In a BBC 4 series If Walls Could Talk, Dr Lucy Worsley, the chief curator of the Historic Royal Palaces in England, looks at the history of the home, its rooms, and their intriguing history. Video episodes are also available on YouTube.

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Mathurin reports that Ld. Johann Steinarsson's song "The Sons of Calontir" is now available at The CalonSound Project website.

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Those interested in Nordic culture, especially when it comes to brewing, may want to take a look at a scholarly article by Christie L. Ward entitled Norse Drinking Traditions, delivered to the Alexandrian Company Symposium on Food and Festival in the Middle Ages. The paper is available to read or download on Scribd, the digital book and document website.

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Throughout much of the East Kingdom the unofficial start of the camping season is Memorial Day weekend (this year it falls on May 24 – 27th) and the Kingdom Event Calendar boasts two excellent camping events for you to get out of your winter habitation and spend some time “on campaign” with your fellow medievalists. Soak up the late spring sunshine, get in the first big melee or woods battle of the season, shop ’til you drop, and get your garb and equipment a fresh infusion of wood smoke as you join in the revelry around the campfire.

PLEASE NOTE: QUEST XXX which is also traditionally held on Memorial Weekend HAS BEEN CANCELED

The War of the Roses XLVIII (Pattersonville, NY)

This annual event sponsored by the Barony of Concordia of the Snows pits the red rose of Lancaster against the white rose of York in a fun and friendly event loosely themed after the English civil wars of 1455 – 1485. Event Stewards Baron Pierre de Tours and Lady Jaquelinne Sauvageon will once more bring you a full slate of the best the SCA has to offer. Of especial note to attendees is the fact that the Mongolian Wok will not be attending the event this year.  Attendees are advised to plan their food rations accordingly.  The reservation deadline for Roses is May 17th and details about how to register in advance can be found on the event website.

Panteria XVIII (Thetford, VT)

This year, the Shire of Panther Vale is pleased that in addition to the usual slate of activities, Panteria will be hosting the King’s and Queen’s Equestrian Championship. The event will once again offer a meal plan, and the (relative) luxury of several cabin and tent-cabin accommodations.  A new event at Panteria this year is the Pelican’s vs. Laurels fundraiser. This humor-infused boffer melee was such a hit last year at the Northern Region War Camp that it’s coming back with new participants as well as some returning combatants from last year. The reservation deadline for Panteria is May 17th and details about how to register can be found on the event website. The Gazette has received reports that reservation numbers are running higher this year than in years past and the wise attendee who wishes a seat on the meal plan or a bunk in a cabin will get their reservation in early.

Arts and Sciences Teachers

Both events are still actively accepting proposals to teach classes.  Those wishing to teach at Panteria are encouraged to contact Lord Dafydd o Llyn Cwellyn, Arts and Sciences coordinator, directly.  Those wishing to teach at Roses should use this handy form to sign up to teach an A&S class.

Filed under: Events Tagged: camping, Concordia of the Snows, equestrian, events, Fundraising, King and Queen's Champions, Panther Vale

The discovery of the remains of King Richard III of England has led to the discussion of the king's scoliosis, "a lateral or side-to-side curvature of the spine," easily seen in the skeleton, and the techniques that would have been available to "cure" it.

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Mathurin, from the Kingdom of Calontir, reports that a small album of photos of CalontirSteel shot at the Unsung Heroes event is now available to view on Google+.

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Michael Vlahos offers a fascinating article in The Atlantic about how "hundreds of thousands of lives" in World War I could have been saved if soldiers wore helmets and body armor just as medieval knights did hundreds of years earlier.

He writes, "medieval armorers and men-at-arms knew a secret that would have spared perhaps 30 percent of those who died in battle. We have the evidence right at the Metropolitan Museum itself."

For example, when helmets were introduced (two years into the war) the British and French made them in a way that wasn't very effective at protecting the head and neck. Meanwhile, the Germans based their design on the medieval Salade (or Sallet) helmet, which was much better preventing injuries or deaths.

Bashford Dean, an expert on medieval armor at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, even designed a battle harness that would offered strong protection against shrapnel from exploded bombs and even bullets from pistols, but the American army never made use of it when they entered the First World War.

You can read more at Could Body Armor Have Saved Millions in World War I?

Greetings, everyone.

