Introduction

Planning (March 1977)

1st Revel (April 1977)

2nd Revel (May 1977)

July Revel (July 1977)

August Revel (August 1977)

Saltcon (October 1977)

Outlands Coronet (Oct 1977)

October Notes (Oct 1977)

Beaste Feaste (Dec 1977)

Twelfth Night Revel (Jan 1978)

Court of Love (Feb 1978)

Burro Creek War I (Feb 1978)

Early Barony Years

The Questing Quill

Shire of Cwm Maethlon Newsletters

Ideas For Arms

As day dawned on Saturday, all hurried to visit the famous Shrine of the Swirling Waters of St. John and its attendant Hot Showers. That morning Hold Tyte's fire-chariot arrived, bearing Sir Robert, Lady Leah, Squire Michael and Lady Genevieve.

In Processional before Opening Court the Shire made quite a showing, especially when several of the Ladies went up with the same Hertz Rent-a-Lord (Russell of Barbarossa). At Court, Sir Nicholas de Kane was made a Court Baron by King Johann. One of the Shire's Godmothers, Baroness Judith de Beaumont, received the Order of the Queen's Grace, and another of our Godmothers, Lady Kathleen Caslean an Bharraigh, received the Order of the Light of Atenveldt. Sir Robert was made part of the Princess' Guard.

King Johann von Hohenstaffen of Atenveldt.	Sir Nicholas de Kane called up before Their Majesties of Atenveldt. (Sorry about the veil obscuring part of the picture. It was somebody in front of me.)	King Johann putting Court Baron's coronet on Sir Nicholas.
Court Baron coronet put on Sir Nicholas de Kane's head by King Johann.	King Johann and Queen Malinda of Atenveldt declare Sir Nicholas de Kane a Court Baron.	Lord Baldwin of Erebor as herald.

Lord Baldwin of Erebor called before the court.	I believe this had something to do with a little feud between Baldwin and Nick, which resulted in Baldwin composing the song "The Courtly Cod."
Lord Baldwin and Sir Nicholas confer.	Lord Baldwin and Sir Nicholas before King Johann and Queen Malinda. Herald is Lord Mark Lasie of Westminster.

The day continued with challenge matches and melees. There were so many challenges that the heralds and list mistresses almost went crazy running a "Two Ring Circus" until they got it all straightened out.

As the evening wore on, a King's Chorus practice was held, with many people attending. Then everyone started changing clothes to get ready for the feast. The feast began with an excellent belly-dancing exhibition and throughout the meal other entertainers came forward to delight royalty and other folk alike. The feast, of fish pies, "Bar-bek," and peach cobbler was excellent. After the banquet was a "Comely Limbs" contest, which autocrat Sir Nicholas asked his "darling daughters" of Hastle Castle to judge, to their embarassment.

The next morning began the day of the Lists. At opening Court another of the Shire's Godparents, Lord Mark Lasie of Westminster, was made Principality Herald. After court everyone started setting up for the fighting. The Lists went by smoothly. Sir Robert and Lord Charles were two of the nearly 20 fighters in the Lists. By late afternoon only three men were left: Sir Robert de Spencer, Sir Heinrich der Jäger, and Sir Jonathan de Laufyson. They fought a Round Robin match to determine which would become the new King. The shirefolk, of course, were very nervous watching these last fights. Sir Jonathan eventually triumphed over Robert and Heinrich and at Closing Court was acknowledged as Aten's Crown Prince and his lady, Mistress Willow de Wisp, as Crown Princess. Also at Closing Court we finally got the lamp and scroll to our Godmother, Lady Kathleen.

After Court the shirefolk "scrambled" to get ready to leave. Actually, it took three hours to take down camp and get ready to go, because people kept coming to say "goodbye." Hastle Castle's new defender, Master Gunwaldt, was kept busy defending the Ladies from Peeping Toms, Kidnappers, and other Knaves. (Also, there was a War declared. . . .)

Finally, we all got off. Hastle Castle, Hold Tyte, and Dragon Wagon travelled in Caravan. That was either jinx or salvation, for it wasn't too long before Hold Tyte's trailer tire blew up. Sadly, the other two fire-chariots set off without the Hold Tyte folks. They travelled over the mountain, and about 20 miles outside Grand Junction Dragon Wagon's trailer tire nearly came off. So the caravan ground to a halt 'til morning.

Come morning, those with urgent need took the car into Grand Junction, leaving Gallowglass, Rhonwen, Katlin and Charles to watch the trailer. Not very much later along came Hold Tyte! They instantly recognized the rest of the caravan (who'd miss a green laundry basket?) who were fencing at the side of the highway. (Between traffic and a several-hundred-foot dropoff. . . .)

For several hours the folk sat at the side of the highway on blankets, singing and nearly causing accidents. Finally the other trailer was fixed and the caravan resumed. Everyone did make it home, and no one was fired from their jobs, so all ended (fairly) happy!

          Submitted this 7th day of September A.S. XIII by
          Lady Rhonwen

From The Questing Quill, Vol. II Issue IX, September, A.S. XIII

Kingdom Arts and Sciences (March 1978)

Turnabout Tourney (April 1978)

1st Outlandish Warlord (April 1978)

Shakercon (May 1978)

Grand Outlandish V (May 1978)

June Lunacy Revel (June 1978)

Courtesan's Challenge (June 1978)

Rustic Weekend (June 1978)

Guild Faire (July 1978)

Outlands Investiture (July 1978)

Storming of Storm Mountain (July 1978)

First Lagoon Demo (July 1978)

Dwarven Invitational I (July 1978)

Defender of Hastle Castle (Aug 1978)

Crown Tourney (Aug 1978)

Second Lagoon Demo

Shire Champion and Stolen Souls

Peasant Revel

Jericho Crusade