The Boston Globe (article) has reported that the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester MA will be closing at the end of 2013 due to insufficient long-term funding.

The Higgins collection of arms and armor (and the museum’s remaining endowment) will be transferred to the Worcester Art Museum, so these treasures will remain in the area and accessible.

Unrelated to the closure, the Higgins is also deaccessioning some 500 undisplayed objects from its collection. These items will be sold at auction in London on March 20. ( Auction info )

The collection and events at the Higgins have provided enjoyment to many SCA members over the decades, and this museum will be sorely missed. If you have been meaning to visit the museum, do it soon…

Higgins Armory Museum website

Filed under: Tidings Tagged: museums

Their Highnesses, Gregor and Kiena, issued Their first round of Award Order Pollings on Feb. 17, and responses are due back to Them by March 17.

If you are a member of a polled Order and are not subscribed to the polling distribution or the discussion list, you may sign up here: Polling Lists

And if you are subscribed to the polling distribution but did not receive the most recent polls, please contact the Clerk of the Polling Lists, (currently Duchess Katherine Stanhope).

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: awards, pollings

Coronation dayboard is a day long, four course, German meal. Recipes are derived from the period source Ein new Kuchbuch 1581, M. Marxen Rumpolt/ Churf. Meintzischen. There is no feast planned for the event. (Vegetarian = V, Gluten Free =GF)

Course 1
Rye bread, butter
Salat 20: Cucumber salad (V, GF)
Salat 15: Asparagus salad (V, GF)
Salat 41: Roman beans (V, GF)
Salat 45: Radish salad (V, GF)
Cheese
Ham/sausage
Soup 46: New cheese soup(V, GF)
Beef 64: Beef dumplings (meatballs)

Course 2
Lamb 26: Lamb with sage and cherry (served cold)
Hen 2: Hen made in the Hungarian way
Pottage 13: Peas and barley (V)
Pottage 37: Earth apples (potato) (V available, GF)
Soup 45: Cheese onion soup (V, GF available)

Course 3
Indian chicken 3: Stuffed Turkey (served cold)
Pork 34: Roast pork (served cold)
Pottage 81: Barley and chicken
Pottage 126: Lentils and pea broth (V, GF)
Soup 42: Rice soup (V, GF)

Course 4
Confect 1: Apple confect (V, GF)
Turten 8: Apricot tart (V, GF available)
Pretzels (V)
Comfits (V, GF)
Marzipan: (V, GF)

Anyone who has and additinal questions or concerns can contact Baroness Alesone, the Steward of the Meal, at alesone.gray@gmail.com.

Filed under: Events

Lochac – C: Eleanor Catlyng, I: Lisabetta Megdalia

This year’s poem for the Estrella War gift scrolls was written by Baroness Aneleda Falconbridge.  She said of her inspiration, “It is the call of the warhorn that rings with the playfulness of the hunting horn’s call, bidding royal cousins to journey and meet in the spirit of the nobles of Duc du Bery’s calendar months.  I imagined the bright blue of the southwestern sky in my dreary November as I composed.”

Aneleda used a classic sonnet form in iambic pentameter because “I think [it] feels like the galloping rhythm of a horse on the chase and the leaping of fleet hounds beside it. Considering the sun-soaked nature of the war, it seemed appropriate to make it a bright thing with blue skies to send to the warm Estrella war-fields in Atenveldt.”

Poem for the Estrella War
by Baroness Aneleda Falconbridge

A horn sounds out, its tone is sweet and strong.
Upon the ear sustained note doth lay.
It calls to goodly folk, “Come now along
heed war-fields’ call to sing and dance and play!
Swift, beside the stags and coneys, run
unto the place where gryphons, dragons meet,
a-gathered with their cousins in the sun
in fine display of kinship all too fleet.”
See now a land enchanted does appear
where all shall share in battle and in art,
from shyest maid to boist’rous cavalier,
each noble soul displays a nobl’er heart.

The echo’s path we followed, so contrived.
Beneath Estrella’s sky are all revived.

“It was interesting to write something that was both so specific and so non-specific at once,” Aneleda added.  “I had to ask Mistress Kayleigh many questions to understand better the assignment and then I read a few past scrolls to better understand how others had approached it. I also knew that scribes would have different ways of putting it on paper and that its layout would likely be very un-poetry looking. It was humbling to see the scrolls at Birka and I hope that our royal cousins attending Estrella found pleasure in the work.”

