To the populace of Ynys Fawr, do your weary and footsore Baronesses, Anna and Adelindis, send greetings.
As this missive is written we are still absent from the shores of our Barony, but Baroness Anna will be home and in attendance at the meeting, and Baroness Adelindis will return shortly thereafter. And we shall have many tales to share with you of our travels: of great armies supported upon the field by mighty war elephants, of battles between midgets and giants, of the vast range of wares for sale from the artisans and merchants of our mighty kingdom, and above all, of the pageantry and splendor arrayed before the wondering eyes of visiting gentles from across the seas, that they may return to their lands dazzled by the best that Lochac can display.
But first, we must speak with pleasure of the recognition won by our populace upon the field and in recognition of great service given. Countess Beatrice Maria Malatesta was placed on vigil before her elevation to the Order of the Pelican, which will take place at Great Northern War. We regret that it may not be in our power to both attend that event and bear witness, but we look forward to being part of her southern vigil. While she has only been a part of our Barony for a short time, the depth of service that she has paid to the Kingdom has been evident to all.
Lord Declan of Drogheda was thrice honoured, for both chivalry and service. Baroness Anna and myself were touched to hear from our cousins at the Baronesses’ Rapier Tourney of the esteem in which Lord Declan is held in Lochac, and their desire to honour him with the Sword of Chivalry for his humour, chivalry and general entertainment value upon the field that day. It was a great pleasure to watch his face as he discovered the reason for being called back from the gate to attend the court at which the winners were announced, for in his humility he had felt that he would not be needed and had returned to his duties. Those duties – running the Gate as part of the Festival stewarding team – were honoured twice in Court. Firstly by our cousins of Rowany, who were minded to bestow on him and one other the Order of the Silver Cinquefoil, bestowed on subjects of other Baronies for service paid to the Barony of Rowany. As a previous recipient of that order, Lord Declan chose to step back so that the honour of the day belonged to Lord Amos Ironbeard alone. He was also awarded a token from the stewards in recognition for his great assistance to them in running the Festival, as was Baron Karl Faustus von Aachen for being part of the Heralds Collective. For such a small Baronial presence as we had this year, Ynys Fawr has contributed mightily to the success of the Festival. We congratulate both gentles for the lustre which their service adds to the reputation of our Barony.
The friendship between the Barony of Ynys Fawr and the household of Phoenix Rise was strengthened over Festival by the magnificent hospitality they extended to Baroness Adelindis through their food fund. Particular mention must be made of the courtesy and culinary talents of Lord Fergal Duveglas, who went considerably out of his way to accommodate my dietary requirements, although every member of Phoenix Rise there present was a joy to associate with. Their tireless assistance and cheerful company was a large part of making Festival a smooth and enjoyable experience for me, and for that I thank them.
We would also like to thank all the members of our Barony who stepped in to organise thrones and act as our attendants at various times, particularly Baron Karl, Simon Mallory and Declan of Drogheda. In their absence, we were also served well by members of our cousins’ retinues, who did great honour to their Baronies thereby. Particular mention must be made of the contributions of THL Ute von Tangermünde and Lord Anton de Stoc, who offered great service in attending to our comfort and the dignity of our office.
It will be a great pleasure to be among you all once more, and to share our tales. We look forward to seeing people at the first bimonthly tourney on the 29th. And we hope that many of you will book for Little Bit of Rapier – having seen the prowess of the rapier notables who will be visiting our shores on display at Festival, we are anticipating that this will be an entertaining and educational event.
In service to the Crown and the people of Ynys Fawr,
Anna Felice Tavestoche and Adelindis filia Gotefridi
Baroness and Baroness of Ynys Fawr