As mentioned in the recent copy of the Pikestaff, the Policies for the Tyger Clerk of the Signet and our webpage have recently undergone some changes.

The old website will soon begin redirecting to the new one. This page may still undergo some aesthetic tweaks here and there over the years, however, due credit goes to Isabel Chamberlain for switching us over from the old format (Joomla) to the new format in WordPress.

Updated policies may be found on the new website also. These policies are available in a downloadable PDF on the site, and all scribes are asked to please read these new policies over and adhere to them. Please feel free to direct any inquiries or suggestions about the new policies to the Tyger Clerk of the Signet; these policies are not “written in stone”, but a living document, which I expect will change according to our needs for a while to come.

Yours in Service,
Kayleigh

Filed under: Arts and Sciences, Official Notices Tagged: policies, scribes, websites

Seven skeletons have been unearthed under a car park in Edinburgh, Scotland, where a knight's grave has previously been found. The skeletons include women and children, leading archaeologists to conclude that it may be a family burial crypt.

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For years, Guernsey resident Hugh Lenfestey spent time collecting detailed local manorial records and creating a map of the island's fiefs. After his death, his family has donated his records, dating from the 15th century, to the Island Archive. (photos)

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Gwen reports that she has created an album of photos from the Kingdom of Northshield's Spring 2013 Coronation. The photos are available on a public Facebook page.

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At Crown Tourney last weekend, four kingdoms were announced at allies in the upcoming Pennsic War.  Baron Corwyn Moray and Honorable Lord Johan Craft came as messengers from Trimaris with a letter from Their Majesties that pledged their support to aid the East at Pennsic.  Countess Elspeth brought word from AEthelmearc, where she and Master Steffan ap Cenydd had received the promise of Their Majesties of Aethelmearc to also support the East.  In addition, His Majesty announced that Atlantia and Ealdormere had also declared to support the East.  Edit:  Atenveldt will also be fighting with the East.

Filed under: Events Tagged: Pennsic

On a day dawned clear and bright in the Crown Province of Østgarðr, Their Majesties Gregor and Kiena held a grand tournament to secure heirs to Their throne.  On this date numbered the 27th of April in the year we mark Anno Societatis 47 called 2013 in the Common Era, the populous gathered to witness the battle between many of the finest fighters the East Kingdom had to offer.  Four lists began the day, and then reduced to two and then at last to one and all gathered close to witness the very final bouts of the day. These clashes at long last would belong to Sir Thomas of Ravenhill, fighting for Áine an Neamheaglach, and Earl Kenric aet Essex, fighting for Countess Avelina Keyes.  At first it seemed that Earl Kenric would quickly win this day, and then Sir Thomas dug deep and proved himself the winner of the next two bouts. The field once again level between them, the final bout of this day was fought.  Both men fought fiercely, their consorts poised upon the edge of the field, until at last, Earl Kenric emerged the victor.

Their Majesties, Countess Avelina and Ryan Brigantia took to the field and with words from King Gregor about Their Majesty’s joy at the outcome of the day, the coronet that would mark Kenric Prince was lain upon His head.  It was then that Prince Kenric turned to his wife and inspiration, Avelina, and with words remarking on the brief time they had been married, He placed the Princess’s coronet upon Her head.  Turning to Sir Thomas, Gregor then spoke of the bittersweet honor as he named Thomas Admiral of the Armies of our Great Eastern Lands.

A short while later, as a more formal Royal Court began, Their Majesties called Their Viceroyals to join them in court, and thanked them for the work that their populous had put into providing such a wonderful tournament day.  Then They called forth the new Prince and Princess of The East.  Remarking upon how unseemly it was that Their Heirs should be without land, and that as it was in accordance with established law and custom, They chose to invested them as the Prince and Princess of Their Crown Principality of Tir Mara.  Calling forth representatives from Tir Mara, led by Mistress Gwenhwyfar Dinas Emrys, the Seneschal of those lands the investiture began.  With rod, rings and mantels it was done, and lastly Their Highnesses where gifted with Paternosters of beads and a single northern star.  The daughter of Our new Prince and Princess was not to be forgotten, Aethelthryth Kenricing was bestowed the title of Lady of the Nothern Shores for the time her parents held the Principality and a pin was placed upon her person my Her Majesty Kiena.

