Long ago, the Ebon Blade was presented to King Lloyd by the Loins of Ansteorra and accepted by the Sovereign as the sword of state. Some time later, King Sigmund proclaimed that the Ansteorra Sovereign should hold and wield the sword in the name of the Ansteorran people, and that the Loins should be the stewards of the sword. Last winter, brazen thieves stole this most sacred emblem of our dear kingdom. There was a great deal of worry and consternation concerning how the next sword of state should be chosen. Many hard words were spoken and many felt that a suitable sword would never be chosen. In the interim, Duke Sigmund the Wingfooted cared enough to loan the kingdom his sword until a suitable replacement could befound. Until that time, the kingdom would bear the scar of the theft of it's blade.
Many years ago, Sir Riccardo di Pisa, knight and Lion of Ansteorra, crafted a sword. It was a blade stout and strong, and it was forged to be carried into battle, the weapon of a hero. Through tournament and war, Riccardo fought like the the lion he was, always at the fore, always seeking honor for his lady and glory for his kingdom. Throughout these years, Riccardo was the bane of any whom would stand against him, and the enemies of Ansteorra trembled when he strode the field; and always at his side, Riccardo carried the sword that he had forged.
Inevitably, time, that thief of youth and strength, robbed Riccardo of the strength that had wielded that sword so well. However, time could not take from Riccardo his lion heart. Nor could it take from the kingdom that knew Riccardo, the memories that he had given it. Earlier this year, Riccardo passed from the world of men, leaving Ansteorra poorer for having lost him, but richer for having known him.
During his sickness, Riccardo gave his sword to his squire, Cynric of Bedwin, and bade him to keep it safe. Cynric was moved by this gesture from his dying knight and swore a solemn oath that no harm would come to his knight's sword. After Riccardo's passing, Cynric thought upon his oath and upon the order of the Lion, among whom Riccardo was accounted so greatly. Cynric did not feel that he could carry the sword, as it bore the emblem of that noble order. If only a Lion could bear the sword, Cynric felt that perhaps a Lion should keep the sword: certainly no one would look to the sword's safety better than the Lions. Therefore, Cynric offered Riccardo's sword to the order, asking that the Lions guard the blade and honor it as they would honor their dead brother.
When this offer was made, the Lions were greatly honored. However, feeling greatly the loss of the Ebon Blade, the Lions saw that they had before them a suitable sword for Ansteorra. The Lions therefore went before their king, and asked Him to accept this sword, crafted and wielded by Riccardo, as the Kingdom's sword. The king, Rischard, was wise and sought counsel, He spoke to His advisors and to His heir, Prince Barn. All who heard the Lions' request knew Riccardo and his feats and knew his hero's heart. No one could think of a sword with a greater heart and more glorious history than Riccardo's blade. No one could think of a better sword for Ansteorra.
Therefore, at His final court, Rischard, king of Ansteorra, called forth the Lions, who carried with them Riccardo's blade. The Lions offered to their king the sword, and the king did accept it. Holding the sword aloft, the king proclaimed that Riccardo's sword had become the kingdom's sword, and the kingdom rejoiced at His proclamation.
As in the tradition in the kingdom of Ansteorra, before the old king steps down, He gives to the Lions the sword of state, tha they should hold and guard the blade until His heir should come forth and claim it. Thus did Rischard do, giving the Lions the new sword of state. When Barn, the new king came forth to claim His throne and crown His Queen, He called forth the Lions into His court. This was unusual, for the Lions do usually come unbidden into the new king's court, the only order with the permission to do so. However, the new king wished to do honor unto the Lions, and they were called forth one by one. Those that were present answered the king's call, as well as answering the call for those Lions who were not present.
The Lions carried with them the sword of state. Pendaran, the first Lion to speak, held the sword aloft and stated that the sword had come from the hand of Riccardo di Pisa, that it was "A sword crafted by a hero, wielded by a hero, given to a kingdom of heros!" With that, the sword was passed from one Lion to another, so that all of the Lions could hold the sword and share in the king's proclamation that it is the true sword of state. The last Lion to hold the sword was the first Lion to be made in the Kingdom of Ansteorra, Orm Skjolbidig, who, with great words, presented unto the king the sword of state.
Thus was the new sword chosen, a gift from a squire to the Lions to the king to wield for the people. And thus was the old tradition upheld: the sword was passed from king to king, through the order of the Lions. And thus was a wound upon the kingdom healed.
Upon my belt and chain as a knight, I swear that these deeds are true as I witnessed them,