2003 began with an offer Thorfinna and I could not refuse.
We had both been invited to the House de Taahe 12th Night, and at
the party Finnvarr offered to take us, Berend and Mahault on as retainers for
war and tourney for a year. He knew we would likely still want to fight for
Septentria so part of our contract with him would be to fight at War as he
ordered—and he’d order us to fight for Septentria. At the end of the year we
would see how the association was going and decide if we wanted to dissolve it
or make it more official. This sounded good to us as we have many friends in
the household, and the others present all made us feel welcome and we were
given several 12th Night gifts. It was a grand party and we stayed for
many, many hours. Eanor took Wat on as a student, and Isotta was offered a
retainership as well, though she needs to talk to Katsu before accepting.
The next
day there was an Isengesitha meeting at the home of Corwyn and Domhnail. Due to
our new arrangement with Finnvarr we thought we would have to leave the Isen.
Though Finnvarr had said we should still fight for Septentria, we didn’t want
tangled loyalties. Finnvarr had retained our sword and shield so we would not
want to swear an oath to another for armoured combat. However, at Gaerwen’s
suggestion, the Isen, which will be known as the Iron Companions after Corwyn
and Domhnail’s investiture, expanded its focus to include all martial
activities. Therefore, we could swear an oath to support the barony as an Isen
in, say, thrown weapons. We could still support the barony and Corwyn and
Domhnail and stay true to our retainership to Finnvarr. Fighting with Master
Hector’s mercenary unit, which will be fighting for Septentria, makes the
package complete. We double-checked with Finnvarr that swearing to the Isen in
a form other than sword and shield would be within the boundaries of our
agreement and he concurred. So happily we will not be retiring from the Isen.
We will both be swearing in as thrown weapons, and possibly archery in the near
future.
On the
Monday the canton held its 12th Night, and the gift exchange
attracted twenty-one gentles. Two gifts that almost everyone was trying to snag
was a wooden box brought by Wulfgang and a spear kit from Raffe. At times small
circles of gift-stealing would go on as two gifts were stolen back and forth
between three people. In the end, Duchess Eanor unwrapped the last gift to end
the madness, which left the spear in Mahault’s hands and the box in Thorfinna’s
possession. I walked away with a Knightriders DVD. Wulfgang also gave me a book
on world tartans that had been part of his present (which he had originally
stolen from me).
On Tuesday
I finally decided to try my hand at sewing garb. Under Thorfinna’s watchful eye
I made a new t-tunic (plaid of course) and a yellow hood. Both even had trim.
They aren’t perfect, but they’re pretty good. I was rather pleased with myself.
Plans are already underway for me to make a cotehardie under Mahault’s
tutelage.
As plaid as plaid can be, you know.
Event Report: Septentrian 12th Night at Bad in
Plaid 2
Laird Colyne
Stewart , AS Jan AS 37
Though we had been active in SCA circles over the holidays
it had been almost three months since our last event when Thorfinna and I
attended the Septentrian Twelfth Night celebrations hosted by the canton of
Vest Yorvik. We had to dig our wagon out of a mountain of snow at our keep in
Greenhithe territory that morning, but the weather cleared up once we reached
the King’s Highway. We traveled even more swiftly than we had anticipated and
we reached the event hall as it was planning to open.
We signed
in and took a table where many others soon joined us from our home canton of
Ardchreag, including some who had not been to an event in two years. (These
included: Lady Mahault van der Eych, Lord Berend van der Eych, Teah van der
Eych, Rhiannon van der Eych, Lina Carville, Baron Siegfried Brandbeorn, Lady
Isotta Gianfgliazzi, Duchess Eanor of Amberhall, Heloise of Amberhall, Lady
Sybil of Amberhall, Dom Nicolae Cioranu, Wat of Sarum, Lord Rhys ap Bledri and
Lady Ivanna the Oblivious. Raphael, who bore a resemblance to Lord Raffe
Scholemaystre, stopped by to chat.) Some thought the end times were upon us for
Wat was wearing new garb, as was I. Garb, in fact, that we had both sewn
ourselves.
A game of glic ensued where small
trinkets were used to gamble with instead of coins. As I had no trinkets with
me I made up some bardic service scrip’s. By games end I had accumulated a
small pile of treasure.
Throughout
the day I got to talk to many people from all over the barony, as every canton
was represented that day. I spent much time in pleasant conversation and in
delivering The Ursus.
During the day many sheep were seen
wandering through the hall, and the citizens of Eoforwic did herd them and pen
them and those same citizens did rejoice.
For a time
a number of us wondered at Hector’s clothing, which could, in truth have
inspired the event’s theme. It was remarked that Hector has a colony of blind
lepers who sew his garb for him, thus saving him from the ill effects of
looking directly at the fabrics. It was wondered if these lepers were blind and
leprous before they began to sew, or if their infirmaries were due to it.
A few brave
souls came in costume, the most noteworthy being the life-size Punch doll,
complete with hump, large club and big nose. The chin of his mask was hinged in
such a way that his jaw moved when he talked and this caused Thorfinna many
heebie-jeebies.
Since the
Twelfth Night was held during Bad in Plaid, there was, as last year, a plaid
fashion show. However, before the show could begin, Lady Liadin Teach Càirdeas
protested on behalf of the heralds. She said that all this plaid had pushed
heraldry into a corner, and so she did bestow upon Lord Normand Hauberker a
heraldic plaid cloak upon which was a Wolfium, the Bear of Septentria, and
markers of all the other baronies. The fashion show then began and many did
strut and spin and make their plaid fashions surge and sway in ways designed to
cross the eye. At its end, Baroness Gaerwen, Her Majesty Arlette and Sheikh
Valizan did hand out many awards.
After the
fashion show the winners of the silent auction were announced.
There then
followed a baronial and kingdom court. Richard Larmer had come dressed in a
white shirt, heavy boots and a very short blue kilt that left little to the
imagination. When he prepared for court by putting on his Queen’s Champion
tabard I remarked that he had some lovely plaid trim, as only an inch or so of
the kilt showed beneath it. He then threatened to take off the kilt and stand
court in only the tabard, but Siegfried managed to dissuade him from that task.
To begin
court the cantons were called alphabetically to pay their taxes—being a war
banner. Ardchreag, though they had a finished banner, had neglected to bring
it. I begged their Excellencies forgiveness, stating that not paying taxes on
time was an honourd Ardchreag tradition, and promised to bring the banner to
either Berus’ or Snowed Inn. In the meantime we filled their cup and horn with
libations. Many other cantons had also forgotten their taxes, or, as in the
case of Caer Draeth, were only partly done. The most impressive completed
banner to be shown that day was the one crafted by the folk of the Royal Citie
of Eoforwic. It was tall, almost touching the ceiling, and was brought into
court with much pomp, preceded by musicians and followed by all Eoforings in
attendance that day.
Lord Rhys
ap Bledri had been given a parcel of land when he stepped down as baronial
champion, and was likewise ready to pay taxes. He gave their Excellencies some
of the fruit of his lands, and in return they gave him a Saxon hat.
The van der
Eychs were then called into court and they presented their Excellencies with
bottles of mead, in Septentrian boxes, to be used for the war effort. What is
more, these bottles, when returned, will be filled in perpetuity. These bottles
were then given to the Heirs for their safe keeping. Some members of
Skeldergate said the van der Eychs were very trusting to give the bottles over
to their Heirs’ retainers—that is to say, Skeldergatians.
Many awards
and tokens were then presented, including: Lord Ulvar van der Nederlanden gave
an arm ring to Catharine of Eoforwic, Lady Ysabeau de Vauvert gave an arm ring
to Catharine of Eoforwic, Lord Tormod of Kirk Andreas gave Drogo of the Black
Forge a ring for scoring seven points in his first war shoot, Tormod was given
his copper arm ring as a former member of the Isengesitha, Lady Wencenedl of
Rokesburg was given her Isen arm ring (which her brother Tormod had previously
worn), Lord Percival de Laroque was given his Isen arm ring, the Isengesitha as
a group gave an arm ring to Cynred, Lady Keja Tselebnika was given a personal
baronial token, Lord Lachlan MacLean was given a Bear’s Claw for scouting, Dagr
of Vest Yorvik was given a Bear’s Claw for scouting, Lady Christina MacNamara
and Percival de Laroque were given Bear’s Hearts, Tormod was given a Bear’s
Heart, Grainne de Bois and Foote the Potter were given Bear’s Hearts, Rosalia
dei Querini and Rosalinde FitzWilson were given Bear’s Hearts for their
planning of the Casa Loma project, and Lord Brian Goodheart was given his Isen
arm ring.
THL Aenaes Oakhammer, former
Skeldergate seneschal and current baronial thrown weapons marshal, was called
into court. He came bearing a handcrafted box. He explained that he had held
this box for some time, and upon receiving the Horn of Wessex the year before
had found that they were both of a like size. He had then painted the box and
was gifting it to the barony, so it could house the Horn ever after. For this
Cynred and Gaerwen gave him a token. They then took the Horn and talked of its
history and its symbolism as the highest award the barony could confer. When
they were about to call this year’s recipient Aenaes stopped them and asked for
the privilege. To this they agreed. Facing the crowd Aenaes told of how this
would be the last time the Horn would be presented, as it would be retired when
Cynred and Gaerwen stepped down as Baron and Baroness. As it had first been
granted to a couple, so he said, should it be last granted to a couple. Then he
called out for Thorfinna and I.
I sat
stunned for a moment as I had had no inkling that we were in the running for
the Horn. I stood up from where I had been sitting, writing down the events of
court, and took Thorfinna’s hand, who had by then joined me. Aenaes explained
that the populace should never let the Horn remain empty, and he would be the
first to fill it. Corwyn and Domhnail were then called, as they had been the
first to hold the Horn, and we seven all drank from it.
I was
shaking as I retook my seat between Morgan and Lassarfhina of House Fenrir. To
receive the Horn is an honour, and one that I hope Thorfinna and I will remain
worthy of.
Cynred and
Gaerwen, both wearing bear pajamas, then spoke of their Heirs. They said that
the Heirs would be noble, dignified and courteous. They then called back into
court Corwyn and Domhnail Galbraith. Corwyn was dressed as Gaerwen, and
Domhnail was in the guise of a certain bearded thegn. Their Majesties scribe
then read their endorsement of Corwyn and Domhnail as Heirs and bade them
attend the Snowed Inn where they would be invested as Baron and Baroness of
Septentria. They were then presented to us formally, and they were met by the
thunderous applause of a populace on its feet. The Cloak and Horn of Septentria
were given to Corwyn and Domhnail as a sign of their status as the official and
declared Heirs.
The kingdom court then began.
Catrina von Gutenberg, Dagr of vest Yorvik and Edric Elginsen were awarded
their AoAs; Lady Ceridwen of Vest Yorvik, Wencenedl of Rokesburg, Lady Elena of
Vest Yorvik and Christina MacNamara were all given the Award of Orion for their
Arts and Sciences skills; Lady Malachi the Babe was given the Award of the
Maiden’s Heart and Lord Bruce son of Crim was given an Award of the Scarlet
Banner.
After court, as I stood by
Ardchreag’s table, a certain woman who bore a striking resemblance to Master
Konrad Matthias Jaeger, did walk by. I told her that one of my companions (who
shall at this time remain nameless, as I value my safety) had been admiring her
from afar. The lady then began to flirt with this lord, touching his shoulder
and cooing at him. I went on to explain that my friend had told me that he
wished to steal a kiss but had not the words to ask. Eyes large, and darkening
dangerously, my friend did ignore the lady’s proffered hand. At this point a
man did arrive who bore a striking resemblance to Mistress Alyce de Sheppey.
And I did tell this man how my friend refused to kiss her lady’s hand. This man
then accosted my friend, hitting him in the shoulder, and demanding to know why
he was insulting his lady by not kissing her. With murder promised in his eyes,
my friend then took the lady’s hand and kissed her hairy knuckles.
The sheep,
previously penned by Eoforwic, had by then escaped their prison and were again
wandering the hall. I scooped one up under my arm just in time to come face to
face with Master Hector of the Black Height, in whose unit I had recently
enlisted. He looked at the sheep, looked at me and said he had had a job to
give me, but did not truck with people who did to sheep what he presumed I was
going to do to that sheep. I managed to convince him that my motives towards
the sheep were pure, at which point he agreed to speak to me of the proposed
job in the future. Ever mysterious is Hector.
The tables
were then set for feast and we were served fine Scottish fare. Ah, food of my
homeland. How long had it been since I had had haggis? Actually, even being
Scottish I had never tried haggis before. However I found that it was rather
good, tasting mostly like liver. There was also bread, heavy oatcakes with
marmalade, pears in wine, bread pudding, mint peas, roast pork and a meat pie.
There may have been more but I was not at my seat often, as I wandered a bit
and read from my book to those willing to listen. I read ‘The Passing of the
Khan of Ealdormere’ to Their Majesties, which Roak said he liked very much. To
the thegn I recited ‘This Winter Night’. When I was done Sybil, who had come
over the listen, then bragged to him, telling him that I was in her household.
To the Vest Yorvik table I read my children’s rhyme about Hector, who was there
entertaining them.
Hector sang
a few songs for the hall, and Eanor sang many bawdy ditties for our table. A
special dance was performed in honour of Twelfth Night and Her Grace began a
game of oatcake bocce ball. A chorus line of large male dancers sprang up in
one corner and it was remarked that men in kilts should not dance so.
