War Practice will be here in less than two monthes, and one of our best activities is we have to offer to the people of Æthelmearc and our guests is an excellent roster ot classes.
There are many talented teachers and artisans in the kingdom who have a great deal to share. If you’ve ever wanted to teach a class, or if you’d like to do a trial run before Pennsic or the next Æcademy, here’s your chance.
If you would like to teach a class, please send me the following information for the website and site booklet:
Name of Teacher
Title of Class
Description of Class (brief, please, 75 words or less)
Class Length
Maximum Number of Students
Age Limit of Students
Fee, if any
Students learning Book Binding from Master Michael Alewright
photo by Mistress Rowena ni Dhonnchaidh
Please include your legal name and e-mail address, and your preferred time for your class, as well as any special requirements you may have. The schedule will be filled on a first-come, first- served basis, so the earlier you volunteer, the more likely it will be that I can accomodate you.
Space is available from 9am-8pm on Friday and 9am-6pm on Saturday in one of three large tents (with tables and chairs), the upper bathhouse (also with tables and chairs, plus electricity and access to water), and the Great Hall.
Documented from the Scrolls of the Reign of Titus and Anna Leigh, King and Queen of Æthelmearc: the Business of Their Court at St. Swithin’s Bog Twelfth Night in the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog January AS 49, accompanied by Their Highnesses Timothy and Gabrielle, Prince and Princess of Æthelmearc, and Their Excellencies Iago and Emilia, Baron and Baroness of St. Swithin’s Bog. As recorded by Their Silver Buccle Herald, Kameshima-kyō Zentarō Umakai, with the assistance of Drotinn Jorundr hinn Rotinn, Golden Alce Herald, and Lord Ian Campbell of Glen Mor.
His Majesty announced that He would be holding a meeting following Court, and any gentles who wished to weigh in with their opinions regarding the recent announcements by the Board of Directors would be welcome.
Their Majesties Granted leave to Their Excellencies Iago and Emilia to hold Their Baronial Court.
Gunnar UlfrBani was Awarded Arms for his skill and service upon the fencing field. Scroll by THL Rois O Faye.
Lord Battista di Lupo Speranza
Battista di Lupo Speranza was Awarded Arms and inducted into the Order of the Golden Alce for constant dedication to both the fencing and rattan communities. Scroll the THL Alianora Bronhulle.
Lord Arvik of St. Swithin’s Bog was created a Companion of the Keystone for service at events and to the thrown weapons community, for serving as Head Cook, and especially for his promotion of thrown weapons to the youth of the Kingdom. Scroll illuminated and calligraphed by THL Ismay Ponde upon wording by Count Sir Jehan de la Marche.
Lord Arvik of St. Swithin’s Bog
Lady Svava of St. Swithin’s Bog was elevated to the Order of the Golden Alce for her constant drive to better herself in both light and heavy weapons, often competing on both fields in the same day at the Pennsic War. Scroll in progress by Baroness Barbary Rose.
THL Rois O Faye was named to the Order of the Sycamore for her skill and productivity in creating commemorative scrolls to celebrate the achievements of the populace of Æthelmearc. Scroll by Lady Rachel Dalicieux.
Lady Aemelia Soteria
Lady Aemilia Soteria was inducted into the Order of the Keystone for her multifaceted service to multiple Baronies, including in thrown weapons and archery, as MOL, teacher, and lender of equipment. Scroll illuminated by Master Caoinleán Seanchaidh and calligraphed by Mistress Cynthia Love of the Tower upon wording by Lady Elizabeth of St. Swithin’s Bog.
Her Majesty informed all those who wish to create and donate largesse for the upcoming Estrella and Gulf Wars that Æthelmearc has the responsibility to create largesse for the host Kingdom of Atenveldt for Estrella, and the Kingdom of the Outlands for Gulf Wars.
Lady Elizabeth of St. Swithin’s Bog
Lady Elizabeth of St. Swithin’s Bog was named to the Order of the Golden Alce for her quiet service to the thrown weapons and archery communities. Scroll by Lady Rachel Dalicieux.
THL Gunther Grunbaum was created a Companion of the Sycamore for his skill in leatherworking, and for winning the St. Crispin’s Leather A&S competition at the recent festival of Agincourt. Scroll in progress by THL Gwydion ap Arden.
There being no further business, Their Majesties’ Court was closed.
In Honor and Service,
Kameshima Zentarō Umakai
高貴国境の王国の治部卿
Silver Buccle Principal Herald, Kingdom of Æthelmearc
~ All photos courtesy of Mistress Hilderun Hugelmann.
Editor’s Note: There are moments that remind me why this Kingdom and this Society hold a dear place in my heart. And moments that remind me why the most important award that the Royalty give is the Award of Arms. This is one of these moments that does both as the newest Lord & Lady of Æthelmearc conveyed these heart felt words. I am grateful I call them friends. ~ Euriol of Lothian
From Lord Christian
You all make this society great.
