by Caitlin Christiana Wintour

I wrote this poem a few years ago as largesse for Pennsic War XXXV. Frankly I forgot that I had done it, so thank heaven for good friends who remember to post my poetry even when I don’t!  *waves at THL Beathog*

I wrote this poem in the style of Anglo Saxon heroic poetry. It is a praise poem in honor of Amalric Blackhart and Caia Snowden, King and Queen of An Tir

Lived in the West one who bore
A rampant stag in sable drawn,
Amalric the namesake of monarchs who
Once ruled Jerusalem, city of thrones.

But restless was he and hied him to the East
Where he served king and crown proudly and well.
Received there the accolade for courage and honor
Grace and chivalry changing never.
Fealty he owed and faithfully he served
But knight’s heart was held fast
By the Lady of snow, song’s inspiration.
When Amalric to Atlantia went
Caia of Snowden went south to the sea.

There by right of steel did sue Amalric
Storming the list for love of his lady,
Atlantian shells shining bright
Sea queen’s crown for Caia the fair.

Ruled they well and wisely guided
Yet the wandering way was ever strong
And longed the stag for sunset shores.
So when good leave granted they were
And freedom beckoned far to the west
Count and Countess to the call did come.
Breathed they gladly the good air of An Tir,
Emerald-green by the grey winter sea.

The Count loved greatly the greening hills
High peaks of snow that soared to the sky.
A son adopted of An Tir he became
No son could love his liege-land more.

So sought he a new crown for consort beloved.
But Viscount Sir Vic, Avacal’s prince
The golden diadem was determined to take.
So battled the Count upon crown field,
Blackhart and Vikingsson for victory striving.

On that day fell fair Avacal’s son.
Noble Amalric An Tir’s true friend
Became its King and Caia its Queen.

As from the West An Tir was born,
So a son of the West wins to home at last.