Greetings Good Gentles,

The Chroniclers of the Known World are producing wonderful publications that add so much to each canton, barony, and Kingdom, as well as our Society as a whole. Every group from the smallest shire to the biggest Kingdom brought forth so much information, entertainment, knowledge, and light in a rather dark world, writers, artists, photographers, cartoonists, and others all working together to brighten our lives and increase our knowledge and awareness. There were so many wonderful articles, poems, short stories, and more. The list goes on and on.

The William Blackfox Awards nominees were such a joy for me to go through. If you have not been reading your group newsletters, now is a good time to start! Also, please make your own contributions to your newsletters and you may someday see your name and work in this list. Recipients of this prestigious award will receive a Master William Blackfox token (newly designed for this year), a certificate, and the right to use “Master William Blackfox Award Winner (or also, Commendation or nominee), [category], AS LV (56)” in their newsletters with the Blackfox logo.

Special thanks to my judges, Asta and Riordan, who assisted me in the choosing of the A.S. 56 William Blackfox Awards winners. Also, big shout-out to Patrice for designing and producing the new Blackfox award medallions. I am indebted to you all. And now, with no further ado, I present the Master William Blackfox Awards for A.S. 56! Well done, everyone!

With thanks,

Cecilia Blythe, OP

Society Chronicler

Best Overall Newsletter: This does not necessarily mean the best-looking newsletter, but rather the newsletter which best meets the needs of the local group or guild for which it is published. It should accurately reflect the status of the group and be a valuable tool for growth and promotion of SCA goals and ideals. This title is awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.

Winner: Artemesia: The Moose Call, Barony of Arn Hold; Chronicler: Ambrose Norwich

Commendation: East: The Østgarðr E-Horse, Crown Province of Østgarðr; Chronicler: Zahra al-Andaluzia

Also Nominated: Ansteorra: The Plume, Barony of Namron; Chronicler: Frú Sigriðr in kyrra

An Tir: Wealdsmere Watch, Barony of Wealdsmere; Chronicler: Arnora Grimsdottir

Atenveldt: Palm Prints, Barony of Atenveldt; Chronicler: Auelyn Spyle Syngere, Susanna Broughton

Atlantia: The Mountain Mayhem, Barony of Hidden Mountain; Chronicler: Bran Mydwynter

Caid: The Serpent’s Tongue, Barony of Calafia; Chronicler: Kyra Audax

Drachenwald: Baelfyr, Principality of Insulae Draconis; Chronicler: Lucrezia-Isabella di Freccia

Ealdormere: The Clarion, Barony of Ben Dunfirth; Chronicler: Meredyth Llwellyn

Gleann Abhann: A Sealion’s Tale, Barony of Seleone; Chronicler: Ellyn Heath of Hemingford Grey

Lochac: From the Tower, Barony of Southron Gaard; Chronicler: Joana de Bairros

Meridies: Seasons Spring, Kingdom of Meridies Supplemental; Chronicler: Bronwen O Gydweli

Northshield: Song of the Tower, Barony of Caer Anterth Mawr; Chronicler: Arnbjørn Karlsson

West: Tempus Nebularum, Principality of the Mists; Chronicler: Moira of Kent and Urtatim al [1]Qurtubiyya bint ‘abd al-Karim al-hakam al-Fassi

Best Layout and Design: For the best-looking newsletter in balance and style. Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.

Winner: Gleann Abhann: A Sealion’s Tale, Barony of Seleone; Chronicler: Ellyn Heath of Hemingford Grey

Commendation: Ansteorra: The Thorny Truth, Shire of Rosenfeld; Chronicler: Jessimond of Emerickeskepe

Also Nominated: Artemesia: The Moose Call, Barony of Arn Hold; Chronicler: Ambrose Norwich

Caid: The Dreiburgen News, Barony of Dreiburgen; Chronicler: Tracy the Gray

Drachenwald: Aarniwalcea, Barony of Aarnimetsa; Chronicler: Johanna aff Hucka

Ealdormere: The Clarion, Barony of Ben Dunfirth; Chronicler: Meredyth Llwellyn

East: Wyrm Words, Barony of L’Ile du Dragon Dormand; Chronicler: Nathalie Bisaillon

Meridies: The Equinox, Barony of Sol Haven; Chronicler: Bronwen O Gydweli

Middle: Thunderbolt, Barony of Andlecrag; Chronicler: Vinca Tavia

Northshield: The Crystal Quill, Barony of Nordskogen; Chronicler: Rosanore of Redthorn

Best Artwork: For artwork on cover or interior of the newsletter. Awarded to the newsletter and the artist.