Filed under: Arts and Sciences

Artemisia C&I: Lada Monguligin, Transliteration: Gülügjab Tangghudai (called Puppy)

Every year the Tyger Clerk of the Signet arranges for scrolls that the Crown of the East can use as beautiful largesse to give to the Cousin Kingdoms in attendance at Estrella War. It’s something different from our usual run of scrolls, and tends to feature a different mix of scribes and authors each year, inclusive of scroll texts that are generic but in the spirit of friendship this War is known for. When a particular Cousin Kingdom does not attend, the scroll is returned to the Signet Office for gifting when that Kingdom next attends, or until the Tyger Clerk opts to re-start the project anew for a number of reasons, including allowing some of the newer scribes an opportunity to take the spotlight and showcase their talents.

Gleann Abhann – C: Gwillim Kyneth, I: Agatha Wanderer

As head of the East Kingdom College of Scribes, it’s a delight to see so many talented artisans participate in the creation of Kingdom award scrolls that are coordinated through this Office. This year’s Estrella War Gift Scroll project was no exception, and I’d like to thank Aneleda Falconbridge for this year’s poem, and each scribe who participated: Constance de St. Denis, Margaret Twygge, Agatha Wanderer and Gwillim Kyneth, Saerlaith ingen Chennetig, Aleksei Dmitriev, Éadaoin Chruitire, Vettorio Antonello, Emma MacMinn and Henna Sinclair, Isabel Chamberlain, Melisande of the Griffon Wood and Jonathan Blaecstan, Jana von Drachenklaue, Lada Monguligin, Altani Khatagidai, Lisabetta Megdalia and Eleanor Catlyng, Camille des Jardins and Anna Michel Von Salm, Michel Almond de Champagne, Edward MacGyver dos Scorpos, and Catarina Giaocchini.

Aethelmearc – C: Henna Sinclair, I: Emma Makilmone

If you would like to find out more about this project, or if you are interested in creating a Kingdom award scroll and are not already part of the East Kingdom College of Scribes, please feel free to contact me at signet@eastkingdom.org. My staff and I will be happy to assist you however we can.

Yours in Service,
Mistress Kayleigh McWhyte, OL
East Kingdom Tyger Clerk of the Signet

West – C&I: Vettorio Antonello

Trimaris – C&I: Constance de St. Denis

Outlands – C: Anna Mickel von Salm, I: Camille des Jardins

Ealdormere – C: Jonathan Blaecstan, I: Melisande of the Gryphon Wood (called Plunder)

Lochac – C: Eleanor Catlyng, I: Lisabetta Megdalia

Atenveldt C&I: Isabel Chamberlain

Caid – C&I: Éadaoin Chruitire

Ansteorra C&i: Saerlaith ingen Chennetig

Middle – Michel Almond du Champagne The Japanese lady is sipping tea on a rug with Estrella’s heraldry. In the background is a fan with dragonflies (mid realm). Tiger lilies (east) is on her kimono.

The Gazette would like to thank Mistress Kayleigh McWhyte for her assistance in making this article possible.  

Photos by
Cateline la broderesse (except where noted)

Additional scrolls not published:
Drachenwald C&I: Margaret Twygge
Atlantia C&I: Aleksei Dmitriev

Calontir C&I: Altani Khatagida
Meridies C&I: Edward MacGyver dos Scorpos
Northshield C&I: Catarina Giaocchini (called Kasia)

An Tir – I: Jana von Drachenklaue C: Eleanor Catlyng (photo by Eleanor Catlyng)

Filed under: Arts and Sciences Tagged: Calligraphy and Illumination

A new copy of the Pennsic War Points Schedule has been released.  You can click on the image to the left to enlarge it or read the schedule below:

Saturday, July 27th

1PM – Royalty Meeting

8PM – Opening Ceremonies (at or near dusk)

10PM – Known World Party

Sunday, July 28th

10AM – Allies Champions Battle

11AM – Unbelted/Belted Champions

12PM – Heroic Champions

1PM – Rapier Field Battle

3PM – Queen’s Tea

Monday, July 29th

10AM – Field Battle

1PM – Rapier Champions

2PM – Seige Competition

Tuesday, July 30th

11AM – Woods Battle

2PM – Rapier Woods Battle

7PM – Royalty Dinner

Wednesday, July 31st

10AM – Archery Champions

Thursday, August 1st

10AM – Tower Battle

1PM – Rapier Bridge Battle

2PM – Thrown Weapons Competition

Friday, August 2nd

10AM – Bridge Battle

12PM – Closing Ceremonies

The original post on the battle schedule, with some additional information can be found here: http://eastkingdomgazette.org/2013/02/22/1835/

Filed under: Archery, Court, Events, Fencing, Heavy List, Thrown Weapons Tagged: Pennsic, War Points

The primary duty of the office of the Chatelaine is to be the first point of contact to those new to the SCA, or new to the local area. The Chatelaine is expected to read and uphold the governing documents of the Society, the Kingdom, and the local group(s).

