[Ansteorra] A Tale of Long Ago

[Zubeydah Jamilla al-Badawiyyah]

The Mission Statement of the Ansteorran Wiki is to "Preserve the Stories of
the People, Places, Events, and Traditions of our Kingdom."  To that end,
here is one of the stories you will find on the Wiki:

http://historian.ansteorra.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Tale_of_Korwyn_Receiving_His_Baldric


The Tale of Korwyn Receiving His Baldric
This is the true story of Korwyn Marius Velid Ariannaid’s elevation to the
chivalry.

Once, long ago, Korwyn served the Crown of Ansteorra as their voice in
court and upon the field. While organizing the court for the coronation of
Inman III and Arrowyn III, he was told, in what he thought was a joking
form, he would be the next Knight made by the Crown. He replied, should
such be offered I would say no, Your Majesty.

Thinking no more about it he and a number of friends traveled south to the
Crown list to choose the heirs, at which Seamus & Karlanna first came to
the Crown. It was a long trip south, and everyone was in high spirits. Some
of the folks in the intrepid band - not, however, Korwyn - felt that Korwyn
would be elevated to the chivalry at this event.

In the first round of the lists, Korwyn, competing that day for Brigitta
Olavsdatter, was eliminated after three fine fights with Hrothgar of Farley
which drew acknowledgement on the spear of honor[1] that day. After which
he removed his armor, and started to arrange the court of their majesties.
He noticed that the chivalry present were gathering regalia, but had no
such item on his court order for the day. At the end of the formal business
of their Majesties he informed Innman III that no business remained but
that he thought their Majesties had business with his chivalry. With that
the chivalry of Ansteorra was summoned to court. His majesty commanded them
to go forth and bring a worthy to his presence for elevation.


Sir Hrothgar strode to the front of court and pulled his Majesties herald
before the Crown. At that time, the question was asked: "Will you accept
knighthood from our hand?"

Korwyn responded that he could not do so, and His Majesty released him from
the Royal presence and he took up his role as herald to conclude court.

About a month later, at Steppes Warlord, His Majesty sent emissaries, Duke
Lloyd and Hrabia Jan, to Korwyn telling him to present himself at the field
of honor with his armor. When he arrived at the field, His Majesty Inmann
awaited him with armor girded on, and he summoned the people and chivalry
of Ansteorra to witness. Again he offered Korwn the belt and chain of a
knight, and once again it was refused. His Majesty then stated that they
would fight for it, following the traditions of previous Masters. Korwyn
begged his Majesty that champions be selected for the fights, because his
love of the Crown was so great that raising arms against his king would be
painful. His Majesty replied that no champion could act for him in this.

Three passes each with different forms were made. In the first, Sword and
Shield, Korwyn took His Majesty's leg, and then offered that since this was
a display of Prowess, that such had been shown. His Majesty declared
himself satisfied. The second pass was with long sword, a form Korwyn had
some small skill with. Again, when both struck the same blow and were on
the ground, His Majesty declared himself satisfied. The third pass was with
spear, a form His majesty had perfected. This pass was quick, and the only
record of it is a picture of Korwyn lying defeated. Again His Majesty
declared himself satisfied.

His Majesty raised Korwyn from the ground, and removed his helm. Staring at
him, His Majesty offered the baldric of a Master. When His Majesty called
for a baldric, Master Lloyd presented a linen belt embroidered with crosses
of St. Andrew with the motto "Deus Vult" over the shoulder, which had been
embroidered by Her Grace Jocelyn the evening before.


[1] Duchess Willow, when she was queen, started a custom of making a spear
and sending it around the kingdom with spools of ribbon. She asked that
when someone saw a deed worthy of mention that the person cut some ribbon
and tie it to the spear as a memorial. At the end of the reign she could
show manifest the deeds of the kingdom. She made one for this reign and it
was there. The acknowledgement was Sir Tarl Mapt tying his knights chain to
the spear.


This accounting was provided by Master Korwyn himself on November 5, 2018.

This story - and more - can be found on the Wiki... but there are hundreds
more stories to be recorded.  If you have a story of Ansteorra that you are
willing to share for inclusion on the wiki, please email me directly. It
could be the story of a specific event of legend, or a tale of No Sh!t,
There I Was, or a "This is How This Tradition Came to be" story.... I look
forward to hearing yours.

-- 
HL Zubeydah Jamilla al-Badawiyyah
Ansteorran Historian's Wiki Admin
Protege to Mistress Seuilla de Córdoba
*http://tinyurl.com/zubeydahwiki* <http://tinyurl.com/zubeydahwiki>