Winner: Drachenwald: Artist: Richard of Salesberie; Cover art “Dragon Recovery”; Baelfyr, Principality of Insulae Draconis; Chronicler: Lucrezia-Isabella di Freccia

Commendation: Lochac: Artist: Isabel Maria de Aguila and Scott Astill; Cover – The Baronial Arms Soteltie at Baronial Anniversary; From the Tower, Barony of Southron Gaard; Chronicler: Joana de Bairros

Also Nominated: Ansteorra: Artist: Emma Farewyll; Cover Header Artwork, April 2022; The Thorny Truth, Shire of Rosenfeld; Chronicler: Jessimond of Emerickeskepe

Artemesia: Artist: Bianca da Ravenna; Original Artwork, “March 1999 after visiting Pine View Reservoir”; The Gryphon’s Roar; Barony of Gryphon’s Lair; Chronicler: Bianca da Ravenna

Atenveldt: Artist: Kolgrima Asgeirsdóttir; Cover “Lady Lagertha Arnfridardottir valiantly defended the Barony and Kingdom at Great Western War”, November 2021; Tusker Times, Barony of Tir Ysgithr; Chronicler: Kolgrima Asgeirsdóttir

Atlantia: Artist: Scholastica Joycors; artwork throughout The Yeoman; Barony of Bright Hills; Chronicler: Scholastica Joycors

Caid: Artist: Niksha Zerkal’nikov; Cover Illustration; Angels – Fall 2021 Seraph “To War”; Barony of the Angels; Chronicler: Catherine Hawkwood da Barbiano

Middle: Artist: Armand de Charterus; Drawn & Quartered – July 2021; Thunderbolt, Barony of Andlecrag; Chronicler: Vinca Tavia

Best Special Issue: For Arts & Sciences issues or other limited-focus issues of a geographic group (canton, shire, barony, etc.). Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.

Winner: Ansteorra: The Nordic Saga, Barony of Northkeep; Special Issue dedicated to the celebration of the annual Northkeep Castellan event; Chronicler: Hanim Zubeydah al-Badawiyyah

Commendation: N/A

Also Nominated: Artemesia: The Gryphon’s Roar, Barony of Gryphon’s Lair; Special Issue celebrating 15th Anniversary of the Barony; Chronicler: Bianca da Ravenna (outside of A.S. 56)

Best Special Interest Newsletter:  This category recognizes guild newsletters, research newsletters, and Arts & Science focus newsletters (such as lacemaking). Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.

Winner: Meridies: Penfeathers, Courage and Justice, Kingdom Children’s Newsletter; Chronicler: Jane Wolfden

Commendation: Æthelmearc: Apothecary and Herbal Newsletter, December 2021, Guild; Chronicler: Rue

Also Nominated: Ansteorra: Graywinds, April 2022, Shire of Graywood; Chronicler: Aine ingen Oitir

Artemesia: The Gryphon’s Roar, Special Edition Supplement 1: Baronial Photo Album; Chronicler: Zalkuubar

Best Regular Feature: For cartoons, articles, columns, etc. which appear regularly in the particular newsletter. Awarded to the creator or feature writer and the newsletter.

Winner: Atlantia: “The Bards Corner”, Author: Scholastica Joycors; The Yeoman, Barony of Bright Hills; Chronicler: Scholastica Joycors

Commendation: AnTir: “Gaming Corner”, Author: Isabella de Walingforde; The Looking Glass, Barony of Glymm Mere; Chronicler: Seumas mac Brehon

Middle: “SCA 101”, Author: Dorothea de Beckham; Spearpoint, Barony of Red Spears. Chronicler: Dorothea de Beckham

Also Nominated: Ansteorra: “The Adventures of Lenny the Liondragon”, Author: Sharon Wells; Liondragon Tales, Province of Moonshadowe; Chronicler: Elsa von Snackenburg

Artemesia: “Army the Moose”, Author: Ambrose Norwich; The Moose Call, Barony of Arn Hold; Chronicler: Ambrose Norwich

Drachenwald: “The Writ and Record”, Author: Nicolas de Estleche; Baelfyr, Principality of Insulae Draconis; Chronicler: Lucrezie-Isabella di Freccia