As an initial point of contact for those new to the SCA, the Chatelaine is the individual that will get newcomers “fitted” for their first event, and would be responsible for maintaining a Gold Key of garments, as well as dishes, or at the very least cups, for new contacts to use at their first event(s). Maintaining a Gold Key does not mean the Chatelaine is responsible for making all the clothes and donating all the dishes, although they should make sure the items are in good repair and ask for donations or assistance when needed. The Chatelaine is also responsible for making sure that this Gold Key makes it to local events.

The Chatelaine is also expected to know things… lots of things. That does not mean your Chatelaine will know everything, but a good Chatelaine will know where to find information. For instance, if someone wants to learn to cook 14th century food, the Chatelaine should either be able to point that person at someone relatively nearby who can either teach them or who will know someone who can teach them (like a cooking guild).

In this vein, the Chatelaine must keep an open relationship with their local officers. The other local officers will be invaluable help in providing directions and information. When Sally comes to her first event and starts hearing all these crazy names, she is going to want an introduction right away to the Herald that will help guide her into her new life. Same goes for Samantha that is going to need to meet quickly the Knight Marshal who can give her all of the information she needs about the next fight practice.

One of the most important things a person can do as Chatelaine in the East (and this is relevant to any group, really) is to know the Kingdom: the borders, the area oddities, the law of the land, that sort of thing. Certainly the Chatelaine isn’t required to know every single group and name them off by heart, but it is important to have a good idea of the states/territories the Kingdom includes. The East Kingdom begins with the State of Delaware in the South, then expands upward in a sort of a funnel shape into the eastern half of Pennsylvania and New York, includes all of New Jersey and other states north and east of that, and up in to Canada, where we get the honor of claiming those areas to the north of our most North and Eastern states.

The Chatelaine, being the first person that many people in the SCA meet, also has a duty to recruit new members, as well as try to retain both old and new members. It can be exceedingly discouraging for people to hang around feeling like they don’t fit in or they haven’t quite found their niche. It is imperative that the Chatelaine be at the very least a welcoming and warm person who always to try to keep people engaged. New recruits don’t always jump in quickly, so it’s important for a Chatelaine to always keep a lure out.  Retaining people can involve making people feel like they, their help, and their opinions are wanted and needed – because they are.  Chatelaine can be a very tiring, but very rewarding, job.

-Mari Clock van Hoorne
editing assistance provided by Mistress Catrin o’r Rhyd For

** This is the first in a series of articles about the different jobs commonly seen but not always commonly understood in the SCA.

Filed under: Local Groups, Tidings Tagged: Chatelaine, community, information, officers

If you ever wanted to sweep a queen off her feet or take a spin on the dance floor with a king, your chance is coming at Black Rose Ball in Barony of the Bridge on March 9th.

In support of the Royal General Fund, dances with Their Majesties will be up for bid in a silent auction during the teaching portion of the event.  Winning bidders may pay by cash or check (only) and pick up a card that will assure them their place on the Queen’s or King’s dance card.

The dances available with Her Majesty are:
Jenny Pluck Pears
Millisons Jegge
Black Almain
Rufty Tufty
Ly Bens Dystonis
Chestnut
Amoroso
Anello
Gathering Peascods

The dances available with His Majesty are:
Millisons Jegge
Rufty Tufty
Black Almain
Jenny Pluck Pears

So come out and Bid, Bid, Bid then Dance, Dance, Dance and raise money for Crown and for Kingdom while having fun!

Filed under: Events

Greetings To our great Barony of Carillion,Canton of Forestgate ,The Canton of The Keep by The Endless Sea and our Great East ,

We will be having an A&S table at Spring Coronation at the Horse Park in N.J,on April 6th, Come on out and rejoyce with us and show your beautiful A&S projects so our Great Royals and populace can see and enjoy.

