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.

read more

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)

read more

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

read more

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.

read more

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)

read more

Last year’s Kountess of Kaos challenges a heavy list fighter, now known as Their Royal Majesties Gregor and Kiena.

Once again, the Laurels and Pelicans of the East Kingdom will take to the field with boffer weapons and a sense of humor to raise money for the Kingdom.  They will face off in melees for honor, glory and the laughter of the crowd at Panteria XVIII in the Shire of Panther Vale (Thetford, VT) . The peerage that takes the best two out of three will be declared the winner.

Laurels and Pelicans are currently being recruited for this good humored mayhem. Participants will be announced around May 6th at LaurelsvsPelicans.com.  Cut-off for donations will be May 18th, so weapons can be made.  Panteria is also host to order meetings for both peerages.

The boffer weapons that the peers can use are determined by how much money they raise.  They range from a dagger for $25 to a specialty weapon for $100.  Specialty weapons were popular last year and included a giant ladle, a quill pen, Grendel’s arm and a bourbon bottle.

Laurels and Pelicans with their weapons – 2012

People who would like to fight for their order and help the kingdom, should contact one of the following people:

• Mistress Catrin o’r Rhyd For
• Countess Svava Thorgeirsdottir
• Lucie Lovegood of Ramisgate

The melees are again being sponsored by the Baron of Carolingia, Fergus MacRae, which means that all the money raised can be donated to the Pennsic War Chest.

Filed under: Events Tagged: Laurels vs. Pelicans

For years, officials at Wales' 12th century Cardigan Castle have dreamed of raising funding to restore the castle and turn it into a heritage center and site for open-air concerts. The castle is believed to be the birthplace of the eisteddfod,  a festival of poetry and music, dating to the 12th century.

read more

"Why should we trust them? They misplaced him for 500 years," says Conservative Councillor Tom Fox of the Scarborough Borough Council about his objection to Richard III's burial in Leicester, England. (video)

read more

Greetings!

I would like to share with everyone the following letter from our most recent SCA President, Tom Hughes. As he indicates, it has been a busy past three years for the SCA, and his summary speaks for itself. We thank him for his time spent on behalf of our organization!

There have been other position changes effective this past weekend, please welcome Arthur Donadio as the newest Director, Mark Faulcon as Chairman, and Lisa May as Vice-Chair.

As always, we encourage everyone to share their thoughts, concerns, questions with us at comments@sca.org.

Leslie Vaughn

Incoming President, SCA, Inc.

April 20, 2013

Greetings unto the SCA,

I stepped down at the end of the April 2013 Board Meeting. During the past three years, it has been my extreme pleasure and supreme honor to serve you and the members of the SCA. When I stepped up as Interim Society Exchequer in January 2010 and then as President in July 2010, the SCA was slowly bleeding to death financially since the revenue and cost models were out of balance, the Corporate Staff was burdened the need to manage responses to the legal matters in Pennsylvania, and the SCA was responding to changes in state laws and enforcement relative to foreign corporations as it relates to SCA, Inc. operating in states other than California. There have been many accomplishments which we can celebrate. These include:

1. Formation of 15 subsidiaries;
2. Returning the SCA to a cash-flow positive basis;
3. Revising the revenue model for the SCA;
4. Reducing the operating costs for publication of the SCA’s kingdom newsletters.
5. Creation of the Vice President of Information Technology to guide the SCA’s use of computer and information technology.
6. Upgrades to the SCA’s information technology infrastructure.
7. Development of electronic newsletters for sustaining members.
8. Settling the Pennsylvania lawsuit;
9. Settling the lawsuit against the non-compliant insurance companies;
10. Regulating youth combat at Society level;
11. Development of an updated, draft Youth Policy; and
12. Establishment of the new Youth and Family Activities Program.

The SCA Board has embarked on developing and adopting a new Long Range Plan which represents a “renaissance in SCA governance.” I firmly believe that these efforts will result in a better game and a better corporation. However, some opportunities remain for continued improvement, namely: attracting and retaining members; continuing to make the SCA a member, family and youth friendly social organization; and maintaining a long term sustainable organization.

As I depart, I end by repeating my usual mantra: I command all SCA members to “Have fun and make our game fun for everyone, everyday!”

As always, I remain in service to the SCA. Your humble civil servant,

Thomas W. Hughes

Thomas W. Hughes

Out-going President, SCA Inc.

 
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas,  CA 95036

You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.

This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc.  Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.

Filed under: Corporate Tagged: BoD

The latest subject of interest for royal remains hunters is Boudicca, the warrior queen, who fought the Romans to defend Britain, who may lie beneath a Birmingham McDonalds or platform eight, nine or 10 at King's Cross Station.

read more

Since the Middle Ages, Scottish men have been involved in military pursuits, often on foreign soil. Fierce fighters, especially from the western islands, were particularly prized by the armies of Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and France. Steven McKenzie of the BBC looks at their history.

read more

A group of experts convened recently at the Yorkshire Museum to debate the age of the beautiful Escrick Ring, found in a field near York, England. The ring was believed to date from the 12th through 16th centuries, but some now think as early as the 5th century. (photo)

read more

Leslie Vaughn, the incoming President of the SCA Inc., has published an open letter of greeting to the populace, including a farewell letter from outgoing President, Thomas Hughes.

read more

Today in the Crown Province of Ostgardr, Earl Kenric aet Essex was crowned Prince by King Gregor IV and Queen Kiena II.

Prince Kenric then set the coronet of Princess on the head of his wife, Countess Avelina Keyes, making note of the short time they had been married to the amusement of the crowd.  For more information on their recent marriage, see the article on the First Court of Edward II and Thyra.

Information provided by editor on the field, Baroness Mylisant Grey.  Photo couresty of Mistress Fiona O’Maille and Baroness Mylisant Grey.

Filed under: Court, Heavy List

In the fifth bout using sword and shield, Earl Kenric aet Essex, fighting for Countess Avelina Keyes, won against Sir Thomas of Ravenhill, fighting for Áine an Neamheaglach.

Information and photo provided by editor on the field, Baroness Mylisant Grey. 

Filed under: Uncategorized

Sir Thomas of Ravenhill, fighting for Áine an Neamheaglach, won the third bout against Earl Kenric aet Essex, fighting for Countess Avelina Keyes, Bout three was pole arm.  Bout one was Florentine and bout two was Sword and Shield.

Information provided by editor on the field, Baroness Mylisant Grey.  Photo couresty of Mistress Fiona O’Maille.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Sir Thomas of Ravenhill, fighting for Áine an Neamheaglach, won against Earl Kenric aet Essex, fighting for Countess Avelina Keyes.  The fourth bout was greatsword.

Information provided by editor on the field, Baroness Mylisant Grey. 

Filed under: Heavy List