Event Report: Fruits of our Labours, May 17, AS 49 (2014)

I, Colyne, squire, lord of Colynesburg, wish to make known to all who will view the present letters that, on the seventeenth day of May, in the forty-ninth year of the Society, I traveled with my lady wife to the verdant lands of Ramshaven to participate in the activities of the annual Fruits of our Labours event. As our kennel master was occupied with other duties that day, and as the site upon which this event is held does not allow the presence of canines, we were afraid we would not indeed be able to attend the event at all. However, in the last moment, as the sun rose, we received word from the good folk at the manse of Havencroft that they would be honoured to watch over our hound, allowing us to make our pilgrimage.

Though my humours were unbalanced as the day began, we persevered in our journey, and arrived at the spacious site at half past nine in the morn. Our first site was a small field of wagons and wains, but moving past them we came to a large lodge, overlooking a sweeping dale. To the right arose the tents and pennants of those who had braved the chill night and had arisen with breath pluming from their mouths. Straight ahead was an open expanse where both the young and experienced fighters and fencers would later show their worth by placing their bodies upon the anvil of virtue. At the edge of this area sat a sheltered area that would see many meetings and classes held under its shade during the coming days. To the left of these lists were spread the archery and thrown weapons ranges, which were filled with participants whenever I happened to gaze upon them. To complete this scene, a small croft sat between the thrown weapons list and the main lodge. It was in this croft that I would spend half my day.

To this croft I straight away sped, as I was to teach a class on writing texts for award scrolls based on period sources. Though the class was small, the participants were enthusiastic, and I believe and hope that the College of Scribes will shortly gain new scriveners to their ranks.

Following this class I remained in the croft to participate in a meeting of the Bookbinders Guild of Ealdormere. This meeting was graced with the presence of His Majesty, and those in attendance were impressed with the book clasps THL Tarian verch Gadarn had made in her Masters’ workshop.

When the meeting was complete, Þorfinna and I slipped away to the lodge where were procured victuals provided by Baron Cynred and Baroness Margaret. After consuming our meal, we ventured outside and talked with many friends until the time came once again for me to teach.

I sped back to the croft where I again taught a small class, this time having a round table discussion about the opportunities within the Society for the writer to ply their craft, for there are more than many think.

With my commitments for the day thus meet, I wandered to the list field, while Þorfinna gleefully ran off to carve bones with HE Lucia and grind pigments with Lady Margeurite. The weather was generally still cool, but the sun did at times pierce the clouds and warm the soul. Some of us thanked Baron Corwyn for this gift, as it is send the good baron can make the sun shine by taking a certain posture. Due to my imbalanced humours during the morning hours, I had neglected to bring my kit, and I was to regret this as I watched the valourous combat to take place on the field. Gerard of Ardchreag authorized that day, and later both THL Hans and Lady Neala would authorize in the double weapon form. A royal tourney was held under the watchful eyes of Sir Edward and Lord Wulfric, with Duke Trumbrand coming in first, Duchess Kaylah coming in second, and Jack the Pirate coming in third. At the tourney’s conclusion a warlord tourney was held, followed by other melee scenarios and single combats.

Though I could only watch the fighting I was happy to spend time chatting with the combatants and other spectators, meeting several people I had not previously known, including a contingent from the Blackwood.

At the fifth hour, court was held in front of the shade. Both Their Excellencies Ramshaven and Their Majesties recognized several individuals for their good works, but the memory of man is short, and already have I forgotten their names, to my shame. One item I do recall however, is that this incarnation of Fruits of our Labours had more teachers and classes than any of its predecessors.

At court’s conclusion, we began the journey for home.

In testimony of the aforesaid I have protected the present document by impression of my seal. Written in the year of the Society 49, on the feast day of Venantius of Camerino.

Based on a letter from Wolfert of Malstede to Margaret of Constantinople, Countess of Flanders, August 21, 1248.