After the
tables had been cleared four activities took place in the hall. To one side
many folk began to dance, while the bards gathered in a corner to sing. Some
gentles began to battle with padded swords and a grid was laid out on the floor
for live tablero. Having not ever played Tablero before, and being asked for
assistance by Countess Rustique de Sorde, who is the patron of the Games Guild
of Ealdormere, I played tablero. For sooth, I was one of the few people still
in attendance who had dice. Wat and I faced each other as the players, using
dice I had won earlier that day from Her Grace at glic. As playing pieces we
had Paitlin, Rustique, Eogan, Lachlan , Mav,
Elena and one other whose face escapes me at this time. The pieces would change
at times over the night, and would include Count Aaron, Normand, Sarah,
Delphina and Eithne. Wat would eventually retire and I battled with Thorwolf
Smith. The pieces would often play the game with some fluidity of the rules,
and young Rhiannon was quite irate that they were cheating. I tried to explain
to her that the cheating was all part of the fun, then chastised the pieces for
teaching our youngsters such bad habits. As the pieces moved about the board
under their own will, Thorwolf and I abandoned the dice and began calling out
arbitrary moves until we had lined up all seven pieces and the final game was
ended.
The rest of
the day was spent in more pleasant conversation, during which time His Majesty
and I discussed the authenticity of tablero. Eventually we had to depart as the
hall was closing. With glad spirits we loaded our wagon and began the journey
home.
Sew What?
Garb Making for the Non-Sewer
Laird Colyne Stewart, Jan AS XXXVII
At the time I write this I have been a member of the Society
for a month less than two years. In all that time I had never made any of my
own garb. Luckily I had a lady who was willingly to make some for me, and she
has been getting progressively more skilled. Beginning to feel a bit guilty
about not helping out in the garb department I finally decided to try and sew
something.
Now, I
hadn’t really sewn anything since public school, where I made a shark pillow in
home-ec. I had tried to sew Thorfinna a favour once, but the result was so
hideous that we buried it somewhere and it has not been seen since. So it was
with trepidation that I began to plan.
Sine my
persona is actually 14th century I decided I should finally get a
cotehardie, so with the help of Mahault van der Eych I made a cloth pattern.
However, we both came to the realization that this was much too difficult for a
beginner project so I will be making it in a few months, and I’ll be doing
every step under her guidance. In the meantime I resolved to make some t-tunics
and hoods.
So one
night I tore myself away from my third draft of the Septentrian history and
went down to the sewing room. With Thorfinna’s help and support I then began to
sew.
First, I
laid down the plaid fabric I wanted to use, and put a tunic on top of it to use
as a pattern. I then cut two pieces to be my front and my back. I then laid the
arm of the tunic onto the fabric, rolled the fabric over top so I had in effect
the front and back of the arm and cut. I repeated this for the other arm.
Then came
the tedium. I had to sew the hems of the cuffs for the arms and the bottom of
the front and back pieces. When I did the first arm I realized that I had sewn
a short side, and not a long side. This was incorrect. The way we had cut the
fabric meant that the long side would be the cuff so we unstitched the hem and
did it over again. We used a double hem, which meant I folded the fabric over
twice. This will make sure we don’t get any ragged looking edges in the future.
We then
marked out the neck hole and we did the double hem for that space.
After doing
those six hems I cut out trim and sewed it onto the arms, the front and the
back, just over the hems. I made sure that they matched up as much as possible
so that when the pieces were sewn together the trim would meet.
Taking the
front and back I placed them on top of each other backwards, so the trim was on
the inside. I then sewed the shoulders together. I then laid the front and back
out with the trim on top. The first arm was placed on top, centred on the neck
hole, with its trim underneath. The arm was sewn on, and then the same
procedure was repeated with the second arm.
The arms
were then pulled out flat and the tunic was laid out inside out. Doing this I
found that the front was slightly wider than the back so I trimmed it down. I
then sewed from the armpits down to the bottom hem, pulling the material tight
so that the bottom hems would match up. When this was done I sewed the arms. I
started sewing straight out from the cuff until I passed the trim, then went on
an angle to the arm pit.
We turned
the tunic right-side out and I tried it on. It fit perfectly, though the
boat-neck (as the style of neck I had done was called) stuck up a bit. To fix
this we turned the tunic back inside out and rolled the neck hem once and sewed
it. I then trimmed the excess off the arms, making sure to leave about an inch.
The whole
procedure took about two hours.
Feeling
lucky I decided I also wanted to make a hood. I pulled out some yellow material
and laid it on the floor and traced a hood Thorfinna had made earlier. As I was
cutting the material I realized that it had not been laying perfectly matched
up underneath so my top and bottom piece did not quite match up. I simply
trimmed the top piece until it resembled the bottom.
I then had
to do a double hem along the curved bottom of each side, and on the edge of the
face hole. I rolled the face hem in and the bottom edge out. The face edge was
a double hem, but the bottom edge was a single hem. I then sewed the trim onto
the bottom edge on top of the hem, which would keep the hem from fraying and
meant I didn’t have to lose any more fabric by doing the double hem. When I was
halfway through putting the trim on the first side I realized that I was sewing
it to the inside of the hood, and not the outside. As Thorfinna unstitched my
mistake I did the other side.
Once both
sides were done I laid them on top of each other so the hood would be inside
out and sewed from the bottom up to the face hole, then from the bottom up and
around the crown of the head to the top of the face hole. My first seam was too
rounded and when I tried the hood on it did not hold its shape. Turning it
inside out again I sewed a straighter line from the back of the crown to the
front and cut off the excess material. This looked much better. The hood took
an hour to make.
Neither
piece came out perfectly, but both looked good for a first attempt. What’s
more, I’ve overcome my fear of sewing and will be able to produce more of my
own garb from now on. And that is a good feeling.
(We Fight for Septentria) Ursine Born
Laird Colyne Stewart, Jan AS XXXVII
Bears fight in the heat of a blazing sun
Bears fight in the chill of a winter morn
Bears fight for honour and they fight for fun
We fight for Septentria, ursine born.
We stand on the field at the break of day
We charge on the field, our foe runs away
We cheer on the field as we take the day
We fight for Septentria, ursine born.
Bears fight in the heat of a blazing sun
Bears fight in the chill of a winter morn
Bears fight for honour and they fight for fun
We fight for Septentria, ursine born.
Finnvarr built the very first hall
The first Baroness, Gillian d’Uriel
The first northern colour scarlet all
They fought for Septentria, ursine born.
Aedan’s blood runs in our veins
Caffa’s spear with red blood stains
Well ruled Adrielle, first with Ieuan
They fought for Septentria, ursine born.
Bears fight in the heat of a blazing sun
Bears fight in the chill of a winter morn
Bears fight for honour and they fight for fun
We fight for Septentria, ursine born.
D’Arnot shortly led they way
Cynred and Gaerwen later held sway
Now Galbraiths claim the day
They fight for Septentria, ursine born.
Of hero stock our race was bred
We bleed bright white and we bleed bright red
Our banner won’t fall unless we’re dead
We fight for Septentria, ursine born.
Bears fight in the heat of a blazing sun
Bears fight in the chill of a winter morn
Bears fight for honour and they fight for fun
We fight for Septentria, ursine born.
Bears fight in the heat of a blazing sun
Bears fight in the chill of a winter morn
Bears fight for honour and they fight for fun
We fight for Septentria, ursine born.
The following Monday saw Master Hector’s dojo meeting for
the first time at Ardchreag’s weekly gathering. These dojo members are all
folks, most, if not all, from the Skeldergate area, who want a more structured
training experience than currently offered at Skeldergate. About of half of
these folks will also be part of Hector’s mercenary unit at War this year.
We were
supposed to be sewing tabards and whatnot that night, but due to the rash of
inclement weather Gailana did not get to the store. So instead Thorfinna and I
suited up to fight with Kenric, Brandt, Wulfgang, Wat, Eanor and, eventually,
Hector. Donovan also had armour that night but did not engage in combat.
Instead he went through drills with Eanor, Kenric and Hector.
The
sequence of fights escapes me know, but I know I fought Wulfgang, Wat and
Eanor. When fighting Eanor I did a snap return that left a big goose egg on her
clavicle. Over all, I again felt competent but not excellent. However, Wat says
he just cannot figure out what it is I’m doing out there and am continually
surprising him. So that’s good.
I suggested
we do some two on two battles, which we did for a while. During the battles Wat
would blow off my elbow and Kenric stuck me a good one on the back of my calf
as I tried to pull back from his blow. I did well in theory in the two on twos
but my blows still lack power at times so my foes just won’t die. I have to do
some pell work I think and get some more hips in my blows. During the night I
made use of three different shields, causing Eanor to call me Colyne
Threeshields.
There was a
Snowed Inn planning meeting held at the same time.
When we
dropped our kits I counted all the repairs I had to make. Besides the blown
elbow I busted a strap on my leg and half lost a flap over my hip. Hector then
asked Thorfinna and I to be shieldwall commanders in his merc unit, and to be
the unit’s memory. Apparently he’s recruiting from two non-SCA Celtic
reenactment groups and he wants us to chronicle the event. Coming from a bard
like him it’s a high compliment indeed. We also agreed to draw a design for
dojo t-shirts. (A hand in a half-gauntlet holding a plate of spaghetti.)
I got this email the same day:
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <Robert.Harding@sunlife.com>
>To: "Todd Fischer" <imelod@sympatico.ca>
>Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 3:09 PM
>Subject: Bears
>
>Page 18 of the recent Ursus was wonderful! Actually, it
was all awesome.
>Can we keep you forever and ever?
>Can we keep you forever and ever?
Ardchreag's meeting on the 20th was the type of meeting I love. We
had Hector's dojo, which numbers around twelve and includes the next Baron of
Septentria, were training in the back. Around seven fighters battled it out
near the front while the rest of us worked assembly line fashion cutting,
sewing and painting table clothes, baldrics and tabards for Snowed Inn. All
told we had people from Ardchreag, Skeldergate, Greenhithe and Bastille du Lac
and three Peers (Hector, Evander and Berus). Lots of activity, lots of people
to talk to, lots of plans being made.
Valizan (himself newly
nominated for the Heirship of Ben Dunfirth) and I got into a discussion about
protégées and apprentices. He told me that on the protégée list there is a Laurel who, when asked
about whether prospective dependents should approach Peers or let Peers
approach them, said "We aren't psychic." So, I finally talked to
Hector about possibly becoming his apprentice. We had a long talk about my
motives, my associations with others (like House de Taahe), my hopes and aims.
In the end we agreed to try out a student-teacher relationship after February
and see where that takes us. It may be the beginning of something very
interesting.
Quick and Dirty Banners
Laird Colyne Stewart, Jan AS 37
Here’s a down and dirty, step-by-step method to making attractive painted banners for display in the SCA. As I was going to be selling copies of The Ursus at a table at Berus’ Bar and Bar Room Brawl, I wanted a banner that would catch everybody’s eye. So I sat down one night and just made one.
Materials
· fabric (weight?)
· coloured thread (same as fabric)
· thermoplast or heavy card stock
· exacto knife
· paint
· brushes
· yardstick
Method · coloured thread (same as fabric)
· thermoplast or heavy card stock
· exacto knife
· paint
· brushes
· yardstick
First I cut a piece of fabric that was about x X x”. As I looked at it I realized that my material was a tad thinner than I wanted, and the piece was two big. To fix this I simply folded the piece in half and cut it so I now had two x X x” pieces. I then took these pieces and sewed three edges together so it resembled an inside out pillowcase. The open edge was to be the top of the banner. This type of banner might have hung oddly as the back and front were two separate piece sonly joined on the edge, so I sewed three straight lines across it to hold the material in place. These stitches are invisible except for close scrutiny and will help the banner hold its shape. (If I had used a single piece of thicker material I would not have had to do any of this.) Setting this aside I went on to my hanging loops.
For the loops I cut four pieces of x X x” material and did a double hem on all four edges of each piece. My Lady has since suggested that I could have cut eight pieces and sewn two together to form four double-thick loops. They would have been sewn as the main banner, turned right-side out and had their open edges hemmed.
Whichever way you do it, take your main banner and pin a wide double hem on the open side. Then take two of your loops and pin them to either edge of this hem. Measure out about 5” from each one and pin the other two loops. Then stitch along the bottom and the top of the hem to ensure durability.
From the thermoplast a friend of mine had cut a stencil of the Septentrian bear with an exacto knife. I placed the stencil on the banner and painted it red. I then removed the stencil, let the paint dry and I had a completed banner.
Options
The type of banner I made was technically called a XXXXX because of the way it hangs. If I wanted a banner that would be flown like a flag or standard I would have done exactly the same with a few variations. Firstly, I would have painted the two sides first, before sewing the two pieces of the main banner together. Second, The loops would be replaced by ties and be placed down the side of the banner (possibly with some along the top as well).
Stitching across a double-sided banner runs the risk of thread crossing paint of a different colour. I would suggest just trying to use thread that is light coloured and these stitches should be almost invisible except for close inspection.
Ealdormere’s Bright Knight
Event Report: Berus’ Bar and Bar Room Brawl V
Laird Colyne Stewart, Jan AS 37
On the 25th of January Sir Berus Jarl (or should
that be Countess Marion FitzWilliam) invited all across the kingdom to come to
their inn for a day of feasting and fighting. The day was chill but this did
not dissuade the north folk and many filled the hall from all corners of the
land. From Ardchreag there was: Colyne Stewart, Thorfinna gra’feldr, Eanor of
Amberhall, Heloise of Amberhall, Donovan, Eirik Anderson, Ivanna the Oblivious,
Rhys ap Bledri, Siegfried Brandbeorn, Isotta Gianfgliazzi, Fursto de Robnye,
Katerina du nord, Lina Carville, Wulfgang Donnerfaust, Jean-Margaret
Donnerfaust, Iolanda de Albornoz.
For most of
the day I sat at a table in the merchant area with my Lady Thorfinna, where we
sold several back issues of the Ursus, and even managed to gain a few new
subscribers to this august periodical. At times Thorfinna, busy embroidering a serpent
nowed, would watch the table while I went on various errands.
So many
things happened throughout the day that I can by no means list them all, but I
will share what I do remember. There was fighting, of course, with dozens of
fighters battling at one end of the hall. Fencers also practiced their art,
manner in exquisite green tabards. There were many merchants, offering wares
ranging from swords tot rim, from laquered wooden boxes to shield blanks. The
Daughters of the North sponsored a raffle with prizes donated by many good
gentles across the kingdom. This raffle raised over $800 for the kingdom!
