The Barony of Rhydderich Hael will be hosting a Celebration of Life Demo on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 at West Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201, near the corner of Porter Ave. (371 West is the nearest street address for maps searches.)
There is no cost to the event.
The event is to honor those that we have lost since the beginning of the epidemic, from COVID or otherwise, since many of us were unable to meet. This is a Celebration of Life, so no eulogies, just fun and merry making.
The event is a demo open to the public. Fencing and heavy fighting will occur, as well as A&S displays and possibly singing.
Autocrat: Abdul Al-Rashid, 2924 Stony Point Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072.
Greetings!! THL Thalia Papillon here, Gazette editor and proud inhabitant of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, continuing with the tradition of populace in focus. Our Kingdom is a vast and wonderful place filled with many great people, but how many of these people do you see event after event and have never met, or maybe wondered more about?
This is open to the entire Kingdom and is not limited by rank, position, or time in the SCA. There is no deadline, when I have articles, I will post articles. I am also interested in interviewing couples, households, fighting units, or any other element that makes up the Kingdom. Even if you don’t live in the Kingdom anymore, but still call Æthelmearc home in your heart? We would love to hear from you too.
If you are interested in being interviewed, please contact me (information below) and I will send you a series of questions to answer. When completed return the answers to me. Please include at least three to four photos to use in the article. One should be a good profile picture. Answers with no photos will not be published.
The Society is a place for children of all ages to take on a myriad of project in the arts and sciences, and certainly there is a number of places online and in books, magazines, and handouts where I’ve found projects galore.
But where does a caregiver go to find projects that are worthy of entering in an A&S competition, without creating too much stress for all participants, while successfully obtaining materials readily and cheaply?
The good news is there are plenty of places from which to get ideas without breaking the bank; the better news is that there is such variety within those categories that no one has to repeat anything that’s been done before. With an open mind and ready sources of inspiration, all kids can enter an A&S competition and bring new information to the table for everyone to enjoy.
Block Printing
One of the easiest methods of creating patterns, block printing uses a shape created from some carveable/cuttable material and transfers ink or paint onto fabric, paper, or other material like a stamp. The block, made of wood, linoleum, rubber, foam or even a potato, creates the stamp from which the ink will transfer the design. Block printing is traditionally Asian with the concept predating paper. In India, block printing is used to transfer patterns onto fabric which is then made into clothing. By the 1300s, it would appear that block printing reached Europe and, according to one paper, block print designs were used for children’s clothes, thereby making clothing, linens for household, wall hangings, and paper products all appropriate entries for any child to put into an A&S competition.
Designs for repeated patterns can be simple: Circles, plus signs or Xs, flowers, spirals or geometric designs, stars, and so on. For singular stamps, more intricate designs can help create book pages, fabric art for tablecloths or napkins, or designs for art squares to display on walls. Another useful project is to place single printed pieces on cardstock for holidays or birthdays, or as largess for thank-yous from the Crown.
Clay
Quite possible one of the easiest mediums for most hands large and small, there are also a lot of different ideas that clay can accommodate. Pottery is a popular way to go, and certainly the number of pieces from all regions of the world can allow a budding young artist to pick and choose their subject matter. All cups, bowls, and saucers are useful and can be put together for a child’s first feast gear, or as gifts to give to others.
When it comes to period styles, a little Google can go a long way. For example: one can start here for English Medieval pottery examples, and then they can move on to more specific shapes, sizes, and mixes. In the Middle East and Eastern traditions, there are a number of varieties of bowls, tea cups, and jars to peruse and copy. Or one can research tiles.
With a couple of squares of clay hardening, a kid can let their imagination run wild with this resource that connects to several books all about different styles of tiles of the Middle Ages. Tiles are also not only pretty and decorative, but lovely gifts and great ways of showing techniques and styles in a competition.
But clay can be used for so much more. One key use is as game pieces for a variety of medieval games. Roman Dux and even chess pieces can be created with clay. Also, rather than allowing a child to play with real bones, clay can be manipulated to create a set of knucklebones, the first dice. Dice themselves came in a wide variety of materials.
