Crown Poetry Spring AS LIV
From MiddleWiki
Bards of Sternfeld Praise Poetry Project
Crown Tournament, Spring AS LIV
5/26/2019
Introduction
MiddleWiki Notes
The complete PDF may be found on the Midrealm facebook group waiting link
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 LIV#Full Name as in the header|Name]]
(note: no spaces before or after the vertical bar)
For example, to link to the poem about Her Ladyship Ynes de Jaén, you would enter:
[[Crown Poetry Spring AS LIV#Her Ladyship Ynes de Jaén|Her Ladyship Ynes de Jaén]]
which would look like
Introduction To The Compilation
Welcome back, dear reader, to the FOURTH edition of the Crown Tourney Poetry Project.
I hope you have been enjoying these as much as we have!
Against all expectation, Lady Brigitta Rosa Von Metten has AGAIN written for the eventual winner of Spring Crown (His Now Highness Seto Geshukko, inspired by the Honorable and most beloved Her Now Highness Ynes de Jaen). Yes, this is FOUR times in a row. ALL four times in a row. We have declared Brigitta the "Seeress of Crowns" and will be subjecting her talents to rigorous scientific testing, by limiting her to writing ONLY for unbelts in the next Crown Tourney. Bets will be taken!
I would like to publicly applaud and thank the talented scribes of the Calf-To-Codex project for making **US** the content of the second Calf-To-Codex book. Master Johannes approached me last year to say the scribes of the CTC had such a great experience making the Codex Mediterranea, they wanted to do MORE, and were hunting for Midrealm-created content suitable for future books. The Crown Poems looked just right. We were able to provide them with the first and second compilation, and it was presented to me after its debut at the Middle Kingdom 50th Anniversary, in the History Hall. I hope you've gotten to see some of the CTC books! I'm blown away by the hours of work that went into our book, and the beauty of the calligraphy, the illumination, AND the binding. I enthusiastically refer to it as "the Codex Corona," and it now travels with me to most events, for the express purpose of being shared. I plan to have it on hand to entertain during feasts, and in the dull moments before court (or in the panicky moments when we have to stall DURING court). I'm delighted and humbled that the scribes are planning to make this an annual project, taking the Fall-and-following-Spring poems and binding them into a book before the next Spring. Each new book will take up residence with one of our poets, again to travel and be shared.
I would also like to thank Syr Calum MacDhaibhidh and Baroness Angharad ferch Tangwystl for their enthusiastic patronage. They have been some of our biggest fans, eagerly populating the front rows at our recitations. Syr Calum has been a true flower of chivalry, thanking us most sincerely for honoring his lady, and ALL ladies who serve as inspiration for this tournament. It is a little thing, and a great thing. It is the chivalry I always hope to see in the SCA - precious glimmers of starlight, in between the great deeds and grand creations. Thank you my friends, for embodying that sparkle of the dream for me.
Once again, if you’re reading this, thank you. Thank you for your interest, and thank you for giving us venue. All the performing arts require an audience, and so this is for the fighters, and the consorts, and the crown, and especially, for you.
In Service,
-- Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
-- Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
Her Ladyship Ynes de Jaén
Honored by Sir Seto Gesshuko
By Lady Brigitta Rosa von Metten
Daughter of the Midlands
Chorus:
From bright East comes a samurai.
Rising son sounds brave war-cry.
Brings his golden lady high renown.
For the Daughter of the Midlands Seto seeks the Dragon Crown.
Ynes, with hair of shining gold,
Southern Spanish lady bold.
Lotus white upon an azure field,
Her kindness and quick wit drives Seto on the battlefield.
Chorus
Young girl, showing single-minded will
Shows all her organizational skill.
Bearing water for the Midrealm guard,
Pure Iberian daughter fairly earns her first award.
Chorus
Honor in her passion and her drive.
Serving to help the Midrealm thrive.
Compassionate lady loved by all,
Jaén’s shining prize whose kindness brightens every Dragon hall.
From bright East comes a samurai.
Rising son sounds brave war-cry.
Brings his golden lady high renown.
For the Daughter of the Midlands Seto seeks the Dragon Crown.
Note: Jaén – pronounced “zshay-uhn”
Set to the tune “Golden Round,” by John Inchingham
Traditional Chassidic melody
Duchess Anne Marie de Garmeauix
Honored by Duke Dag Thorgrimsson
By Lady Brigitta Rosa von Metten
Quiet lady, looking within,
Finds the strength and will of a Rose.
To reign wisely for realm and kin,
Showing kindness to all she knows.
Her patience and generosity
Won this Anne a loving King.
