Investiture: Duke Charlopold de Cavalier

(Brindleton Bay Year 226) This year many houses had a busy Investiture Day (1st day of Winter), but only the Cavalier dukedom crowned a new Peer! It's time for Duke Charlopold to success his father, Aquess!

Duke Charlopold de Cavalier with proud parents, Old-Duke Aquess and Old-Duchess Claudine.

Charlopold Demitris de Cavalier (35) is the 4th Duke de Cavalier. He got his History degree this Summer, and started a Military career right away. This peerage traditionally expects Military, but also accept Politician as the main career of the Peer. Thanks to his successful degree, Charlopold already reached Officer level (Lieutenant Colonel), and could wear the royal military uniform for this occasion. The fresh duke chose to keep his father's Coat of Arms.

For the investiture there is certain regalia that is used for this occasion only. Although Cavalier is the youngest of the 4 dukedoms of the old area, back in Year 98 the crown was designed to resemble the one of the three other dukedoms, each with gems of the peerage's primary color.

The Coronation Ring is quite different, though. While the other three dukedoms have the exact same rings with each their primary color, the Cavalier dukedom has a spectacular golden ring magically blended with turquoise gemstones. It's rumored that the ring was brought to the house by the former Duchess Mera, who was said to be of merfolk origin.

The investiture ceremony took place in the  Purple Ballroom at Chateau Cavalier, a room that is used only for big events and parties where music and dancing is on the program. The purple urn contains the ashes of the founder of this house, Clauss  de Cavalier, the first duke, and is normally on display in the Great Hall.

Now that Charlopold's old parents are stepping back, there will be no Duchess. He is indeed going steady with Luna Villareal, who he met on campus, but being a commoner she was never accepted by Charlopold's parents. Now that he is Sovereign he can decide for himself, but he is aware of those traditional rules - they are there for a reason. Should he risk breaking the tradition to marry a commoner, anyway?

Later on the same day there was the coronation gala dinner. All peers of Brindleton Bay were of course invited, so were high nobility peers from the entire Region 12. The dukedoms of Rossie and Windenburg were not attending.

Because I know what jewelry and orders each of these houses has, their attires were not random. Sometimes the jewelry seems to be weird choices to such and such dress, but truth is that some of them don't have that many options. This is an occasion to show off your bling, so you will be expected to wear the expensive items that you normally don't wear, matching the dress or not.

Old-Duke Aquess (80) and Old-Duchess Claudine (76) will step back and move to the house's second property nearby, Hindquarter Manor. There will be a press release when all details are settled.

Most women wear a tiara at gala events like this, but Lady Merielle (left), Duke Charlopold's sister, is not married yet. Tiaras are reserved married women.

And the sashes kind of give away who are couples, as most of them wear the sash of their own local District Order. Let's take a quick round to see who they are...

Elvira Leonora de Sür-Blyth (42) and her husband Hugo (Villareal) de Sür-Blyth (32), Lady and Lord de Sür-Blyth (low nobility). She is a member of House de Cavalier as her mother was Old-Duke Aquess' sister. Now that a new generation becomes head of this house, Lady Elvira would no longer be seen as member of the house (members count max 3 steps from Sovereign), but she will of course not lose the purple family order bow that is given for lifetime. Her sash is from the Brindleton district Order. Hugo has no such orders at all...

This couple runs Brindleton's most successful farm, specializing on improving quality of both crops and pigs. They combine botany with science, and also cooperate with Landgraab Science Lab in Oasis Springs. 

Victus Amador Saxor (52) and Gloria (Roxenfox) Saxor (70), Duke and Duchess of Meadows (high nobility). Their Meadows Trust is the wealthiest trust of the region, but they are facing a problem - no male heir and Gloria is pushing elderhood. She is sister of Old-Duchess Claudine. Their daughter Lady Corva is still a teen, but might be able to secure the dukedom for House of Saxor, if she quickly establish a family and gives birth to a son.

Final couple on this side of the room, Auphor Sax-Donnersmalt (85) and his 2nd wife Morgan (Fyres) Sax-Donnersmalt (33), Baron and Baroness of Verde (high nobility). Auphor is quite old, and the couple is hoping for an heir. They just had a daughter, and Baroness Morgan is pregnant again! Auphor Sax-Donnersmalt is the father of Victus Saxor and ex-Duke of Meadows, but changed his lastname to start a new House when he moved to Oasis Springs and he inherited the Verde barony not long ago.

On the opposite row we find Dominic Fyres (77) and Moira (Rattle) Fyres (72). They reside in Windenburg, but Dominic has the high nobility Deadgrass lordship here in Brindleton Bay. He holds a total of 3 peerages, but the couple has only one son. So they will soon need to deal with a rather complicated testament (and I can't wait! :) ).

Next are Bud von Kaching (78) and wife Rose (Welder) von Kaching (76), Baron and Baroness of Gloom (high nobility). Bud is in business and he was also a regional Councilor for several periods. Rose runs Gallery Ex-Po in Newcrest, but plans to retire. Their son Edward will take over the barony next year, and he is engaged to the daughter of this house, Lady Merielle de Cavalier. Their wedding is set to next Summer.

Finally, the two siblings of Duke Charlopold, Lady Merielle (33) and Lord Leon (31). All three stayed at Mossy Lane Dorm during overlapping terms - Merielle and Leon are still there, studying Psychology and Drama. Neither of them were accepted for the Brindleton Distrct Order (yet), so they have no sash, but Lady Merielle naturally has the purple Family Order bow.

Well, I guess the staff is currently eager to serve the food, so we'll leave this house for now.