Angels Anniversary 1973

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Location:	Angels Cienega Campgrounds, Castaic, CA
Date:	10/13/1973-10/14/1973

The third anniversary of the Barony of the Angels. Piers Howells de Cambria was invested as Vicar of the barony.

Held at Cienega Campgrounds, Castaic, CA., in the Angelus National Forest. Queen Seitse of the West attended. With the delegated authority from King Henrik (at this time, Queens did not yet have this authority themselves), she gave an Award of Arms to Piers Howells de Cambria.

A delegation of knights accompanied her to assist in the knighting of fighters they found worthy. Queen Seitse, with the assistance of Duke James Greyhelm, Sir Steven MacEanruig, and Sir William the Lucky, knighted Christian of Orange, Hugh the Undecided, and William of York. As she was not a knight one of the other knights held the sword and Queen Seitse placed her hand on top. Piers Howells de Cambria was made Vicar of the Angels. Lists for the Champion of the Barony were won by Sir Hugh the Undecided. The ladies present gave a wreath to Sir Steven MacEanruig for fighting and dying most gallantly. Tyra Stuart of Moray won the Hester Spoon for the cooking contest. Boncueur won the Wizard of Argh award for puns. A tri-baronial council was held to discuss forming a principality in the south. There was an herb class, a watercress gathering contest, melees, challenges, skulking, exercises after dark and revelry. Bevin Fraser of Sterling was the autocrat. Danielle Christine du Bryant became Mistress of Arts for the Canton of Eastern Gate. Katrina de Provence became Mistress of Arts for the Canton of Failte.

Highlights

Christian of Orange, Hugh the Undecided and William of York were knighted
Christian of Orange and Hugh the Undecided received the Queen's Order of Grace (West Kingdom equivalent of Legion of Courtesy)
Piers Howells de Cambria received an Award of Arms, and was made Vicar of Angels

Memories

“An amusing event. When Henrik heard we were going down he gave us a list of names of fighters and basically told us that if we thought any of them were good enough, we should go ahead and knight them. We decided they were and went ahead and knighted the three listed above. We had actually traveled down there with Gordon (William of York) in his large white sedan car. I seem to recall that this was the event where all the fighting was in the dirt parking lot because that was the only place big enough. I have vague memories that a few of us also abducted Bevin at this event, though it might have been another one. We kept telling her that she could scream now and she kept letting out little squeaks, telling us later that she wasn't the screaming kind.

“As I recall, James held the sword for Christian, I held it for Hugh, and William the Lucky held it for William of York.” – Steven MacEanruig

“Seitse was so nervous she actually knighted 'Christian the Orange.' This was the first time (I think) that anyone other than the reigning King had knighted anyone.” – Verena of Laurelin

“I think the first time was mine in AS VII. Paul was King and asked Sir Fredrick of the West Tower to do the honors for the Crown. Any other times this happened?” – Jerald of Galloway

“I'd forgotten about that, but your comments bring it back to mind. I remember some joking about it with Christian later. Actually, the first time anyone other than the reigning King had knighted anyone was Bruce of Cloves in the East kingdom by Ardral (as I recall).” – Steven MacEanruig

“The way back was a fun trip as well. William the Lucky and I had started writing what eventually became our two-volume Obnoxious Songs to Kill Your Enemies By songbooks. We tended to write them coming back from tournaments and on the way back from this one we wrote several, "The Triumph of the West" to the tune of "Battle of New Orleans" and "Small Circle of Friends" which has apparently gone on to become a minor SCA classic filk song. Checking the book, we also wrote "From the Halls of Calafia". – Steven MacEanruig

From the Halls of Calafia
From the Halls of Calafia
To the shores of Puget Sound,
We will slay our doughty foemen
Where ever they are found.
First with broadsword then with greatsword,
Then with axe and mace also;
We will cleave them where we find them
From the head down to the toe.Tune'Marine's Hymn'
By Duke James Greyhelm, Sir Steven MacEanruig, Sir William the Lucky, Duchess Verena of Laurelin, and Sir William of York Returning from the Angels Anniversary Tourney 14 October, VIII