Crown Poetry Spring AS LIII
From MiddleWiki
Bards of Sternfeld Praise Poetry Project
Crown Tournament, Spring AS LIII
6/1/2018
Introduction
MiddleWiki Notes
The complete PDF may be found on the Midrealm facebook group here
To link to a specific poem
You may link to a specific poem by putting the following code on your middlewiki page:
[[Crown Poetry Spring AS LIII#Full Name as in the header|Name]]
(note: no spaces before or after the vertical bar)
For example, to link to the poem about THL Bella Roison, you would enter:
[[Crown Poetry Spring AS LIII#The Honorable Lady Bella Roison|THL Bella Roison]]
which would look like
Introduction To The Compilation
So....what’s all this then?
Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, Lords, Ladies, Gentlefolk all – Greetings and fair tidings!
In the weighty words of the First Tournament, “NEXT time, I’m going to ----.”
Welcome to The Next Time!
Last Crown Tournament (October AS LII), the Sternfeld Rapier Bards (yes, we're all Rapier Bards, even if some of us don't pick up a sword) tackled a mighty challenge - Iron Bardic. Our intent was to try the concept of Viscountess Wander Riordan of writing poetry about an event, while AT the event. And what more juicy event is there than Crown Tournament?
Every project must start somewhere, and we learned a great deal from our first salvo. First, there's absolutely NO time to present poetry to combatants during the tournament. As rapier fighters, it never occurred to us how intensely focused everybody is on the tourney, regardless of whether they're still in the running. It was much more successful to present ALL the poems as pre-court entertainment and feast entertainment. Second, with only 2-3 of the nine participants physically attending the event, it would be impossible to write all of them on-site, so we decided to pre-write the poems (have something in the back pocket) and write on-site if we could. Several of the poems worked in “fill in day-of” blanks, like “Fiercely he fended off >>NAME HERE<<'s flying sword” or “Needs one line about the fight, and the end must rhyme with Shield.”
This round, we decided to write in honor of the Consorts. In theory, the goal of Crown Tourney is to place your inspiration on the throne. In practice, we all agreed we see more of this in Crown Tourney than in most other tourneys, but it can be sparse some years. So here's an opportunity for us to shine the Bardic Spotlight on what really matters in our Society. We gave voice to a good theory, and hopefully encouraged all of us in putting our inspirations first and forward.
For future Crown Tourney Poetry Projects (am I really saying that?!), we plan to honor the Fighters in the Fall (war king, ya know) and the Consorts in the Spring. It seems a good balance.
Also this round (Laurels - this is for you!), we also decided to Up The Game, asking each author to attempt to write in a period form or style. I'm significantly impressed with the results! We found and shared quite a few resources that will be valuable for ALL poetry writing, such as the iconic Compleat Anachronist #67, Ars Poetica Societatis. Go read it.
Really.
V-8 publication.
"Why did I never read this book?!"
It makes documentably period poetry almost easy. And, yes, all you syllable-counters will find off lines and slant rhymes. We allowed ourselves the freedom to break the rules, as long as we knew which rules we were breaking. I didn't realize my Englynion should include Cynghanedd. But I know now! And I'll bet at least 10% of you are going to look up those words on Google. See? It's working!
Once again, if you’re reading this, thank you. Thank you for your interest, and thank you for giving us a venue. All the performing arts require an audience, and so this is for the fighters, the consorts, the Crown, and, especially, for you.
In Service,
-- Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
The Honorable Lady Bella Roison
Honored by Sir Akos of Roaring Wastes
By Lady Brigitta Rosa Von Metten
With bright eyes shining, sweet Bella Roisin
Aims her camera well, the shot to take.
A happy bride’s love beaming from within
As bold Sir Akos fights for honor’s sake.
Great deeds to one and all does Bella make.
As Midrealm Army’s Roster Clerk does she
Leave guidance and assurance in her wake.
Her noble service shines for all to see.