Should Dag win the Crown for Marie,
All of Midrealm will gladly sing.
Two quatrains in alternate rhyming pattern
Mistress Alina of Foxwood
Honored by Sir Midair MacCormaic
By Líadan Liathán
Alina smiles with joy on foxy face
For all to see who join her in the hall.
She profers her left hand with practiced grace,
And nods to the musicians, sets the pace.
There may be other duties at the ball,
But none own her attention like the fall
And rise of steps in ordered, patterned pace.
Should Sir Midair win for her crown and throne
She will not sit upon it very much,
Commanding balls and parties through her reign.
Then shall we join gavottes and shake our bones,
For when the queen says, “Dance!” then dance we must,
And when she cries, “Encore!” we dance again.
Plutarchan sonnet
Baroness Angharad ferch Tangwystl
Honored by Syr Calum MacDhaibhidh
By Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
Good dancers - pause your measure,
Behold your own fair treasure,
A new step tread, and for your own applaud:
Calum seeks the crown for Angharad!
Busy cooks, lay down your knives and pots.
Instead of treats, our guts are filled with knots!
One of your own, with savory cheer may laud:
Calum seeks the crown for Angharad!
Wise students far and near
Have cause to raise a cheer
The Dragon gives this teacher knowing nod:
Calum seeks the crown for Angharad!
Rhyming quatrains with a repeated
final line, aabB ccbB ddbB
Lady Anne Mulligan
Honored by Master Tonis van Driele
By Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
In quiet corners, see our Lady Anne
Creating art with needle, brush and knife.
Intent on helping others where she can
Bringing beautiful things to vibrant life.
From Atenveldt and glory of the sun
She's journeyed east with kin, to Sternfeld's shore.
Now Midrealm stands to gain - if crown is won -
Inspiration, willing hands, and more.
A roaring mouse, she's been the lion too,
To honor others' courage on the field.
She helps so many, HER honors are few.
Behind the scenes, her work is oft concealed
Beloved Tonis hopes for sword-arm's might
To crown sweet Anne and place HER in the light.
Sonnet
Sargeant Arnora in Skarpa
Honored by Sargeant Hjalmr Njalsson
By Baroness Lisabetta von Atzinger
Artist, Sargeant, archer
Arnora in Skarpa
Arborial array
Army-leader, charming
Clashing never, clever
Clothes of pink to Rose bound
Profess Queen and protect
Proclaimed Hobbit named one
Drottkvaett
Lady Avenline de Ceresbroch
Honored by Sir Lothar Nachtschatten
By Robert the Perylous
Of azure eyes and golden hair
Lady Aveline De Ceresbroch
Who quested for and won gold seams
Excels in science and in art
Of grace and honor, sweet and fair
Founder of Harpy and Hag shop
Earned her willow and Evergreen
Her smile captured her Lord’s heart
Her silly ways and pleasant air
Warm smile causes doubts to drop
Fills her lord’s soul with strength and dreams
The Nachshatten Knight, Sir Lothar
No matter what he can achieve
Of all his world she’s the best part
Boiarynia Katelena Ivaniaia Zhena Shishova
Honored by Sir Ivan Shishov
By Líadan Liathán
Katalena rises early,
Tends the rabbits, feeds the fowl,
Sets the horses out to pasture
To the hooting of the owl.
Daylight breaks upon the farmstead,
And, though noble, there are chores
That need doing every morning.
Fix the breakfast, sweep the floors.
Katelena totes the water,
Cleans the pens and fills the troughs.
Then she totes up lines of numbers
Making sure no sums are off.
Afternoon, and Katalena
Shears the sheep and bags the wool.
Will she have enough for spinning?
Yea, sir, yea, sir, three bags full.
Comes the evening, Katelana
Picks up needle, cloth and thread,
And embroiders by the firelight
After everyone’s been fed.
Katalena puts the lamp out,
Climbs the stairs, and goes to sleep
Wrapped in arms of one who loves her
And her strength, both dark and deep.
Come the new day, chores repeating,
Duties done without a frown.
Comes the Tourney on the morrow;
Katelena may wear crown.
She who always chopped the wood
And carried water for the farm,
Could now carry for the Midrealm
With a King upon her arm.
Russian chastushka
Duchess Eanor of Amberhall
Honored by Lord Haroun ibn-Ditir ibn-Ullrson'
By Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
Eanor inspires where're she goes
Joyous fun and graceful lady Rose
And takes the field - a warrior known to Norns
Reminder that a Rose still carries thorns
The running wolves of far north Ealdormere
Raise her name in howl and bark and cheer.
In Drachenwald, the dragon does the same
With sable wings set fly her noble name.
