Greetings Unto The Noble Judges of The Black Lion Emprise, this being the finest equestrian tournament in all the World,

I, Duchess Miranda Faoltiarna, Champion of the Horse to Their Majesties Vik and Astrid, Baroness Stromgard, mistress of the Order of the Pelican, member of the Lion et de la Lance, do present myself as a rider in your lists. Know me by my arms: Or semy of triskeles, on a chevron sable three four leaved shamrocks slipped Or all within a bordure engrailed gules.

I ride to inspire others in hopes of bringing more attention to the art and science of horsemanship and equestrian marshal skills. As such, I endeavor to present an aesthetically pleasing picture of horse and rider hoping that others will be encouraged to create more pageantry in our society. If I am not too ride well, at least, we shall look good while trying.

Starburst's Too Shameless, known to friends as Hondo, shall serve as my partner in the games of quintain, jousting, speed quintain, and mounted crest combat. Young and inexperienced, Hondo knows the knows not yet the demands of battle. This tournament shall serve as a training session. I hope to stay seated upon this steed and perform for all assembled with great speed and entertainment. If I fall, please, send my love to my family and the horse to the highest bidder.

Inspired by Dux Tiernan and our warrior sons Atticus and Augustus and their love of the horse and An Tir, I shall carry myself with honor and seek not glory for myself, but rather, will strive to ride to represent all that an An Tirian equestrian should be.

In Fealty to The Sable Lion and Lioness, Duchess Miranda Faoltiarna

Worthy gentles, most notable Judges and esteemed populace of Madrone

I would introduce myself to you in accordance to the traditions of the Black Lion Emprise.

I, Maitresse Anne-Marie d’Ailleurs, Mistress of the order of the Pelican, Mistress of the order of the Laurel, Baroness of the Court of AnTir, member of the Ordus Equii, Member of the Order of the Carp, holder of the Red Branch, Green Leaf, Poisson D’Or and Sveti Madrone, the Thrones Favor, numerous Forget Me Knots and the like, Lord High Regent for the University of Ithra and undoubted patroness of the arts would present myself to the Lysts of the Black Lion Emprise.

While it is against canon law for a woman to play in the games of men, and while St Augustine and other notable scholars would rail against our participating in such loud activities, Christine de Pisan counters that it is well met for all women to be familiar with the persuits of men, the better to serve in case of need. And as she built her City of Ladies on the pillars of Reason, Justice and Rectitude, I would ride in this most noble of Tournaments in Grace, Dignity and Honor.

With the support of my Baroness and the Befrois, I intend to present myself to the Noble Judges of the Emprise, with the understanding that while my valiant and geriatric palfry, the ever grumpy RajShanti may not be the fastest, or fiercest horse on the field, he is indeed noble on account of his great personal courage, valor and chivalry. I would ride not out of ill will, and not for the glory of self, but for the honor of the Ladies, dressed as well and prettily as possible.

I also beg that the populace of Madrone come and witness these feats this Saturday and Sunday upcoming, acknowledging that any fault is purely mine and that the noble Raj would probably do much better at these games if I didn’t get in his way.

To Honor, noble gentles, To Honor!

--Anne-Marie

Unto the esteemed judges of the Emprise of the Black Lion. Most fierce Duke Thorin Njalsson, Ring giver and battle companion Graf berek van Langental, great welder of death Viscount Math, and most noble and gorgeous lady Simone Nassi

I Earl Edward Ean Anderson do send greetings and salutations and for safe journeys to a fine day of joust and tournaments that you will appraise.

So your heralds may know me I shall bear the arms Argent, on a cross nowy quadrate couped sable a great helm pierced through the eye-slit by an arrow fesswise point to sinister argent within a bordure per saltire sable and gules.

I am a knight of a noble line. I was knighted by a King of nine generations of noble knights. I was knighted by King Thorin Njalsson, knighted by King Gregory of York, knighted by King Douglas Longshanks, knighted by King Andrew of Riga, knighted by King James Greyhelm, knighted by King Hagen, knighted by King Jean de la Grand 'Anse, knighted by King Stefan de Lorraine, King William the Silent. I think this establishes my lineage of a noble line of knights.