The Pick up time will be 4pm. Come on out and have a great fun day with us.I cant wait to see all your wonderful A&S projects and to talk to you.

In Service Lady Lilly of The Valley – MoAS of The Barony of Carillion

Filed under: Arts and Sciences, Events

In the forty-seventh year of the Society, upon 23 February, Edward the  King did enact and cause to be enacted the following:

Item.  His Majestiy caused those good gentles new to our Society to be brought before him, and did gift each with tokens of the day.

 

Item.  His Majesty summoned before him Olafr inn orvi Haraldsson and,
greatly praising his prowess upon the field of battle, then summoned
all those members of the Order of the Tygers Combattant there present
and inducted Olafr into the aforesaid Order, the which deed was
memorialized with a painted shield created by Ian MacDonald and
Harald Ulfsson.

All these things were enacted upon the Feast of Saint Milburga, in the
presence of witnesses, in the Shire of Northern Outpost.  Mistress Alys
Mackyntoich, Their Majesties’ Herald, wrote this, based upon the
report of Lady Dalla Olafskona, who ran the Court

Filed under: Court, Events

The newest edition of Ars Scientia Orientalis has just been published and can be found here.  The following articles are in this edition.

- Adventures in Reconstruction by Duke Sir Vissevald Selkirksson
- Sestina of the Champions by Mistress Dorigen of the Gray Gate
- Curing Olives: Six Methods by Dom. Galefridus Peregrinus
- Making Soap by Mistress Brunissende Dragonette

Filed under: Arts and Sciences

In the forty-seventh year of the Society, upon 24 February, in the
Shire of Hartshorndale, Thyra the Queen did enact and cause to be
enacted the following:

Item.  Her Majesty summoned the children of the East Kingdom and
shared with them toys donated by la Chambre des Dames d’Alisay and and
many others.

Item.  Her Majesty welcomed those new to the Society and gifted each
with tokens of the day.

Item.  Her Majesty summoned into her presence Kathryn Perry and
thereupon awarded her the Order of the Terpsichore in recognition of
her skills at dance, the which deed was memorialized in a document
authored by the hand of Her Majesty and calligraphed and illuminated
by Catarina Giaocchini.

All these things were enacted upon the Feast of Saint Polycarp, in the
presence of witnesses.  Mistress Alys Mackyntoich, Their Majesties’
Herald, wrote this.

Filed under: Court

From Master Feral von Halstern:

Most Courteous Greetings All.

This past Saturday, we finished the Pennsic War Negotiations.

The schedule is as follows, note that this begins on the Sunday of War Week, July 28, 2013:

Sunday: Champions Battles (at least four). If you are on the Belted or Unbelted Team, or are an alternate, please be on site and in armor or let me know ahead of time.

Monday: Field Battle. There will be five battles, each one worth a point, and switching sides of the field after each battle. The Siege Engine competition and Rapier Champions are trying to be scheduled for this day as well.

Tuesday: BOTH Woods Battles: armored first, rapier second. The whole woods will be used for the armored battle and possibly for rapier as well. Final schedules are still being worked out.

Wednesday: Break day, although there may be some brief non-heavy list points scheduled.

Thursday:Tower Battle: a 90 minute resurrection battle with banners and a lot of points. Thrown Weapons and Rapier Bridge may also be on Thursday.

Friday: Concluding with the armored bridge battles. There may be a shorter non-armoured point scheduled for Friday as well.

Pennsic closes on Saturday, August 3, 2013. The Pennsic Staff has requested that we are off the field by Friday at noon. This is not carved in stone and if we need more time on the field Friday, we will take it to make the battles work. Closing Court will also be held on the field.

This is a tentative schedule. Adjustments will be made as necessary, especially if we get hit with bad weather. There are a lot of battles planned for everyone, so try and get into shape. Less bread, beer, and pasta, more veggies and protein. In the immortal words of Sir Sichelgaita von Halstern; “Move more, eat less.”

In Service and Fealty to the East,

Feral von Halstern

Filed under: Events

In response to requests, the Gazette now has a Twitter account.  You can follow us at EastKingdomGaze.  We are also on Facebook, Google+ and a feed was set up over on Live Journal.

Filed under: Tidings

The following article was written to explain games, races and martial activities at the upcoming Swabian event in Carolingia by the autocrat, Lady Kunegunde for Carolingia’s newsletter. It is being reprinted here with her permission.

