Principality Coronets
The Coronets of the Principality of An Tir
Origins
The original coronets were created by Michael the Black about 1973. Duke Manfred Kriegstreiber has said “they were a comfortable fit for him [Michael] and his lady. Other people could only wear them if the coronets were too big, which wasn’t many people.”
Their first known appearance was at the First Coronet Tourney on 25 August 1973, where they were used to invest the first Prince and Princess of An Tir, Frederick of the West Tower and Anne of the White Tower.
The principality coronets consisted of a brass or bronze circlet with alternating gold points and pearls a round the top and reddish stones on the band. The base of the band was cushioned with a white fur which was the bottom edging of a dark red cap which rose inside above the band. Surmounting the cap were four brass/bronze engraved bands attached to the circlet at four points with squarish fixtures that included red stones. The four rising bands met at the summit of the cap and supported a brass/bronze sphere.
Coronations
The original principality coronets appear to have been used for many of An Tir’s coronations, though the end of their use and eventual end is still a mystery.
Coronation 1, Frederick of the West Tower and Anne of the White Tower.
Coronation 8 Steingrim Wulfaresson Stallari and Hrefna Aebsynth Neilsdattir.
[[Coronet Tourney 9|Coronation 9\\ Theodulf of Borogrove and Anne of Caerdydd.
Coronation 11 Steingrim Wulfaresson Stallari and Fiona di Varanus.
Coronation 12 Edward Zifran of Gendy and Alma Tea av den Telemark.
Coronation 13 Manfred Kriegstreiber and Koressa Thokubjalla. No photos of this investiture have yet been found, but Duke Manfred has said “I absolutely didn’t’wear’ the Prince’s Coronet, it perched ridiculously atop my head. I used a personal coronet.” The fact that he mentioned it perched on his head implies that it was used at this coronation.
Coronation 14 Steingrim Wulfaresson Stallari and Janeltis Karaine, Starfollower. No photos of this investiture have yet been found, but there is a drawing from The Crier showing Princess Janeltis and Prince Steingrim wearing the original Principality Coronets.
The End of the Coronets???
It is unknown exactly when the original Principality coronets were last used nor what happened to them.
In a communication with Jarl Ulfred (Prince in 1978 and 1981), he said he thought they were replaced before his first investiture in 1978, but doesn’t remember. He related that at one time they may have been talk of using the gems from the coronets for replacements, but does not know if that ever happened.
He further related that the Curia of the time might have asked for bids for replacements and received two designs, one from Scellanus of Skye and one from Gerhard Kendal of Westmoreland. The Curia did not pick one over the other and asked them to merge elements of both designs for the new ones and to manufacture them.
Crowns of the Kingdom of An Tir
There is related in the March 1978 The Crier, that in January of 1978, at 12th Night, “Viscount Elrond read a Declaration of Independence, Bishop William made an impassioned plea that Prince Edward declare himself King (he didn't), and Prince Edward was made Steward of An Tir, and entrusted with the crowns for the King and Queen until such time as they be needed.” “After various presentations, Manfred and Koressa were duly crowned Prince and Princess, and there followed a rather politically-sensitive and complex fealty ceremony.”
It is unknown if the “crowns for the King and Queen” were the same crowns that would eventually be used in 1982 at the first Coronation of the King and Queen of An Tir.
It is further unknown if these “crowns” from January 1978 were made from the gems or parts of the original Principality Coronets. However, the Principality Coronets appear to have been used after this date, though no photographs of them after this time have been yet found.