Wassail for the generosity of Ealdormereans! A class on beading and embroidery
was held in the same space where earlier our young ones were swinging boffer
blades. Leif and Ymir, both of Skeldergate, were squired to Sir Berus.
As I said,
this is only a small sampling of what went on that day. There was simply too
much for me to see it all.
Perhaps the
most exciting moment was when all present were bade to pay heed to the lists.
Running over we found Count Aaron Preslee Worgansson on his knees in front of
our king, Roak II. Master Worgan McGregor had asked for a boon, that Aaron be
elevated into the Order of Chivalry. Aaron was then put on vigil, first a vigil
of fire where he held the field against all comers, and then a vigil of
contemplation where he would hear the wisdom of the populace. This announcement
was meet with uproarious cheering and the clashing of sword on shield. Our Frog
Prince was to become a knight!
While
Thorfinna very patiently watched the Ursus table—again—I attended Aaron’s
vigil. When my time came to see him I told him of the esteem in which I hold
him, for I had found him to be a good king, and a good and true person. At that
time I passed on a ring that had been given to me by Lady Isotta Gianfgliazzi,
which had been given to her by THL Aeneas Oakhammer. I asked Aaron to keep it,
and one day pass it on to someone who inspires him as he inspires me. It was
but a small part of the deserving bounty the good count would receive that day.
After
returning to the table, and letting Thorfinna actually get up and walk around,
Naga-san, champion of Ramshaven, and I entered into a debate. We found we could
not agree on the placement of Septentria and Ramshaven upon the great chain of
being. Therefore Naga suggested he would convince me of his point of view on
the field, where he would face me or any other Septentrian. Our friendly debate
will continue at a future event.
Throughout
the day we had been enjoying the fare of the inn’s kitchens. Many members of
the populace of Skeldergate were slaving in its heat, including our Heirs,
Corwyn and Domhnail Galbraith. When it came time to eat dinner I bought roast
beast and gravy, pork sausages, mushrooms and onions and bread. It was good,
hearty fare. As we shared a table with Master Hector of the Black Height there
was—of course—singing. Hector raised his voice and soon a full bardic circle
had begun with many good gentles surrounding the table.
When court
was called we took our seats and were treated to a grand display. King Roak and
Queen Arlette marched into the hall, followed by Prince Edouard and Princess
Genvieve. Next came Baroness Gaerwen and the Heirs, Corwyn and Domhnail.
(Cynred, unfortunately, was ill that day.) Roak and Arlette then invited into
their court Their Hignesses of the East
Kingdom , Prince Darius
and Princess Roxane. (Baron Davin and Baroness Martya of Ramshaven were
gracious, and gave the use of their thrones to the visiting royalty.)
Septentrian
court was short, with only two pieces of business. First, the canton of
Ardchreag paid its taxes and displayed the banner that I had forgotten to take
to 12th Night. House Fenrir was then called into court and given a
Bear’s Heart for their service to all at events across the barony and kingdom.
Indeed, they were currently busy running the inn’s bar!
The king
and queen then opened their court by announcing Lord Gunnar Truthsinger the new
kingdom thrown weapons marshal and Lady Tesla de Chardonne as the new kingdom
signet. THL Rachel Katharine McLellan, the former signet, has now embarked upon
the writing of a history of our fair kingdom.
Sir Evander
MacLachlan, newly returned from the far east, swore fealty to the Crown. He
then proclaimed that while overseas he had claimed land there in the name of
Ealdormere. This land he had collected in boxes, which he gave to Their
Majesties and Their Highnesses Ealdormere. Previously, Evander has claimed
lands in the far north and in Africa .
The
announcement of a teachers travel fund was announced. This fund will help
teachers travel to and from Ealdormere. It was also announced that Sir Sarnac
Bahadur will be heading up the training of the unbelted champions team for
Pennsic.
Their
Highnesses of the East then bestowed many treasures upon our Majesties and
Highnesses. Most notable was a lamp that Darius had won in a torch tourney. He
asked that whenever this lamp stands between us and the darkness, that we think
of the East fondly. This was met with thunderous applause and cries of “Vivat!”
Darius and Roxane were then given gifts in return.
Otto the
Black, son of Baron Brand and Baroness Brianna of Ben Dunfirth, was given the
Award of the Wolf’s Cub. Several good gentles then received their Awards of
Arms, including: Snag Blacksword, Wat of Sarum, Tatiiana, Rhys ap Hart Meredin
of House Fenrir, Lassarfhina of House Fenrir and Mung Lo.
The Order
of the Chivalry was then called into court, and Roak asked if Worgan still
wished his squire, Aaron, to be made a member of their order. Worgan
acknowledged that such was his wish. Aaron was then called into court.
At his side
strode his lady, Countess Rustique du Sorde, and was preceded by his
man-at-arms Eogan de Moray bearing a banner. Other good gentles followed, but
all eyes were upon Aaron as the populace leapt to their feet and the hall
resounded with their applause and cries of “Wassail!”
The
ceremony was moving for all as Aaron received the marks of his new rank. First
he received a belt. This came from Duke Sir Richard of the East. Richard said
that the first time he fought Aaron he knew he would one day be a knight, and
had made this belt against that day. Naga-san then gave Aaron a second belt, a
woven belt once owned by Duke Sir Thorbjorn Osis Brandson. A third belt had
been crafted by Master Trumbrand the Wanderer, being a wide belt with ‘Elvis.
Written out on it in golden rivets.
The chain
of Ealdormere’s knights was then bestowed upon him by Master Trumbrand, who
performed the duty for Sarnac, who could not be there. For his personal chain
Aaron received a grand gift. For Prince Darius came before him, and told a tale
of his chain. He had, he said, never removed his chain but once. He had given
his chain unto his lady and told her not to return it until he had won one
thousand fights in five days. It was this same chain he now gave to Aaron.
Sir Richard
then gave Aaron a new helm, for he said though Aaron was a great fighter his
helm was hideous. Richard had begun the helm, intending it to be a gift for
Osis. It sat unfinished until Richard’s squire, Lord Cet, completed it so that
it may grace Aaron’s head.
Aaron’s
scroll was made of tooled leather, and a version of it had been made into
bracers so he could wear it wherever he goes.
In all
Aaron received many great gifts, and this shows the esteem he is held in, not
only by Ealdormereans, but by many beyond our borders as well. He was then given the horn of the
chivalry of Ealdormere, anointed by the king’s sword, and given the last blow
he should take unanswered. Sir Aaron Preslee Worgansson then turned to face a
cheering crowd.
At the meeting on Monday the regalia
making continued. Hector gave me a lesson in polearm.
February 2003
The first meeting of February was wet with at times
torrential freezing rain. Attendance took a hit because of this and only about
fifteen people came out. There was a short business meeting which I did not
attend (Thorfinna sat in for me). Thorfinna was voted in as the new canton
chronicler. After I finished printing and folding the Ursus I armoured up for
the first time in three weeks.
Berus,
Kenric, Wulfgang and Wat also put on their kits—Berus for the first time in a
few months. I fought Kenric first and did my average against him, which is
something like 35-40% victory. He won’t say it but I can tell he thinks I’m
getting better because he takes longer to kill me now!
My hand was
bothering me that night so I sat down and stretched it for a while. I can’t
remember the order of my remaining fights but I fought everyone once, Berus
twice.
My battles
with Wat are a blur. With Wulfgang I kept legging him and then taking his head.
He said I was owning him that night but I’m pretty sure he had almost as many
victories against me. Both he and Wat have said I’m getting faster and they’re
having troubles solving me. Since they both train so much I take that as a very
nice compliment.
Now Berus.
I think Berus pretty much owned me though I did get the odd kill on him. I also
got a lot of pointers from him that night. Staying out of range when setting
up, pivoting while engaged, loosening my grip, etc. He said my hand problem
would lighten up if I loosened my grip. He said I may loose my sword once in a
while but so what. I’ve got a lanyard. Of course, my lanyard ending up breaking
and I shot my sword half way across the warehouse. He managed to thrust me
twice in my most tender bits, and hit me three times on the right clavicle so I
have a nice bruise to remember the night by. (I swear, some days when I come
into work I feel like I’m in Fight Club.) In return I caught his vambrace with
a shot that tore some of the strapping off.
Berus
remarked on my speed, power and endurance, all of which had improved since we
had last fought (which was months ago). It’s encouraging. Maybe I won’t be dog
food at Pennsic this year. (Well, not all the time anyway.)
Ardchreag’s meeting on the 10th was better
attended, and the last stages of Snowed Inn planning were hashed out. Gailana
and others sewed three fabric walls that will be painted with Septentrian
bears.
I put my
kit on almost first thing and was armoured before most people even arrived. I
fought several bouts, at least once with everyone else in armour and by the end
of the evening would have been happy to continue except for the slowly seeping
strength of my shield arm. I had one of the best nights I’ve ever had. In no
particular order:
The first
couple of fights with Wat were very quick. Double kills, head shots on the
first blow. After that we decided not to fight like mirror images and we mixed
it up. I could rarely leg Wat, and the kills I did get on him were head shots.
Likewise, he rarely legged me. I think our fighting styles are becoming
similar. We quite often would find our swords hitting each other in mid-stroke.
Wulfgang is
as strong as ever and when we did a bear pit he ran out on his turns like a
charging bull. He seems to protect his head rather well but I legged him almost
every fight and usually ended up killing him after that.
Berus
fought with a sword in his left hand and a dagger in his right. He would lean
really far over on his left which I found a bit disconcerting. Generally he
beat me, thanks in large part to his speed and my still shoddy shield work. I
did however get a few kills on him, though, as I told him, I don’t actually
count wins and losses. (He told me at one point I had more kills on him than he
had on me, to which I just shrugged. I’m pretty sure by the end of the night he
was well ahead of me.)
I fought
Eoin for the first time ever; we did shield and sword against shield and sword.
He readily recognized my dippy shield point and took full advantage of it. I
managed to get a few kills in but need to work on that shield. It is
unfortunately a matter of strength and not just skill. As the night wears on my
carpel wears on me and my shield dips more than ever. (It also costs me power
on my sword blows.)
After
Hector and Eoin had fought I convinced Hector to keep his kit on for a few
bouts with me. I had to use Wulfgang’s shield as somewhere during the night
mine had received a crushing blow that splintered my top edge. It wasn’t quite
slung right for me, and was slightly uncomfortable, but it fit (I couldn’t even
get my arm through Wat’s straps). Hector fought with a bastard sword that has
little balls on the hilt. At one point one of the balls got stuck in my
baskethilt, which caused no small amount of mirth for those watching. I did
well against Hector, and would guess we were relatively even. When he killed me
it was generally on his second swing while I was taking my own swing at him. I
would block his first strike, swing and not pay enough attention to his sword
anymore.
At one
point during the night Wat, Wulfgang and I did a rotational two on one exercise
that was a lot of fun. The team of two always won but it was good practice for
when you end up alone on the field.
So, I need
to make a new heater. I just got the parts to make a round, but I need the
heater more. My knee popped open again so I’m also going to have repair that.
Neither will be done until after Snowed Inn as I have too much to do until
then.
The Sewers’ Lament (One More Pattern)
Colyne Stewart and Thorfinna gra’feldr, Feb As 37
Based on “Eastrealm Battle Chant (One More Battle )” by Master Hector of the Black Height
One more pattern, one more fray,
One more cross-stitch, one more stay.
One more thimble on my thumb,
Eight more hours and I’ll be done.
Once again my thumb has bled,
My white tunic is stained red.
My only trim is pea soup green;
Just what does stay-stitching mean?
One more pattern, one more fray,
One more cross-stitch, one more stay.
One more thimble on my thumb,
Eight more days and I’ll be done.
Rolls of fabric on my floor
Wool and cotton, silk and more.
All of it I bought real cheap,
From Value
Village up the street.
One more pattern, one more fray,
One more cross-stitch, one more stay.
One more thimble on my thumb,
Eight more weeks and I’ll be done.
To make my hood I sew a curve,
To fix the ends I use a surge.
I think its coming out all right
But in is out and left is right!
One more pattern, one more fray,
One more cross-stitch, one more stay.
One more thimble on my thumb,
Eight more months and I’ll be done.
Why’d I pick a cotehardie?
It is too advanced for me.
Look at all those buttoned sleeves!
I want to throw a fit and leave.
One more pattern, one more fray,
One more cross-stitch, one more stay.
One more thimble on my thumb,
Eight more years and I’ll be done!
Ravens with Ursine Hearts
Event Report: Snowed Inn II, the Baronial Investiture
Edition (Ursus Version)
Laird Colyne Stewart, February AS 37
The day actually began the night before. I’m sure our keep
was not the only one where folk were busy getting last minute touches done for
Snowed Inn. Lord Eirik Andersen, Lina Varville and Lance Gailanasson had come
over to help Thorfinna and I put ribbons on the site tokens and finish the SCA
direction signs that Brandt and Berend had cut out. We ended up going to bed
around two in the morning and getting up at 6:30.
All our
goods were piled buy the door so after a quick packing job we got to the site
at 8. The hall’s people had put up a stage and set up chairs for court and
tables for the populace so little moving of furniture had to be done. We placed
a Septentrian wall, something our canton had been working on under the guidance
of Lady Gailana Dunkel Pfere, on either side of the stage, and one behind the
troll tables. Lord Wat of Sarum and Katerina du nord manned the troll table,
while an actual troll, bearing Lord Wulfgang Donnerfaust’s ‘troll komplaint
department’ site sat beside them. Wulfgang himself sat across from then,
selling bar tickets. William the Younger and Lord Rhys of House Fenrir wandered
the halls crying out for events and activities.
