Anst-sword-msg - 2/17/99
Histories and comments on the Ansteorran Sword 0f State.
NOTE: See also the files: Anst-hist-msg, Anst-hist2-msg, SCA-hist1-msg, SCA-stories1-msg, courts-msg, coronets-msg, you-know-msg, swords-msg.
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NOTICE -
This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.
This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.
The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors.
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Thank you,
Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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Subject: ANST - The Sword of State (long)
Date: Wed, 07 Jan 98 19:26:38 MST
From: Paul Mitchell <pmitchel at flash.net>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
Galen of Bristol here...
Viscountess Megan Andoniel of Glengalen, Mistress
of the Pelican and Lion of Ansteorra, has asked
me to post the following, so that people may
understand the significance of the theft of
the Great Sword of State of Ansteorra from Their
Majesties' truck. Following this history is a
sonnet which I have written about the loss of the
sword.
**********
Ansteorra, then being a principality of Atenveldt,
yielded to its neighbor principality Megan of Namron
to be their Princess, and at that time Orm went to
the King of Atenveldt, who was Jonathan DeLaufyson,
saying that he desired to be wed to a princess of the
realm. The king said if you do these deeds for me I
shall promise you the hand of this princess: First,
go to Al Barran. There is a rock in an abbey there
which is the same rock that the kings of Atenveldt
stand upon at coronation, and the monks withhold it,
for I have made them subject. Bring me the rock.
Second, go to the Outlands and guard the princess
all the days that she is there. And if I shall go
to war, bring to my aid military force. And this
Orm swore he would do, giving the king a ring to
show his intent. And it came to pass that through
great hardship, danger and trial, each of these
things were done, and Orm returned from the Outlands
three times bringing the rock, aid in war, then the
princess, when her reign was accomplished.
HOW THE RAVEN CAME TO SAIL
In the time of their reign in Atenveldt, Willow,
Queen, gave to her foster sons, Frea and Ivar of
Namron, a ship, worthy of kings sons, and they
called it the Raven, and found hardy warriors to
man her oars. Later, on returning from the Outlands
Orm, being seasoned in battle, was called by the
Raven captains to man her steer board. Many months
after, Megan was called to pull an oar, being less
seasoned, but hardy, quick with spear, and tenacious;
and Megan and Cyf were the only women ever to row or
fight on the ship Raven.
CREATION OF THE LIONS AND HOW ORM WAS MADE PREMIER
As Megan returned from the Outlands, Ansteorra became
a kingdom. Jonathan and Willow, who had been king and
queen of Atenveldt ruled first on the throne of Ansteorra.
Many deeds they did that strengthened our kingdom, and
became part of our oldest traditions, yet deeds were
done, too, by royalty and nobility alike, that brought
harm. The kingdom was torn by strife. Now sad times
befell the new kingdom, and actions were taken by many
that all regretted later. Ansteorra learned to her sorrow
that strength lay in unity, as outsiders came to impose
their will upon the kingdom.
In this time, as Jonathan and Willow made ready to leave
the thrones to their heirs, they created an order to
embody the Spirit of values cherished, that others in the
kingdom might rally and follow their lead, and this order
they called the Lions of Ansteorra, Defenders of the Dream.
For the first of this order they chose Orm Skjoldbidig,
known as the Red. They retired, whereon Lloyd and Jocelyn
ascended the throne.
HOW MEGAN FOUND THE SWORD, THE RAVENS BOUGHT IT,
AND ORM REFORGED IT
Now, Megan, returned to her lands, sought a gift for
Ansteorra where she was born. She found a sword in
the keeping of a man of Atenveldt and seeing that it
was once well made by the force of hammer she asked
its history. This man said he had only just brought
it from the desert of Atenveldt, and told of how it
had seen battle. Megan thought it would be a good
sword if it could be worked, though it had taken grievous
harm in service.
At this time the kingdom was young and there was little
that was used by the king that was both a weapon and
a symbol of state; and Megan thought a symbol of unity
would be good. The sword could be had, but at a price
in gold, so Megan went to the Ravens and told them what
she found, and what she foresaw could be the story of
the sword, if it but could be acquired. Megan and Orm
pledged half the sword's price, the Raven captains Frea
and Ivar just under a fourth each, and each of the remaining
Ravens including Richenda, Finn, Cyf, Edward the Proud,
Morgan the Grey, Red Malcom, and others, made up the balance.
