Volume XVII, Number 1 ** 16 Girithron, 7547
(Esgaroth) The Twenty-second Council-General of the Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor met at the American University in this Commonwealth on 23 Urui, 7547. The Council had not met here since 7538.
The unusually late date for the Council-General (which ordinarily meets within a few days of Yestare, corresponding to late March in the Gregorian calendar) reflected a proposal made at the Twentieth Council-General by the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Enedwaith that the Council should be held in conjunction with the Twenty-fifth Convention of the Mythopoeic Society, inasmuch as the Convention committee included several leading citizens of Esgaroth. As we reported in the last number of these Chronicles, the Councillors-General did not decide the issue at the time, leaving the choice of a site and date open to the M. Hon. the Privy Council and His Highness the Duke of Ithilien, Lord Great Steward. The election of Lord Endewaith to be Lord Chancellor later in the session did, however, suggest a certain unbalancing of the scales in favor of His Lordship's proposal. In the event, efforts to schedule a spring meeting of the XXII Council at the Prince's Palace in Emyn Arnen proved impractical, and the summer date won by default.
Activities connected with the Kingdoms featured prominently in the materials distributed to convention guests, and engrossed copies of the Keble College Compact and of a Writ of Summons were on display in the halls of the convention facilities. Several of HAM subjects were members of the Convention (Lord Enedwaith held membership #1), and through the kindness of the Convention committee, subjects who did not have Convention memberships were admitted to the facilities for the Council-General.
Official Kingdom business began with the arrival of His Grace the Duke of Númenor, Regent, on Saturday evening, the 22nd. Acting in accordance with the Peerage Continuity and Officers' Incapacity Act of 7533, and with precedent set at the Council-General of 7541, His Grace informed Lord Enedwaith that he was assuming the position of Steward's Surrogate. His Grace, Lord Enedwaith and the Elder of Esgaroth then met in a preliminary session of the Accession Council.
Business for the Accession Council had been increased considerably by Lord Enedwaith's distribution of a flier inviting any one with information on the whereabouts of H.A.M. the King, or with a claim on the Throne, to give notice of the fact. Petitioners making a claim were asked: "(1) In your own words, tell us why you would like to be King. (2) Do you claim any special abilities (e.g., laying on of hands)? (3) Do you possess any artifacts from the Third Age (e.g., mithril mail)? (4) List the names and addresses of any hobbits, elves, wizards or ents that you personally know. (5) List all heroic exploits that you personally have completed (minimum 3). (6) List references that will attest to your extraordinary moral, emotional, and intellectual character (minimum 3, one for each)." The petitioners were also required to promise not to press their claims if rejected by the Accession Council, and (if accepted) to "rule in the best tradition of the Kings and Stewards of olde." This application having attracted several responses, the Accession Council held an extraordinary public hearing on Sunday afternoon to interview the several claimants.
His Grace the Regent, in opening the hearing, commented that the Accession Council had sometimes been criticized in the past for being less than diligent in the search for claimants to the Throne. This year's proceedings, His Grace said, were meant to give the lie to that canard by considering even the most unlikely, not to say frivolous, of claims. The first application the Council considered amply illustrated His Grace's point. Forwarded by Adanedhel of Esgaroth, President of the Central Bank, the application had been filled out by a gasoline station attendant whose exaggerated (if greying) sideburns and considerable bulk, taken together with what Adanedhel described as a western Tenessee accent, gave some credence to the claim to be The King, if not our King. Inasmuch as the claimant was not personally present, the Councillors decided to make no further investigation of the petition.
The two claimants who did appear in person were Cythia Dye and Julie Nowack, both residents of the Palatine Duchy of Anorien. The Councillors listened to their testimony with interest, and then went into secret session to consider the matter. Meanwhile, the Council-General formed in a near-by chamber. The Council itself opened with the usual procession, under the supervision of the M.N. the Duchess of Belfalas, Arthedain Herald: Lord Enedwaith, as Lord Great Chamberlain, bore the Crown, and was followed by His Grace and Parmadil, Elder of Esagaroth. In the absence of the M. Hon. the Viscount Starkhorn, Lord President of the Councils, Lord Enedwaith directed that the Council be formed: Her Grace of Belfalas read the Writ of Summons, and the Rt. Hon. the Baron Hunnewell of Tuckborough, K.C.E., G. Ev., Secretary of State, was presented to the Council as a new peer. In addition to Their Graces, the Elder, Lord Enedwaith and the Secretary of State, other Councillors present were Adanedhel, as a representative of Esgaroth, and the Worshippfull Lady Hunnewell of Tuckborough, N.O.M., Mayor of Caras Anduinad. The Hon. S. Tristan Hunnewell attended as his father's page, becoming only the second minor heir to take part in a session (Lord Emyn Arnen, heir to His Highness the Steward, having been the first).
