NationStates Jolt Archive

(OOC: This thread follows the events that took place here: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=354264&page=54. Anyone involved in the earlier thread is invited to attend the coronation. Also, anyone looking to establish relations with any of the nations of the Excalbia Isles (Excalbia, Upper Virgina or the C.S.S.) are welcome to attend.)

After the referenda results were posted, it was clear a new era was beginning in Saxmere. For those in government, and those who aspired to be, starting a new era quickly proved to be hard work.

First, it was clear a new constitution had to be drafted, one that would restore the Grand Duke to his throne after an absence of two centuries. Governor Sean Peller, whose office was abolished by the new constitution, was only the first to lose his position; the entire legislature was to dissolved and a new parliament elected in its place.

Then, Saxmere’s new status as the Autonomous Grand Duchy of Saxmere had to be reconciled with the Confederation’s national constitution. An amendment rushed through the Confederation Congress and the various state legislatures in record time took effect just in time to make Saxmere’s next steps legal.

So, at last, the caretaker government had two final duties to perform – to schedule elections and to arrange the coronation of the Grand Duke. Of course, new parties had to be formed, the palace had to be refurbished and, in keeping with the recent amendment to the national constitution, James David Patrick Kennan, who had been born and raised in Excalbia, had to be made a Confederation citizen.

Finally, when all the arrangements had been made, invitations were sent to all who might be interested to attend the coronation of Grand Duke James.

Prince Paul and Prince Carlos sat in the Green Room at Tammerk Palace. Both men were dressed in the white tie formal wear they'd just worn to one of many official consultations regarding the Danaan Commonwealth. The two men were both entering their fifties and starting to put on a few pounds. Both had distinguished faces that might have been called handsome when they were younger. "He wants me to go...to go meet this...Grand Duke..." Paul said as he sipped his Scotch.

"It's an honor." Carlos said with a shrug.

"Normally, certainly..." Paul conceded "...but I don't want to be the only one not involved in this Commonwealth affair. His Majesty hasn't just summoned the whole royal family and the Government and the Uasal Court, he even called the Permanent Secretaries, the Shadow Cabinet, and the party executive boards. I hardly think I should play second fiddle to some bureaucrat..."

"Oh, you wouldn't do anything here anyway." Carlos said with dismissive frankness. "This is our first chance to meet..."

"To meet the Sovereign of a semi-autonomous province." Paul finished.

"Well, we are Sovereigns of semi-autonomous provinces." Carlos pointed out. "Besides, the Excalbian Emperor's unwed sister might be there."

Paul shook his head with a wry smile. "Dammit, Sanero. I'm a widower. I have two daughters. If the king wants to play these games, let him play them with twenty year olds. I actually think I'm going to send Diana. She and Theophania seem horribly bored here..."

Umbra, Autonomous Grand Duchy of Saxmere

The capital seemed to be draped in flags. Every lamppost was hung with Saxmerean flags and royal standards. Nearly every building in the Old City was flying the Saxmerean red and gold cross, the twin crosses and crown of the royal standard or, in a few places, the red and white stripped flag of the city of Umbra. Government buildings, such as the House of Parliament and the Prime Minister’s Mansion, displayed both the Saxmerean standard and, in recognition of the continuing union with the C.S.S., the Confederation flag. Otherwise, Confederation flags were conspicuously scarce in Umbra.

As guests arrived they were whisked through the see of banners to one of the city’s elite hotels. The Excalbian delegation, led Prince Joseph and Princess Anna, was placed across from the refurbished royal palace at the Grand Palace Hotel. The Confederation central government’s delegation, led by Treasury and Home Affairs Secretary Rachel McQuinn, was placed down the street at the Crown Plaza.

In the royal palace, the last traces of its recent history as a museum had been removed and the finishes touches were being put in place for the grand ball that would follow the coronation.

Meanwhile, in the Cathedral of St. Brigid preparations were being made for the next day’s coronation. The choir was rehearsing, movements were being coordinated and flags – of course flags – were being hung. The traditional orb, scepter and crown of the grand duke had already been brought over from the palace and were under guard. Across the street from the cathedral, the Archbishop of Umbra, Gregory Cardinal Thrain, was playing host to bishops who had traveled to Umbra from across Saxmere.

Everywhere, there was an air of expectation. In a few offices scattered around the capital, that expectation had more to do with the rapidly approaching elections than with the coronation. All the parties had agreed to suspend campaigning until after the coronation. The agreement, however, had not prevented planning, so that continued at a full pace.

OOC: Hopefully it's not too late to say I'm there? :)

Princesses Diana and Theophania were best described as provincial royalty and, like most in their position, always felt a little ill at ease outside their own principality. In Bilbtoria itself they were centers of attention almost everywhere they went, unless their father was also in the room. They were the daughters of the prince, with faces recognized by nearly everyone. However, outside Bilbtoria, even in other parts of the Resurgent Dream, the two women who spent most of their time so universally well-known found that hardly anyone had heard their names before. In other nations, the man on the street, on hearing of their visit, would simply make jokes about the Resurgent Dream having an oversized royal family and shrug it off. Diana would know. She'd snuck out onto the streets of Lutherstadt when visiting her cousin Ygraine once to see what the city was like for ordinary people.

