout the day, Wiesenfeuer held small “pop-up” courts and made various presentations. This missive records only the things related to Royal court or of kingdom significance.

Morning court gave Their Majesties, and those seated royalty who wished, an opportunity for words and greetings to the populace. Their Majesties called for any newcomers and for those needing Sable Shields.

Much of morning court was of the brief nature where morning courts have that feel of handling a couple of items and announcements and moving straight to the business of the day. That feeling stopped as the Crown called into court one whose travels make them hard to connect with. Their Majesties summoned Ahlanna a’Beckett. And after words on the quality of her kind soul, Their Majesties elevated Ahlanna a’Beckett to a Baroness of the Court of Ansteorra.

When Baroness Ahlanna was released, Their Majesties summoned their Head of Entourage, Mistress AElfwyn Webbestre. There was joy. There were tears. And, in custom words of Her Majesties hand and from the heart, AElfwyn was elevated to a Baroness of the Court of Ansteorra.

With those actions completed, Their Majesties called for Her Royal Highness, Margherita de Mantua. The discussion which followed was focused on Her Highness recent entry in Kingdom Arts and Sciences of a glove. The discussion which followed shared Their Majesties respect for the item submitted but also shared that its stitching and final form were not things which made their OCD tendencies warm and fuzzy. They had some puzzlement around the reactions of others to the glove until Mistress Marguerite Dinard (whose love of and high bar for “well made” clothing and accessories are legendary among those who know her) remarked, almost out of character, “I don’t care about the stitches. It’s the research!” Their Majesties eyes were opened to a new perspective and, after further review and consultation, they had their herald speak the words “Pray let all know that we, Jean Paul and Gilyan, King and Queen of Ansteorra… SUMMON THE ORDER OF THE LAUREL!”

The Laurels entered court, acknowledged their order was not complete, and reaffirmed the advice they had previously given concerning Her Highness. Their Majesties called for other witnesses who spoke of Margherita and, following those testimonies, They elevated her to the Order of the Laurel and invested her with the insignia of the Order.

Lastly, in what had become a very significant court, Their Majesties summoned Beatrix Funteyn and Cera inghean Fhaelain, who had been previously announced as candidates to the Order of the Laurel, and exited court and seated them on their vigils for the day.

During the day, Their Majesties opened one court at the vigil of Baroness Beatrix and there bestowed a Rising Star upon Zelda Bornmann.

As the day’s activities wrapped up, and after several baronial courts through the day, evening court was ready to begin. In an unusual step, Their Majesties Golden Staff Herald walked to the front of court without the procession and briefly reminded all present that we can to this society, this 503c non-profit educational corporation, because of a shared love of the middle ages. While everyone could have different interests in the middle ages, we could all come together and share what we learned and what inspired our passions. But, to simply learn alone is insufficient to the mission of our society. We fail as a society if we learn and hoard what we learn and do not teach others. And we fail, if we learn and teach but leave no room for others to practice the arts, sciences, skills, and knowledge that fires our own passions. And with that, the herald deferred the procession to another. And then did Baron Eadwulf, Knight of the Society, begin to sing. While the tune was recognizable as O Come, O Come Emmanuel, the words spoke of the coming of the royalty of Ansteorra and the Words of Gilyan and Jean Paul. This text has been published by Sir Eadwulf already and this scribe encourages one and all to review it, sing it to yourselves, and revel in what was Sir Eadwulf’s idea and mostly his own wording.

Court was opened. Their Majesties again held opening words, called for newcomers and Sable Shields and entertained an announcement concerning the upcoming Laurel’s Prize Tournament. They then handed court to Wiesenfeuer who conducted their business and announced new champions.
Of kingdom import, Their Excellencies Isaac and Eadwyn, inducted four people into the Baronial Service Order, the Order of the Lanternarius of Wiesenfeuer. Those four were:
Lyra Fiammetta Caravaggio - Order of the Lanternarius of Wiesenfeuer (BSO) Darian de Shameless - Order of the Lanternarius of Wiesenfeuer (BSO) Torianna Thornhill - Order of the Lanternarius of Wiesenfeuer (BSO) Ian Thornhill - Order of the Lanternarius of Wiesenfeuer (BSO)
Their Excellencies also summoned into their court Carole of Wiesenfeuer who, after Their Excellencies business was completed, was then further summoned to royal court where Their Majesties had business:
Carole of Wiesenfeuer – Award of Arms

Court shifted to the royal court as Wiesenfeuer’s business concluded and Their Majesties summoned the Order of the Laurel and then called for Beatrix Funteyn who had sat vigil that day. Much of this is recorded and shown with pictures elsewhere but Her Excellency entered court in a base layer of garments (with all due modesty) and, as speakers came forward to speak of her in the ceremony, each speaker brought a layer or garment or accessory which was then placed upon her. As all speakers finished, a resplendent Beatrix stood before her Crown and granted elevation to the order and the insignia of the order. Beatrix then led the order our of court and greeted her new brothers and sisters at the back of court.

Beatrix Funteyn – Order of the Laurel

Court business continued: Kazimir Olegson – Award of Arms
Rosalind Crawley – Award of Arms
Patrick of Wiesenfeuer – Aquila Aurea for Rapier Combat
Brendan of Wiesenfeuer – Lilium Aurium for Tassel Making

The Order of the Laurel was summoned again. And Their Majesties summoned Cera inghean Fhaelain who had also sat vigil that day. Speakers were summoned (they did not dress her). But, towards the end, Mistress Cera chose to swear fealty and spoke her own words to the Crown. She said:
Mi, Céra ingean Fháelain fòs Wolff, gabh bòid diseachd agus seirbhis do Ealain is Saidheansan Coimhearsnachd agus Chrùin de Ansteorra, an àm sìthe agus cogadh, a bruidhnich is clos, a sgrùdadh, teagasg agus a brosnachadh, ann am beatha agus ann am bàs, on latha seo a-mach, gus mo Tighearna leig fa sgaoil, gus an seòl mi an caolas, no ged a thig eadhan crìoch air an t-saoghal trìd Ragnorak.

Cera was presented with a charter which was illuminated and inscribed on material she had produced through own arts.

Court was closed and Golden Staff and Sir Eadwulf led the court out singing to the same tune but reminding all that they had heard the words of Gilyan and Jean Paul.