East Kingdom Winter War, Feb 26, 2005

By Ludwig von Eisengrim

As posted to the Legio Draconis site.

During the weekend of Feb 26th, I went to the Winter War in the East Kingdom, along with my wife Leslie (who patiently drove the RV in seriously crappy winter weather), Sir Evander, Laird Colyne Stewart from Ard Chreag, and two fighters from Bastille du Lac named Ratanicus and Edward dit Lion. I carried a message to the East Kingdom's King Thorson from Her Illustrious Majesty Queen Genevieve, and sent Her the return message. When I offered to tell Their Majesties about the event, They took me up on it. So, I wrote an Epic Style tale about it. They really liked it, and I'll post parts of it here if anyone is interested.

I didn't know until a few days ago that Laird Colyne broke two ribs that day in his last fight, due to the simultaneous landing of two serious spear thrusts to his chest.

My apologies for the funky spacing and such, since this is a cut-and-paste transfer, obviously.

Ratanicus is a recent member of the Legio site.

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Ealdormerean deeds done at Winter War in the East

We set out on our journey before the sun had begun to climb into the
sky. Our eyes were full of swirling snow as I and my forbearing wife
Lady Katherine fared our way. We were soon to meet the redoubtable
Knight, Sir Evander and his unfaltering Squire, Laird Colyne Stewart.
These two adroit nobles would soon rain steely blows upon the fearsome
warriors of the Eastern Realm.

We continued our wintery course, and were joined by two of Sir
Evander's stalwart serjeants, Edward dit Lion and Ratanicus. One would
be hard-pressed to find two other footmen more doughty and bold than
they.

With our company now numbering six, our contingent travelled towards
the Land of the Tiger, the Eastern Kingdom. Keeping a watchful eye for
the venturesome troop led by valiant Sir Cennedi, we slipped across
the Border Fords, and wound our way to the Winter War. To embolden our
hearts, I read the missive sent by Her Majesty to her forces, and our
spirits soared at Her inspiring words.

It was with ardent and earnest rejoicing that Sir Evander was greeted
by his companions from the East. It was soon apparent to me that there
must have been a schism in the East Kingdom. The Eastern Warriors were
divided, and forming up on opposite sides of the field.

Our side was led by the renowned Baron Conrad, one of the comrades of
Sir Evander. With other nobles of high birth and rank, he scanned the
field and planned his campaign.

The other side was commanded by the Ruler of the East himself, the
indomitable King Thorson. The ground shuddered beneath His mighty
tread as he reviewed his warriors.

Donning our armour, grasping our weapons tightly, our company
followed puissant Sir Evander, the Captain of the Ealdormerean forces
that day. The scarlet-clad Lupine Warriors would soon show their true
mettle.

Clutching my polearm, I peered out at the enemy line that faced us,
and waited for our signal. The Ealdormerean forces were arrayed on the
left flank of the line. We were to counter any outflanking maneuver to
that side, and charge forth to outflank them if the opportunity arose.

That opportunity did not come. Obviously, the Eastern Army remembered
the might and prowess of the Ealdormereans, and a full quarter of
their line turned to engage us, racing to surround us. We fought
bravely, but were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of their desperate
fury. I saw my companions turning blow after blow away as a forest
spears were thrust towards them and a legion of pollaxes began to
decend. Alas, I was dispatched by a well-aimed spear, and I fell to
the cold ground with only the thoughts of my Kingdom and my dearest
wife to comfort me.

I was revived, and went back to regroup with my company. The lines
were forming again. The plan of attack was the same, with the
Ealdormereans forming the left flank, with the same objectives. We
discussed our performance, and vowed to present a more unified front.
I glanced at my polearm, wishing that I had more length to it, since
it was originally constructed for use in tournament.

The lines met twice more then, with Your loyal troop resisting any
attempt to outflank our lines. Each time we clashed, we were able to
stand our ground longer before being crushed by sheer weight of
numbers. The javelins whistled through the air, falling to the ground
behind us, and yet we resisted to the last remnants of our strength.
Our presence there prodded the chagrin of the opposing force, for they
knew that we would fall furiously apon their flank if given the
smallest chance.

Brave Sir Evander's flashing blade eagerly bit into the helms and
hauberks of his enemies, cleaving them in half as their ruined corpses
fell. His squire Colyne struck down the foes before him as a smith
beats with his hammer- strong, sure, unerring, and unfailing. The two
serjeants Edward and Ratanicus pressed ever forward, like waves that
flash and race to the shore, slicing and carving deep rents into
Eastern flesh. As for myself, I fought behind my steely barricade of
comrades, keeping the East-Realmers back where I could, thrusting my
polearm into astonished faces before me.

The lines then broke into a general brawl. I found myself before a
shieldman, and closed with him. Entangling his sword with my polearm,
I reached for the mace that swung by my side and grasped it firmly. My
arm rose and fell, smashing my weapon down towards his helm and hip.
Alas, my mace must have found no solid purchase, and I tasted his
sword before falling into a confused heap of the dead and dying.

The lines reformed, and as I did glance to the side I was overjoyed
to behold the arrival of valorous Sir Cennedi, accompanied by two of
his squires. He had been deceived by a false and confusing map, a
cowardly ploy by those who despaired before his renowned prowess. It
is well that such a misguided plot failed, as must all that stand
against such dauntless courage. Even so, he had been delayed, and had
striven to arrive with great swiftness.

With the increased might of our troop, we were even more fearsome on
the field. I had been given a long spear by the gracious Baron Conrad,
and one of Sir Cennedi's squires held a long polearm. Our company
resolved to quickly do some flanking maneuvers of our own! At the
onset of the next charge, we drove deeply into their right. The two
Knights charged to their right, and a counter-attack was launched
against us. I was beset apon by three enemy warriors, and as I strove
to thrust into the face of a foe pressing Edward, I was struck down by
multiple blows.

All this while, my wife Lady Katherine busied herself by bringing
water to the Ealdormerean forces during those lulls when we were
regrouping. She was also keeping a keen eye on the movements of the
opposing army. It was not long before she discerned that the Eastern
King Thorson personally led each flanking thrust. He was going so far
as to bend his body and hide behind the line of his men as he moved to
the side that the flanking attack would be launched, so as to deceive
our commanders. She brought this observation to me, which was then
relayed to Sir Cennedi. The honoured Knight then moved to the
Commanders, informing them of this new intelligence.

While I was not able to see it myself, my Lady wife reported later
that the Commanders kept a close eye on the movements of the Eastern
King, keeping adequate forces aside to counter his movements. There
were two more engagements, and our army was victorious in those.

The last charge was a shining moment for Ealdormerean forces. More
swiftly than ever before, we hastened across the field to our left,
then turning sharply and plunging into the back of the enemy line.
Smiting down any enemies as they passed them, the Ealdormerean Company
tore into the flank of the enemy line, filling their hearts with
dismay. With skill and fortitude worthy of any Ealdormerean, Ratanicus
slew King Thorson before the ashen faces of his men.

It was worth noting that the Eastern warriors are savage in melee,
even breaking past their own shieldmen with a barbaric lust to smite
and crush their enemies. Even so, they attack in force, outnumbering
exposed opponents, and as I can well testify, seeking to overwhelm
opposing polearms and spears. They have a great many Great weapons,
which they wield in groups with practiced and deadly proficiency.

During this break between battles, I had the opportunity to approach
King Thorson with the warm greetings sent by Your Graceful Majesty.
Since I have already told of that exchange, I will spare you those
details. He struck me as being a very good-natured man, full of lively
mirth and robust spirit.

The battle then moved to the bridges. I was disheartened by the lack
of spears on our side, but we made plans for "pulse charges". We felt
that if we could break through their lines, that we could swiftly slay
any opposition.

Those of us with two swords, small shields, greatswords, and shorter
polearms waited behind the shieldmen and spears for the command to
charge. Our commander was eagerly collecting javelins and hurling them
back at the enemy spearmen. Sadly, the command to Charge did not come
forth, and as the shieldmen fell, our Squad went forward to fill the
gap, where we were quickly speared.

