[Steppes] History of the Order of the Tread of the Steppes -- and its final member

[Jay Rudin]

Before there was a kingdom of Ansteorra, ...
Before there was a principality of Ansteorra, ...
Before there was a region of Ansteorra, ...
Before there was a barony of the Steppes, ...

There was the March of the Steppes.  It was the first shire in what would 
someday become Ansteorra.  And uniquely for a shire, it had an actual 
armigerous shire Order -- the Tread of the Steppes.  (And it will stay 
unique.  It is now illegal for an SCA shire to have an official Order.)

It was opened in 1973 by the Crown of Atenveldt.
It was closed in 1975 by Baron Aulus Allemanius Draconis when we became a 
barony.
It was re-opened in 1982 by Baroness Aureliane Rioghail as a baronial Order 
for those who had served since the days of the shire.
It was closed in 1988 by Baron Robin of Gilwell and Baroness Adelicia 
Tagliaferro.

It is an extremely rare award, for very few people qualify for it.

Most of the above I learned as ancient Steppes history, for I never saw the 
March, or the first few years of the barony.

There is only one active person left in the Barony of the Steppes who 
remembers that time -- Lady Isobel des Tourelles de Seine.  She alone has 
lived here throughout the history of the Barony.

Tonight at baronial business meeting, Baron Mahdi and Baroness Valeria, with 
the permission of King Aaron and Queen Britta, re-opened the Tread of the 
Steppes to make Lady Isobel the final Companion of the Tread of the Steppes.

She has been given an honor that very few have earned, and that none other 
can ever receive.
     Richard of Mont Royal
     La Ranna
     John of the Rudder
     Allemanius Draconis
     Aureliane Rioghail
     Lloyd von Eaker
     Leo Exiter the Wanderer
     Anne-Louise of Blue Castle
     Willow de Wisp
and now ... Isobel des Tourelles de Seine

Vivat Isobel!


Robin of Gilwell / Jay Rudin