The History of Trinovantia Nova

In ancient times did a lot of real nice people form trinovantia

and it was was good

Then we had some infighting

and then we kissed and made up

then we had a midrealm crown tournement, which Comar I won, and Finn came second.

Then we had some infighting

and then we kissed and made up

and we had the first winter war

Then we had some infighting

and then we kissed and made up

The we started have storming of the gate

Then we had some infighting

and then we kissed and made up

The we tried to become a barony

Then we had some infighting

and then we kissed and made up

And everyone lived happily ever after.

Uncle J ( who left out some details )

Ozzie Cooks Da Pig (Fall Coronation 2010)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

Ozzie is a Scottish bear hand puppet who resides in Ardchreag.

It was way too early to be up, I dunno what those people were thinking about. What sane person gets up so early to start cooking? So sleepy, but I cooked real good. That Mahault was in charge, she had good plan, everything laid out. I cut vegetables, I wash dishes. I sneak candied ginger when no one looking. Makes me hyper. More hyper. I runs around in circles, then that Mahault says if I gots so much energy I can wash chick peas. Lots and lots of chick peas. I fall in the pot of chick peas, and almost drown. Gross.

When I gets out da Arrochar House cleans me up. My kilt is all gucky. I has to change into poncey cotehardie. Lots of buttons. Takes half hour to do them all up. They look like chick peas.

Apparently feast is liked. I don’t see it. I sleeping by that time in back of kitchen, up on high shelf where no one can see me. Nappy time. I’m big time chef, though Mahault help too.

Our Homeland, Beloved Ealdormere: The Line of the North

The Line of the North

Master Hector of the Black Height (with additions by Dame TSivia bas Tamara v'Amberview)

Hear,O Prince, the names of your line, and marvel at the glory of the North.

Seventeenth and last of the line of Lupine Highnesses sits Berus, bright of eye and brave of heart, with his beloved Marion, Midwife to a Kingdom's birth. From them, Royal Kings and Queens shall spring forth to sit upon the Wolfs Northern Throne.

Before him sat Prince Gunter the second, whose hall is famed and benches full, and Morgen of the radiant countenance.

Before him sat Prince Edward, with eyes like an eagle, beside Rylyn of the hundred treasures.

Before him sat Princess Elizabeth, first princess of the North by right of arms, she who ever sought and seeks, and Menken who knew the Northlands well.

Before her sat Prince Roak the third, drum dancer of distant fields, and Moria of the scarlet veils.

Before him sat Prince Mordain, wise in old war ways, and Ælflaeda the bountiful.

Before him sat Prince Roak the second, the mountain mighty, and Tarkwyn the second, the kind spoken.

Before him sat Prince David the second, the stag hearted, and Elina, sure shield princess.

Before him sat Prince Gunter the first, rich handed ring giver, and Joleicia, hopeful as the sunrise.

Before him sat Prince Cordigan, song swift swordsman, and Diane, patient as the blossoms of Spring.

Before him sat Prince Kildare the second, young wolf of olden wisdom, and Lella the dawn blued.

Before him sat Prince Belgar, hawk handed warrior, and Andrea of the silent smiles.

Before him sat Prince Kildare the first, silver wolf of golden Northlands, and Catherine, the fierce hearted.

Before him sat Prince Roak the first, thunderhead of the North storm, and Tarquin the first, welcome as the soft rains of April.

Before him sat Prince Osis, shield hewer, and Ragnheithr, the blaze of autumn.

Before him sat Prince Michel, iron lord of the Northlands, and Kaellyn, heart wide as the Inland Seas.

Before him sat Prince David the first, deer shanked regent, first of the Line of the North, and Tangwystl, warm as the spring winds and graceful as the snowflake.

Before him sat the Prince-King Tadashi, last of the Southron, old sea otter at play, and Ariake, the wild rose in bloom.

Before him sat the Prince-King Palymar, great brock of the Southland, and Katherine, soft as the heather.

Before him sat the Prince-King Reynard, strong as the distant thunders, and Brynhildr, warm as dew on down.

Before him sat the Prince-King Corwin, of whom bards are silent, first of the Southron, and Shana the distant.

Before him stood John the Oak hewed, who bore the Collar of Two Baronies and a Shire, and Dea, willowy and wistful, of the Nameless Place.

Before him stood Yog the granite cleft, and Hannora the moon gilt.

Before him was the wolf, and the wilds, and the will.

Our Homeland, Beloved Ealdormere: Music and Poetry of Ealdormere's Early Years

Music and Poetry of Ealdormere's Early Years

Lament for Ealdormere

The Hunting Of The Wolf

A Song For The Place That Cannot Say Its Name

The Polestar: A Song For Ealdormere

A Tale Of The Collars

Ealdormere Battle Song

The "E" Song

The Field Battle, Pennsic XVII

Lament for Ealdormere

Words and music by Mistress Rhiannon of Wye, O.L.

Well may you weep, you maidens merry.

Well may you weep, you warriors bold.

Men by the fire and mothers nursing,

Sad news I tell: Ealdormere is dead.

She was not born of man or woman.

She was not sent by gods above.

She was the sum of all our hearts' yearning.

Bitter words: Ealdormere is dead.

Blessed by beasts of field and forest,

Blessed by all but destiny.

Fates are not kind to those who defy them,

Black their gifts. Ealdormere is dead.

Wondrous her works, but none might outlast her.

Sure her shafts, too many the foe.

Countless her friends, yet none might stand by her.

Lone she fell. Ealdormere is dead.

 Tell your sons and tell your daughters,

Tell your babes this tale of woe.

A hero was born when the world was not ready.

Brief her song, Ealdormere is dead.

 ©1986 Menya Wolfe

(This song was written to accompany the story written by Master Aedan O'Kincorra about the "Doom of Ealdormere". Mistress Rhiannon says that everyone liked it BUT Aedan, who felt it was too bleak. Her intention was to capture the moment of grief", and leave the hope and renewal to others. Clearly she was successful. Ed.)

The Hunting of the Wolf

Words and music by Baroness TSivia bas Tamara v'Amberview, O.L.

10 May XXl A.S. (1986), dedicated to "When Calontir Stands Alone"

Listen at night while the farmer lies sleeping

The horses they stamp and the cows they do low.

The trees bow their heads as the Earth is heard weeping,

All mourn the brave Timber Wolf dead in the snow.

Once proud as a symbol of people united,

How loyal her heart and how keen was her eye.

To Dragon and Crown was her loyalty plighted:

Why then did the Fates order that she must die?

No other could rival her strength or her beauty,

Beloved by all, even Ursus and Hare.