At the second bridge, we once again waited for our signal as the
spearmen on both sides did their deadly work. A signal was given, but
was only heard by a few, brave Sir Cennedi being one of those. He
leapt forward with two others, crashing into the enemy line with great
fury, striking down two enemies before falling in front of their
shields. Ratanicus was then speared in the leg, and fell to his knees.
Our line had been pushed back, so that I was to his right at the edge
of the bridge. He began to shuffle forward on his knees as enemy
spears began to be leveled at his face. I leaned forward, slapping
down the spears that I could reach with my polearm as he continued to
cross the bridge. Brave and resolute, he went beyond the reach of my
polearm, and he struggled on tenaciously, fending off the thrusts that
pushed and rang against his shield and upraised sword. It was all too
soon that his left side became exposed during that onslaught. He was
pierced by a cross-thrust, and perished on that bridge.

Another call for a charge came, and I answered, pushing across the
bridge with another warrior. We advanced, disrupting the spearmen's
attacks. My polearm battered the heads and faces of the opponents
before me, until I received a crushing blow on my helm, and stumbling
back, toppled, fell, and rolled off the bridge into the water. I
cannot say how effective that charge was, although my wife swears that
two enemies fell as well.

We moved back onto the third bridge, and this time, we wasted no
effort on a half-charge. The entire line moved forward, and broke
through the enemy. We swarmed through the gap, and chaos and confusion
reigned as enemies struggled and swirled around each other. I found
myself face-to-face with Sir Richard, and I began a swift series of
smashing blows to his head and shoulders with my choked-up polearm as
he tried a glancing blow against my leg. With each strike, he cried
out "not dead, not dead"... which puzzled me greatly. Nonetheless, I
continued my assault as he fell to his knees with another cry of "not
dead..." I felt a sharp rap on my helmet, and retired from the field,
although I was unsure of where the shot had come from. To say that the
Rules of Engagement were being badly bent would be an understatement,
but that is often the nature of war. Shortly thereafter, Sir Richard
came over and laughingly said that the first shot I had thrown had
been good, and that he had been saying "I'm dead! I'm dead!" as I
continued my flurry of blows. We chuckled together and parted to
briefly rest.

There then came a bridge battle that was very confusing, if the truth
be told. It was agreed that if a warrior was killed, be should be
revived and join the side that had killed him! There were men in blue
fighting beside men in red, and when a charge was successful none
truly knew who was his friend or his foe.

I took my confusion to be a sign to retire from the field. My lady
wife insisted that I rest and recover from the battles, and I
respected her wise words. My back had received wounds too great to
allow me to continue.

The next battle pitched the Peers against the Knowne World. When the
sides were arrayed, the Knights faced four enemies apiece. The
non-Knights charged, chasing their quarry across the field. Sir
Evander held his ground with two Brother Knights before finally
falling under the rain of incoming blows. I was unable to see his fate
due to the mass of warriors that surrounded them. King Thorson ran
around the perimeter of the field, out-pacing most and eventually
taking a defensive corner position. Sir Cennedi also hastened around
the perimeter, but was slowed by a squad of five foes. He managed to
slay all five as he passed them. Swiftly, he joined the King of the
East. The throng of warriors fell on them as a swarm of locusts on the
grain. The pair fought bravely, but were slain together, surrounded by
a hill of the dead.

There was an "endless resurrection" battle at the last. The large
soft blocks that served as our bridge were now spaced out and
transformed into lava. A touch of one of those bubbling tools was
instant death to any unlucky soul. The lines formed and a general
brawl ensued. Again and again the soldiers fell, went back to their
line, and began their assault anew. Groups flowed and ebbed like
tides, breaking apart as the soldiers were slain, and re-forming in
new formations. The Ealdormereans fought on as I watched, bravely
engaging their immortal foes without pause. Edward engaged one enemy
several different times, culminating in an intricate and viscious
duel. He was eventually bested, yet as his opponent back away and
began to rejoice in his hard-fought victory, he toppled into a lava
pool. Such is the way of life.

The Ealdormerean forces all fought with great honour, fortitude, and
prowess. There was great wonder in the Eastern Realm at the number and
skill of the Ealdormereans, and we were given many sincere invitations
to return. It should be noted in passing that as we observed the East
Realm holding court, we observed the Royal Family and Retainers
turning somersaults on those large spongey blocks. We were sore amazed
to see such acrobatics during court, but reasoned that it must be an
East Kingdom custom of celebration after war.

The journey home was filled with much snow and ice, and our arrival
was later than we had anticipated. Regardless, the time was filled
with much merriment and telling of tales. It was due to the efforts of
my good Lady Wife that we came to be home safely. Save for a bruised
knee for Edward and a sore back for me, we were all exhausted but whole.

“A beer to the person who knocks off that parrot!” (Day of Piracy IV, October 1, 2005)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

From the Letters of Cap’n Bloodfox

I think the last the world had heard o’ me and me mates was when I was captured by them archers o’ Thule last year¹. Me woman, Cap’n Widow, led them right to me in a bid for her own freedom. At first I was sore at her, but when she later slunk into the gaol and set me and the lads free, well, I just had to forgive her.

That Constable² o’ Bastille—name o’ Evander—was after us in moments and we were forced to sail south for a year to avoid him and the ships of Her Majesty’s navy. Plundering the southron kingdoms is fun and all, but home is where the heart is. As soon as we could, we sets sail for the northlands again.

As we’re on our way homeward we hears that the Shire o’ Bastille du Lac is holding an event, a jaunty party inland, where they figure privateers will let them be. I’m not a man to let an opportunity for revenge pass me by, so’s I tell me Navigator Mr. Andersen to plot a course.

You remember Mr. Andersen I trust? This Norwegian fella who tells me he’s a Viking? Yar, that’s the bloke.³ Well, he manages to run the Interceptor aground. We beached, well and good. I almost string him up then and there, but I can be a merciful fellow and I only cut off a digit or two. The Clever Wife—me woman’s ship—weighs anchor without incident o’ course.

Gar.

So I leaves some men to try and get me ship back in the blue, and the rest start creeping through the trees towards the lodge where this here gathering is supposed to be happening.

That Constable and the shire’s seneschal—Edward Fuchyn—must o’ had scouts out in the woods, for they found out we were coming. Worried for the safety of his people, Fuchyn knows he needs to call fer some help, but who to call? If he calls for help to Septentria to the west, or to Skraeling Althing to the east, whose to say they’ll leave having gained a foothold in his shire? So he does the only thing he can think of, and that is to send messengers to both o’ them baronies begging for aid.⁴

Now me men managed to intercept most o’ them messengers heading west, and Widow took most o’ them heading east, but some must have managed to slip through. For when we finally reached the outskirts o’ the lodge what do we see but representatives o’ both them baronies.

Bah, we thinks. We just sailed and then walked all this way. Are we gonna be run off now? By gar we’d show them what for!

So me woman and me, draped in our flags, cutlasses drawn, stride outta the trees.⁵ Soon we have us a three way showdown with the forces o’Skrael, and Septentria and our crews facing off.

Now That Constable wanted to avoid bloodshed it seems, so he asked us all to sheath our weapons and take part in a contest. Out on the water he’s got a boat at the end of the pier, and he wants us all to take turns fighting on it. Each person has got to face the other fifteen fighters once, to see who is the best fighter of the day. Not one to back down from a challenge we and our crew say we’re in.

At the same time, on another pier, some more o’ the three groups fence with blades long and short. Lady Rusalka o’ the Galbraiths in fine pirate fashions crossed blades with THL Wilhelm von Pottruff and THL Cristabel Wensleydale of Skraeling, and Lord Robert o’Septentria.

Some o’ our forces were taken through the woods by THL Dayfdd ap Sion and Lord Augustyn o’ Ely to shoot at roving targets. (Both Thulish archers, ar!) I did not have a change to wander the course meself, but I did hear that there were targets representing both Baron Corwyn o’ Septentria and Baron Menken o’ Skrael.6 (Me thinks from reports that Menken had a few more holes in him than Corwyn did.) Also, several folks threw axes and knives at butts on another range.

But back to the boat. Since each fighter present had to battle fifteen times it was a long way to go to the final. Some of the more memorable incidents included: me lady Widow knocking a parrot of the helm o’ Lord Derfel Mallory7; a clankety German pirate in full metal armour who fought on the tiny dingy with a harpoon (and who fell over board at least once)8; and my own victory over the Constable o’Ardchreag. When all was said and done I had managed to send nine down to Davy Jones’ Locker, having been sent down meself six times.