Nonetheless, they were striking young women. Both were strikingly tall. Theophania was tall for a woman and Diana was taller than most men. Both had statuesque features and athletic builds. Both walked with the sort of inner grace, dignity, and confidence which befit women of their class, even as they both showed signs of a sort of gracious ease rare among Danaan nobles. They both had Hellenic features and long, raven hair which they allowed to fall in wild, cascading curls down their backs. Both were dressed in the finest of courtly wear, including silver tiaras without emeralds as befit their position, as they stepped from their airplane out onto Saxmerean soil for the first time in their lives. They were young. Diana was 28 and Theophania only 19. Behind them walked another high born lady, a blond, similarly attired only without the tiara. She was the Lady Calandra Taliadoros, whose Hellenic name seemed to clash with her seemingly Northern European features.

OOC: No, not too late at all. I'm still hoping a few more people will come, then we'll move on to the coronation itself.

The three women were met by older, very distinguished looking gentleman. He bowed in the best courtly fashion. “Your Highnesses, my Lady,” he said, “on behalf of His Royal Highness, Grand Duke James, welcome to the Autonomous Grand Duchy of Saxmere. I am His Highness’ Grand Chamberlain, Sir Alec Nugent.”

As he spoke, three young girls approached the plane and presented flowers, first to the two princesses, then to Lady Calandra. Behind them stood a matronly looking woman with a pleasant smile, who curtsied to the visiting nobles.

“And this is Lady Grace O’Neal, His Highness’ Mistress of the Household and Vice Chamberlain, who, by your Highesses’ leave, will conduct you to your accommodations.”

“Your Highnesses, my Lady,” Lady Grace said, “we have arranged accommodations for you at the Grand Palace Hotel.” Stewards appeared to take charge of the visitors’ bags. Lady Grace gestured to a waiting limousine. “If it pleases you, your Highnesses, my Lady…”

"Thank you, m'lady. We are honored by your hospitality." Princess Diana answered Lady Grace as she, her sister, and their friend stepped into the limousine.

The Dear Eternal Leader of the People, Blessed by God, and by the Good Grace of Destiney General Dante Spano wishes the best for the future Grand Duke.

He hopes that, although not able to attent the coronation, they will become friends and their nations allies.

Attending the coronation on behalf of the Emperor of Pantocratoria was his son, the newly married Prince Constantine, and his bride. The Emperor himself had, of course, congratulated the Grand Duke in person prior to his leaving New Rome for Umbra, but would not be attending the coronation in person. Protocol would demand that, as a visiting head of state, he would have not only to attend the coronation but also visit with Confederation President Caine, and the Emperor hadn't received an invitation to do so, nor was he particularly inclined to accept such an invitation in any event. Additionally he felt that his own appearance might contribute to the line run by the "Knootian propagandists" (that is to say, the anti-Grand Duke, anti-secessionist campaign) that the new Grand Duke was a puppet of the Excalbian-Pantocratorian alliance.

Constantine and Morgan arrived in Umbra the evening before in an especially chartered Peacock Airlines flight. It was their first official diplomatic engagement after their honeymoon.

Lady Grace joined Princesses Diana and Theophania and Lady Calandra in the car. As the vehicle made its way with a single car police escort towards the Old City, Lady Grace pointed out some of the more interesting landmarks, including the great tower of St. Brigid’s, where the Grand Duke would be crowned, and the smaller, narrower tower of Holy Family. She also pointed to the house of parliament and the prime minister’s residence.

In between pointing out the sites, Lady Grace leaned towards the princesses. “Is this your visit to the Excalbian Isles?”

Later that evening, after the Danaans had been settled in their hotel, Sir Alec was once again at the airport. He waited patiently as the Peacock Airlines flight came to a stop and for Prince Constantine and Grand Duchess Morgan to descend the ramp. Once the newlyweds had reached the bottom of the ramp, Sir Alec bowed deeply.

“Your Highnesses,” the older man said pleasantly, “His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke, bids you an especially fond welcome. He regrets that he could not be here in person, but he looks forward to greeting your both tomorrow following the coronation.”

Sir Alec stood and a young girl approached, curtsied to both Constantine and Morgan and presented the Grand Duchess with a bouquet.

“I am Sir Alec Nugent,” he said, “His Royal Highness’ Grand Chamberlain. By your leave,” he gestured to a waiting limousine, “I shall escort you to your accommodations. We have prepared a special suite for you at the Grand Palace Hotel. It is across from the Royal Palace and is also hosting Prince Joseph and Princess Anna and Princess Diana and Theophania of Bilbtoria in the Danaan High Kingdom.”

(OOC: If anyone else wants to join in before the coronation, please do so - Syskeyia? - please do so; I plan to post the coronation ceremony itself tomorrow. If someone wants to join in after the coronation for the ball, that's ok, too.)

Princess Diana shook her head. "No, m'lady, we've never been before now. Our father hasn't travelled much since...in recent years and we normally don't travel except with His Most Esteemed Highness."

