Belated Rose

The Honour of the Belated Rose is given by the Royal Consort on the recommendation of the Orders of the Ladies of the Rose and Valorous Estate for courteous and courtly behavior.

A listing of holders of the Honour of the Belated Rose.

History of the Honor of the Belated Rose

In the days of the Principality of An Tir of the Kingdom of the West, many people who lived in the central part of the West Kingdom travelled the long distance to attend events in An Tir. In November of AS IX (1974), Sir Steven McEanruig and Sir William the Lucky of the West made the long journey to the Barony of Madrone to attend St. Bunstable's Day Revel. It was customary in those days to give lodging to guests from far away, and it was arranged that they were hospitably received after the revel and given floor space overnight at the home of Lady Fiona di Varanus of Madrone. The next day the two knights thanked her and departed to return south.

Three months after the departure of her guests, Lady Fiona received a courteous note reiterating the knights' thanks for her hospitality, with a bouquet of roses.

On March 8, AS IX (1975), Sir Steven and Sir William returned to An Tir to fight in the Principality's Coronet Tourney, an event known as The Second Annual An Tir Lower Slobovian Coronet Tourney and Arctic Survival Competition, held at Millersylvania State Park. Edward Zifran of Gendy, fighting for Lady Fiona di Varanus, won the tourney that day, and they were invested as Tanist and Tanista. At court, Tanista Fiona made note of the presence of Sir Steven and Sir William, senders of thanks - with roses - from the faraway central region of the Kingdom. She commended their exemplary yet belated courteous behavior and on the spot, Tanista Fiona created the Honor of the Belated Rose, and bestowed the first two Honors on Sir Steven and Sir William.

The Honor continued to be given in the years of the Principality by the Prince and Princess, who recognized people of An Tir who exhibited exemplary courteous behavior. When An Tir became a Kingdom, Ladies of the Rose and Ladies of Valorous Estate took the duty of recognizing those deserving of the Honor. They continue to recommend to the Queen worthy An Tirians to receive the Honor of the Belated Rose to this day.

This account was written by Mu'allima Rowenna de Manning February 26, AS LIII (2019) based on an in-person interview with Viscountess Fiona di Varanus, and articles in The Page, Kingdom of the West newsletter for the relevant events.