In the end a parrot-less Lord Derfel faced off with another Constable, name o’Roak who came from the east. In a well fought battle Derfel took the day. Derfel presented his parrot to Widow, and it was discovered that the poor birdie had lost his beak in the battles. He was dubbed Peckerless Pete, and plans were drawn to replace his beak with a hook.

With a maniacal glint in his eyes, that Constable Evander o’ Bastille draws five circles on the ground and in each circle he places some swag, ranging in size from a small brown bag to a large wooden box. What he wants is for each barony to take a turn coming ashore in the boat and getting the swag into the boat while the other barony defends the goods. You could only carry the booty if you wore a full gauntlet, and either side could handle it. If you got yerself killed you had to run back to yer side to resurrect and rejoin the fray.

So Septentria is set to defend first, and I manage to sidle into that side fighting alongside Her Excellency Domhnail Galbraith, Mr. Tibs⁹, Argyle o’ Bastille and Constable Siegfried Brandbeorn. His Excellency Menken secures the arms of Constable Roak, Lady Jocea, Lord Derfel and a bloke whose name I never did catch. Everyone else was apparently too worn out from the round robin to participate.

So Skrael comes off the boat and we all fight like madmen, and let me tell you that was one tiring ordeal! People were legged and left to crawl about on their knees until finally one of their own teammates took pity and killed them so they could resurrect and be more effective. Everytime a raider bent down to pick up a piece o’ swag, he was clocked by a defender. In the end Roak, on his knees, was backing up like a scuttling crab dragging a box after him. That Constable o’ Bastille declares that Skrael’s time was 5 minutes and 19 seconds and we all falls over out o’ breath. Evander—the bastard—wants to send us back in after five minutes, but we manage to convince him that ten would be better.

Then Septentria is placed in the boat, and we has to run ashore and grab the booty. We did well off the bat, and it all came down to this here little brown bag that kept sliding out o’ our carriers’ hands. Roak then manages to grab the bag and he retreats with it to the furthest circle from the boat, at which point we had exceeded Skrael’s time so we stopped the pillage o’ the village.

I then dropped me kit off with the lads and suited up in me finest apparel: brown pants, red and white striped socks, red sash, brown belt, black baldric, white shirt and purple and red velvet greatcoat. A hat with a black and a red feather sat atop me head. Widow dressed herself up as well: gold hoop earrings, black skirt, white blouse, black bodice, green jacket, a brown hat with white and black feathers, and a gold cross sitting upon her bosom.

We and the other lads and ladies of our crews walked about with impunity, and no force o’ Septentria, nor force o’ the Skrael tried to arrest us.  Likely that was because That Constable’s truce was still going, but I prefer to think it was our bloody reputation. Yar.

As we sauntered about we made a few small ‘acquisitions’ so the day was not a complete loss. In fact, though we were going to leave to see my brother Shane o’ the Fish, we received a missive that he could not make the rendezvous. As such we were invited to stay and the Baroness o’ Septentria herself gave us coin to reserve a seat for supper.¹⁰

The tables for feast were all decorated with pirate flags crafted by the young’ uns who had been present throughout the day, and mighty fine flags they were too! Dinner was delicious (and well it should be what with folk like Lady Melusine de la Rose in the kitchen). It was also a riotous affair, with gifts of rum being passed out by both sets of Excellencies. In the spirit of things I grabbed me a woman passing by—her name was Lady Safrida Axehammer—and I abducted her to the next room where I planned to get to know her better. Unfortunately for me I suffered a case of ‘low tide’. As we walked back into the main hall I tells her, “Yar, I swear baby, that’s never happened to me before,” to which she replies, “That’s what they all say.”

Now this lady is the lady o’ Dafydd ap Sion, who came and clamped a large hand on me shoulder and told me to watch meself. Now, trying to protect me honour (har, what honour?) the lady had not told him about me ‘lowered sails’, so’s I spill the beans and it saves me life I’m sure. Mr. Andersen, who looks mightily like Dafydd’s squire brother, watched the whole thing from beginning to end. Dafydd, thinking his squire-brother had just stood by and watched a pirate abduct his lady, had almost smashed poor Mr. Andersen to bits before his true identity was made known. Gar, I was looking forward to seeing a good thrashing. (One that didn’t involve me, at any rate.)

The food, as I believe I’ve said, was excellent. We feasted on bread with honey butter, greens, mushroom and barley soup, spinach quiche, mushroom and cheese tart, ham with honey mustard sauce, lamb, mussels and a type o’ cheese cake glazed in honey. We was all quite full to burstin’.

After dinner a bonfire was lit outside, while some folk danced in a side room. Downstairs a pirate who bore a striking resemblance to Derfel sang for the little ‘uns and later for us big folk too. A local man, who had come to witness the happenings o’ the day for a local broadsheet, played a fiddle on the front steps. It was a lovely, relaxing way to while away the evening. THL Baldric (o’ the really long last name) asked us to come by his home for drinks as he was hosting a party, but we had a long walk back to ships so set off into the trees, followed by our crews.

It was then that I realized that we had spent more than we had earned on this expedition, and when we got back to our landing I found me ship still beached. And I cursed the gods o’ the sea and swore that I would have my revenge!

One o’ these days.

1.                  At Late Winter Shoot 2004 Cap’n Bloodfox and Cap’n Widow were targets for the archery contest. Since Þorfinna (Cap’n Widow) was on the team that won the shoot, in my event report she had actually helped capture Bloodfox to ensure her own escape.

2.                  Within the context of event reports written in Bloodfox’s voice, I refer to Knights as Constables.

3.                  Lord Eirik Andersen

4.                  The letters (which Fuchyn and I wrote together) read as follows (both were identical, though the one I am quoting was the one for Septentria):

Unto Their Most Ursine Excellencies, Corwyn and Domhnail Galbraith, does Edward dit Lion, Seneschal of the Shire of Bastille du Lac, send his most esteemed greetings.

Your Excellencies, I write to you to bring to your attention the plight of my poor shire, which on more than one glorious occasion has found itself under the protection of Your Might and Justice. Once again our land has been encroached upon by pirates and corsairs, flying under the flags of the Dread Pirate Captains Bloodfox and Widow. They and their men have been raiding our shores, raiding our stores and terrorizing our folk.

An army from the East is currently approaching our shire. Their captains assure me that they are only coming to help us and to push the pirates back into the sea, but I am afraid that without your forces here to balance their numbers they may forget to leave.

Please, Your Excellencies, I beseech you to come to the Shire of Bastille du Lac on October 1, 2005 for A Day of Piracy and to protect us from our enemies.

Your Most Obedient Servant,

Edward dit Lion

5.                  We were wearing black tabards painted with our respective skull and crossbones. Bloodfox’s is a fox skull with crossbones, and Widow’s is a skull with eight boney legs (forming a spider). We also were wearing black bandanas emblazoned with skulls and crossbones on our helms.

6.                  I honestly did not get a chance to shoot, so I didn’t get to see the course, but I heard it was awe inspiring. It’s not everyday I get to hear my Baron crow about shooting at an alligator!

7.                  And since Siegfried had proclaimed he’d buy a drink for the person who knocked it off Þorfinna got herself a Smirnoff Ice out of it.

8.                  Lord Ludwig von Eisengard, fighting with a polearm and wearing a full suit of plate (which in real life of course would be suicidal to wear while fighting on the seas).

9.                  Lord Tiberius of Warwickshire

10.              We were supposed to get together with my brother Shane and his new bride, but they had a memorial dinner to attend, so we were able to stay at the event after all. Since we only had enough cash on hand for one of us to eat, Domhnail not only loaned us the money for the other feast spot, but went in and talked to the cooks and event staff to ensure they could accommodate us. We don’t deserve such good friends.

Tournament at Baron’s Howe II (Sep 2 – 5, 2005)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

In the wake of the storm in Gleann Abhann, the price of feed and hay had risen sharply. As such, Þorfinna and I contacted a local knight and his squire who were planning to attend the Tournament at Baron’s Howe in the northern Canton of Flaming Sky. And so Baron Sir Siegfried Brandbeorn and Lord Eirik Andersen arrived with their wagon early on Friday and we loaded our gear in with theirs and headed on our way.