She strove to protect all who lived by the "Old Sea",

And none could find reason for her to beware.

One night as the moon lit the Timber Wolfs forest

The King and his Council did ride all for sport.

They spied the fair Wolf and did name her a fine Quest:

A pox on that King and his unthinking Court!

Fast did the fleet Wolf run, o'er hedgerow and barrow

But faster still ran the foam-flecked Royal steed.

The King himself shot off a fair feathered arrow –

No animal living could beat that shaft's speed.

The arrow struck true and the Wolf fell down dying.

No sound could be heard but the hunter's harsh breath.

Then down fell the snow as the Earth started crying,

Then all within mourned for the noble Wolfs death.

Too la te did the noble ones rue their decision,

Too late for the King to mend what was cast down.

How much was then changed by that single omission:

Forgetting humility best serves the Crown.

The bards of the "Old Sea", both rabbit and bruin

Did honour her mem'ry with smile and with tear.

And so from her ashes rose vict'ry, NOT ruin:

Waes Hael to the folk who still love (Ealdormere)!"*

* During the period when people could not speak the name of Ealdormere, this last word was mouthed by the singer, and usually screamed by the populace.

© 1986 S. Rabinovitch

A Song for the Place that Cannot Say Its Very Name

Words and music by Master Hector of the Black Height, O.L., O.P.

Look to the Northlands and follow their wand'ring,

Through forest and glen to the lakes big as seas;

Deride them or curse them, it makes little matter,

For wolves there remain, and those wolves remain free.

They look to the North, some in awe, some in anger,

They claim it as prize in their noble array:

While Southron takes broadland and thinks it a bauble,

Up North, in our forests, there's wolf cubs at play.

You cannot ignore the wild cries in the darkness,

A flickering candle or smoke from a fire;

You may turn your back, and then curse what's behind you

But we've patience aplenty - the North does not tire.

Some wolves hunt in packs; some hold ground and menace;

Some slip dark and stealthy 'twixt towering trees.

You may hunt and trap one, or even a dozen,

But hunter, think not that the pack's on its knees.

Deny us a name, ye deny us our right arm;

Like tracks in the snow, hope they'll all blow away,

But memory's long, and our wounds we are licking;

So don't tread in our forest, lest you feel fangs at play.

We look from the North, some in pain, some in pity,

From hearth-fire and household, in sword and in song;

The wolf cubs are nipping the heels of the old wolves:

The pack will be feeding down South before long.

© A.H. Mclean

This was written just after receipt of the decree that "outlawed" the region of Ealdormere and its Champion. The first verse is inscribed in runic on the Champions' Collars of Ealdormere. It was first published in The Book of the Reign of David and Tangwystl.

The Polestar: A Song for Ealdormere

Words and music by Baroness TSivia bas Tamara v'Amberview, O.L.

Retrain:

(SO) Follow the Polestar and follow the snowfall

And follow the wolf to the North,

For where silver flowers grow

'Neath a blanket of snow,

Is our homeland, beloved Ealdormere.

Argent's our land in the cold of the winter;

Clear silver the ice on the lake,

And the trillium white

Is our heart's true delight

For our homeland, beloved Ealdormere.

(Refrain)

Crimson the blood we will shed to defend her

And scarlet the fair Northern Lights

And our red twilight sky

Fills my heart and my eye

For our homeland, beloved Ealdormere.

(Refrain)

Wolven kin blest with both brav'ry and beauty,

Wolf-children howl to the wind

Telling glorious tales

Over strong mead and ale

Of our homeland, beloved Ealdormere,

(Refrain)

So sing of our dear ones and tell of our lost ones.

Remember with voice and with deed,

Tis our honour and right

To bear scarlet and white

For our homeland, beloved Ealdormere!

Final Retrain:

Follow the Polestar and follow the snowfall, A

nd follow the wolf to the North,

For where sil ver flowers grow

'Neath a blanket of snow

Is our homeland, beloved Ealdorrnere

-- Is MY Homeland, Beloved Ealdormere!

1 March XXXI A.S. (1997 C.E.), inspired by a dream

© 1997 S. Rabinovitch

A Tale of the Collars

Words and music by Master Hector of the Black Height. O.L., O.F.

Colwyn's vision, cymru lady

Gorgets gorgeous, blaze of bonfires

Done from dreaming into waking

Sparkle 'neath the seven stars

Now to Northman came new vision

Conn's own craftsman, of the eagles

Melded metals with fair jewels

Flash of Ealdormeran fire

Finely honed by house of eagles

Wildfire words it whispered far

In the glow of great North wak'ning

Sulphur blast from Sylard's forge

Cast the coals forth for a champion

Northman known to spread the fire

Granite-cleft with flames set soaring

And the moon -gilt girl beside

Came the dark times, deep and frigid

Cool turves roof the coals for now

Damp the North-forge, fan the smoke-wisp

Let the land now nurse its own

Cold concealment cast far from us

Bank the blaze and marvel more

Fast and present now united

In proud Trillium's torchlit court

Take again the brand before us

Smite the foe like flames of fire

Now as then the Northern champions

Join fair jewels in treasured times

© A. H. MacLean

The Champions' Collars of Ealdormere are the oldest pieces of Principality regalia, dating from the earliest days of hope of a Principality, and were awarded to Lord Yog Rhys Mordwyn and his consort, Lady Hanora O'Neill, and later to Lord John of Slaughterfield and Lady Dea of Carlysle. The collars were designed by Mistress Mortraeth Llanelli Colwyn, who was assisted in their design by Master Sylard of Eagleshaven. Master Sylard assisted in the manufacture of the collars.

The collars have graven on them in runic:

"Look to the Northlands and follow their wand'ring,

Through forest and glen to the lakes big as seas,

Deride them or curse them, it makes little matter,

For wolves there remain, and those wolves remain free.

After a long hiatus, the Collars of Ealdormere were presented to the Prince's and Princess' Champions in court on 23 June, A.S. XXV, and are still worn by their successors. Hector believes this was the first court a Prince and Princess of Ealdormere conducted separate from a Midrealm court. Published in The Book of the Reign of David and Tangwvstl.

Ealdormere Battle Song

Words and music by Baroness TSiviu bas Tamara v'Amberview, O.L.

Heark! In the distance the bodhrans are rumbling,

The music of war stirs the air.

The bowstrings are waxed and the broadswords are glinting:

The wolven folk ready their lair.

Chorus:

And it's hi! Ho! Hey! Cry Ealdormere!

Shoulder to shoulder we stand,

And it's hi! Ho! Hey! Cry Ealdorrnere!