In addition, runestones are popular, as well as Chinese dominos. Clay tablets were used for writing as well as for creating prayers that were left at temples as offerings. The abacus can be created using small clay donuts as the counters. For other projects, clay can be broken down into pieces to make safe mosaic tiles, and clay can also be used as the material base into which the child presses mosaic tiles. Finally, clay makes for great counterweights for scales, construction projects, and STEM experiments that are medieval or ancient in nature, like the groma or a scale.
Clay can help make masks used in theater performances such as what’s seen in
Roman times or in Asian cultures. If not making the mask itself, clay is a great mold for applying papier-mâché (also period) in order to make funerary molds, coffins, death masks, helmets, doll heads, and so on.
Woodworking/Leatherworking
This is more for the older kids, especially when it comes to knives and other sharp implements of destruction, but can be very rewarding—leather was used for all sorts of containers, accessories, with a number of household applications.
Wood was used for everything at one point in Europe, so much so that entire forests were denuded. Pieces of balsa can also be used to make fans, in miniatures and model making (see later), and for containers of all sorts. Sticks and reeds from out in the wild are useful for everything from measurements, to weapons, to hats and baskets. Larger pieces of wood can be used to carve dolls.
Cooking/Recipe Redaction
Cooking is one of the great ways to get a kid involved with history. When I was
homeschooling my first child, we got a great book from the library that was all about cuisine from other countries, called “Cooking Up World History.” None of the recipes are particularly complicated or involve hard-to-find ingredients. I’ve seen other historical/cultural recipes in other books about history and highly recommend you look around.
In addition, there are a number of “medicinal” recipes for external remedies that kids can redact and show others, such as soapmaking. Another example would be “cold cream” for which Galen was said to invent one of the first recipes. Even henna requires a recipe.
Other examples include honeyed or syrupy dates, butter, hummus varieties, red bean soup, Roman sweet cakes, or handmade soap. Seriously, anything can be turned into a recipe redaction, and Google is your friend for reading ancient recipes by Nostradamus, Pliny the Elder, or Henricus Institor. Through information from Wikipedia and Google, you can find digitized copies of the very first printed cookbook, De honesta voluptate, from 1480.
Weaving
Loom weaving can be achieved using sticks (set up as an open frame) or cardboard for a frame while the warp and weft is created with yarn, thread, or fabric strips. Reeds and sticks can help create basketry of all sorts. Cardboard can also be used for Kumihimo, a Japanese form of weaving that creates fantastic woven ropes for all sorts of projects. Fingerloop weaving is still a valid project. Although tablet weaving requires a more intricate set-up, it isn’t difficult, according to Coblaith Muimnech, who talks about it and many other kid-related activities in detail with complete instructions here.
Sewing and Embroidery
Young children of old were taught to embroider at a young age and it seems that those ideas still work well today. Whether sewing up a stuffie of some sort to decorating a napkin or piece of linen as a favor, there are many patterns that look great and are relatively easy for most kids. In addition, thrift stores can supply an endless cheap supply of cotton squares and other pieces of fabric and sewing notions. Other easy projects include a pillow, a chemise or T-tunic, or maybe a Jorvik cap, with or without embroidery.
Herbal/Apothecary/Aromatherapy
Although making Galen’s cold cream or an herbal tisane used for coughs is in some kids’ wheelhouses, most won’t be as interested in medicines. Thankfully, my research in plants and apothecaries has opened a whole other rabbit hole: aromatherapy. Medieval society was totally into the idea that certain scents created medicinal or magical responses, as well as an entire trade for herbs and spices from all over to excite the senses. I first started making little herbal pillows based on Cunningham’s magical herbs texts, but then applied the same ideas to in-period concepts, helping kids make their own scented sachets using whatever made them feel good. Herbal sachets can be readily made by taking a square or circle of cloth and adding in whatever herbs and spices you have lying around the house. Add a bit of pillow stuffing, tie it up, and you have a wearable or carry-able herbal sachet just like days of old.
In addition, there is a load of traditions in medieval culture involving household (i.e. stuff you can obtain in any grocery or discount store) herbs and spices such as gift-giving, containers, scented pomanders and linen ideas, and other projects that are readily researched and reproduced, some of which I discuss further in my Herbal and Apothecary Newsletters, found here.