We took our time and arrived at the Ravenhill farm an hour after gate opened. We went out to the bowl to scout for a place to camp and discovered that there were many prime locations still open around the lip of the bowl. However, we decided to set up our tent away from the bowl this year, camping with Lord Percival deLaroque, Lady Christiana McNamara and various folk from Monadh and Eoforwic. Since space was an issue with four people packing in one wagon we had only brought one two-room tent. Eirik slept in one half, while Þorfinna and I slept on the other. As usual, Siegfried slept in the Ravenhill Manor.

After we had settled in we went to the town of Bonfield for dinner, eating at a local establishment that over charged us and under fed us. They also put this disgusting spiced pickle spread on my meat, though I had asked them expressly not to.

When we returned to the farm we went to the Petrea Thule encampment where we were welcomed warmly and introduced to a drink that Lord Augustyn of Ely called ‘ass-gohol’. It was very strong and tasted like smoke. I learned that Augustyn, another Brandbeorn squire, planned to feed the ass-gohol to my squire-brother Lord Tiberius of Warwickshire. Apparently ass-gohol has the same affect on Tiberius that sugar does.

Lord Janos, who had wandered out of camp, came back and told us to come look at the sky. A few went out at first, then everyone from camp came out to regard the heavens and see why they call this land Flaming Sky. For the sky was aflame with flickering green lights that flowed across the horizon and left us all in awe of nature’s majesty.

Later, leaving Thule’s small village among the trees, we walked over to the Calontir Embassy. As we approached Thane Hereward the Fardweller called us in. I was then reunited with the evil bartender from the Calontir party at Pennsic (whose name, I learned, is the Honorable Lord Jack Banyard). As well I was introduced to Sir Kirk fitz David and Lady Cara. Lord Raudr Ottarson, whom I had met at a previous Bonfield event was also there. They told me that Jack had just read my short history of Pennsic XXXIV, and was then told that Sir Vitas had left a remark regarding me on a spontaneous illumination of myself from that same Pennsic in Lord Eirik’s ethereal collection. Apparently Vitas had said that I looked like “a gallant and preaux¹ squire.” (I was to take much ribbing over this comment during the course of the weekend.) Þorfinna eventually wandered to bed and I stayed at the Calontir tent for a while longer, talking about the Unbelt tournament at Pennsic. Eventually I got up, making my way towards our tent when I heard a familiar voice. Making my way over to it I found Cadogan from Thule, who had I had fought beside at Pennsic, setting up his tent in the dark. I lent him a hand for a few moments and then finally found my bed.

The next morning we both overslept. In fact, we had just gotten up when Eirik called to us and told us that the fighters were just entering the woods for the woods battle. So we sunk back into bed until Eirik, who went into the woods to take pictures, returned and reported that the fort battle would begin in half an hour. So all three of us began to armour up just as the skies opened up. At first it was a sprinkling, so we ignored it and continued to armour. Then it became harder, and we paused and moved our armour bags back into the tent. Then it became a deluge and we despondently hid in our tent, half-armoured until it finally let up for a few moments. We took that opportunity to run over to Thule, where we spent the majority of the rest of the day huddled with them under their awnings and canopies, trying to stay dry. From our vantage point we watched the hardy equestrian riders tromp into the bowl to ride, and soaked archers returning from the range. Eventually, around dinner time, the rain finally stopped. Since Thule was having guests for dinner we slipped away and Eirik, Þorfinna and I laid out a table of cheese, bread, pickles, olives and other such fare beside our tent and tucked in.

That night Baroness Eleanor Cadfan, Her Excellency Skrael, held a baronial court within the mead hall. Not being a member of the barony I did not attend the court, however I do know that Mistress Ragni Dzintari of Amberhall presented Her Excellency with a live unfettered cock. After the court a blazing bonfire was lit and people stood and sat around it telling tales and singing songs. We attended briefly but spent the majority of the early evening with the Vest Yorvik, Monadh, and Eoforwic camp spending time with some delightful people and drinking some very smooth Scotch.

Later, feeling cold, Þorfinna and I got up to walk around and traversed the bowl to Lord Kenric Manning’s pavilion. There we found him talking with Eirik and we spent the rest of our night there.

The next morning I awoke with a cold and with swollen wrists due to the cold and damp. Despondent, for I knew I would not be able to fight that day because of this, I lay in bed for a few more hours. Finally I arose and went down to the bowl to find the first Royal Tournament under way. It was won by Siegfried, while the second Unbelted Tournament was won by Lord Raudr. Since I was watching, and not fighting, I got a lot of “gallant and preaux” cat calls. Ah well. I may not have been able to fight, but my good cousin Richard Stewart got into action.² It was especially fun to watch him team up with Eirik’s cousin Travis Andersen.

After the Royal Tournaments the fighters partook in challenges at the barrier and in a grand melee. The Captains were Sir Nigel MacFarlane and Lord Raudr, and when they finally paused to breath, the Captains each chose one fighter from the opposing side who had inspired and impressed them that day. Ruadr chose THL Wilfred of Sweflingham, and Nigel chose THL Phelan Gann.

There then followed two run-throughs of Mordain’s Rings. The marshals stood in a circle upon the field while around the circle are three rings; all fighters stood in the first ring. If you lost a fight you had to move into the next ring until you were out all together. You can also be pushed out of a ring. Treachery was the name of the game in the ring as alliances sprang up and were broken continuously. The prize: three beers for the holder of the first ring, two beers for holding the second and one for the third. There were two runnings of the rings, the first of which was won by Siegfried by clearing the rings. In the second, Tiberius was in the middle ring, Sir Nigel was in the second and Sir Siegfried was in the third. Sir Nigel tried to persuade Tiberius—who had just fought Nigel to put him in the second ring in the first place—to come out and fight him. Tiberius, saying he was not a selfish man and that he was happy with his three beers, stayed put. So Nigel went out to the third ring and was knocked out Siegfried.

After the fighting my companions and I packed up our wagon, watching Baron Phaidrig McNeill and Mistress Etaoin O'Fearghail run an atl atl battle. Once our gear was stored, we ambled for home. 

(Though I did not see it, I know that many good gentles shoot at the archery range, coursed their hounds and fenced. Even at a small event there are too many things occurring for one person to chronicle it all!)

________________________________________________________________________

1. Thanking, Hereward found a definition for me, as I had no idea what it meant. “Preux: Prowess, courage and success. To be considered ‘preudomme’, a man of prowess, was considered to be one of the highest compliments possible for a medieval knight. ‘Soix Preux!’ was frequently the admonition given to new knights as they were to go out and earn renown in the wake of their new knighthood.”
2. HE Richard Larmer’s helm broke during the fighting, and he had to borrow my helm to continue. As well, Lord Travis Greywolf misplaced his helm, and had to borrow Eirik’s.

Ealdormere, F**k Ya! (Pennsic War XXXIV, Aug 14 – 20, 2005)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

Prelude

This is obviously only one poor scribe’s attempt to capture all that went on at War. With an event numbering over 10, 000 participants and spanning two weeks it is impossible to write down everything that transpires. For instance, I know that Ealdormere’s archers, fencers and youth combatants all did very well, but I do not know details. I’m sure I’ve forgotten all kinds of things that I was involved with personally. At any rate, here’s my attempt to recreate this year’s Pennsic War.

Saturday

Our Pennsic 34 odyssey began on Saturday Aug 13. My brother Shane (who has been to a grand total of one SCA event) was having his Jack and Jill that day. I was at first aggrieved, as I had tried very hard to make the Unbelted team for this Pennsic, and the tournament was after opening ceremonies on Sunday. So we resolved to go and work at the Jack and Jill until 10 pm, go home, pack, sleep until 4 am and leave. That would get us on site around 10 am barring any difficulties—just in time to armour and fight. I ended up packing the car in advance, and it was a good thing I did. We were having so much fun at the Jack and Jill we didn’t end up leaving until midnight. We briefly toyed with the idea of going home and sleeping for a few hours, but instead left right for Pennsic from the hall.

Sunday

The drive was uneventful, and we got through the border quickly. The border guard did ask us if we had any rocks in the car, since Þorfinna’s birth place in her passport was listed as Sudbury. “Sudbury’s full of rocks, right?” he said when we went “huh?” The road was really empty, and Angola was pretty much deserted.

