Category Archives: Æthelmearc History

Virtual Pax Interruptus Is This Weekend

02 Thursday Jul 2020

Posted by in Arts & Sciences, Æthelmearc History, Event Announcements & Updates, Heavy List, Music, SCA @ Home

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Baron Sir Athos participating in the fighting at Pax in 2016. Photo by Baroness Katja

Baron Sir Athos participating in the fighting at Pax in 2016. Photo by Baroness Katja.

Pax is happening tomorrow and Saturday!

Over the past four months, nearly all current and near-future events and practices across the Known World have been cancelled or postponed due to the COVID19 pandemic.

The Barony of Thescorre, however, rather than cancelling its annual summer camping event, Pax Interruptus, decided to move it online to offer a virtual event this weekend.

Although there cannot be in-person heavy fighting, fencing, archery, and thrown weapons as the event has boasted for almost 40 years, there will be online classes, some drumming, a bardic circle, a baronial court, and videos to celebrate past Pax events and Thescorre history throughout the day on Saturday. Numerous Thescorreans provided photographs for the nostalgic slideshows.

For those of you desperately missing the opportunity to see friends and hang out as you normally do at the event, there will be open socializing time available throughout Saturday.

On Friday, the Barony will host a concert by the international minstrel group Wolgemut, famous and well loved for its performances at SCA events like Pennsic and Gulf Wars as well as numerous Renaissance faires and events throughout the world.

Further, to support the merchants who normally offer their wares at the event, there will be a virtual merchants row.

The event will take place in several rooms on Zoom.

According to Their Excellencies Eldjarn and Dubheasa:

It’s important for our SCA community to continue having opportunities to interact, even when required to be physically separate. We may not be able to have our usual martial activities, but we can still see, socialize, and learn from each other. It’s a time to reminisce and continue to acknowledge the contributions of our populace. Sharing goodwill and appreciation is critical to the emotional well-being of many while we must isolate away from our friends and family. We would much rather do so face to face, but for the time being at least, this is what we can do safely. Come join us this weekend.

Schedule

Friday: 7 p.m., Room 4, Wolgemut concert

Saturday:

9:00 a.m. Rooms Open

Rooms 4, 5, & 6
9:15 to 9:45 a.m. Virtual Weedwalk with Sadira

Room 4

Since we can’t gather at the campground, come join me in my garden and field of weeds – I mean “lawn” – for a virtual weedwalk, featuring food, medicine, and tool plants that can be found in this area! Videography by Nuzah.

The revised handout that would have been used for Pennsic 2020 can be accessed online here.

Several poison plant handouts, originally intended for child care students who wanted to open home day care centers, which may be handy for parents in this time of “crisis schooling,” are here and here.
10:00 to 10:50 a.m. Wash Your Hands! with Gwenhwyvar Thredegold

Room 5

Making a felted wool soap ball. If you want to play along, you’ll need a bar or two of your favorite soap and some wool roving or felting wool in whatever colors you want.

This is a kid-friendly project!
11:00 to 11:50 a.m. 14th Century Parti-Colored Cotehardie with Gwen Cooke

Room 6

14th century parti-colored cotehardie history and construction. Have you ever wanted to know a bit about the history of those lovely multi-color dresses we see folks wearing at events? Ever wanted to display your heraldry in an absolutely stunning fashion? Ever wanted to hide geeky references to your favorite things in some of the most comfortable garb you’ll ever own? Come on over to the cotehardie class!

Creating a parti-colored cotehardie with handmade fabric buttons may be just the project you need to undertake. We’ll chat a bit about the history and documentation behind the construction of a parti-colored cotehardie and then I’ll walk through the steps in constructing the garment and how to add little bits of heraldry or other fun moments into your garb (like my Gryffindor-themed red and gold cotehardie). I’ll happily talk through the process as well as how the steps of construction of the dress can also be used to create a parti-colored tunic as well.

The class will discuss history, documentation, the steps to create, and even the hand-sewing techniques that will help your clothing hold up for years of events.
Noon to 1:00 p.m. Their Excellencies Eldjarn & Dubheasa Sit in State

Room 5

An open time for gentles to speak with the Baron and Baroness of Thescorre. Their Excellencies will speak to individuals or small groups in turn, so please be patient while waiting in the queue.
1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Middle Eastern Drumming & Dancing

Room 5

Raven Raqs Beladi, Thescorre’s longtime drumming and dancing troupe, will hold a casual circle/hafla. Gentles are welcome to listen, dance, or drum along, but please silence your microphones. Chat will be available.
4:00 p.m. Baronial Court

Room 4

Their Excellencies and Baronial Herald Andrew will address the populace.
6:00 p.m. Thescorre Fighters Video

Room 6

An entertaining video created by the Barony’s fighting community that they hope you will find amusing and touching.
6:30 p.m. Pax Through the Ages – A Slide Show

Room 5

A compilation of photographs of various activities and gentles at the event over the past several decades.
7:00 p.m. This Is Thescorre – A Slide Show

Room 4

A compilation of photographs celebrating the Barony and its people over the past several decades.
7:30 p.m. Bardic Circle

Room 6

An open circle for singers, storytellers, and poets to perform.