While not one gentle can truly foresee
Whose mighty arm and aim will win the Crown,
Sweet Lady Bella’s love for family
Will encourage Akos not to back down.
Her shining inspiration all shall know,
Should Akos’ win the Crown to her bestow.
Style – 16th Century Spencerean Sonnet
Duchess AnneMarie de Garmeaulx
Honored by Duke Dag Thorgrimmson
By Lady Tualaith of Sternfeld
A lady like none other
This flower, sweet but rare
Epitome of Roses
She is beyond compare
Cheeks as soft as petals
Eyes alight with fire
Her intellect is sharper
Than the rose’s briar
Combine these traits together
It’s clear for all to see
A Rose who’s like none other
The Duchess Anne Marie
Style – Quatrains with rhyming second and fourth lines
Lady Acelin of the Wilds
Honored by Sir Machonna of Dark River
By Baron Breddelwyn Ap Taliesin
Flame fire fed passion
Heart love filled overflows
With Spirit strong
She guides
She guards
She serves
She inspires
Hand in hand
She walks with the one
Who sees and feels
Her love
Her dignity
Her beauty
Her strength
Style – Free style
Baroness Angharad ferch Tangwystl
Honored by Sir Calum MacDhaibhidh
By Lord Dai Gerdwr
Dance for Angharad! Dance the joy, the tune,
That nimble steps may employ
The tread she calls and enjoy.
Inhale her rich savouries! Let the scent
Represent the golden keys
That unlock all memories.
Never has a stranger met - all who come,
Wherever from, friends not yet
Drawn into the circle set.
Her hand on the helm is guidance - gentle,
Elemental, ev'ry chance
Nudges student to advance.
She calls to take the challenge on, aim high!
Maximum growth, goals redrawn
Then pass the wisdom along.
Still Angharad sets forth - still more she leads
And succeeds in finding worth:
Inspiration giving birth.
Style – Poetic form is Englyn Penfyr, one of the two oldest Welsh forms.
Master Azriel le Fey
Honored by Sir Gebhardt von Rauden
By Lady Tualaith of Sternfeld
Her energy charges
Kindness inspires
Her beauty the tinder
Stoking heart’s fire
Brave bouncy blade master
She beckons us on
Her banner before us
We follow anon
Let heralds cry summons
Sound trumpets and drums
When Gebhard’s love enters
Hark! Azriel comes!
Style – Quatrains with rhyming second and fourth lines
Mistress Bianca Rosamund
Honored by Sargeant Reichart von Drachenstein
By Lady Brigitta Rosa Von Metten
When painting delicate eggs pysanky
Or scrolls both colorful and truly bold
Does Mistress Bianca Rosamund di Firenze
Her skills and knowledge she gladly unfolds.
Fair dancer and fine costumer is she
Fair Mistress Bianca, kind gentle soul,
Who shares her skills to all most gladly
Whose tenderness we lovingly extol.
She stands in joyful, encouraging pride
As her good Sargeant she proudly observes,
As mighty Reichart von Drachenstein
In gloried battle deftly ducks and swerves.
A Mistress good and true, of great renown,
A Mistress truly worthy of a crown.
Style – 16th Century Shakespearean Sonnet
Lady Ciara Eirikswif
Honored by Master Eirik Dweorgax
By Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
| Eirik Dweorgaxe | Dragon of Old |
| Comes to Crown list | Ciara to praise |
| Freya's humor | Hair of Hugin |
| Fiber she twists | Teaching others |
| Long serving Sternfeld | Behind the scenes |
| Fenris shows favor | Family blessed |
| By two house wolves | Hairy helpers |
| Two hands, eight paws | Always involved |
| Thus attended | Tyr strong but quiet |
| Queen-like, Ciara | Waits tourney's choice |
Style – Anglo-Saxon alliterative verse
Kennings:
Hair of Hugin – dark, like Odin’s ravens
House wolves = Livy and Jojo
Lady Diamn Ban
Honored by The Honorable Sargeant Jean LeBref
By Baron Breddlewyn Ap Taliesin
By his side
She has stood
Long time in this
Giving him her love
Giving him her comfort
Giving her her counsel
Giving him her support
For the Middle Kingdom
She too has done this
And as Queen
She will continue
For this is in
Her Heart and Soul
Style – Free style
Baroness Eilis the Stone
Honored by Sir Marcus Pinarius Draconarius
By Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
Eilis, you are all to me
Siluran Valkyrie
My strength in every journey
You grow more lovely every year
I thank the fates who see clear
To let me keep such joy near
I would show Dragon nation
Faithful love's celebration
To proclaim with elation
Center of my foundation
My rock and inspiration
My quest - your coronation
Style – Englynion - an early Welsh style 7 syllable lines in triads, sharing an end rhyme.
