The Holly Monarch
Every year at Yule Ball the Holly Monarch is decided by a contest of skill in archery, Arts & Sciences, fencing, or armoured combat - the discipline rotates each year. Whoever triumphs wins the leather sash for the year, and before returning it must add their own arms to join those of their predecessors upon it. The Holly Monarch also has the duty of handing out the gifts during the Feast.
2026 Holly Monarch Competition
The Holly Monarch this year will be decided by an Arts and Sciences Competition ~ show off your skills and become the Holly Monarch!
O-yez, O-yez! The principality is invited to compete for the honour of wearing the jingly-bell bedecked green velvet robe of the Holly Monarch at this year's Yule Ball, by competing against all comers in our annual Holly Monarch tournament.
What would you have to do to attach your arms to the leather baldric of valour?
You can sing, dance, research, recite poetry, paint, embroider, sew, carve wood, display arms, cook, bake, or even walk swords. As long as it is inspired by an image found in the marginalia of a medieval manuscript and displayed alongside your entry (mandatory).
Your entry cannot have been started before ORMÞING this year (August 2026) and needs to be confirmed no later than the close of registration. Judging will be an evaluation by the Populace and a final judgement by selected Laurels.
Please Note: there will be no martialled activities at Yule Ball this year.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Feast Cook
Master Dytryk Lehrer
A&S Coordinator
Baron Nicholas de Estleche dictus le Tardif
Herald in Charge
Ra'isa Safiyya al-Zarqa' bint Garsiyya al-Isbili
Hall Steward
Mistress Alistair of Avalon
Head Server
Cometessa Una Orcadiana
Ball Coordinator
Royal Liaison
Site Dresser