Model Making/Miniatures
The one aspect of A&S that I feel kids would love is making models—these could be either miniature buildings or small models of devices that once existed. I got this idea from a book I picked up called “The Encyclopedia of Ancient History”, which has a number of projects throughout on different cultures. One of them is a cardboard replica of a Chinese wheelbarrow invented about 100 AD. It is fascinating, easily replicated in miniature, and such projects open up a whole world of ideas for A&S competition.
I’ve seen reproductions in miniature of the Parthenon, Pyramids, Japanese structures and gardens, and so on. In addition, recreating such interesting devices as boats and ships, Archimedes screws and bronze cannons, water or candle clocks, or siege towers and merchant wagons is about as awesome as any miniature catapult or trebuchet. There has been some great miniature work on creating single rooms, such as the parlor or dining room of a Victorian house, and it makes sense that a kid can attempt to recreate a scene from any number of illuminated sources. For example, I took the idea of the apothecary from a source:
And reproduced it here:
Art and Illumination
Paintings are everywhere and there are numerous in-period styles that can be
examined and replicated, and all caretakers need is a visit to a local craft store or big-box store for a pack of gouache paints, some brushes, and a couple of stretched canvases or pieces of nice paper. Should the child become more involved, then more involved supplies can be obtained through the internet.
When it comes to a project, the sky’s the limit: a young person can do calligraphy & illumination for scrolls, a modern song or an illuminated letter, or perhaps their name in calligraphy. I picked up a number of in-period pieces to copy by googling “medieval illumination” and the subject in which I was interested, so “winter”, “queen”, “the letter P”, for example.
Weapons
Kids can start fighting in heavy weapons and rapier combat when they turn six. They can certainly start working on their own kits, decorating them any way they want, and it is absolutely an arts and science worthy of competition. Examples include painting their own shields, designing their own armor, or creating a period fencing buckler.
In addition, archery and thrown weapons can be started as soon as they show safety on the range—my five-year-old was allowed to try her hand throwing an axe, although she wasn’t really safe enough to continue. She’ll learn. At any rate, hand-fletching arrows, making a quiver or even an axe sheath would be a great project.
Music/Bardic
I highly encourage folks to let kids be noisy, either playing music on instruments or singing at the tops of their lungs. Same goes for the SCA. We should be encouraging music and dance every chance we get for kids because they’re the ones that most freely enjoy it. Back in medieval times, people danced and sang because it was an expression of freedom; today’s peeps (yes, not all, but a large portion) have so many venues of entertainment that we’ve put our own dancing and singing on pause. Through the kids we can get a little of that excitement back.
Reading music is a little more difficult for little ones, but Youtube is your friend for listening and copying singers until they have all the words down to any number of in-period songs. Sure, that seems vague, but I’ve watched my five-year-old pick up an entire folk song, in a completely different language, that she liked simply by watching it on repeat. Kids are ridiculous.
This goes for cheap instruments. I’ve gotten my daughter two doumbeks, two recorders, one tin whistle, a ukulele, and we borrowed/stole an electronic keyboard from my brother. Most pieces I found for cheap/free. There’s a guitar waiting for her when she gets a little bigger.
Competitions should overlook modern instruments, especially for children, as long as they are a modern version of an old one. Given the use for “filk” as an SCA experience, it’s easy enough to create music for kids to play and sing based off of modern songs in tablature. Nursery rhymes that are considered in-period include “To Market, To Market” and “Ding Dong Bell.”
The Competition
Æthelmearc has a pretty good Rubric for judging all participants on an equal scale, but some conversations with Midrealm’s Vigilant SæhildR barngóðR (aka Baroness Silly), Kingdom A&S Minister and creator of the It Takes My Child to Raze a Village event, show that there are many ways of creating competitions for children.
“The current Age Divisions for competition are: Duckling (6 years and Under), I (7-9 years), II (10-12 years), III (13-17 years), and Adult (18+). Participants of all ages fill out a form to share about their entry and learn some basics of SCA A&S documentation.
The first time we held the A&S Competition, a five-year-old stole the show with his “Tun-ip Soup” and the populace only got three beans for voting. Now we have a chart that rewards people who have been recognized in the Arts and Sciences with more beans (trusting their expertise!).”