People
began to arrive and Their Majesties, Their Highnesses and their Excellencies
Septentria were set up on the stage. All the other Barons and Baroness of the
kingdom were in attendance, and most set up presences to either side of the
stage. Many banners adorned the walls and fighters in glorious kits armed for
the pas d’armes.
Lady
Mahault van der Eych, Berend van der Eych, Tarian verch Gadarn and Gailana
toiled in the kitchen while Lady Iolanda de Albornoz set up tables draped in
our new Ardchreag tablecloths to house the arts and sciences competitions. At
another table were laid several Septentrian relics including: the first helm of
Sir Hugo Graf, the first Ealdormerean born knight; the Cauldron of Ceredwyn, an
ancestor of the Horn of Wessex, and a special award handed out by Aedan and
Caffa, first Baron and second Baroness of Septentria; tunics incorporating
pieces of Aedan’s old tunics; ancient Septentrian tabards featuring a golden
rather than silver bear; and many more besides.
When all
was in readiness, the royalty processed into the hall and Baron Cynred and
Baroness Gaerwen presided over their last court. The first order of business
was the presentation of Greenhithe’s taxes, being a war banner. Their
Excellencies then called up all those who led and planned the Casa Loma demo
and gave them tokens for their hard work and dedication. (There were unfortunately
too many of them for this poor scribe to record all their names.) The Canton of vest Yorvik,
who had many members in attendance that day, presented the barony with $400.
Personal
baronial tokens were handed out to: Lady Christina MacNamara, Lord Percival de
Laroque, Lady Seonag nic Thomais, Lord Streonwald Wulfesbana, Lady Gabriel de
Champagne, Lord Normand Hauberkker, Lord Magnus Kjrr, Master Hector of the
Black Height and Baroness Adrielle Kerrec. Lady Fursto de Robnye was recognized
for her hard work in the casting of these tokens from the mold created by Lord
Ulrich von der See, of beloved memory.
Lord Druss
of Dun Aengus, Lord Andree mac Byrne, Lord William Stalker, Lady Tarra Jade of
Monadh and Lord Kenric Manning were awarded Bear’s Claws and Lady Katerina of
Monadh was awarded a Bear’s Heart.
Their
Excellencies then called to them all their champions, martial and otherwise,
and released us from their service. As we handed our regalia to the seneschal,
Lord Raffe Scholemaystre, we were given tokens from Their Excellencies’ hands.
Finally,
the Isengesitha were all called, past and present. Those who had served in the
past were acknowledged and thanked. Those still in service were released from
their vows by handing their arm rings to Their Excellencies, who put them into
the trust of the King and Queen. Lord Tiberius Justus Britannicus, who was the
sword reeve of the Isen, was so acknowledged and thanked.
Then,
Cynred and Gaerwen knealt before Roak and Arlette and were released from their
vows of fealty. After clasping Gwaylor, the Sword of Ealdormere, their coronets
were taken into trust by Their Majesties. The tension of the moment, for it was
an emotional event, was broken when, from out of a storage room, loomed an
eight-foot high white bear wearing a trillium and Septentrian cape. The Great
Bear of Septentria itself had come to bless Cynred and Gaerwen for the work
they had done. The bear, being old and venerable, had a slight limp and was
helped to court by Baron Halfdan Blackanvil and Master Konrad Mattias Jaeger.
Upon seeing the limp Hector remarked that “he has a bad Foote.”
Cynred and
Gaerwen’s families then came to claim them. Hector, Gaerwen’s Pelican, said
there was much laundry and washing of dishes awaiting her, though he admonished
her not to fade his plaids. Master Sylard came for Cynred and placed in his
hands a giant hammer and a lump of ore. He tasked Cynred to turn that ore into
a blade, to which Cynred remarked that the work would not be completely true as
he was not allowed to mine the ore himself! Roak, upon seeing Sylard, asked him
just how he had been faring in his forge without his dwarf. Sir Edward the Red,
speaking of behalf of Earl Syr David Martin Failsworth, claimed Cynred’s sword
arm. Then, to much fanfare and applause, Cynred and Gaerwen departed, followed
by the giant bear.
Roak and
Arlette then called for the Heirs, and Corwyn and Domhnail were processed into
court, led by House Galbraith and House Hrogn, both of whom were wearing
Septentrian tabards. In a short, dignified ceremony, Corwyn and Domhnail swore
their fealty upon Gwaylor and were given their coronets from the hands of Their
Lupine Majesties. When they were presented to the populace there was much
cheering, clapping and stomping of feet.
Girding themselves
with new swords that had mysteriously appeared on their thrones, Corwyn and
Domhnail opend a short court as Martya, Baroness of Ramshaven, wished to
present them with gifts and words of encouragement.
Their
Majesties then called forward Wulfwyn of Greenhithe, and presented her with an
Award of Arms for all the hard work she has done for her canton.
With their
new Excellencies of Septentria now invested the hall was cleared and the list
poles erected so the pas d’armes could begin. One side, led by Lord Richard
Larmer, fought to defend love, while the other, led by Lord Nigel McFarlane,
fought for the death of love. Nigel, though on the side of death, still always
fought for the love of his lady, Baroness Adrielle Kerric, announcing that they
were soon to wed, and he was to come and live in Ealdormere. Duke Sir Finnvarr
acted as King of Arms and Lina Carville acted as pas herald (it being her first
heralding experience). The entire pas d’armes had been spearheaded by Volodymyr
Blahuciak. Both sides fought long and hard with many victories for both sides.
A large scale had been erected and with each win and loss the scales were
adjusted as love would move towards death, and then away. Finally, the King of
Arms declared the pas over, and that love and the death of love were tied.
Tiberius was given the pas’ grand prize—a sword that he will return with next
year for the coming pas d’armes.
The lists
were then opened to all and many challenged the pas fighters to combat. Most
notably, Her Excellency Domhnail Galbraith battled with His Excellency of
Skraeling Althing, Sir Menken Brechen.
Combat of a
different sort went on throughout the hall as the Games Guild, under the
guidance of Raffe, and with the assistance of Lance, spread their wares for the
enjoyment of all. The populace were given coins with which to gamble and at the
end of the day, the person with the largest purse would win a plate painted
with the Guild’s badge. The plate had been decorated by Lina, and was finally
won by a good gentle from Eoforwic.
A lunch
counter was provided by the Canton of Greenhithe, under the guidance of Lady
Nadja Kesali (formerly known as Ivanna the Oblivious). The food proved to be so
popular it quickly ran out of wares.
When the
pas was over the populace met for a moot in a room at the end of a long and
winding corridor in which many lost their way. Many turns needed to be
negotiated, and many barbarians had to be passed before the moot room could be
found. One such young barbarian commented that “Those are nice clothes you got
there,” to which I replied, “You as well.” What topics exactly were discussed
are unknown to me as I was busy with work in the main hall. I’m sure minutes of
the moot will soon be made available.
Just before
feast I called together the twelve good gentles who had volunteered to slave
under my as servers for feast. These included: Lina, Mistress Marian of
Heatherdale, Lord Piero di Paxiti da Vincenza, Lady Wencendl of Rokesburg, Lord
Gunnar skald Thorvaldsson, Nadja, Lord Rhys of House Fenrir, another member of
House Fenrir whose name is unknown to me at this time, William the Younger,
Lady Lassarfhina, Thorfinna and myself. We quickly discussed how feast was to
be served, then entered the hall and had the populace clear the tables so they
could be reoriented for feast. Etienne’s booming voice and bulging muscles were
of great aid in this endeavour. A large space was left in the middle of the
hall, for much entertainment was planned. Each table was draped with a green
Ardchreag tablecloth. And the head table was set with plates displaying the
Bear of Septentria, painted by Tarian, Mahault and Berend, which were gifts for
those who used them. Likewise, the bowl from the first remove were decorated,
this time with trilliums, for those at head table to keep.
The menu was as follows: First
Remove—Chilled Juice, Bear Borsht, Light Rye Bread and Tarragon Butter, Crustade, Capons in Salome with Potatoes, Blueberry Ice;
Second
Remove—Chilled Juice, Mixed Greens with Raspberry Vinagrette, Dark Rye and Honey Butter, Smoked Salmon with Vidalia Onion Sauce, Orange Balsam Beans, Blueberry Honey'd Ham with Carrots, Calissons d'Aixm, Chocolate Hot Pot. The over all theme of the feast
was food fit for a bear.
As the servers placed each course
on their respective table they were congratulated on the scope, artistic
display and taste of the feast—a testimonial to the talents of the chefs.
As the
first course was being served, Her Grace, Duchess Eanor, presented to Their
Majesties living Septentrian relics, in the form of Duke Sir Finnvarr de Tahhe,
Master Sylvard of Eagleshaven, Mistress Mordreth Llanelli Colwyn and many
others.
Thorfinna
and I opened the hall bardicly for the last time as new Ursine Bards will be
named by Corwyn and Domhnail. We read to the populace a poem for Cynred and
Gaerwen the showed how they embodied the Heart and the Claw, two of our
baronial awards. Drottin Gunnar de Blacwode performed a true Saxon piece in
honour of Cynred, told from memory and containing many kennings. Gunnar showed
that day that a true scope dwells within him. A band of dancers performed many
dancers for the hall while Dante accompanied them musically. They even managed
to drag Cynred Broccan and a kilted Sir Evander MacLachlin onto the dance
floor. Many maidens in attendance were quite charmed with the plaid hip
movements of the good knight.
Iolanda de
Albornoz, with the assistance of Streonwald Wulfesbana, announced the winners
of the Arts and Sciences competitions. Lady Eve of Eoforwic won the advanced
category for her Persian coat; Mahault and Gailana won the intermediate for
their Elizabethan underclothes; and Thorfinna won in the beginner category for
her illumination and nallbinding.
Some of the
relics of Septentria were then brought forth for judging by Baron Siegfried
Brandbeorn. Master Hector displayed a tattered Septentrian tabard complete with
tokens from various gentles dating back many years, Hamish Gunn showed the
reliquary of House Galbraith, Eanor had what was arguably the first mailed
teddy gear and a portrait of herself and her mother, Mistress Ragni Dzintari,
by THL Robert of Two Cliffs, and THL Aeneas Oakhammer displayed Cynred’s spear,
a relic still fresh and new. Siegfried judged the contest by the cheers of the
populace and in the end Hector’s rather odiferous entry won the day, earning
him two goblets.
To close
feast a large bardic circle gathered in the center of the hall and many great
songs were sung by all.
Unseen by
most, three good gentles were slaving in the kitchen with the chefs. For the
chefs needed the plates of each course returned and washed so they could be
reused for coming course. To be so employed did Sheikh Valizan, Lady Roselinde
FitzWilson and Ymir donate their time. Each server, and these three washers,
were all given shot glasses graced with the arrows of Ardchreag, also painted
by Lina. Lance, who had wandered the hall serving juice, was presented with a
small cup featuring a bear’s paw.
When feast
was finally done the populace wandered and chatted while the royalty were again
closeted in meetings, just one more in a long list of them that day. Lina’s
cleavage did entertain several former Excellencies of Septentria, and Cynred
earned the byname ‘Nimblefingers’ for the treasure he pulled from them. Hector
and Master Garraed Galbraith entertained the crowd, sometimes together,
sometimes tagging each other in and out in the middle of a song. Then the
hearld’s cries were heard and all took to their feet and bowed.
Their
Majesties opened their court by hearing the fealty of Baroness Martya, who had
not yet sworn for religious reasons. A compromise oath had been reached and all
were content. The Laurels likewise swore fealty, and then Their Majesties
handed the arm rings of the Isen to Corwyn and Domhnail.
Their
Excellencies then began court by asking Master Rufus of Stamford to reassume his role as the baronial
harpist, a role which is a long standing tradition within Septentria. House
Fenrir, squatters upon Septentrian soil, entered into a contract with Corwyn
and Domhnail, and Cynred passed a blade to Corwyn which Ieuan, baron before
him, had entrusted to him. As Cynred said, “From grandfather, to father, to
son.”
More gifts
followed as Ardchreag donated seventeen bear tabards and five bear baldrics,
and Baron Siegfried gave them a shield which had once graced the arm of Baron
Aedan. Sir Berus Wolfsonn led the Hrogn fra Osis before the coronets and told
them that the Hrogn had bled for the Tygre of the East, for the Dragon of the
Middle and for the Trillium of Ealdormere but never for the Bear of Septentria.
Now that would change. He handed them a sword and told Their Excellencies to
command them for a year and a day.
The arm
rings were then brought forth and those who wished to swear to the new
Septentrian army, now called the Iron Companions, were called forward. The Iron
Companions was to be an army that encompassed all martial activities and was to
include fighters, scouts, archers, fencers, thrown weapons and equestrian.
Thorfinna and I both swore to the barony’s service by pledging our throwing
axes.
The matter
of taxes was then discussed. Their Excellencies asked that each canton should
submit a new wardoor, bearing the arms of said canton, upon the arm of a new
fighter who would bear it at Pennsic.
Cynred
Broccan was then called into court and given a Bear’s Heart, for truly none has
an ursine heart as he.
Their
Majesties resumed their court, and gave gifts unto Corwyn and Domhnail,
including a new basket to house award tokens.
Heloise,
the daughter of Duchess Eanor of Amberhall, was called into court and given and
Award of the Wolf’s Cub. Yvonne of Eoforwic and Erik the Mad Mongel were give
their Awards of arms and Fursto de Robnye and Percival de Laroque were honoured
with Maidens’ Hearts.
Baron Brand
and Baroness Brianna of Ben Dunfirth, and Their Highnesses Edouard and Genvieve
bestowed more gifts upon Corwyn and Domhnail, including tokens that had once
belonged to Aedan.
To much
applause, Cynred and Gaerwen were called back into court and given silver
coronets bearing six pearls and made a baron and baroness of Their Majesties’
court.
Finally,
those who had helped construct the mead hall upon the lands of Duke Sir
Finnvarr were placed upon the scroll of honour and the canton of Ardchreag was
thanked for hosting the event and all the baronial and kingdom activities asked
of them.