I am a count after ruling over the noble and great kingdom of CAID.

I am a companion of the order of the Laurel given by the hands of King Uther and Queen Angharad VI.

I am also a companion in the orders of Goutte de Sang, Dolphin, Hasta Leonis, Jambe de Lion, Lion et la Lance, Cheval et du Lion, Ordo Equis, Ordo Famuli, Bell and Chain, and the Athena.

I have been the Equestrian Champion for the barony of Stromgard three times, the Equestrian Champion for the Shire of Mountain Edge, and kingdom Equestrian champion of An Tir, I have received the honor of being named the champion for the seconded Emprise of the Black Lion.

I wish to honor the most noble lady that I have been a friend with for 30 years and married to for 27 of those wonderful years, the most Beautiful and talented Countess Ilaria Veltri delgi Ansari. She is in her own right a Myastra of the order of the Laurel, also a member of the orders of Jambe de lion, Harp Argent, Signum Regina, Bell and Chain, Goutte de Sang, Athena, Musarum, Lion et de la Lance, and Famuli. She is also a meritorious lancer of Barony of Three Mountains, and has been champion of the barony of Stromgards two times.

With your acquiescence I will be riding the War House October Dawn (Toby) out of the Champion War horse Misty who can trace her linage back to the noble and courageous Bucephalus Alexander's war stallion. The morning that Toby was born I carried her out of the pastor to the stables and now she carries me into battle.

I have established my noble linage my ladies honorable bearing and the worthiness of my mount I now plead to be allowed to inter the list of the Emprise of the Black Lion tournament

In service to the crown
Earl Edward Ean Anderson KSCA OL

Unto all to whom these words shall come, greetings.

Word of a great gathering of noble riders and handsome steeds assembling in these lands has reached me at my manse in the Barony of Madrone. I am intrigued by this news, thus do I take my pen in hand to write of my intent to travel to the gathering and into this fine company.

Unto the Noble judges of The Emprise of the Black Lion, this being the eleventh of that name, I do present myself and the 'Dancing Dragon' as venants.

I am Lady Aeschine Gearranach, known to this company and the known world by the banner I bear: Per chevron gules and vert, two crescents and a sheep passant argent. Likewise shall you know me by the crest upon my helm, a silver sheep crowned by a crescent moon. I am a bearer of the Jambe de Lion, which was bestowed upon me on the field of the Emprise by the hand of Queen Miranda.

The 'Dancing Dragon' shall be, the swift and fiery Willow of the Loch , sired by Galahad of the Loch out of Sorsha. We will ride as one, against all who would give challenge honorably on the field of the Emprise of the Black Lion XI. We shall appear as a blur of color as we dance past the ladies of the Berfois and those others who are drawn to the display of skill and grace which are the equestrian games. We shall undertake the competitions of Birjas, Ring tilt, Quintain, and Willow’s favorite, Pig sticking.

I ride not for the prize, nor yet for the word fame, or such graces as might fall to me, but to inspire others in the grand passion that is horses. I ride for the love of the horse, and of the tourney, and the spirit of chivalry and honor which mark this grand display of equestrian might and skill.

Signed by my own hand, this AS XLVII, being the 10 of September.
Lady Aeschine Gearranach

Greetings from Condesa Ilaria Veltri degli Ansari unto Their most Noble Majesties and Highnesses of AnTir, and also unto the Noble judges of the Emprise of the Black Lion

I state my claim to a place in the tournament field to ride in the most exemplary tournament the hereabove named Emprise. Know all that I am skilled in both the tournament and the arts in these several Kingdoms of the Known World, having achieved in my own right, an Award of Arms, 2 gouttes de sange, a Jambe de leon, a Harp Argent, and an Athena. Served for a time as a sergeant of Madrone and Three-Mountains and as a Lancer for the Barony of Three Mountains and achieved the honorable elevation to the peerage by induction into the order of the Laurel.

