Greetings from Their Royal Majesties Dag & AnneMarie, Unto the Nobles and Populace of the Glorious Middle Kingdom.

As the winter wind roars about the crenels of Our keep, We find the walls grow close and the ale thin. Word has reached Us of growing tensions between Our southern cousins of Trimaris and Ansteorra. In the interests of Amity and keeping with the Peace-Loving Traditions of the Midrealm™, (and mindful of the warmer clime) it is Our intent to travel to Gleann Abhann, where the two kingdoms shall meet, and offer assistance to Our Cousins of Ansteorra in negotiating a peace.

It is Our wish to establish a visible and impressive presence for the Middle Kingdom during these “negotiations”. We especially exhort any commanders of fighting units to inform Our General, Syr Gunnar Redboar of the number of warriors that may be attending. (For Parade purposes, it should be understood.) We hope to make Our presence clearly felt by both sides, and are sure that the presence of Our Army will be valuable in determining an outcome for Our good cousins.

In domestic matters, We are dismayed by the recent appearance of robbers and bandits on some of Our Royal Highways. Our people should rest assured that travel and commerce remain safe across Our lands. Thus far, these heinous acts have been limited to convoys carrying the Royal taxes. They appear to be led by a masked individual in a gray cloak. This thorn in the side of the Dragon will be dealt with severely when he is, inevitably, apprehended. Know, beloved populace, that strenuous effort is being made to investigate these treasonous thefts. If questioned about these occurrences by any Royal Official, We strongly recommend that Our loyal people cooperate to their utmost ability. And swiftly.

Dag Rex
AnneMarie Regina

Greetings from their Royal Majesties, Dag and AnneMarie, unto Our beloved populace and most especially those Territorial Barons and Baronesses who enjoy the privilege of holding and maintaining the magnificent Royal Fiefs of the Middle Kingdom.

As we look back on this past Autumn season We are reminded of the gentle, mild weather that extended well past the usual harvest times. We are confident and pleased that Baronial larders and granaries are well-stocked and that travel and commerce have been unusually easy and lucrative.

As is well-known, Our Illustrious Predecessors, may their memory guide and inspire Us in all things, prosecuted a prolonged and expensive war in a foreign kingdom. And while we fear no further incursion from that border in the future, other, normally placid neighbors may find our weakened and vulnerable state more than usually tempting.

Many good gentles were lost on that foreign field and, regrettably, efforts must be made to rebuild Our forces and replenish Our much-depleted coffers. Therefore, and given the undeniable bounty of this past harvest season, We must take the following actions. Royal Assessors have been dispatched and will be well-armed and heavily guarded as they ensure these measures are strictly enforced throughout the kingdom. Certain additional levies may be imposed on a case by case basis upon the recommendation of these loyal servants.

We know that the good people of Our Glorious Kingdom will do their part in support of Our Troops and in the spirit of Patriotism that marks true nobility.

Dag Rex
AnneMarie Regina

Greetings From Their Royal Majesties Dag and AnneMarie, as we enter the Midrealm's Fifth Decade.

It is the privilege and pleasure of the Crown to recognize those worthy gentles that have done excellent work and service for the Midrealm. However, be reminded that it is the responsibility of Our populace to bring such gentles to Our attention. Please take advantage of the form on Our website. Personal E-mail recommendations are too easily missed amongst the many other messages. Furthermore, We have granted Our scribes the 2-3 week notice necessary for the creation of their marvelous works. Recommendations received in a closer time frame than this will be logged, but may not be given out at a specifically requested event. Please think of your neighbors and friends good works and solicit Our recognition for them in timely fashion.

It is a goal during Our Reign to keep Our Courts lively and engaging. We will also endeavor to schedule them in such a way as to intrude as little as may be into limited revel time. Please exhort your friends to attend. It is a disappointment to find that gentles deserving Our attention and your acclamation cannot be present to receive them.

As We look to provisioning Our keeps for the long winter ahead, We wish to express Our gratitude for the fine hospitality that has been extended to Us. We look forward to sharing hearthfires and mulled wine with many of Our friends, both old and new, in upcoming months. Until such time, We remain

In service to the Midrealm,

DAG & AnneMarie

Unto all good Nobles and gentles of Our Realm, Greetings from Dag and AnneMarie, King and Queen of the Glorious Middle Kingdom.

