Helping out royalty

When Jaine heard that Syr Ragnarr had won the Crown tourney in the Spring of 2003, she sent off a message of congratulations and offered assistance in creating the massive amount of garb that was needed for the royal couple. To Jaine's surprise, she was asked to join the retinue! It meant that since royalty should not be seen to do work such as carry objects, someone must carry things for them. Royalty can not walk about unescorted, so a retainer must go with them when they stroll around. It means that someone must set up the thrones and hangings when a court is held and the hangings have to come back down at the end of court. It sounds like a lot of work, but it is also a lot of fun. The Prince and Princess are both very nice people.

Jaine attended Their Royal Highnesses during the Great Pennsic War in August. This is the largest event in the Known World with an attendance of well over ten thousand. It lasts for 17 days in August. The first week is spent setting up, taking classes, meeting people you haven't seen in a year and preparing for the second week. The second week is 'War Week' with daily battles for points. There is an Opening Ceremony, where the gathered Kings and Queens of all the kingdoms of the Known World meet, declare for either side and somehow, war breaks out each year. There are many smaller Courts held during the two weeks as well as visits with other Royalty.

Jaine not only helped the Prince and Princess make garb to wear at all of these events, she made garb for herself to wear as well. She did not have to attend all of the events that TRHs did, but she was present for a lot of them. Pennsic is often hot, sometimes rainy and she had to have plenty of changes of clothing. Jaine attended TRHs in the winter and needed warm garb for those events. Fortunately, Jaine sewed quickly and already had patterns for garb that she likes and fits well. She learned all sorts of tips about garb construction and had a blast!

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