Wednesday 2 October 2013

I Coulda Used Some Apple Sauce, When I Had Brand for Dinner (A Day in the Country II, Sep 7, 2002) (TankArd version)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

On a pleasant sunny day, Thorfinna and I drove from our new keep in Greenhithe territory to the Disputed Border where the Ealdormerean army had so recently met before marching south to War. There the members of Greenhithe were having a feast to celebrate the completion of the harvest and to celebrate life before the cold snows come.

We set up our shade where two months earlier we had camped and were soon joined by others from the Cliffs: Eirik Andersen, Berend, Mahault, Rhiannon and Teah van der Eych, Brandy das Lederwerker, Raffe Scholemaystre, Fursto de Robnye, Ivanna the Oblivious, Siegfried Brandbeorn, Qadanchin Bayar and newcomer Louis Reyes. To our left was the fencing field, to our right Vest Yorvik. In front of us was laid out the List field, and across from it was the Eoforwic contingent. Our glorious Baroness this day sat with Vest Yorvik and it was in their presence that a small Baronial Court was later held.

The fighters that day numbered six, being Brandt, Lady Isotta, Lady Dwynen, Lord Aldred Ravenshagh, Lord Tormod of Kirk Andreas and Berend. They were split into two teams, and were moved on a playing board by Gaerwen and Mistress Kaellyn. When two pieces met they had to battle, the loosing piece removing itself from the board. Many games of this were played until the Baronesses considered themselves satisfied. At the end of the day Brandt was given a drinking horn as fighter of the day, and Tormod had authorized in great sword.

A call had gone forth that this day would see a fencing tournament to decide the Fencing Champion for Septentria. Four good gentles met on the field and fought long and hard. Lord Gareth of Eoforwic, that Royal City’s Sheriff, did win the tourney, though the winner of Septentrian Championship Tournies are not always those selected to actually be the Champion. When court was called all four fencers were called forth and Gaerwen delayed the announcement of her choice while the fencers fidgeted and bobbed on their feet and pleaded with her to name her choice. Finally, Gaerwen announced that Gareth, winner of the tourney, would indeed be the Champion. He was given a gorgeous cape of office to wear to proclaim his station. Wassail!

Thrown weapons were also in evidence that day thanks to Lord Gunnar Truthsinger of Skeldergate. When it was time to eat, and for court, it was very hard to pull the thrown weapon enthusiast away, especially Gunnar and Thorfinna.

Those who did not fight, fence or throw spent the afternoon in pleasant conversation, sharing drinks and wandering from one shade to another. A haggling contest, an Arts and Sciences table and merchants also helped pass the time.

Many personal baronial tokens were awarded during court. At courts end, Serion d’Ivri was sworn as the newest member of the Isengesitha.

Master Hector arrived at a fortuitous time, just as the call went out that it was time to eat! The main coarse was a pig roasted on a spit, which had been turned all day by various attendees and event staff. In honour of our friends in Ben Dunfirth the boar was called Brand, though I cannot seem to recall just who made that suggestion. With the pork there was stuffing, roast potatoes and corn on the cob. It was truly a grand feast with none going away hungry. Lemon water was served to drink and for dessert pears in a raisin-rhubarb sauce was served to many cries of joy.

When the foodstuffs had been cleared away Eirik lit a fire (this time not lighting himself in the process) and those good gentles who still remained sat down for one of the most intimate and enjoyable bardic circles I have yet been to. As Ursine Bard I opened the circle with my poem ‘Septentria at War’, for which Isotta presented me with a ring that had been given to her by THL Aeneas Oakhammer in recognition of her own bardic talents. This ring is now in my trust until such time as I see another whose talents inspire me. Other performers included Master Hector (of course), Thorfinna, Brian Goodheart, Isotta, William the Younger, Ivanna the Oblivious and Gunnar Truthsinger. Even Raffe got up and told a tale. Brian engaged us in one bardic art that is not oft performed in the SCA: that of the riddle.

During the circle we were treated to a true display of nature’s beauty as the northern lights blazed across the night sky. It was a remarkable event and I could not help but think that the spirits were looking down on us in approval of all the words of praise that flowed from the bards that night. Words of praise for Septentria, and for those that call it home.