Poet’s note: Sir Marcus praises his ladywife often on his own FB page. I borrowed a few of his own heart-warming phrases.
Mistress Ellowyn Kittle
Honored by Captain Sigmund Kittel von Drachenstein
By Lord Dai Gerdwr
Service abounds, so review
Ellowyn's spur - her purview:
The best to bring! As singer
Sharing heart solid and sure.
As hostess, who has sought so
Many gifts to give. May no
Kitchen lack her fire! No choir
Unspirited sing! Inspire
Us all to love, so lightly
Free all hearts fair lore to see.
Style – Cywydd deuair hirion ("Long-line couplets") are seven syllable lines where the rhyme must be an accented syllable at the end of one line with an unaccented syllable at the end of the other. Each line must also be in some form of cynghanedd ("harmony")
Mistress Finepopla Gunnarswif
Honored by Syr Gunnar Redboar
By Master Tonis van Driele
| Flower burning | Ring keys Royal |
| Oak strong lifting | Redtusk loyal |
| Cloud-wing, red drops | Giving, serving |
| Sunray hilltop | Heart unswerving |
Style – Inspired by the Nordic poetic form Fornyrdislag (4 split lines, 4 syllables per split; with “Kennings” or alliterations)
Kennings in this poem:
Cloud-wing – white bird
red drops – blood
Cloud-wing red drops – Pelican
Sunray hilltop – Baroness coronet upon her head
Her Ladyship Honor von Atzinger
Honored by Sir Cedric Adolphus
By Lord Dai Gerdwr
When that Springtime Crown should send their call,
'Tis then for Honor praises sing we all!
We cherish love so selfless shared throughout,
Her song, her joy, her laughter spread about.
"While we live, we LIVE!" her service cries-
Then, "While we live, we serve!" her life replies.
By this example legions are inspired:
That she the best in everyone admires;
That, more than in her own bountiful deeds,
She takes delight to see others succeed.
So many graces in one heart combined
No greater love may Inspiration find.
Style – Iambic Pentameter rhyming couplets as in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
Poet’s Note: Line 1 recalls the first line of the praise poem for Sir Cedric Adolphus, Fall Crown List AS LII
Lines 5-6 "dum vivimus, vivamus" (while we live, let us live), "dum vivimus, servimus" (while we live, let us serve)
Countess Isolde de la Ramée
Honored by Count William of Fairhaven
By Lord Dai Gerdwr
| Isolde, dream ally, | storm soother. |
| She observes Saxons | with studied passion, |
| Pens the poetic | dish-maker process, |
| Then strums wooden song box | to sate aspiration. |
| Steadfast in service, | striking in manner, |
| Fond of flower | and fauna's friend, |
| Dares unplanned play | and public creation |
| As smile spreads through all | that starts in her soul. |
Style – Anglo-Saxon alliterative form
Kennings in this poem:
Wooden song box – her cittern/ukulele
Dish-maker process – Cookbook
Baroness Maddie McRae
Honored by Pan Zygmunt Nadratowski
By Lady Líadan Liathán
Slender dancer, wicked glancer,
Bester of a hundred foes,
On light feet goes skipping, tripping,
Soft rose scenting where she flows.