So all will recognize me, I bear the arms Azure, a greyhound bitch rampant argent, gorged with a county coronet or, in base an Italian tri-mount paly or and vert all within a bordure argent. My steed will be the terrifying A Blast in Time also known as the courageous Emma

Thus I bring these achievements to the field for the greater honor of my consort Edward.
Condesa Ilaria

To the very noble and powerful judges of the Emprise of the Black Lion, and with special greetings to the noble ladies of the Berfois, our other comrades upon the tourney field, and others who have made the journey to observe and assist in this most noble endeavour,

I, Kings Royal Mist (more commonly known as Ace), a most valiant and comely but now long in the tooth war horse, do send you my greetings. I plan to transport my trusted friend forward in time several centuries so that we both can partake of the pageantry, comradeship, and test of skills and of noble character that is the Emprise.

I, Kings Royal Mist, wish to make known to you my friend and partner (now also long in the tooth), Dame Macha of Mountain Edge known as the Determined. I believe she has the right to ride me bearing arms in this tourney due to her titles and positions in our most glorious Kingdom of An Tir:

I, Kings Royal Mist, bid you know Macha by her arms: argent, within a dolmen gules a roundel azure.

I, Kings Royal Mist, would have you know that any day on which I can take to the tourney field with my trusted partner Macha is a day of joy to both of us. We both thank HL Ken of Mountain Edge for his support and inspiration as a model of quiet, steadfast service to family, Shire, and Kingdom.

We ride together for the joy of the partnership, and wish all our comrades on the tourney field a wonderful day!

By my hoof, this 12 day of September, in the modern era being the year 2012

In The Service To Their Royal Majesties and Rulers of all An Tir, King Vik Vikingsson and Queen Astrid of the Fjordlands, to the Rulers of my own Barony of Madrone, Baron Cire of Greymoor and Baroness Elisabeth de Rossignol, and to the Nobel and Honored Judges, Duke Thorin Njalsson, Graf Berek von Langental, VisCount Matheus Bane, and Lady Simone Nasi do I Sir Rapheal the Rogue declare that I will ride in the Emprise of the Black Lion XI.

All that can be done to display the ability of the AnTir Cavalry to defend An Tir I shall display to the Judges and assemblage. My Mount Bourdain and I shall compete in Behourd, Quintaine, Speed Quintaine, and in Jousting at the Tilt.

Behourd: To display what the abilities of the An Tir Cavalry should be in the hurly-burly that any hard fought battle will become once the first rush is over. The ability to fight and defeat An Tir's enemies in close form, and drive from the field is best shown in this Nobel Ability. Thus do I believe this game to be worthy of competition, I shall strike my opponents fairly and receive their blows in return.

Quintaine: Striking firmly and with resolution is the calling card of all warriors of An Tir. This ability is well known throughout the Known World in foot combat, I will strike the Quintaine with equal firmness and resolution so that all will know of this ability when An Tir is ahorse as well.

Speed Quintaine: The fleetness of foot of An Tir's Warriors has been the bane of our Kingdom's opponents since before we were a Kingdom and is muchly the cause of our victory in the battle which inpsired the anthem, The Brave an Bonnie Host. The ability to speed to your opponent and shock them with your accuracy and might is in this game displayed and is thus a game of my choosing.

Jousting at the Tilt: In any battle where cavalry plays a part the shock driven home with a well-aimed lance against a similarly armed opponent can decide the battle at its start. The ability to ride to directly and accurately strike an opponent who is equally armed and as determined is the mark of bravery known throughout the world. The Joust is truly the competition that all should strive to and so do I turn my hand to its glory.

I will attend to the glory of all who assemble to the Emprise. To the assembled Royalty I humbly present myself and do beg their indulgence. To the judges I wish a keen eye and joyful discussion of the panoply set before them. For all of An Tir I pray for the glory she so justly deserves.