Certainly, children should be encouraged to enter A&S more often, which leads to:
The Order of the Silver Sycamore
I have seen ONE of these awards given out. We should be giving these out like candy. Children should be given awards, because once they hit a certain age, they’re done. So, there’s no reason to hold these in reserve. Give ‘em to all the kids!
Fall 2022 Æcademy and War College will be held in 2 parts:
The Shire of Abhain Caich Ghlais is hosting an in-person Æcademy and War College on November 12, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church and the Hughesville Fire Hall in Hughesville, PA.
Greetings! Unto the Populace of Æthelmearc, it is with great anticipation, that in one month we, Arnthor and Ceirech, Crown Prince and Princess, shall ascend the thrones of Æthelmearc. As the duty of the Crown to find and establish Heirs, we declare a glorious Crown Tournament to be held on October 8th, AS 57, in our Barony of Endless Hills to identify gentles to succeed us upon the thrones.
All combatants and their consorts must be citizens of Æthelmearc, and all consorts must be present throughout the tournament. All shields must be spannable from the armpit and held by the fingertips. Letters of intent must be submitted to us by September 8th (30 days prior to the tournament). You may submit a letter to us by email, or by using the online form. Letters should include full contact information for combatant and consort, authorization and membership cards, mundane age, and SCA and mundane names. Combatant couples are encouraged and should be clearly indicated in the letter. We look forward to a day of pageantry and chivalrous combat to determine Our Heirs!
Monica Gaudio / Illadore de Bedgrayne
Kingdom Seneschal
Æthelmearc
Mistress Sadira leading a weedwalk in the Barony of Thescorre. Photo by Baroness Katja
The Weedwalks are a long-standing tradition at the Pennsic War: every morning at 10 a.m. class-goers can meet up with a teacher and walk around Pennsic getting a lesson in the local vegetation.
Because the teacher changes with each day, a student can find different plants, a different location, or different information depending on the teacher.
The Pennsic Weedwalks as they are today are operated by Master Emrys Eustace, known as “Broom” (Joe Marfice) and Mistress Sadira bint Wassouf (Patricia Chakalis). Sadira is the queen of all things botanical, and although not the first to lead weedwalks at Pennsic, her incarnation is the longest surviving.
Master Broom
“I originally learned from a man called Whitefeather, who may have been the first to do official weedwalks at Pennsic. My first Pennsic was #11 (1982) and as I recall there were two classes: Water-bearing/Chirurgeon training or battles and the weedwalk. (Not sure if there were others or if these were the only two I wanted to attend). I began leading walks after a person from another state led a walk, making several serious misidentifications.”
“I was ever so grateful when Master Broom started organizing the consortium, because I had done weedwalks for quite a few years before that and was feeling the strain of huge groups of people who wanted more.”
Master Broom agrees. “I only took over from her when she was getting tired of doing many daily walks, and then mundane matters took her away from Pennsic.” Later, Master Broom organized the weedwalks into a consortium with multiple teachers. He insists, “I am merely the organizer; (the teachers) all are the reason the Weed Walks exist.”
Sadira loved it: “I came back in 2014 to this lovely consortium and all their creativity. What a gift!”
Other teachers have included Raziya bint Rusa (Elizabeth Burdick), Juliane Bechaumpe (Ann Fairhurst), Rue (Jen Sadler), and Layla Al-Zarqa (Kelley Morgan).
Documented from the Rolls and Files of the Coram Regibus of Thomas Byron II Rex and Ariella II Regina, King, and Queen of Æthelmearc: Being a True Record of the Business of Their Royal Court at the Bog Three-Day Event, 16 July, Anno Societatis LVII, in the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog. As recorded by Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres, Meistr-y-gân, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald, assisted by Drotinn jǫrundr hinn rotinn, Silver Buccle Herald, with the assistance of Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir, Silent Herald, and Lady Magdalena Txoperena.
In the morning, Their Majesties summoned Lord Arvik Hyttoinen, seneschal of the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog. Their Majesties confirmed that a duly conducted election had yielded a result, and heirs had been selected, and Lord Arvik affirmed this to be the case. Their Majesties then called for Baron Gunther Grunbaum and Baroness Rois o Fayh to inquire of Their Excellencies whether they were prepared to pass the baronial thrones to another worthy couple. Their Excellencies begged leave to conduct one final court before giving up their coronets, and finding this boon to be in order, Their Majesties allowed it.
