Court of Their Royal Majesties Ragnvaldr and Arabella in the Barony of Nordskogen, Twelfth Night, Saturday, January 12, 2002.

~A very cute young girl in blue Mongolian styled hair with sparkly things shooting out at various angles is called before their Majesties. HRM Ragnvaldr presents her to the audience and says "Does this not deserve applause?" to which HSH Aramanthra replies "I feel so underdressed!"

Court of Their Stellar Highnesses Niklos and Aramanthra

"Summon forth the Young Vicious Horde and one young Roman". The children come forth bearing the "carcass" of the giant squirrel that had been seen wandering around site:

The YVH and the Roman also brought HSH Aramanthra a hat made of "one black squirrel with a white stripe." This She places on Her, tops it with the Coronet and proclaims "Coronets go w/ everything."

The money from the sale of chocolate was donated to the Principality.

Aramanthra gave the each of the YVH and the one young Roman a Mongol braid to signify membership into the Horde. She also gave a foxtail to each of the male fighters and whips to the women for "herding" and "keeping order." As each child was called forward to receive their tokens the word "vicious" was added to the end of their name (i.e. "Laura Rose the Vicious"). Another appearance by the Sparkling Blue Haired Mongolian girl prompts HRH Aramanthra to say "If nothing else, Mongolian Headdresses teach good posture." Each of the children were thanked for their "Marvelous job suppressing the rodent population all day"

Simon Morcar was summoned to announce the Rapier Champion for His Highness as it was determined during the "Barroom Brawl". The winner shined above the rest in skullduggery and was a perfect blend of chivalry and doing what needs to be done. Lord Rodrigo was called forward. As he kneeled before the Imperial Governor the blade of his sword came dangerously close to Vicountess Isabelle who was standing guard. This prompted "hit the squirrel not the Vicountess" (the squirrel carcass being left at HSH feet as tribute). They apologized to Lord Rodrigo forgetting the appropriate regalia to which HRM Arabella had to laugh as Ragnvaldr had done the same thing.

The Baronial College of Nordleigh was summoned but not before the bodyguards could step forth to guard against the "heraldic squirrels" journeying forward. The College expressed that there was an unsettling amount of squirrel hunting and that they lived in fear of their bushy tails. HSH tried to look innocent at these statements and took one of the proffered nuts and proceeded to (or at least attempt to) crack it on his forehead. To this he replied, "I recognize the College of Nordleigh. I recognize that you do not try to chew into my house. I recognize that I do not need to kick you out of the way as I make my way to my car. And I recognize that I love the College of Nordleigh." To this, He further responded by giving them the "carcass" of their fallen commarade. And it was also pointed out that the Young Vicious Horde "herdes" squirrels not destroys them.

Lady Turi (sp?) was called forward and named the Heavy Combat Champion for Aramanthra.

Lord Richard of Cumberland was called forward to the Darth Vader Theme:

…and was placed upon the Scroll of Honor.

AOA—Amalia of Nordskogen

AOA—Rosa de la Mere

AOA—Ursula von Linden "making new comers feel welcome is the life blood of the SCA"

AOA—Angela of Rockhaven—some of us like to have a lot of fun so its amazing to think of all the go-to paperwork people

AOA—Danwyn verch Danu

AOA—Magdelena Bowen:

AOA—Catriona ni Brennen—TSH were "shocked" by the number of letters. "she’s always somewhere, doing something, for someone else"

Order of the Northern Cross--Lord Fearghas Buchannon of Mistig Waetru

Order of the Aegis—Tarrach Thane Alfson, Vicountess Fina ingen Aeda, Baroness Ia ingen Aeda:

Their Stellar Highnesses’ Chamberlain, Aureila, came down the aisle.

She proceeded to explain that her virgin ears had been offended. There is a no swearing policy at the Iron Maiden encampment at Pennsic, where a gentle swore not a blue streak but a purple one. When asked what sort of person would do this, she explained that it was a man dressed in pastel plaid to which Aramanthra cried, "what sort of person wears pastel plaid?" Tarrach. Niklos, in response to this said, "Bring my knight before me" to which the heralds must of course answer and summon "the immediate arrest of Tarrach." Tarrach tried to plead his case. Aramanthra was handed a whip, and Niklos turned to Their Majesties and said "Justice is yours Caesar". HRM Arabella threw up her arms and cried "Vengeance!"

