[Artemisia] Gryphon's Lair query

[Biancaraven at aol.com]

12th Night Event was a splendid and magnificent spectacle.
 
His Honor, Lord Math the Fish, sat vigil throughout the day, receiving  
well-wishes and advice from friends, peers and family.  Over a hundred  people 
turned out from many different Kingdoms throughout the Known World to  wish him 
well on his momentous day.
 
There were many tasty soups and cookies donated by the generous members of  
Gryphon's Lair.  We would like to extend our personal thanks to Lady  Johanne, 
Lady Bethany, Lady Allesandra, and Lord Robert Bedlam for responding to  the 
request for the luncheon potluck.  I am certain it was a successful  fundraiser 
for the Barony.
 
During the day, we had two tournaments for the combatants.  His Royal  
Highness won the Valhalla Tournament, and the Baronial Champion, Lord Jayshon  
Faustus won the Rapier tournament with milord Donovan winning the Tournament of  
Grace and Honor (and the prize).  His Highness was awarded a dagger  for winning 
the Valhalla Tournament, but showing the grace and  generosity of His Royal 
Blood, he recognized Lance of Loch Salann for that  gentleman's skill, chivalry 
and gentility on the field, and gifted His  right-won prize to Lance.  Milord 
Benjamin Caimbeul was named as the  Premier Youth Defender of the Lair for 
his prowess during the Boffer  Tournament.  
 
Her Honor, Lady Heidi of Cote du Ciel, offered her services by conducting  
the youth activities.  The children made tambourines, played with gladiator  
toys and played outdoor games.  Later, Lord Azir held a boffer making class  and 
conducted the boffer tournament.
 
Many artists participated in the Arts and Sciences Display within Gryhpon's  
Lair.  Lady Bethany's Illumination entry won the Populace vote (and the  prize 
of 6 yards of blue velveteen) in the Arts and Sciences Display.  Lord  
Gearoid won the Baron's Choice vote (and the prize of a starter kit of gouache  
paints) in the Arts and Sciences for his inlaid wood spinning wheel, and The  
Honorable Lady Jacquelinne de Radonvilliers won the Baroness' Choice vote (and a  
book detailing the life of the Boleyn sisters) for her marvelous  
illumination.  There were 7 or 8 entrants, with over a dozen pieces to  admire, ranging 
from spinning, embroidery, illumination and  alchemy/cooking.  
 
 
There was a Bardic display just prior to feast, and each participant was  
awarded a glass rose from the Baroness during Court.  Participants included  Lord 
Griffon, Lady Bethany, Lady Johanne, Master Corwin, THL Caesideous, milord  
Benjamin, milady Ashlynn, Baroness Elyn and others.  The Bardic was  conducted 
by our Baronial Champion, Lord Griffon.
 
Her Honor, Lady Meraud des Belles Feuilles, prepared a splendid and  
delicious feast.  She served a full house many courses of exotic and tasty  Roman 
cuisine.  Courses included the appetizer of breads, flatbreads,  hummus and olive 
spread, second remove was beef with relish served with green  beans and 
procuitto, the next remove was breaded fish and herbed  barley, the last remove was 
sausage stuffed acorn squash, and honey-nut  candy clusters were served with a 
custard-like pastry for dessert.
 
During Their Majesties' court, many back scrolls were presented.   There were 
almost a dozen people attending their first event, and they were able  to 
select a prize from the Queen's "Box of Goodies" to thank them for  attending.
 

At Gryphon's Lair Baronial Court, we were able to recognize two outstanding  
members of our new Barony.  Lady Bethany of Windermere was awarded the  
Premier of the Cero e Luce (Italian for "Candle and Light") for her consistent  
devotion to the Arts and Sciences within Gryphon's Lair.  The scroll was  created 
by THL Jacquelinne de Radonvilliers and the regalia by Lady  Aine.  During 
Court (at the Baroness' request) Bethany performed a  song she had written, to 
showcase her varied and glorious skill.  The  Honorable Lord Sextus Paepellus 
Caesideous (FKA Sionainn Caimbeul, DWS) was  awarded the Premier of the Lux 
Gryphus (Latin for "Gryphon's Light"), for being  a constant light and guide 
within the Barony.  Caesideous has served the  Lair during the transition from 
Shire to Barony with his heart, hands, and  soul.  He continues to fight as both a 
rapier and an armored combatant, he  teaches fighting and is crafting a new 
suit of armor.  Lord Caesideous also  has contributed greatly to the Arts, 
performing period pieces in Bardic  competitions, painting, assisting with regalia 
(including working on the  thrones, the coronets, the Baronial retinue 
favors, Champion favors and more),  and writing scroll text for the Baronial 
Champion scrolls and for the text and  charter for the Lux Gryphus.  It was a 
pleasure to be able to  recognize the service and dedication of these individuals.
 
After Gryhpon's Lair's court ended, Their Majesties Morgan and Esebell  
called forward Math the Fish.  He was heralded in with lines of skaldic  verse, 
praising the Black King and Golden Queen.  Fish asked people who  have inspired, 
challenged and befriended him to sing the verses of his  history.  Among those 
who participated were Dame Varia, Baron Sir Tryggvar,  Baron Thorvald of 
Gryphon's Lair, Hrothgar and others.  The verses listed  Fish's history and 
awards, from his Award of Arms, Falcon's Crest, Gold  Gryhpon's Talon,  DUCK, Gold 
Maple Leaf, Defender of the Citadel and the  Gryphon of Artemisia.  Speaking 
for His Honor were Duke Konrad for the  Chivalry, Master Braden for the Laurels, 
Sir Michael for the Pelicans, Duchess  Kortland for the Royal Peers and His 
Honor Lord Jean-Richard for the  populace.  THL Jean-Richard brought forward a 
"Viking Surfboard" carved  with Norse Runes to commemorate the elevation of 
Lord Fish.  As always,  Lord Jean-Richard's work was beautiful beyond words.  
Bahadur Timmur  and Bahadur William Kyle of the Wildnerness placed the spurs on 
Fish's heels,  the belt was presented by Duke Konrad and girded about him by 
Fish's elegant and  graceful lady, Teresa-Angelina (with some assistance from 
Her Majesty).   Attached to the belt was a ring given to Konrad by the young 
Kingdom of  Lochac.  This ring had been taken to historic places throughout the 
world  and imbued with the magic and history of those landmarks.  It was 
placed in  Konrad's care until he could present it to someone deserving of such a  
relic. The chain was given by Baron Sir Tryggvar, and the history of this  
piece was detailed.  It was Tryggvar's chain, worn by Baron Bahadur Timmur  
before Tryggvar's knighting.  When the buffet was delivered, Fish stood  tall and 
proud, but even the strongest quake before our Mighty King.  The  blow was 
delivered to Fish's cheek, and spun the big man on his heels, golden  hair flying 
in disarray, and his fall was halted against  the supporting hands of the 
chivalry.  It was a ceremony to remember,  filled with the magic and pagentry we 
all hope to one day witness.
 
Many pictures were taken during and after the event, and there was much  
celebrating lasting through the night and the next day and ...well ... it's  still 
going on...
We are very pleased to have been part of this grand day.
 
In Service to the Dream - and to those Moments of Magic, such as the  one I 
was able to witness at 12th Night,
Bianca, Baroness Gryphon's Lair