The cry "I spy strangers" was raised, and His Grace the Regent introduced
the Council's most distinguished guests, His Highness the Prince Arawn of the
Forodrim and His Excellency Sir Beregond, K.E., etc., chargé d'affaires
of the Forodrim. Lord Enedwaith in his own capacity as Lord Chancellor then
took the chair, and called for the Speech from the Throne.
His Grace the Regent, rising to speak as Steward's Surrogate, noted the curious
coincidence that His Highness' inability to be personally present had left His
Grace in the position of making opening remarks at a Council-General whose business
would be almost entirely concerned with foreign affairs. The Councillors were,
His Grace suggested, familiar with the provisions of the Keble College Compact
(as published in the last number of these Chronicles). Ratifications in due
form had been exchanged between H.A.M. two governments (and here Sir Beregond
read the official Swedish text of the Forodrim's ratification), Herr Bloech
had been appointed High Commissioner to the Forodrim, and proceedings were under
way to designate Sir Elrond High Commissioner to this government. However, in
giving advice and consent to ratification of the Compact, H.A.M. Privy Council
had noted certain reservations expressed by the royal Chancery, and directed
the Regent to respond to these at the Council-General. His Grace accordingly
did so, and the Councillors, apparently satisfied, expressed their approbation
for the Compact.
Turning to other business, the councillors considered two proposals by His Grace the Regent. The first of these was to amend the Tax Collection and Salary Payment Act of 7537 in such a way as to increase by a factor of 1000 the salaries due in years when the government has failed to collect taxes; the proposed increase was to be retroactive to 7537. Debate revealed that the Government's account at the Central Bank was more than sufficent to cover the proposed expenditures, but with the President and a Governor of the Bank being present, the question was raised whether the Government's promise to hand over to the Bank at some future time a considerable quantity of mithril were still to be relied upon as a basis for the currency. It was suggested that the Rt. Hon. the Viscount Erelas, Lord High Treasurer, reconfirm the Government's ability to follow through on its promises. In the end, the revision passed (becoming XXII ACG 1, amending Chapter 7.3 of the Composite Code); the request to Lord Erelas was not made part of the Act itself. The related proposal that Lord Erelas be directed to pay all the back salaries due under the Act forthwith was passed without further debate.
The question of a Commission on Postage was raised. His Grace noted that an earlier commission had been proposed, but had apparently not met. Lord Enedwaith was of the opinion that the Council need not act to appoint such a commission: the Steward, His Lordship thought, was competent to do so on his own authority. This being the case, His Grace, as Steward's Surrogate, appointed a Commission on Postage, to consist of himself, Lady Hunnewell of Tuckborough, and such other interested persons as might from time to time join them.
The Councillors followed these actions with their customary recess, during
which contributions to the Starkhorn Bequest were collected. Including monies
mailed in by absent peers, the Bequest sent somewhat more than US $310 to this
year's charity, Second Genesis, a long-term drug rehabilitation facility in
the District of Columbia.
With no further legislative business before them, the Councillors proceeded
to elections: the Elder of Esgaroth reported that the Accession Council, having
considered all the evidence presented, had determined that no claimant to the
Throne had appeared, and that the M. N., the Duke of Númenor, was to
continue in the office of Regent. Nominations were then opened for the office
of Lord President: Her Grace of Belfalas was nominated, and elected by acclamation;
she has served two earlier terms as Lady President and three as Lady Chancellor.
Lord Enedwaith was then nominated to continue as Lord Chancellor, and elected
by acclamation. His Lordship has served as Lord President for three years in
the past, and as Lord Chancellor for four.