Guarding our Prince and our Land.

Look overhead at the wolf standard snapping,

She's baring her teeth at the foe.

We offer our strength and our blood to protect her,

Defending our hearth and our home.

Chorus:

And it's hi! Ho! Hey! Cry Ealdormere!

Shoulder to shoulder we stand,

And it's hi! Ho! Hey! Cry Ealdormere!

Guarding our Prince and our Land.

So throw a last kiss to the one who inspires you

Then march forth for what we hold dear,

And think on the loves and the lands you're protecting:

Our homeland we call Ealdormere!

Chorus:

And it's hi! Ho! Hey! Cry Ealdormere!

Shoulder to shoulder we stand,

And it's hi! Ho! Hey! Cry Ealdormere!

Guarding our Frince and our Land.

Summer A.S. XXIII (1988 C.E.)

© 1988 S. Rabinovitch

The "E"Song

Words by Master Hector of the Black Height, O.L., O.P.

Tune of "Green Grow the Rushes-O"

1) The original version as sung until Ealdormere’s first Coronet:

I'll sing you one-a;

Hey, hey, the wolves will bay.

What is your one-a?

One for the land of Ealdorrnere and evermore shall be so.

I'll sing you two-a;

Hey, hey, the wolves will bay.

What is your two-a?

Two, two, myself and you, we wear the scarlet proudly;

And one for the land of Ealdorrnere and evermore shall be so.

<continue the pattern until the final verse>

I'll sing you ten-o

Hey, hey, the wolves will bay.

What is your ten-a?

Ten, ten, let's do it again;

Nine for Kaffa in the ditch;

Eight for the bastard Viking;

Seven for the Northern households;

Six for the Northern baronies;

Five for His Grace, Tadashi;

Four for the Lord Lieutenant;

Three, three for His Majesty;

Two, two, myself and you, we wear the scarlet proudly;

And one for the land of Ealdorrnere and evermore shall be so.

2) Subsequently it became:

Ten, ten, let's do it again;

Nine for the hundred archers;

Eight for the bastard Viking;

Seven for the Northern households;

Six for the Northern baronies;

Five for His Grace, Tadashi;

Four for His Lupine Highness;

Three, three for His Majesty;

Two, two, myself and you, we wear the scarlet proudly;

And one for the land of Ealdormere and evermore shall be so.

References to royalty are "His" or "Her" depending on who was present when we were singing. Ten is a matter of expediency. I've sung "Ten, ten, let's do it again", "Ten for vict'ry in the South", "Ten for a worthy foe and true" or anything else that seemed apropos given the setting.

Words © A.H. McLean

The Field Battle, Pennsic XVII

Words and music by Master Hector of the Black Height, O.L., O.F.

Ebb and flow, ebb and flow

Wave on rocks, wash and falter

Wave of honour, wave of tears

Fell for friends far lost and gone

Like the waves they lined that day

Wave and wave, steel and sinew

Coursed to crash on rocks and crags

That lined the breach they hoped to lop

Like the waves they laughed that day

Sea-dew sparkle on sunlit steel

Stood they, waves in serried ranks

Like the tide, turned east to roar

Carthage's son stood firm the first

Seaman, soldier, wave-point aimed

With marines and soldiers many

Poised to pounce, lines flowing free

Followed Aeden, long-armed fighter

Gray-beard girt in steel and arms

Cap of waves, the warrior captain

Waiting walk on blooded foam

Came the morning, forth the many

Waves all tumbling towards the east

Wave on wave behind fair Freemen

Signed to spend themselves full well

Came the tide surge, came cruel battle

Waves and troughs, rude crash and roar

Forward Carthage! On Kincora!

On to Eastrealm's point and edge

Towering wave cap, poised to tumble

But the broken rhythm

Ruined the symmetry of the tide race

Pierced on points of Eastern shore

Vain the struggle, and yet valiant

Wave on wave enfold, not free

Elandris fallen, foemen facing

Wounds before him, marines close by

Wave on wave, then waves fell on them

Trident seas of spears unchallenged

Lost was Grimwulf, then Alasdair

Keening Shinan standing o'er him

Roared Rhys Mordwyn, well-spring warrior

Roared o'er crashing sword and spear

"On Trimarans, On Merkfalans

"Come and race the tide today!"

Surged the east, scourged the coast

Glandydd fell, his steel still singing

As he fell 'midst many comrades

Northern waves lapped eastern legs

Forward Aeden, laughing graybeard

Saw his time come, met the moment

Gleeful captain, wave at full course

Meeting fate his wounds in front

Eastrealm circle all around them

Fate washed o'er them, fore and back

Cast was Edward far like flotsam

Lone and lanced, to fight and fall

Cast on rocks was Northern mettle

Rocks of iron, rocks of gold

Shoni's fate fell with King's guardsmen

Tide pool caught 'midst towering crags

Slain from Skraeling was their finest

Cry, for Cordigan sings no more

Shed your tears in distant Steinbach

For Northern foemen felled and still

There fell all who came campaigning

Surged in file to meet their fate

Ruddy ripples reached for succour

Distant wavelets skirt the shore

Ebb and flow, ebb and flow

Waves on rocks, wash and falter

Waves of honour, wave of tears

Fallen for the drear day gone

© A.H. McLean

HISTORICAL NOTE: The Field Battle at Pennsic XVII saw the Ealdormeran forces advancing behind the Free Militia. The plan was that the Militia would spend itself on the Eastern line, allowing the Ealdormerans, deployed in close column of two companies in line, to break through Trimaris and the Merkfalans, taking the enemy from the rear. Unfortunately, injuries on the field caused a re-start,just as the Militia met the Eastern shieldwall.

The two waves of Northmen had to return to their exposed start point; the East had seen the plan. On the second start, the Militia bogged down in a slugging match with the Eastern shieldwall. The two companies surged forward again, but had nowhere to go with the Militia checked in front of them, and had to stop, cramming the two companies together. Completely exposed on the flanks, the lines of Ealdormerans were enveloped and annihilated, in our worst defeat in recent memory. No Midrealm reserves came to the aid of the Ealdormerans, Incidentally, the Midrealm won the battle.

Among the many local heroes listed in this poem arc our commanders of that day, the legendary Baron Master Aedan o Kincora - unfortunately now inactive - and the equally famous Duke Sir Hasdrubal (the Carthaginian Marine), who led the two waves forward. Hector wrote this poem to show how the heroic traditions of Roland and Malden can be translated into the doings of the SCA. This was first published in Ursus. Also published in The Book of the Reign of David and Tanswystl.

