Zubeydah's Elevation to the Order of the Pelican

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On July 24, 2021, in morning court at the Barony of Eldern Hills' A Day In The Park Their Royal Majesties, Jason III and Marguerite III invited Her Excellency Zubeydah Al-Badawiyyah to sit in vigil and ponder an invitation to join the Right and Noble Order of the Pelican. This page documents elements of that day and that ceremony.

Procession Into Court

Seventeen the seasons
Seen, when first she served the
Stag’s Hall and her spirit
Sparked a joyous ember.
That flame would be fueled on the
Fire-sea when this Valkyrie
Brought warriors most weary
Wise words and cool support.

Beneath Star of Sable
Spoke love-sworn of home and
Friends by broken fireside
Found roots in glade and glen.
Then, Hersir and Herrin,
Honored Serpent-Knight and
Mother taught replete
Reward of duties’ price.

Eraic’s snare, called service -
Succor sweet in her hands.
Shared freely, lessons learned;
Leader bound in Sif’s hair
The thegns gift gatherer
Gleaned foreign regions
Sweet boons from distant seas
Swelled her name and stature

Belt-sworn to kinsman’s beloved
Broadened family by three.
Mentor’s service swift, but a
Sister stands in their stead.
Far flung chosen family,
Fear not the leagues between.
Scribe to Master’s savvy
Secure his precious lore

Muninn deemed her daughter
Dreams her treasure gathered.
Great feasts, and yet, greater
Glories are remembered.
Lion’s boon by thegn bestowed
Boomed loud the crowds acclaim
Odin’s laughter echoes and
All can witness his pride

Stars fixed in firmament,
Folkvang’s forgetting at bay.
Spider’s den held in drives
Denies the worm its feast.
Plague brings the raven’s prize
A Pall on heart and mind.
Vital was the vision:
Voices raised ‘round the fire

Now, from vaunted Vindheim
Visage of an Eclipse
Born proud upon her breast
Bulwarked by Keep’s walls
By sky-tail and by star
Sparkled art as service
Though the road reaches on,
Revel in this moment

Speakers on her Behalf

Order of the Chivalry

  • His Grace, Duke Jean Paul de Sens, CSS, KSCA, OP: : "Zubeydah, although I know I won't be the first to say this today - wait, I won't be the last - It is my extreme pleasure to speak for you today. You have the courage to stand up for others. The courage to help make people better. The courage to help give people faith in themselves. You are strong, but you are also kind and generous. Your Majesties, she is my peer."
  • His Excellency, Vladislav Strelec Pasha, CSS LXXXIV, KSCA: : "There is another, Your Majesties. I would speak for this woman today. There are many things that I could talk about, for you, but the one that I chose to focus on is heart. And you're going to have to excuse me, because I'm going to have to read this... There are many, as I said, characteristics that I could speak of, for this most Excellent woman. (Gives a thumbs up and grins, "You're welcome for that." (Vladislav was the Crown that elevated Zubeydah with a Court Barony)) The one that you have in spades, and the one that I am envious of is your heart. And the one that the populace can see, in each wiki entry, and the one that the populace can see, in each Fireside Chat, in each delectable confection is heart. The one that the Known World can see. In each thoughtful smile, and in each caring act, is your heart. Your Majesties, it is with the most joy that I can muster, to say this: Yes. Zubeyah is my peer."
  • His Excellency, Iarll Owen ap Aeddan ap Trahearn ap Llewellyn ap Gruffudd ap Gwent ap Bredd ap Camden ap Anarward, CSS, KSCA: "OH, GREAT JASON! MIGHTY KING OF ANSTEORRA! INSPIRED BY THE VERY BEAUTIFUL MARGUERITA, OUR QUEEN, WHO INSPIRES US ALL!! There is a tale from ancient times, where a young knight came into Arthur's court, and he came to serve. He was Royal blood. Sir Kay didn't like him, so he made him work in the kitchen with all the servants. And it was renowned throughout the castle what an amazing job he did in even the lowliest of tasks. And despite the fact that he was just a scullery lad in the kitchen, he was still knighted, because his noble heart shined through even the most terrible job that could be given to him. Zubeydah joined our Society at a sprint. And not only did she do great service - because great service is important - but she also made that service full of joy, and she made that service better. She is my peer."


Order of the Laurel

  • Her Excellency, Baroness Beatrix Alfraye, OL, OP, Lion of Ansteorra, Defender of the Dream: "Your Majesties, I am Beatrix Alfray, and I taught a class in Tulsa once. There was this person kind of off to the side, kind of in the back, and she was very, very interested in what was going on. Then she lit her torch. I could see the light come on in her eyes, and the happiness filled her soul. She took it and she ran with it. Her art has graced our Kingdom. Not just glass - not just cookies - not just jewelry - not just all the things that you do for us that is sweet, to make us feel good about ourselves. But you took it, and you've made art of service. You have shown that art fills us with joy. But her service fills her with joy - and in turn, it fills us all with joy. Zubeydah, you are my peer. Your Majesties - she is my peer."


Masters of Defense

  • His Excellency, Master Phelim Gervase, OP, OL, CSS, WSA, MOD, Lion of Ansteorra, Defender of the Dream: "Aye, your Majesty. I am Phelim Gervase, known as Pug. I am but two weeks old. I'm a baby. I want to speak of this gentle's devotion. We are based on history, but it is not just the history of old, it is the history of now. This gentle pulls those stories from us before they are lost - because we are losing our history - so that it is kept forever. She is my peer."