As Their Highnesses took to Their thrones, Their Majesties invited their Viceroy and Vicereine to hold their court, temporarily suspending Their own court for the purpose.  Once Crown Province business had been concluded, Their Majesties resumed Their court.
Her Majesty called forward the Ladies of the Rose, each to speak of someone who had gained their attention that day and bestow upon him a rose and her own token.  First spoke Duchess Katherine Stanhope about Thormunder and Tyco who had brought box lunches from dayboard for the fighters,  Ilianna who had carried water to fighters for much of the day, Lady Sabina Luttrell who had worked hard all day as Mistress of the list and Master Ryan McWhyte who had run the crying of the lists all day.  Next of the Ladies to speak was Countess Elspeth Keyfe of Neddingham, and she chose to speak of the Chivalric behavior she had witnessed from Sir Marcus Blackheart.  Third to speak of the Ladies of the Rose was Duchess Isabella of York.  She thanked both Their Majesties and all the fighters who had participated that day for a wonderful tournament, and then she singled out Lord Ionness Aurelius Serpentius to bestow her favor for the chivalry and courtesy she beheld from him on the field that day.  Next to speak was Countess Alethea Eastriding who chose to single out The Honorable Lord Tiberiv Ivlivs Rvfvs for how inspirational she found him that day.  Fifth of these fine ladies to speak was our new Princess Avelina.  She spoke of a man she had admired for quite some time and bestowed her favor upon Lord Ávaldr Valbjarnarson.  Lastly The Queen Herself spoke, preparing to bestow the honor of the Shield of Chivalry from Her own hand. First she asked His Majesty to speak of the history of the Shield of Chivalry.  He spoke of the gift this shield was from the people of Atenveldt to the people of the East, and then His Majesty shared the knowledge that the Kingdom of Atenveldt would honor this long friendship by fighting alongside the East at Pennsic this year, and encouraged His own people not to ever forget their history.  Her Majesty Kiena then expressed how clear the joy was to witness in the fighter she would honor this day, Baron Matthew Moraveous Avdenmork.  Her final remarks where about how right and proper it was that he was the squire of our own Prince, the previous holder of the Shield of Chivalry.

Then Their Majesties bade the messengers from Trimaris enter Their court.  Baron Corwyn Moray and Honorable Lord Johan Craft brought forth a written letter from Their Majesties Trimaris to be seen by Their Majesties East alone.  They spoke thanks for the great day they had witnessed, and pledged Trimaris’s support and affirmed that they would stand beside the East at Pennsic, to aid in knocking the enemy down.  Their Majesties bestowed upon them tokens of silver in appreciation for their messages and promised them safe passage throughout Their lands.

Tristan Olachlacha was then called before Their Majesties.  His Majesty noted how fond He was of 20 year commemorations, and they discussed that this young man had served this Kingdom for 20 of his 23 years, and he was Awarded Arms and promised that a scroll would be forthcoming.The presence of Ettore Dandolo was then called for, and the efforts of this fine citizen of Østgarðr where discussed, and again Arms where awarded with the presentation of a scroll by Edward MacGyver dos Scorpos.

Summoned next was Geoffrey de Tosni and Her Majesty remarked of the head to toe accuracy in his 11th Century Norman gear and then She mentioned Their Majesties fondness for beer, which Geoffrey acknowledged he dabbles in brewing.  For this and more Their Majesties Awarded Arms as well, and presented a scroll by Saerlaith ingen Chennetig.

His Majesty then called for  Countess Elspeth to come forward again.  He wanted details spoken of the diplomatic mission that she and her husband had so recently been on.  She spoke of their travels to AEthelmearc a mere 7 days previous to attend the Coronation of Their Sylvan Majesties.  There they had been held hostage, but Countess Elspeth and Master Steffan ap Cenydd where careful to be the best behaved of hostages, and in the process secured the promise from the newly crowned Royals to stand beside the East at Pennsic.  His Majesty thanked her for her service and then announced that Atlantia and Ealdormere had declared that they would stand with the East this year at Pennsic War as well.

Next Magdelena Carminante was called before Their Majesties.  They noted that she was the chatelaine of Northpass, and had been learning music and embroidery as well as making herself helpful at many events and demos.  The Award of Arms was bestowed on her as well this day, with a scroll done by Wulfgar Silverbraid and Theodora Bryennissa, called Treannah.