Our Homeland, Beloved Ealdormere: The Awards and Orders of the Principality of Ealdormere

The Awards and Orders of the Principality of Ealdormere

Bee, Order of the                                For long-standing service.

Friendship of the Trillium                   For support and guidance to the Coronet, including but not restricted to, former Consorts to the Coronet.

Golden Otter Order of the                  For proficiency in one or more arts and/ or sciences.

Keeper of the Wolf'sHeart:                 For those who inspire unity and spirit within the Principality, and/ or promote the principality with their deeds.

Peregrine, Order of the                       Given for skills of war- related activities.

Princess's Favour, Award of the         Given to those who capture the essence of the Middle Ages. This can be given more than once.

Wolf's Tooth, Award of the               For team martial arts, e.g. fighting scouting, or archery.

Scroll of Honour, The                         This is neither an order nor an award, but a book in which notable people and deeds are inscribed, for all to see and read.

Our Homeland, Beloved Ealdormere: The Groups of Ealdormere

The Groups of Ealdormere

Here are the groups which comprised Ealdorrnere as of the date of her first Crown Tournament, Saturday, April 4, A.SXXXII (1998 C.E.).

The Barony of Septentria

• Canton of Ardchreag (Scarborough)

• Incipient Canton of Caer Draeth (Barrie)

• Canton of Carreg y Blaidd (Northumberland county)

• Canton of Eoforwic (Toronto)

• Proto-Incipient Canton of Greenhite (Oshawa/Whitby)

• Proto-Incipient Canton of Loch Kodiak (Campbell ford)

• Canton of Monadh (Orangeville)

• Canton of Petrea Thule (Peterborough)

• Incipient College of Skeldergate (York University/North York)

• Canton of Vest Yorvi k (Mississa uga)

The Barony of Skraeling Althing

• Canton of Caldrithig (Ottawa)

• Canton of Greyfells (Kingston)

• Canton of Tor Brant (Renfrew county/Petawawa& Pembroke)

The Barony of Rising Waters

• Canton of Dinas Gardd (St. Catharines)

• Incipient Canton of Dragon's Gate (Welland/Ft. Erie)

• Canton of Drachenfaust (Stoney Creek)

• Canton of Pont Y Saeth (Burlington)

The Barony of Ramshaven

• Canton of Ashford-On-Avon (Stratford)

• Canton of Bryniau Tywynnog (Kitchener- Waterloo/Cambridge)

 • College of Der Welfengau (Guelph)

• Canton of Trinovantia Nova (London)

• Incipient Canton of Wessex Mere (Elgin county)

The Barony of Ben Duntirth (Hamilton)

• (no cantons at present)

Independent Shires of Ealdormere

• Shire of Brennisteinnvatn (Sudbury)

• Shire of Flaming Skies (North Bay area)

• Incipient Shire of Owlshaven (Terniskaming district/Timmins)

• March of st. Martin (Sarnia)

List courtesy of the Ealdorrnere web pages (http://www.ealdormere.midrealm.org) and The Pale

Our Homeland, Beloved Ealdormere: Fascinating Facts and Firsts

Fascinating Facts and Firsts

The first feast ever held in Ealdorrnere was hosted by Eoforwic at the International Student Centre of the University of Toronto on Friday, February 6, A.S. X.

The geography which is now Ealdormere was originally encompassed by the Barony of Septentria (with the northern portions given by King Finnvarr de Taahe to a Viking mercenary, Sylard of Eagleshaven).

The first Canton of Ealdorrnere which never existed independently as a shire, was Skraeling Althing (specifically, Caldrithig).

During the period of the Proscription, references were made to 'The Two Baronies and the Shire'. These were the Baronies of Septentria and Skraeling Althing, with the shire being Noergate I (Sault Ste. Marie).

The first Barony founded within the Principality was Rising Waters, in A.S. XXIII.

First Peers: Duke Finnvarr de Taahe, who arrived in Ealdormere as a Count (having sat the Eastern Throne with Caellyn FitzHugh), was Ealdormere's first Knight. Technically Gillian d'Uriel was the first Laurel from Ealdorrnere (Septentria), but she had earned her Laurel primarily in Northwoods Barony, and is no longer resident in Ealdormere.

The first home-grown Peers were:

~ First Knight: Hugo von Feuerklippe

~ First Laurel: Caitlin Stuart

~ First Pelican: Finnvarr de Taahe

First woman to fight in Ealdorrnere: Baroness ]ehanne l'Enragee, of Eoforwic (now living in Ruantallon) .

First female to be knighted in Ealdormere: Syr Elizabeth Mortimer, Viscountess by right of arms.

The first region of the Middle Kingdom to go from Principality to Kingdom was Calontir. Their  animal is the stooping falcon (about to strike). Their colours are Or and Purpure, and their Kingdom Arms feature the Calon Cross as its major charge.

In the spring of A.S. XIX the region mundanely known as the Province of Ontario took Ealdormere as its name. Ealdormere no longer includes the territory encompassing Starleaf Gate, (W. Essex county including Windsor, Ontario), Hawk's Point (E. Essex county), or the region I around Mare Amethystinium (Thunder Bay, Ontario).

In July A.S. XX the first Champion's Tourney of Ealdorrnere was fought during Eoforwic's Decennial. Approximately twenty fighters took the field, including the ladies Ciara and Seam Dracwyn, the only two women to fight in the tournament. That evening during court, Baron Aedan with Baronesses Caffa, Enid Aurelia, and Founding Baroness of Septentria Gillian, invested Yog the Undefeated and Hannorah O'Neill as Champion and Consort of Ealdormere.

 First Award of Ealdormere:

The first award given in Ealdormere was a REGIONAL award, which holds no precedence. It was the Wolfs-head Ring, fashioned out of copper and pewter by Master Sylard of Eagleshaven, O.L. Approximately a dozen of these were given out to worthies.

The first Prince and Princess of the Crown Principality were their Midrealm Majesties Corwin and Shana. The first Prince and Princess by RIGHT OF ARMS were David and Tangwystl.

The first Harper to hold a Court position in Ealdorrnere was Master Naon na Cruiture, O.L., as Harper to both the Baronies of Septentria and Skraeling Althing, The position in Septentria was subsequently filled by Mistress Rhiannon of Wye, O.L.

The first Bard to the Court of Ealdormere was Hector of the Black Height, O.L., O.P., serving David and Tangwystl.