St. Maximus Day Market (April 8, 2006)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

First of all, we slept in. We were going to the Barony of Ramshaven, to witness the Elite tournament of Renown, and since the tourney was not scheduled to begin until two of the clock, we thought we could get up a little late. Unfortunately we got up a little later than planned. As we hurriedly packed our carriage, we dispatched a messenger to seek out my brother Snaebjorn. Since we were running behind, he could now join us on the trip if his apothecary appointment had been concluded. It had been, and we soon received an answer and speed off to collect him.

Thorfinna, Snaebjorn and myself then spent two hours speaking of the fantastic, and witnessing a carriage beside us on the King’s Highway explode into flames. We arrived at site and were instantly surrounded by a flock of ravens who offered us communion. We quickly changed clothes and I was reunited with my squire-brother Brandt (whom I had not seen for a year and a half) and Sheikh Valizan who was at his first event in nine months.

Morning court had already begun, and the combatants for the Elite Tournament had already been announced when I sidled up with the other bystanders. I was just in time to witness Eleanor Fairchild of House Galbraith invited into court and placed on Vigil for the Order of the Laurel. She was quickly whisked away by the Order to a secret tent where the populace could come and speak with her and offer her advice (and eat cheese). Thorfinna and I did not get in, as after being told we were next for fifteen minutes we wandered back over to the tournament and missed our spot.

Those taking part in the tournament were: Count Rory Cennedi, Lord Tarquin Bjornnson, Lord Wat of Sarum, Duke Roak of Ealdormere, Count Sarnac Kir, Master Trumbrand the Wanderer, Sir Siegfried Brandboern, His Lordship Etian au Neval, Her Ladyship Kayla the Cheerful, Lady Jocea of Ealdormere, Master Tarkatai Bahadur, Baron Luke Wolfsson fra Hrogn, Lord Leif Wolfsonne, Yoshi Kuri Nagoyo, Baron Tynne Duair ap Beul andHis Lordship Baldric Leeman of Newcastle Emlyn.

The format was double elimination three counted blows. In the finals Duke Sir Roak was declared the winner over Count Sir Cennedi.

Most of the day I spent wandering, talking to many different friends, some I hadn’t seen for some time. The fighters continued to battle doing pick-ups until court began. Several gentles were then acknowledged for different skills and their contributions to the kingdom, including myself (who was awarded a Scarlet Banner) and Valizan who was inducted into the Order of the crucible.

As preparations began for feast, we left to begin the journey home. On the way I realized that we had not locked the door to our keep when we had left in the morning. In fact, in our haste we had not even closed the door at all! We sped home as fast as the horses could go, and arrived to find the door closed (Thorfinna’s father had come by and shut it). The door was still unlocked and Snaebjorn and I did a circuit of the keep, looking into every room and closet but no intruder was evident and nothing appeared to be missing. We were most fortunate indeed!

An impromptu post-rev then developed at our keep as those who lived in our neck of the kingdom dropped by on their way home and we dined on a late supper of pasta and bread.

Cook Me Up a Song (Known World Bardic Congress and Cooks Symposium II, Oct 11-14)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

A call had gone out across the Knowne World, calling all who smithed words and were skilled in the culinary arts to travel to the Barony of Ramshaven, where The Kingdom of Ealdormere was planning a collegium. As is usual for any event I have been to in Ramshaven, it rained on us as we traveled the back roads in our wagon, though in truth the weather was mild. The sprinkling stopped as we arrived at the camp where the bards and cooks were to meet. Many had arrived the night previous and had slept in bunks usually occupied by young scouts in training. When we first arrived Dame Tsivia bas Tamara v’Amberview was leaning out of her middle bunk, which had a high ledge to ensure young scouts did not fall out. She was wondering out loud how her old bones were going to manage to get over the ledge and down to the ground. Luckily, many younger bards were nearby to help her to the ground.

Lady Ivanna the Oblivious came over to our side as we were signing in at the gate and took us down to the craft room, where Master Hector of the Black Height was to teach a class on storytelling. However, she did not arrive in time to save me from a tongue licking from an over active (and apparently stuffed) golden retriever.