Swabians were the often-mocked backwards peasants of the Middle Ages, but the Current Middle Ages has sadly neglected this legacy. On April 20th, Carolingia will remedy this with a Swabian Peasant’s Festspiele. Enjoy the games and pastimes of simple country peasants on a holiday! The event is not set in a specific historical time, and people from all cultures and nations are welcome to join in the fun, as we include gentles of all ages in a wide range of active and less-demanding documented pastimes.

The event will be at a new site for Carolingia, Veasey Memorial Hall, at 201 Washington Street, Groveland, MA 01834 (www.VeaseyPark.org). The site has a main building with multiple rooms, including a feast hall and wood-beamed parlor. A wide lawn surrounds the buildings, with plenty of space for heavy list fighting, archery, and active games. The event announcement at http://eastkingdom.org/EventDetails.html?eid=2396 contains full details and pre-registration info.

No celebration is complete without food. Gentles are encouraged to bring lunch items to share with friends, and picnic on the lawn watching the sport if the weather is fair. There will not be a dayboard. Rather than a noble feast, in the evening we will share a celebratory peasant dinner cooked by Lady Richenza an der Brücke. Dinner will be hearty fare, with multiple vegetarian dishes and meat for those who wish it.

The Middle Ages is rich with both familiar and strange games, races, and contests. The autocrat, Lady Kunegunde, is immersed in researching period peasant pastimes and welcomes help, pointers to sources, or other advice. She can be contacted at thjadewolf@yahoo.com.

For the Festspiele, heavy list fighters will be following in the illustrious tradition of Italian commoners, who from the twelfth through fifteenth century regularly held battles with wooden swords. Perugia, Pisa, and Siena all had their own particular variation of this battle, for possession of a town square or bridge. Sources document the equipment needed as helmets, quilted jackets, leg coverings, and a shield. They also tell us that the battles could go on for nine hours, result in numerous broken bones, and be followed by a children’s battle! (Endrei p. 93-4) We expect our recreation to fall a bit short of those marks. Scenarios are not yet finalized, but may well include town and bridge battles. There should be plenty of fighting to be had throughout the day!

The site also allows archery. Medieval Germany was particularly known for archery contests, in which prizes were given for knocking pieces larger than an ounce off the wooden target bird, in addition to prizes for high scores. Germans also gave a joke prize to any archer who got a score of zero: a piglet (Endrei p. 127-8). While details of scenarios are not yet finalized, we expect a day of shooting to delight all our archers.

Thrifty peasants don’t throw things away, they resell them. Lady Edith has volunteered to organize and run a market at the Festspiele for the sale of used goods. Please contact her for specifics at chronicler@carolingia.eastkingdom.org. Bring SCA related items worth $20 or less to sell, and cash to buy things you want.

Races are a familiar contest that will be represented in several forms, including chances for the balanced or clever to outpace the merely fast. Carolingians of long standing will remember the ladies’ footrace, traditional at Falling Leaves. The Festspiele will bring back the tradition, if possible with the medieval prizes of kerchiefs, aprons and caps serving as the finish line. Sources tell of laws forbidding ladies to strip off their outer garments to race, but certainly that would never happen at a Carolingian event!

Marbles are a surprisingly ancient pastime, and medieval people played a wide variety of games with them. Allegedly, round vegetables and fruits were the first marbles. There are some sources that reliably document marble games played with food. Breugel shows a South German game: players form pyramids with four walnuts each, then try to knock the pyramids over with another nut. The player who knocks over the pyramid gets to eat the nuts. Another game closer to our modern idea of marbles is “Spans,” in which players win their opponent’s marbles by landing a marble within a hand span of the opponent’s already-thrown marble. Those playing this game are advised to pre-negotiate whose hand will be used for measuring to avoid potential arguments. (Endrei p 114) These and other marble games will be taught and played at the event.

Yeder Vogel in sein Nest is, as you may have guessed, a German game. The name means “Every Bird in its Nest.” All players but one wait on their “nest,” such as a tree. The player without a nest, called the catcher, calls out “switch,” and each player runs to the nest of another player. Whoever is left without a nest is the new catcher, and the game repeats (Endrei p. 87).