...

Morgan walked with a slight limp and leaned on her husband's arm. She had injured her leg fairly severely on their honeymoon and was not yet completely recovered, although she insisted that she was well enough to undertake the trip. Morgan smiled warmly as she took the flowers. "Thank you very much!"

As Sir Alec spoke once more, she looked to her husband with a smile. "I shall have to introduce you to my cousins. They were not at our wedding, unfortunately."

...

Adoki's representative to the coronation was Princess Yuko whom Constantine might remember from the ball where he first met his wife. She was travelling on the Emperor's private jet which her father had granted her the use of for the trip. She was travelling with her husband, the Prince of Kadoki, although she was travelling solely in the capacity of an Imperial Princess of Adoki and he was accompanying her solely in the capacity of her husband.

...

Marlund sent Sir Adal Adelung was their official representative. Sir Adal, in addition to his knighthood, was officially an ambassador-at-large whose usual function was to represent His Majesty at specific invents involving foreign monarchs and courts.

“Ah,” Lady Grace said with sympathy. She assumed the princess was referring to the Shattering or the incident with Marlund or some other event she was only partially aware of, but decided not to pry further. “Well, in that case, your Highness, we are doubly pleased that your father has made an exception and allowed you to visit us. I hope you will have the opportunity to see a bit more of Isles, beyond Umbra, while you are here.”

Before long, they arrived at the hotel and Lady Grace escorted each of princesses, and Lady Calandra, to their rooms. With the Royal Palace covering the expenses, there had been no need for the visitors to check into their rooms.

* * *

Back at the airport, the young girl smiled and curtsied again. “Thank you, your Highness,” she said to Grand Duchess Morgan.

Sir Alec led Constantine and Morgan to the waiting limousine and rode with them to hotel. As Lady Grace had done earlier, he pointed out some of the sights of the city. “His Royal Highness hopes,” Sir Alec added at one point, “that your Highnesses will consider staying in Umbra beyond the coronation and the ball; he hopes to show you both a bit of the Grand Duchy.”

* * *

Princess Yuko and Prince Kadoki were met late that evening by Sir Alec, after he had finished seeing Constantine and Morgan to their rooms. The Grand Chamberlain bowed deeply to the couple. “Your Imperial Highnesses,” he said, “on behalf of His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke, welcome to Saxmere.”

Sir Alec stood and a young, somewhat sleepy looking girl approached and curtsied to the Adoki royal couple. She handed the princess a bouquet with smile, then curtsied again.

“Your Highnesses,” Sir Alec said, “we have a car ready to take you to your accommodations. We have arranged a suite for you at the Crown Plaza, near the Royal Palace. His Royal Highness looks forward to seeing you both tomorrow at the ball following the coronation.”

With a bow, Sir Alec gestured to the waiting limousine.

* * *

The last arrival of the night was Sir Adal Adelung from Marlund. Lady Grace O’Neal, the Mistress of the Household and Vice Chamberlain, greeted him with a curtsey. “Your Excellency,” she said to the ambassador, “welcome to the Grand Duchy of Saxmere. His Royal Highness, Grand Duke James, looks forward to meeting you tomorrow after the coronation at the ball.”

The Vice Chamberlain gestured to a waiting limousine. “We have a room for you at the Crown Plaza and someone will come for you in the morning for the coronation.”

* * *

Late that night, Sir Alec returned to his apartment in the Royal Palace. The master bedroom was dark, except for a sliver of light coming the changing room. The Chamberlain walked softly towards the light and ducked into the room, trying to quietly push the door closed behind him. He began to change for bed when he heard a sleepy voice.

“Alec? Is that you?”

“Yes, it is, dear,” he said, peeking out of the door. “I didn’t mean to wake you, Adele.”

“No, you didn’t wake me,” Adele Nugent sat up in the bed and turned on the light. “You know I’ve never been able to sleep soundly without you.” She looked at the clock on the bedside table. “It’s been a long day for you, Alec…”

“It has,” Alec said, pulling back the covers on his side of the bed. “Tomorrow will be even longer.” He smiled. “Yet, it’ll be worth it. This is what we have waited for for so long…”

“Yes,” Adele said with a weary smile, “and I also knew that you’d be a part of this moment.”

Alec smiled and turned off the light. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

Princess Theophania frowned delicately. "It isn't that we're not..."

Diana cut her off. "We shall certainly make sure to see more of the Excalbian Isles before we return to Agwenstadt to meet with our father. I very much doubt the business there will yet be concluded."

...

Grand Duchess Morgan smiled a little to be off her leg at last. She inclined her head to Sir Alec, looking to her husband to answer.

...

Princess Yuko inclined her head towards the young girl, smiling softly, before turning her attention to Sir Alec. "Thank you kindly. That will more than suffice."

Prince Suizei simply moved with his wife, his expression reserved, as always. It was, perhaps, a good thing that he made a habit of never showing his feelings as he was rather disappointed that his father-in-law was dragging him away from the rather important commonwealth negotiations just because the man did not trust his daughter to travel without her husband.