We exited the I-79 at 5:30 am on fumes and drove on to Sheetz for gas. The last time we had come to Pennsic it had been in a different car, and it had only taken ¾ of a tank of gas. This year it took almost the whole tank, and we didn’t notice until we were almost at Cooper’s Lake. After filling the tank, we came back to site and signed in at 6 am. When we left the Gate one of the gatekeepers said, ”Welcome home.” Since we hadn’t been able to make Pennsic 33, it was a nice sentiment. We consulted our map and found House No House, where we would be camping for the first time. It was in N30 on the Serengeti, about a five minute walk from the battle field, the merchants and the food court. We found the camp and dozed in our cramped car for two hours waiting for people to start getting up. At eight o’clock my squire-brother Varenko emerged blinking from his pavilion and Þorfinna and I began to unpack. Luckily our a-frame had come down to Pennsic with the Van der Eychs, and it was already set up.

I quickly armoured up and went down to the field to get inspected. The inspection was very fast and friendly and one by a genial fellow called Lord Sterling. Both he and a fellow marshal were overjoyed with my thrusting tips (both because they were squishy, and because they were a different colour than my sword’s blades). Afterwards I could not find the kingdom shade without my glasses so I walked all my gack back to camp. Þorfinna then helped me carry it all back down, since she had found the kingdom shade after parking our car. I dozed in the shade while Þorfinna chatted with the Commissariat until the kingdom processed up to the field for opening ceremonies. The Unbelts then came over and I signed in with our captain, Mistress AElfwyn of Longwood and got my tabard.

The Unbelted tourney then began, with six kingdoms represented. Ealdormere’s team consisted of: AElfwyn, THL Baldric Leeman of Newcastle Emlyn, Laird Colyne Stewart, THL Corrig McKail, Baroness Domhnail Galbraith, THL Etain au Naval, THL Hereward the Fardweller, Lord Hugh de Rose, Lord Ioannes, THL Kaylah the Cheerful, Lord Lothar the Gregarious, Lord Naga-san, Lord Tarquin Bjornnson, Lord Tiberius of Warwickshire, Lord Tormod of Kirk Andreas (who unfortunately could not make the event), Baron Tynne Duair ap Beul, Lord Ulvar van der Nederlanden, Lord Volodymyr ‘Vlad’ Blahuciak, and Lord Wat of Sarum.

Our team fought very well, but only went 1-4. Unfortunately we fought too much like the polite Ealdormereans that we are, assuming people were dead when we hit them, and not swinging again to make sure. This meant that we would hit someone, and move away looking for a new target. A lot of time though, the people we hit did not think the blow was hard enough, and hit us back, killing us. Live and learn. I fought three of the bouts, sitting out two so that Lothar could see some action. When the tourney was over His Majesty Edouard praised our sportsmanship and execution. The one memory that I’ll always have from that tourney is of a very large man with an axe falling on top of me.

Later that day, Duke Sir Barak Hasdrubal won the Graybeard Tourney (for fighters over 50 years old) and THL Kaylah the Cheerful won the Iron Rose Tourney (for female fighters).

We then had a nice down pour of rain and our a-frame leaked terribly. Over the winter the water proofing had apparently evaporated, and the rain was coming in almost like there was no canvas at all! So we had to pull out our emergency tarps and cover the a-frame up. This resulted in us missing the Known World Novice Tourney which was won by our friend Amelius Claudius Rattanicus of Bastille du Lac.

Over the course of the following week, our camp would routinely sing the theme song from Team America, World Police, replacing the word ‘America’ with ‘Ealdormere’. (Ealdormere, f**k ya!) In our more debauched moments we threatened to sing it on the battle field, but never did.

When 10 pm struck Þorfinna and I had been up for 36 hours, so we went to bed and slept for 12 hours straight.

Monday

This morning we woke up at 10 am and had to hustle into armour to make it for the Bridge Battle. Ealdormere was asked to lead the forces on the bridge farthest from the castle. In the first run through the Unbelts fought as a unit and were placed in the front lines. Unfortunately I had only brought a heater to War, thinking only about skirmishing and not about this format at all. So I didn’t last very long in the first rank. I didn’t feel nearly so bad when I later found out that we had been facing the Western Alliance which included something like seven spear wielding kings and various knights. In this run through the East pulled right off the bridge and tried to create a killing pocket but Ealdormere would not be baited. In the last minute the East made a push but we held them off.

And perhaps now is a good time to make brief mention of the numbers. The Midlands forces vastly out numbered the East, so it is no surprise that our side consistently did well during the War. Kudos must be given to the hardy fighters of the East and their allies who continued to come out battle after battle, day after day, continuing the fight even after the War had been lost. And they did it with smiles on their faces.

Back to the bridge. In the next bridge battles I fought with the MacLachlans (Sir Evander MacLachlan, Lord Tiberius of Warwickshire and myself), along with Wat and Þorfinna who were on loan from Cennedi, and Cadogan from Petrea Thule (who is training with Tibby). We fought alongside house De Taahe, which at its peak fielded up to thirteen of fourteen (not including the seven MacLachlans). In the second battle De Taahe was put in the front line, so I was back in the instant action. This time the East pressed harder faster but was still held off the half way point. In the third battle they came out hard and pushed Ealdormere almost right off the bridge, but we pushed back and the East found itself caught in a vise as other Midland forces broke through another bridge and came up behind them. Though the official bridge battles were then over, the Western Alliance asked Ealdormere to continue fighting, as they had five people on their team who had come from Japan for the event, and they were trying to get in as much fighting as they could. Ealdormere agreed, and most of us stayed out to run through two more bridge battles. In both of these the Western Alliance emerged victorious. In the second of these friendship battles Lord Eirik Andersen lent me his wardoor, and I was amazingly more effective with it than the heater.

After the battle, Þorfinna and I went shopping and saw the Visible Ninja. If you were at Pennsic you likely saw him too. He wasn’t a very good ninja, walking around in full costume in plain site. It was commonly remarked that he should be committing seppuku since he was so terrible at staying hidden. (Also, that costume must have been incredibly warm!)

Having bought herself a new red felt wide brimmed hat (one of the so-called ‘Pennsic hats’), Þorfinna placed it on the table back at House No House. Big Mistake. Evander found it and proceeded to use it to dress up as a super-fly knight, complete with fur-trimmed coat. I must admit the Pimp My Knight photos turned out rather funny, even if we couldn’t get Evander to agree to go to court dressed like that.

Evander then took me out to meet the lady of his former Master-of-Arms, but she was away at a vigil. Instead I was introduced to several of his friends from the East (including Ian MacDonald, whom I had seen inducted into the Order of the Tygers Combattant when I was down for the East Kingdom Winter War in February).

That night was Duchess Marion FitzWilliams’ vigil in the House Galbraith/Hrogn camp. When we arrived I went up to the bar and asked Etian to surprise me. This lead to a night of heavy drinking (which is not something I usually do, though I don’t think I embarrassed myself too much).

Tuesday

During the night it poured rain, and the dawn of the Woods Battle was damp. As such, my wrists were swollen, so I decided not to fight a 2 hour resurrection battle. Likewise, Þorfinna did not want to risk tripping and hurting her knees. Instead, we went shopping and returned some lost and found items from Trillium War.

The Middle won the Woods, and I am told Ealdormere fought extremely well. So well in fact that later in court, His Majesty had the army placed on the Scroll of Honour for their actions in the Woods.

In the evening we trundled down to the House De Taahe encampment for the Greater Household Dinner, which was well attended and very tasty.

That night we almost joined a traveling wine and cheese party in honour of Marion’s imminent elevation but stayed home with a fire instead.

Wednesday

This day saw the Mountain Pass Battle. The field had three passes marked out on it, with siege weapons set up in the back fields. Ealdormere was to form a column and sweep up the right pass and harry the back field. We easily broke through the line (again, we had superior numbers) and took out much of their siege weaponry. We were fighting right along the East’s rez line, and a rather large Easterner stepped back onto the field, wielding a polearm like a scythe. I attempted to take him down, but he caught me under the arm and lifted me off me feet! I left the field laughing, clapping him on the back, and headed for my own rez line. When I got back to the front we had pulled back the line and were holding the pass. We tried to leave at least fifty feet of space so the East could build up forces to fight with us. We did not want to just push them right off the field. There would be no honour (or fun) in that for either side. We periodically threw off assaults or sent out skirmishers, but there was still very little fighting. Some of the East fighters then began calling out for singles, and I fought with Lord Boldo (or something similar), which resulted in double kill.