Prisoner’s Bars was a medieval game played across Europe (Strutt p. 143, Endrei p. 86). In essence, each player is chasing one person and chased by a different person, at the same time. Two teams start out on their home bases, and form human chains. One end of the chain remains at the base while the other end stretches out. One player from team 1 decides to make a run for it and drops out of the human chain. A player from team 2 then leaves their chain to pursue the first player. Someone from team 1 leaves their chain to pursue the player from team 2. This continues until all the players have left their chains, each chasing one person and being chased by one person. To find out what happens when someone is captured, come to the Festspiele!

As you may have noticed, many of these games are playable by adults and children alike. There is documentation of Hugo von Trimberg censuring adults for playing marbles childishly in 1290. He reports they run after their marbles chanting rhymes to keep them rolling, or shielding them from unfavorable winds with their garments (Endrei p. 114). The Swabian Peasants’ Festspiele will follow the illustrious example of our medieval forbearers and include all ages in most games.

There will also be a few games especially for children. One is Wolf and Sheep, the older version of Duck Duck Goose. Don’t worry, we’ll remove the part where someone is beaten with a sack of dried peas (Endrei p. 23). Alternately, Meidungern is a German game with no beatings at all. A question is asked, and the players must answer it without using certain forbidden words, for example yes, no, black, or white (Endrei p. 83). This can be challenging if you ask the right questions and forbid the right words!

Of course, the Middle Ages had a disregard for risk of bodily harm that we will not be able to accurately re-create. The blindfolded wheelbarrow race from medieval festival days will not take place at this event, unless sufficient gentles bring their own wheelbarrows, blindfolds, and signed damage waivers. How many volunteers are there to race barefoot between swords buried with the point sticking up out of the ground?

If any of this sounds fun or funny, come join in the Festspiele!

Bibliography
Endrei, W. and L. Zolnay, Fun and Games in Old Europe. Budapest: Corvina Kiadó, 1986. Trans. Károly Ravasz.
Strutt, Joseph, The Sports and Pastimes of the People of England. London: Chatto and Windus, 1876. Ed. William Hone.

Filed under: Events Tagged: Carolingia

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There is no need to beware the Ides of March within the EastKingdom.

The calendar is filled with exciting events, sure to please one and all.  Should you be willing to warm up in the winter, there is a tavern to attend, dancing to be had, or bardic and noisemakers to enjoy.   If you would like to join the academia, the Kingdom is offering events in scribal and scholas.  Perhaps if martial activities is more to your liking, come out and enjoy Mudthaw, and experience the pomp and circumstance of a baronial investiture, as well as many, many more activities.

Filed under: Events, Uncategorized

The following were enacted by Edward and Thyra in the year of the Society forty-seven, sixteenth day of February at Dragonship Haven, in common conference and in the presence of witnesses.

Item. Their Majesties summoned the children of the East Kingdom and shared with them toys donated by la Chambre des Dames d’Alisay and others.

Item. Their Majesties caused those good gentles new to our Society to be brought before the Tyger Thrones, and did gift each with tokens of the day.

Item. Their Majesties convened a great gathering of artisans from across the four corners of the Kingdom and from among their number selected as the most excellent of their day Ose Silverhair, the said Ose to stand as Queen’s Champion of Arts and Sciences for the term of a year, the which deed was memorialized in a document created by Dosalena Sofia della Mirandola and Kayleigh McWhyte.

Item. Their Majesties announced that David of Quintavia prevailed in the Master Alexander Younger Memorial Challenge with his creation of a leather bottle.

Item. His Majesty Edward selected Solskinn as the artisan to stand as King’s Champion of Arts and Sciences for the term of a year, the which deed was memorialized in a document created by Lassar ingen Aeda.

Item. The Keepers of Athena’s Thimble presented Queen Thyra with a gift of a work bag and accessories for Her embroidery.

Item. Their Majesties accepted the fealty of Lady Sabina Luttrell as the new Kingdom Minister of the Lists.

Item. Their Majesties thanked Mistress Brunissende Dragonette for her service as Kingdom Minister of Arts and Sciences and accepted the fealty of Lady Gabriella de Bas Serra as the new Kingdom Minister of Arts and Sciences.

Item. Saint Eligius’ Guild of Enamellers made gifts to Their Majesties and the Kingdom of enameled award medallions.

Item. Cassandra Arques de Northmannia approached the Tyger Thrones and made gifts to Their Majesties and Her Highness of painted miniature portraits.