Before proceeding to swear in the newly elected ministers, His Grace the Regent
announced that, by exercise of his powers as Steward's Surrogate, he was creating
the M. N. the Duke of Anorien, Earl Marshal, a marquess, with the tentative
style of Marquess of Minas Tirith. The effect of this action, the Regent explained,
would be to honor not only His Grace of Anorien, but also Sir John Elder, the
outgoing Lord President of the Councils, who, as heir to the Anorien titles,
had previously been styled Viscount Starkhorn (though he took precedence along
with the other courtesy marquesses, Lords Meneltarma, Emyn Arnen, and Lamedon).
Moreover, the Regent declared, in recognition of the Lord Chancellor's further
service to H.A.M., he was raising Lord Enedwaith to the dignity of a Marquess,
with a style to be chosen after consultation with his lordship.
The new ministers being then duly sworn, the meeting concluded with the traditional
singing of the Patriotic Air, "Until the King Return," led by Her
Grace, whose experience as a musician gave the familiar melody an energy and
authority that has sometimes been lacking in previous years.
(Osnumenor) In an elaborate double ceremony over the weekend of 28-29 Lothron, His Grace the Regent was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by authorities of the Medieval Institute and of its parent body, the University of Notre Dame du Lac. The noble lord thus became the latest of many peers to take the doctoral degree.
The Institute ceremonies, conducted throughout in Latin, were organized and directed by the Rt. Hon. the Baron Anfalas, Anor Principal King of Arms, in his capacity as Concurrent Associate Professor of History in the University and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Institute; Lady Anfalas, Professor of Romance Language and Literature in the University and Fellow of the Institute, took part in the ceremonies as Senior Proctor. After the conferral of Baccalaureate and Magistral degrees, Lord Anfalas, Praelector in the ritual, first administered the Oath in which His Grace, admonished that he was "to receive the most distinguished title of `doctor' and the supreme authority of teaching arts and sciences in every place" promised and swore "to use the great knowledge and subtle skills that [he] had acquired here, in keeping with the highest standards of academic rigour and Christian honesty, and for the general good."
His Grace having so sworn, and signed the register, the Praelector presented him to the Prorector and Proctors of the Institute. The Regent, usually scrupulous about ceremonial details, moved on to the next step of the ritual after only the first and general paragraph of Lord Anfalas's complex introduction. The personalized part of the formula having thus been omitted, onlookers were obliged to consult their programs to discover that the candidate now kneeling before the Prorector was "Johannes Wihelmus de Hocton', Artium Baccalaureus in Litteris Anglicis Americanisque in Universitate vel Academia Harvardiana, Artium Magister in Litteris Anglicis in Universitate Indianensi, Artium Magister in Studiis Religionis in Universitate Yalensi, Diplomatus Studiorum Anglicanorum in Schola Theologica Berkeliana, Magister Mediaevalium Studiorum in hac Universitate, qui thesim maiorem aut dissertationem De Theologia Exegetica Bedae: Imagines Ecclesiae in Commentariis Sancti Bedae Venerabilis in Actus Apostolorum scripsit." Some observers later remarked that the omission was just as well, inasmuch as participants did have to leave in time for dinner.
As the ceremonies continued, the Prorector took His Grace's hands between his, in a gesture identical with that used for Oaths of Fealty, and pronounced the formula admitting the Regent to the degree. Then, taking a Gospel-book from the Under-Beadle, he struck the still-kneeling peer three times on the head, repeating a sentence helpfully translated in the program: "May you have the fortitude of David and the wisdom of Solomon and charity of Mary our Lady and Patroness." Rising with appropriate bows to the Prorector, the Regent was then vested in the robes of his new degree with the assistance of the Beadle and Under-Beadle, and presented to the crowd. There remained for Sunday's ceremonies the usual speeches, vesting with the hood of the degree, and presentation of the diploma, all of which was accomplished without incident.
After a summer at Osnumenor, where His Grace, Commander Philip Cicero, N.O.M., and several other of H.A.M. subjects had gathered for their usual work at the seedbed of the Restoration, the Culver Academies, the Regent returned to the city of Caras Anduinad, and to the occupation of teaching. The ducal removal was accompanied by festivities at both termini of the trip. A going away party at South Bend, organized by Mr. and Mrs. Ross Shanley-Roberts, was attended by the Rt. Hon. the Baron Siril, K.E., Deputy Private Secretary to the Regent; Lord and Lady Anfalas; and a number of other students and faculty from the Medieval Institute. In Caras Anduinad, the Rt. Hon. the Baron Methedhras and Lady Methedhras hosted a welcome home dinner, at which the Secretary of State and the Hon. Tristan Hunnewell were among the guests.
