Act V.
The years passed quickly in the lands East of the Pearl River, with increasing speed the population of the Canton grew. As the Canton grew, the folk of Seleone looked to hold tournaments, feasts and revels as did the folk in other lands of Meridies.
The first event held on the lands of Seleone was the Coronation of Sir Phelan Cathaoir-mor. This event was hosted by the Barony of Axemoor with the folk of Seleone assisting. A few years later the Canton began to host an annual celebration called "The Buccaneer's Ball." At first, this event was but a springtime feast given by Seleone for the folk of its Barony. Later the Buccaneer's Ball was announced throughout Meridies so that all good folk of the Kingdom might know of it and attend.
The Baron of Axemoor at this time was Ragnar Kaupmadr, and he noted that as a child grows from a babe to manhood, so had Seleone grown. Baron Ragnar took council with the officers of the Barony and it was agreed that the time was come that Seleone should take its place among the Free Shires of Meridies. Baron Ragnar sent his Seneschal, Earl Sir Phelan Cathaoir-mor, to tell Seleone of his wishes.
When Mistress Isolde heard these tidings she was much concerned. She remembered the days not long past when the population of the Canton would plunge precipitously. At such times, there were sometimes not enough gentles to fill all offices of the Canton. Mistress Isolde knew that failure to keep all offices filled could lead to the downfall of a Shire.
Mistress Isolde expressed her misgivings unto Mistress Rhiannon of the Isle, who was Kingdom Seneschal of Meridies at that time. Mistress Rhiannon suggested to Isolde that Seleone need not become a Shire in order to achieve independence from the Barony of Axemoor. Ports, Universities and Forts, Mistress Rhiannon allowed, were also independent and were permitted to have some offices vacant during emergencies. Mistress Rhiannon and Mistress Isolde presented these alternatives to the good folk of Seleone, who straight away expressed their desire to achieve the status of Port.
The folk of the Canton sent to the Directors of the Society a petition requesting that the status of the lands East of the Pearl River be changed to that of a Port. The Directors, after consideration, sent word unto Seleone that they had misgivings about creating Seleone a Port and asked the folk of Seleone if they would consider a change to some other status.
The good folk of Seleone are proud of their status in Mundania as a Port and were somewhat stiff necked. They considered the Directors' request but decided to reject it and continue to press their petition for Port status.
Long the gentles of Seleone awaited the decision of the Directors. After more than a twelve-month, Mistress Isolde sent message unto the Steward of the Society, asking after the status of the petition of Seleone for Port status. The Steward responded that the Directors had rejected Seleone's petition and would not again consider Port status for the lands East of the Pearl River.
Full now two years had passed since Earl Sir Phelan had told the gentles of Seleone of the Baron's wishes. The population of Seleone had grown steadily. In addition to the Buccaneer's Ball, an autumnal bridge battle tournament had begun in Seleone. With the Barony's permission, the Canton had bid on and been accepted to host the Meridies Kingdom Arts and Sciences Fair.
Mistress Isolde now felt that these accomplishments now proved the stability of Seleone. When again the folk of Seleone took council amongst themselves as to what status to seek, all were agreed that they should seek to become a Shire. Again the good folk of Seleone sent petition to the Directors of the Society. This time the Directors favorably received the people's petition and raised the lands East of the Pearl to the status of Shire. When word of the creation of the new Shire was received in Seleone there was much rejoicing. Not the least of the rejoicing was that of Mistress Isolde and Honorable Lord Finn, who felt as the winemaker feels when the vintage is proved good.
HEREWITH ends my history of the Canton of Seleone. Let other more gifted quills record the history of the Shire of Seleone.