Item. Their Majesties summoned before the Court Alesone Gray of Cranlegh and gifted her with the Award of the Golden Lyre for her excellent work in sugar subtleties.

Item. Their Majesties called Christoffel d’Allaines-le-Comte before the Tyger Thrones and, praising his great labors, inducted him into the Order of the Silver Crescent, the which deed was memorialized in a document created by Agatha Wanderer and Gwillim Kyneth.

Item. The aforenamed Order being as of yet incomplete, their Majesties summoned Rosette de Rheims to stand before the Tyger Thrones and thereupon inducted her into the Order of the Silver Crescent in acknowledgment of her many labors, the which deed was memorialized in a document created from a woodcut by Renne Wurm.

Item. His Majesty called before the Court Katrusha the Skomorokh and, praising her manner and garments and talents, inducted her into the King’s Order of Excellence, the which deed was memorialized in a document writ in her native tongue by Michael Acrensis, calligraphed by Carolyne de la Pointe, and illuminated by Ro Honig von Sommerfeldt.

Item. Their Majesties issued a writ to Eowyn Eilonwy of Alewife Brook summoning her to appear before the Court upon 9 March in the Barony of the Bridge, there to answer the question of whether she would accept from Their Majesties’ hands the Order of the Pelican, the which writ was composed by Alys Mackyntoich and calligraphed by Eva Woderose.

Item. Their Majesties summoned the Order of the Laurel and, assessing their number, called forth two artisans of manifold and surpassing skill to be added to the Order aforenamed.

The first so called was Siobhan ingen Chon Mhara, who has displayed surpassing excellence in spinning, weaving and other fiber matters; Siobhan received gifts and medallions crafted by many and a document created by Elisabeth Greenleaf.

The second artisan so honored was Xandra Rozina Xiberras Galea, for her manifold skills in metal working; Xandra received gifts and a medallion and a document authored by Alys Mackyntoich, calligraphed by Kayleigh McWhyte, and illuminated by Ekaterina Volkova.

And I, Alys Mackyntoich, by command of the abovewritten my lord king and lady queen, having been present in the aforesaid Court, swear that all the aforesaid things were done as set forth. Witnesses of all this were Ryan McWhyte and Yehuda ben Moshe.

Photographs by Cateline la broderesse and Ygraine of Kellswood

Filed under: Arts and Sciences, Court Tagged: Kings and Queens Champions

Medieval Stained Glass, Lady Solskinn

At the King’s and Queen’s Arts and Sciences Champions event yesterday, an overwhelming amount of articles – beautiful, tasty and practical – were exhibited.  After careful judging, five finalists were chosen.  Photographs of their work is displayed here.

After much deliberation, Lady Ose Silverhair was declared Queen’s Champion.  King’s Champion was Lady Solskinn.

Medieval stained glass, Lady Solskinn

Medieval Stained Glass, Lady Solskinn

The effect of spin direction on fabric design, Lady Ose Silverhair

The effect of spin direction on fabric design, Lady Ose Silverhair

A meal including clean up, Lord Galefridus Peregrinus

All foods came for the medieval Islamic world except for two Byzantine olive cures, Lord Galefridus Peregrinus

Majolica mirror frame, Baroness Ysabella de Draguignan

Majolica book vase, Baroness Ysabella de Draguignan

Armlets from silver hordes in England and Ireland, Earl Kenric aet Essex

Neck-ring typical of Anglo-Saxon grave finds, Earl Kenric aet Essex

Garters based on Sutton Hoo tablet weaving with typical seventh century hooked tags, Earl Kenric aet Essex

Photographs by Cateline la broderesse

Filed under: Arts and Sciences Tagged: Kings and Queens Champion

Blowing snow and the threat of a blizzard could not keep the ardorous inhabitants of the Barony of Endewearde from their annual winter gathering to celebrate love in all its many expressions.

The Tourney of Love was held this past Saturday February 16th in the Barony of Endewearde. It is a day filled with fighting, fencing, arts, music, food and fun.  At stake is the coveted pink baldric of the “Champeen o’ Love”.  Only the most ardent and versatile gentle earns the baldric since the right to wear the baldric comes from the entrant’s combined scores in all three of the day’s competitions: Fencing, Arts & Sciences, and Heavy List combat. Lord Ané du Vey has held the esteemed title of Champeen o’ Love for three years running and this year only one contender had the fortitude and versatility to enter all three categories and thus challenge him for the right to wear the pink and lace confection that signifies his status. Read on to find out if Lord Ané kept the coveted baldric or was forced (?) to surrender the magnificent regalia.

