A Vaunting For Thorsteinn

Photo by Tandi Graff-Ledbury, used with permission
(That's me on the left, grinning madly because I know what's about to go down, Thorsteinn soon to
be known as "Thunderhand" on the left, Marcello on the right, and Marya hiding behind the banner)

At our recent Summits Spring Coronet, entrants to the Lists were asked to have someone serve as their herald as they processed onto the field in order to add to the pageantry of the event. Thorsteinn and Marcello asked me if I would perform that service for them because I somehow gave them the impression that I had a way with words (possibly by being kind of a smartass? Who can tell).

Now the last few weeks have been insanely busy, getting ready for this tournament. Gwyn and I were asked to feed the Royalty, visiting and otherwise, and Their retinue (something I could not have done without the help of the indefatigable Sigridr), I had my scribal duties, event plotting, and the usual myriad of projects and commitments that our helium hands get us into. And so, it must be confessed that I'd forgotten all about my promise to my friends. A few times I'd given some thought to the words I might use, but nothing concrete. Otherwise, every time I tried to focus on the task, my mind skittered off to one of the other projects demanding attention.

And then, here we all were, with them putting on their armor and getting ready to join the line for processional. OH. BOTHER.

After more years than I'm going to admit of watching friends and family serve as field heralds for fighters in Crown finals, I have to admit that more of the lovely bombastic alliterative Norse style sunk in than I would have ever thought possible. I whipped out a pen and paper and found that all the things I'd wanted to say had arranged themselves in the back of my head when I wasn't looking.

As I swiftly scribbled, I wondered if my pen was perhaps writing checks that Thorsteinn couldn't deliver. And then, it was time to bellow:

"Comes now Thorsteinn, scion of Skaldr
Sword-swinger, wound-wielder
Foes know him as Thunder-hand.
FEAR HIM! 
He fights this day for Marcello Fornarius
Shield-bane, bright in battle
Swift to strike
Bound in service as cadet to Master Victor De Guerse
And who fights fiercely for Thorsteinn as he for him.
They come before you, Royals All
To seek great glory and highest honor for the Summits! 
This humble herald begs you, admit them then to Your Lists."

Thorsteinn and Marcello both enjoyed their entrance very much. While I inadvertently misgendered Marcello (a woman with a male persona), the whole thing was successful on a number of levels. Apparently, his Majesty turned and said "Now THAT'S wordfame." And apparently "Thunder-hand" came up every time Thorsteinn took the field. He's now known by sight and name to the King and visiting knights. And he went four rounds, very respectable for his first-ever Coronet Tourney!

Next time, I'm going to have to do something in late-period Italian style for Lord Marcello, just to keep things fair.