(Caras Anuduinad) His Grace the Regent, the Secretary of State and the Hon. Tristan Hunnewell were among the participants in a "Bree Moot" organized at the Abbey Hotel, Bettendorf, Iowa (in the Palatine Duchy of Númenor) by Mr. Ron Hyde on the weekend of 14-15 Hithui 7547. Regular readers of these Chronicles will recognize the name of Beyond Bree, newsletter of the Mensa Tolkien Special Interest Group, published with astonishing regularity over the years by Dame Nancy Martsch, D.E.; until this year, Dame Nancy's many readers had never been invited to gather for a conference of their own (though many of them naturally meet at activities of other organizations, such as the Mythopoeic Conference). This year, Mr. Hyde, in a remarkable effort, took on the task of spearheading a conference, Bree Moot.
The conference hotel, though somewhat understated on the inside (as befit a former house of the Discalced Carmelites--four of the former cells have been combined to make each guest room), has a dramatic setting high above the Mississippi River, and a striking Romanesque exterior, with pennons of England, Scotland and Wales flying from its heights. Food for the weekend was distinctly unmonastic, and included both opening and closing banquets (the grilled mushroom soup at the latter earned high praise even from the determinedly anti-boletic Secretary of State).
The Conference program included a variety of scholarly papers, including a survey of Tolkien fandom by the Secretary of State), a costume exhibition, and even a riddle contest.
Morgoth's Ring
We have noted before in this space the continuing project of Messrs. HarperCollins in the United Kingdom, and Houghton-Mifflin, in the United States, of publishing Prof. J.R.R. Tolkien's notes and drafts from his various historical novels, as edited by Christopher Tolkien, the professor's son. These notices are facilitated by the kind gift of review copies from Messrs. Houghton Mifflin. The most recent volume in the series, issued in 7546, is Morgoth's Ring. The volume is so named from the observation that whereas Sauron had poured much of his native power into the making of the One Ring, so that its unmaking was his undoing as well, the Dark Enemy had placed his power into the very fabric of the World, so that to destroy him would have required the unmaking of creation itself. Other such fascinating philosophical points are raised by the texts presented here, and the book is to be commended to those interested in such questions as well as students of the process of the Professor's thought. The next volume of the series, The War of the Jewels, should already have appeared in the United Kingdom and is to be published in the United States in time for the winter holidays.
Tolkien's Books
On a related note: Loome Booksellers have announced that they have acquired a number of books from Tolkien's personal library. They have kindly allowed us to look through several items from the collection. The samples were all (as one might expect) concerned with medieval English literature and linguistics; most were in languages other than English. All but one of them were signed "J.R.R. Tolkien" on the flyleaf; the exception had been inscribed to Tolkien by its author. The books all appeared to be in very good condition (a phrase we use with no technical precision), and the range of prices from $200-$650 strikes us as reasonable for Tolkien autographs, though we have not been following the market.
As of late spring, Loome's were in the process of preparing a listing of the
Tolkien books. In general, to order second-hand books from Loome's, it is best
to write (as they have a large collection stored in several places), though
they do try to be helpful over the phone. In connection with this particular
business of publicizing the Tolkien books, whether by post or by telephone,
one should contact Mr. Loome directly:
Thomas Loome,
Loome Theological Booksellers, Old Swedish Covenant Church,
320 North Fourth Street,
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
(612) 430-1092
R The Most Noble Dame Elizabeth Ann Cain, Duchess of Belfalas, Marchioness of Lamedon, Countess of Lamedon, Baroness Ethring and Chatelaine of Dol Amroth, D.F.A., F.S., P.C., Mistress of the Robes, Arthedain Herald and Governor of the Central Bank, to be Lady President of the King's Councils, and The Right Honourable Sir Eugene Theodore Pappas, Earl of Enedwaith, Viscount Calenhad, Baron Calenhad, Baronet, K.F.A., K.C.E., K.B.L., F.S., P.C., Lord Great Chamberlain, Governor-General, to be Lord High Chancellor. By the XXII Council-General, 23 Urui 7547.
