The Eclipse Coronation of Ansteorra

Sovereign: Nicollet II Date: October 14, 2023 Location:

At the end of Her Premiere Court, Our Sovereign Queen, Nicollet II said the following words:

"Now I would like to talk to you all about a very serious topic and it is something that I made a promise to this Kingdom about when I decided to stay in this position and lead you forward. I promised the population of Ansteorra a DEI(B) plan and an initiative to move forward and I would like to present that to you now.

At Border March Autumn Melees (BAM/War of the Rams) We will have our first of two Kingdom-level Salons. At the first Salon, We will be discussing the concepts of disabilities, seen and unseen, and how We can make our Dream more accessible to those who suffer from disabilities. This will be a forum that anyone can participate in. We intend to have a scribe there to write down the ideas so that we can put them into a working document and send them to our DEI(B) Officer so that the ideas that come from these salons are accessible to all of our groups so that you may move forward in supporting the Dream at the local level and making sure that people are able to come out and play.

The second Salon We are hosting at Winter Kingdom where We will be discussing marginalized communities and again We will be taking notes and creating some ideas to be able to make our Dream more accessible and more friendly to marginalized communities with the hope that We can continue as a Kingdom to move forward and to grow our populace in a manner where everyone is welcome and accepted.

Moving forward, I will not require, but I will politely request, that if you are bidding on a Kingdom-level event that you please consider having an area available for a quiet space. We did this at Kingdom Arts and Sciences where it was very successful. We all love out friends, but sometimes we need a break for a few minutes to re-center and re-ground ourselves. It is not a hard thing to do. There is really no special requirements, just a small space away from noise, where people can go and have a moment to themselves. So, We will be requesting that idea to be included in your Kingdom-level bids.

Additionally we are asking our local officers and Landed to please watch your populace and bring to Us the names of those who exemplify acceptance and assistance in the SCA. We are hoping that by the end of this reign We will be able to establish a new Kingdom-level award for inclusiveness. The DEI(B) Office is not a weapon to be used against our friends, or even those that we perceive as enemies, rather it is an office that We use to organize ideas to educate ourselves on the challenges that we ALL face. There will be those who will stand out among our populace as being exceptional in these skills and qualities. Please make sure that those people, their names, get before Me for proper recognition.

And so, my friends, this is the initiative for this Reign that I wish to present to you. Hopefully for your input and approval because along We cannot do this alone. We have to work together. If you have additional ideas, if you have thoughts for a Kingdom-Level award on inclusivity, please bring Me your concepts so that We can see how we can implement them to best serve out Kingdom. Thank you!"

Her Grace, Hrafna Wyrdmake, KSCA, OL, Lion of Ansteorra

As I prepare to fly home to my home in An Tir, I have some thoughts about my time this weekend at The Eclipse Coronation of Ansteorra.

My main reason for returning for the event was so that I could fulfill my duties as the newest Lion of Ansteorra. One of which is to offer challenge to the incoming Crown before they are deemed worthy to be offered the Sword of State.

For me, it was an emotionally charged day. I was surrounded by friends and family that I hadn't seen since moving. The day was a joyous blur of constant hugs, words of love, broad smiles, and happy laughter. Everyone making me feel welcome and missed means more to me than I have words for. I even forgot to get photos with everyone until the last 5 minutes of the event, I was so distracted and happy to see folks. As the moment approached where I would be required to challenge Ansteorra's incoming Sovereign Nicollet Deuville, my mind was racing with all of the implications of the moment. Who was I to be tasked with such a momentous occasion as handing the sword over to the Kingdom's Sovereign Queen (something that had only happened once before)? What if my words failed me? Would the Kingdom be better served by someone issuing the challenge who still lived there?

But regardless, the responsibility fell to me and I was honored to do so - moreso because I wanted to be the one to hand the sword over to another woman.

When that moment came, thankfully my words did not fail me, my voice remained steady, and Her Majesty's response was one of the best I had ever witnessed. The moment where I passed the blade of Ansteorra to her Majesty will forever be burned into my memory as a singular moment on its own. But for me, it also represented a connection to a place that I called home for 19 years. I won't call that link severed, but now there is a distance that is still strange to me.

Later, it was bittersweet to see the various Peerages and others swearing fealty to the Black Star, something I had done myself many times before.

I leave you now with the words I wrote for the challenge ahead of time. I do not know if these are the exact words that I said in the moment, but I believe that I got most of them.

"In my hands, I hold the Ansteorran Sword of State. This blade, or its predecessor, has been welded by 86 other Sovereigns over 44 years. As Lions of Ansteorra, we guard this sword and hold it until it is ready to be placed into the care of those who will also use it to defend the Dream we all share.


Most would describe a sword as a tool of violence, but that is only one of its functions. It can also be used to dispense justice, show mercy, or grant honors to those who have earned them. Which is done depends entirely upon the desires of the one who holds it.


Previous Crowns have done all these things, some for the good of the Kingdom, and some in the pursuit of their own egos. The best Crowns, the ones we all remember with love, realize that leadership is a privilege and a responsibility. As leader of this Kingdom, you are now responsible for the for the well-being of every member of your Populace. It is now your job to inspire one and all to greater heights that they themselves don't believe possible.


So, I ask you now, how will you rule as Sovereign of Ansteorra?
(assuming an acceptable response)
The Lions now place the sword into your care. Always remember that you rule because we believe."

I know there are details I am missing in my retelling, but as I begin my travels home this is the best that my highly emotionally heart can do in this moment. I wish to thank one and all for welcoming me, making me feel loved and missed, and for reminding me why Ansteorra is made up of such an amazing group of folks!

Sir Amra Shieldsplitter

Greetings All
Id like to take a moment to share a few thoughts and set records straight.
Today I was CHOSEN to be a Champion of our Great Kingdom.
Duke Creppin WON the tournament. He gives the most fun fights 💜
I've been told Im very unapproachable. Please know I take my situation very seriously.
But I am here for EVERY Ansteorran.
I represent YOU an will always ALWAYS try my best for you w Honor Love Kindness an if need be my Sword.
Nobody gets Bullied
Everyone is Welcome
I Am Here For You.
My Knights Oath I Took Many Years Ago Is What I Give You Now
To Ever Be A Good Knight and True
Reverent and Generous
Shield of the Weak
Foremost In Battle
Courteous at All Times
Champion of the Right and the Good
I Send You All My Love Ansteorra
And
The Biggest of Hugs