Crown Tournament XIII, May 15, 2003

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

Ah young one, it is good to see you again. Come, have a seat by the fire. We were just talking about tournaments, about those grand displays of feats of arms, where lords and ladies fight inspired by their consorts love. There are many tournaments held throughout our lands, but the most important of them all is the Crown Tournament, for it is there that gentles from across the kingdom gather to display their courtesy, grace, and skill at arms as our Majesties' Heirs are chosen by the outcome.

There was, as you all must know, a Crown Tournament held this past week. It was in the Shire of Trinovantia Nova that our new Prince and Princess were to be decided. I will name the combatants, and most, if not all, of their names should be familiar to you, for they are all pillars of our kingdom in their fashion:

Lord Grimmroth Skullhammer for Viscountess Moria the Black

Baron Menken Brechen for Baroness Eleanor Cadfan

Baron Phaidrig McNeil for Mistress Etaoin O'fearghail

Baron Sergeant Malik 'abd al-Rahman for Maitresse Baronne Genevieve
Chastellain d'Anjou

THLady Arwyn of Leicester for Master Cerdic O'Cuilleamhain

Sir Evander MacLachlan for THLady Melusine De La Rose

Master Trumbrand the Wanderer for THLady Kaylah the Cheerful

THLady Kaylah the Cheerful for Master Trumbrand the Wanderer

Sir Nigel MacFarlane for Baroness Adrielle Kerrec

THLord Etian au Naval for Lady Valfreya Greenspeare

Tiarna Eoin au Beirne for al-Shariifa Zahra bint al-Nahr al-Ishbiiliya
al-Naariya

THLord Corrig McKail for Lady Emer nic Aidan

Lord Mung Lo for Prydyddes Gwerydd verch Rhys

Lord Tiberius Justus for THLady Anne Tinker

THLord Wilheem Caimbeul for Lady Skallagrim Worgenson

Streonwold Wulfesbana, Hlaford for Lady Seonag Nic Thomais

Lady Seonag Nic Thomais for Streonwold Wulfesbana, Hlaford

Leif of House Hrogn for Lady Morrigan of Temair

Lord Ymir, the thinnest Viking for Lady Rosalind Fitzwilson

The crowd was unfortunately small, perhaps because of the weather, perhaps of the Baron Wars to the south, perhaps because of the close-by Crowning of the new King of the Middle. I know not. Contrary to popular belief, bards do not know everything. Generally we just pretend that we do.

Regardless of the size of the crowd, it was attentive, and the fighters found themselves the centre of rapt attention. The tournament was done as a double elimination tournament, with a number of bye fights which were fought with Baron Konrad Mathias Jaeger von Dubrau, His Excellency Ramshaven. The fighters paired off, the winners staying on the A-list, whilst those defeated moved to the B-list. This continued until only three fighters remained undefeated. These were Baron Malik, Sir Evander and Sir Nigel.

These three then fought a round robin, which was taken by Baron Malik, forcing Evander and Nigel to the B-list. Those fighters on the B-list were then paired again. Any fighter on the B-line who lost left the tournament, until only one remained. And it was thus that Master Trumbrand met Baron Malik in the finals.

The final was to be three best of three rounds. The first round was fought sword and shield, the second with polearm, the weapon of the third is unknown to me, as the third round was not needed. For you see my friends, both combatants fought bravely and well, with skill and chivalry, but the first, and the second round, were both taken by the same man--Baron Malik.

Malik, who had been in the Crown finals twice before, one of those times being Ealdormere's first Crown tourney. Malik, serjant of the Red Company. Malik, baron of the court. Malik, first baron of Rising Waters. [check these facts]

And so Malik was brought before their Majesties Berus II and Marion II and a new princely crown was placed upon his head. And he in turn placed a crown upon the brow of his lady love, Genevieve. Genevieve, Mistress of the Pelican. Genevieve, baroness of the court. Genevieve, first Baroness of Rising Waters.

And so was the Royal line preserved and strengthened. And so does it continue.