One of the many highlights of Drachenwald Crown Tournament this past weekend was the laureling ceremony of Baroness Birittha Wf, the 23rd Laurel Queen of Arms of the SCA. Birittha had received a writ, so she had a chance to be involved in the planning of her ceremony. Her elevation is in recognition of her many years of scholarly research in the field of period naming practices (especially those in the Finnish language), heraldry, and ceremonies. Therefore, her ceremony included many features of period ceremonies, and most especially, academic ceremonies to confer a degree on a scholar.
Part one of the ceremony was on Friday night, when I was serving as court herald. However, when it came time for Birittha to be called forward, my back-up herald, Memoranta, who was Brittha’s protege before herself becoming a pelican, took over, summoning the order of the Laurel before the Crown. As we came forward, Brittha, wearing the full regalia of her office as Laurel Queen of Arms, served as the herald for the Order of the Laurel, anouncing our approach. After we were assembled the Queen addressed the Order, asking “It has come to Our attention that the Queen of Arms of your Order is not a companion of the Order herself. We see this as odd; would you agree?” We most certainly did, and so the Crown expressed their wish to admit Birithia to our Order.
Then followed the traditional Drachenwald words intended to impress upon a candidate the seriousness of the offer, and we took her off to a beautifully decorated room to spend the evening in contemplation of the offer, and a line quickly formed of people who wished to give her council, or ask her questions, or simply express joy on her behalf.
Her friends had prepared a large stack of bookmarks, each with a single word, in Finnish written upon it. They explained that the words were all appropriate for times of contemplation, and one should be given to each of her visitors over the course of the evening. Because Birittha hadn’t had a chance to read the list of words in advance, and there were rather many of them, she suggested that I choose one at random. Mine says “hywinaiateltu”, which google translate tells me means “well-intentioned”, and, if I remember correctly, Birittha said on the evening had to do with thinking good thoughts, and that, really, all of these words are easier to translate when they are in context.
On Saturday, towards the end of court, the herald called Birittha forward to share the answer she had come to after her time of contemplation. She processed in, accompanied by guard with a huge spear, and her personal herald, to announce her.
Before she was asked for her answer, we Laurels challenged her, with questions traditionally given to scholarly candidates to ensure they meet the qualifications and are ready to transition to the exalted status of teacher at a university. Questions like… “are you at least 21 years of age?” (yes, she is quite certain that she is), “have you studied for at least six years?” (yes, she had) “have you taken part in the debates of the College of Arms?” (yes, that too), and so it continued with more questions, right through to her assurance that she leads a good and moral life.
In addition to this exam, there were the traditional speakers. First a pair of Laurels from Aarnimetsä, Birittha’s homeland spoke glowingly of their dealings with her, and their admiration of her knowledge and skills. Then Princess Agnès of Insulae Draconis rose from her thrones and spoke from her heart, with a strong voice, on behalf of the Order of the Pelican, and so eloquently did she speak that the audience did burst into applause. The Knights then chimed in with their kind words. None were surprised when Countess Anna, Birittha’s younger sister, rose to speak for the Order of Defense, though she spoke not only her own, heart filled words of the older sibling she’s always admired, she also read words sent from afar, from another member of the order, whose name I didn’t catch. Then Her Royal Highness, Countess Beatrix, rose from the throne to share the words of Gräfin Cornelia, who had composed a lovely poem in praise of the owl, which wise bird features on Birittha’s coat of arms, which brought forth yet more applause from the crowd. The final speech, from a member of the populace, left one and all certain that Birittha is loved and appreciated by people of every degree and station throughout Drachenwald, and beyond.
The medallion she was presented was originally worn by Harold Breakstone, first Laurel King of Arms, and has since passed through a long line of laurels who are heralds, many of whom have also served as Laurel Sovereign of Arms over the years. She also received a mantel, embroidered with laurel wreaths by many of her friends, and she swore fealty (suitably modified to exclude the duties of her Office), on her own sword, as is fitting and proper for a Laurel and Pelican who is also a Master of Defense.