Founding Groups: Ealdorrnere became a Crown Principality with ten branches. In Barony Skraeling Althing: Skraeling Althing (now Caldrithig), and Greyfells (then incipient). In Barony Septentria: Ben Dunfirth, Eoforwic, Rising Waters, Trinovantia, del' Welfengau, Vest Yorvik, Petrea Thule (then incipient), and the incipient shire of Noergate.

OOPS Department

The Collars of Ealdorrnere, worn during Principality days by the Prince's and Princess's Champions, were fashioned by Mistress Mortraeth Llanelli Colwyn with some aid from Master Sylard of Eagleshaven, for the Regional Champion and Consort positions. The Consort's Collar went mysteriously missing before the reign of HSH Kaellyn, and was missing for approximately five full years. Apparently the collar was WALLED into a house during some renovations, and not seen again until further renovations were done years later! How's that for I amazing Ealdormere facts? (Source: Visakona Ragnheithr Thorjarnardottir, Baroness Ramshaven)

Words to Inspire

The text etched onto the Champions' collars of Ealdormere was written by Master Hector of the I Black Height, O.L., O.P., and reads as follows:

Look to the Northlands and follow their wandering,

Past forest and glen to the lakes big as seas.

Deride them or curse them, it makes little matter,

For wolves there remain and those wolves remain free.

Seeing Double

The Barony of Ramshaven, due to bureaucratic and timing difficulties, found itself with TWO sets of landed Barons and Baronesses for approximately two months! Founding Baron and Baroness Cordigan and Diane d'Arnot stepped down in October, but second Baron and Baroness Vali and Ragnheithr were invested as Baron and Baroness two months earlier.

Secrets of Ealdormere

During the time of the Proscription, the (then) non-Laurels of Ealdormere took it upon themselves to make various new pieces of Royal Regalia for the Middle Kingdom. However, if one examines each piece closely (e.g. the Sceptre, the Crowns, etc.) under linings and under fittings, I one will find a tiny wolf's- head etched, often with "Made in Ealdormere" inscribed next to it.

Our Homeland, Beloved Ealdormere: Appendix 8

Appendix 8

In the November A.S. XXIII issue of the PALE, the formation of the as-yet unnamed newsletter to the Crown Principality of Ealdorrnere was announced by its new chronicler.

"Unto all chroniclers in the Crown Principality of Ealdorrnere, from Lady Amyfelyse Alexandra Ivez de Mintestede, Crown Principality Chronicler.

Greetings all!

Firstly, congratulations to the new Crown Principality and all those who helped in the creation of this new status.

Secondly, due to this change in status, we will now need a Principality newsletter. In order to set this up I will meet with our Lord and Lady Lieutenants, Baron Aedan and Baroness Enid. During this meeting I hope that we will come up with a basic structure for the new newsletter, along with ideas pertaining to content, frequency, funding, etc. With luck, and some hard work, I expect to have the initial issue ready for November 1st. This, of course, depends on when the meeting actually takes place. One of the first things that will need to be done is to choose a name for our new newsletter. I have, in my mind, the idea of some kind of contest, with the populace voting on the submission.

Thirdly, although we are now a Crown Principality, we are still part of the Middle Kingdom, and I the Society as a whole, and therefore must still follow their laws and regulations. In particular, the B.O.D. has devised a new disclaimer. This must be on all Middle Kingdom newsletters by November A.S. XXIII (1988). The new disclaimer, as appears on page 6 of the September A.S. XXIII PALE,is as follows:

This is the <NAME OF PUBLICATION>, a publication of the <NAME OF BRANCH I OR GROUP> of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. <NAME OF PUBLICATION> is available from <NAME AND ADDRESS OF PUBLISHER>. It is not a corporate publication of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and does not delineate S.C.A. Policy.

Any publication which omits this disclaimer without specific Board authorization may not cite the name of the Society or any of its branches or educational organizations as the publishing authority and may not publish any official rulings or notices for participants in Society activities; nor may the publication be funded by any subdivision of the Society and no funds for the publication may be held or disbursed from any bank account bearing the Society's Taxpayer [sic] ID.

For your information: the name EALDORMERE is Anglo-Saxon, constructed from ealdor, 'lord/noble/senior' and mere, 'lake'. The name was selected by vote of members in the Society resident in the Province of Ontario, in or around 1984.

Well, I believe that this is all for now, remember, if any of you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or complaints, please feel free to either write or phone. Written this 12th day of September,A.S. XXIII (1988).

In service to the (Crown) Principality and the Mid-Realm,

(signed Amyfelyce)

SEMPER VIVAT EALDORMERE

[Two copies of early Ealdormerean newsletters here followed in the print edition.]

Our Homeland, Beloved Ealdormere: Appendix 7

Appendix 7

September the 26th, AS XXIII (1988).

Unto the Heraldic Officers of the Crown Principality of Ealdormere,

Greetings from Lord Brenainn O'Murchadha de Ros Comain, Trillium Herald.

Good Gentles All:

Our beloved Sovereigns have recently graced our fair land with the status of a Crown Principality. We must now begin in earnest to design Arms for this newly created state. The Lord and Lady Lieutenant shall soon make a public call for the submission of proposed Arms. It shall be our responsibility to solicit, gather and analyze these proposals, and then submit the final selection to the College of Arms.

The timetable for this process shall be roughly as follows:

early October - proposals for Arms solicited fron the people

October 22nd - October Faire, Greyfells - heralds meeting to discuss those proposals collected to date

November 12th - Feast of the Hare, Skraeling Althing - Council meeting; heraldically acceptable proposals presented for the Council's viewing

early December proposals circulated to all group seneschals for viewing by the people; further proposals solicited

January ?th – Twelfth Night, Septentria – heralds meeting to discuss any new proposals; acceptable ones shown to the Council

January - February - proposals circulated to the seneschals for voting by the people

March - successful proposal submitted to the College of Arms

Some fears have been expressed to me as to the advisability of the selection of Arms by the (generally) heraldically ignorant populous. As all of the proposals put before the people will have been thoroughly vetted by us first, nothing heraldically incorrect will be available for selection. This is thus not a problem.

The role of the local pursuivants in all of this shall be to collect any proposals offered by members of the populous, scan them for any obvious breaches of armorial rules (ie, tincture misuse, blatant conflicts, lack of a laurel wreath, extreme complexity, unsubtle offensiveness, etc.), and send them on to me. Do not spend too much time in discoursing with people about their proposals. Please ensure that the proposees all know that their suggestions may be subject to alteration by the Heraldic Officers of Ealdormere (ie, if a proposal contains one or more good ideas, but is generally unacceptable, it will not be tossed out, but rather adjusted to rneet armorial standards).

