The Eclipse Coronation of Ansteorra
Sovereign: [[Nicollet Date: October 14, 2023 Location:
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!