Following their final court, of Baron Gunther and Baroness Rois presented themselves before the Crown, who thanked them for their faithful stewardship, received back the Baronial coronets, and released them into their well-deserved retirement. Lest the Bog thrones sit empty any longer than necessary, Their Majesties welcomed Lord Jean Pierre dit la Barbe Rousseand Lady Caterine de Troyes into Their Court. Upon receiving their oaths of fealty, Their Majesties placed the cattail coronets upon their brows, granting each of them Arms as the seventh Baron and Baroness of St. Swithin’s Bog, and further gave them leave to open a brief court.
During this Baronial Court, Their Majesties discovered that Baron Gunther and Baroness Rois had left something important behind. Their Majesties therefore recalled Their Excellencies to return their celebratory cocktails…and to invest each with the coronet of Court Barony. Scrolls by The Honorable Lord Sasson de Sancta Victoria.
There being no further business at that time, Court was suspended.
In the evening, Their Majesties invited Logan to lead the other youth of the kingdom in pursuit of toys to amuse them during Court.
Their Majesties then welcomed all the newcomers with cups. Thereafter, Their Majesties gave leave to
Their Excellencies of St. Swithin’s Bog to continue their Baronial court.
At the conclusion of Baronial Court, Their Majesties allowed Baron Snorri skyti Bjarnarsson to recognize Mary of Hartford’s shooting that day and invite her to hold the Bow of State.
Next, Their Majesties entreated the outgoing Queen’s Rapier Champion, Don Markus skalpr Grimsson, to recount the events of the tournament that day. One stood victorious over all others, and thus, Her Majesty invited Lord Robert MacEwin of Thornhill, to take up the regalia of the Champion, and to occupy his place at Her side–starting with the Pennsic half-marathon. Scroll illuminated by Lady Donatella da Fano with calligraphy by Mistress Cynthia Love of the Tower upon wording by The Honorable Lord Kenn the Just and Lady Katerina de la Marne.
Their Majesties also wished to recognize the efforts of one fencer who distinguished himself upon the field. So impressed was Her Majesty that She decreed it unjust were Ferruccio Camino to go another day without being raised to the nobility. With admiration for his skill and appreciation for the enthusiasm with which he has thrown himself into the Society, They Awarded him Arms. Scroll forthcoming.
Their Majesties next sought Katrina Beese. Recognizing her helpfulness and service to others, and most especially to the Crown, they saw fit to name her a Companion of the Silver Buccle. Scroll by Master Christofano Vecchione.
Their Majesties then summoned Lord Jacen Teague. Noting his skill and artistry in leatherwork, both practical and decorative, clothes, accessories, and beyond, they were pleased to induct him into Their Order of the Sycamore. Scroll illuminated by Baron Gunther Grunbaum with calligraphy and wording by Baroness Rois o fayh.
Next, Their Majesties desired to see Lord Ulf of the Wee Horn. Where many saw the suspension of in-person activities as an impediment, Their Majesties noted that Lord Ulf had seen it as an opportunity to practice. For this and his dedication to building his skills, they were minded making him a Companion of the Golden Alce. Scroll by The Honorable Lady Rachel Daliceaux.
Their Majesties also sought Lord Madoc MacRoyri. Once again, Their Majesties noted Lord Madoc’s service to the arena of thrown weapons, including setting up and marshalling ranges, and his skill and accuracy. For these reasons, they were pleased to name him a Companion of the Golden Alce. Scroll: illumination by Baron Caleb Reynolds, calligraphy by Master Iago Benitez, and words by Lady Elizabeth Rosamond.
Their Majesties then invited Master Robert O’Connor to join Them, to remind him of his many years of hospitality and service as a host and master of ceremonies for the 100 Beers War among many other receptions both official and unofficial. For his gift at making others welcomed and attended, and for spreading joy and making the parties of Æthelmearc renowned through the Known World, Their Majesties were pleased to induct him into the Order of the Howling Wolf. Scroll by The Honorable Lady Racel Daliceaux upon wording by Master Alaric MacConnal.