In second run through I was sent by Evander to kill a spear (“See that guy? Go!”). I ran out with someone on my right and (I believe) Lord Angus Albani firing a spear on my left. We managed to get to our target and I took him down just before a polearm crashed down on my right shoulder (giving me my only bruise of the War).

Following the battles, Evander and I went into town at 1:30 pm to buy a new trailer. House No House had decided to buy a new trailer so we could leave one permanently at Cooper’s Lake and not have to haul all our stuff back to Canada. This simple mission turned into a five hour ordeal. First, the trailer we were going to buy at Home Depot had already been sold (it had been on for half price). So we drove all over pricing out other trailers at other stores. We finally ended up back at Home Depot and began our attempts at purchasing. Firstly, they agreed to give us 5% off as we were from out of country, and even agreed to throw in a new hitch (as the one on the truck could not haul the new trailer). Evander wanted to put the purchase on his home Depot card, but he did not have it on him. So we had to wait while they tried to find him in the system, only to discover that the Canadian and American Home Depots do not cross over, and he couldn’t use that account to make a purchase in an American store. So they had him apply for an American Home Depot Card (which would have given us 10% off the purchase) only to turn him down since he did not have an American mailing address. Then he had to get on the phone with a Notary, who came over and notarized the sale. Finally we walked out with the papers, receipt and hitch. We hunkered down to change the hitch only to find out that our wrench was not big enough for the job. So Evander had to go in and borrow a wrench, and we finally got back on site at 6:43 pm. We were late for Septentrian court, and I slipped quietly in. I missed pretty much all the business so cannot comment on it. Except I do remember that Lord Hamish Gunn and Lady Ceridwyn y Anghofidig were given Bear’s Hearts. Afterward Their Excellencies treated all present to a barbeque.

Þorfinna and I grabbed a burger as an appetizer, and then went back to our camp for dinner. While eating we saw a winged monkey walk by the camp. This was of course a precursor of Midnight Madness. The camp all went out together except for Þorfinna and I who waited for Eirik to shower. We then went down to the merchants where we saw a very sensual succubus, complete with leather wings, in one of the stalls. At another booth I found some letter openers in the shape of broad swords, which I bought as gifts for my sword-brothers. We ran into about half of House De Taahe who were all wearing silly hats, complete with big feathers. Lord Berend van der Eych and Rattanicus were with them, and as each of them are sword-brothers to me, I gave them their swords. Berend, who had to wear an eye patch all War due to eye surgery, was wearing a second eye patch over his good eye (with a small hole so he could see) and a flamboyant pirate’s hat. He was introduced as Pimp Daddy Yar, but we ended up calling him the Blind Pirate. We then wondered who would win in a fight: the Blind Pirate or the Visible Ninja?

We all briefly stopped by the Calontir party and I again asked to be surprised by the bartender. Hereward then leaned forward and told him that we were Ealdormereans, therefore hardy and adventuresome folk. The bartender (thereafter called ‘the Evil Bartender’ for the rest of war) whipped us up a noxious brew that was extremely potent but undrinkable (mostly due to the fact that he used Pepsi in it—yuck).

Some of us left to do more shopping, and Þorfinna and I ended up back at camp and sat around the fire for a while before falling into bed.

Thursday

The Causeway Battle was held Thursday morning. The Middle started inside the castle, while the East had to walk up a causeway (like a wide bridge) and then fan out to attack the three gates). The attackers got unlimited resurrections, while the defenders got none. It was a little boring inside, as there was not much fighting, but it was great fun watching ballista bolts fly over our heads to land outside, and blocking arrows and dodging ballistas coming in. Baron Richard Larmer was killed by an arrow about two minutes into the battle. He said, “I’m dead,” and walked off the field. (Later, he was presented with the arrow that had killed him by a friend, and he tracked down the archer and gave him a gift of beer.) When we finally faced the push from the East a hold was called, and Þorfinna found herself completely surrounded by grinning Easterners. Cadogan caught a ballista seconds before he would have been able to swing a sword, saving Tiberius and I from getting hit with the missile instead. The gate Ealdormere helped bolster was the last gate to fall (I died about 30 seconds before the battle was declared over).

We then had to reset so the Middle could assault and the East could defend. Ealdormere’s general, Baron Sir Konrad Matthias Jaeger von Dubrau, told us to go up the causeway and assault the east gate. Wat (armed with a polearm) and I teamed up. As we walked up to the castle and along the wall to the gate I held my shield up to protect him from arrows and spears. When we turned the corner and came close to the gate the press of bodies became intense. At one point I think I could have lifted up my feet and not fallen down. Holds were frequently called as the bodies piled up rapidly at the gate. During the holds, the heads of Easterners would pop over the walls, and both sides would trade witticisms. (“Avon calling,” was my own contribution.) When we got closer to the front I was wedged up against the wall with my shield held up over Cynred’s head (who was fighting with a spear) while standing on one leg (so I would not step on THL Rhys ap Bledri who lay on the ground) and my sword trapped on another fighter’s shoulder. The people fighting at the front were pushing backwards on us so they had room, while people behind us were pushing us forward yelling, “Advance!” When I finally managed to wrench myself free I threw myself at the gate’s defenders and died gloriously. (And lay under a large heavy pile of bodies until a hold was finally called.)

I tromped back to rez and looked at the stream of people going back up the causeway and thought about calling it a day. I almost went back in once I had teamed up with someone, but a Rozakii told us that the flags had almost been over run, and we would not likely get back inside before the battle was over. Marching on the castle in this format was not much fun (especially since the risk of wrenching a knee or ankle is very high), though it is likely very realistic.

I armoured down, showered and got some water for Wat and Evander who were going to be fighting in the Heroic Champions battle. Evander and Wat fought along with Duke Sir Roak of Ealdormere, Master Trumbrand the Wanderer and Baldric representing Ealdormere. Duke Sir Barak Hasdrubal had also been selected for the team, but as the East had trouble meeting the numbers, he unfortunately did not get to actually fight. The battle was a 21 minute resurrection battle. Every seven minutes a hold would be called, and whichever side had more people close to two hay bails set on the field would get a point. The Middle won 4 points to 2.

Afterward I gave my last sword letter-opener to Wat (he being another sword-brother).

Kingdom Court was held that evening in the Barn. Again I only remember a few points of business. Hereward was called before Their Majesties as Master Andrixos Seljukroctonis, OL, OP, Huscarl of Calontir, entered and began chanting in Latin. I knew immediately what was coming, and was not surprised to hear the words ‘baronis curialis’. To great applause, Hereward was made a Court Baron. Duchess Marion was then called forward and she was elevated to the Order of the Pelican in a short, elegant ceremony. The King and Queen of the Middle then came into Court and presented Ealdormere with many gifts, most striking of which was a beautiful War banner.

That night House No House hosted the Booze and Smores party in our encampment. Many guests came and went, and I played the bartender, making sure everyone had something to drink. My highlight of the night was having two lovely ladies play with my beard at the same time. I also enjoyed getting to try a raspberry cordial brewed by two brewing Laurels based on a recipe by Sir Walter Raleigh. I quickly introduced them to Berend, who will hopefully soon reproduce it.

Smores, I rediscovered, are delicious. Having coconut coated marshmallows made a nice variation.

Friday

The last large war point battle was the Field Battle. This time the MacLachlans fought on their own (not teaming up with De Taahe). Þorfinna fought with the baronies this time (so of course it was the baronies turn to be in the front lines). In one of the battles, Evander again set me a target. I had one of my best moments of the war as I waded into the enemy’s line, killed my target, snapped my wrist and killed the person standing next to him, snapped my wrist again and missed the spear man next to him by half an inch before finally being killed myself. In the third run through I got a great double kill in on a two-sticker. When I fell down I could see him looking over at me questioningly and I shouted out, “You got me too!” Afterwards, seeing Wat re-enact that duel made my day. Also in the third battle, all the Chivalry on the Middle’s side fought as one massed unit. From accounts I heard afterwards His Majesty Edouard was the first member of the Chivalry to smash into the enemy forces.

