2025 Marata Midwinter Melees
A Summary of Royal Court at Marata Mid-Winter Melees
by Maitre Etienne De Saint Amaranth
It was the 25th of January, the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, and the anniversary of the knighting of Sir Walter Raleigh, when the Riding of Marata hosted Mid-Winter Melees and contributed a venue for the forces of Ansteorra to prepare for Gulf Wars.
Their Majesties, Jean Paul and Gilyan, were joined by Their Heirs and Their Sanguine Highnesses of Vindheim. In morning court, Their Majesties recognized newcomers and Sable Shield recipients. They welcomed the event stewards for announcements and updates. Their Majesties then summoned Centurion Kormakr Mikjallson. Kormakr had previously been called as a candidate for the Chivalry and Their Majesties concluded morning court by taking him out and placing him on vigil to consider his candidacy for that estate and the advice of peers and populace.
During the day, just after the lunch rush on the tavern, Their Majesties visited the tavern and re-opened court. There they met with Séigíne Brecc and discussed her artistry and efforts in the kingdom and advanced her to the Rank and Estate of Companion to the Order of the Iris of Merit.
It was a full day with activities in all martial disciplines. But as the day drew to a close, evening court reopened. Their Majesties again recognized newcomers and Sable Shields, they received fealty from two knights and then turned court over to Their Sanguine Highness for Vindheim business.
During the Vindheim business, Tycho Leksten was called forward and recognized with an award that had been given in a prior principality reign. After Vindheim completed their business with Tycho, Their Majesties called him to their court where he was recognized and presented with a Sable Falcon. Vindheim then completed their remaining court business and Royal court resumed. Following the catching old business with people who were present theme, Their Majesties were able to also catch Elena Darcy who was presented with a Sable Sparrow from a prior court.
Normal court business resumed and Their Majesties presented the following other awards and recognitions:
- Pia Allegri – Award of Arms
- Nalkah umm al-Jafnā – Sable Comet for Marata
- Sainte du Bois – Sable Comet for Marata
Their Majesties then called for six people to come forward as a group. Five of the six were present. They were recognized for their efforts at the Ansteorran encampment in preparation for the upcoming Gulf Wars. Recognized (and present) were:
- Charles the Grey of Mooneschadowe – Sable Sparrow
- Matthew Marcus Tulius – Sable Sparrow
- Rafe Slater – Sable Sparrow
- Vincenti da Murano – Sable Sparrow
- Sonja Ryzaja – Sable Sparrow
Court continued with the following individual recognitions:
- Sainte du Bois – Star of Merit
- Siegmund Walter Von Wurtzberg – Sable Talon for Armored Combat
- Elise Green – Sable Talon for Combat Archery
It was at this point in court, that Earl Daffydd Whitaker and Countess Octavia de Verdon entered court and brought a case to their Crown for resolution and decision. It was their claim that Kormakr Mikjallson was of the skill and character of a peer but not yet of that station. They asked the Crown to consider rectifying that injustice. Their Majesties called Kormakr forward and declared an Althing in the manner of his people. They called for witnesses on the matter and upon that testimony reaffirmed their decision to call Kormakr to the Order of Chivalry. He accepted and declared that he chose the belt and chain of a knight as his nature of entrance into the order. He was invested in the insignia of the order, dubbed and received the traditional last unanswered blow and was declared a Knight of the Society.
There being no further business nor reason to prolong court, Their Majesties exited and court was declared closed for the event.
