Laurel Elevation Ceremony
for
Mistress Gwenllyen Potter, OL
July 17, 2004 - An Tir July Coronation
Preparing for court.
The dress was created by HL Ellen (in green on the left).
The dress was created by HL Ellen (in green on the left).
Waiting for my turn at court.
It was 97 degrees that day -
thank goodness the Laurels were up first at court.
It was 97 degrees that day -
thank goodness the Laurels were up first at court.
The Procession.
HL Bernais leads with my daughter Brigit, carrying my banner.
Then comes my husband Richard and I.
Bernais carries my basket of goodies (gifts for my Mistress and the Crown).
HL Bernais leads with my daughter Brigit, carrying my banner.
Then comes my husband Richard and I.
Bernais carries my basket of goodies (gifts for my Mistress and the Crown).
Bernais with Brigett and my Banner leads the way, followed by my husband Lord Richard and I.
I think he was more nervous than I - but that shaking may have been because he just got through fighting in the Squires Tourney
I think he was more nervous than I - but that shaking may have been because he just got through fighting in the Squires Tourney
There's an awful lot of kneeling involved in this ceremony....
My Laurel, Mistress Morgaina of the Woodlands, speaks on my behalf....
...as does Baroness Anastasia and Baroness Tsuruko.
The time comes to be released from fealty with Mistress Morgaina.
She returns the belt she gave me, so that I can give it to my first apprentice....
and I give her a gift in memory of our relationship.
...I think she liked it...
Then it's time for more prezzies - this time to Their Majesties Asa and Skapti, King and Queen of An Tir.
The last time that Asa and Skapti were King and Queen, they started me on my path.
I was tasked to make bowls for them to take to Pennsic as gifts.
That was my first attempt to make period-esque pottery.
That same year, at September Crown, they awarded me an Award of Arms.
In December at the Dragon's Laire Yule Feast, I competed in and won the Baronial Arts & Science Championship.
Asa and Skapti were in attendance, and that night awarded me the Jambe de Leon.
It seemed appropriate that they should be the ones, four years later, to see me elevated to Laurel.
(Jehovah, Karma strikes again!)
(Jehovah, Karma strikes again!)
I created as a gift to each of the personal little sculpture.
For Skapti, a Lion with a laurel wreath about it's head to symbolize the Lion of An Tir.
Engraved on it's haunches is Skapti's name in Norse Runes.
For Asa, a lioness with a heart and rose wreath, the symbol of the Lioness of An Tir, with her name engraved on the haunches.
The names symbolize the mark that Skapti and Asa have made on our Kingdom.
The Gift is Given.
A proud Baroness and doting husband look on.
Thank you's from Their Majesties.
Now back to our regular programming...
It's time for the circlet, created by HL Arontius of Bygleswade,
and the Medallion made by Mistress Morgaina of the Woodlands...
It's time for the circlet, created by HL Arontius of Bygleswade,
and the Medallion made by Mistress Morgaina of the Woodlands...
...and the scroll, read by Natasha the Vox Herald.
Then finally, swearing fealty on the Crowns of An Tir, and all that's left are the congratulations.