Chikafusa Kada, Her Imperial Highness's protocol officer, made a note to mention to the Saxmerean protocol people that Prince Suizei was not an Imperial Highness, as soon as he found a convenient opportunity.

...

"I look forward to meeting His Highness as well." Sir Adal said, smiling tiredly as he stepped towards his limousine.

"I appreciate His Royal Highness' invitation, but Her Highness injured her leg on our honeymoon, and it's still quite difficult for her to get around." Constantine replied. "Unfortunately we'll have to keep our visit fairly brief, I hope His Highness understands. We'd love to return in the future, after Her Highness' leg has healed."

Constantine looked to Morgan and gave her a sympathetic half-smile, before looking back to Sir Alec.

Lady Grace nodded to Princess Diana, then showed the three ladies to their rooms. Each room was, in fact, a suite with a sitting room, small dinning area and separate bedroom overlooking the newly refurbished Royal Palace.

While the scaffolding that had enclosed the front of the palace only a few days ago had been removed, workers were still visibly busy putting the finishing touches on its redecoration. Still, the view of the palace and its grounds was quite lovely.

* * *

Sir Alec inclined his head towards Constantine. “Certainly, your Highness. I shall let His Royal Highness know of the situation; I am sure he would welcome a visit when Her Highness has fully recovered.”

By then, the car had reached its destination and Sir Alec had shown the royal couple to their room. It was a double suite, one floor above the two Danaan princesses and sharing the same view.

As was the case in all the rooms a lavish arrangement of fruits, wines and cheeses adorned the dining table.

* * *

Princess Yuko, her husband and staff were escorted to their hotel and shown to a double suite with adjacent rooms for the staff. The suite was a floor above the official delegation of the Confederation central government and two floors above the room reserved for the Marlundish ambassador.

* * *

Lady Grace nodded to Sir Adal, subtly stifling a yawn; it had been a long day. “Very good, your Excellency,” she said. “If you would come with me, I will see to your room.”

* * *

The next morning, well before the appointed hour for the coronation, the delegation from Upper Virginia arrived. Foreign Affairs Secretary Graham Yultilde, a tall, older gentleman with a distinguished look and gray-white hair, and Commerce Secretary Marcus Poole, a shorter, somewhat pudgy younger man with hungry eyes, made for an odd couple. Yet they represented two of the most of powerful faction in Upper Virginia nascent democracy. And both had interests at stake here.

After the official greeting, which included the Confederation’s Secretary of Treasury and Home Affairs, Rachel McQuinn, and Saxmere’s Acting Prime Minister, Sean Peller, Yultilde and Poole were taken to their hotel to freshen up before the ceremony.

Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace, Grand Duke James stood nervously in his dressing room with attendants buzzing around. There were servants fitting his clothes, shinning his boots, arranging medals on his jackets and fixing his hair; advisors reviewing the order of the coronation ceremony, showing him the seating plan for the guests and briefing him on the government officers and nobles who would pledging him their fealty; and there was Sir Alec and Lady Grace briefing him on the guests.

There was, in the end, simply too much going on for James to follow, so he found himself strangely detached. The servants asked him to move and arm or leg and he did; charts and lists passed by in front of him and he moved his eyes and registered their passing; Sir Alec’s and Lady Grace’s voices echoed in his ears, but seemed faraway and faint.

As the activity swirled around him, the Grand Duke kept thinking of his grandfather and all those who had preceded him, who had hoped to see this moment; to see an heir of Patrick II be crowned in St. Brigid’s Cathedral. James had spent his whole life thinking of Patrick II and his predecessors as exalted ancestors, uncommon men capable of great deeds. He had seen his grandfather in the same light. And, somewhere deep inside, James did not feel worthy of the crown. Yet, he would take it. For his grandfather. And for Sir Alec and all his supporters.

* * *

Later in the morning, shortly before noon, motorcades began ferrying the guests from their hotels to the cathedral.

St. Brigid’s was an old church; the oldest part of the church, built low and wide with large stones, was barely visible beneath the later gothic additions. A tall, wide tower rose from the transept, while two shorter towers stood on either side of the three portals at the entrance of the building.

Outside, a large crowd cheered each of the arrivals. Inside, the church was decorated with banners and flowers. Special seats had been reserved in the front of the cathedral for the Excalbia, Pantocratorian, Danaan, Upper Virginian and Confederation delegations. Other guests, such as Princess Yuko and Prince Suizei and Sir Adal Adelung, were seated in a second section of reserved seats.

At noon, the bells began to toll. As their deep, resonant sound faded, music filled the nave.

A procession, led by a deacon bearing the censer and another bearing the cross, entered the central aisle of the Cathedral of St. Brigid. Following the deacons and altar boys, the bishops and archbishops of Saxmere entered in their vestments. The recently elevated Cardinal Thrain came at the end of the procession in his red chasuble and miter.

The episcopal procession continued directly to the presbytery. Then, as the congregation of VIPs and guests remained standing, the members of the caretaker government, led by acting Prime Minister Sean Peller, entered the cathedral, followed by the barons and lords who had returned from exile in Excalbia or who had maintained their titles despite the centuries of republican rule.