Lord Ané made a spectacular entrance to start the day off entering from the high dais of the tournament hall on a cloud and to the sound of trumpets and the gentle harp music of Baroness Aneleda Falconbridge, he welcomed all comers to this day in celebration of that noblest of emotions, and especially noted Master Julien de Lapointe who was the other intrepid combatant entered in all three contests of the day.

The first event of the day was the Fencing tournament in which 21 were entered.  When all the tallies had been tallied, there was a three-way tie for first place between Master Julien de LaPointe, Lord Radbod, and Don Jordan Harvey. The tie was resolved, at sword point of course, in favor of Don Jordan Harvey.

A short break in the martial activities gave those gentles offering performances as their entries in the Arts and Sciences competition to present their art. Then the populace was issued tokens with which recognize those artisans on display.  They did not have an easy time of it as there were 31 entries ranging across a broad spectrum of arts. The artisan with the most tokens at the end of the day would win the A&S portion of the day.

Then the Heavy List fighters took the field.  Eight entrants fought a round-robin and when the dust had settled, the undefeated champion of the heavy list tournament was Lord Ané du Vey.

Throughout the day a fabulous dayboard was presented by Lady Anya Krasnoperkin and her staff, keeping the gallery and the combatants well fortified for their exertions.

Once the last sword thrust had been delivered and the last A&S token tallied, it was time to announce the winners of the day. As has already been stated, Don Jordan Harvey won the fencing tournament and in recognition of this feat, he was presented with a handmade leather flask finely crafted and donated by Syr Cedric of Thanet. Lord Ané du Vey, winner the heavy list tournament was awarded a mighty drinking vessel “for water” which was made and donated by Anna Tarr.  The Arts & Sciences competition was won by Triggvy for his performance of the battle march of Tir Mara and he was presented with a beautiful stained glass fleur-de-lis donated by Lord Gwillim Kynith. Triggvy also won the Youth category of the Arts & Sciences competition with his performance.

Then it was time to announce the overall winner of the tournament.  The winner was presented not only with the traditional baldric, but also a hot pink great sword crafted by Lord Drottin Broddr Tryggrsson which is nearly as long as the event’s Autocrat Lady Agatha Wanderer is tall. Dubbed the “shaft of love” the prize was bestowed with much giggling and ceremony upon a new Champeen o’ Love: Master Julien de Lapointe.

Following the presentation of prizes the hall was reset for banqueting and an amazing feast was presented by Lady Leofwenn of Wytleseie and her staff. Throughout dinner there was dancing lead by Lord Gwillim Kynith as well as several musical performances. It was a perfect end to a love-filled day of friendly competition in celebration of that most sublime emotion.

Vivat to the beautiful Barony of Endewearde on hosting such a warm and welcoming event to brighten these cold winter days.

Filed under: Events Tagged: a&s, Endewearde, events, fencing, heavy list

 

This Saturday the Barony of Iron Bog is proud to host the second Modern World Collides with the SCA. Would you like to learn about how the modern world impacts the SCA from knowledgeable professionals?
There is something being offered for everybody. The following classes are being offered:

10 to 11
Chained Books & Jealous Monks: Copyright Law in a Nutshell (Lord Tristan le Chanticler de Champaigne)
Project Management for Autocrats (THL Owynn Greenwood)

11 to 12
Civil and Criminal liability for officers (Master Lawrence Thornguard)
My Persona’s Curriculum Vitae meets My Modern Resume (Sir Tanaka Raiko)

1 to 2
PATENTS. (Garrick Mapmaker, OGR)
Using the web pollings and recommendations page (Lady Raffaella Mascolo)

2 to 3
Modern Commercial Heraldry: Trademark Law in a Nutshell (Lord Tristan le Chanticler de Champaigne)
The SCA Meets the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Why do I have to Allow Dogs At My Event. Lady Caitriona inghean Sheamuis

3 to 4
Civil and Criminal liability for officers (Master Lawrence Thornguard)
My Persona’s Curriculum Vitae meets My Modern Resume (Sir Tanaka Raiko)

4 to 5
Deductible Expenses in the SCA (Molly inghean ui Raighallaigh)
Bringing Your Research from Re-enactment to Academia (Lady Jane Milford, OM)

Filed under: Uncategorized