With the weather warming, the SCA events are becoming more regular on the calendar, and one of the highlights of the season is the Spring Coronation. For those not in the know, a King or Queen’s reign in the Kingdom of Ealdormere runs for six months, give or take, with a Coronation in the Fall and Spring as the heirs ascend their thrones, and a Crown Tournament follows not too long thereafter to determine the new heirs by right of arms. This past weekend the citizens of Ealdormere gathered in the Incipient Canton of Northgaetham, to take part in the Coronation of Nigel and Adrielle, Ealdormere’s new King and Queen.

The Lupine thrones await the new Royal posteriors.

My stalwart travelling companion was the ever-awesome Augusta Wayfare. We were shanghai’d by the members of Frakken Kraken and tossed into the back of their Jeep, but then, we *were* crashing at their place, and they *were* driving us to the event site, so really, it was just like being chauffeured around in Mjoll’s Indestructicar, so no complaintes whatsoever. For the record, my blue/grey tunic with the silver trim was made by his Excellency, THL Percival De La Rocque. I looked awesome thanks to his kindness.

It wasn’t long before we were milling with Ealdormereans and visiting dignitaries from other kingdoms who had travelled up for the event.

Baronial thrones lined the wall representing baronies of the Kingdom. Yes, the Septentrian Polar Bear has a blue winkle. Yes, it’s historically justifiable. Yes, it still makes me blink a few times whenever I notice it.

Vendors also set up their wares to sell garb, accessories, and other such stuffery.

Outside, zones were demarked for Fencing, Armoured Combat, Thrown Weapons and Archery. This was the first event where I tried Spear throwing. I was terrible at it 😉

One of the coolest projects within the kingdom is being undertaken by Lady Gwendolyn, who’s making Lego minifigures of the fighters of the kingdom. For the first time I was able to see the whole collection out to put on display. It’s not yet complete (and may never be, as new fighters join in the fun), but still super cool. Each figure represents one of Ealdormere’s combatants, and bears the personal heraldry of that fighter. They’re organized in households and family groups, with Squires standing with their Knights, and where possible figures often wear helmets suited to their personae.

Gwendolyn kindly pointed out where she herself was hiding in the ranks…

Lady Gwendolyn, with the round, green shield with the yellow boss in the centre, will soon hopefully be squired to Sir Varenko, he of the blue and yellow device in front of her. This event was the first time I’d been able to hang out with him; I declare him to be a super cool dude.

The A&S (Arts & Sciences) crowd were in full effect, showcasing nifty items they’d made using centuries-old techniques. How many people nowadays know how to hand-weave/embroider a bag strap like this? I don’t… yet… but at every event more amazing hand-made things are brought forth, complete with analayses on how they were made, what worked, what didn’t, as the creators tried to rediscover skills and arts from generations in some cases over 1000 year ago.

Soon it was time for Morning Court, in which their Majesties Quilliam and Domhnail would sit on the Lupine Thrones of Ealdormere for one last time before the end of their reign.

Awards and recognition were given to the officers who had served them during their reign in a variety of capacities…

His Majesty may or may not have been staring me down…

And then there were shenanigans. Their Majesties called Brand, a herald, to Court…

… so that he could switch places with Pelayo, THIER herald, so that they could grant him an award…

Nothing like being recognized by a crowd of your peers…

And THEN they made Brand switch back with Pelayo so that they could grant HIM an award! Good times.

A NEW CHALLENGER APPROACHES! Or, ya know, Prince Nigel approaches and declares his intent to claim the throne, as is his right by virtue of arms.

After an anointing and ceremonial oath-taking, a new king is crowned. That said, he looks a little lonely… let’s get him a Queen.

“With this hat, I thee elevate.”

“For my next trick, I’ll make this sword disappear!”

… behind a bunch of knights, swearing fealty…

The barons and baronesses each bring a sample of soil from their lands… guess who got to sweep it up 😉

It was collected in a glass vessel to be presented to their Majesties after the ceremony was done.

Lostie MortymerXT, maniacally gleeful. I’m not entirely sure why.

One last pic of spiffy creations before heading outside to watch people hit each other with sticks…

Don’t worry, he made his Tough roll

Little known fact: Ladies in the Tudor period had such enormously ploofy skirts so they could discreetly hide their picnic baskets when enjoying some sun. The didn’t like sharing their cucumber sandwiches with those sweaty fighter types.

Boop! Got yer chin!

The thrown weapon’s range. Axes and knives into the wooden butts (heh… butts…) and hay bales for the spears. I can confirm I’m bad at throwing spears.

If you see a fighter on bended knee before Duchess Kaylah, it’s usually less of a marriage proposal, and more a drubbing in progress.

Badger, badger, badger, badger…

Sometimes the Fencers like to pull out less bendy blades. It’s been at LEAST three weeks since our last dismemberment.

And then you get a selfie with the Queen, because that’s how you roll.

Dramatic posing? Duchess Kaylah has you covered.

Of course, not everyone was fighting outside. Some folks were fighting inside…

Evening court saw the Kingdom Archery Champion and the King’s Champion added to the Royal Posse.

Gifts of Largesse were given to the crown. Her Majesty was particularly enamored of the dolls.

It was in that moment that Pelayo remembered the end to the dirty limerick he’d heard last week.

Each award granted in Ealdormere is a beautifully crafted scroll, hand illuminated and scripted, often incredibly personalized, signed by the King and Queen and sealed in wax.

Ealdormere’s scribes are an incredibly talented bunch.

My adventure ended with a fire pit in the lands of the Frakken Kraken. Good company, good friends. It was a weekend well spent.

Wassail to their Lupine Majesties Nigel and Adrielle, King and Queen of the North, long may they reign. At least, you know, until the next coronation.