Once seated, Cera of Caer Draeth sat opposite us and said simply, “Convince me.” We actually hadn’t thought we would be approached on this issue at such an event, but it would be the first of many questions poised us that day. We asked her if she had any specific questions or concerns and we talked of moots and possible new cantons.

Hector was late for the class as he was talking to his ‘granddaughter’ in the hallway and did not realize that his class had already begun. In usual Hector style he held the classes rapt attention and made them laugh and at times held them spellbound and silent. In truth, I didn’t learn anything I didn’t already know (I have taken storytelling classes mundanely before) but just to see the man in action is a treat).

When the class was over we went for a short walk about the grounds and were lucky enough to see a few blue jays flying through the trees. When we passed the gate we saw Corwyn and Domhnaill Galbraith signing in so wandered over to warn them that they would likely get asked questions about their own Baronial platform. The four of us ended up discussing the Barony and our vision of its future for over an hour, while Ivanna and Master Garraed Galbraith joined us at times. Ivanna asked what our first act as Baron and Baroness would be. Both couples said we would immediately banish the other. Much silly talk such as that was had, much serious talk was also had. Garraed said it was wonderful to see people in competition for the same position being so friendly with each other. I think that’s the only way to be. We finally moved downstairs to the dining room and listened to some of the bards as they recited poems for challenges issued earlier that day.

Once the competitions were done, we sat at a bench for Hector’s bardic toolbox class. He had a bag full of books from which he pulled examples of books he felt all bards should have. I was rather pleased to find that Thorfinna and I already owned many of those same books. As a group we then wrote a fatras, which is an obscure form of medieval poem. Since so little was known of it or its structure the discussion was lively and many went away yearning to learn more.

Once Hector was finished, he was replaced by a bard from the Principality of Northshield named Eliane. She taught a class on the building of a bardic book, where to find source material, how to do library searches and the issues of copyright.

Morgana came next, and she conducted a spirited debate on what it meant to be a bard and how the bardic arts had evolved over the years. It was a very informative and enjoyable talk, but it ended and we finally left the dining room to attend Corwyn and Domhnaill’s brewing class in the kitchen. After sitting in a drafty dining hall for four hours it was pleasant to be in the kitchen surrounded by heat and the smell of THL Aenaes Oakhammer’s cooking. The class was small, and we got to sample some mead while the Galbraiths demonstrated how to rack. At one point I heard someone behind me say, “How you doin’?” and I knew that Count Aaron Worgansson had arrived. I turned to find Their Royal Majesties Roak and Arlette standing behind me and I quickly got up and offered them the bench I had been sitting on. At first Roak did not want to take my seat but I insisted. I then sat in a chair exactly under a small leak that occasional dropped a drip or three of water on my tunic.

When the class ended it was time for court, and we found a seat on a bench. Thankfully, court was short as my behind was already sore from so much sitting on hard wooden benches built with young scouts in mind. Ambassadors of the east Kingdom sent best wishes to Their Lupine Majesties for Ealdormere’s past hospitality to eh East’s populace, especially their bards. Likewise, an ambassador from the Middle brought best wishes from Their Draconian Majesties, along with gifts of cookbooks and recordings of music. Invitations were also extended to attend bardic events within the Middle Kingdom.

Three awards were then handed out. Branwen of der Welfengau was awarded a Maiden’s Heart, and was the tireless Lady Ivanna, for her great efforts for the Canton of Greenhithe, and in matters regarding the young of our kingdom. Also, Lady Kestra the Drummer was inducted into the Order of the Orion for her bardic talents.

After court we once again talked to Corwyn and Domhnaill as we watched various gentles play at ‘Viking Bocce,’ which consisted of throwing sticks at other sticks. I very much wanted to stay and try my hand at the game but family concerns drew us home. This sample of but one day of a three-day long event made me yearn for more, and perhaps next year I will be able to spend more time at this wonderful event.