[Ansteorra] Queens

[Chelsea Durham]

Thank you for your incredibly kind words to the rapier community. There would have been 55 entrants but I was forced to stay home by my lord and chiurgeon due to sickness and a strained joint. Sneaking out at 6am on Saturday didn't work either. =) I'm so glad you could attend Queen's, especially this one, because Our Queen Elizabeth is so very special. 

-Lady Grainne Kathleen NicPadraig MacDaniel 
 



> Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:21:52 -0600
> From: lady.annwn at gmail.com
> To: ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org
> Subject: [Ansteorra] Queens
> 
> Unto my fellow Ansteorrans;
> 
> I wanted to write this as a statement of love and awe of things I have never
> seen before. I have never been to a Queens, and at the behest of several
> Roses, decided it was something I should see first-hand. So I was off on a
> new adventure. I felt a little like a tourist to a point, excited about what
> I might find, but hesitant at the thought of a 'different' culture.
> Coming from the part of the SCA where the dream that involves the clashing
> of shields, the thuds of rattan on armour, and the yell of excited warriors
> that are fantastical in their feats; I haven't always understood the light
> fighting community. It is what I thought of as "dainty", and "sweet". I
> know, these terms sound condescending, but I don't mean them, and never
> have; as such.
> After this weekend, I still hold those terms, however, they have different
> meanings to me...and perhaps someone more eloquent with words than I can
> help me assign more appropriate words after the following...
> 
> Dainty being referred to as precise and small movements, polite and civil
> "fighting". Sweet bring the active wooing and eloquence the light fighters
> generally embrace. Not to mention the fact that; let's face it, the Rapier
> community takes a GREAT deal of care in their appearance! Lest they look
> rough and disheveled and not represent their Kingdom, their local group, or
> their Queen in the best manner possible! So appropriate it is!
> 
> After watching HRM (not as part of her entourage, but as a friend) get more
> excited the closer the weekend came, was intriguing. I was told about the
> different culture at a Queens, and to be honest, I was dubious. Because
> after all, how much different can one SCA event be from another in reality?
> (yes, I know they are all different, but I don't know how else to explain
> what I feel or mean) The truth? Worlds different.
> 
> In what I would term a "normal" event, while, yes, the Queen is still royal,
> loved and taken care of; at no other event have I ever seen the kind of love
> for our Queen as I saw this weekend.
> The fighting was VERY clean and the people fighting were VERY
> chivalrous/honorable. It was wonderful. I saw no man or woman upset over the
> outcome of their fight due to perceived unfairness on the part of an
> opponent.
> 
> Our Queen Elizabeth was positively glowing, and I am not referring to the
> rosiness of the wind burn that graced most all of our faces that day! The
> days fighters were happy to speak with Her Majesty; to just receive a favour
> from their Queen Elizabeth. The Dons and Cadets donning their Queen's
> favours on their scarves. There was a loving and jovial wooing between the
> fighters and the Queen. Who would be able to kneel before her most often
> through the day, who could make her blush, perhaps make her cry with
> appreciation and be deeply moved by lacy words of endearment.
> A group of individuals presented Her with a replica of a bowl given to the
> original Queen Elizabeth, and I do have to say; this piece of love and
> endearment from the community DID move her to tears. And to be honest, it
> was quite moving to watch.
> 
> General flowers, roses, and tokens of love were given to Her Majesty
> throughout the day. His Majesty was along for the ride, and to be honest, I
> got the feeling that he was pleased to see the people of Ansteorra cherish
> his lady as much as he does. Just the looks he gives her when he thinks no
> one is looking tells it all. He loves the fact that she is openly welcomed
> and loved by the SCA and our beloved Ansteorra, let alone such a devoted
> community as is the Rapier community.
> 
> Dear brethren; I bring unto you this message of awe and appreciation for the
> Light community, and for those that strive to make the Queens of Ansteorra
> welcome and loved. It was a beautiful thing...54 list entrants, even despite
> the economy, the bitterly cold wind, and even colder night. To me (and I'm
> sure there have been bigger, but I'm still rather impressed) this was a loud
> voice of Ansteorran love and chivalry/honour saying that we are not going to
> give up our dream despite our hardships. Because even a single rose costs
> that Ansteorran a little extra. But that single rose says so much about
> their love of the game, the dream, and their Queen. The Queen of Ansteorra.
> Her Royal Majesty Elizabeth Seale.
> 
> Unto my fellow Ansteorrans do I bring these words of love, pride and awe. Of
> exhilaration through the general electricity in the air, and of the
> revealing of a new and foreign world to me.
> 
> And unto Don Robert, the new Queens Champion; Vivat!
> 
> Humbled,
> -Lady Annwn
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