Ealdormere: “Bear-based Puzzle Games”, Author: Various; The Ursus, Barony of Septentria; Chronicler: Rubeus le Blont

East: “Sudoku”, Author: Unknown; The Iron Monger, Barony of Iron Bog; Chronicler: Pixie of Iron Bog

Lochac: “From the Baron and Baroness”, Author: Margie of Glen More; The Blue Strand, Barony of Kraé Glas; Chronicler: Margie of Glen More

West: “Heraldrydiculous:, Author: Khevron Oktavii Tikhikovich Vorotnikov; The Gatekeeper, Barony of Wintersgate; Chronicler: Merewyn of Ynys Taltraeth

Best Article: Recognizes excellence in articles appearing in a local newsletter. Awarded to the writer and the newsletter.

Winner: Drachenwald: “Sir Gawain’s Green Belt”, Author: Rebecca of Flintheath; Baelfyr, Principality of Insulae Draconis; Chronicler: Lucrezia-Isabella di Freccia

Commendation: Ansteorra: “Luffa Gourd Grown for Sponge”, Author: Tessa of the Gardens; The Trumpeter, Barony of Bordermarch; Chronicler: Nikolai Vladislav

Atenveldt: “Cooking with the Baroness: Soft Cheese”, Author: Valdis Skarpa; Palm Prints, Barony of Atenveldt; Chronicler: Susanna Broughton

West: “A Tablet Weaving Loom on a Budget”, Author: Gisla Œðikollr; The Gatekeeper, Barony of Wintersgate; Chronicler: Merewyn of Ynys Taltraeth

Also Nominated: Artemesia: “A Short History of Braanshem (Hell, I was There)”, Author: Angrim the Unreasonable; The Bronzehelm Watch, Barony of Bronzehelm; Chronicler: Colgrym of Avebury

Caid: “Did You Know….The SCA’s First Twelfth Night”, Author: Ragnailt Inghean Mhaoil Sheachlainn; The Fret Knot, Barony of Altavia; Chronicler: Lynnette de Sandoval del Valle de los Unicornios

Ealdormere: “Supportive Under-Gowns for 16th C. German Women’s Clothing”, Author: Maegwyn Skautibrok; The Clarion, Barony of Ben Dunfirth; Chronicler: Meredyth Llwellyn

Lochac: “Meet Your Officers: Interview with a Seneschal”, Author: Lowry ferch Gwynwynwyn ap Llewelyn and Sorle Maknicoll; Grapevine, Shire of Bordescros; Chronicler: Lowry ferch Gwynwynwyn ap Llewelyn

Middle: “New Year’s Celebrations in Period and Around the World”, Author: Claricia de la Mere; Internebbles, Barony of the Cleftlands; Chronicler: Jolicia atte Northclyfe

Northshield: “History of the Baronial Website”, Author: Arnbjørn Karlsson; Song of the Tower, Barony of Caer Anterth Mawr; Chronicler: Arnbjørn Karlsson

Best Poetry or Short Fiction: Recognizes the author of an outstanding poem or piece of short fiction. Awarded to the writer and the newsletter.

Winner: Caid: “365 Days of Sonnets”, Author: Lucia Traveler; The Baronial Banner Spring 2022, Barony of Starkhafn; Chronicler: Team Chronicler/Alexandra Sinclair

Commendation: Meridies: “True Friendship”, Author: Bronwen O Gydweli; The Equinox, Barony of Sol Haven; Chronicler: Bronwen O Gydweli

Middle: “The Hollowed Ship”, Author: Raedesmann Andreas Blacwode; The Zephyr, Barony of Aerton; Chronicler: Philippa of Otterbourne

West: “An SCA Acrostic”, Author: Bersi Eðvarðarson; Tempus Nebularum, Principality of the Mists; Chronicler: Moira of Kent

Also Nominated: Ansteorra: “Deep in Ansteorra”, Author: Aki Seulf and Agnes Pickel; The Trumpeter, Barony of Bordermarch; Chronicler: Nikolai Vladislav

Artemesia: “Ankharet’s Journal: The Spring Equinox”, Author: Ankharet Verch Meredudd; Silver Keep Citadel, Shire of Silver Keep; Chronicler: Tamsyn Sutherland

Drachenwald: “Boast for Maredudd ap Gwilym arglwyd and Lady Eleanore of Alvechurch”, Author: Ari Mala; The Baelfyr, Principality of Insualae Draconis

Lochac: “Katherine Kerr’s Heartfelt Plea”, Author: Katherine Kerr of the Hermitage; From the Tower, Barony of Southron Gaard; Chronicler: Joana de Bairros

Kingdom Chronicler’s Honorable Mentions: Nominations which didn’t fit into the above categories yet are still deserving of recognition for their exceptional work and/ or dedication to producing the best possible newsletter for the local group served. Recognition of merit given to all of the individual nominees.

