The Spring Crown List in the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann was held the second weekend of May instead of the third weekend due to a site conflict. The event was at the Woodmen of the World Camp in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and hosted by the Barony of Grey Niche. THLord Cormac the Bald and Sir Caedmon of Jorvik were the co-autocrats. THLady Elizabeth Donnan was the head cook. Lord Jakob Gempl von Essen was in charge of reservations.

The site opened at five o'clock Friday afternoon. Traveler's fare was laid out at seven o'clock and included beef tips in gravy and homemade macaroni and cheese. Around seven-thirty, or later during the evening, Baroness Bethany Bacon was placed on vigil for elevation to the Order of the Pelican. Mistress Magdalena was coordinating the food for the vigil, being her protégé sister, both having taken a belt from Mistress Meaghan. Late that night, near ten o'clock, a walk of the field was made by the King and his court with those gentlefolk whom had entered the list. The consorts also met that evening with the Queen.

On Saturday a populace breakfast was laid out at eight o'clock inside the hall. The prospective consorts met for breakfast with the Queen at half past eight. A morning court was scheduled for nine-thirty before the tournament activities began. The consort's breakfast was prepared by Serafino and Emelin. Viscountess Brenna, Sir Michael, and members of their household set up the decorations for the breakfast.

I drove down Saturday morning, leaving Ardanroe in darkness and meeting the dawn in crossing the great river that runs through the valley. The river was high and was flooding many low-lying hamlets. Leaving the banks of the river around six-thirty, I made it to the site by nine o'clock.The registration table was inside the hall. The Peerage Trading Cards at this Kingdom Level Event denoted the first Prince and Princess of Gleann Abhann, Eric and Rhondalynn, and the Shire of Blackmoor Keep. The site token was a ceramic pendant depicting the arms of the Kingdom. Bronze colored pendants and white colored pendants were given out to represent those eating feast and those not, or those spending the night and those just present for the day. I was just present for the day, but was eating feast. I received a bronze colored pendant.

The morning court began shortly after nine-thirty on the list field. Mistress Brigit was the court herald. The members of the Order of the Pelican were summoned. Those present at this time included Mistress Alysia, Mistress Brigit (standing back as court herald), Mistress Diana, Master Erik, Mistress Lailiane, Master Loric, Mistress Meaghan, Master Rory and Mistress Crystyna, but Mistress Jane did not arrive on-site until afterwards. Mistress Meaghan spoke first requesting that a member of the populace be added to the Order. Bethany Bacon was called forth. She was escorted by her husband, Sir Grimbaldus, and son, Lord Gabriel, and members of their household and family. Bethany knelt before King Havordh and Queen Muirgen. Prior Gilbert came forth and gave an inspirational speech. Then the Crown did ask for the other Peerage Orders to speak on Bethany's behalf. Sir Uther spoke for the knights. Mistress Margot spoke for the Laurels. Mistress Lailiane read a letter from Mistress Sarah speaking for the Pelicans. Viscountess Danielle spoke for the Royal Peers. The request was made for a word from the populace and John the Bellringer, Bethany's brother, spoke. Bethany was questioned for the second time, having been asked when she first knelt, if she wished to join the Order. Mistress Meaghan presented the Pelican's medallion she received when she was elevated and this was placed around Bethany's neck. A cloak made by two ladies from Ansteorra, Sara and Roxanne, was placed upon her shoulders. King Havordh stated that only the Chivalry were required to swear fealty, but at this time Bethany did so. The awarding of the Patent of Arms was read by Mistress Brigit, but no scroll was presented for one had not yet been made. Cheers and hugs were made and court was closed.

Armor inspection and final preparations for the crown tournament were now held on and in the vicinity of the field. A large metal open air pavilion now stood in the valley where the tourney field was set up. This lent shade from the sun for those who did not have day pavilions to sit under. It also formed one side of the list field. The list minister and heralds were under this. A table was also set up with large igloos of water and Gatorade and bowls of fresh cut oranges and pickles. These were coordinated by Lady Ambrielle. Across the field filling the center and most of the opposite side of the list field was the royal pavilion. Day pavilions surrounded the rest of the field. The layout of the list field and placement of the day pavilions was arranged by Sir Caedmon.

