In 1994, the Duchy of Calais combined with the Cantons of Aquitaine and Gaston to create a new duchy, Esperance. Seven months later, in April of 1995, the Duchy was created a Kingdom that extended from the Pacific Ocean to the Twentynine Palms/Indio areas of the California desert. Again in 1997, the borders changed. A bit of the southeast lands were given to the duchy of Sangrael at her birth, and in exchange, Esperance grew to the east and west. This kingdom now extends from Santa Barbara at the far west, eastward to the California/Nevada state line, including most of Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties.

Service has been uppermost in Esperance’s history, with her subjects always ready to jump in where needed in the Empire. As a result, there is a hefty sprinkling of Princes and Princesses, as well as a wealth of Counts and Countesses Royal. In any given reign, there are a number of Imperial Ministers residing in Esperance.

But service is not this kingdom’s only point of pride. There are several 3rd-level knights in both combat and ministry, all of whom are willing to teach whatever they know. The arts are making a resurgence after a lull in activity. Target archery is not allowed most of the parks, so the archery competitions are always creative, inventive and a lot of fun!

Ministers

• King: Sir Donavan Cadnawon
• Queen Consort: Her Grace Aoife Traynor
• Archery: Sir Ce Wolf
• Embattled Hope King of Arms: Dame Giulianna Elizabetta Veronica Johanna de Messina von Rammstein
• Arts and Sciences: Dame Lyrica Angeline
• Captain of The Royal Guard Sir Ray The Red
• Chancellor Sir Robert Lord Jehan Alexandre Chrysostom Antoine Michel de St. Albain Annecy von Hapsburg
• Chronicler/Royal Scribe Sir Cagar Cu Mara
• Crown Marshal Sir Cagar Cu Mara
• Herald, Court Sir Alan McMahan
• Herald, Field vacant
• Hospitaller Dame Giulianna Elizabetta Veronica Johanna de Messina von Rammstein
• Minister of Joust and War Sir Jamie the Red
• Lyst Mistress Baroness Brigett
• Physicker Dame Larissa
• Minister of Rolls Sir Kit The Blue
• Steward Dame Angelique Sauve
• Warden vacant
• Minister of Web Squire Marius Solis
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir Giovanni D'Lorentzo
• Minister of Architecture Leslie Argyle

Library

• Current charter: Kingdom of Esperance, April 2002
• Reference charter: Kingdom of Esperance, September 1996
• Reference charter: Duchy of Esperance, April 1995

Internet Presence

• Kingdom web site
• Kingdom of Esperance Discussion List (click here to join)
• Fighter Practice Discussion List (click here to join)

Calendar

• The Kingdom of Esperance's meetings, paractices, and other events can be found listed on the Calendar located here.
• Fighter practice: Sir Coda and Sir Jamie the Red hold a fighter practice every Wednesday night at 6:30 pm on the West side of Mile Square Park (near the baseball fields) in Fountain Valley.

Local customs

• Ren-tip only: There is a local codicial that stipulates in schlager combat, only the end 3 inches of the blade shall count. This is to emulate historical blades, which were not sharpened down their entire lengths, and thus could not cause harm down their entire lengths.
• On time: Events will start on time. Half an hour before the published start time, the sign-ins will open. If the autocrat is not present at the published starting time, the highest-ranking Esperance noble will start court.