Elevation thanks

At the Ice Dragon event in March of 2014, I was called into court in the morning and inducted into the Order of the Millrind for my service to the Society and the equestrian community for my work promoting the equestrian program. I spent the remainder  of the day with my equestrian friends, as we held a meeting and discussed equestrian matters. I judged several categories in the Pentathlon, including the Animal Arts category. It was a busy day. I went to afternoon court, which was quite long.  Towards the end of court I went to check on a friend who was resting in the upstairs area.  There I was accosted - yes accosted - by (now) Baron Tigernach who said he was trying to find Mistress Tiercelin in regards to a presentation for the equestrians in court. I accompanied him back downstairs in time to hear my name called. Stymied, I could not understand why I was being called into court - which was the plan in order to surprise me. You see, I had planned to attend an earlier event in the year but due to the severe weather and a frozen water line to my barn, I couldn't go.  It was there that they had planned to call me up in court.  But due to my absence, things were pushed back to this event and in this manner.

Baron Tigernach has me firmly in hand.

Like a young skittish colt, I nearly bolted but the firm grasp of Tigernach's hand made me stay the course. I was shocked to be served with a Writ by King Timothy and Queen Gabrielle to answer their summons on whether I would accept elevation to the noble Order of the Pelican. Immediately afterwards, I was surrounded by numerous people offering to help with my elevation. I was extremely touched by people's kind words of congratulations and offers of help. It is not something I ever thought would happen to me and I would have never dreamed of the support I would receive.  It was a very humbling experience.  Of course, as there were many equestrians present, they were there to congratulate me, and emphatically state that my elevation just had to happen at the year's equestrian championship as we would all be there and could do a mounted procession into court. As I saw this as an excellent opportunity to showcase the equestrian program, I heartily agreed. And so on June 14, 2014, at the Kingdom Equestrian Championship, held at Æthewald Proving Grounds (sponsored by the Shire of Sunderoak), I was Elevated to Peerage. The equestrians, mounted and dressed in their best, formed a procession which rode into court and then formed a column through which I galloped my horse Rex to stop and vault from his back before the throne. It was a good day.

Afterwards, I prepared this letter of thanks which I posted to the Kingdom announcement board:

Now that the dust has settled, my warhorses are happily back in the fields, and my rig is parked  and unloaded, I want to take the time to thank the many people who helped me this past weekend and labored so hard to make it a truly memorable experience. The list is long and given here in no particular order ...each of you  are special and your contribution to my Elevation is greatly  appreciated.   If I omit a name it is only in error, not for lack of appreciation....

Master Michael and Lady Debrogail

To Master Michael and Lady Debrogail, who ran the vigil list, "herded the Peers" as has been said, kept things running smoothly, and helped me pack things up afterwards......and of course for the beautiful Vigil book crafted by Michael and the beauty of the voice of Debrogail during my  Elevation.

To Master Ambrosius, for bringing all the pavilions and equipment, setting everything up even to the detriment of one of the pavilions, for helping in so many ways...most of which I never saw....

Mistress Judith speaking, with Duchess Liadain
Mistress Tiercelin, Master Ambrosis

To Mistress Judith, for providing such a wonderful array of foods and
drinks, and keeping things stocked. To her crew, who I am not even aware of....who helped, made things and kept things  handled on that end........

Lady Cara holding my steed Rex

To Lady Cara, who groomed my horses, kept an eye on the back door to the vigil,  watched my dogs and even brought them to the vigil tent when I was stressing so much about their welfare,  who watched my horses during my vigil, and held my horse during court and the many other innumerable things .......

THL Meadhbh

To THL Meadhbh who handled the equestrian side of things during my vigil which included helping set up the area, bringing equipment, tearing down the arena and bringing my equipment over to my  truck with the help of several others, for handling many other things which I probably am not  aware of because  they were handled so smoothly and seamlessly.....

Additionally, the following persons who helped tear down the arena---Lady Aaliz, Baron Tigernach, Betha, THL Juan Miguel Ambrosius, and last but certainly not least, Meadhbh's lord, Keith who helped in so many additional ways throughout the weekend.