Now Midrealm dragon adds its trumpet voice
This royal tournament decides the choice
Will Eanor become a thrice-crowned Queen,
To guide us all with merry heart and mien?
Haroun strives to give her royal height
"Sapere Aude" - Dare to share your light.
14th century rhyming couplets, after Chaucer
Baroness Eilis the Stone
Honored by Sir Marcus Draconarius
Written by Lady Tualaith of Sternfeld
Not for glory of his own
He fights for Eilis the Stone
To place her on the Dragon Throne
In her eyes her love is shown
Ablaze with fire like gemstone
Her eyes for Marcus alone
Aid to all she'll gladly loan
Grants grace for those who atone
Seeds of kindness sweetly sown
Let her face and name be known
By young lad and creas'ed crone
Honor her: Eilis the Stone
englyn milwr
Early Welsh form, 7 syllable lines that all rhyme
Duchess Elina of Beckenham
Honored by Duke Stephen of Beckenham
By Lady Tualaith of Sternfeld
From Trident seas and through the Mists
Unto the land where Dragon sits
She serves the Dream where serve she might
As Pelican, Laurel, Rose, Knight.
Knowledge grows wherever she goes:
Duchess Elina; armored Rose
And in the arts her talent glows
In skills of home there's much she knows.
A queen before, again to be,
Radiant with nobility
Born to command, she leads the fields
With a pike she expertly wields.
Let all who see this lady fair
Witness her grace, her deeds, and care
So when she sits on Dragon throne,
Her right to rule us will be known.
octosyllabic couplets
after John Gower (a contemporary and friend of Geoffrey Chaucer)
Sir Gebhard Rauten
Honored by Master Azriel le Fey
By Baroness Lisabetta von Atzinger
A Master of Defense so bold,
Her love to raise on high her goal.
A Knight he stands in blue and gold,
His qualities she does extol:
"Obedient to God and Crown,
In battle steadfast shielding those the world would see kept down.
So skilled at sundry arts of war,
No field a bar to his prowess.
To fight with honor is no chore
With steel or rattan shows finesse."
He has this knack, but she would strive
To bring him glory, crown him king, and see the Midrealm thrive.
Frauenstrophe
Baroness Gianna Vettori
Honored by Sir Crispin al Rumi
By Lord Dai Gerdwr
What is the nature that forges a Queen -
Has she the love that her people require?
Does she the deeds that engage and inspire
Kingdoms where greatness of spirit is seen?
Soldiers would battle for she who has been
Baring her soul in compassion and fire;
Nobles would quest for the values she sires:
Honor eternal, Delight evergreen.
Gianna carries these gifts in her heart,
Open for all, that their skills may take flight.
Worthy by statecraft, by duty and art,
She who stands gentle when praise is her right
Matches a hero, who, taking her part,
Wins her a Crown by the love of her Knight.
Petrarchan Sonnet
"Gianna" pronounced JEE-AH-nah
Her Ladyship Honor von Atzinger
Honored by Sir Cedric Adolphus
By Lady Brigitta Rosa von Metten
The voice that won for her a loving Knight –
A voice that is truly fit for a Queen.
Sweet Honor’s singing inspires Cedric’s might,
The voice that won for her a loving Knight.
Her faith in others a glorious sight –
Her salty wit is rarely ever seen.
The voice that won for her a loving Knight –
A voice that is truly fit for a Queen.
Triolet in Iambic Pentameter
Lady Jalida al-Hassanah
Honored by Sir Kilian Fendrich
By Lady Brigitta Rosa von Metten
Dignity Well Defined
Strong belief in self and others,
Kind and loving wife and mother.
Causes one and all to utter
Inspiring lady of renown.
Chorus:
Elegant and refined,
Jalida al-Hassanah
Worthy to be Sultana,
Knightly heart she’s entwined.
Blue lotus swaying,
Dedication staying,
Queenly virtues portraying,
Dignity well defined.
Whirling ‘round the fire she dances,
Sparkling brightly as she prances.
Midrealm’s beauty she enhances;
Her grace in form truly profound.
Chorus
Kilian sings of her praises,
Her intellect, strength, and graces.
A sword for Jalida he raises,
For her to win the Dragon Crown.
Chorus
Written to “The Dragon,” by Ken Theriot
Set to the Ukranian folk song “Hutsulka Ksenia”
Lady Katherine Treece
Honored by Sargeant Azrael the Lanky
By Líadan Liathán
He fights for her to be the mother queen
Who tends the Midrealm as she tends their child
With tender, loving patience, slow to ween.
