Royal Tourney of Union

Royal Tourney of Union

Signing the charter creating the principality, May 1973

On May 27, 1973 at Villa Panattoni near Kenmore, WA in the Barony of Madrone, there was held a tournament to celebrate the union of the Baronies of Three Mountains and Madrone into the first principality in the Known World, created out of the Kingdom of the West. This principality would come to be known as An Tir.

Location

There has been confusion as to the location of the event.

The Kingdom of the West newsletter,‘’The Page’’ for May 1973, AS VIII announced the event would be held at the “Wallingford Playfield in Seattle.” Meanwhile, the Barony of Madrone’s (Seattle, WA) ‘’The Crier’’ for May 1973 announced the event would be held at “Villa Panattoni - near Seattle.” The accompanying map shows Villa Panattoni to be on Lake Washington near Kenmore at 14921 58th Ln NE, Kenmore, WA 98028.

Map to Villa Panattoni, site of the Royal Tourney of Union. From ‘’The Crier’’ May 1973

Recent inquiry of those who were present at the event resulted in Theodulf of Borogrove stating that it was indeed held on the eastern shores of Lake Washington and he provided the photos (see gallery below) which show Lake Washington, proving the site to have been Villa Panattoni.

Unfortunately, ‘’The Page’s’’ reported location, which may have been an early intent that was later changed, has been used by most secondary sources on the web propagating the erroneous location in Wallingford.

Announcements for the Royal Tourney & Revel of Union

FROM THE BARONIES OF MADRONE AND THREE MOUNTAINS, JOINTLY: It has recently been the happy fortune of the Baronies of Madrone and Three Mountains to discover that together they fulfill the requirements for chartering as a Principality of this Kingdom. They are even now petitioning to the Board of Directories to be so chartered. In anticipation thereof, they are holding a Tourney and Celebration on Sunday, May 27. His Highness has promised to attend as King; hence the tourney's title, Royal Tourney of Union. The chief event of the day will be the signing of the Charter of Union (this is not the same charter they will receive from the Society, since that may not be processed by the 27th). Fighting, twealzie-wopping, cookery, music, dancing, games, and awards will also occur. Cooking facilities, cold water, and sanitary facilities will be available. Bring pavilions, provisions for your household, suitable garments.¹

The Royal Tourney & Revel of Union will take place May 27 at the Villa Panattoni - near Seattle - with King Paul and Queen Carol in attendance. Schedule: 10:00am - Setup-Fighting practice under the Royal Gaze, 1:00pm-The Grand Processional and Royal Court with Principality Charter signing. The Lists will then open and fighting will begin. The revel will start at royal convenience and continue into the night. Interspersed will be dancing, a judging for vintners & brewers, music, games, motley, twilzie-whopping, awards and the usual fun & merriment. A Baron’s table royale will be set-call the autocrats if you can contribute-feasting will be by household potluck-bring pavilions, your best costume is in order (as an all outdoor event prepare for maximum comfort - picnic blankets etc.) - there will be conveniences & running water - provisions will be made for heating food in containers. Villa Panattoni is the ancestral home of Leonardo da Firenze & Lady Evelyn of the Lake - uncle and aunt to Robert of Winchester - it is suggested the mechanical beasts be brought onto villa grounds for offloading only - park along N.E.151st (dead end street). Your Autocrats in Madrone: Gernot of Galimaufry & Robert of Winchester - they may be reached regarding information - call them or Liam of the Barque (dr. broxon) for help with housing. Fighting waivers available at the tourney.⁹

Principality without a name

Illustration of the Arms of the Baronies of Madrone and Three Mountains, published as the header of The Page, June 1973, to celebrate the Royal Tourney of Union, which chartered the Principality of An Tir.

Given that An Tir would become the second principality of the Known World, it appears that the process was not well defined. Baron Frederick of the West Tower, Baron of Three Mountains (Portland, OR) and Baron Raymond the Mild, Baron of Madrone, and King Paul of Bellatrix, King of the West, signed a charter while the petition for principality status was being considered by the Board.

As a result, the next few newsletters describe the principality created in the Pacific Northwest by the union of Three Mountains and Madrone as “chartered provisionally”² and “the Incipient Principality in the North.”³ The Kingdom of the West newsletter, The Page, in their July 1973 issue suggested the name “Cascadia, but it seems that’s a local home for the bewildered.”⁴ Even in August 1973, ‘’The Crier’’ referred to the principality as “Principality of the North” when it announced the first Coronet tournament would be held on August 25th at the Fallshire Renaissance Faire. In the August ‘’The Page’’ the West Kingdom Calendar listed the August 25th Coronet Tourney, “Principality in the North.”