Their Majesties then brought forth Master Feral, who asked of Them how far he should extend Their Kingdom, and His Majesty discussed with him the fact that the War College was in need of leadership now that Duke Lucan was busy hurting people in other ways, and requested that Master Feral take on the position of Dean of our War College.  Master Feral accepted and then swore fealty as Their Warlord as well.

Her Majesty last called upon Countess Alethea to come forward again.  She began by discussing Their acceptance of her service as Their Court Herald at Panteria, and then mentioned how very busy Alethea always was, having been Queen, assisting with running Royal Courts, having run that day’s Rose Tourney as well as being the deputy to the East Kingdom Chronicler.  Her Majesty Kiena then mentioned that there were many members of a particular order who quite simply would not stop talking about all Countess Alethea did, and so They were presenting her with a writ composed by Alys Mackyntoich and lettered by Catarina Giaocchini that would require her answer regarding becoming a member of the Order of the Pelican at Northern Region War Camp.

These are the events as I witnessed them.

Joyously in service to Crown and College,
Baroness Theodora Bryennissa, called Treannah
Vox Regis

Filed under: Uncategorized

Antonio Patrasso, Seneschal of Settmour Swamp, has announced that the group’s event, Quest XXX,  is being cancelled.  The event was to be held on May 24-27.  Sir Antonio reported that the group was “unable to come to acceptable contract terms with the owners of the Quest site” and could not find an alternate site.  The possibility of rescheduling the event or running a single day event is being explored for late Summer or early Fall.

Filed under: Events Tagged: Settmour Swamp

Most people recognize, with a smile, the beautifully-carved, and imaginatively-named pub signs that grace the English landscape, but few realize that the signs date back to the Romans. The Inn Sign Society offers a history of pub signs, along with some nice examples, on its website.

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The story of King Arthur and the Round Table became a national myth thanks to Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Brittaniae – the History of the Kings of Britain. New research has unveiled that this work was written in Oxford.

Helen Fulton, professor of medieval literature at York University has found evidence that Geoffrey was in the English city from between 1129 and 1151, the period when he wrote the legendary account. She tells The Oxford Times, "Geoffrey can certainly be traced to Oxford between 1129 and 1151 because his name appears as a witness on a number of charters – grants of land normally awarded by the king to a particular priory.

“One was the foundation charter for Osney Priory and he had a close connection with the canons of St George in Oxford. His life of Merlin was dedicated to one of the canons of St George.”

Sarah Peverley, senior lecturer at the University of Liverpool, added “Scholars were already aware that Geoffrey spent a great deal of time at Oxford, studying and teaching there, but the new attention given to documentary evidence linking him to the city is fantastic; it will help us to re-evaluate his social milieu and the cultural influences at work on him as he was composing the Historia.

“Though the British fascination with Arthur dates back much further than Geoffrey’s Latin chronicle, Geoffrey is ultimately responsible for the enduring popularity of King Arthur’s story today. He took stories of Arthur’s deeds and achievements from oral culture and brief references to him in earlier works, such as the Historia Brittonum, and invented a golden Arthurian age in the British past.

“His narrative presents history as it should have been, not as it really was. The chronicle’s influence was far-reaching in the Middle Ages, and the Arthurian tales that Geoffrey inspired went onto influence Arthuriana in every subsequent age.

“King Arthur’s appeal is timeless because he’s a touchstone for greatness: he answers society’s desire for strong and just leadership."

Click here to read the article about the discovery from The Oxford Times

“I love seeing how people can really get into their character and become someone from the Middle Ages,they just don’t get to read about history. They get to do it.” said Isabella Beatrice della Rosa (Melissa Wobig) to reporter Chris Mueller of The Daily Republic (Mitchell, South Dakota) about SCA members. Mueller covered the recent Coronation in the Kingdom of Northshield. (photo)

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Two skeletons in a grave in Romania have been found buried together holding hands. The skeletons were probably buried between 1450 and 1550.

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is featuring twelve books celebrating arms and armoring on its MetPublications website. Some of the books are available to download, and others are readable online.

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On April 21, 2013, the Middle Ages came to the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre with the help of local members of the Society for Creative Anachronism. The demonstration was covered by the Saugeen Times (Saugeen, Ontario). (photos)

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