Orm then took the blade into his hands, and under the
starlight of the realm he reforged it and made it straight.
HOW ORM CLAIMED HIS BRIDE AND THE SWORD CAME TO THE KING
Now Orm took thought that he would claim his bride. He
gathered to himself the Raven captains Frea and Ivar, and
his kin and housecarls, and came before the king who was
on royal progress in his barony called the Steppes. Without
leave of herald straight from ship he came, and asked the king
for the hand of Megan, the king's kin who sat in court beside
him. The king demanded by what reason he should deliver up the
chieftess. Orm spoke of his tasks and Jonathan, duke, set forth
how he had pledged to Orm. The bride price and matter of the
bride's weapons were settled, as is told elsewhere, but Lloyd
asked what should be given him for his part in this. At this,
Ivar stepped forth, and drew a red cloak from his mailed fist
in which he held a bare ebon blade, which the king drew.
And Orm said "Take this oh king, as a wedding gift from me,
and the crew of the ship Raven, unto the Kingdom of Ansteorra,
to stand and be used as the sword of state." And to this Lloyd
agreed.
IVAR IS MADE LION
Their reign came to an end, and King Lloyd called Ivar to stand
by Orm and wear the badge of the White Lion. Lloyd left the
sword of state with his crown upon the throne, and Jan became
king, and took up both crown and sword.
MEGAN IS MADE LION
In their time Jan and Kemreth ruled fairly, and there was
prosperity and laughter in their reign. When this was nearly
at and end, Jan gave Megan a lion made all of silver, and
brought her to stand by Orm and by Ivar. In this time Jan
gave thought it would be fitting that the Sword of State be
cared for by the Lions.
THE SWORD PASSES TO THE LIONS
Now at this time the Order of the Lions, Defenders of the
Dream was very small, being only Orm, Ivar and Megan, and
these three sailed on the ship Raven, and the sword was
entrusted to the Raven crew for care. In the time of Sigmund
and Sieglinde, the heirs of Jan and Kemreth, the Raven was
sailing often abroad, and it became difficult to tend the
sword for the king. Megan thinking on Jan's words, sought
with the Raven crew that the sword might be given to the
care of the Lions of Ansteorra, for all the Lions were also
Raven at that time. To this the Ravens agreed, having seen
their names and a place of honor made for their role in bringing
the sword to the kingdom.
THE PLEDGE
Now Orm, Ivar and Megan went before Sigmund, king, and let
it be known that the Ravens tendered stewardship of the sword
to the Lions of Ansteorra. They pledged, as Defenders of the
Dream, to guard the sword and the principles for which it stood,
and received in pledge that the sword of state would remain
their especial trust as the symbol of all that the Lions guard,
and that when the first sword was retired, it should go to Orm
and Megan's care, while the Lions, together, would bring forth
a new sword, in stewardship, as before. These pledges, on both
sides, were renewed between the Lions and Finn Kelly O'Donnell
who followed Sigmund, and thereafter between the Lions and other
sovereigns. However, as the order grew and became more widespread,
this knowledge was passed on less and less, until there came a
time when the pledge was forgotten and the kings knew not where
the sword came from. Neither so, did many lions know.
HOW THE LIONS UPHELD THEIR STEWARDSHIP
Hrabia Jan was called to the company of the Lions, and at
the end of Sigmund's reign the Lions came forth together
and Jan took the sword from him, for the Lions to hold in
that dangerous time when there is no king. And when the
heir, Finn Kelly came forth, they challenged him, and were
satisfied of his answer. So it was established that the
Lions would guard the sword as the chivalry guard the king's
crown, and all that the order was created to embody, the
sword came to embody also. At times, so precious was the
sword for what it symbolized, both the Chivalry and the Royal
Family tried to gain its stewardship from the Lions, only to
be reminded of the pledges of kings.
Four times did the sword return to the hand of Orm and Megan,
for renewal and care. In that time Orm fashioned a scabbard,
and twice rewrapped the hilt; Megan etched its pommel and
scabbard ornaments; and Orm's apprentice, Xylon, reworked
the pommel and quillions. Each time, the ebon finish was
restored. The sword was last cared for by all three in the
reign of Michael IV, and was passed from him to his heirs.