At the
conclusion of court Thorfinna and I loaded our wagon with any alcohol that had
not been sold but could not be returned to the vinter’s and headed home to open
the doors of our keep to the post-rev. Gentles came from Ardchreag, Vest
Yorvik, Flaming Sky and points beyond. The revelry went until the wee hours of
the morning as we toasted Gaerwen, who was in attendance. Finally, at some
point, sleep claimed us all.
The next day we awoke at the eleventh hour to greet those
who had spent the night. With most of these we went to Montana ’s
for food, then to a theatre to see the Two Towers
as Ceredwin had not yet seen it.
Returning home Thorfinna and I
thought to spend the night in rest but we ended up working on our armour.
Throfinna finished embellishing her helm, though she had to use more rapid
rivets than true bronze rivets if she wanted to be able to use it the next
night. Together we pounded my knee back into shape and I cut down my polearm to
just under six feet. I also did massive updates to the Septentrian webpage to
reflect the changes that had taken place in the barony the day before, and
began the March issue of the Ursus. Thorfinna worked on her first issue of the
TankArd and it was again the wee hours before we found our beds.
The Snowed Inn tear down took a bit longer than I was hoping
for, and after half an hour I left the meeting to armour up to fight. There
were many fighters in attendance that night including Berus, Evander and Ziggy.
Thorfinna
and I had fixed my knee, but my shield was still toast and my sword I found was
pulping so I had Thorfinna’s slung round and an older heavier, shorter sword. I
used these to fight Scott (SCA name unknown to me), the first time I’ve ever
fought him. He was likewise using a new sword and his arthritis was bothering
him, as my carpel was bothering me, so we were quite the pair. I believe I did
well, but I was still so tired from the weekend I don’t remember a lot. I do
remember that I missed the points of my heater when fighting Scott, as he kept
labeling me in the side.
Kenric was
next and he gave me one of his older, lighter swords to use instead of the
club-like sword I was using. We only fought for a short time before he got me a
good one in my sword-arm armpit. I said, “good,” then crumpled to the floor. I
had to sit out for a while before armouring up again. The next day I had a huge
stripe running across my armpit that was tender to the touch. Just moving my
arm would make it hurt.
My shield
work was good against Wat and I think we were relatively even.
Brandt used
a sword and mace against me and I found that I did rather well against him. As
the night progressed I got more used to the round and managed to generally keep
Brandt’s mace behind it and leg him. It was then generally just a matter of
time before I would kill him. I managed to get a few slot shots on him, which
is something I’ve often had problems with in the past. I told Brandt that I was
using the Menken School of Defense—letting my opponent swing while I blocked
until I saw an opening. It helps conserve the strength in my arm.
Next was
Ymir, using my polearm. He did pretty well against me though I did well enough
against him. What I generally tried to do was keep my shield way in front and
push it against his blade or butt-spike (depending on which way he was holding
the pole) and then using my sword to block any swing he’d make. I’d then try to
rip my sword in on him on my return. In our last battle he tried to J-shot me
but I saw it coming and got him in the head.
For my next
fight I used the pole against Wulfgang. Wulfy totally used the terrain against
me. We were fighting in an aisle in the warehouse so I didn’t have a lot of
room to manouver. He would duck behind his shield and come at my in an arc
right against the side of the aisle. It left me with no real shots to take as
he was completely covered and I couldn’t move around him.
At the end
of the night I actually got Kenric to admit that I was doing well considering I
was using a round, which is high praise for him.
Wulfgang
and I have agreed to autocrat the next Snowed Inn and I managed to snooker
Ziggy into being the head cook.
Singing and Sewing: Ealdormereans at the second Quest for
the Golden Seamstress
Laird Colyne Stewart, Feb AS 37
A team of five good gentles from the canton of Ardchreag,
within the barony of Septentria, within our glorious kingdom of Ealdormere ,
did set out one chill February morn for the barony of Roaring Wastes in the
Kingdom of the Middle. The team consisted of Lady Mahault van der Eych, Lady
Gailana Dunkel Pfere, Lady Thorfinna gra’feldr, Lina Carville and myself. Our
journey was pleasant and the guards between the borders of our lands did not
detain us. In fact, upon learning of the cause of our journey the guard looked
at us in surprise and began to laugh.
For we had
come to sew; and this was to be no day in the parlour either, me lad. For we
were to create a complete set of garb in seventeen hours, sleep being optional.
We arrived
in Roaring Wastes five hours before the site was to open and so traveled to a
local book depository where we all exclaimed in joy and awe and crawled upon
our hands and knees through the stacks and took home many treasures. A brief
sojourn to a local eatery where the fare and service was sublime followed. We
then gave our wagon into the care of a hosteller and unloaded our gear.
We were
still technically an hour early, but the event staff allowed us entry on the
condition that we help them set up. This we gladly did, pulling out tables and
chairs and making the acquaintance of a certain Jack Russell terrier named
Indy.
After
setting up our area and changing into new clothing we watched as other teams
began to arrive. One of them had two Ealdormerean members, being THL Anne Von
Tolstadt and THL Maeve MacKellar from Ben Dunfirth. Anne was the leader of this
team.
When the
time came to sew we fell to and worked until four in the morning. (Though your
chronicler must admit that he succumbed to sleep two and a half hours earlier
than that.) At eight in the morn we rose to continue our work.
Our team
was entered in the novice late period category, there being three categories
(early, middle and late periods) and two skill levels (novice and advance). Our
team leaders, Mahault and Gailana, had decided on an Elizabethan outfit worn by Pfalzgrafin Dorothea Sabina Von Neuberg when she was buried in 1598. To be truthful these
two did the brunt of all the work with the other three of us doing grunt work,
some hand stitching, coffee grabbing and spirit raising. We sung many songs,
including a special sewing filk Thorfinna and I had written with this event in
mind. The other attendees found our singing unusual, in the fact that I don’t
think they are used to people spontaneously bursting into song. When the
autocrats later handed out their autocrat awards, our team was awarded for our
bargain basement shopping (our dress cost about $65 US) and for our multi-part
singing. The first time we finished a song I looked up to find a number of
gentles that had wandered over to hear us better. Mav also cheered us with a
“wassail!”
Our tables
were swarmed with Laurels who eagerly talked with Mahault and Gailana as they
debated certain points of construction or documented sources. They said they
were very impressed that we were willing to listen to them and seriously
consider their advice. One of the Laurels in attendance was Mistress Joliecia
of Litchfield, who had come to the event with Lady Jean-Margaret Donnerfaust
(the latter also of Ardchreag).
Much food
and drink was included with our entry fee and we were given donuts, bagels,
coffee, tea, bits and bites and pop to get us through Friday night. Saturday
morning we were fed fruit salad, quiche, toast and bagels. In the evening cake,
chips and punch was provided. Lunch and dinner foods were available for an
extra fee. We ate like the hearty northerners that we are.
We ran into
only a few problems. The under dress turned out to not fit together quite right
and the under sleeves sagged. With some wrangling by Mahault and Gailana the
under dress was banged into shape, and upon a Laurel ’s suggestion bead work was added to
the sleeves which held the lining and the sleeve proper from sagging. A hat was
made and I spent a good chunk of time beading it (something I had never done
before). Other than that things ran relatively smoothly.
We finished
with a bit of time to spare, and we fell into a pile on the floor. At six pm
every groups sent their model up onto the stage and the Laurels and other
judges critiqued them. Since the Laurels were interested in all manner of
construction of the garb the models had to strip down tot heir skivvies. Since
we were in the novice category we had been allowed to sew our underclothes off
site, so we had brought out bloomers, chemise and farthingale (hoop skirt) with
us. Some teams not only sewed their dress, cotehardie or blio on site, they
even made shoes, belts, mirrored hats, sword sheathes and all many of
accessories.
When the
fashions show was over the judges sequestered themselves for an hour as snow
began to fall in abundance outside. The autocrats handed out their awards and
announced the winners of a silent auction. Special acknowledgment was made of
the ‘Hoodigans’ who had sewn one hundred hoods for the Midrealm army during the
course of the event. We helped take down tables and Mahault vacuumed a large
stretch of the hall.
When the
judges came down Mistress Rebekkah came over to tell us personally how
impressed she was with our work. We joked that this meant we must not have won.
Something along the lines of “you’re really good but…” She took our ribbing in
the good nature in which it was intended.
It was
announced that the winner in the novice late period category was…us! I was,
I’ll admit, a bit shocked. I new we had done well, but I thought he other teams
in our category had done pretty well too. Rowen’s team, who had entered the
advanced late period category won first place for that category! It was like
the old days of Ealdormere, when it was not much more than Eoforwic, and its
artisans would win many arts and science competitions in the Middle Kingdom. We
were all of us very proud.
The event
was one of a kind, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone interested in
costuming and garb. Plan now, recruit a team, and hopefully I’ll see you down
in Roaring Wastes next year.
For about the fourth week in a row the weather on Monday was
foul—hazy, blowing snow and traffic that crawled. Our trip from work to the
warehouse for Ardchreag’s weekly meeting took twice as long as it should have.
When we arrived we found a few familiar faces and a few new ones, as well as
some visitors. Attendance promised to be low, but more and more folk arrived
throughout the night. Dafydd ap Sion had come to get Thev’s fighting garb that
had been left at Snowed Inn. He thought about sticking around but decided with
the weather he wanted to get home. Andree mc Byrne and Druss of Dun Aengus had
come to fight but almost left as no one else had brought their armour. Mine was
in the car, but I had tot each a class, copy the Ursus and do a number of other
things. Ceridwen of vest Yorvik was also there as she had been doing training
for her work just around the corner from the warehouse.
I took
Wulfgang aside and explained why Thorfinna and I would not be able to attend
Winter War. Instead I read him a poem I had written to mark the occasion.
We had a
quick meeting where we discussed a possible new War Practice site (Aurelia and
Graem’s farm) and a few other things. Mahault gave Gailana, Lina, Thorfinna and
I tokens for our work at the Golden Seamstress as well as copies of the judge’s
comments and our autocrat award.
The
photocopier kept conking out on me so it took over an hour to get the issue
printed. I had forgotten my stapler but Berend helped me fold them.
I taught a
quick class on bestiaries which people seemed to enjoy, and then did a bit of
hand stitching under Mahault’s tutelage.
When the
Ursus was finally done it was 9:30. I wandered to the back and was watching
Corwyn, Andree, Druss, Domhnail and Wulfgang fight and wondered aloud if it was
worth getting into armour myself at that point. Wulfy told me if I did he for
sure would fight me. It was a good thing I got his assurance, for as I got my
armour on everyone else except him quit the field. (Corwyn looked massive in
his armour and will be quite the sight on the battle field.)
Wulfgang
and I did some one on one. He used a center-boss round (his heater had been
busted earlier that night) and I used a slung round. This made for some
interesting fights. We were both tired (I really need about a week’s worth of
sleep after Snowed Inn, the Golden Seamstress and staying up late every night
working on the Ursus and the Septentrian history) so neither of us was quite on
our game. We still had fun and I think we were fairly even.
I was
called to the front of the room to sing the filk Thorfinna and I had written
about sewing. Hector said he liked it, and made special note of the cotehardie
lines.
At one
point Brandt came back and we did a very short bear-pit as his mace kept
breaking. I only fought him twice before he called it quits. He killed me in
our first fight with a quick shot he had just learned from Count Brannos two
days before. In the second we were both legged and I took his head as the tip
of his mace flew across the room.
Hector
watched and gave advice as Wulfy and I continued without Brant. We went until
Wulfgang had had enough (he had been fighting for an hour and a half before we
began) and we stripped down.
The rest of
the evening was spent talking and gloating over treasure. The Ardchreag closet
had been cleaned out and some old things had been handed out so they could be
used again. Hector also gave Thorfinna a class in great sword.
The next night we went over to Corwyn and Domhnail’s to take
pictures of ‘Septentrian Regalia, Relics and Artifacts’. These included Ieuan’s
coronet, ancient banners, Corwyn and Domhnail’s swords and many other items.
These pictures can be used on the webpage as a pictorial account of Septentrian
items of historical import. They made us an outstanding dinner with the best
roast beef I think I’ve ever had.
March 2003
We didn’t make it to Winter War
where Wulfgang was being squired to Sarnac, but I wrote him this poem anyway.
For Wulfgang Donnerfaust, upon the occasion of his donning a
red belt
(Winter War, March AS 37)
Laird Colyne Stewart, March AS 37
From forests black he came,
Tall strider with a gnarled staff,
Road-taken tokens glittering.
Eyes gentle but arms foe-rending.
At his side a life-scythe glinting.
As Woden looked when young
So does Wulfgang look now.
The path before him split—
The way of the warrior he trod.
In vulpine-borrowed helm he learned his art;
He let more blood than any barber.
His skill and passion plain to all,
Until a king saw the foes before him flee.
Wulfgang, proud, first took a test
‘gainst fellow German, lance-kennecht,
Sword-spun, blood-danced,
And Wulfgang walked from the field
An oath-swearing servant of the king.
When duty to his monarch passed
A count and knight he followed,
Fed the ravens red life-wine,
Showing mercy when foe’s honour shone.
The count now calls Wulfgang Wodanson,
A length of cow-hide in his hands,
To gird about his waist.
Wulfgang of the thundering fist,
Wulfgang of the flower,
Now a squire to a knight,
None more worthy,
None more proud.
Wulfgang walks a new road now,
Towards a rising sun.
Kingdom taxes, in the form of
baronial histories were due by March 1st and I had sent Septentria’s
in. I got the following two emails regarding it:
From: "robert harding" <knotwork@pathcom.com>
To: "Todd Fischer" <imelod@sympatico.ca>
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2003 11:27 AM
Subject: Thanks
>
Hi Colyne!
>
> We wanted to tell you that Their Majesties are well pleased with your work.
