Janeltis Karaine, Starfollower

• The Dowager Princess of An Tir. She so impressed the populace of the Principality of An Tir while she was on the throne that they petitioned the BoD to recognize her as permanent Royalty

At Twelfth Night where An Tir becomes a Kingdom, Princess Janeltis (far right) rises to speak in support.

This gracious lady's name is the first name in the Scroll of Honor.

Lived in

• Three Mountains

Honors

Award of Arms - Oct 2 AS 11 / 1976

Laurel (West) - Mar 27 AS 11 / 1977

Crystal Rainbow (Three Mountains) - Mar 28 AS 12 / 1978

Mano d'Oro - Mar 28 AS 12 / 1978

Princess - May 13 AS 13 / 1978 until Sept 9 AS 13 / 1978

Queen's Grace (West) - Aug 28 AS 13 / 1978

Court Baroness - Sept 9 AS 13 / 1978

Viscountess - Sept 9 AS 13 / 1978

Dowager Princess - Oct 10 AS 13 / 1978

Queen's Grace (West) - Aug 28 AS 14 / 1979

Queen's Cypher (West) - Aug 28 AS 14 / 1979

Belated Rose - Jan 12 AS 14 / 1980

Magistrae Ithra - Jan 30 AS 15 / 1981

Forget-me-not - Apr 11 AS 21 / 1987

Augmentation of Arms - July 17 AS 28 / 1993

Lion of An Tir - Nov 12 AS 29 / 1994

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Janeltis Karaine, Starfollower

In Loving Memory of our Beloved Dowager Princess, Her Serene Highness Janeltis Karaine, Starfollower

Janeltis,

How we will miss you.

And how we will see Your work and influence

in most every aspect of what we love.

If we ever wish to hear Your voice,

We will listen to the beating of the heart of An Tir's Lion.

An Tir -- Our Kingdom: Your Memorial.

Rest, sweet Princess, rest. Arthur has good company on Avilion.

(copyright 1994, Syr Brand MacLiam of Clontarf, GregRobin Smith, all rights reserved.)

Good Gentles,

An Tir's heart is aching, for on Friday, July 21, 1995, at approximately 2:30 p.m., our beloved Dowager Princess, Her Serene Highness Janeltis Karaine, Starfollower, passed from our mortal kingdom to the realm of the stars.

Those of An Tir will know, and those of other kingdoms may have heard, that we have been blessed with a lady who reigned as the only permanent royalty in the Knowne World. Yet many may not know her tale, or how this came to be.

Her Serene Highness was resident in the Barony of Three Mountains for all of her days in our company. Although she was of very advanced age, (being 77 years on her ascension to the throne, and 94 years at her death), her boundless enthusiasm, her appreciation of male beauty, her wicked sense of humour, her generosity of spirit and talent, her stately grace, and her belief in the monarchy coupled with her obliviousness to rank, were all hallmarks of her time at events in our kingdom.

Needlework was her first love. With such quality did she ply her needle that on March 27, Anno Societatis XI, Anno Domini 1977, Lady Janeltis Karaine, Starfollower, was invited to join the order of the Laurel, and become a peer of the realm. The legacy of needlework skill still lives on in the state banners of the King and Queen of An Tir, which were created by her own hand. One year after Mistress Janeltis was recognized as a peer, a tourney was held to determine who would succeed to the coronets of An Tir. The victor on the field that day was Viscount Sir Steingrim Stallari. As His Excellency strode forth to claim the wreath of victory, the populace fell silent, for it was not required in that time that those who fought in the coronet lists reveal their consort, and Viscount Steingrim had kept his own council. As he spoke the name of Mistress Janeltis, all present that day roared their delight.

During her reign, Princess Janeltis so endeared herself to her populace that, at the instigation of Master Cathal Sean O'Connlauin of the Shire of Seagirt, a petition was presented to Their Majesties James and Verena, King and Queen of the West, to ask the Board of Directors of the SCA to create her Dowager Princess of An Tir, and the only permanent royalty in the Knowne World. Their Majesties thankfully agreed with our plea, and championed our cause with fervour before the august members of the Board of Directors. As well, Their Majesties created her a Baroness of Their court, to great acclaim. In their wisdom, the Board of Directors granted the request of the populace of An Tir, and conferred upon Viscountess Janeltis Karaine, Starfollower, Mistress of the Laurel, the rank and title of Dowager Princess of the Principality of An Tir, such rank continuing forever and always.

In the years that followed, Her Serene Highness stood as such an inspiration to the people of our land through both her word and deed, that Their Majesties Manfred and Morag, first King and Queen of An Tir, decreed that the horned pegasus of Her coat of arms should be engorged by a gules coronet in token of Her rank. (She is one of only three gentles in the Kingdom of An Tir to be so honoured with an augmentation of arms.) Likewise, Their Majesties Rorik and Berengaria added Dowager Princess Janeltis to the roll of the Lions of An Tir, in an emotional ceremony which marked the last occasion on which she was able to attend a major An Tirian event. The Lions of An Tir are those gentles who, in Their Majesties' eyes, most embody the spirit of the Knowne World. Only one gentle may be chosen each reign, and there was no more deserving recipient.

As Dowager Princess, she was, and remains, an inspiration to every citizen of our kingdom. She fostered the arts, in needlework through her annual Heraldic Needlework contest, and in dancing through her patronage of the Dance Guild. She reminded us all of the courtesy, grace, and honourable conduct to which we aspire, through the cheering of ther name at every court and banquet in An Tir. The effect which Dowager Princess Janeltis had, and will continue to have, on the Kingdom of An Tir and its people is long-lasting. I have seen young warrior kings brought to tears at her presence, I have seen small children crowd her knees, sparkle-eyed at the opportunity to talk with her, I have seen tough fighters come to blows over who should be allowed the honour of carrying her chair, and I myself have felt the love and pride swell within me when I was graced with Her fealty. Truly, Her Serene Highness reminds us all of the best that is within each one of us. Let her tale continue to be told, living and breathing in the citizens of An Tir, and in their finest deeds.

That all may be reminded of our gracious Dowager Princess, a citizen of An Tir has registered a star with the modern authorities. It is in the Andromeda Galaxy in Her name. Just as this star, though we may not see it in the daylight, never sets, so I wish that the presence of Her Serene Highness Dowager Princess Janeltis Karaine, Starfollower, Mistress of the Laurel, never sets in the hearts and minds of the people of An Tir.

-- Countess Melissa Kendal of Westmoreland