KINGDOM CHRONICLES, 7554

Notes from the Realms in Exile

Sir Jonathan Mitchell Evans, K.E., an Associate Professor of English at the University of Georgia in Athens, received international attention early this year for the publication, in North-Western European Language Evolution, of an article noting what appears to be the first appearance in written English of a Norse pronoun. Languages often borrow nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs from one another, but while modern English does have many words of that sort, borrowed from languages around the world--including "sky," "gate," and "window," among others, from the Norse--it is an unusual feature of modern English that pronouns like "she" and "they" are borrowed, as well. Sir Jonathan noted that the Peterborough version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle occasionally uses the Norse "theora" where the expected Old English word would be "hiera" or "heora." Details are available at the University's web site, http://www.uga.edu/columns/010416/campnews.html.

Dame Nancy Martsch, D.E., presented one of two annual "Beyond Bree" awards to the Rt. Hon. the Viscount Tookland, Secretary of State, during Bree Moot 5, held at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, April 25-26 / 10-11 Lothron. Dame Nancy is the long-time editor of Beyond Bree, the monthly newsletter of the Tolkien Special Interest Group of American Mensa. There is a description at: http://www.cep.unt.edu/bree.html.

His Grace, the Duke of Minhiriath, Lord Great Steward, has issued a Proclamation , dated 16 Cerveth 7554 / June 1, 2001, promoting the hereditary office of Mistress of the Robes to the status of a Great Office of State. The office, which has been held for some twenty-five years by Her Grace, the Duchess of Belfalas, involves ceremonial supervisions of the state robes of H.A.M. the King (may he soon return), and is part of the Lord Great Chamberlain's department, along with the Lord Chamberlain (a vacant position) and the Lady Steward of the Household (The Rt. Hon., the Countess of Harlindon): the Great Chamberlain, Chamberlain, and Steward of the Household have always ranked as Great Officers. Of the four Dukedoms, Anorien is linked with the Great Office of Earl Marshal and Minhiriath with that of Lord Great Chamberlain (in addition to the High Ministry of Lord Great Steward). The promotion of the Mistress of the Robes will leave the Dukedom of Numenor as the only one with no associated hereditary Great Office.

The Rt. Hon. The Viscount Mering reports of the young Lord Mering: "I'm enjoying being the father of a lively 15 month-old. Ethan isn't quite walking yet, but is very close, and should have the hang of it in another week or so. He gets around pretty quickly already, so it's a little daunting to imagine what will happen when he has his hands free while on the move."

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