Court report of Daimyo Christopher & Morgen of Aethelmearc from Mi no Hi, The Festival of the Snake on February 28th A.S. 43 held in the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, as reported by THL Brandubh O'Donnghaile, Minister of the Left, with the assistance of Mistress Giulietta da Venezia Minister of the Right.

Court opened with the royal guard assembling and taking their place in front of the thrones, the Ministers of the Left and Right then entered and took their places beside the thrones.  When all were set the Daimyo Christopher and his first consort Morgen entered and took their seats upon the thrones.

Daimyo Christopher addressed the crowd and thanked them for coming and announced that the business of court would now begin.

The Daimyo summoned Her Excellency Aidan ni Leir who had submitted Tama Kumihimo Braids in to the Arts and Sciences competition that day.  The populace had cast votes and Countess Aidan had won, the Daimyo thanked her for her entry.  The Daimyo summoned next Fruthikona Hrefna inn heppna, Hrefna had submitted the baronial investiture scroll that she calligraphed for Their Excellencies Byron and Ariella of the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands in the Arts and Sciences Competition for Calligraphy.  The judges of the Arts and Sciences competition had chosen Hrefna's work as the winner for the competition.  The Daimyo greatly pleased by this presented her with a prize scroll made by the hand of Lady Roxanne de St Luc, translated by Miyao no Coujou.

The day featured a Bardic Bear Pit Haiku tournament, The Daimyo summoned THL Hilderun Hugelmann to present her with a prize scroll by the hand of Lady Roxanne de St Luc translated by Miyao no Choujou, for winning this challenge.  The Daimyo also summoned Lady Sarab bint Alima forward to recognize her as the best novice entry in the Haiku competition.

Just before court there had been a silk road garb show in which entrants exhibited their newly sewn garb for the delight of all.  The Daimyo summoned before him Paige who had been his favorite entrant in the show and presented her with a scroll by the hands of Lady Roxanne de St Luc.  The Daimyo also summoned AIbell ingen Chernachain, the judges of the competition had found her garb to be the most favorable, and so the Daimyo gifted her with a box of silk.  Daimyo Christopher summoned Dotsetsu, who some know as Master Tofi Kerthjalfadsson, Dotsetsu's garb had found the most favor with the populace among the entrants in the garb show and so the Daimyo awarded him with a box of fine silks.

The Daimyo the called forward his honored Adviser Magariki Katsuichi Sama no Koredono.  Koredono confirmed that there had been marshal contests that day and had the Ministers call forward the victors.  The Daimyo Summoned Lord Ivan Piotrovich Pevcov for proving his skills with the rapier and gifted him with black pearls and a scroll by the hand of Lady Roxanne de St Luc translated by Miyao no Choujou.  The Daimyo next summoned Team Debatable Lands, who were Baron Byron of Haversford, Baroness Ariella of Thornbury and Sir Graedwynn mab Teyrnon, He gifted them with metal fans so that they might defend themselves should the need arise for their victory in the 3 man spear melee tournament.  The day also featured a shieldless tournament, the victor, Lord Gabriel Hawkes was next summoned and given a gift of white pearls and a scroll by the hand of Lady Sthurrim Caithness translated by Miyao no Choujou.  The Daimyo had watched well the happenings in the tournament fields and proclaimed that the chivalry of one man had found favor with Him above all.  THL Tarl Shadowraven, though he had already left the event, was awarded a chest of great value, which contained 100 pearls.

The Daimyo called for his honored advisor Lady Zoe Akropolitina, Zoe had marshaled the youth tournament that day.  She presented to the Daimyo Kenneth as the winner of the youth tourney.  The Daimyo was pleased by this and gifted Kenneth with a scroll by the hand of Lady Minamoto Taikawa Saiaiko.  Lady Zoe next presented the  Daimyo with the most chivalrous fighter in the youth tourney, Robert.  The Daimyo gifted Robert with a Haiku scroll made by the hand of his First Consort Morgen of Rye.

The Daimyo had his ministers announce that Jorundr hinn Rotinn was awarded arms in absentia for his marshal skills at fencing, archery and thrown weapons, and his service as a thrown weapons marshal in the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands.  Scroll by THL Allesandra d'Avignon.

The Daimyo recalled his Advisor Magariki Katsuichi Sama no Koredono. Koredono begged a boon to do some business in the Daimyo's court in the presence of witnesses.  The Daimyo granted this request, and summoned from His guard Lady Rosalia Iuliana Andere.  Sir Koredono said that Lady Rosalia had served him for some time now as a man at arms and that he was prepared to take her as a squire.  Rosalia confirmed that it was her wish to proceed along this path.  Koredono took back the plaid belt that Rosalia had worn and they bowed then as equals, and then bowed once more as master and vassal.  Koredono then presented Rosalia with a red belt to reflect her station as his squire.  The Daimyo then released Sir Koredono but commanded Lady Rosalia to stay in His court.  The Daimyo had also noted her fighting skills developing and inducted her into the Order of the Golden Alce, giving her a beautiful scroll made by the hand of Lady Roxanne de St Luc.

The Daimyo summoned Sharon of the Debatable Lands and Ishiyama Gen'tarou Yori'ie.  The Daimyo spoke first to Sharon, she had been a member of the Clan Yama Kaminari for many years, aiding in projects and research in many things Japanese, had served Their Majesties, and was generous with her sewing, for these things the Daimyo awarded her arms.  For Ishiyama Gen'tarou Yori'ie the Daimyo noted that he too had served in the Clan Yama Kamianri, serving the Royalty, but further in woodworking, sewing and making Kumihimo.  For these things the Daimyo awarded him arms and inducted him into the order of the Sycamore, scroll by Lady Minamoto Taikawa Saiaiko.

The Daimyo announced that he had witnessed many good acts that found favor with Him performed by Lord Vigo da Napoli.  Others as well had reported seeing many good deeds done by this man, and so the Daimyo inducted Lord Vigo into the order of the Cornelian in absentia.

The Daimyo summoned His hatamoto Lady Cecily of Whitehaven.  The Daimyo said that this person had long served him and the Clan Yama Kaminari, she found favor in His eyes by always serving with a bright smile and a willingness to to whatever needs to be done.  For this the Daimyo presented her with a baronial coronet making her a baroness of the court of Aethelmearc with grant of arms, promissory scroll by Lady Roxanne de St Luc, words by Ogami Akira Sama.

The Daimyo addressed the populace thanking them for their devotion and service, their efforts had found favor with Him, the Daimyo and his Consort rose and exited the hall.  The Ministers next rose and left the hall, followed by the guards.

Court was Closed.