Once everyone was in place, Grand Duke James entered through the main doors of the cathedral. He was greeted by the choir singing Psalm 122.

I was glad when they said unto me:
We will go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand in thy gates:
O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city:
that is at unity in itself.
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls:
and plenteousness within thy palaces.

The Grand Duke made his way to the altar and genuflected. He then took his place in front of a throne and knelt for a few minutes with his head bowed, then he took his seat.

A chalice, a Bible and royal regalia were brought forth and placed on the altar.

Cardinal Thrain stood and walked to the front of the altar. “My brothers and sisters in Christ; lords and ladies; countrymen,” he said loudly, “I present to you James, by the Grace of God your undoubted Grand Duke.”

The crowd, apart from the foreign dignitaries, shouted, “God save Grand Duke James,” as trumpets blared.

The Cardinal turned to the Grand Duke. “Your Royal Highness,” he said solemnly, “are willing to take the oath?”

“I am,” James said, softer than he expected.

“Will you solemnly swear and pledge to govern the people of Saxmere in accordance with their customs and traditions?”

“I swear to do so.”

“Will you swear to uphold the constitution of Saxmere and to support and defend the constitution of the Confederation of Sovereign States?”

“I swear that I shall.”

“Will you cause justice to be done, uphold the law and show mercy in all your judgments?

“I will.”

“Will you keep yourself faithful to the Church, live in accordance with her teachings and the Gospel of Christ?”

“I will.”

The Grand Duke stood and the Bible was brought from the altar. He placed his hand upon it, then the sword of his ancestors was brought and held up.

“I shall do that I have promised to do, so help me God.”

The Grand Duke sat and the Cardinal walked behind the altar.

“In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” the Cardinal said.

“Amen,” everyone said.

“Peace be with you.”

“And also with you.”

“Lord, we have sinned against you. Lord, have mercy…”

And so the Mass began.

When it was time for the prayer, Cardinal Thrain raised his hands. “O Lord, who provides for your people by your power and rules over them in mercy and love, grant unto your servant James, our Grand Duke, the spirit of wisdom and justice, that he may devoted to you with his whole heart and govern wisely that this, your Church, may be in safety and that her good works may be preserved unto the end; grand unto him mercy that he may enter into your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.”

The Cardinal sat and the readings began. The archbishop of Cambera stood and read the first lesson.

“A reading from the First Book of Kings,” Archbishop Patrick Kiernan said solemnly.

“King David said, "Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada." So they came before the king. And the king said to them, "Take with you the servants of your lord and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule, and bring him down to Gihon. And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet there anoint him king over Israel. Then blow the trumpet and say, 'Long live King Solomon!' You shall then come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne, for he shall be king in my place. And I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah." And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, "Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so. As the LORD has been with my lord the king, even so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David."

Then, the bishop of Galloway stood and began reading the responsorial psalm. “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”

The congregation repeated the psalm and the bishop continued the reading.

The bishop of Kilrush stood. “A reading from the First Epistle of Saint Peter.

“Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

Cardinal Thrain stood. “The Lord be with you. A reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew.”

The cardinal looked over the congregation.

“Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his talk. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.”

After the Gospel, the Cardinal led the congregation in the Apostle’s Creed and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

After the communion had been shared, the choir sang.

Come, Holy Spirit, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart.
Thy blessed Unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace:
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where thou art guide, no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son
And thee, of both, to be but One;
That, through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

After the hymn, the Cardinal stood over the James, who knelt in front of his throne, and lifted his arms. “O Lord and heavenly Father, who exalts the humble and throws down the strong, who by the anointing of oil did make and consecrate kings, priests and prophets to teach and govern your people – bless and sanctify this, your chosen servant James, who by this our office is now anointed with oil,” the Cardinal applied oil to the bowed head of the Grand Duke, “and consecrated Grand Duke. Strengthen him, O Lord, and establish him in your Spirit, granting him the spirit of wisdom and counsel, true knowledge and godliness. Now and for ever, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Cardinal Thrain, with his hand still on James’ head, said, “And as Solomon was anointed king by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet, so be anointed, blessed and consecrated Grand Duke over the people whom the Lord your God has seen fit to give you to govern and rule.” The Cardinal made the sign of the cross. “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

The Grand Duke, still kneeling, was now covered with a robe, presented the royal scepter and the orb. Prayers, not audible to the congregation, were offered over each item. Finally, the Cardinal took the crown, held it up, blessed it and laid it upon James’ head.

The Cardinal turned to congregation, which began chanting, “Long live Grand Duke James.” He performed the closing rites of the Mass and led the procession out as the choir sang Te Deum. The temporal lords of Saxmere and the members of the interim government began the long process of giving their individual homage to their new ruler as the choir continued to sing.

Prince Suizei led his wife over to Constantine and Morgan after the ceremony. They bowed politely. Suizei's normal neutral expression softened slightly as he addressed his cousin and her new husband. "Your Imperial Highnesses, it is a pleasure to see you."