Unto the populace who does reside in these most sacred Sylvan Lands of Æthelmearc, does one Lord Christian Goldenlok of House Sable Maul present greetings:
I am indeed humbled to be the newest member of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc to be merited the honor of an individual Award of Arms. In the youth of my privilege, I am moved to express again why I am so grateful to be among the blessed populace of Æthelmearc.
This is a special award to me. It is so because of the words of my Knight, Sir Gareth Kincaid, the talents of his lady, Mistress Julianna Delamere, and the writing of the lady who holds my heart; the scroll is personally touching.
It is also deeply meaningful because the act is made so by the hands of both my King and Queen. I now feel that besides a flexibility in political freedom, it’s a way for the Kingdom itself to include me in a blanket marked not just by where I live, geographically. The award gives me great confidence, because the path I have taken these past few years has now been officially encouraged by the Kingdom, itself. I feel more connected to my kingdom than ever because of the kind actions of those I am in fielty to.
I always speak highly of my Knight, his fine lady, my House, and my shire, the Shire of Misty Highlands. Time has solidified those bonds. In my heart, those bonds are sacred and meaningful. They are my beloved.
For a moment I take liberty to speak highly of my fellow subjects of Æthelmearc and its King and Queen. I do so because as I have strived to form relationships with you, I have been met in turn with overwhelming amounts of warmth, compassion, encouragement, largess, empathy, love, acceptance, bruises, and inclusion. The events of the entire day during our Twelfth Night celebration was shining examples of those qualities.
I am ailed with beloved pride for my kingdom, but I am also grateful for having made friendships with so many of its subjects.
Although you may have read my words through your computer screen previously, it was always my intention to occasionally travel and personally reach out to you from my home in Misty Highlands. In the months that followed, every single one of the relationships I have formed with you is important to me. Every move of friendship returned has been overwhelmingly inspiring to both me and my love, Lady Adelyn Idesborn. You enhance the quality of my life.
In conclusion, to those who call my Sylvan Lands home, as the newest Lord of Æthelmearc I declare that it is my supreme honor to help hold high the torch of this fine society. I will carry, with instruction from my mentors, the flame of our kingdom proudly so as others may see the light of our Kingdom’s goodness and feel the warmth of its inclusion.
I am humbled to be the next generation of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc. The witnessed examples shown by my Knight, his household, and your participation in this great Kingdom have rooted in me a deep love and sense of wonder. I am inspired to be among you, and I am proud to proclaim that we are alive, we are well, and we are thriving.
In Glorias,
Lord Christian Goldenlok
From Lady Adelyn
I would like to take the time to genuinely thank and praise each person who attended the Twelfth Night celebration on January 10 who made me feel so warm, welcome, and at ease. I randomly saw people doing a type of weaving I had never seen before, and so they went out of their way to show me what they were doing, explain what it was, and tell me the history of it.
I had friendly acquaintances drop everything to include me in conversations and provide me with a loaner goblet and loaner feastware. Daniel Rufus, thank you again! I was asked to stand guard to the queen, where I was then included in conversation and was humbled by how kind and thoughtful so many members of our society are–both lowest and highest ranking. Thanks to Gabrielle de Winter for asking me to guard!
I was given delicious samples of mead, cordial, ale, and scotch by some of the best Brewers in Æthemaerc. Thanks to Rauðbjorn Loðbrok for not just watering us on site, but for sending us home with your award winning brew!
Lastly, I attended the most interesting and fun court I’ve ever been to where there was interpretive dance, genuine gratitude expressed to and by so many people, and above all, my Lord Christian Goldenlok and I were recognized by the kingdom and awarded arms. Gareth Kincaid and Juliana Delamere — Christian was overwhelmed by your words and artwork, I am grateful for having been included in the planing of his scroll! I cannot express how thankful I am to all those who made this possible. Anna Leigh and Titus Germanicus certainly are worthy and gracious leaders to our Sylvan Lands and I am beyond honored to have been recognized by them.
I also finally met face to face many people who up till now I have only interacted with online. What a blessing it was! Here, though, I would also like to apologize. The time was short at this event, and I did not get to talk to everyone Id like to have gotten to know better. Also, this is the first event I’ve been to where I did get to meet and talk to so many people who I don’t generally get to see in person. Being a person who is just naturally shy the first few times I talk to someone new, I struggled quite a bit to be as open and candid as I find it easy to be online. I wish to apologize to anyone who wanted to talk who I did not find the time to meet with personally, and I apologize to anyone who I did find time to talk to if I was a little clammy and introverted–each time I meet you in person my shyness melts away and I fear for you all the day I run through events blabbering to each of you without cease.