Their Majesties received Lord Bjorn inn digri, who had been called from the kitchen. They remarked that this seemed appropriate, since he is almost always to be found cooking for others, when he is not photographing courts. For this joy in service, Their Majesties felt it mete and proper to name him a Companion of the Order of the Keystone. Scroll in wood pyrography by Lord Arvik Hyttoinen upon calligraphy and wording by Lady Ragnhilda Manadottir.
Next, Their Majesties had need to bring Master Kieran MacRae before them. His Majesty spoke of the compact He and Master Kieran had entered recently, and of how Their Majesties were pleased to be the ones to summon Their Noble Order of the Gage to acclaim and induct him among their number. Scroll (With glow-in-the-dark details!) by Baroness Ekaterina Volkova.
Their Majesties also desired to be attended by Don Simon Caminante. Their Majesties noted His Lordship’s dedication to the rapier community, including cut-and-thrust, marshaling, and serving the marshallate and maintaining websites for rapier combat. For this long service, they agreed with the Noble Order of the Millrind to make him their newest Companion. Scroll by The Honorable Lady Gesa von Wellenstein upon words by Baron Caleb Reynolds.
At this time, Their Majesties required that Lord Ulf Bareleg relieve them of a quantity of bottles, which They thought he might be able to use. On the chance that he might need additional incentive to fill them, Their Majesties entreated Their Noble Order of the Fleur D’Æthelmearc forward, so that they might add their own endorsement to his efforts. Their Majesties thus Granted Arms to His Lordship Ulf and named him a Companion of the Order. Scroll by illuminated by Posadnitsa Zaritsa Zavodchikovna and calligraphed by Sir Murdoch Bayne.
Following this, Their Majesties called Baron Salvadore de la Torres before the throne. Declaring that His Excellency’s prowess, eagerness, service, and courtesy speak for themselves, Their Majesties nevertheless, informed His Excellency that others had also spoken, and that Their Majesties found those words worth heeding. Thus, they summoned Their Noble Order of the White Scarf to join Them, and Her Majesty tied upon His Excellency’s arm the emblem of a Companion of that Order. Thereafter, Their Majesties also received His Excellency’s oath of fealty. Scroll wording by His Majesty Byron, translation and illumination by Princess Leah.
Their Majesties then brought Master Donnan MacDubhsidhe into the Presence. Noting his longevity of service, his steadfast dedication to his group and to the rapier community, his service as the first rapier warlord, and his labor over years and years to form and grow the Æthelmearc rapier army. In recognition of this singular accomplishment to the benefit of the kingdom, Their Majesties were pleased to make him a Baron of the Court. Scroll by The Honorable Lady Gesa von Wellenstein upon words by Duchess Dorinda Courtenay.
Next, Their Majesties had words for The Honorable Lord Guillaume le Noir. These words concerned not only his prowess but his honor, his presence on the field, his exemplary conduct, and his embodiment of all that should be present in the pinnacle of Society. They then invited the Most Noble Order of the Chivalry to join Them, whereupon Count Alric of the Mists took back His Lordship’s squire’s belt, that he might go forth free from bonds of fealty to His Excellency. Their Majesties then decreed that His Lordship should answer Their Majesties’ Writ, to appoint a time and place to sit in contemplation and hold vigil whether he should accept the accolade of peerage. Scroll by Master Kieran MacRae.
Their Majesties invited Dame Caroline of Burgundy before the throne and shared with her Their knowledge of her value to the rapier community, the countless students she has trained, her selfless dedication to furthering the art of the sword, her service as a marshal, and her prowess, which demand that further honors be afforded. Thus, Their Majesties called for the members of the Most Noble Order of Defense to take Dame Caroline into their care, that they might counsel her and that she might choose a day to return with her answer regarding induction as a Master of Defense. Scroll by Amalie Reinhardt with words by Master Po “Some Guy in a Hat” Silvertop.