Morgan curtsied. "Likewise, Your Most Esteemed Highness. I'm sorry I missed your wedding."

'And I yours, cousin." Suizei answered.

"Almost none of the princes came, except the Prince of Holista." Morgan pointed out.

"I am sorry to hear about your leg." Yuko chimed in.

It was around that moment that Diana and Theophania walked over, making due courtesy. "Your Imperial Highnesses, Your Most Esteemed Highness, I hope you enjoyed the ceremony." Diana began.

As the lords and officials of Saxmere continued the lengthy process of pledging their fealty to Grand Duke James, visiting dignitaries were invited to a reception at the Archbishop’s Palace. The place filled the block directly across the street from the cathedral. Its baroque façade, painted white and yellow, formed a single street front, broken only by single gate that led to a spacious interior courtyard.

Saxmerean police and soldiers had closed the street and get the crowds of well-wishers and the curious at bay as the VIPs were escorted from the cathedral and through the gate into the courtyard of the palace.

Across the courtyard, at the main entrance to the palace, Gregory Cardinal Thrain stood in his red cassock and zucchetto. He nodded in greeting to the dignitaries as they walked passed him to enter the palace.

"We did, Your Highness." Morgan answered, giving her older cousin, who was nonetheless her first cousin's daughter, her brightest smile.

"I believe that we're supposed to enter the courtyard now." Suizei commented unnecessarily as the guards began to escort them. The small party looked around with polite curiosity as they entered the palace courtyard, noting the plants, the statuary, and the architecture and comparing it to the countless other royal palaces in their collective experience.

Princess Yuko looked around with an almost bittersweet look in her eyes, although her thoughts were her own. She reflexively took her husband's hand. Suizei looked a little startled at the informal gesture and was on the verge of pulling away before he glanced into his wife's eyes. He squeezed her hands lightly and gave an uncharacteristic gentle smile.

"I'm just glad that recent events ended so peaceably." Morgan commented to the group, remaining rather non-commital about the specifics out of respect for her husband's party's opposition to the Treaty of Courtland.

Diana nodded slightly. "Perhaps, although we have yet to hear from any of the other nations regarding formal ratification of the recent treaty."

Theophania shook her head. "Let's not talk about that now. What do Your Highnesses think of the courtyard here? It reminds me of the one at Acum."

"Maybe a little..." Morgan conceded non-comitally.

Constantine politely reciprocated the salutations of Prince Suizei and Princess Yuko, and of Diana and Theophania, before making his way by Morgan's side across to the Archbishop's Palace.

"The Imperial Parliament will be dealing with the ratification this week. The Treaty of Courtland will be formally ratified by the time Parliament rises on Thursday night." Constantine said informatively, not passing any judgement on the ratification, which he supported, although he and his moderate followers were in the minority in the United Christian Front party room.

Their progress was slowed by Morgan's obvious impediment, but when they reached the entrance to the palace itself, Constantine made appropriate reverence to Cardinal Thrain.

"Your Eminence," he started, conversing in perfect English. "Permit me to introduce Their Highnesses Princesses Diana and Theophania of Bilbtoria, Their Highnesses Prince Suizei and Princess Yuko of Kadoki, and my wife, Her Highness Princess Morgan."

Morgan blushed slightly at the introductions, glancing hintingly at her husband, although she didn't comment overtly. Instead, she smiled politely to the Cardinal and made appropriate reverence, as did Princesses Diana and Theophania. Princess Yuko and her husband made small bows to the Cardinal, although the princess seemed slightly flustered about something, looking to her husband for confidence.

Sir Adal, meanwhile, had fallen in with Lady Calandra, whom he found rather intriguing. While he was a staunch proponent of the new regime, Sir Adal was still adjusting to the idea of religious diversity. While Ambara had plenty of Eastern Orthodox Abti, Pantocratorians, and Pantocratorian Ambarans he had...it seemed silly to think and yet it was what made things seem so intriguing for him...he had never met an Orthodox Christian with blond hair before. Of course, he was being much more subtle in his actual conversation. "So your mother was German?"

"I wouldn't say that." Calandra corrected. "She was a Danaan noblewoman from a family established among our nobility for at least three hundred years. But, ultimately, she was of predominantly Germanic stock."

Adal nodded slightly. "That is intriguing. I've actually always found ethnic settlement patterns in the Resurgent Dream rather interesting. Nationalities...or, to use the term more favored by your demographers, heritage groups, tend to be rather endogamous over time and yet to simultaneously perceive themselves as members of a single Danaan nation and not merely as different nationalities in a multinational state."

"Well, there is...I'm afraid, sir, that I actually don't know what the word endogamous means." Calandra confessed.

"It means marriage within a group." Adal explained. "Your parents are obviously an exception as is much of the royal family, given its highly unusual level of diversity compared to nearly every other royal family in the world, but most Danaans do seem to marry someone descended from the same national group as themselves and practicing the same religion. As many as 88%, according to some studies."

Calandra nodded. "It is a little odd. Do you know the idea the used to have in the former United States, about the cultural melting pot?"

