The Order of the Ancient Spoonbill

The Order of the Ancient Spoonbill is an order of chivalry within the gift of the Grand Prince, and is conferred for academic, diplomatic or military achievement in the service of Velikye Byelgorodniya.

The Order of the Ancient Spoonbill can also be granted to friends and allies of the Principality, and may be conferred upon foreign heads of state as a token of the Grand Prince's high regard for a brother Sovereign.

The Order takes its name from the magnificent bird which, legend relates, led the Byelgar people to their new land centuries ago. In the Heraldry of our great nation, the Ancient Spoonbill represents fidelity, steadfastness of purpose, and an assiduousness in sifting truth from falsehood.

"Let Our Friends Take Heart and Our Enemies Tremble!"

Die Reihenfolge vom Vergoldeten Herzog awarded to King Ivan of Syldavia

The Herzog Mikhail Johann von Hollerenschaut IV of Saxe-Coburn und Buchholz is most pleased to award the very first Reihenfolge vom Vergoldeten Herzog to King Ivan of Syldavia.

His majesty's victory over Hassan Muhtar Pasha west of Klow displayed cunning use of terrain, stoic defence, selfless courage and the inevitable triumph to which these attributes lead. The outcome represents the very essence of the order and it is the Herzog's greatest pleasure to make the award in due course.

Given the evident military prowess of King Ivan, the Herzog wishes to enquire if the exchange of military advisers would be possible, thus ensuring the ongoing improvement of tactical studies within both great nations. Stabshauptmann Gerhard von Blomphfart is ready to depart from Bad Übersetzung this very minute should His Majesty King Ivan agree to the exchange.

Velikye Byelgorodniya - Foundation to Consolidation

The Historian, Academician and Chronicler, Baron Pyotr Afanasyovich Bibliotekhsky, Librarian to the Grand Prince, humbly presents his historical researches into the foundations of our Great Realm to the Committee of the Novi Byelgorod Academy, suitably annotated throughout, as a gift to the Committee's Chairman, our Most Noble Ruler, Grand Prince Dmitry IV Dmitrovich.

Let all who read do so with a circumspect eye, as some of these sources are less than completely accurate. Thankfully, Pyotr Afanasyovich has provided helpful clarifications and footnotes to assist the reader in sifting the grain of truth from the chaff of falsehood.

The summary of the Baron's most diligent studies are presented in the attached dossier for the approval of the Committee and Chairman.

In the words of our nation's motto, "Let our friends take heart and our enemies tremble!"

Die Werkbank

The Herzog Mikhail Johann von Hollerenschaut IV is pleased to announce that the raising of troops for the impending conflict with Velikye Byelgorodniya is progressing well ahead of schedule.

Generaloberst Ferdinand von Guus-Steppe has confirmed that the following regiments will soon be exiting the workbench and in a state to take the field against the old enemy:

• IR Nr. II Herzogin Genoveva
• IR Nr. III von Klink
• IR Nr. V von Gnapper
• IR Nr. VI von Wahlpaper-Rohl
• IR Nr. X von Blazny (Grenzer)

Mustering of the army proceeds apace!

The Gazetteer of Velikye Byelgorodniya Grows Apace!

Noted traveller and diplomat-at-large Count Pavel Romanovich Peripatenko humbly submits for your edification and enjoyment his latest delineation of the places and peoples of our Illustrious Grand Prince's magnificent realm, now with added information on the Northern Provinces, in The Gazetteer of Velikye Byelgorodniya.