> We were summoned into court and told of the taxes due, the taxes paid and
> the good work done. We owe it all to you and we said as much to His Majesty.
>
> Many thanks for your hard work, your well crafted tome of history and
> dedication to the Barony.
>
> Kindest regards always,
>
> Corwyn and Domhnail,
> Baron and Baroness Septentria
>
> We wanted to tell you that Their Majesties are well pleased with your work.
> We were summoned into court and told of the taxes due, the taxes paid and
> the good work done. We owe it all to you and we said as much to His Majesty.
>
> Many thanks for your hard work, your well crafted tome of history and
> dedication to the Barony.
>
> Kindest regards always,
>
> Corwyn and Domhnail,
> Baron and Baroness Septentria
From: "Sarah Hughes" <gaerwen@interlog.com>
To: <imelod@sympatico.ca>
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2003 7:11 AM
Subject: Thanks and History
>
Greetings Dearest Colyne and Thorfinna,
>
> Just wanted to say that while I was speaking with Her Majesty yesterday,
> she suddenly remembered that taxes were due, turned to me and said that
> ours (Septentria's) was in and wonderful. Just wanted to pass along the news.
>
> And..as, in my retirement, I seem to have become very lax in writing and
> posting out my thank yous, I hope you will accept this very informal and
> tardy missive as I just wanted to thank you both again for making our
> stepping down so very special, and for the very unexpected gift. The photo
> is lovely and the frame even more so. Thank you.
>
> And I also wanted to say that it was an absolute pleasure working with you
> both. It was great to have such steadfast people to depend upon.
>
> Big hugs and thanks again,
> Gaerwen
>
> Just wanted to say that while I was speaking with Her Majesty yesterday,
> she suddenly remembered that taxes were due, turned to me and said that
> ours (Septentria's) was in and wonderful. Just wanted to pass along the news.
>
> And..as, in my retirement, I seem to have become very lax in writing and
> posting out my thank yous, I hope you will accept this very informal and
> tardy missive as I just wanted to thank you both again for making our
> stepping down so very special, and for the very unexpected gift. The photo
> is lovely and the frame even more so. Thank you.
>
> And I also wanted to say that it was an absolute pleasure working with you
> both. It was great to have such steadfast people to depend upon.
>
> Big hugs and thanks again,
> Gaerwen
On the Sunday we went and checked
out Aurelia and Graem’s farm as a potential site for this year’s War Practice.
It looked very promising, very promising indeed. Since both autocrats and five
canton officers were present we voted in favour right then and there.
At the Ardchreag meeting of March 10 I almost didn’t fight.
I was tired and not really in the mood but I had missed the week before and
didn’t want to go another week without practice. Only Donovan, Wat and I were
in armour. We did some bear pit and then some simulated pas fights where each
combatant could only throw two blows total. This was to get us to look for
openings, try to create openings and fake out our opponents. We also did some
knee work. I was again fighting with Thorfinna’s slung round and my old short sword.
Wulfgang had his sword and shield present and ended up giving them to me to
use. (When we were packing later I realized that Thorfinna’s round was broken.
That’s two shields in a few weeks. Thor says its because I’m blocking better
now, taking more shots on the shield and not the body. Still bugs me that I
broke her shield, though.)
I didn’t
fight very well, but then none of us felt we did that night.
Hector told
me that he really liked the last issue of the Ursus and felt it was one of the
better newsletters he’s ever seen. He tempered that by saying I need to spend
more time proofing. (He’s right.) He went on to say that I’ll likely end up as
Kingdom Chronicler some day, so I need to get proofing now. He’s offered to
help me proof my material and I’ll likely take him up on it.
Eirik
announced that no one other than myself had offered to serve as the canton’s
next seneschal. He said there would be a vote on whether I met with the
canton’s approval in a week or two. He also announced that Iolanda was stepping
down as Minister of A&S.
Spent the Ardchreag meeting fighting again. Wulfgang and I
began with each other as no one else was kitted up yet. Eventually Gunnar came
out I (his first time in armour) so Wulfgang and I gave him a few pointers. He
fought with Wulfy and then with me. After that I fought with Berend for a
little bit, and then ended up with Wulfgang again. To try to mix up opponents,
Wulfy and I suggested a bear-pit. We were asked to start, Wulfgang saying,
"Way to mix it up, Todd!" During the bear-pit I fought against Sieggy
for the first time. I managed to leg him before he killed me and the next time
I faced him he said, "Right, you're fast." We fought numerous times,
and I actually managed to kill him two or three times. Once I was on my knees
and he was trying to bait me into swinging but I just waited for him to swing
and got past his guard and took his head. I also fought Isotta for the
first time. We came out even on the night I think. One time she hesitated for
some reason (which I can no longer recall) and she opened her guard. I lunged
forward and took her head to calls of praise from the other fighters. When
everyone else was done Wulfy and I were still on the field, and we only stopped
because the hose clamps on my sword came loose for the third time that night.
Siegfried told me that I am very fast and that I hit soundly. So my night was
made. I had a lot of fun, got some praise, and did not feel winded or overly
sore. My right shoulder broke and I was left with only a tied on cop which
tended to flip over and offer me no protection whatsoever. It took a shot from
both Sieg and Isotta right on that point giving me a small bruise.
We had visitors from Vest Yorvik that night, being
Cereidwen, Sarah, and Evelyn, as well as Magnus who now plays in
Monadh...Cereidwen had just had her last year's worth of photos printed out and
had them for folks to look at...mon dieu she is an excellent photographer!
Sarah brought rice crispy squares with her, though they were gone by the time
fight practice was over...
Thorfinna printed off the April Fool's edition of the
TankArd and folks stood in a circle, noses buried, repeating exploding into
laughs or giggles...it was very gratifying for her as she had put about 100
hours of work into it...I also printed the Ursus that night...
Eanor taught a class on courtly love but I missed it as I
was fighting...I'm really trying to ensure that my skills don't degrade
again...my body memory is getting better, my endurance is improving, my speed
and strength are picking up and my arms aren't hurting...its a good time for
me...
My new shield performed well...it got a good workout in one
fight with Wulfgang when we were both on our knees...it lasted about six
minutes...throw, block, throw, block, throw, block...Todd: Kill me...Wulf: I'm
trying!...throw, block, throw, block, throw, block...Todd: Come on, kill
me...Wulf: Well stop blocking!...throw, block, throw, block, throw, block...
After someone posted on the
Drachenwald Bardic list about why most filks are about fighting, I posted “The
sewer’s Lament”..it was met with enthusiasm, as evidenced by this email:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Randy Colby" <xzoomy@earthlink.net>
To: <imelod@sympatico.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 9:06 PM
Subject: Your lovely song
Greetings
my Lord:
I so enjoyed the filk you and your lady wrote, "The Sewer's
Lament", as did my wife. She works in the fabric department of a
Hobby Lobby store, in Ft. Collins, CO., and would like to take it to
work to show her friends and customers (some of which are SCA
members). I hope you don't mind if she does this. I am sure that it
will be greatly appreciated by all who read it.
YIS,
Colb'an Itchfoot and Kolfinna Knytir
I so enjoyed the filk you and your lady wrote, "The Sewer's
Lament", as did my wife. She works in the fabric department of a
Hobby Lobby store, in Ft. Collins, CO., and would like to take it to
work to show her friends and customers (some of which are SCA
members). I hope you don't mind if she does this. I am sure that it
will be greatly appreciated by all who read it.
YIS,
Colb'an Itchfoot and Kolfinna Knytir
On the last Monday of the month a group
from Ardchreag set out a keep in Vest Yorvik. Those who made the journey
included: Lady Rosalinde FitzWilson, Katarina du nord, Lord Eirik Andersen,
Lady Nadja Keasali, Master Hector of the Black Height, Thorfinna and myself.
Their Excellencies Septentria, Corwyn and Domhnail, were also present. Hector
was inticed to sing and tell tales, after which Drottin Gunnar de Blacwode gave
a class on Norse shoe-making. A large contingent then went out to procure
provisions. A good time was had by all, and the comaraderie strengthened the
bonds of friendship between Ardchreag and Vest Yorvik.
April 2003
On Friday April 11 Thorfinna and I were invited to a cottage
getaway by Ceiridwen from Vest Yorvik. We picked Eirik up at 5 pm and arrived
at Ceiridwen's house around 7 pm. She, Sarah, Evelyn and Dagr were still
packing and it was about another hour before we were on the road. In Guelph we met up with Cenedl and Kol and we caravanned it
to Point Clark on the shore
of Lake Huron . Wat and
Iohannes arrived around 1 am.
Over all it was a fun weekend though we
did have some misadventures. We discovered that the shower stall leaked and
water was pouring out into the crawlspace under the cottage. The toilet also
got clogged and ended up overflowing. Though I was not responsible for the deed
I got down and mopped the mess up. It was gross, but it did get me out of doing
any other chores that weekend.
For the most part people just futzed
around. We played a few games, talked a lot, did runs into town, went for
walks. Kol, Thorfinna and I went out to gather dead fall for a fire on Saturday
and walked out to the shore. The waterline had receded exposing a plateau of
rocks. We hopped across the muck between the sand and the rocks and walked out
to the water. It was like an alien shore. At night you could hear coyotes,
though Wat and Eirik swear they were Deyotes (because the only tracks we could
find were deer tracks). A Sandsquatch was also heard but never seen.
Monday was Ceiridwen's birthday so on
Saturday we gave her a cake and sang happy birthday. She got some prezzies and
some cards. Unfortunately she was sick all weekend.
We left around 3:30 on Sunday afternoon
and ate at Swiss Chalet in Guelph .
We arrived home after dropping off Eirik at 9 pm.
On Monday we arrived at the warehouse to find Daphne,
Brandt, Lance, Mahault, Berend, Eirik, Lina, Normand, Wulfgang and
Jean-Margaret sealing bags for a big job Daph had received. One of her workers
was supposed to have sealed 20, 000 over the weekend and even with her team of
5 she had only done 5, 000. (Daph, with a team of six had done her 20, 000 over
the weekend.) So now Daph was scrambling. We sat down and helped for an hour
and a half, at which time she kicked all the fighters out so we could play.
Everyone who walked in the door helped for a bit, including Sancho, Nadja,
Piero, Donovan, Wat, Berus, Mung Lo, Hector and Cenedl.
Berus and Mung were the first out the
gate. We did a lot of one on one fighting, and also did some reverse bear pit
where the defeated keeps the field. Over the night I fought all six fighters
that were in gear. Berus fought two stick and at one point had taken my arm and
allowed me to switch. As he walked toward me, weapons out, he started to say,
"So do you know what to do now?" when I clocked him on the helm. He
chastised me a little for hitting him while he was talking, but truthfully I
thought we were still engaged because he never dropped his weapons. So I told him
not to take it and we keep going and I caught him in the head again. He told me
that I'm getting fast, and every kill I had on him that night was due to the
fact that I was swinging much faster than he was expecting.
Fighting Wat was near to exhausting as he
is much more maneuverable now that we're fighting outside again. One of our
battles took about six minutes. We would circle each other, wait for the other
to attack, then there would be a flurry of shots and blocks, we'd disengage and
then do it again.
Mung fights like a serpent. He stands
kind of sideways, with his sword side shoulder facing you and slithers around
the field. He is also a tiring fight as he is in constant movement. He was a
lot of fun.
I don't remember anything of interest
from my fighting with Wulfgang or Donovan that night.
Thorfinna was back in armour for the
first time in many months that night. She was a bit rusty, and her shield work
has slidden (she has to get used to having a center boss round and not a slung
round). I'm confident that she'll learn to use the boss as well as the slung.
She hates her armour though, which is a big reason why she hasn't been
fighting. So hopefully we'll get some work on it done during the Easter
weekend.
So bruises. Well, Wulfgang hit me twice
on the thigh right between my armour plates so I have some stripes there. My
right pauldron broke a few weeks ago and Is till haven't fixed it. I wasn't
that concerned since I had only ever been hit once in the shoulder. That night
I was hit three or four times on that shoulder and I have purple splotches from
close to my neck right down onto my bicep. (Wat caught me a good one right on
the meat of my arm. I also blocked one of his blows with my sword, and he
knocked it out of my hand!)
My shieldwork must be improving because
the poor thing takes such a beating these days. All four bolts holding on my
arm strap had been knocked loose by the end of the night, one of them coming
right off!
May 2003
On the 5th Piero taught a calligraphy class at the Ardchreag
meeting. Siegfried, Isotta, Wulfgang, Worgan and Berus fought in the back. Wat,
Thorfinna and I, all being injured, could only watch jealously. (Mel had hurt
her leg at the previous Ardchreag fight practice, and I had bruised my ribs that
same night in war door drills with Wulfgang.) I spent a goodly portion of the
night debating with Siegfried who was upset about the EWP site being changed.
The next night Thorfinna and I began our Thrown Weapons MIT
training at a practice run by Gunnar skald Thorvaldsson, hosted by Rosalinde
FitzWilson. Besides them, Thorfinna and myself, only Iolanda was in
attendance. (In effect, it became an Ardchreag practice instead of a
Septentrian practice.) I had never thrown before, and found that I'm not to bad
at it. I didn't hit the target every time, but I hit it at least every other
time. With axes, anyway. I tried knives as well, and though I hit the target a
couple of times none of the blades stuck. Thorfinna on the other hand would
usually get three out of five knives in the stump.
The Ardchreag meeting on the 12th was small. There was about
an hour of EWP planning, and then folk either worked on projects or played tafl
(my games box happened to be in the car).
On the 13th Thorfinna and I attended our second night of
thrown weapons training and Gunnarr declared we were ready to marshal.
Everyone in Rain Cloaks
Event Report: Spring Tune-Up
Laird Colyne Stewart, May AS 38
The day began wet and cold. This was not a good thing.
