2024 Winter Crown Tournament
A Summary of Court at Crown Tournament
As documented by Golden Staff Herald, Maitre Etienne De Saint Amaranth.
The day started blustery and chill, grey clouds mostly hid the sun. As the day progressed, we had rain. It was as though the very weather of Ansteorra were entering the tournament as a bye fighter, and if you were not on the field then you were fighting the bye. This chill was pushed back by the radiant honor of the Crown and the hospitality of the Barony of Elfsea, and by soup (the soup was hot) and by hot chocolate or tea (waterbearing had a variety of beverages).
This was December 7, a day in history when the Byzantine Emperor Justin II, suffering recurring seizures of insanity, adopted his general Tiberius as his heir. The royal house of Ansteorra has no symptoms of insanity and their heir selection was a glorious (if cold and wet) day of chivalry. So, on the Feast of Saint Ambrose, he who was called the "Honey Tongued Doctor" and was patron of Milan and of Beekeepers, Their Royal Majesties opened morning court and welcomed newcomers and presented Sable Shields. They also welcomed their guest, the Crown Princess of the Middle Kingdom.
In morning court, Their Majesties also presented the following awards:
- Kormakr Mikjallson - Sable Crane
- Alexandre Crane - Sable Talon for Rapier Combat
- Matthew Marcus Tulius - Sable Talon for Armored Combat
- Gabriel of Maccuswell - Iris of Merit
Following the awards, Their Majesties then took Nicaize Maupetit and Sorcha McCullough and sat them on their vigils for the day while armor inspections were completed and everyone readied for the March of Precedence of the Combatants and Consorts entering Crown Tournament.
The procession went well, though a mist and sprinkle of rain began towards the end of the procession. The tournament ensued and it has been reported elsewhere. From this tournament, emerging victorius:
Jason Drysdale - Crown Prince
Margherita de Mantua - Crown Princess
Following the tournament there were pickup fights and an unbelted tourney and the Crown and Heirs. The weather could not impede the fighting community. The Crown and Heirs met with the Order of Chivalry.
As court began, and the sun began to set, Their Majesties again called for newcomers and Sable Shields. The Crown then awarded the King’s Blade of Chivalry: Alexandre Crane
Their Majesties called for the Order of the Pelican and elevated:
- Sorcha McCollough – Order of the Pelican
Additional awards presented were:
- Faolan O Suilleabhain - Sable Talon in Armored Combat & Sable Falcon (for acts seen by the King at King’s Champion)
- Sven Torsgard - Sable Talon in Armored Combat
- Thorstan Hip-Breaker - Award of Arms
The Order of the Pelican was recalled and Their Majesties elevated:
- Nicaize Maupetit – Order of the Pelican
Before closing court, Their Majesties summoned the Order of Chivalry and in court that evening they did invite to join the order, vigils and elevations to be held at a later date to be announced:
Court concluded and many sought warmth but left with hearts warmed by the events of the day.