Gentle Maddie, soulful singer,
Luller of the soldier’s heart,
Crafting her art with discernment,
Singing air rent sweet apart.
Hear the laughter from enchanter,
Duty’s daughter, honor’s home.
Still the sea foam on the shoreline
Should roam Zygmunt e’er alone.
Style –Irish poetic style called Séadna Mhór.
Mistress Maggie McKeith
Honored by Baron Fergus MacPherson
By Lady Meadhbh Ramsey
Brave Baron Fergus enters now the field
Of his deeds and qualities, all would swear.
In his hand, his sword he’ll ready wield,
But on his arm a power far more rare.
To know her, set your compass by the stars
Beyond the Limberlost, across the heath,
Where rivers meet, ‘neath trees seen from afar,
You’ll find bonnie Mistress Maggie MacKeith.
Welcome Maggie as she would welcome you,
With cheers and joy, a heart hearth-stone warm.
Her counsel wise and comforts kind, for you
Her strength will stand and weather any storm.
She lead with love, with vigor and with vim,
Belov’d by her people and baron both.
Now let t’whisky flow, pour it to the brim.
She serves us all, this we know an’hold in troth
For Maggie the Bold, raise a cheer! HUBBAH!
Style – Modified ballad, iambic pentameter with alternating rhyme pattern
Lady Neassa O'Cathasaigh
Honored by Sir Wigthegn the Younger
By Lady Líadan Liathán
Lady Neassa O’Cathasaigh
Bearing sword and peacock shield,
Makes her foes yield in their terror.
She wields death unconcealed.
Persian-clothed or Anglo Saxoned,
Parti-colored harlequin,
Laughing, dancing to war’s drummer,
Silken summer swelterin’.
Hail to Neassa! Battle’s true bride.
Give wide way; she overcomes.
There may be some foolish doubting,
Wise run seeking asylum.
Wigthen wooed the red-haired warrior,
She for whom he must arise,
Won the high prize as his consort,
“Those eyes!” his heart’s paradise!
Style – Written in the Irish poetic style called Séadna Mheadhanach.
Dame Nicholaa Halden
Honored by Sargeant Gareth Bloodworth
By Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
Amethyst, citrine, garnet and pearl
Nicholaa crafts to ornament divine
And frilly veils for modest maid or girl
But then behind the scenes she spends her time
Working, teaching, cooking in a whirl
Reminding us: not all that’s gold must shine
So Gareth takes up sword, shield and renown
To gild so fair a jewel with Midrealm Crown
Style – Ottava rima – introduced 15th c Italy, eventually made its way to 16th c England. Eight lines of iambic pentameter, rhyming abababcc
Lady Norelle of Scolaire
Honored by Sir Ixtilixochitl de los Indios
By Master Tonis van Driele
Northern Lady of Light
Crown for her, one must fight
Land of blue cross sight cast
Spy Vahallan there fast
Spot and circle tail twitch
Equal prowess claws which
Foemen fell and bring doom
Yield to woman shall soon
Ten wands, five by five cast
Lover’s calling heart grasp
Mystic lifebeat thrumming
Turning, willing, coming
Waves like heat twist spiral
Nordic Willow Norelle
Great cat snare and spell net
Jaguar hunter thus get
Style – Inspired by the Norse poetic form Galdralag – “magic spell meter”
The Honorable Lady Odette d'Ambois
Honored by Captain Dyderich Wolfhart
By Young Lad Khellian of Sternfeld
Odette, feathered swan cloak of sable
Sewing teacher string and able
Field of crimson, gentle of heart
Golden spirit, patron of art
Dyderich Wolfheart, strong and tall
Warrior, server, answers call
Wolf and swan, black and red
Side by side in honor wed
Dragon throne seeking heir
Consort Dyderich favor bear
Style – Modified ballad, iambic tetrameter, two quatrains followed by a couplet with rhyme scheme aabb ccdd ee
Editor’s Note: Khellian is our youngest author, and just graduated high school this week! He wanted especially to write for Odette, and for Dyderich who has been teaching him combat.
