Archive : Minutes : Court of Their Majesties - 4-17-02

Their Majesties Valharic and Alys called a royal court at this week's baronial meeting to settle a matter of buisness and put rumour and inuendo to rest on what was done, and why. Appologies for errors on the part of the chronicler.

His Majesty began, there was a Baronial Poll of confidence the results were as follows:

I support Laurelen Darksbane as my Baron: 59.46%
I support Ithriliel of Silverlake as my Baroness: 25.46%
I support Laurelen and Ithriliel together as Baron and Baroness: 34.29%

Valharic was informed on the monday before Coronation that the results had been returned by His Majesty Ragnvaldr. Ragnvaldr proposed waiting until the morning of Coronation to inform our Baron. Valharic said no, talk to him as soon as possible.

Valharic became engrossed in the buisness of deciding the rules for this year's Pennsic with his counterpart of the East Kingdom and shortly it was the Tuesday before Coronation. Valharic asked Ragnvaldr how things were progressing, Ragnvaldr had not yet talked to our Baron. He reportedly wished to have Valharic there as well for the conversation. Valharic asked Ragnvaldr to call Laurelen to arrange a meeting between the three of them, potentially to happen at the friday night set up for Coronation.

Ragnvaldr called Laurelen Thursday night. Laurelen had the support to remain as Baron alone, but very honnorably chose to stay by his Lady which is a decision His Majesty fully supports for he also would not rule without Alys.

The reason the populace of the barony was not informed was that Laurelen requested it not to be made public.

At this point Her Majesty Alys took over stating that she is the mother of three, has been through a divorce and the loss of a friend. Loosing a baron is stressful, bad as an earthquack, bad as a divorce. But this barony has some of the most marvelous people. The barony is not it's baron and note that from now on per Kingdom law the baron will be changing every 5 years or more often if we so choose. We should look at this as an opportunity to pull together to shine as greatly as she knows we can. Divorce has ruined many families.

Her first knowledge of what had transpired was a very cryptic email friday morning, She was not in attendance at any of the meetings which took place Sunday, they chose to keep her out conciously to stop trouble. If any of the barony's populace has a question or a concern they may call Ragnvaldr and Arabella, they're home tonight and ready and willing to adress your concerns. Please see Their Majesties for the phone number. [(313) 882 -6372 ] You may also write Ragnvaldr and Arabella (Their adress is available from the Middle Kingdom page and from the Order of the Chivalry page.)

Now we will adress the process by which this will be handled and then after questions.

Duchess Emmelyne asked why our barony was not informed, or consulted on how this would be. Do we not have a right to say how our barony will be run?

Lord Nial answered that we are privillaged to have the poll results, according to the meathod of polling no one except Curia, Kingdom Seneschal and the King and Queen (Ragnvaldr and Arabella) would recieve the results. Their Majesties Valharic and Alys only received the numbers this evening. Her Majesty believes that some others had known the numbers already for she has had them quoted to her vauguely these past few days by several parties.

Lady Bronwen Elvina expressed her vehement opinion about how very stupid it is for if it is the people's choice them not to be informed.

The reply was that it was the Curia's decision and if you, as a member of the SCA have concerns about it, please adress the Curia.

Duke Sir Alen took this opportunity to mention that the King and Queen also have the right and perhaps the responsibility to adress Their Curia.

His Majesty resumed discussing the process by which a new baron will be chosen.

Much talk has been made about the appointment of a Vicar, by Kingdom law a Vicar is only for a great absence of a Baron, this will not be a long absence and therefore there is no need for and will not be a Vicar.

Anyone who would wish to be Baron or Baroness Cleftlands must send a letter of intent to the Kingdom Seneschal. A poll will be conducted in the same manner as the confidence poll. You have two weeks to make your intentions known.

At this point the floor opened for questions.

Does the new Baron or Baroness have to live in Cuyahoga County? No. His Grace Laurelen wrote this law and recited it for us from memory, the Baron may live outside of the borders of the barony such that the distance is not such it prevents his regular attendance. The canadate must be a paid member of the SCA.

Syr Theodric wondered if Their Majesties would take any other meathods of choosing canadates into consideration, for example instead of having everyone just write in their name to require signatures of supporters. And expressed concerns about a Baron being chosen and the difficulties that Baron would face with a significant portion of the populace not supporting him. Worries that this sounds too much like a silent auction for Baron.

Is there a possibility of more than one polling? Yes.

Rutgur at this point noted that Barons serve at the pleasure of the Crown, the King or Queen can ask a Baron with an over 50% confidence to step down, and can keep a Baron with less than 50% confidence at Their whim.

Can you vote if you live outside of Cuyahoga County? No. Just like the poll of confidence, only paid members inside of Cuyahoga County will be polled. You can however always write a letter of advisement to the King and Queen, Curia and Kingdom Seneschal. His Majesty Valharic assured the populace that he would certainly read and pay attention to any such letters.

Christina of the Black Rose Inn stated that when she first moved to Cleftlands she had people warn her about the politics here, and she has enjoyed the six years she has been here politics free and would like it to remain so.

Does it need to be a Baron and Baroness? No. The canadate may be a single Baroness or a single Baron or a pair. No single sex pairs may rule by Kingdom Law.

Jarl Sir Emrys asked what is the difference then between just having a Baron, and having a Baron and an inactive Baroness? The answer is that Their Majesties chose not to support an inactive Baroness.

Can the outgoing King's decision be overturned by an incoming King? Yes. However His Majesty Valharic has no desire to do so.

At this point His Grace, Duke Syr Laurelen stepped forward noting that the court had disolved to informality he felt he should speak, though it had not been his intention to do so this evening. He said: Firstly there is nothing that can be overturned, Ithriliel and I have resigned. There is no Baron or Baroness Cleftlands. Secondly, I have heard "Laurelen has said" several times this evening and want to set the record straight for what "Laurelen said."

His Grace did not tell Ragnvaldr that he would not serve as Baron alone. Because HE WAS NOT ASKED. There is trouble here, there is danger here in the Cleftlands, this is a dangerous time... for courtessy's sake His Grace revealed the particulars of his conversation with Ragnvaldr.

Ragnvaldr called Thursday night and asked Laurelen and Ithriliel to meet with him early morning on the day of the event.

Laurelen replied, "what's going on? We don't want any suprises."

Ragnvaldr said that the results of the Poll were in.

Laurelen said "And???"

Ragnvaldr said that Laurelen had over 50% confidence, and Ithriliel had less than 50% (No actual numbers were given to Laurelen) and "in light of that and because we know you wouldn't want to serve without Ithriliel we are going to ask you both to step down."

Laurelen said "Done. effective immediately."

Laurelen then told Ragnvaldr: You need to find a Vicar and then a new Baron.

And Ragnvaldr said that he would not have to do this, that his Heirs were informed, had been discussing the matter, and would take care of it.

Laurelen did NOT say that he did not want any of this announced in court as it should, he said that he and Ithriliel would not go into Court to "step down", there would be no summons, no "ceremony", no testimonials, and no Court Baronacies.

If you have questions or want to know what Their Graces said, ask them.

Their Majesties also expressed their willingness to speak to any member of the populace who might be concerned.

and court was closed.

Reported as faithfuly as I am able,
In service,
Milesent