"I've heard of it vaguely." Adal said. "When the United States broke up, the propogandists of the old regime made a great stir about it, claiming that that attitude was what led to its collapse."

"Well, that's not exactly our ideal." Calandra said. "But we don't want the kind of homogenous you might see in Pantocratoria or Lavenrunz either. We have a saying back home that we're a mosaic, rather than a melting pot. I don't really know all that much about this kind of thing. We take it for granted, really. But I can see why it would interest someone coming from a land with the racial problems of Marlund. There's some people I could..."

The two of them fell silent as the approached the small crowd gathered around the Cardinal. They waited patiently for a good opportunity to approach.

“A pleasure to meet all of you, your Highness,” Cardinal Thrain said, pausing slightly as he wondered whether it was proper to address royalty as a collective. Many Saxmereans may have wanted their royal house restored, but that did not change the fact that they were terrible out of practice in its forms and manners. The cardinal inclined his head and bowed slightly as he seen his Excalbian counterparts do when greeting nobles.

“Welcome to Saxmere,” he said more confidently. “I trust your stay so far has been pleasant. And that the coronation was not too long. Or boring.” The primate of the Saxmerean Church smiled warmly. “I tried to keep it as short as possible, while still observing as much of the ancient tradition as we could uncover in our libraries.”

As he waited in line to greet the cardinal, Upper Virginia’s Foreign Secretary spotted Sir Adal Adelung, who had been pointed out to the Secretary as Marlund’s ambassador-at-large. Sir Adal was speaking with someone whom the Secretary believed to be a member of the Danaan delegation, though he could not remember her name.

Foreign Secretary Graham Yultilde approached Sir Adal and Lady Calandra, whose name still escaped him, and bowed respectfully. A tall, distinguished looking gentleman with thick grey-white hair and a gentle face, Yultidle might have stuck a stranger as something of a cross between someone’s grandfather and a banker. “Your Excellencies,” he said in a somewhat clipped accent, “I am sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to introduce myself. I am Graham Yultilde, Upper Virginia’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Are you enjoying your visit to the Excalbian Isles?”

Meanwhile, as the other dignitaries proceeded to the Archbishop’s Palace, Upper Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce, Marcus Poole, and the Confederation’s Treasury Secretary, Rachel McQuinn, slipped away quietly to a waiting vehicle. The black limousine, without police escort, passed through a quiet side street that had been closed off by the police and which led through the remains of the old city wall and into a busy street that ran in a loop around the old city. The car quickly disappeared into regular traffic without notice.

(OOC: Bump for Pantocratoria and the Resurgent Dream.)

"Oh, it was quite lovely!" Morgan commented. "And I would hardly describe it as unduly long. It was much shorter than many such ceremonies in some nations. Wouldn't you agree, Your Highness?" she inquired of her husband.

Sir Adal returned Yultilde's bow and offered his hand. "It's an honor, Mr. Secretary. I'm Sir Adal Adelung representing the Kingdom of Marlund and the lovely young lady here is Lady Calandra. She's a close friend of the two young princesses from Bilbtoria. We were actually just discussing the nature of diversity in a society, comparing Marlund and the Resurgent Dream. I imagine, meaning no offense, that a society descended from Virginians would have also experienced some struggles in that area. Perhaps you might tell us something about how your nation deals with it?"

Son Plus Serein Souverain Majesté
Ithilanor II
Por la Grace de Dieu, Roi de Aladhron, Grande Duc de Vís et Magnifique Prince de Blanc Ville Ihayel;
Haut Roi de Petit Indiens et Saint Empereur de Huit Petit Indes

SPSSM Ithilanor II gratefully receives the invitation to attend the coronation of Grand Duke James of Saxmere. Accompanying him will be His Majesty's sons, TRH The Princes Caunidhrenen and Landadhradon and His Majesty's daughter, HMERH Crown Princess Donna.

Their Most Excellent Eminences, the Cardinal Bishops of Sudrinil and Theed and the Cardinal Archbishop of Ihayel will also be in attendance.

His Most Serene Sovereign Majesty the High King of the Little Indians disembarked the Sovereign Jet at the airport, and was followed in swift succession by His 22 year old Daughter, Her Most Excellent Royal Highness Crown Princess Donna, heir to the Throne of All Little India; His Most Excellent Eminence The Cardinal Archbishop of Ihayel, head of the Roman Catholic Church in Little India; their Eminences the Cardinal Bishops of Sudrinil and Theed; and Their Royal Highnesses, the Princes Caunidhrenen and Landadhradon, 25 year old twin sons of the High King.

"Oh yes, quite." Constantine nodded. "The ceremony wasn't too long at all. The Pantocratorian coronation takes between six and eight hours on average. His Majesty the Emperor's coronation took ten and a half hours, although that ceremony was a dual coronation and nuptial Mass. There has been some speculation that in future, our coronations shall have to be abbreviated... No, it was a perfect length and very nicely done, Your Eminence. You must be complimented and congratulated, as must His Royal Highness."