Baroness Isabella, Emerald Herald, oversaw the list table. When all had passed inspection with the marshals and confirmed still participating in the tourney, she was ready to await the creation of the bouts forming the first round. The list tree stood ready. But first there was the procession. Mistress Brigit coordinated the procession, assigning heralds to announce entering couples who did not already have someone to announce them. Lord Iain with his trumpet stood at the entrance to the list field to musically let all know another couple was about to process forth to greet the Crown and populace.

The tourney entrant and prospective consorts were arranged in an Order of the March. There were eleven couples. They were:

Earl Sir Brian mac Brand and Baroness Lorelei von Orlamunde

Graf Uther von Ziemer and Grafin Kenna nic Aherne von Ziemer

Sir Caillin Macleod and Viscountess Danielle de la Roche

Sir Ashikaga Hiromoto and Baroness Ashikaga Kimiko

Sir Luther von Ziemer and Mistress Anyeta the Wanderer

THL Ali Al-Badawi al-Maghribi and Lady Fatimah Al-Naqidah

THL Alan of the Bright Lands and THL Susan Landbeorht

THL Settimio d' Olivio and Aureliana Airta

Lord Collen ap Ifor and Lady Alis ingheann Fhinn

Lord Neil Gray and THL Gentile d'Orleans

Lord Uchtan mac Duib and Brenna O'Duynie

Iain blew a different musical chord for each entrant based on their personas, thematic motif, or personality. I was asked to announce Sir Caillin and Viscountess Danielle, which I did alluding to the chocolate sweet of the Gods for Daniele and the Highlander movie for Caillin.

Following the procession the sword oath was taken by the entrants. Then the eleven combatants in the tourney formed two lines with the five Peers in one and the six non-Peers in the other. The side of six was asked to challenge a person from the side of five to form the first bouts of the first round. One member of the side of six would have a bye fight since there was an uneven number of entrants overall.

Sir William FitzHugh de Cambria and THLady Katil were the primary marshals for the tourney as the Earl Marshal, Sir Brian, was an entrant in the list. Sir Uric Blackoak was the original bye fighter but he opted to have the byes rotate between Olaf Bristlebeard and Baron Fergus O'Kelly. Nick, a teenager, was the runner. Iain, Judith, Rory, Michael, and Mistress Brigit were the field heralds. Ambrielle assisted Isabella at the list table. Ryan and Skya operated the shield tree.

The first round after the challenges were made and accepted was: Alan and Sir Hiromoto; Ali and Sir Caillin; Settimio and Sir Brian; Neil and Sir Luther; Collen and Sir Uther; Uchtan and a bye, being Baron Fergus. The no-loss tree progressed as follows:

Round 2 - Hiromoto and Ali; Brian and Luther; Uther and Uchtan; Round 3 - Hiromoto and Brian; Uther and a bye fighter, Olaf; Round 4 - Hiromoto and Uther; Hiromoto carrying the no-loss tree.

The one-loss tree progressed as follows:

Round 2 - Alan and Caillin; Settimio and Neil; Collen and a bye fighter, Olaf; Round 3 - Caillin and Settimio; Collen and Ali; Luther and Uchtan; Round 4 - Caillin and Brian; Collen and Luther; Round 5 - Brian and Luther; Round 6 - Brian and Uther; Brian carrying the one-loss tree.

Mistress Brigit was field herald for the finals. All of the knights took the field, kneeling to watch. Those present that day included Sir Caedmon of Jorvik, Sir Luther, Sir Uther, Sir William, Sir Grimbaldus Bacon, Sir Michael of the Mace, Sir Eric of Chester, Sir Uric, Sir Loric, Sir Leto Darkhorse, and Sir Caillin. All of the consorts joined the Queen, Baroness Lorelei and Baroness Kimiko standing at her sides. What was neat about the finals, which I had never seen before, was that all the unbelted eliminated entrants in the tourney came together at the entrance of the list field under the open-air pavilion and knelt to watch. This show of solidarity in support of both men whom had faced them and made it to the finals was both moving and passionate.

