Tales of our 81st Crown

Tales of our 81st Crown:

Rónán Fionn Ó Dubáin

The Quality of a King or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Vladislav Strelec
Ansteorra has been blessed with a number of fine kings over the past few years, each bringing something special to the kingdom during their reign. While I had met Vlad and knew his reputation among some of my northern friends, I really didn't know much about his character personally. So, during this, his first reign as King, I watched.
My work had kept me away from much of the SCA between Gulf Wars and Summer Crown Tournament. That tournament, I arrived and was gating in, when Vlad approached the front doors, garbed and ready for the day. I saw him spend at least 15 minutes greeting every single person that came through the door with a smile, a hug, a king word. I thought to myself, "that is all I need to see to know who he is."
Then comes the Bryn Gwlad 40th Anniversary event where I'm co-steward. Sunday morning rolls around, bags are packed and most everyone has headed home or at the very least to someplace with A/C. Vlad, was one of the last people to leave site, helping us all morning with tear down and clean up. He had a 9+ hour drive home looming and he's rolled up his sleeves and doing the dirty work all morning.
Any King may rule through right of arms, but the greatest of them make us believe through their words and deeds. Vladislav is such a man and through his strength of character and love of his Kingdom and its people he has been a model for what the rest of us should strive to be.
As his reign begins to wane, with only a couple of weeks remaining, I doubt I'm alone when I say, "thank you."

Elspeth Bhorúma inghean Bhrian

As a new Scadian, I have found the royal throne to be a bit intimidating, if for nothing else then I'm a very small fish in a very large sea.
My first interactions with his majesty was at gulf wars as his Highness. I watched him laugh and cry with a very new and "unimportant" member of populace. One who didn't even have his AOA...and he treated him like his own brother. It sparked my admiration then.
And then....I discovered that his majesty knew my name. At events he seemed to remember me and would address me! It was such a base human connection, but such an important one.
I think of their majesties as MY king and queen. Her majesty has always smiled and spoke to me genuinely. And I have admired her love of the children of Ansteorra.
I will miss their reign terribly, but because this is the first time in my brief time that I was someone that was known to the crown.
And I saw this with almost everyone they came in contact with.
They are my King and Queen.