To Lady Hara and THL Ishiyama for coordinating and dressing people in Japanese garb, and to Clan Yama Kaminari for the loan of said garb.

Pelican Scroll

To Baroness Ekatarina for her calligraphy and Baroness Boudicea for her illumination and Sir Ogami for his wonderful word-smithing which resulted in an incredible scroll.

Lady Gesa's Daisy and corrals

To Lady Gesa, for bringing an entire camp set-up in Friday night for folks who were worn out from travel and setting up the arena, and also bringing an entire meal for us to enjoy. Also for helping set up the arena, bringing and setting up panels so that my horses would be secure enabling me to attend my vigil without worry of escapees, and for the awesome chairs for in my vigil tent.

Lady Meava

To Lady Meava who scored the championship and provided me with a clear, easy to follow scoring in order to determine the winner of the championship, for doing this which allowed me to  concentrate on the safety aspects of marshaling and keep things running smoothly and on time.

Lady Aaliz

To Lady Aaliz for handling the EqMiC portion of paperwork and for seeing to what needed to be  done in the afternoon, such that I didn’t need to worry about the equestrian side of things.

To Lady Rowena for bringing me food during the vigil so I could sample some of the wonderful creations of Mistress Judith.

To Duchess Tessa for providing equipment, support and inspiration........



Procession showing Lady Debrogail singing,
Tigernach and Rhiannon carrying my banner
 and the equestrian procession.

To Baron Tigernach and THL Rhiannon Elandris for carrying my banner into court....also to him for handling my warhorse and keeping an eye on him, walking my little dog so he could relieve himself during my vigil, and for the comic relief during the vigil. 
To all the groundscrew...those assigned and those who stepped forward to help....Betha, Kala, Gail and EJ (who both came despite being sick),Tommasa,  Gesa and Rhiannon.

To those who held horses during court.....Cara, Rhiannon, and others including at one point Duchess Liadain.

To those wonderful people who spoke for me during my Elevation:


Sir Alexander

Viscount Alexander, who wowed the assembled with his fiery and flamboyant style which was  perfect for the occasion.....for your kind words and for the gift of Rannveigr's medallion.

Mistress Tiercelin...for the gracious words regarding my art and service, and for the beautiful Pelican horse brass presented to me in court, and for all you did during the day....

Duchess Liadain...for your kind words and your example of what it means to be a Royal  Peer.....and representing the ideal......

Mistress Lenora

Mistress Lenora, for your words of praise, your relentless support, and your friendship...

Mistress Judith....your words of kindness and support, but also for being that image of what I see as the ideal Noble Woman, and inspiring me to strive for a trace of your  Grace.

To those many people who came and visited me and gave me advice, told stories, and gave me such wonderful gifts.....

To  Charlene (Aaliz's mom) and Master Alaxandair for taking wonderful photographs and sharing  them.

To Sir Thorgrim and Mistress Katla for working on the event and for meeting me several times  onsite so we could properly plan out the use of the grounds.

To the shire of Sunderoak and the event staff who made this event possible for not just my Elevation, but for the Equestrian Championship......for bidding to host it, and doing all the work that  running a Royal Progress involves.

To THL Meadhbh for her first time Autocrating an event, for putting on such an awesome event,  dealing with the various issues that always seem to come up in running events, and handling them  with grace.

Preparing for the Procession

To the horses and the riders who made my Elevation a truly wonderful equestrian experience, allowing me to use it to showcase the equestrian program which means so much to me. For looking way cool, as everyone was garbed - man and beast alike, dressed in their finest. And for giving that gift to those assembled to observe court and the Elevation.

To Their Majesties and Their Highnesses, for visiting me in Vigil, for their words of wisdom and grace, and for Elevating me in their Court.


To the Order of the Pelican for deeming me worthy of inclusion in their ranks.

And to the people I am forgetting right now because my mind is still addled.

Shishido Tora Gozen
mka Lynda Weiner