I Coulda Used Some Apple Sauce, When I Had Brand for Dinner
Event Report: A Day in the Country II (Ursus version)
Colyne Stewart, Sep AS XXXVII

On a pleasant sunny day, Thorfinna and I drove from our new keep in Greenhithe territory to the Disputed Border where the Ealdormerean army had so recently met before marching south to War. There the members of Greenhithe were having a feast to celebrate the completion of the harvest and to celebrate life before the cold snows come.
            We set up our shade where two months earlier we had camped and were soon joined by others from the Cliffs of Ardchreag. To our left was the fencing field, to our right Vest Yorvik. In front of us was laid out the List field, and across from it was the Eoforwic contingent. Our glorious Baroness this day sat with Vest Yorvik and it was in their presence that a small Baronial Court was later held.
            The fighters that day numbered six, being Lord Brandt das Lederwerker, Lady Isotta, Lady Dwynen, Lord Aldred Ravenshagh, Lord Tormod of Kirk Andreas and Lord Berend van der Eych. They were split into two teams, and were moved on a playing board by Gaerwen and Mistress Kaellyn. When two pieces met they had to battle, the loosing piece removing itself from the board. Many games of this were played until the Baronesses considered themselves satisfied. At the end of the day Brandt was given a drinking horn as fighter of the day, and Tormod had authorized in great sword.
            A call had gone forth that this day would see a fencing tournament to decide the Fencing Champion for Septentria. Four good gentles met on the field and fought long and hard. These were: Lord Gareth of Eoforwic, that Royal City’s Sheriff; Lord Albrecht Stamfer; Lady Yvonne of Eoforwic, the City’s Mayor; and Lord Geoffrey Guiscard. Gareth did win the tourney, though the winner of Septentrian Championship Tournies are not always those selected to actually be the Champion. When court was called all four fencers were called forth and Gaerwen delayed the announcement of her choice while the fencers fidgeted and bobbed on their feet and pleaded with her to name her choice. Finally, Gaerwen announced that Gareth, winner of the tourney, would indeed be the Champion. He was given a gorgeous cape of office to wear to proclaim his station. Wassail!
            Thrown weapons were also in evidence that day thanks to Lord Gunnar Truthsinger of Skeldergate. When it was time to eat, and for court, it was very hard to pull the thrown weapon enthusiast away, especially Gunnar and Lady Thorfinna gra’feldr.
            Those who did not fight, fence or throw spent the afternoon in pleasant conversation, sharing drinks and wandering from one shade to another. A haggling contest, an Arts and Sciences table and merchants also helped pass the time.
            Many personal baronial tokens were awarded during court. At courts end, Serion d’Ivri was sworn as the newest member of the Isengesitha.
            Master Hector arrived at a fortuitous time, just as the call went out that it was time to eat! The main coarse was a pig roasted on a spit, which had been turned all day by various attendees and event staff. In honour of our friends in Ben Dunfirth the boar was called Brand, though I cannot seem to recall just who made that suggestion. With the pork there was stuffing, roast potatoes and corn on the cob. It was truly a grand feast with none going away hungry. Lemon water was served to drink and for dessert pears in a raisin-rhubarb sauce was served to many cries of joy.
            When the foodstuffs had been cleared away Lord Eirik Andersen lit a fire (this time not lighting himself in the process) and those good gentles who still remained sat down for one of the most intimate and enjoyable bardic circles I have yet been to. As Ursine Bard I opened the circle with my poem ‘Septentria at War’, for which Isotta presented me with a ring that had been given to her by THL Aeneas Oakhammer in recognition of her own bardic talents. This ring is now in my trust until such time as I see another whose talents inspire me. Other performers included Master Hector (of course), Thorfinna, Brian Goodheart, Isotta, William the Younger, Lady Ivanna the Oblivious and Gunnar Truthsinger. Even Lord Raffe Scholemaystre got up and told a tale. Brian engaged us in one bardic art that is not oft performed in the SCA: that of the riddle.

            During the circle we were treated to a true display of nature’s beauty as the northern lights blazed across the night sky. It was a remarkable event and I could not help but think that the spirits were looking down on us in approval of all the words of praise that flowed from the bards that night. Words of praise for Septentria, and for those that call it home.

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