HRM Ragvaldr looked very calmly at the situation and said that he should be remanded to the custody of his wife to think about what he had done. Fiona came forth and was handed the whip. Tarrach turned to His Majesty and said "THANK YOU, your majesty." Fiona took hold of the situation, by grabbing Tarrach by the ear, helping him bow to each of the royal families, and dragged him back to his seat.

Niklos then asked, "Is it good to be the Northshield?" and the crowd goes wild "our business is done here."

From the audience: "Vivat to the long suffering Herald"

Here Resumes the Court of the Middle Kingdom

Lady Charissa was summoned bringing with her a guitar player and a goodie-basket-toting Baron. Someone asked, "is he authorized in food" to which HRM Ragnvaldr responded, "no, that’s why we’re taking it away."

Lady Charissa also presented these goodies in Mongol style by accompanying them with a song. As she sang, the Baron (apologizing for not remembering your name) entertained Her Majesty by making the food dance.

Lord Andrew McBain the Purple, the Midrealm Rapier Champion, handed out red favors to all authorized fencers. The idea stemmed from the belief amongst some that Rapier Combatants didn’t contribute/serve the community. So, that when these favors were displayed on one’s person, they would act as a visible testament—people would be able to see that, yes, the rapier community does serve off of the field. All the present authorized fencers went forward to receive the favor (Maximus was snatched off of Eliane’s shoulder by Ysolt and made his first appearance in court when she went to collect her favor).

Change of Officer—Master Julio stepped down as Principality Knights Marshal and handed the position to Vlad.

Tatiana Melville was called forward representing the Kingdom Chiurgeon. She in turn summoned Lady Margarite Medicus to be named a "Master Chiurgeon"—this was greeted with a standing ovation.

Lord Morgan Bartholomew Cuthbert came froward to thank all of the attendees and announce the winners of the contests:

Christian d’Hiver announced the winner of the Chess Tournament—Josceline

Simon Morcar announced the victor of the Barroom Brawl. Cecil, who "cut a bloody swath," received the traveling prize. It was a feast basket that had to be returned with one addition. He turned to leave and had to be brought back to also receive a certificate for a custom made sword belt for his weapon.

Autocrat again thanked the volunteers and feastocrats—and there was much rejoicing! The former autocrat, Mikey, also added his comments and thanks about what a great event it had been. >standing ovation<

The Fealty Oath for the Chivalry was sworn.

Dragon’s Treasure—Brendon of Rockhaven "quite the budding viking"

AOA—Eleanora Cavallini

AOA—Aram Thorson

AOA—Ben of Border Downs

AOA—Constanza de Sevilla

AOA—Eve Alexandra Morgana Ambrose

AOA—James Trip the Tardy—someone excepted on his behalf. HRM Ragnvaldr commented "we appreciate his consistency in his tardiness"

Cavendish Knot—David Dupont

Cavendish Knot—Cristol Van Naarden

Purple Fret—David Dupont

Purple Fret—Roxelana Bramante

Good Herald tighearna Maol Mhichil mac Gille Pheadair (Mikey) said that he has a problem with a daughter he never sees—she’s always in the kitchen. They called forward, ban-tighearna Brigid ingen Mhaol Mhichil the Birdkiller to receive a Purple Fret. TRM asked "do you recognize her?" to which Mikey responded, "oh yes, she’s grown a bit though."

Order of the Willow—ban-tighearna Cinniu ingen Cuthbad

Order of the Evergreen—Gweniver Kenwyn of Roseveth

Lady Sian verch Gruffyd received an Award of the Dragon’s Heart. TRM explained that the Dragon’s Heart means a great deal and it takes a great deal to earn this award. "We truly believe that you are the heart of the Dragon"

TRM gave Gifts to the Baronies and HRM Arabella again presented tokens to all of the scribes.

In great sadness I must report that I was unable to catch this speech word for word, but one of the most moving words I have heard were uttered in HRM Ragnvaldr’s closing words. He explained that we share a common interest and we could enjoy them privately, but instead choose to make that a living Dream. And, that "the thing that makes it special are the people around you…"