When I submitted the first device I designed, it had been as Finn Normansson. This device was rejected. After a while, I submitted another design for a device as Lord Finn Normansson. After some effort, this design was likewise rejected.
When I made my third attempt to register a device it was as Honorable Lord Finn Normansson. Thinking about the progression of my rank with each submission I could not help but speculate that if this device was rejected, my next submission would have to be as Master Finn Normansson. The third device submission was passed, however, so if I am ever to be a peer I’ll have to earn it the old fashioned way.
Isolde’s rise can not be so easily correlated, she already had her device approved before she received her AoA. She received her Grant of Arms during the reign of Orlando and Caitlin, and she became a Laurel at the Meridian Arts & Sciences Faire during the reign of Aaron and Branwen.
While Isolde’s rise can not be correlated to anything she does, it does correlate with me. You see, it seems that the fates have decreed that Isolde and I are never to be of equal rank for any significant period of time. Isolde already had her grant of arms when I received my AoA. (Isolde always maintained that she wanted a second grant of arms so she could put GAGA in back of her name.)
When I received my Grant of Arms we were briefly of equal rank, however it was only three months later that Isolde became a Laurel. Since we are now of equal rank again, as territorial Baron and Baroness, I would advise any young fighter who wishes to be King of Meridies or Prince of Gleann Abhann to champion my fair ladywife in the next tournament. It’s almost dead certain you will win!
One of the other memorable things about the Kingdom A & S where Isolde was elevated, was the fact that we nearly didn’t have a feast!
The event was being held at a church camp. Unfortunately, the hosting group had not read the fine print on the contract which stated that church groups had the right to evict any non-church group from any of the facilities.
Early Saturday afternoon a group of square dancers affiliated with the church arrived and threw the shire people out of the great hall. The square dancers wished to serve coffee and cocoa after their dance that evening, and therefore wished to use the kitchen. There were other halls on the site so that was no real problem, but there was only one other, rather small kitchen.
The feast-o-crat, who had been operating shorthanded all day, was about ready to throw in the towel. Fortunately, when the gentles in attendance heard what had happened they rallied to the feast-o-crat’s aid. The folk of Axemoor, where they take their vittles seriously, were especially quick to pitch in. The feast was a bit longer than usual, due to the long intervals between removes but it was quite delicious. After the feast we assembled at a pavilion for court. Isolde and I had no business before their majesties and therefore were quite surprised when Isolde was called into the presence. At first, Isolde wasn’t even sure that is was she who had been called.
When his Majesty announced that Isolde had been elevated to the Circle of Laurels, the Axemoor section erupted in cheers with a certain unnamed Viking leading the pack. When we were all gathered around Isolde congratulating her, I remember turning to Mistress Nerak la Tisserande and saying.” After court I’m going to go back to the cabin and rest on my Laurel.” Later, Isolde told me that after court she had asked his Majesty what she was getting the Laurel for. “Is it for teaching, dance, sewing, singing, cooking, or falconry?”
His Majesty’ reply was, “Yes.”