Though the wise women and soothsayers had indeed been calling for rain we had
been hoping they would be wrong (as the not infrequently are). For the canton
of Caer Draeth was holding a revel that day, and much of the planned activities
were for outdoors. Rain would ruin their plans. I consulted with one last
prognosticator who promised thunderstorms and chose to ignore him. Thorfinna
and I loaded our wagon in the rain and lumbered off to pick Eirik up from his
keep.
The going was slow as the wagons
laboured to move through the mud, and at times the mist and fog was so thick it
was like moving through foam. We arrived at the hall two hours after it opened
and were dismayed at how few wagons were already there. The threat of bad
weather had apparently frightened many people off.
After signing in at the gate we
went upstairs and sat for a time talking with Baron Auguste Valizan, Baroness
Adrielle Kerrec and Baron Halfdan Blackanvil. Some of it was business, but most
of it was fun. We watched Mistress Alyce de Sheppey and Lady Paitlin prepare
for the Iron Chef cooking challenge while discussing matters serious and
frivolous. To Halfdan I delivered an illuminated thank you note for shield
blanks he had donated to fighters training at our canton.
A gaggle of Septentrians then went
downstairs and watched as Baron Corwyn, His Excellency Septentria, donned his
armour. Today he was to attempt his sword and shield authorization.
How can I describe the sight of my
baron in armour? He is a mountain of metal, a bear in scarlet, an oak-thewed
giant who will strike fear into the hearts of Septentria's enemies.
Lady Catharine of Ben Dunfiorth
did him the honours of being his opponent, and we watched as their swords
flashed and their shields leaped to their defense. When Master Worgan MacGregor
announced that Corwyn had passed the hall erupted in cheers and thunderous
applause. That however was not the end of Septentria's gains that day, for
Petra Hall of Eoforwic did likewise authorize in sword and shield! Wassail to
Corwyn! Wassail to Petra !
Wassail to the fighters of Septentria!
His authorization over, Baron
Corwyn quickly changed and rushed upstairs to sit as a judge for the Iron Chef
competition. A group of Septentrians, known as Baron Corwyn's Cadre, and led by
countess Marion FitzWilliam and myself, raised $170 to secure him a seat as a
judge. Even though we only needed to use $80 to pay for our seat, such is the
generosity of Septentrians that the full $170 was donated to the Teachers'
Travel Fund. In a like vein, Noergate donated all the money they had raised,
though their seat had been secured for less. The mystery ingredient for the
challenge was turkey and the competition was fierce. When it was over Mistress
Alyce was judged the winner, but only by a narrow margin of 4 points! (I am
told by reliable sources that all the dishes were excellent!)
The fighting continued and by the
end of the day three fighters emerged victorious. Baron Siegfriend Brandbeorn
won the Atlantean Speed Tourney, while Master Worgan and Duke Sir Roak tied in
the bear pit tourney.
By this time the sun had appeared
and burned off the ever-present mist. The archers were first to embrace the
sun, followed not long after by Drottin Gunnarr skald Thorvaldsson who set up a
thrown weapons range. As his newest marshals, Thorfinna and I assisted him and
spent most of our day at the range. The first Thrown Weapons Royal Rounds were
thrown, Cera began her MIT training and much fun was had by all. A certain Lord
Tim and Count Aaron Preslee Worgansson astounded all present with their skill.
Lance Gailanasson, of Ardchreag, was also very adept at knives. The range was
so popular that Ulvar scrounged up as third stump so more people could throw at
once.
I managed to get to the archery
range between their Royal Rounds and shot six arrows from a bow lent me by Lady
Iolanda de Albornoz. I managed to hit the butte with five of the arrows, three
of them actually hitting the target! It had been at least fifteen years since I
had last shot a bow, and I so enjoyed it that arrangements were made for me to
buy two bows in August.
Eventually the equestrian
activities began as well and every activity that had been planned was therefore
held. Ealdormerean spirits cannot be dampened, even by weather that does dampen
our clothes.
At four o'clock Thorfinna and I
went inside as I was to teach a class on period dice games. It started small,
with just one participant, but by the end there were at least eight of us
rolling the bones.
From there Thorfinna and I went
behind the celtic trillium bedecked curtains to join the other servers for
feast. As we had the most head table serving experience (having done it once at
Snowed Inn II), we were asked to serve Her Majesty, Their Excellencies and
Baron Siegfried and Lady Isotta Gianfgliazzi, who were Her Majesty's guests.
The chef, Lady Seonag nic Thomais, heaped much food on the servers for their
assistance and I can say from first hand experience that it truly was a feast
fit for a Queen! Orange pork roast, mint peas, roast chicken, mushroom
soup, pound cake with berries...the food just kept coming!
While we were serving Thorfinna
was called on by Their Excellencies to sing a song. Since she had been planning
to ask them if they wanted to hear one she was well prepared. She sung
"Septentrian Battle March", her first totally original piece where
she wrote not just the words but the tune as well. Lord Normand Hauberkker,
sitting by her where she stood, began to pound his table and soon many around
the hall were doing so. When she was done there was much clapping of hands, and
she was given tokens by Baron Corwyn and Master Garraed Galbriath. Master
Hector of the Black Height also sang many songs to the enjoyment of all.
A certain plaid wearing bard who
wished to stay anonymous then asked Thorfinna to find out what drink Their
Majesties would most wish to partake in. When he got his answer he came to me,
pointed and said, "You'll do." I was given a platter with two
Septentrian shot glasses full of gin, which I then presented to Their
Excellencies. When asked who had generously sent them drinks I kept my silence
and did not betray the completely anonymous plaid wearing bard.
As you give, so shall you receive.
Ulvar then came over to me and filled the Horn of Wessex which Thorfinna and I
have the privilege to bear for a year and a day. We were honoured for Ulvar,
the autocrat of the event, to take time out to see to our needs.
Feast completed we all found our
seats for court. Her Majesty has only a few items to announce, and then turned
court over to Their Excellencies Septentria. It was announced that a tournament
to select a new baronial archery champion had been held in the afternoon, but
that the winner would not be announced until Pikeman's Pleasure. The Iron
Companions were then called into court and Lord Hamish Gunn pledged his sword,
Gunnarr pledged his axe, and Normand and Aodhan Longshafts pledged their bows.
Domhnail then called Corwyn into court to much hooting and hollering. She
praised him for his authorization that day and presented him with a beautiful
favour. Hans Thorvaldsen of Eoforwic was then presented with a Bear's Claw for
his martial efforts. Domhnail told him she had heard of the long ship being
built in his garage and was planning to sail it to War this summer!
Court completed Master Worgan and
Viscount Sir Edward the Red rounded up people to act as pieces for human chess.
In the variant they were playing pieces must win at paper-rocks-scissors to
capture. Thorfinna held the distinction of being the first piece captured. As
for myself, well, a grinning Domhnail glided towards me where I stood before my
king and brutally slew me to win the game.
Folk pulled up the tape used to
mark the board and rolled it into balls. This led to about an hour's worth of
impromptu baseball and dodge ball where Peer and untitled populace stood
side-by-side laughing and bonding.
It was then that we learned of
brigands who had entered the hall while we were so occupied and stole the bag
of one of the guests. Those of us still on site searched the grounds to see if
we could find any discarded items but to no avail (other than finding his empty
wallet). The authorities were called and before the last people left the site
they returned with the culprits in tow and much of the stolen property. I would
like to take this opportunity to thank Ulvar for his cool head in such a
stressful time as he made arrangements with the authorities and helped see to
the comfort of the victim of this crime. Ulvar did not find his bed until well
into Sunday morning as he coordinated between witnesses, the victim and the
authorities. Wassail Ulvar for your kindness and sense of duty and
responsibilities!
Though this was a dark moment, it too had
a positive side. People who had never met each other before were working
together to search the site, going so far as to go to pubs and restaurants in
town and walk the streets looking for the culprits (whose appearance was known
to at least one witness). From the amount of help he received the victim knows
how much he is respected and just how many friends he has.
I should stress that this unhappy
happenstance does not reflect on any way to the event, the event staff nor the
hosting canton. The culprits walked right past many of us who either didn't see
them or didn't challenge them, and it was the event staff who went out of their
way to try to resolve this as quickly and as painlessly as they could. Wassail
for Caer Draeth!
Except for this one moment it was
a grand day, and Caer Draeth proved that they are excellent and generous hosts.
Spring tune-Up has just ended, and already I am looking forward to the next!
At the Ardchreag meeting of May 26 there was a small fight
practice. I first fought with Gunnar skald Thorvaldsson who is in training. We
sparred for a long time as I gave him pointers and showed him things I was
doing. One of the tactics we talked off was how most people he fought waited
for him to throw the first shot and then kill him. I told him that is a common
tactic, but he is just as welcome to play the waiting game as his opponent is.
Alternatively, he can fake his first throw and draw out his opponent and then
follow up with a sound shot. Though still learning Gunnarr is not too bad and I
think he is improving steadily. He told me that he enjoyed my instructive
fighting. Kolbjorn (from Ramshaven) had come up with Cenedl. He, Gunnarr and I
did a bear pit for a while then, when Cenedl came out, he sparred with her
until her armour broke. Berend and Mahault had been doing some basic drilling
inside, then came outside to use my polearm. Gunnarr had previously allowed me
to fight him with the pole, which I appreciated as I am going to try and
authorize in it at Bonfield Battle in September. When Berend and Mahault were
done I called out Berend whom I haven't fought for months. His first shot
surprised me with how swift it was! I met him blow for blow and Wulfgang, who
was watching, said we looked like two wolverines. I then gave Thorfinna and
Berend a lesson in polearm (based on what Kenric and Hector have taught me).
Inside Piero taught a well attended
calligraphy class.
The Kid Comes Out to Play
Event Report: Ealdormere Crown Tournament XI
Laird Colyne Stewart, May 2003
The rains of May continued.
Their Royal Majesties had called for all who felt themselves
worthy to come into Their Barony of Ben Dunfirth to partake in a tourney. The
prize? To become heir of the kingdom, and to crown a consort.
The day of the Kingdom
of Ealdormere 's 11th
Crown Tournament was wet. A drizzle greeted us upon awaking, and it did not
stop all day long. Though, at times, it did intensify to the point where the
sound of water pounding on the roof was as if one were standing under a
waterfall. Cloaks recently dried out were called on again.
Thorfinna gra'feldr, Eirik Andersen (who we think was still
in our wagon from the weekend before) and I arrive just after half past nine in
the morning. We found ourselves a spot to sit behind Sir Berus Jarl, Serjant
Malik abd al-Raman, Baron Siegfried Brandbeorn and Lady Isotta Gianglifiazzi.
All four were preparing to fight in the tourney.
Many Septentrians were in attendance that day, including two
past Baronesses of Septentria. Eirik, Septentria's unofficial Minister of
Propaganda, circulated the new Septentrian Recruitment posters.
The combatants and consorts were called, and soon each was
presented to Their Majesties. As listed in the event program, they were:
Berus Jarl for Countess Marion FitzWilliam
Baron Phaidrig McNeil for Mistress Etaoin O’Fearghail
Sir Rorry Cennedi the Kid for Mistress Susanna the
Unyielding
Sheikh Sergeant Malik abd’ al Rahman for Maitresse Baronne
Genevieve Chastellain d’Anjou
Master Konrad Matthias Jaegar for Dame Alyce de Sheppey
Dame Alyce de Sheppey for Master Konrad Matthias Jaeger
Sir Evander MacLachlan for THLady Melusine de la Rose
Master Trumbrand the Wanderer for THLady Kaylah the Cheerful
THL Kaylah the Cheerful for Master Trumbrand the Wanderer
Baron Siegfried Brandbeorn for Lady Isotta Gianfigliazzi
Lady Isotta Gianfigliazzi for Baron Siegfried Brandbeorn
THLord Tynne Duair ap Beul for Baroness Tabitha Dearval
Lord Yric de Mornay for Lady Brigit nic Larkin fra Galway
Lord Baldric Leeman of Newcastle Emlyn for Lady Brayla la
Viennette
The last to come before Their Majesties was Grimroth
Skullhammer, a fur clad barbarian. The Trillium Herald, Lord Erik of Longacres,
when announcing him cried, "May I present Lord Grimroth Skullhammer who
fights today for..." Here he paused and loudly whispered, "Who are
you fighting for?" The barbarian appeared confused, and Her Majesty
graciously explained that each fighter participating in the tournament must
fight for a consort. Grimroth nodded his understanding, held up one finger to
ask for a moment of time, then waded into a group of Ladies watching the
procession. They wailed and ran at his approach but he was fast enough to catch
one, and Countess Moria the Black was dragged before the Thrones of Ealdormere.
Moria begged Her Majesty not to let this thing happen, but the Queen asked
Moria to be Grimroth's consort for the good of the kingdom. To this wish Moria
acceded.
The combatants then took their seats as the four lists were
taken by heralds and marshals. The tournament was a round robin, best two out
of three. This meant that each fighter had to face all other fighters and fight
between two and three fights with each. Many though that this would make for a
very long day, but so well prepared and run were the lists, that the
tournament, from beginning to end, lasted no longer than approximately two and
a half hours.
Both Berus and Malik had support staff, but neither
Siegfried nor Isotta did. Therefore Lord Wat of Sarum, Lord Berend van der Eych
and myself acted for them in this capacity, fixing swords, tying straps,
adjusting armour and giving encouragement.
The tournament, from my vantage point, was fought with
chivalry and honour. The number of questionable blows were low and no one's
nose horn was very long. All of the combatants from Septentria did great honour
to themselves, their consort and the kingdom that day. When the round robin was
completed the two fighters with the best records were Baron Siegfried
Brandbeorn and Sir Rory Cennedi the Kid.
The finals were three best of three rounds, the first with
pole, the second with great sword and the third with sword and shield. Both men
fought bravely and well and in the end Cennedi emerged victorious by defeating
Siegfried in four straight fights. (He won two with pole and two with great
sword, making the sword and shield round redundant.)
Cennedi and Susannah the Unyielding were then brought before
Their Majesties and received the coronets of the Heirs of Ealdormere. Wassail
to our new Prince and Princess!