Sir Hiromoto fought Florentine, being two swords, which he had done through the entire tourney. Sir Brian fought with shield and sword. Sir Hiromoto won the first bout and second bout and was proclaimed victor and Prince of Gleann Abhann. King Havordh placed the crown upon Hiromoto's head and named him the Prince. Queen Muirgen gave the Princess' crown to Hiromoto, who placed this one upon Kimiko's head. There were cheers and applause and much hugs, handshakes, and warm wishes.

After the tournament a fundraiser lunch was held inside the hall, while the royal lunch in the meeting of the Crown with the new Heirs, was held under a pavilion. The lunch fundraiser, which was donations, not a set fee, included a pita bread gyro with cheese, sauce, and pulled lamb meat. Another table had igloos with water and tea. THLord Pol Uto, Mistress Alysia, Mistress Vashti, and Viscountess Brenna coordinated the fundraiser lunch. Serafino prepared the royal lunch for Their Majesties and Their Highnesses.

I caught up with Lord Randal outside the hall. Instead of watching the tournament he had helped with the kitchen staff making numerous runs to town for different groceries and supplies. I helped him unload his truck before partaking of the fabulous flavorful gyros.

The Spring Crown List was attended by six adults from the Shire of Ardanroe plus two babies - Avice and Symon with baby James, Amelia with baby Zoe, Medb, Rory, and James. Avice was busy as Kingdom Chamberlain. Medb was busy as one of the Crown's Chancellors. James was entourage. Amelia and Symon were tending babies. All in all, everyone had fun, but were kept active.At two-thirty the Knights and the Diamond Chalice each held meetings. The Diamond Chalice members met under the wooden pavilion located between the cabins behind the hall. Queen Muirgen stopped briefly at the end of the meeting to speak with them. This was the first meeting of the Order with Baroness Isabella d'Arques as the Order's Secretary.

Just after five-thirty the evening court of Their Majesties Havordh and Muirgen was held under the open-air pavilion next to the list field, now abandoned by the fighters after the tourney and a time of pick-up fights. Baron Gellis was the court herald. Their Majesties were joined by their entourage, Baroness Mahsheed, Baroness Lorelei (in a feisty black cavalier outfit as the Queen's Rapier Champion), Rose, Settimio, Aurelia, and two other ladies. Their Highnesses Hiromoto and Kimiko were accompanied by their entourage, Aisha, James in le Breres, Duchess Onora (their Chancellor), Sir Uric and Sir William as guards bearing spears. Thanks were given by the Crown and Heirs and the oath of fealty was sworn by those whom wished to at this time.

Sir Luther and Ali were summoned but not present. Sir Uther was seen and rushed off to find Sir Luther. Baroness Martha Effingham of Stewarts Keep presented gifts to the Heirs. Queen Muirgen in turn presented Martha with a circlet for a Grant of Arms read out by Gellis.

Baroness Lorelei had quietly departed and now came forth dragging Sir Luther into court by his cap's ties. Queen Muirgen stated that this was the third time Luther had been called into court and was not present. "Fortunately your business is with His Majesty."

King Havordh expressed amazement at the skill shown upon the field this morning by Sir Luther with a polearm and named him as the recipient of the Banner of Valor. The banner was presented to him and the knight departed in a joy of not being in trouble.

THLord Ali was now present and called forth as "the less punctual" to Sir Luther. Ali was named by the Queen as the recipient of the Wreath of Chivalry and received the garland wreath upon his head.

Brother Karl von Zollern was summoned and received a Grant of Arms. Zaneta moglie di Nicolo Marcello received an Award of Arms. Anne Cochrane received a Silver Ram. She was escorted forth by Alrekr.