R The Most Noble Sir John R. A. Lynch, Duke of Anorien, Earl of Fenmarch, Viscount Starkhorn, Baron Halifirien and Warden of Firien Wood, G.C.F.A., Q.O.C.R., P.C., Earl Marshal and Marshal of the Realms, Chief of the General Staff, Chancellor of the Minas Tirith Community College and Cambridge King of Arms, to be Marquess of Minas Tirith. By the Duke of Númenor, Regent, as Steward's Surrogate, 23 Urui 7547.
R The Right Honourable the Lord High Chancellor and Lord Great Chamberlain, to be Marquess of Eryn Lasgalen (less formally, Lord Mirkwood). By the Duke of Númenor, Regent, as Steward's Surrogate, 23 Urui 7547.
R Cynthia Dye and Julie Nowack to be Freemen of the Shire. By the Crown Trustees and Freemen of the Worshippfull Companie, 23 Urui 7547.
R The Right Honourable Sir Sumner Gary Hunnewell, Baron Hunnewell-of-Tuckborough, K.E., Secretary of State, to be Guardian of the Most Illustrious Order of the Evenstar. By His Highness, the Prince Arathorn of the Forodrim, Grand Master of the Order, 6 Ivanneth 7545. [N.B. this appointment was erroneously reported as "member" of the Order in our last number.]
R Philip Edward Cicero, to be a member of the Númenorean Order of Merit and Commander in the Naval Service of the Guard of Númenor. By the Duke of Númenor, Regent, as Grand Master of the Order and Palatine Duke, 14 Ninui 7546, with seniority as from 9 Urui 7536.
R The Most Noble Sir John William Houghton, Duke of Númenor, Marquess of Meneltarma, Earl of Amon Sul, Viscount Mitheithel, Baron Fornost and Protector of Imladris, G.C.F.A., K.B.L., K.Ev., F.S., N.O.M., Q.O.C.R., O.Z., Regent of Gondor and Arnor, to be Honorary Brigadier-in-Chief of the Osnúmenor Yard Brigade, in the Army of Rhovanion. By H.S.M. Tar-Morondil of Rhovanion, C.M.F.A., 15 Gwirith 7547.
R Jon Michael Bruce Porter, sometime Mayor of Caras Nimduin, to be a member of the Númenorean Order of Merit. By His Grace the Regent as Grand Master, 9 Urui 7547.
R His Grace the Regent, to be Doctor of Philosophy. By the Reverend and Honourable the Board of Overseers of the Minas Tirith Community College, on the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist (18 October 1994 / 2 Hithui 7547).
R The Rt. Hon. the Secretary of State and Lady Hunnewell-of-Tuckborough are parents of a first daughter and second child, The Hon. Rachel Elanor Hunnewell, born 2 Gwirith 7547, for whom His Grace the Regent stood sponsor.
R Sir Eric Hadley-Ives, K.E., visited the Royal Precincts over the weekend of 9-10 Gwirith 7547, calling upon his former schoolmates The Rt. Hon. and Wppfl. Sir Jonathan Reich, K.E., P.C., Mayor of the Shire, and The Hon. Sir William Mendelsohn, Bart.
The Calendar, 7547-7548
Holidays in italics
Girithron, 7547 Nov. 16-Dec. 15, 1994
Narwain Dec. 16-Jan. 14, 1995
Ninui Jan. 15-Feb. 13
Gwaeron Feb. 14-Mar. 15
(Strider's Birthday 8 Gwae./Feb. 21)
The Year's End Mettare/March 16
New Year's Day Yestare/March 17
Gwirith, 7548 Mar. 18-Apr. 16
Lothron Apr. 17-May 16
(Crowning of Elessar 6 Loth./Apr. 22)
Norui May 17-June 15
(Discovery of the White Tree 30 Norui/Jun. 15)
Cerveth June 16-July 15
(Marriage of Arwen and Elessar 7 Cerv./ Jun. 22)
Urui July 16-Aug. 14
Ivanneth Aug. 15-Sep. 13
(Bilbo's Birthday [Cormare] 30 Ivan./Sep. 13)
Leap Year Day Cormare II/Sep. 14
Ende I Sep. 15
Loende Sep. 16
Ende II Sep. 17
Narbeleth Sep. 18-Oct. 17
Hithui Oct. 18-Nov. 16
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