Order of the Rose

  • Her Grace, Duchess Margaret ny Connor, OP: "Yes, Your Majesty. I am Margaret ny Connor, Duchess - Thanks, Vlad! (Vlad calls out, "I finally did something right!") - and I would speak for this lady. So much of what we have heard, from the laurels, from the knights, speaks to the gentler arts, also. I think what I noticed about you first as a Pelican, was that you were relentless. But you were relentless in encouragement. You were relentless in making people feel good about themselves. About making people want to share. Making people want to do. So, your relentlessness has been leavened with the joy that you provide to the people that you are pushing into doing the things that they didn't know they wanted to do... but they did. And you never take credit. We give you that. Because you deserve it. And you are my peer."
  • Her Excellency, Countess Drahomira von Augsburg, BQC: "Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies. Today I speak for my sister. Sorry, I have to read it, because I'm a very emotional person. Zubeydah and I haven't gotten to know each other really well up close - because until a few months ago, I lived in the Outlands, and she lived in Ansteorra. But we've been sisters, and we've contacted, and kept in communication. She is the most amazing and insanely talented person I have ever met. And last year, when we were all stuck in our homes, and getting down and depressed, did it get her down? No. She sent out boxes of love that are known as cookies and truffles and caramels. She did it all in her own way, and in her own love - and sent it not only throughout Ansteorra, but to the Outlands and to all the other Kingdoms of the Known World. Anyone who needed a little boost - she was there. She is just the most amazing person, and she is my sister, and always will be. And she has always been a peer in my eyes."
  • Her Excellency, Countess Michelle Chantal de Charente, OP, Lion of Ansteorra, Defender of the Dream: "Your Majesties, I would also speak for this woman. I would speak to her generosity. Many of us have had the opportunity to partake of her generosity! Not only in the form of your art, jewelry, delectable delights - chocolate, cookies - You have generosity of spirit. Your willingness in ..in lifting people up. Not keeping them down. Helping them be the best that they can be. That is your true gift to this land, to this Kingdom, and I am so pleased you'll be a Peer of this Kingdom. Your Majesties, she is my peer."


Lion of Ansteorra

  • His Excellency, Master Ivarr runamagi, OP, Lion of Ansteorra, Defender of the Dream: "Yes, your Majesty! (as an aside: "You're just jealous!" - said to someone who didn't get up to speak first.) "Zubeydah, a Lion of Ansteorra is called a Defender of the Dream. There are many different dreams because everyone's dream is different. You are saving our dreams. You are doing more than defending our dreams, you are making them so that we all can see what everyone's dreams are - by the work that you do and the love in your heart. In my mind, you have every one of the characteristics that a Lion of Ansteorra should have. And your Majesties - this amazing lady is my peer."
  • His Excellency, Master Beorhlic Folcwineson, OL, OP, Lion of Ansteorra, Defender of the Dream: "I haight Beorhlic, son of Folcwine, Lion of Ansteorra, and I have known this woman for many years. I would speak on her character. A character that has been forged against the walls of political intrigue, against the joys of due recognition and acceptance. The pains of sometimes having backs turned. Yet that character has come through as has been said - stubbornly, indomitably, and deep from within her soul is a wellspring of kindness and of generosity. What she brings is uplifting to all of us, for that is what she does. Your Majesties, this woman IS my peer."
  • His Excellency, Master Avery Shaw, OP, MOD, WSA, Lion of Ansteorra, Defender of the Dream: "Your Majesties, I would claim my right as a Lion to speech in your court. A year and a half ago, we all went to hell. I had a front row seat. We exist as a game, partly because of the work of this woman. When everything went sideways, when we didn't have a way to see each other. When we could not be with our family - our chosen family - the work that this woman did, and others like her - made it so that we could. I am Avery Shaw, Lion of Ansteorra. I was Seneschal of this Kingdom when we went to hell. This was a light that saw us through. She IS my peer."
  • His Excellency, Count Sir Simonn of Amber Isle, OP, OL, MOD, Defender of the Dream: "Majesties, we've heard a great deal of her background, her talents. I would say it simply: The best is yet to come."


Members of the Populace

His Majesty, Jason Drysdale: We've had the chance to hear from many peers of our Realm, from the inspirational Ladies of the Rose, and the Defenders of the Dream. But most of the time, this wonderful lady served our populace. Is it possible, there is a member of the populace that would speak for this lady?"

Centurion Charles the Grey of Mooneschadowe calls out, "I'm a member of the Populace!" but Honorable Lady Rebekah Aleyn (who is short and nimble) dashes into court first.

  • Honorable Lady Rebekah Aleyn: (takes Zubeydah's hands) "This is so well deserved. My name is Rebekah Aleyn. I'm a member of the populace. My very, very first memory of this lady as at Coronation, when I was serving entourage for Their Majesties. I have served entourage more times than I can count. This lady was the first one, the first person, to recognize those of us who give our time as doing entourage. This lady recognized the work that we did, and brought treats for the entourage. It was the first time I had ever had anyone acknowledge the fact that I have done entourage, and for that, this woman is my peer. Er, except the crown!"
  • Centurion Charles the Grey of Mooneschadowe: "Her service makes the good we do, better. She is - her service is the bubbles in our beer. It is the curve in our scutum. It is the point of our fishbat. It is the HAIL in MOG! (many shouts) Ultimately, as a member of the populace, her service benefitted everyone equally, regardless of rank and station." (a crowd member says, "Yeah, it did!")
  • Kouria Kale Kourtikina: "ooh, that's hard to follow. I am Kale Kourtikina, daughter of Ansteorra. I was called out of kingdom two years ago, and I am not -technically!- a part of this populace. And yet, when the pandemic hit, and times got very, very dark for a lot of us, in multiple kingdoms. This lady stepped up. A kingdom is only as strong as its weakest players, and its struggling players. She made sure those struggling had hope. They had a light in the darkness, and something to look forward to. Her service to this populace - and others - survived. She is a peer of the populace."