Baroness Barbara Sterling was then summoned to announce the results of the guessing game. She had a tiny bottle of sesame seeds. When they pop in their pods the sound is like a lock opening, so perhaps that is where the saying "open sesame" comes from. There had been 531 seeds in the tiny bottle and no one had guessed that number. The closest guess was made by Novella of Seahold. Lorccan was just over. Sir Saad had donated several bags of chocolate dragon eggs as the prize. Novella was asked to choose four gentles to receive a bag and to keep two bags as hers. Queen Muirgen thanked the Shire of Blackmoor Keep for the moon pies donated and consumed during the day.

Lady Emma del Tree, Kingdom Chirurgeon, was pleased to announce that another trainee was now a fully warranted Chirurgeon. That person was Thomas Wilkinson, Judith's husband. He now brought a grand total of ten fully warranted Chirurgeons in the Kingdom.

Sara de Warren was then thanked for the arming caps made for all the fighters at Gulf Wars and the beautiful blackwork at Beltaine. She received an Award of Arms.

The children of Gleann Abhann were called up to receive gifts of toys and there were lots and lots of kids.

Cormac the Bald, autocrat, was then summoned. He announced that 239 people had attended the event. He thanked his co-autocrat, Sir Caedmon for managing the set up of the field for the tourney and the numerous people who helped with the consort breakfast and royal lunch. Thirty chairs were needed for feast inside the hall. At this time the King had business with Cormac and had good news and bad news. The good news was that King Havordh presented Cormac with the Sovereigns Letter of Endorsement. The bad news was that he was not paying enough attention to his sweetie who was a member of the Crown's entourage. Because of that he was to be slapped around by the Queen's Rapier Champion. Baroness Lorelei dragged Cormac away by his ear.

Mika'il al-Rashid now came forth and turned over the office of the Quartermaster to Lady Deborah of Haleshaven, as he had taken on the position of Youth Combat Marshal for the Kingdom. The plans were add in the future a Youth Tournament of Champions and to teach more Youth Marshals so that the kids can fight alongside the adults and get as much time and attention as possible on the field in training in youth combat.

Mistress Diana of the Isles was summoned. She was accompanied by Lady Melisant le Piryere. "Hi, I'm back!" Mistress Diana told the story of her first three protégés who all moved to Atlantia. Then she had taken Melisant whom had said she would never move to Atlantia. Diana had waited three years, one year for each of her lost protégés, and Melisant was still with her. Now she was ready to take another protégé. Lady Adalaide de Sardonie was summoned and accepted a belt from Diana as her protégé.

THLady Ambrielle was now called forth. She announced that she was now coordinating the Auxiliary Army and as such was holding a fundraiser to buy a period pavilion for the Auxiliary Army to use at Gulf Wars so they no longer have to borrow the personal pavilion of Sir Radu and Mistress Brionnfinn. She is holding a raffle of a knife made by Nakumara Ichirou (Ichi). The winning ticket will be drawn at Fall Coronation and tickets will be sold starting tonight. Ambrielle also presented a cloak clasp made by Nakumara Ichirou to the Queen.

Sir Brian MacBrand now came forth. As a member of the Order of the Laurel, he wished to take an apprentice. Kendra Day was summoned and she accepted his belt, becoming his apprentice. She already wore a yellow belt being a protégé. When Sir Brian had come forth his hands had been full, for not only the belt but also a mug and other items filled them. He had handed his mug to the Queen before he placed the belt around Kendra. Sadly the Queen had misplaced it (perhaps his wife, Baroness Lorelei had swiped it). As such he left court with a new apprentice but without the mug and drink that had been in it.

Mistress Lailiane was called for but not present. Court was therefore closed so all might prepare for feast. It was just after six-thirty.

Feast was held inside the hall. It was delicious. I sat with House Telemark, which numbered sixteen or more seats. After feast there was evening entertainment and revelry with cakes and paper flowers made by Anastasia Benitini and the children. Having come for the day, I departed after feast for a nearby hotel to soak in the cool waters and slumber in the soft bed before departing for home Sunday morning.