After the battles, House No House retired to work on our trailer. We had a flat bed that we needed to turn into a box. With only a few minor disagreements and grumbling the box was quickly erected, with myself shut inside so I could caulk it and make sure no light was coming in. (This led to the trailer being dubbed the Bad Squire Box.) Once the lads had it built, the ladies painted it. I took that opportunity to go to the bathroom, and found Master Worgan wrestling with two of the Lost Boys amid a spume of spray cheese. I stopped to talk to Luke, and this turned out to be a mistake, as I turned to find Berus and Worgan grinning and bearing down on me. Berus backed off as Bubba grappled me and tried to pin me. Now, I’m not too shabby a wrestler, and Bubba was coated with sweat (which made it easy to slip around) so it took him a few minutes to finally subdue me. Of course, if I hadn’t put up a fight I probably wouldn’t have been so coated in Bubba sweat and needing a shower.

Once the trailer was all painted and everyone had had showers, House No House went out to eat. We originally were going to go to a Texas roadhouse, but the wait was too long. So instead we went for Chinese. The restaurant was not too bad, though reviews were mixed. We took a group photo out front and then Wat and Oksana left for home.

When we got back Þorfinna and I took a last walk through the merchants. On Thursday Berend and Rattanicus had bought me a hat for Day of Piracy (Bastille du Lac’s October event) and we were in search of a pennanular broach and some feathers for it. It was a slightly surreal experience walking through that night, as many shops were closed or packing or even gone already. Those that were open were all having sales, and merchants were sitting in the road together drinking and eating. A projector was playing Harry Potter on the side of a tent, and there were very few shoppers. We found some feathers at Crane’s Post (one of my favourite stores) and had given up on finding an inexpensive broach when we finally found one at the last stall.

Saturday

Saturday we tore down the camp in the blazing sun, hoping to miss the thunderstorm that was reputedly coming. Þorfinna and I put our camp name and number (and iconograph) on our storage trailer. We left site at 1 pm, got home at 8 pm (having stopped at Angola due to relentless hunger pains).

This was, without a doubt, my favourite Pennsic to date (of the four I have gone to). Though there was some behind the scenes drama (right up to the kingdoms level), it did not affect my game too much and I had an incredibly enjoyable time. I met old friends, made new friends, and had experiences that I will never forget.

A Summer Event by any other Name… (War of the Trillium, June 29 – July 3, 2005)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

Every summer for the past twelve years, the Canton of Ardchreag has hosted an event on the Canada Day long weekend. Originally, it was called Septentrian War Practice, named after the barony Ardchreag resides in. Then, when Ealdormere was formed, the name was changed to Ealdormere War Practice (perhaps better known as EWP). This year the event evolved yet again. As Lady Þorfinna gráfeldr put it, the past twelve years were practice—this year, its war!

The theme for the first War of the Trillium (or Trillium War, as most people ended up calling it) was early Period versus Late Period. To captain the Early Period, the canton contracted Mistress Ælfwyn of Longwood. To captain the Late Period, the canton asked Sir Edward the Red. However, Edward had to bow out, since he went and won this tournament and became Crown Prince. To replace him stepped forward Baron Konrad Mattias Jaegger von Dubrau, a most worthy gentle indeed.

To win the War, each captain had to capture war points, which were to be awarded in a number of ways. Each captain was given six war points that they could hand out as they saw fit, in the hopes that the person they gave the point too would go to the gate and allocate the point to their side. Points were also awarded for archery, children’s activities, the mead competition, fencing and so forth. Of course, both Periods also faced off in many armoured combat battles, which were each worth between 7 and 10 war points.

Ælfwyn, who arrived on site early, began her campaign quickly, and soon promotional posters bearing legends such as “Vote Often! Vote Ælfwyn!” and “If there is 4 digits in the date, it’s Late!” began to appear all over the event site.

The summer event had moved back to Ardchreag’s traditional site, after being held on a farm for the past two years. For those who have never been there, you enter the site by driving for about five minutes down a winding tree shrouded road, emerging onto a laneway. To the right is a picnic shelter, which Lady Tarian verch Gadarn and I had transformed into the gate, complete with blowing banners and a fan for those suffering from the heat. Straight ahead there were outhouses, beside which THL Garwig der Waffenschmidt, had once again erected the Mad Saxon Showers. To the left was a line of trees. If you follow the laneway, it turns left and takes you past a large tree dotted field where the various encampments sprung up. At the end of the laneway are two more outhouses, the A&S tent and another picnic shelter, overlooking a second field. This field is split between archery, thrown weapons, fencing and armoured combat.

Thursday

A game of soccer, originally organized as a children’s activity, erupted in the space between the De Taahe and Petrea Thule encampments, which resulted in several war points being allocated to Ælfwyn, who had captained on of the teams.

The Silver Wheel Inn, operated by House Teach Cairdeas, was again in operation this year. However, this year they did not just offer coffee and morning snacks, but prepared full fledged breakfasts consisting of bacon, eggs, ham, pancakes and so on. The McPercy’s were especially popular, and the hospitable staff of the Wheel had to make many runs into town for fresh supplies.

That night I relaxed in the De Taahe encampment in the Squires’ Lounge (a large canvas shade tent that in a previous life had been Baron Richard Larmer’s pavilion). Over the weekend many people from all over the event site would sit for a short spell, or many hours, under its red-trimmed roof. That night was especially memorable as it saw Lady Mahault van der Eych demonstrate control holds on Lord Tarquin Bjornnson. (Mahault is a correctional officer in the mundane world.)

Friday

The event swung into full swing on the Friday, and as I spent a lot of time working at the gate, I am unfortunately incomplete when it comes to full details. Still, I will report as I can.

The Late and Early Period armoured fighters met in the woods for a fierce battle that saw the Early Period victorious. They ten moved to the battle field, where the Late Period won the Bridge Battles.

Archery, fencing, thrown weapons, A&S, children’s activities and youth combat were in full swing. A children’s garb swap was organized by Lady Lassarfhina Inghean Uilleag.

At seven o’clock, the Iron(age) Chef challenge was met by many in the A&S tent (but I was not present and cannot report on the entrants or the winners).

That evening many things were happening, and as such the armoured combat Torchlight Tourney was cancelled. However, folks consoled themselves by partaking in the numerous other night time activities.

Baron Konrad had been taken by Their Majesties and the Order of Chivalry from his camp, and placed in a pavilion on the battle field to sit his vigil. For it was Their will that he become a knight. Many stood in line for long periods of time to be able to speak with Konrad on this special night. I am told that he did not seek his bed until 5:30 in the morning.

The archers got to enjoy one of Lord Tosh’s night time shoots, where glow sticks are affixed to arrows and targets. This gave those waiting to see Konrad something to watch as glowing arrows sped through the night towards illumined targets.

While her lord was away contemplating the virtues, Baroness Alyce de Sheppey held a Ladies’ Bacchanalia in her camp which was attended by many, including male attendants in togas, and at least one shaggy satyr.

Not quite being the cabana-boy type, I instead went to the De Taahe camp to relax under the Squires’ Lounge.

Saturday

On Saturday morning, Lady Tarian organized a Flea Market and Pillage along Merchants’ Row. People were encouraged to bring items they wished to relocate to the homes of others and spread them out on blankets. At the end of the market, anything not sold, but that the owner did not want to take home, could be left behind. When “Pillage!” was called, it was a free-for-all, first come first served, grabbing of goodies.

At the same time, some hound coursing was being conducted on the battle field.

Around eleven o’clock, Their Majesties called for a court on the battle field. They took back Their writ from Sir Edward, naming him Their general, as he now had other duties as Their heir. As Their new general, they called on Baron Konrad. Sir Bealdgar Thorbeornsson, then reiterated his boon, asking that Konrad be knighted, and the good baron was again called before Their Majesties. He was adorned with his symbols of rank and estate in an emotional court. When the king struck the buffet—the last blow Konrad was to take unanswered—the blow was so mighty that it cracked one of Konrad’s ribs! When the ceremony was over there was much rejoicing, for Konrad is a man well loved by the people of the kingdom.

Around noon the armoured combat began again, with two Royal Tournaments. This was followed by an Unbelts Practice were we poor unbelts faced a team made almost completely of knights and masters-of-arms. It was challenging fighting, to say the least!

After a brief rest two picnic tables were pulled onto the field to form a gate. The Early Period was then given a banner to protect, and the Late Period had to steal it. You could not fight over the tables, only between them. The Early Period won this first encounter very convincingly (though I must point out that they also had a significantly larger force than we poor belaboured Late Period fighters). The Late Period then successfully protected their banner, winning the second bout. The banner was then removed from play, and we went down to a last man standing scenario for the third bout. For the life of me I don’t know who won that one, as I was busy chasing THL Hereward the Far-dweller down the field. Hereward, armed with a spear, was unaware that I had been armed and couldn’t actually hit him with my sword. When he realized what had happened we just bonked heads and both fell down dead. So I’m not sure which side got the war points for that one.