THIS IS THE STORY OF THE SWORD OF ANSTEORRA, ITS TRADITIONS
UNTIL THE TIME OF ITS LOSS, THE PLEDGE OF THE LIONS AS STEWARDS,
AND THE PLEDGE OF THE KINGS REGARDING IT.
- Megan Andoniel of Glengalen
**********
THE GREAT SWORD
It's gone now, but I held it in my hands
As I stood behind Hector, and Inman,
Behind Rowan, Kein, the Kings of these lands,
For Mikael, Patrick, Mahadi, such men.
My hand on its hilt, Badon was knighted.
It touched my shoulders, giving accolade.
On many men, and three women alighted,
This royal emblem, by which knights were made.
Take by foul thieves who came in the night
A sharp sable blade, pommel bearing star.
Not lost in battle, not taken by might;
The King's men sought for it, both near and far.
One day, perhaps, this great sword will return;
But today, the tears in my eyes still burn.
- Galen of Bristol, Bard of Ansteorra
Subject: Re: ANST - The Sword of State (long)
Date: Thu, 08 Jan 98 12:32:45 MST
From: Paul Mitchell <pmitchel at flash.net>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
Galen here!
Tim McDaniel wrote:
> On Wed, 7 Jan 1998, Galen of Bristol / Paul Mitchell
> <pmitchel at flash.net> wrote:
> > Viscountess Megan Andoniel of Glengalen, Mistress
> > of the Pelican and Lion of Ansteorra, has asked
> > me to post the following, so that people may
> > understand the significance of the theft of
> > the Great Sword of State of Ansteorra from Their
> > Majesties' truck. Following this history is a
> > sonnet which I have written about the loss of the
> > sword.
>
> ... Wow. It is an amazing story. I love to hear about group history,
> and this illuminated so much. Please pass on my humble thanks to the
> good Viscountess, and my thanks for the sonnet.
Thanks! All bard love applause. And with that in mind, let me
quote Megan's note to me about attribution:
"thank you for posting the history. I forgot an important detail--the
history was written by myself and Baron Orm, with the help of Hrabia Jan
W'Orzeldom, Count Finn Kelley O'Donnel, Master Ivar Battleskald,& Lord Xylon
Xerxes. Portraits from the time also aided us, but at least those people
should be credited, if possible. My apologies."
> Daniel de Lincoln
- Galen
Subject: ANST - forged in the fire
Date: Wed, 08 Apr 98 11:42:40 MST
From: don&monica <dmmerlick at earthlink.net>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG
This poem is inspired by a recent posting of Sir Gunther regarding the
Sword of State, though I do wish the muse would have struck before I
cleared my mail box, so that it could be here also.
Forged in the Fire
I once saw a man, Kneel down Ôfore the crown
Hot tears rolling down to the green
White belt, spurs and chain at last were his own
For heÕd been forged in the fire of the dream
I once saw a girl Kneeling down Ôfore the throne
Pure wonder in her eyes did gleam
The herald read on, She rose up a ÒLadyÓ
SheÕd been forged in the fire of the dream
I once saw a household sitting warm by a fire
Listen wrapped as the bards they did sing
Heroes were born, and villains put down
As they were forged in the fire of the dream
I once saw a warrior standing tall on the field
The shot on his helm, it did ring
Though he lost then a round, He rose up in honor
For heÕd been forged in the fire of the dream
I once saw a blade of good hardened steel
An ensign of strength it would seem
Though it change form and hands, it shall never grow dull
For WE were are forged in the fire of the dream!
Ld Darius of the Bells
As long as one person remembers the deed, Heroes never die.
Subject: BG - Our Traditions, Our Sword
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 98 08:02:25 MST
From: "Martin, Brian" <bmartin at origin.ea.com>
To: "'bryn-gwlad at ansteorra.org'" <bryn-gwlad at Ansteorra.ORG>, "'southern at ansteorra.org'" <southern at Ansteorra.ORG>
For those good Ansteorrans who were unable to attend the
coronation of TRM Barn and Catriona this last weekend, I set forth to
tell the tale of how Ansteorra came by its new sword of state, and how
it was chosen by a king, then passed to another. I witnessed these deeds
and pray to God and all the saints that I set forth my words faithful
and true to the events that passed.
Long ago, the Ebon Blade that was presented to King Sigmund by
the Lions of Ansteorra. Last winter, this most sacred emblem of our dear
king was stolen by brazen thieves. There was a great deal of worry and
consternation concerning how the next sword of state should be chosen.