Their Majesties then found they had need again of Baroness Rois o fayh. Her Excellency, despite overseeing the kitchen, answered the Crown’s summons with joy, prepared to serve. Their Majesties were hardly surprised by this, for in fact, Her Excellency’s service and love of service and willingness to serve had been noted by many, over many years. Upon declaring these observations to be truthful and accurate, and finding Her Excellency’s actions altogether worthy of praise, Their Majesties requested to be joined by the Most Noble Order of the Pelican to continue to bear witness, to offer their counsel, and to conduct Her Excellency upon a date of her choosing to her vigil, so that she might contemplate elevation into their circle of Peerage. Scroll illumination by Mistress Cynthia Love of the Tower, calligraphy by Dame Vivienne Marie de Beauvais, and words by Mistress Aelfra Long.
Her Majesty recognized Baron Leo Dietrich, for His Excellency’s performance in the fencing list and his honor and courtesy on and off the field. Her Majesty praised His Excellency’s efforts to transfer his heavy weapons skills to those of the rapier and presented him with Her token.
Their Majesties then entreated the scribes to come forward for recognition and thanks in the form of additional supplies to continue their art.
His Majesty reminded all that this will be the last gathering as a Kingdom before the advent of War. He expressed His wish that all assemble upon those fields, not only to demonstrate the dominance of the forces of Æthelmearc in defense of our fields, but the legendary hospitality and kindness of the Sylvan
Lands, as they become the hosts of the Known World.
There being no further business, Court was closed.
How did you find out about the SCA? In Middle School, by my teacher who was in the SCA who hosted the school’s annual History Faire. As a 7th Grader I created my own chainmail for my medieval “Garb”, and that was when He recommended me the SCA.
Where did you start, what was your first event? February 2014, Barony of Calafia, Kingdom of Caid (San Diego, CA). First event was a Sunday Fighter Practice where I was able to suit up and fight.
What is your persona? 14th Century Timurid Empire “Gurkaniyan-u-Turan” (Medieval Uzbekistan). A Islamic Mongol Successor State founded by Emir Timur Gurkani “Tamerlane”, 6 generations after Genghis Khan.
Why did you pick this persona? Originally my persona was Kievan Rus, but many times people kept commenting how they love my “Samurai / Mongolian Armor”. So out of humor & spite I doubled down to go for a Mongolian persona, “Going full Mongol!” I would say. Over time I settled with the Timurid Empire for its rich & unique history.
Do you have any group or household affiliations? Corvus Warband; from the Barony of Calafia, Kingdom of Caid.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA: Outside the SCA I like hiking, nature walking, & running. And like many young folks I play video games, watch anime, and paint miniatures.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in? Heavy Fighting first & foremost, and recently getting invested into Rapier fighting and Archery.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.): I have been and currently am the Deputy social media Officer for the Barony of Calafia (San Diego, CA) and the Shire of Coppertree (Rome, NY) respectively. I would run and manage the Group Instagram accounts, taking pictures and videos of events and posting them online.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? My starting, and still current goal is to achieve Knighthood in the Order of Chivalry.
What are your goals now? To promote the SCA to the younger generation, and to inspire them to join our community and family.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA? Particularly in Heavy Fighting, the most intimidating thing is controlling your emotions, your Ego. Always be humble when you know you have lossed and never express hubris whenever you win. When we all don the Helmet and enter the field; there is always a greater opponent to fight and there is something new to learn.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA? With the shutdown nearly uplifted, I have returned to traveling and fighting again. It has been back-to-back events across New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maine.
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?
“Do not ever think that you are not good enough: You’re fighting was not good enough in the battles, your garb or armor is not of good quality, you are not contributing enough to your group or the SCA at large; and never be afraid to seek assistance. Your presence in attending and your commitment in improving yourself in any capacity at any pace is all that matters. We are reminded of ourselves when we first began, and we would be more than honored to assist you in any way we can.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? Blacksmithing or calligraphy.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why? I would say the 1960’s, from A.S. 1-10. It would be interesting to see the origins of the SCA in person and to see its growth.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? The award I seek to achieve is Knighthood into the Order of Chivalry. For many Fighters we walk the Warrior’s Path: the years of training & learning, and the hundreds of opponents we fight in battle. The White Belt of a Knight is not only the symbol of the martial prowess, knowledge, and wisdom that a Fighter has achieved, but it also represents the duty that a Fighter has in aiding and teaching other Fighters along their own journey on the Warrior’s Path.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? It is always great to see more young individuals joining the SCA, attending events, and volunteering or running positions.
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