Now that we have ascended to the Dragon Throne, We wish to thank and commend Our Glorious Predecessors, Eikbrandr and Runa. Their courageous attitudes in the face of war shall live in song and will hopefully inspire future generations to seek the fun and camaraderie of arms, rather than a blindly adversarial relationship with our friends in the East.

It is Our hope that by the Third of this month we will have received applications from all who wish to compete in Our Crown Tourney. There is a short time between then and the day of the Tournament. We will do Our best to notify all those that are acceptable before Crown. If you have applied to Us, but received no reply, please contact Us. We look forward to a glorious day of chivalrous combat, the Victor to crown their inspiration and take their place as Heirs to the Dragon Throne.

In the ensuing months it is likely that this great Kingdom of Ours will undergo some …changes. The populace may expect certain proclamations to issue from the Crown. These may take many forms, and the effects may be difficult to discern. At first. We wish to assure Our beloved populace that whatever measures the Crown may take are “For Your Own Good”, and meant in a spirit of fun and theatre. (yeah, that's it, it's just theatre…move along) We invite you to join in and visit Our website for a better understanding of Our plans and expectations.

We are very glad for this opportunity to serve as your King and Queen. We take the position of service very seriously and hope that this will be a fun and rewarding experience for us all. Thank you again, We look forward to seeing many of you in Our upcoming travels. Until that time, we remain

DAG & AnneMarie

Greetings unto the Noble populace of the Midrealm from Dag and AnneMarie, Prince and Princess of the Midrealm.

As we prepare to follow Our beloved King and Queen onto the fields of Pennsic, we are reminded that it is the first duty of the Royal Family to insure the succession of the Crown. It is therefore Our intent to hold a Crown Tournament in order to find those most suitable to sit the Dragon Throne. We wish to remind all those who would take the field that to fight in the Crown List is a privilege, not a right, and to wear the Crown is a responsibility, not a reward. Furthermore, We admonish all those who would apply to Our Lists to read and take to heart the additional letter we have posted to our Midrealm page. It explains in greater detail what we hope for in Our successors, and what We expect from Royalty of the Middle Kingdom.

We will also establish certain requirements beyond those set down in Kingdom Law. We publish them now to give more time for prospective applicants to accustom themselves.

• All those wishing to compete for the honor of Crowning their consort as Heir to the Dragon Throne must apply to Us by standard post by the day of Our Coronation. All applicants, save that they be a Peer themselves, must include with their letter of intent a letter of endorsement by a Peer of The Realm. Additionally, Proof of membership and current authorization should be sent to the Kingdom Seneschal by this same date.
• If found acceptable by the Crown, each combatant will present themselves to the List with a banner, and if necessary, a herald to make the claim of their Consort's worth. (Such claims to be kept under a minute's duration)
• No thrusting to the face will be allowed.
• No shield shall be used that measures more than 32” in length (top to bottom) if it be strapped, or 30” in diameter if it be center-gripped. Shields that do not fall within these standard categories will be reviewed and allowed only at the discretion of the Crown.
• No sword may be used in the single hand that measures greater than 42” overall, pommel to tip.
• No two-handed weapons longer than 6' will be allowed
• No modern accoutrements may be visible on the list. This includes, but is not limited to: tennis shoes, blue jeans, hockey gloves and other modern sporting equipment.
• No duct tape may be visible save that it be on a combatant's weapon, or an emergency repair after the Tourney has begun.

The actual conduct of the Tournament itself will be published in the September Pale, as well as on our website. We have every confidence that this Crown Tourney will be the usual example of Courtesy and Honor to the Knowne World. Remember always that you bear the honor of your consort and your own reputation before you on the field. Polish your armor, whet your swords, and come stand as champion of they who inspire you to chivalry.

We remain, in Fealty to the Crown, Dag & AnneMarie

Warmest Greetings unto the noble people of the Middle Kingdom, From Dag and AnneMarie, Prince and Princess.

We would like to thank and commend all those who competed in Crown Tourney. The level of skill demonstrated in the List was surpassed only by the display of courtesy from the combatants. Moreover, all those who entered this Tourney have stood forth to proclaim the worthiness of their consort and therefore deserve our congratulations for increasing the honor of their inspiration.

It is our great pleasure to serve the Kingdom in this fashion, and our intention to support Their Royal Majesties however we may. We look forward to the company we will share over the summer months and the tales of glory and honor that will be told over Autumn's fires.

In service to the Kingdom and the Dragon Throne, we are

Dag and AnneMarie