An Tir Coronation 13
Prince Manfred Kriegstreiber with Princess Koressa Thokubjalla on 14 January 1978 at An Tir Twelfth Night in the University Unitarian Church, Seattle, WA.
Event Announcement
AN TIR TWELFTH NIGHT, MADRONE, 14 JANUARY, A.S, XII.
The Barony of Madrone is proud to announce the hosting of An Tir's Twelfth Night and Coronation Celebration on January 14, at the University Unitarian Church, 6556 35th NE. Doors open at noon; the final Court of their Highnesses Edward and AlmaTea will begin at 2 PM. The Coronation and the first Court of Tanists Manfred and Koressa will follow at 2: 30. The assemblage will break about 4 PM and clear the Hall to permit banquet set-up. Entertainment and contests will be held downstairs at this time.
CONTESTS: Men's Needlework, sponsored by Prince Edward Lady's Decorated Girdle, sponsored by Princess AlmaTea Weaving, sponsored by Viscountess Anne of Caerdydd Illuminated Alphabet for the CRIER, sponsored by Mistress Maelen of Kynge's Lea Hairdressing, sponsored by Lady Genevra of Estolat
The doors to the banquet hall will reopen at 5:30, and the feasting will begin at 6 sharp. Those attending the banquet are requested to bring trenchers, bowls, and goblets.
The Coronation is open to all, but the banquet is restricted to those with tickets. NO MORE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE. There is a waiting list. If you have a ticket that you will not be able to use, contact Fiona di Varanus, c/o Pam Ives, 201 Valley St. #7, Seattle, WA 98109, IMMEDIATELY.
Anyone not attending the banquet but wishing to stay for the revel afterwards may remain downstairs for more socializing. (There may be space provided for those who wish to bring their own banquet, as well.)
As the last course of the banquet, the Twelfthnight cake will be served and a King and Queen of Misrule chosen. After a brief break to clear the Hall, a Court of Misrule will be held with great revelry and merrymaking. Cleanup must commence prior to 11:30, so that we may vacate the premises by midnight.
Entertainers should contact Yolanda of Thymbra (1028 NE 67th, Seattle, WA 98115) now, if they have not already. Anyone wishing to make a presentation at one of the Courts must inform the heralds in advance; contact Catherine of Tor Bitterroot. Those with banners to display and anyone willing to provide thrones (two are needed) and seasonal decorations, please contact Baron Theodulf or Baroness Anne.
THE BANQUET IS SOLD OUT! If you have tickets and now find yourself unable to attend, please notify the autocrats, as there is a waiting list. If, like your idiot Editor, you waited until the last moment, you probably waited too long. THIS IS FOR THE BANQUET ONLY. Those without tickets may still, of course, attend the Coronation and the Revel. There is room downstairs for those who wish to bring their own food, and there are numerous restaurants in the area; the dinner break allows adequate time to patronize one of these.
From The Crier (February 1978).
Event Chronicle
AN TIR TWELFTH NIGHT, JANUARY 14, A.S. XII Chronicled by a committee; Englished by Deirdre.
Baron Theodulf and the Culinary Guild of Madrone were the Twelfth Night autocrats. All 150 banquet tickets were sold out well in advance.
Opening Court began only five minutes late, to the consternation of those who run on Society Time. Since political activity in An Tir had reached fever pitch in the past few weeks, folk from all Baronies and Shires travelled to Madrone to watch for possible fireworks. There were a few: 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. The crowd was divided between rebels (who wore grey armbands) and loyalists; however, no blood was shed. After various presentations, Manfred and Koressa were duly crowned Prince and Princess, and there followed a rather politically-sensitive and complex fealty ceremony. In a lighter vein, Frederick of the West Tower petitioned Princess Koressa that he be made Official Fondler. This request was taken under advisement, and court adjourned for the dinner break. Those who had procrastinated until too late to get tickets fared forth into the wilderness in search of sustenance; loyalists and rebels sat at the same tables and broke bread.
At the banquet, guests were entertained by Serena, David of Bagulay, Theodulf, Katherine Winifred of Tor Bitterroot, Rosemary of the Eastern Wood, Glanwyn, Geoffrey de Speraunce, Genevra, Yulseth, Susan of Kathculneen, Donn, and Roger the Goliard, who variously sang, played recorders, or danced.
After the tables were cleared a subtlety was brought forth, and Aislin and Andy Shepherd were chosen King and Queen of Misrule. Their court included Thorgeir as Fool of Fools, Koressa as Keeper of the Royal Chamber Pot, Bolverk as the Veritable Vanishing Virgin, Randell Raye as King's Mistress, and Gerhard Kendal as Serf For A Night. Frederick of the West Tower was Cosmic Karnic Confessor, James the Vintner was the Naively Naughty Knave, and Daniel Shadygrove was Court Herald. The ambience soon became passing weird. Spectators made a concerted effort to steal the dignitaries' badges of office, and Gerhard was subjected to much fondling. Other sights of the evening included a child advertising "rats on a stick"; the heralds portraying the Plantagenet Lions (this was Seamus Peacemaker's idea, and he was said to be most subdued at the heralds' meeting the next day); Tyr Gilmirronsson was true to his Viking Heritage by alternately pushing Sybil the Short to the floor or leading her away by the hand (both are toddlers). Amorette the Knowing and her troupe performed Irish dances, and those of the populace who were ambulatory joined in general dancing as well.
Numerous contests were held. Alysen of Dunrobin and Deirdre Muldomhnaigh won the hairdressing contest, ladies' division; Seamus Peacemaker won the men's division (this was for showing up in some hairstyle, not performing one on the spot). Maria Mindalova was victorious in the weaving contest, Catharine of Haga had the best CRIER alphabet, Gerhard Kendal had the best fighter's needlepoint and Donn an Bronach had the best embroidery. Janet of Arden won the girdle contest.
Eventually the hour grew late and all staggered forth into the night. It is not recorded that any perished on their way home, though Bunstable's Fire may be our new Twelfth Night Plague.
From The Crier (March 1978)