Many harsh words were spoken and many felt that a suitable sword would
be chosen. In the interim, Duke Sigmund the Wingfooted cared enough to
loan the kingdom his sword until a suitable replacement could be found.
Until that time, the kingdom would bear the scar or the theft of its
blade.
Many years ago, Sir Riccardo di Pisa, knight and Lion of
Ansteorra, crafted a sword. It was a blade stout and strong, and it was
forged to be carried into battle, the weapon of a hero. Through
tournament and war, Riccardo fought like the lion he was, always at the
fore, always seeking honor for his lady and glory for his kingdom.
Throughout these years, Riccardo was the bane of any who would stand
against him, and the enemies of Ansteorra trembled when he strode the
field; and always at his side, Riccardo carried the sword that he had
forged.
Inevitably, time, that thief of youth and strength, robbed
Riccardo of the strength that had wielded that sword so well. However,
time could not take from Riccardo his lion heart, nor the kingdom who
knew Riccardo, of the memories that he had given it. Earlier this year,
Riccardo passed from the world of men, leaving Ansteorra poorer for
having lost him, but richer for having known him.
During his sickness, Riccardo gave his sword to his squire,
Cynric of Bedwin, and bade him to keep it safe. Cynric was moved by this
gesture from his dying knight and swore a solemn oath that no harm would
come to his knight's sword. After Riccardo's passing, Cynric thought
upon the his oath and upon the order of the Lion, of which Riccardo was
amongst the greatest. Cynric did not feel that he could carry the sword,
has it bore the emblem of that noble order. If only a Lion could bear
the sword, Cynric felt that perhaps a Lion should keep the sword:
certainly no one would look to the sword's safety better than the Lions.
Therefore, Cynric offered Riccardo's sword to the order, asking that the
Lions guard the blade and honor it as they would honor their dead
brother.
When this offer was made, the Lions were greatly honored.
However, feeling greatly the loss of the Ebon Blade, the Lions saw that
they had before them a suitable sword for Ansteorra. The Lions therefore
went before their king, and asked Him to accept this sword, crafted and
wielded by Riccardo, as the kingdom's sword. The king, Rischard, was
wise and sought counsel, He spoke to His advisors and to His heir,
Prince Barn. All who heard the Lions' request knew Riccardo and his
feats and knew his hero's heart. No one could think of a sword with a
greater heart and more glorious history than Riccardo's blade. No one
could think of a better sword for Ansteorra.
Therefore, at His final court, Rischard, king of Ansteorra,
called forth the Lions, who bore Riccardo's blade. The Lions offered to
their king the sword, and the king did accept it. Holding the sword
aloft, the king proclaimed that Riccardo's sword had become the
kingdom's sword, and the kingdom rejoiced at His proclamation.
As is the tradition in the kingdom of Ansteorra, before the old
king steps down, He gives to the Lions the sword of state, that they
should hold and guard the blade until His heir should come forth and
claim it. Thus did Rischard do, giving the Lions the new sword of state.
When Barn, the new king came forth to claim His throne and crown His
Queen, He called forth the Lions into His court. This was unusual, for
the Lions do usually come unbidden into the new king's court, the only
order with the permission to do so. However, the new king wished to do
honor unto the Lions, and they were called forth one by one. Those that
were present answered the king's call, as well as answering the call for
those Lions who were not were not present.
The Lions carried with them the sword of state, and the first
one to speak held it aloft saying that the sword had come from the hand
of Riccardo di Pisa, that it was "A sword crafted by a hero, wielded by
a hero, given to a kingdom of heroes!". With that, the sword was passed
from one Lion to another, so that all of the Lions could hold the sword
and share in the king's proclamation that it is the true sword of state.
The last Lion to hold the sword was the first Lion to be made in the
Kingdom of Ansteorra, Orm Skjolbidig, who presented unto the king the
sword of state.
Thus was the new sword chosen, a gift from a squire to the
Lions, from the Lions to the king. And thus was the old tradition
upheld: the sword was passed from king to king, through the order of the
Lions. And thus was a wound upon the kingdom healed.
Upon my belt and chain as a knight, I swear that these deeds
were true as I witnessed them,
Pendaran Glamorgan, Lion of Ansteorra
<the end>