Lady Rowen Hen Enaid
Honored by Sor Ustad the Dreaded
By Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
Dread Ustad bestirs himself to Tourney because of you
Sweet lady wife Rowan - he hopes a crown because of you.
Creator Rowan, draped in silk waterfall,
Jealous birds envy such feathers - faces long because of you.
Treasure of the Gryphon - sweet voiced bulbul
Moonlit gardens dappled with tender song because of you
Mother Rowan teaching young Jafar ways of the world,
Decendents of the dragon grow strong because of you
Welcoming laughter refreshing as rain,
The kingdom would be Royally well served because of you.
Style – Ghazal - poetic form starting in 7th c Arabia, 5-15 couplets of the same length, ending in the same 1-3 word refrain, with a rhyming word right before it.
(I didn't get it perfect, but made the attempt!)
Poet’s Note: Bulbul is the nightingale – known for its beautiful song
Lady Sadb ingen Neill
Honored by Captain Criomhthan CuRua
By Lady Líadan Liathán
Small statured
Does not limit one so treasured.
Strength internal stands defined,
Depth unmined for pride or pleasure.
Watch her form
Holy soles in new shoes, worn
Through from running down each task.
“How,” you ask, “is she untorn?”
Banners raise
And Sadb Ingen Neill we praise
Whose tasty cheese and Viking beads
Bedeck deeds worthy of our lays.
Lucky man
CuRua holds heart and hand
More dear than land or treasure.
Her pleasure crowns him grand.
Style – Written in the Irish poetic form called Rannaicheacht Garid.
Her Ladyship Sarai Tindall Sogliano
Honored by The Honorable Sargeant Luca Sogliano
By Master Tonis van Driele
Venetian Lady, Sergeant Luca spy
Her chestnut hair aglow with sun’s first ray
Her smile dances, he whispers for to say
To add a crown, thus soon will Luca vie
With thread and cloth, her skill within doth lie
A single rose upon the field display
Around the rose a wall like waves at play
On field of blue beneath an argent sky
Her brow he seeks to grace with gem and gold
A merchant rise in station come anon
His lady’s favor in his heart he’ll hold
Sarai her eyes she lifts and gazes on
The list where fate is made and tales are told
Her heart a-race with pride she hears, “lay on!”
Style – Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: stanzas of 3-4 lines iambic pentameter, rhymed abba, abba, cdc, dcd
Lady Sighni Alvadotti
Honored by Sir Brandr Halfdanr
By Lady Brigitta Von Metten
When seeking one who habits fairly show—
A willingness to help a friend in need,
A generous heart and bright eyes aglow—
Is Sighni Alvadottir guaranteed.
With gentle pride and grace does Sighni stand
As Brandr, proud and strong, does take the field.
She offers loyalty and loving hand
While her love his mighty weapon doth wield.
How shall this gentle seamstress and good cook
Her valiant knight’s great victory reward?
With warmest coat, good soup, and loving look,
Or with Crown, book, and ceremonial sword?
Sweet Dragonfly Lady, your pride we’ll share,
Should good Sir Brandr in victory fare.
Style – 16th Century Shakespearean Sonnet, iambic pentameter with rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg
The Honorable Lady Ynes de Jaen
Honored by Sir Seto Gesshuko
By Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
Sir Seto takes the field to honor Spanish lady fair,
Hopes to adorn with golden crown equally golden hair.
Honors Dragon throne and strives to place her rightly there.
Ynes' laughing smile banishes all fear and care.
Hearken Midrealm - we ALL should honor lady of such worth,
Faithful servant of the Midlands since the hour of her birth.
Lightening duty's burden with quick wit and gentle mirth.
Peer into her soul, and a Dragon's Heart you will unearth.
Style – La Cuaderna Via - a Spanish form developed in the 13th century.
Alexandrian quatrains: stanzas of 4 lines, 14 syllables, all with the same end rhyme.