His Most Serene Sovereign Majesty the High King of the Little Indians disembarked the Sovereign Jet at the airport, and was followed in swift succession by His 22 year old Daughter, Her Most Excellent Royal Highness Crown Princess Donna, heir to the Throne of All Little India; His Most Excellent Eminence The Cardinal Archbishop of Ihayel, head of the Roman Catholic Church in Little India; their Eminences the Cardinal Bishops of Sudrinil and Theed; and Their Royal Highnesses, the Princes Caunidhrenen and Landadhradon, 25 year old twin sons of the High King.

Earlier This Morning…

His Most Serene Sovereign Majesty and the rest of the Little Indian delegation were met at the airport by the new Chief of Protocol of the new Ministry of Foreign Commerce and Consular Affairs. Richard Kavanagh bowed deeply to the High King. “Your Majesty,” he said, then turning slightly towards the rest of the delegation he added, “your Highnesses, your Eminences, welcome to the Autonomous Grand Duchy of Saxmere. We have prepared suites for you and your delegation at the Crown Plaza Hotel, near the Royal Palace.”

Rising Kavanagh continued, “His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke, and Sir Nugent, the Royal Chancellor, regret they could not be here to greet you, but they are already preparing for the coronation. With your consent, your Majesty, I will show you to your accommodations, then escort you to the Cathedral of St. Brigid for the coronation. His Royal Highness hopes you will be able to attend the ball this evening to celebrate his coronation.”

With another bow, Kavanagh gestured to the waiting motorcade.

(OOC: The coronation ceremony is posted above; feel free to jump into the reception at the Archbishop’s Palace that is taking place “now”.)

“You are very kind, your Highnesses,” Cardinal Thrain said with a slight bow. The Cardinal smiled. “It has been a long time since we have had such a ceremony in Saxmere, so we had to improvise a bit. I am pleased it was effective.

“I do hope that your Highnesses are enjoying your stay in Saxmere. We are quite honoured to have you here for this event. Especially considering that your nations played such an important role in resolving the recent… difficulties.”

* * *

Yultilde shook Sir Adal’s hand and bowed politely as he was introduced to Lady Calandra. “A pleasure to meet you both, your Excellency; my Lady.” Yultilde stood in a dignified though relaxed posture, with his arms crossed behind his back. “Hmmm,” he said nodding at Sir Adal’s question. “Our Virginian ancestors did bring some, shall we say, racial baggage, with them. However, the nature of the formation of the Confederation of Sovereign States mitigated against much of that racism.

“You see, Sir Adal, the Excalbian government then, as now, was dominated by Highlanders who had particular prejudices against Africans. So they allowed the freedmen and escaped slaves from North America to settle in what became the State of Deandra and made little differentiation between Deandra and the other chartered settlements that eventually formed the Confederation. So, from the beginning the descendents of the Virginians who settled New Virginia and Southland had to accept Deandra, a state where the majority were of African descent, as an equal partner.

“So, by the time Peter Courtland mounted his failed coup in New Virginia in 1856 and was exiled to the wilderness that became the Dominion of Upper Virginia, equality, at least in a legal sense, had become an accepted fact of life. As a result, institutional racism and explicitly racist laws were never really ever an issue in Upper Virginia.

“That’s certainly not to deny that some of our founders continued to harbour racist ideas, which they passed on to their children. But with laws in all the nations of the Excalbian Isles guaranteeing equality, or rather presuming equality, and with native Excalbians, who had not known the prejudices of imperial Europe or colonial America, until the arrival of the Virginians, holding considerable political power in all three nations, even those racist sentiments largely died out over time.”

Yultilde smiled. “Even though we Upper Virginians rarely take a kind view of Excalbia, I must admit that, in this case, the Highland-influenced Imperial government did all of us a tremendous service when it permitted the settlement of Deandra and decreed the settlers to be the legal equals of any other Imperial subjects. That set the standard that both the Confederation and Upper Virginia had to follow. And now,” Yultilde shrugged, “most people take diversity as a given. Excalbia’s Chief of the General Staff, the Confederation’s Speaker of the House and several prominent Upper Virginian businessmen are all of African descent and no one thinks much of it. Beyond that, a number of more recent immigrants have risen to prominent positions.” Yultilde looked to Lady Calandra. “I understand that in Excalbia they even have a trollish immigrant from the Resurgent Dream serving as a brigadier in the Marines.”

Yultilde bowed his head slightly. “I apologize for going on for so long. I would be interested to hear own views on the subject.”

Sir Adal frowned thoughtfully for a moment. "I certainly think that different races can live together peacefully and freely on terms of...equity."

Yultilde nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, your Excellency. And I believe… oh," the Upper Virginian Foreign Secretary turned as the way to Cardinal Thrain suddenly cleared. He quickly excused himself and went to greet the cardinal.

Following the small reception at the Archbishop's Palace, the festivities moved on to the recently renovated Royal Palace, where a formal ball was held to celebrate the coronation of Grand Duke James.

(OOC: Unless someone has unfinished business here, I consider this The End. The Grand Duke will return in a new thread as soon as I clear up some others… Thanks to those who joined.)