FROM THE PRINCIPALITY IN THE NORTH: They are still working on a name for this place. Current rumour favors Northgate. Meanwhile, they have been approved by the Directors and will hold their first Coronet Tourney on August 25 in Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theatre, smack dab in the middle of the Fallshire Renaissance Faire*. To prevent admission being charged to a Society event, which would not do at all, call Robert of Winchester, and arrange for a participant's pass. Necessary houses and running water, as well as facilities for overnight camping. Bring all which you would bring to an overnight tourney. *Not to be confused with the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, which title is copyright by Theme Events, Ltd. You know, the Pattersons.⁵

Even as late as the September 1973 ‘’The Page’’, it was announced: “The Principality in the North has at this writing almost decided on calling itself Nordheim. (Not Northgate, they tell us, that’s a local shopping center, but details, details….)

The first known use of An Tir as the name for the principality occurs in ‘’The Crier’’ for September 1973 when it is reported that “Baron Sir Frederic of the West Tower vanquish all others on the field from the coronet lists and thereby became the first Prince of An Tir. During much ceremony, King Henrik placed the coronet upon Sir Frederic’s head to the cheers of those assembled. Sir Frederic’s lady, Anne of the White Tower was chosen to become An Tir’s first Princess.” At that royal court, ‘’The Page’’ also reported “Their Majesties also presented the Principality Charter.”

According to an email dated April 22, 2025 from Theodulf of Borogrove, mentions “a later event where a different King of the West [likely Henrik of Havn] was involved in a discussion about what the name should be. Deirdre’s original proposal was a much longer Gaelic phrase that included ‘An Tir’ and that became the reluctant compromise.”

Post Event Reports

Newly made Master Raymond the Mild, Founding Baron of Madrone, fighting with Sir Frederic of the West Tower, Founding Baron of Three Mountains.

His Majesty and several of his Civil Service attended the Royal tourney of Union held by the incipient Principality in the North (a name is still to be chosen. We suggested Cascadia, but it seems that’s a local home for the bewildered). A document was signed by Barons Frederick of the West Tower and Raymond the Mild and by the King, in earnest of the formal Charter still to be received from the Board. "Your Majesty,” quoth Liam of the Barque, Castellan of Madrone (that is, the Baron’s vicar while the Baron is in Atenveldt). “I trust we will not have to send our collection agency down for the real one.” "No,” answered His Majesty, "but it might be fun if you did." His Majesty then made Raymond the Mild, Baron of Madrone, a Master-of-Arms, and gave Awards of Arms to Liam of the Barque and Dierdre Muldomnagh, and to Lady Nineva, Lady Gwili, and Geoffrey of Speraunce, the members of the Order of the Red Branch (a Baronial order in Madrone for masochism above and beyond the call of duty). Finally, he awarded the Order of the Laurel to David of Baguley, an exceedingly accomplished musician, composer, leader of the Baron's Singers and member of the Voice of the Turtle. The Principality is well stocked with artists, fighters, and administrators, and will form a fruitful and laudable branch of this Kingdom.⁴

As those who attended the Royal Tourney of Union know, the Baronies of Madrone and Three Mountains are chartered provisionally as a principality. King Paul and Queen Carol presented scrolls of awards to several members of both baronies. Said scrolls covering previously announced awards. New awards included Madrona’s founding Baron - Raymond the Mild - being created a Master-at-Arms. Awards of Arms were given to Liam of the Barque, Lord Castellan of Madrone, and his Lady Deirdre Muldomhnaigh. Three other awards of arms were made to: Lady Hild Ketilsbane, Lady Nyneve, and Lord Geoffrey of Speraunce. Their Majesties last Royal Act was to give the principality its first Master of the Laurel by bestowing this title upon Madronan David of Bagulay. The Tourney Royal Courts and Revels were enjoyed by all fortunate enough to attend.⁶

Liam of the Barque and Gernot of Gallimaufry autocratted. King Paul presided. At this tournament the Baronies of Madrone and Three Mountains united to form a principality, the name of which had not yet been chosen. King Paul, Baron [[Frederic of the West Tower (Three Mountains) and Baron Raymond the Mild (Madrone) signed a charter of union, in the place of the formal charter which had yet to be signed by the Board of Directors. King Paul gave Awards of Arms to Dierdre Muldomhnaigh, Geoffrey of Speraunce, Gwili, Liam of the Barque, and Nineva. He admitted David of Bagulay to the Order of the Laurel and made Baron Raymond the Mild a Master of Arms.⁷

“I remember going up to Raymond afterwards and congratulating him after telling him that I didn't really believe in Masters of Arms. Several years later when I became (through no fault of my own) a court baron, Raymond came up to me and congratulated me after telling me he didn't really believe in court barons.” – Steven MacEanruig⁸

Photos from Theodulf of Borogrove of the Royal Tourney of Union

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Citations

¹’’The Page’’ May 1973, page 4.
²’’The Crier’’ June 1973, page 1.
³’’The Page’’ June 1973, page 2.
⁴’’The Page’’ July 1973, page 7.
⁵’’The Page’’ August 1973, page 3/
⁶’’The Crier’’June 1973, page 1.
⁷ From the History (by Wilhelm von Schlüssel):
https://history.westkingdom.org/events/event.php?event_code=994&sca_year=8
⁸Annotations:
https://history.westkingdom.org/events/event.php?event_code=994&sca_year=8
⁹’’The Crier’’ May 1973, pages 1-2