The most important rule governing our future submission of Arms is AR5, the Good Example Rule; "the armery of Society branches and officers shall set a good example." To my mind this means that our future Arms should appear as mediaeval as possible. Nothing listed as a Discouraged Practice should be used in a proposal. Practices such as "mirror-image" symmetry, the implication of motion , and unbalanced design should be avoided, as should charges and design elements created within the Society (such as wreaths "in bordure" or fields "maily"). However , do not worry too much about this at the local level; those proposals that do not set a good example will, be weeded out long prior to voting.

Another relevant rule is AR9, the Charge Requirements. Part "a" states that "territorial branch arms shall contain at least one laurel wreath as a significant part of the design." The keyword here is "significant;" a tiny wreath off in a corner won't do. Part "b" sets out that "principalities may bear a coronet in their arms if they wish, but are not required to." Crowns and coronets are identical; the difference is entirely one of blazon.

Proposals should be submitted on standard heraldic emblazon forms, one coloured and one not, with no writing in any of the spaces provided. Well drawn proposals would be preferred, of course, but redrawing can be arranged. As well as the emblazen, the proposal should include a letter explaining the reasoning behind the proposed design. Please give the collection of proposals top priority among your duties; I don't think people will mind any possible delays if it's for the service of Ealdormere (however, I still expect your quarterly report on time!).

On wolves: I am of the opinion that wolve s should be discouraged as a part of our Arms, for two reasons:

a) mediaevally, the wolf was a creature of considerable ill-repute; it is not very symbolic of the excellent qualities of the Ealdormerean peoples, and

b) I find the wolf rather dull; I'd rather see some more unusual creature as our totem.

However, by now this beast is probably inseparable from the concept of Ealdormere in many people's hearts. I propose that the Arms be lacking in wolves, but that a wolf badge of some kind, for the general use of the folk of Ealdormere (after all, only the Prince and Princess of Ealdormere will have the use of the Arms), be simultaneously registered. I like "argent, a demi-wolf rampant gules issuant from flames azure," based on an idea (I don't know whose) which I overheard at an event. It incorporates the people's wolf motif, the primary tinctures from the Arms of Septentria, Skraeling Althing, and Noergate, and also relates a bit of our Principality's history. Keep in mind that in mediaeval times badges rarely had any relation to the arms borne by those who used them; it would be a "good example" if Ealdormere followed suit.

On the name: if anyone out there has reason to dislike the name Ealdormere, or thinks they have a better idea, they are welcome to submit a properly documented name proposal. However, I would not offer much for their chances of success; our name is even more ingrained than the wolf symbol. There is no harm in their trying, however.

Should anyone wish to submit proposals for award titles and/or badges, they are welcome to do so. These will not be considered until some future time, and are not yet a priority. Any such proposals will be stored and studied until needed.

On to more commonplace matters.

When a submission. is sent to me, the monies to cover expenses should be in the form of a cheque or money order payable to the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Cash, or cheques/money orders payable to me, are an inconvenience and an extra expense for me: I have to change them into an acceptable money order and send this on to Kingdom level. I do not get to keep any of the submitters money, it all goes to Dragon Herald. Please find with this letter an updated listing of my resources. My thanks for your cooperation in these matters. Best wishes to you all!

 Your Servant as Ever,

Brenainn O'Murchadha, Trillium Herald.

[contact information removed]

December the 7th, AS XXIII (1985).

Unto the Group Seneschals of the Crown Principality of Ealdormere, and All Other Gentles to Whom this missive may come, Greetings from Lord Brenainn O'Murchadha de Ros Comain, Trillium Principality Herald.

 Most August Lords and Ladies:

This letter is for the purpose of acquainting the citizens of Ealdormere with the current selection of possibilities for our Principality Arms. Please allow the good gentlefolk of your group to view and (I hope) discuss this letter and the accompanying emblazons as soon as you may. Please colour the illustrations, perhaps with the aid of your local pursuivant.

The arms proposals herein depicted have all been checked for conflict t0 the best of my current ability (with one exception). They are all heraldically correct.

They are:

a) Gules, a wolf passant argent within a laurel wreath, in chief a coronet or.

b) Argent, a laurel wreath gules, overall on a fess wavy azure, a coronet argent.

c) Or, a fountain within a laurel wreath azure, in chief a coronet gules.

d) Argent, a pale gules, overall a wolf rampant or holding in the forepaws a laurel wreath vert, in chief a coronet or.

e) Gules, a trillium flower proper within a laurel wreath, in chief a coronet argent.

f) Argent, on a fess gules between three laurel wreaths vert, a coronet or.

g) Per bend. sinister argent and gules, a compass-star counterchanged, in canton a coronet gules within a laurel wreath vert.

h) Azure, a laurel wreath and on a chief wavy or, a coronet gules.

i) Vert, a shakefork fleury between in chief a coronet and in base two laurel wreath or.

j) Quarterly gules and azure, a horse statant, armed and caparisoned, in base a laurel wreath argent.

k) Argent, a demi-wolf rampant gules issuant from flames azure (a badge).

The only one of the above which has not yet been checked is j); it was included because my brother drew one extra escutcheon on the emblazon sheet, and also because it is the only submission thus far to attempt to cant on the name Ealdormere (older-mare; a grey horse). I have a goodly number of other proposals on hand which yet require checking. Further suggestions will be accepted until January.

Item k) is not an arms proposal, but rather a badge for the use of the people at large. Keep in mind that the Principality Arms will be for the use of the Prince and Princess; use by other citizens will be most uncommon.

Please be sure that your group is aware that anyone can send me their proposals, and that I must have them by January, the earlier, the better. My address can be found below. Great thanks for your cooperation in this matter!

Your Humble Servant,

Lord Brenainn O’Murchadha.

[contact information removed]

Our Homeland, Beloved Ealdormere: Appendix 6

Appendix 6

DECISION MAKING STRUCTURE FOR THE CREATION OF EALDORMERE

The Crown has delegated the responsibility for setting up the political structure of Ealdormere to the Council of Ealdormere. The Council, as specified by the Charter 1S both too large and too small. It is too large to make up all the rules, ceremonies, procedures and decisions, and it is too small to be fully representative. Organization theory, and practical experience, teach us that such enter- pr1ses are best cone through a series of committees, with an agreed structure in place for consultation and decision making.