I would like to close by telling everyone in house, shire, region, and kingdom, I appreciate you all, for your kindness, your inclusion, your support, your largess, and how each of you has invested in making me a better person. I hope to honor each and every one of you with my actions and words as I move forward as a lady of these Sylvan Lands of Æthemaerc.
More than 50 courageous fighters, including fourteen members of the Chivalry, and some of their companions braved the wrath of the Ice Dragon to face one another in a day made for building camaraderie and honing the skills of Æthelmearc’s Army. However, much to the surprise of many, not just one Kingdom was represented by those in attendance at the Regional Heavy Weapons Practice on Sunday, December 14, but FOUR! His Majesty Titus and His Highness Timothy were greatly pleased at the turnout and very honored to have guests from the East, Meridies and Caid join in the fun.
The day was a balance of planned melee scenarios interspersed with time for individual combat. As the fighters began to arrive on site, they donned their armor and proceeded to warm up with some one on one sparring. Syr Stefan Ulfkelsson started the planned scenarios with a discussion on friendly calibration. Clearly the goal of the Kingdom is to have as many able-bodied fighters to take the field this next season as possible. More importantly, we don’t want to hurt our friends by setting the calibration levels too high.
The first scenario was a simple warm-up that broke the fighters up into two sides to fight each other. This was followed by a melee scenario that split the fighters into six teams. Two teams would be called to face off against each other. While one team was finishing off the other, another team would be called in to fight the remaining victors. As fighters were eliminated during the scenario, they regrouped with other members of their original team and waited to be called into the fray once more. The purpose of the scenario was to practice small group tactics, communication, and promote battlefield awareness.
The second scenario combined the original teams into three groups. Each group took turns being the attacker. They would then reset and defend against the next group. The final set of scenarios was a series of resurrection battles with three of the teams on a side. In between breaks, the field was changed to force the sides to adapt to different challenges posed by the new terrain.
During the final break and after action discussion, Christian Goldenlok, one of the newest fighters in the Kingdom, took a moment to address the gathered fighters to encourage them to attend organized practices throughout the Kingdom “If the east travels west, the west should travel east. If the south travels to go north, the north should come south. Thats how we get better, collectively.” His words were greeted with much applause from those gathered. Indeed, many of the fighters not local to the Barony of Delftwood carpooled to attend the day’s practice.
Syr Stefan remarked at the end of the day that the enthusiasm shown by the fighters was “Awesome!” He was impressed that three fighters from West Virginia drove over seven hours to participate. “If we continue at this pace we are only going to improve overall as a Kingdom and individuals. Ultimately my goal is to leave a better army than I found. We were good but I always expect better of myself and encourage it on others,” he added with a smile.
Several fighters remarked that it was great to meet and spar against people they rarely get to face on the field. They also were very appreciative to the members of the Order of the Chivalry who were able to give them personal instruction. King Titus spoke as he came off the field for the day that it was Awesome to see so many fighters present. He also was greatly pleased at the effective training provided by the melee scenarios and the one on one sparring. “My thanks to the Barony of Delftwood and Prince Timothy and everyone who put work into making this practice a reality. My thanks to everyone who traveled from across the Kingdom to attend.” It seemed the smiles on everyone’s face at the end of the day echoed His Majesty’s words “It was lots of fun.” “Wonderful!” Sir Jamal Damien Marcus, our visitor from Caid, exclaimed as he shared his thoughts. “A lot of rust was exercised out with today’s scenarios and what a good way to form camaraderie.”
It is certain many friendships were strengthened and new ones formed this day. This was especially true for Colin of Meridies who was participating in his first SCA activity. He spoke of the first charge in melee stating “You can see yourself back in time on a real battlefield. That is the draw for me. I really appreciate the opportunity I had to fight Syr Stefan. He showed me a lot of techniques that are not naturally intuitive and you don’t see on T.V. Everyone is very friendly, willing to spend the time to answer all the questions you have. Having this as my first day, I can see why people say the SCA is like one big family.”
Prince Timothy was beaming as he commented “This exceeded my expectations. The turnout of fighters on a snowy day in Delftwood was more than I could have asked for. The positive energy in Æthelmearc is amazing.” Prince Timothy also encouraged those who participated to attend as many of the Regional practices as possible. He stated that with the Pennsic format there would be many champion slots available for hungry fighters. Just because you had the honor of being chosen for one of those slots last year was no guarantee that you would be automatically selected this year. He is going to be looking at those fighters who show the drive and determination to get out and attend the Regional practices as being worthy to represent Æthelmearc. Baron Vladisla Nikulich, Captain of last year’s victorious ten man unbelted team, echoed his words saying “just because I was on the team last year doesn’t mean that I am automatically going be on it this year.”
So the question for those fighters who were not in attendance, where were you?