Nominated: Artemesia: “William’s Journey”, Author: William Thorsson; Silver Keep Citadel, Shire of Silver Keep; Chronicler: Tamsyn Sutherland

Atlantia: “Today in History”, Author: not provided; The Dredgings, Barony of Lochmere; Chronicler: Katla Flokadottir

Drachenwald: Knightingale, Barony of Knight’s Crossing; Chronicler: Ellisif Gydasdottir

Middle: Andlecrag Newsflash, Barony of Andlecrag; Chronicler: Jessie of Lake Storsjön

KINGDOM NEWSLETTER CATEGORIES

Best Cover for a Kingdom Newsletter: Recognizes the creator of a piece provided for use as the cover of a kingdom newsletter awarded to the artist(s).

Winner: Ansteorra: Eleanor Bonwicke, Illustration: “Black Hours Scroll”; The Black Star, January 2022

Commendation: Atenveldt: Lion Ari Usni, Illustration: “Sigurd and the Wyrm”, Southwind, January 2022

Also Nominated: An Tir: Jacomina van Vossenbrouck, Photograph: Cover Photo; The Crier, January 2022 Artemesia: Domingo ibn maik al-hajari, Photograph: Cover Photo; The Sage Advice, May 2020 (outside of A.S. 56)

Atlantia: Elizabeth de Spaldying and Simon de Spaldying and Ian of Clan Mac Colin and Ulfr Gnagler, Photograph with Artwork: Cover; The Acorn, January 2022

Drachenwald: Jacqueyna & Ærikr, Photograph: “The End is Nigh!”; Dragon’s Tale, December 2021

Ealdormere: Anna Yanka, Illustration: Cover; The Tidings, January 2021 (out of date for A.S. 56)

Gleann Abhann: Danielle de la Roche, Photograph: “Holding Hands at Crown”; The Ambassador, October 2021

Lochac: Kyros Vitalis/Shannon Kaiser, Photograph with Illustration: “Fighting was sorely missed: post-lockdown fun!”; Pegasus, January 2022

Meridies: Alisandre de la Chapelle, Photograph: Cover; Popular Chivalry, February 2022

Best Written Contribution to a Kingdom Newsletter: Recognizes the author of an article, regular or special feature, poem, etc. provided for use by a kingdom newsletter. Awarded to the author.

Winner: An Tir: Eduardo Francesco Maria Lucrezia, “Eat This Book”; The Crier, December 2021

Commendation: Ansteorra: Andrixos Seljukroctonis, “The Birth of Vindheim”; The Black Star, February 2022

Also Nominated: Artemesia: Scholastica, “Sister Scholastica Goes to Canterbury”; The Sage Advice, April 2021 (outside of A.S. 56)

Caid: Beorn of the Northern Sea, “What a Difference a Year Makes”; The Crown Prints, recurring Drachenwald: Aleydis van Vilvoorde, “Knitting a 14th Century Acorn Cap”; Dragon’s Tale, February 2022

Gleann Abhann: Robert the Just, “The Forgotten Master”; The Ambassador, May 2021

Lochac: Karl Faustus von Aachen, “The Story of the Prince and the Badge”; Pegasus, May 2021

Middle: Albreda Ismeria, “Trochaic Rondel for Annelyse van Gavere”; The Pale, September 2021

Northshield: Farolfus filius Richardi, “Less-Common Early Period Persona Roundtable”; The Northwatch, July 2021

Best Artistic Contribution to a Kingdom Newsletter:  Recognizes the artist of artwork or photography used in the interior of a kingdom newsletter awarded to the artist(s).

Winner: Drachenwald: Agnes Adygd, Scroll Showcase Photograph; Dragon’s Tale, July 2021

Commendation: Northshield: Various Artists, “Northshield Fashion Show!”; The Northwatch, December 2021

Also Nominated: AnTir: Eleanor de Bolton, “Tales from the Garden”; The Crier, January 2022

Artemesia: Denise of Amberly, No Title Photograph; The Sage Advice, May 2020 (outside of A.S. 56)