During a lull in the fighting I went and asked Bjarn Styrmirson to spar, as I had never fought the large, jovial Norseman before. He fought two-stick and fairly well owned me. I then sought out Cynred thegn, who I had not fought since I authorized against him back in March 2002. He fought me with axe and centre-boss round, and I did much better against him than I had the last time. We both walked off the field laughing.

A series of field battles between the Late and Early Periods were then fought, but I am unsure whether they were for war points, or just for fun.

Sir Nigel MacFarlane’s planned Anvil of Virtue 3-man melee 3-hour resurrection tournament was cancelled due to lack of time. Those of us that were thinking of entering hope it will be run at another event soon.

Archery, fencing, thrown weapons, A&S, children’s activities and youth combat were again going strong, but as I was on the field I cannot comment on anything that transpired at those activities.

After everyone who had engaged in martial activities had a chance to cool down and change, Their Majesties Edouard and Genevieve held court in the battle field shelter. I was late for court—which I almost never am—and was therefore unaware I was needed there until I wandered into my encampment for a chair. The Galbraiths told me to get myself to court, and I turned and found Sir Evander MacLachlan who had been sent to find me. We hastened to the shelter where Their Excellencies Septentria called on me to introduce me as their new seneschal. I then went back to sit with Þorfinna and Sir Cennedi, when Þorfinna was called into court and given an Award of the Golden Bear for her A&S endeavours. Others were also honoured with baronial awards, but I only had eyes and ears for my lady.

When Their Excellencies Septentria were done, Their Majesties resumed Their court. Again, many good gentles were honoured, but I only remember a few. My brother, Snæbjörn sverðsbrjótr received his Award of Arms, and Þorfinna her Award of the Maiden’s Heart. Lady Lassarfhina’s illumination skills were recognized with an Award of the Orion, and Her Grace, Duchess Marion FitzWilliamwas placed on vigil for the Order of the Pelican.

Following court there was held the Fourth annual Lord Ulrich von der See Memorial Ealdormerean Brewing Competition, which saw many sitting under the A&S tent getting (as Uncle J would say) “pleasantly blind.” I am unsure as to the winners of each of the categories, as I was on duty, helping to prepare for that evening’s Galbraith party. However, little birdies have told me that Lady Matian Golightly won the grand prize for her cordials and that TLH Corrig McKail won the mead category.

This year the party was held on the battle field and was a great success. As in years past, mead flowed like water, as did beer left over from the Osis Memorial Fighting Day event. A bardic circle sprung up around the fire and Eric and I ran the traditional body toss game. This year the entrants had to throw an effigy of Her grace Marion, holding a black cat in her hands (dubbed the Cat-a-pult). The winner of the men’s throw was Lord Augustyn of Ely (with a throw of 48’10”) and the winner of the women’s throw was a Lady Rhiannon (with a throw somewhere around 25’). Baroness Alyce got a special prize for throwing exactly 13’ (as it was House Galbraith’s 13^th birthday).

Thirteen prize bags had been made up, and were handed out to those who were the first to bring certain items to the Galbraiths. Bjarn won a bag for bringing Lady Ceridwyn y Anghofidig a Buddha, which entailed him ripping off his shirt and taking a contemplative pose at her feet. He later came stomping over wearing a snood from his gift bag asking what the hell he was supposed to do with it and the comb it had come with! (Bjarn is almost, if not completely, bald.)

The winner of the War was announced at the party, and it was no surprise to me (who had been helping tally the war points) that the Early Period carried the day. If only the Late Period Captain hadn’t got to site so, well, late…

The party went on for several hours, and I will spare some details that may embarrass certain people. Let’s just saw chocolate can be a boon or a detriment!

After the party I went straight to bed as I was freezing and needed to crawl under the covers to warm up. Þorfinna went back tot the Squires’ Lounge where she stayed for many hours.

Sunday

Sunday began the long slow process of clean up. The last of our War of the Trillium t-shirts (designed by Tarian) sold out. The Silver Wheel pumped coffee into tired drivers before they left site. Ardchreaggers and friends scoured the site for garbage and to check on fire pits (and I am pleased to say that very little garbage was left on the ground, and I think all the fire pits had been filled in correctly). Still, it takes time to clean up after an event this big (we had something like 384 people sign in at the gate), and Þorfinna and I got home around 8 pm.

It was, all in all, an extremely problem free event. There were a few problems, but they were mostly minor and easily resolved. I am glad that everyone who came seemed to have a good time, and I look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Ardchreag Library Demo (June 25, 2005)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

On the 25^th of June, under a blazing hot sun, the Canton of Ardchreag hosted a demo in the lands known as Oshawa for a library called Northview. Though helmed by members of Ardchreag, people came to help from the Barony of Ben Dunfirth, the Canton of Skeldergate, the Canton of Eoforwic, the Shire of Bastille du Lac and the Barony of Septentria at large. When you first entered the site you were greeted by wonderful posters created by Lady Tarian verch Gadarn, displaying various aspects of the Society, from fighting to garb. You could then follow the wall of the library around the back to a treed park where the library staff had erected a tent under which they sold provisions (and did a very brisk business). Beside this tent was the Welcome to the SCA tent, where Lady Isotta Gianfgliazzi, Lady Tarian verch Gadarn, her baby son Ethan, and Jennifer of Ardchreag answered questions, handed out flyers and had a large portfolio of Lord Eirik Andersen’s pictures to be looked at, as well as copies of Ardchreag’s Newcomer’s Handbook. Across from them, Lord Hamish Gunn and his young daughter Jordan spread out a blanket and laid out books about various medieval subjects and a carved Galbraith horn.

Master Rufus of Sewell also spread a blanket on the ground, where he displayed chain mail and weaving. Beside him was another table, at which Colin of Greenhithe, Lady Naja Kesali Orekh and Lord Ludwig von Eisengrim spread out chain mail, weaving and other crafts. Next to them Lord Normand Hauberkker had a table also displaying chain mail, and other crafts. Lady Eithne bjarnsdottir and Glynis of Ardchreag wandered the site, talking to visitors.

The line of exhibits then turned away from the library wall, to where Lady Unnr of Eoforwic and Lord James of Eoforwic had their blanket, upon which they sat and played music or taught arts and sciences. Next to them was another tent, under which Lord Serion d’Ivri and Lady Ayla d’Ivri stood watch over several other arts and sciences displays, including illumination, shoe making and naalbinding.

The final A&S tent was a large canvas shade, under which Lord Berend van der Eych and Lady Mahault van der Eych had set up an armouring shop, with pieces of armour n display, and the chance for visitors to actually dish some armour.

To finish things of there was the Lists, upon which Lord Iago della Zagatto, Lady Dagmar halvdan, Lady þorfinna gráfeldr, Snaebjorn sverðsbrjótr, Rattanicus, Baron Sir Siegfried Brandbeorn, and Lord Thorulfr smithr battled throughout the day under the eye of Laird Colyne Stewart, who acted as King of Arms and List Minister. The fighters battled not just each other but the searing heat as they met over a barricade painted with the knightly virtues, fought in a grand melee and worked their way through two tournaments. After the barrier fighting, Colyne handed out tokens to the crowd that they could present to their fighter of choice. The most popular recipient was the dashing Sir Siegfried, with many young maidens giving him their tokens. In the final tournament of the day, each fighter picked a member of the crowd to fight for. Sir Siegfried, having won, presented his inspiration with three metal cups. Sir Siegfried himself, as winner of the earlier tournament, was presented a wooden box from the hands of about two dozen eager youngsters.

Thanks go out to Naja, Tarian and Colyne for donating the tokens and prizes. Many of the fighters distributed the tokens they had won amongst the attendees, and at least one young girl was heard to say she needed a chain for it because she would wear it forever.

In between battles, dances were had in the Lists, and the young ones got to fight with boffer swords and talk to the fighters with awed looks in their faces.

Estimates place the crowd at about two hundred people, and the Welcome table quickly ran out of recruitments flyers, so hopefully our game will soon be enriched by some new eager recruits. It had been—all agreed while later cooling down and eating fudgesicles—a very good day.