Good Kate, the gentle, able, meek and mild,
Who never sought the kingdom’s peering gaze,
And much prefers the kitchen to the crown,
Or dance the Korobushka with her knight,
She rather wears the apron than the gown,
And chooses garden home o’re regal maze,
If Azrael should win will pledge her days
In mothering a kingdom with her might.
Chaucerian 14th century iambic pentameter
Baroness Maddie McRae
Honored by Zygmunt Nadratowski
By Lady Francesca Morosini
Strong her smile
golden light
blessed his blade
full of might
She's the air
She's the heat
She's the blood
his heart beats
Champion bows
grace his chance
hand held out
shall they dance
Promise held
eyes aflame
sword and hand
honor's name
Cethramtu Rannaigheacht Mor, Irish verse form
Duchess Madeleina de las Mans
Honored by Duke Felix the Just
By Meadhbh Ramsey
Madeleina, kindness and grace
Her Felix does inspire.
Madeleina, beauteous of face
With locks like Phoebus’ fire.
Madeleina, the world befriends,
Adventures far and wide
Madeleina, at journey’s end
Rests well by fireside.
Madeleina, her laugh like bells
Brightens where’er she goes
Madeleina, weaves a gentle spell
This fair and brilliant Rose.
(can be sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne)
Her Ladyship Odette d’Amboise
Honored by Captain Dyderich Wolfhart
By Lady Caristonia Ainslie
All this she does for those she loves,
serves her Kingdom and Barony,
promoting arts and sciences,
chatelaine, and helping our youth.
Welcoming hospitality.
All this she does for those she loves.
Preparing vigil feasts for friends,
cooking bounty beyond measure.
Burgundian lady of
costuming, manners, and the home
All this she does for those she loves,
she excels in her chosen arts.
Defender of loved ones’ honor.
Skins those that hurt her family.
Mama wolf protecting her children.
All this she does for those she loves.
French version:
Tout ce qu’elle fait pour ceux qu’elle aime,
sert son Royaume et sa Baronnie,
promouvoir les arts et les sciences,
châtelaine et aider les jeunes.
Accueillant l’hospitalite.
Tout ce qu’elle fait pour ceux qu’elle aime.
Prépare des veillée pour les amis,
faisant cuire abondamment.
Une dame bourguignonne du costume,
Des mœurs et de la maison
Tout ce qu’elle fait pour ceux qu’elle aime,
excelle dans les arts de son choix.
Defenseur de l’honneur des etres chers.
Ecorchent ceux qui blessant sa famille.
Maman loup proteger ses petits.
Tout ce qu’elle fait pour ceux qu’elle aime.
Lady Rowen hen Enaid
Honored by Sor Ustad Hassan al Hajii
By Madame Ursula Mortimer
All wild upon a forest bough
A nightingale is warbling now,
Remembering her lover’s vow
and singing of him low.
Her melody of love ascends
To azure heights—it never ends,
But always his great heart commends
And through the wood resounds.
She flutes a dreamy lullaby
Of far-off garden, walléd high.
To enter it they two shall try,
Where roses bloom in line.
If once the kingly deed is done
And he the tournament has won
Then rose and singer become one,
And wondering is gone.
Turkish style with divan poetry imagery
Her Ladyship Sadb ingen Neill
Honored by Captain Criomhthann CuRua
By Lord Dai Gerdwr
Heart displayed in finery
She joins in the parade.
Side by side in line, where he
Holds hands with his war maid.
Stride in honor, be the dream
Complete in each detail
The best of every regime
Whom no one would see fail.
With love clutched in her heart and hand
She comes unto the throne
She bows and kneels, then parts and stands
But never stands alone.
A Crown a fight may truly buy
But here the wisest start -
The smallest virtue to the eye
Can frame the biggest heart.
Ae Freislighe
Irish poetic style - lines 1 & 3 of each stanza form a three-syllable
rhyme while lines 2 and 4 of each stanza form a double rhyme. The first
syllable and last syllable of the poem are the same.
Baroness Solveig Thorgilsdottir
Honored by His Lordship Svenki Magnusson
By Lord Dai Gerdwr
Willow ever weaving
Wisely full of cultures
(Choices ranged and changing
Challenge not her talents)
So she strengthens Svenki,
Serving heart's-ale smartly
Sharing glad from shadows –
Shunning fame and name-lore.
Generous her joining,
Genius charts her artwork;
Great her glow when growing,
Graceful she lives giving.
Could a Queen more keenly
Call her Knight so rightly?
Solveig wagers sagely
Such love brings a Kingdom.
Dróttkvætt
Kennings:
1 willow: Female tree used to represent a woman in Norse poetry
6 heart's-ale: encouragement