The Council, and ultimately the Lieutenants of Ealdormere are responsible to the people of Ealdormere and the Curia for producing a mutually acceptable, workable, principality within two years. We need to get a fast, but sure, start. The following proposal has been submitted to us by Lady Susanna the Unyielding, who has worked for a number of years with federal parliamentary committees. This proposal is based on her experience with these procedures (and as we all know, parliamentary committees is where the real work gets done!). I have added some suggestions of my own, based on my own work as an organization analyst, and my committee experience.

I offer this as a starting point, which can be modified or strengthened as the Council sees fit.

Why this Process will work

This process works because it meets the necessary criteria of:

• allowing wide and ongoing consulation with everyone in Ealdormere

• leaving the final¹ decisions completely 1n the hands of the Council

1 "Final" in the sense that these decisions go to Curia for approval

• delegating specific tasks to specified small committees I who will do the actual work

The committee can be held accountable to the Council for work done or not done.

• providing for conflict resolution in all situations I

SOME OF THE FIRST DECISIONS FOR THE COUNCIL

1. The decision making process.

This scheme, or a similar one should be agreed on.

2. A fund for Ealdormere should be set up. One Council member should be in-charge of collecting and disbursing money from the fund. (This would be the Exchequer.)

3. An organization for liaison throughout the principality must be set up (se below under decision making structure).

4. The Council must know on what areas the principality can act and where it is governed by the bylaws and Corpora of the SCA, or the law of the Middle Kingdom

5. the groups of Ealdormere must be informed on the decision making process, and the kinds of committees required

6. there needs to be vehicle for conveying this information (eg. principality newsletter, Council minutes)

DECISION MAKING STRUCTURE

Figure 1 illustrates a proposed structure for the Council. Solid lines show responsibility for decision making. Dotted lines show responsibility for information exchange.

There are four distinct entities shown:

the Council

committees

sub-committees

liaison officers

To them I would add the Lieutenants.

A summary of these entities follows, and the committees, sub-committees and liaison officers are discussed in more detail under separate headings.

NB: ONE individual, including Council members, should only be allowed to hold ONE position in the decision making process, that is, EITHER liaison officer OR committe member.

Lieutenants

Susanna's proposal does not cover the role of the Lieutenants. As I see it, Aedan and I are responsible for seeing that this all gets done properly, and for submitting the decisions of the Council to Kingdom Curia. We would ensure that the process is fully consultative and that it conforms to Middle Kingdom law, the Corpora and bylaws, but also that the process continues expeditiously. It would be a mistake for us to become deeply involved in the content of the laws, ceremonies, procedures etc. because of our committment to the process. (Like anyone else we can always bend the ear of a liaison officer when we have good ideas).

In the case of a dispute in the Council, I would expect the Lieutenants to adjudicate.

Nothing should go to Curia without having been signed by the Lieutenants and the Crown Principality seneschal.

All official submissions and and representations to Curia must go through the Lieutenants.

 This protects the Lieutenants and the seneschal, who are held responsible for what comes out the Crown Principality, and ensures they are fully aware of all developments. This protects the people and Council of Ealdormere from being misrepresented.

Council

The current composition of the Council is defined by the Charter. We could decide to add to it. Some further break- down of responsibilities within the Council, for reporting and administrative purposes, may be useful.

Committees

The Council defines the number and functions of the committees, and how the membership and chairmen are to be appointed.

Committees are created with a specific mandate, eg. writing the laws, determining the arms, etc. The committee structure should cover every aspect of what is needed to ensure Ealdormere becomes a principality.

All committees need to be given hard and fast deadlines. ²

Committees need not all be appointed at once.

A final committee to coordinate the various drafts into one coherent document is desirable.

2. Deadlines should be treated the way you do in a responsible mundane job. You keep them, or you bring up problems and negotiate well in advance of a deadline.

Sub-committees

Subcommittees are useful where the main task can be broken down into meaningful sub-tasks. They should always be smaller than the main committee.

Liaison Officers

Each group should designate a liaison officer (and alterinate) to transmit Council and committee information to their group and send all reactions, suggestions and ideas back to the Councilor committee.

A member of the Council can be appointed for help that group designate liaison officers and them if they miss too many deadlines (ie, one missed deadline, since this could really hold things up).

A liaison coordination committee should be set up to coordinate the efforts of the liaison officers.

THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

Liaison officers should be appointed as soon as possible.

A liaison coordination committee should be appointed immediately to coordinate the efforts of the liaison officers.

A committee to report on the areas in which the principality can act should be appointed immediately (Susanna).³

3. This may have been taken care of already by Baron Aedan. If this committee needs to be a continuing one, it would most likely have a close relationship to the Lieutenants, part of whose job it is to see that we stay within the proper bounds

The decision making process starts like this:

 1. The liaison officers explain the process to their groups and solicit ideas on the decision making process, the kinds of committees, funding. They take written applications for committee positions.

2. The liaison coordination committee sorts out the above information and the Council decides the number and functions of the committees and how the membership and chairman are to be appointed

3. Once a committee is operating, they contact the liaison officer to broadcast their mandate and ask for suggestions from the general populace.

4. The liaison officers send written suggestions to the chairman of the committee and the committee sorts them out and decides how to proceed.

5. When the committee has a draft document, they send it to the Council who may ask for revisions I

6. When the council is satisfied with this draft edition, they return it to the committee who in turn send it to the liaison officers

7. The liaison officers consult extensively with their group, probably requiring written submissions at this stage. They then send all suggestions to the committee.

8. the committee reviews all suggestion and incorporates those they feel are useful, and then sends a revised draft (the proposed edition) to the Council

9. The Council reviews the proposed edition, may ask for changes and then approves the "final" (called "preliminary" below) edition

10. the preliminary edition is submitted to Kingdom Curia, who may ask for changes the document would go back to the commitee, then

11. In the event of changes, to the Council, and then back to Curia

12. the approved final edition is printed in the principality newsletter.

NOTE:

1. ALL THE ABOVE STEPS SHOULD HAVE DATES FOR COMPLETION.

2. All drafts, minutes, and other documents that are passed around must have a publication status. This protects us from any individual misunderstanding, or any publication circulating, the status of whose contents are unclear.

Possible statuses are:

DRAFT- What the committee circulates to itself or to liaison officers for general public consultation. A document may go through 2 or 3 drafts.

PROPOSED- What the committee submits to the Council for approval after it has incorporated suggestions from the populace and Council

PRELIMINARY-  What the Lieutenants submit from the Council  to Curia

FINAL- What the Curia has approved. What the principality newsletter prints as law, policies, etc.

Recommendations on Committee Membership

1. Small committees work best. 5-7 members is considered an optimum number.

2. Council appoints the chairman of each committee, not necessary from Council membership.

3. The membership of each committee is selected by the chairman from the WRITTEN applications collected by the liaison officers. Selection is subject to final approval by Council.