I end as a simple man.
Sir Rapheal the Rogue
KSCA, OL, VisCount

To the very noble and powerful Graf Berek von Langental, to the fierce and implacable Duke Thorin Njalsson, to the honored and redoubted Viscount Matheus Bane, and to the beauteous and highly honorable Lady Simone Nasi; unto these august judges and to all noble spectators, and most especially to the greatly honored and gentle ladies of the Berfrois, do I, Francesca da Monte, send joyous salutations!

Four days hence I will come to show myself in the lists of this the Eleventh Emprise of the Black Lion, Anno Societatus XLVII, a very great festival of arms and a very noble tourney; with crests, coats of arms and horses covered with the arms of the noble tourneyers as is the ancient custom. I do this not out of any ill will, but to please my cousins, and so that the ladies who are present can see the entertainment.

You shall know me by the banner bearing my proposed arms: gules, a pale or, overall a wolf's head erased sable; and by the trappings of gules and sable adorning my spirited bay mare Tally Ho Noel, who has the courage of a lion despite her small size and the speed of an hart despite her large feet. Together we shall joyfully challenge all comers in Ring Tilt, Birjas, Pig Sticking and Quintaine. I ride in such a noble deed as this tournament in the hope that my consort Dirk the Dark, he who carries my soul and is the everlasting light of my eyes, is well pleased.

I do this not for my own glory but for the honor of my beloved and glorious Kingdom, An Tir!

Humbly Yours, in Service,

HL Francesca da Monte
Twice Kingdom Equestrian Champion of An Tir, awarded the Lion's Spear and Ordre du Cheval et du Lion Ordre du Lion et de la Lance Companion of Horse, Royal Company of the Sable Rose, Argent Past champion of horse - Barony of Stromgard, Shires of Midhaven and Earnrokke

Hail to the lands of An Tir!

I, Do Khan Ta Dao, do ride from the steppes! Greetings to those who would sit in judgment. May your mares produce fine airag. Word of your gathering has reached the ears of the mighty Genghis and such a spectacle must be witnessed. Knowing the greatest of horsemen use the bow, I shall demonstrate to you Europeans the might of the Mongol horde in all the lesser weapons.

Know me by the chill north wind of fear up your spine! Know me by the weeping of the widows and orphans in my wake, and know me by the many mounts I shall steal and ride this day.

Behold and harken the terror of the east and let no one flinch from defeat.

Do Khan Ta Dao

Salaam Alekom, & Salutations to the representatives of the Crown of An Tir!
Greetings Esteemed Judges, and Nobles.

I bring greetings from the lands of Andalus. As a traveling merchant, it is uncommon to enter in such activities, but word has spread amongst my people of this competition of skill for the horse & rider.

Not only do I wish to observe, but I will endeavor to claim my place amongst my worthy competitors whose reputation and feats of skill have preceded them.

I ride my feisty, fleet footed mare Bee, with her coat the color of honey and I cherish the richness of her company, with which we hope to entertain the Noble Ladies and their companions.

I ride for the glory of my companions, for my beloved, for he has my heart, and, for my brother's daughter, so that she can follow in the footsteps of this modest woman.

I shall arrive early evening – the next day hence – with anticipation. We might've fallen from the horse, but not from the honor

Written this day – 13 September 2012 – Julian Calendar year – by my hand & seal.
Layla Griego

Hail to the Noble Judges of the Black Lion Emprise!

I declare, this day, that I intend to enter the lists of your estemed tournament. I will ride for the glory of His Lordship Cyriac the Hunter. My steed Jacks Lucky Trapper will carry me grandly in the events of Heads, Pig Sticking, Reeds, and Speed Quintain!

Know me by my arms, Per pale azure and purpure, an annulet fracted to sinister base Or and overall a spear bendwise inverted argent.

I look forward to meeting my fellow Equestrians on the field.

HL Drifa in Rauđa
Lancer of Stromgard
Past Equestrian Champion of the Kingdom
Member of the Order of the Jambe de Lion