A Laurel's Appreciation

Because I believe it is important to thank those who have had an impact on our lives or played a major role in our life's events, I penned this thank you after the occasion of my Elevation to the Order of the Laurel. For those who are not members of the SCA, this Order is the highest level of award that can be received for one's participation in the Arts and Sciences in the SCA. There are many people who inspired me and helped me to achieve the level of skill for which I was recognized. But this posting was about the people who made this special day possible. They are the ones who made The Dream come alive! And so, they deserve my thanks.

After a week of crusading in the south, traveling great distances to get there and return and then journeying to the lands of much snow with a whirlwind of activity and surprise, my mind is still a bit addled. As has been noted on the wires, this past Saturday, I was honored with induction into the Order of the Laurel for my research and work in the equestrian arts and sciences. There are many people I would thank for their role in this. If I forget anyone, it is merely because my brain is still addled.

Thank You :

To the Order for deeming me worthy to be included in their ranks. There are many people in this Order who I hold in high regard - some of you are my role models while others I hold in such esteem that I could never hope to equal your nobility. To be regarded by the order's members as your Peer, is an honor beyond measuring.  To their Majesties, for Elevating me in their Court and for their kindness and support. And to Their Highnesses, for that same support and for fighting nicely with Their Majesties over the timing of my Elevation. I am honored by you all and proud to serve in your Courts. To those who orchestrated the whole affair and apparently knew about this for several months and managed to keep it secret.

For those who don't know, they set up a ruse that the Æthelmearc Equestrians  were doing an equestrian display at Ice Dragon so they got me to bring all my equestrian arts stuff. Several people commented to me how amusing it was that they got me to set up my own vigil. And then the plan was to get me in court to be served my writ by telling me that the Crown wanted to present me with my Pelican jacket in court. Due to a backlog in supplies for the embroidery, Mistress Tiercelin had been unable to finish it in time for my Pelican elevation, so she wanted to give it to me this past weekend in court. And of course, I agreed, because her work is exquisite and deserves to be seen and presented formally. So yes, I fell for that ruse too. So, when I went into court to receive my jacket she had already embroidered the laurel leaves on it. The King was to lay it upon my shoulders, but he carefully hid the back as he walked around behind me and showed it to the assembled populace. Oh yes, I heard their "ooos" and "ahhhhs" as they responded to seeing the laurel leaves, knowing I was to be served with my writ to consider elevation to the Laurel. But of course, I figured they were all just marveling at the beautiful work of Mistress Tiercelin. The Queen joined in on the deception as she engaged me in conversation to distract me from the fact that the King was silently assembling the Order of the Laurel at my back. When he urged me to turn around to look at the jacket, they were already there and the King taunted me with the jacket, telling me it was mine...but not yet! Very sneaky! The whole lot of them! But I love them all - for all the efforts they made to surprise me and make this special. Their efforts speak of their affection for me and I am so thankful for that!

Mistress Tiercelin at my Pelican Elevation

I cannot possibly thank Mistress Tiercelin enough. She orchestrated this mess. She made my jacket which now bears the emblems of the both Orders. The embroidery is unbelievable.  Her craftsmanship comes through anything that she makes, and this jacket is no exception. I have to thank Lady Hara for the incredible kumihimo cords that she wove for it as well. Thank you Tiercelin also, for opening your house to visitors attending events. Your hospitality is epic - you open your private residence to SCAdians all the time, giving freely of your larder and abode. Thank you for the soft bed and warm blankets that allowed me to get the rest I so desperately needed after my travels so that I could truly appreciate the day.

I want to thank the co-conspirators such as THL Meadhbh, Lady Aaliz and THL Morien, and Baron Tigernach who helped to make this all happen. That includes everyone who worked hard to set up my vigil and work it such as Lady Meave, THL Rhiannon, Baroness Morgan. And of course those dear friends who came to be with me on this day such as Debrogail and Michael, my dear house mates. They also gave me a gift of their own art. Debrogail and her daughter, Alexandra Aks performed during the procession. Alex played the harp and Debrogail sang a Sakura filk that Michael wrote for me.

I was touched and humbled by the words from the worthies who spoke on my behalf. Baron Tigernach for the Pelican, THL Rhiannon for the Golden Lance, Sir Bear from the Chivalry, Mistress Tiercelin from the Laurel, Prince Timothy  as a Royal Peer (how cool is it to have the sitting Heir speak on your behalf!), and our own Queen who quietly asked me if she could also speak for me as I knelt before her. Such a gracious and noble Queen - how could anyone deny her? Viscount Alexander also sent his words from far off Calontir, and the halls echoed with the presence of Rannveigr who was such an inspiration to me and many others.

Great thanks go out to the artists who produced my scroll. It is incredible! Baroness Una de Saint Luc completed the artwork, and Baroness Daedez of the Moritu did the calligraphy. It is a work of art that I shall treasure for all time.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to all of you who have reached out to me, either in person or on the net, to share your kind words with me. I treasure you all! You are the reason that the SCA is a magical wonderful place and the reason I keep coming back each weekend!

An afterthought - As is common while sitting Vigil, some of my guests urged me to not stop working and researching, confident that I would not. I love the arts and I love making things and learning new skills. So there is no fear of that. As a service related peer as well, my thoughts turn to how this event can benefit the equestrian program which is such a large part of my SCA passion. I reflect - I am an Equestrian Laurel! There have been a few made in the SCA. Not many and none in our Kingdom that I know of at this time. (I hope that any Equestrian Laurels reading this blog will comment and identify themselves.) I also hope that this occasion will inspire others in the equestrian program, especially in Æthelmearc. Don't just rely on my research, but look deeper and delve in to the arts further so that we may advance our understanding of the equestrian arts in the medieval period. I hope to sit in court and witness many more elevations to the Peerage for Equestrian Laurels, as well as Equestrian Pelicans.