Applications for committee membership should list the applicant's qualifications and experience, both mundane and SCA

By asking for WRITTEN applications (not simply filling out a form), we should be able to avoid many of those who volunteer, but don't work. The applications will also give the chairman and Council a good idea of who would be most useful where.

4. It should be made clear to everyone by the liaison officers, that a committee membership can entail considerable travel, at the personal expense of the committee member, and other costs such as telephone and copying, and postage expenses.

5. Membership should come from all areas (but we must balance travel and time considerations).

6. Membership should be for the duration of the existence of the committee, except for resignation or prolonged absence, or a vote of the Committee, or a decision of the Council.

7. If a member misses more than 2 (3?) meeting, they are considered to have resigned, and the chairman, after consulting the other members informally may appoint someone else.

8. In cases where the committee ceases to function due to procedural conflicts or personality clashes, the Chair- man is to make every effort to effect a resolution of differences. If this cannot be done, the Council must adjudicate, including replacing members.

Recommendations on Committee Procedures

1. Every committee should have a specific mandate, and I should stick to that mandate. If there is a grey area, the chairman should consult the Council.

2. The Council should prescribe some basic procedures every committee must follow. Failure to follow these procedures could lead to disbanding the committee or removing the chairman and appointing replacements.

3. Every committee is to have a recording secretary, a vice-chairman (to replace the chairman in the chairman's absence), and if any money is used, an exchequer

4. Susanna advises that chairman should follow Robert's Rules of Order when adjudicating procedural disputes. Copies are available in most second hand bookstores.

5. Hopefully the committees will operate by consensus. If not the Council must establish if the committee can make decisions based on a simple, 1/2 or 2/3 majority.

6. A quorum should be established (3 is recommended).

7. Vague resolutions will not get the work done. When a need is identified, an action item should be defined, with a person who is responsible for the delivery, and an action date.

8. Minutes must be kept for every meeting, even just to say there was no quorum.

9. Minutes must contain the following items:

            a. attendance

            b. all decisions taken by the committee

c. action items, who accepted them and the due date

d. subcommittees created that meeting

e. what was delegated to a subcommittee

f. a record of all votes ie. names listed for and against

g. the time and place of the next meeting

h. the reports from subcommittees, appended to the minutes of the meeting when they are tabled in the main committee

10. The secretary must send minutes of all committee meetings to the Council in general or specified members thereof. This ensures that the Council knows what the committees are doing.

11. There should be date by which minutes must be circulated.

12. Committees should be given the power to ask liaison officers to "liaise", whenever they wish to do so.

13. Committees should always agree to a time and place for the next meeting before they adjourn. If they cannot, they should formally assign the power to call the next meeting to the chairman, who should informally canvass the members to determine a convenient time.

14. Meetings should be held, where possible in conjunction with an event (eg immediately prior, the morning after) This allows more efficient use of time and travel money.

15. All meetings should be CLOSED except where the committee wishes to consult the general public--which isn't really necessary as that is the job of the liaison officers. These committees are to be WORK committees.

16. Meetings should be held in all ends of the principality

 Liaison Officers

1. Each group, established or incipient should designate a liaison officer and alternate

2. This individual should not hold another group office, but it may be convenient for the group to appoint the liaison officer to the executive of the group for communication purposes

3. The liaison officer has no decision making power, but is the core of the communications network.

4. The liaison officer keeps his/her group up to date on the decisions and needs of the Council and committees, solicits suggestions from his/her group, and feeds back to the committee secretaries, in writing on these suggestions.

5. Liaison officers should consult the executive of their group as to whether consultation should be done imme-diately after general meetings (best) or they should call special meetings (for emergencies only).

6. any disputes are to be settled by the Council member who is responsible for that area, and then if necessary, by the Council

7. All liaison officers should be told of the following BEFORE they accept the job.

• the deadline requirements

• the amount of paperwork (vast)

• the possible postage and photocopying expenses they I may have to underwrite

• the total lack of decision making power

• no committee membership possible

• the number of people who may criticize their work

8. Liaison officers need only be affable, diligent willing to forgo committee memberships.

Subcommittees

 1. It may prove sensible for a committee to delegate some tasks to a subcommittee of two or three people/

2. Subcommittees should always be smaller than the main committee.

3. Each committee should have not more than three subcommittees as responsibility becomes two diffuse with more.

4. Each subcommittee should be chaired by a member of the main committee.

 5. The membership of the subcommittee should be chosen by the main committee.

This membership could be drawn from the general populace. Main committees should only consider manning the subcommittees from their own membership when the de- legation of tasks ensures that the main committee will be dormant until the tasks are completed.

6. The liaison committee of the Council should be able to help with suggestions on committee membership

7. Subcommittees must keep the same kind of minutes as committees

8. The minutes should be tabled at the next meeting of the main committee

9. Subcommittees cannot create further subcommittees.

10. Subcommittees report SOLELY to the main committee who may or may not accept their recommendation.

11. Subcommittees may not contact liaison officers-only main committees may do so.

12. Subcommittees exist solely at the pleasure of the main committee who may create or disband them as it pleases.

13. Subcommittees may appeal procedural disputes or personality clashes to the main committee which adjudicate the problem as it sees fit. There is no appeal to Council on subcommittee problems.

Miscellaneous Concerns

1. There should be a policy on what gets printed in the Principality newsletter, what gets circulated only in the minutes, and what should be printed in the group newsletters. This policy should take into account the desire to make the principality newsletter the official policy organ, and desire to be consultative, and to keep the citizens of Ealdormere as fully informed as possible on the progress towards principality.

2 . Distribution of written information:

The more people we can send information to the better. If the money is available, all members should receive updates, Susanna thinks. This would entail each group drawing up a list of members.

Alternatively we could ask people to subscribe to the above information and cover our costs that way. Responses should still be given directly to the local liaison officer. Either suggestion would require a mailing committee.

 3. The Council, each committee and every liaison officer should have a postal address printed in all (sic Susanna) newsletters frequently.

4. Council members are inevitably going to end up as informal liaison officers. Susanna thinks they should be ruthless about this. ("Don't tell me, tell X, your liaison officer".) Or alternatively, just pass on suggestions they feel are important.

5. Liaison officers should be instructed to bend over back- wards to consult as widely and extensively as possible with every member of their group who looks even faintly interested. The hope here is that everybody will be so sick of being consulted that by the end of two years, they will gratefully accept the final decisions of the Council (ultimately, Kingdom Curia) with relief.