June 2003
Thirteen Not so Unlucky
Event Report: Pikeman’s Pleasure XIII
Laird Colyne Stewart, June AS 38
A cloudy sky, a drizzle of rain. The morning of June 7
seemed to be continuing the weather patterns of May--cold, wet and damp.
However, by the time my over-laden wagon rumbled into the site for Pikeman's
Pleasure XIII the sun seemed to be battling the clouds. Undaunted by the threat
of potential rain, several people began putting up sunshades at the top of the
hill overlooking the small lake.
After getting our own shade set
up, I lugged my armour bag up the hill and suited up for inspection. Today was
to be a very busy and--at first--nerve wracking day for me. I was wearing about
fifty percent new armour, consisting mainly of a new coat of plates that
Thorfinna and I had been long labouring over. The benefits to the coat was its
suppleness and maneuverability (which were both lacking in my old torso
armour). However, plates don't absorb as much force as my solid bands did, so a
gambeson was necessary (something I haven't worn since before I
authorized). I find gambesons to be warm and constricting and they sop up
sweat and smell real nice. I also had a new chain mail camail hanging on my
helm which almost doubled its weight.
So, I had lots of new armour to
try and get used to. To top things off, I had decided that I was going to try
and authorize in polearm and spear (two-handed thrust) that day. My original
goal was for Bonfield, but as that event takes place on grounds owned by my
household, I thought I was being too 'safe'. So I decided to try for my
authorizations at Pikeman's instead. When I was filling out the paperwork the
marshal in charge, Lord Tiberius Justus Brittanicus, upon hearing I didn't have
my single-hand thrust either suggested I try for it as well. Why not, I
thought. Let's go all the way.
First I took the field, polearm in
hand, to spar with Master Trumbrand the Wanderer. I think my nervousness was
telling as I was not aggressive at all and my defense was next to non-existent.
So, sadly, I did not pass that authorization.
Someone then took away my polearm
and handed me a spear. I had just done some six-foot spear training a few weeks
before so I felt more comfortable with the spear. I was aggressive and managed
to hit Trumbrand a couple of times to show my calibration. Happily, that
authorization I passed.
I then took a moment to pop my
helm and drink some water while Pelayo of Eoforwic walked onto the field to
face Trumbrand in his first authorization. Pelayo fought well, and I am proud
to announce that Septentria has one new authorized fighter in its midst!
Wassail Pelayo!
THLady Kaylah the Cheerful,
bearing her customary two swords, then put me through the paces of a
single-hand thrusting authorization. For some reason I pulled my shots that
were not thrusts (perhaps because I was too concerned over the thrust and was
not so concerned on whether my other blows struck). My thrusts had a tendency
to drift to the left or the right and the marshals said that is sometimes the
case for short-sighted fighters who don't wear contacts to fight (like me).
Luckily, the thrusts I did land were deemed good calibration and so I passed
that authorization as well.
I then took part in my first ever
tournament, which just also happened to be a Kingdom Royal Tournament. All the
fighters were placed in a line and folded in half. Everyone fought the person
they were facing and then the winners made line A and the losers line B. Each
line would again fold and pairs would fight. Losers from line A went down to
line B, while losers from line B were out of the tournament. I thought I was in
for a two fight, two loss tournament considering some of the folk on the field
but to my great surprise I found myself one of the last three to be standing on
line A. With me was Count Sir Aaron Preslee Worgansson and Baron Siegfried
Brandbeorn. When we were told we'd have to do a round robin to see who dropped to
line B, I joked that we could save time and just send me down. I fought Aaron
and lost, and then repeated the performance against Sieggy and did indeed
find myself on line B.
When line B folded I found myself
facing Duke Sir Roak, so I knew my time had come. I was determined to try and
make Roak work for the victory and I believe it took the good knight about five
minutes to finally break through my shield and take my head. He seemed
determined to leg me first and I was honestly astounded at how long I managed
to block the fast and furious blows that kept coming my way. When he did
finally slay me I was congratulated on my shield work by onlookers, which
made me very happy since when I first began fighting my shield work was
incredibly sloppy (just ask my original trainers, eh Berus). In the end,
Sir Roak won the tournament.
Next up was a three-man melee
tournament. Since I didn't have a team I asked his Excellency Corwyn if he'd
care to have me. Together with the newly authorized Pelayo we were deemed
"The Left Hand of Life", since Baroness Domhnail's team was "The
Right Hand of Death." As luck would have it, the first two teams to face
each other were Corwyn's and Domhnail’s. I had a six-foot spear, while Corwyn
had a round and sword, and Pelayo had a tourney heater and a sword. Domhnail
had a sword and warheater, while on one side stood Dame Alyce de Sheppey with a
nine-foot spear and Lady Seonag nic Thomais with a bastard sword. I suggested
to His Excellency that Pelayo take Alyce as her spear had more reach than mine,
and Pelayo had a heater which offered him more coverage than Corwyn's round
offered him. I said I would go for Seonag since I had more reach than her,
while Corwyn charged his lady wife. To this plan Corwyn agreed, and after
giving Pelayo a quick talk about facing a spear we took position. Immediately,
Seonag and Alyce switched sides so Alyce faced me and Seonag faced Pelayo. When
the call to lay on was given Pelayo quickly scuttled around the front of the
baron while I went around behind him so we faced the opponents we wanted to
face. I didn't see much of the beginning of the battle as I ran right for
Seonag and she and I poked at each other. I just couldn't quite get a killing
blow in on her and suddenly Domhnail's shield filled my vision and I was
quickly running backwards trying desperately to defend against her fierce
assault. She finally slew me and I stood back to watch the rest of the
fight. Corwyn and Alyce lay dead, and Pelayo bravely stood against Seonag and
Domhnail but in the end fell.
Techniquely, our plan was perfect
and if I had managed to get through Seonag's defenses our side may have won. As
it was, I found out that Pelayo had performed his part of the plan flawlessly
and had run inside Alyce's guard and killed her swiftly. So impressed were
Seonag and Alyce that they took Pelayo before Their Majesties and praised his
skill. Again I cry, Wassail Pelayo!
A team consisting of Aaron,
Siegfried and Lord Wat of Sarum then went on to win the three-man melee
tournament.
I took a short break and took
Thorfinna her lunch. While I was fighting she was running a thrown weapons
range beside the archery range. During the course of the day she had a
score of throwers and had seven people throw Royal Rounds. I then sauntered
down to the island where a six-foot lance over a barrier tournament was to
begin. Seventeen people had signed up, which meant there would have to be a by.
When I was seen I was dragged in so the number would be a round one, and no by
would be needed. When my turn came I found myself facing Lord Angus Albani, who
had been my first opponent in the Royal Tournament. The spear fight was
long and very tiring and in the end Angus beat me three points to one. I then
took the opportunity to sit in the shade of a tree, drink water and enjoy a
soldier's camaraderie with his mates. When the tournament was finally over,
Aaron emerged victorious.
Roak and Siegfried were then made
captains for a grand melee, and we were divided into two teams. It was a
limited resurrection battle (everyone had three lives). I was on Sir Roak's
side (as he needed shields and I was using my sword and shield for the melee).
I found myself in a shieldwall of four consisting of myself, Baroness Domhnail,
Pelayo and Lord Robert the Blue. Robert and Domhnail had wardoors, so they were
placed on the end. Pelayo and I were the centre and I gave him a quick overview
of what to do and expect as part of a shield wall. In the first engagement the
wall did fairly well, but drifted apart a bit. Though our side was victorious I
lost all three of my lives (I think His Majesty killed me at least twice--all I
kept seeing was this giant yellow thrusting tip coming at me).
We ran the melee a second time and
this time I took a more active role. I began braying out orders to the wall
based on what was happening around us. At one point we had stopped our advance
too far away for our spears to attack. Behind me I heard Alyce say she couldn't
reach the opponents with her spear but no one actually gave the command to
move forward so I did. We advanced forward three paces and locked. This time,
which lots of yelling, we stayed together and slid together again whenever one
of us was killed or came back from a resurrection. Near the end of the battle
Domhnail, Pelayo and I were arrayed with I'm not sure how many of our side
still behind us (to turn and look would have invited a swift death). Facing us
were only Wat and Lord Tormod of Kirk Andreas. Sir Evander MacLachlan ordered
the three of us to engage Wat and when we charged Wat ran around in front of
Tormod to draw us all together. Pelayo and I pressed on Wat and pushed him away
from Tormod and with a bit of satisfaction I managed to fell the Lord from
Sarum. (Wat, whom I duel with often and is a good friend, now has the
distinction of being my first non-practice melee kill. Thanks,
Wat!) Pelayo and I then turned to find Domhnail madly swinging her sword
at Tormod and then she was standing alone. In that battle the shieldwall had
done extremely well.
Trudging back up the hill I took
the opportunity to drink some fluids, then I dropped my kit and went over and
helped Thorfinna tear down her range. We got back over to the cluster of
shades and tents just in time for Their Majesties and Their Excellencies to
process into court. Septentrian court was brief, with only a few pieces of
business. First, Augustine of Petrea Thule was named the baronial archery
champion. Raffe Scholemaystre handed over the office of baronial seneschal to
Baroness Adrielle Kerrec. In recognition of his service, Raffe was given a gold
sun dial and a ring made from a bone of a bear. Lord Volodomyr Blahuciak,
called Vlad, was awarded a Bear's Heart and Lady Anne Tinker was announced as
Petrea Thule's new seneschal.
Their Majesties then began their
court, and it was lengthy as a great many were honoured that day. First THLord
Dafydd ap Sion was named the new Kingdom Archery Marshal. A number of Awards of
Arms were then presented to: Tim of Petrea Thule, Eileen Lemesurier, Alana of
Dublin, Mahild of Petrea Thule, Savinia Queville, Augustine of Petrea Thule,
and Rembo Touloussa. (I apologize for any misspellings.) A nice touch from
Their Majesties was to stand and officially announce the new Lord or
Lady. Lord Melchior the Carver and THLord Dafydd ap Sion were awarded with
Maiden's Hearts, while Lady Anne Tinker and Lady Keja Tselebnika were both
inducted into the Order of the Wain.
Those of us staying for feast then
went inside and set up for a feast being prepared by Lady Eileen. The first
course consisted of food considered unlucky and was begun with tomatoes and
mushrooms (both once thought to be poisonous). Their Majesties refused to eat
any until Adrielle Kerrec had tasted them and survived. Much good food then
followed, with lucky foods making up the second course. During feast a story
telling contest was held and I am sorry to say I do not remember the name of
the good Lady who won with her tale of a fearful tiger. Prizes were handed out
for the Arts and Sciences competition held that day, but I unfortunately cannot
remember the winners (I was too busy eating).
Since the event fell upon our
anniversary, I rose and asked the hall to toast Thorfinna for though the day's
theme was unlucky thirteen, I counted myself a most lucky man. Thorfinna
toasted me back, to be followed by Master Konrad Matthias Jaeger who told a
tale of a Pikeman's past where he first kissed the woman who would one day
become his wife. It is an excellent tale and I urge you to ask him to tell it
to you as he will do it more justice than I could by repeating it here.
The tables were then cleared as
dancers took to the floor, accompanied by live music. A combination of
fighting, food and lack of sleep the night before made me asleep on my feet and
Thorfinna and I departed not long thereafter.
It was again, as in the past, my
pleasure to be at Pikeman's.
Ardchreag Meeting of June 7: Dafydd ap Sion came down from
Petrea Thule to do a talk on archery. It must have been good because its all
Thorfinna talked about on the way home. Evander and Scott (I can never remember
his SCA name) came down to fight. Besides them and myself we had Donovan,
Sancho, Wat and Brandt in kit. During the course of the night I fought everyone
except Sancho. I did well against everyone and at one point when I was standing
in the bearpit line with Evander he commented that he was going to have to
bring out his special move next time we fought. When we did and he unleashed
it, he caught me completely by surprise. My recently patched shield began to
crack again and I almost stopped fighting but then thought, if its gonna blow,
its gonna blow and went back out for another hour. The shield then stood up
fine to the punishment, but I continually bust the hose clamps on my sword. At
one point I did some pell work with my polearm, but Brandt's full gauntlets
were uncomfortable and I didn't actually use it against a living target.
Evander came over and asked me to end his
night with some sparring and he gave me a couple of lessons on a new way to
throw a wrap that shouldn't hurt my wrist. Basically you straighten out your
sword behind your target, tip your sword slightly so the blade is facing your
opponent and then rip it back like you're starting a lawn mower. Evander said I
had improved a lot with my speed, my force and my shield work so I guess maybe
he's been watching me because this was actually the first time we had ever
fought.
On Thursday June 12 Ardchreag hosted its first Ard Troid
(pronounced aard trej). It was to be the first in a series of alternating
Thursday night melee training practices. No bear pits, no pickup
fighting--melee unit training. I was the organizer, and Siegfried and Vlad had
agreed to come out and teach if we met on Thursdays. Their Excellencies
Septentria asked if our first troid could also be a Baronial Fight Practice, a
request to which we agreed.
In armour there was Corwyn, Domhnail,
Thorfinna, myself, Siegfried, Isotta, Angus, Hector, Wat, Brandt, and Berus.
Unarmoured attendees included Ysabeau, Marion, Len, Vlad and Luke.
We were put through various drills such
as:
1. One on one with six-foot spears.
2. Two on two with six-foot spears.
3. Two shields and a polearm against two
shields and two nine-foot spears.
4. One shield and four pole/spear against
one shield and four pole/spear.
5. Two shields and a nine-foot spear
against two shields and a nine-foot spear.
When we were done I was exhausted and my arms were rubber.
Wat told me that I was swift death with a spear to which I disagreed, saying I
thought I was too slow. Wat turned to Sieggy and asked him if I was slow.
Sieggy said, "Slow is not a word I would use to describe Colyne."
Cool.
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