For Kolfinna

Elizabethan Sonnet by Petronilla de Chastelerault

Upon the earth the finest queen was she,

As beautiful as summer’s golden rose,

But on the battlefield a Valkyrie,

As swift and hard as northern ice her blows.

The foremost Lady Knight in all the land

Whose virtue shone from tourney field to court,

Was ever eager to extend a hand,

And with her grace lent everyone support.

A Pelican, a Duchess, and a Knight

Who could with smiles make the winter fly,

And led Caid as with a shining light

That shone from sea-floor to the vaulted sky.

And though she shook off life, and life’s deep scars,

She evermore shall rule amongst the stars.

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This poem was written for Duchess Kolfinna kottr, whom everyone loved. She ruled our fine kingdom twice with Sven Orfthendur, was the first woman in Caid to become a knight, was a Pelican of the Society, and was my father’s knight.

She fell to H1N1 on October 1 of this year.

Godspeed, Kolfinna. We’ll miss you, Petra.