2025 Elfsea Defender
A Summary of Ansteorran Court held at Defender in the Barony of Elfsea
by Maitre Etienne De Saint Amaranth
It was a chilly day, following overnight rain, that found the Crown of Ansteorra back in the lands of the Barony of Elfsea. This was on April 5, the Feast of Saint Derfel Gadarn who was born a Welsh Prince, son of King Hywel Mawr, and who was celebrated by the bards of his day (Welsh bards at that!) for his combat skills before a life at war turned him to the monastic life in which he died peacefully in 66 AD. The day started cold but seemed to hold or even warm slightly until about the time morning court ended; from that point the wind and its chills made fire everyone’s friend.
Morning court opened with words from the Crown and a recognition of newcomers and Sable Shields. This was followed by business from the court of Elfsea and announcements on the day to come.
Business returned to Royal court where Their Majesties recognized the impacts of a youth of our realm.
Honora Alricsdottir – Rising Star
The Crown then chose to recognize, by name, before the court some who have helped their reign. This included two recognized in absentia the week prior at Hellsgate. They spoke highly of those who gave service to the Crown and enabled the Crown to in turn serve the populace.
- Beatrix Funteyn – Golden Star
- Gwenllyan verch Wilkin – Golden Star
- Mathias Grunwalt – Golden Star
- Sonja Ryzaja – Golden Star
- Tuathal O’Sheils – Golden Star
- Nicaize Maupetit – Golden Star
Following this, Their Majesties called for kolfinna inn kyrra Otarsdottir and, as court paused, took her and placed her on vigil to consider elevation to the Order of the Pelican.
The activities of the day then proceeded and there was much combat and much revelry and much huddling around warmth.
As activities drew to a close, Their Majesties and Their Excellencies chose to start court 30 minutes early to more quickly allow the populace to pack out of site.
As court began, and Their Majesties were processed into court, His Majesty stopped the procession and took their herald to task. “Where is the history lesson?” was the charge. For all other courts of the reign, the herald had spoken of events in the history we study which occurred on each court’s date; save only at Gulf Wars where the challenge was to remember and learn our own history as Ansteorrans. The herald begged leave of his liege lord to rectify the over sight with another piece of Ansteorran history or tradition.
Given leave to do this, the herald spoke to the crowd of the Sword of State, the Lion’s Sword, given to each Crown at their coronation and surrendered when that Crown steps down. The sword was held up by the King’s Champion for all to see. The current sword is the second (as the first was stolen some years back) but both are tied to Lions, to people. The first, the Black Blade, was given as brideprice to the Crown so that the first Lion of Ansteorra might ask for the hand of the third Lion in marriage. The current Sword of State was given to the Crown after the theft and following the passing of Sir Ricardo di Pisa (for it had been his sword). The tradition is that the sword can only be held or touched by the Crown, by the King’s Champion, by the members of the Order of Chivalry or by the Lions from whom it comes. As this was explained, the Crown had the sword passed from champion to Sir Alexandre from the Chivalry, back to the Crown who then turned to Master Caelan MacRob who stood.
But the Crown reached past Master Caelan and extended the sword to the Lion seated beside him. And, as understanding of this passed through the crowd, all understood the Crown’s recognition of Mistress Rhiannon verch Bryan as a Lion of Ansteorra. There was much cheering and joy resounded and Rhiannon rose and carried the Sword of State, as the procession continued, to stand behind the thrones of her Crown.
As the normal agenda of court then began, again newcomers and Sable Shields were welcomed and recognized. Then the court of Elfsea conducted its business and recognized champions and gave some awards. Of kingdom note, two people were inducted into the Baronial Service Order – the Order of the Azure Keystone of Elfsea.
Floria Blackdragon – BSO Azure Keystone (Elfsea)
Thomas Gray – BSO Azure Keystone (Elfsea)
The Crown then further called and recognized:
- Elizabeth of Saint Edmundsbury – Sable Thistle for Calligraphy
- Josep Gautsson – Sable Thistle for Crossbow Making
Her Majesty then had called before her the Order of the White Scarf of Ansteorra. She spoke at length about the order and about herself. She then had the heralds summon three new companions of that order.
Their Majesties, continuing business with the rapier community, summoned and recognized:
- Cecilia Baptista d’Arzenta – Blade of Merit
Their Majesties then summoned the Order of the Pelican and the candidate, kolfinna in kyrra Otarsdottir. Upon the testimony of witnesses and the advice of the order, Their Majesties there bestowed the insignia, accepted fealty freely chosen, and raised kolfinna to peerage and into the order.
Elfsea closed court and as Their Majesties exited, there was much rejoicing and many vivats.