Open Socializing

In addition, Zoom rooms will be available for free chatting and hanging out at various times throughout Saturday:

  • Room 4, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Room 5, 11:00 a.m. to Noon
  • Room 6, Noon to 5:45 p.m.
  • Room 5, 3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Merchants Row

Finally, the pandemic has taken a huge toll on merchants throughout the Society for Creative Anachronism, many of whom make a majority of their livelihoods at spring and summer events each year. In order to support them and provide visibility, the Barony is hosting a virtual Merchants Row.

Links and business information for various merchants will be available here. The page will go live this weekend and be available through to the end of July (when Pennsic would have occurred). Please support SCA merchants if you can.

Login Access

No login information will be released through any public social media channels in order to prevent scammers from joining the Zoom rooms.

If you are not on Thescorre’s email distribution list and wish to attend the event, please email Thescorre’s webminister, Baroness Nuzha bint Saleem, at webminister AT Thescorre DOT org.

She can also be reached via direct message on Facebook Messenger at “Melinda DeHollander.”

The Zoom rooms will have waiting rooms associated with them. Baroness Nuzah will admit you as soon as she is able, based on what is happening in the room.
Also note that the login info for Room 4 is different for Friday night than it is for  Saturday. Please use the correct info for the correct day.

More Information

For more about the event, please see Thescorre’s website here and the event Facebook page here.

For more about Wolgemut, please see their Facebook page here or their website here.

Reporting by Baroness Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina (Chris Adler-France)

New to Æthelmearc? ÆLive Wants Your Stories!

08 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by in AELive, Æthelmearc History

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AELive VikingÆLive is looking for short 1- to 2-minute-long videos of new-to-Æthelmearc citizens. These videos would be your way of introducing yourself, or your family, to the Kingdom during these times of isolation.

These videos will be collected and featured in a future episode(s) of ÆLive. If you would like to join in, please send an e-mail stating your interest to aeliveentertainment@aethelmearc.org. Once the e-mail is received, further instructions will be given.

Many of us are missing the opportunity to meet new people during these strange times and we would LOVE to meet you! So please, reach out to me and let the Kingdom know who our new and future citizens of Æthelmearc are!

In Service to the Dream and Æthelmearc,

Duchess Siobhan

The Book of Æthelmearc Arts & Sciences Champions, commissioned by His Lordship Robert of Ferness

30 Saturday Nov 2019

Posted by in A&S Competition and Display, Arts & Sciences, Æthelmearc History

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Upon being selected Kingdom Arts & Sciences Champion by Her Majesty Anna Leigh last autumn, it quickly came to my attention that I was the only champion standing in court with nothing to represent the position. The archery champion holds bow and arrows; the thrown-weapons champion sports an axe. Other champions stand in court with swords or shields. Arts & Sciences had nothing, even though the terms lasts an entire year. That’s a lot of events to attend empty-handed.

Champs book front cover

After some reflection on what item might be appropriate for court, there seemed to be no good answer that would represent the diverse types of arts and sciences practiced within Æthelmearc. That is, until I realized that a book would work: it could represent knowledge, research, study, documentation, teaching. After bouncing the idea off of a few friends, who offered support, I contacted Renata Rouge, the Minister of Arts & Sciences, who agreed that it would be a suitable solution.

Fortunately, a year or two before at Pennsic, I had caught up with a friend from college who had just had a son, and who made a book for people to offer advice for him as he grew up. His bookmaking skills impressed me at the time. Thus, I contacted His Excellency Hayashi Youichirou Norikata about his interest in the project. He graciously offered his skills gratis if material costs were covered, and so we began a collaboration on what he would make.

To summarize, after discussing time period, his comfort level with options, and costs, we chose an early Gothic leather binding, brass furniture (clasps) and Pergamenata for its approximately 100 pages. He incorporated two large raised decorative elements to the front cover: the Æthelmearc escarbuncle and the candle-in-archway insignia representing the arts and sciences. The back cover sports stamped designs, one of which is, again, the Æthelmearc escarbuncle impressed with a brass stamp I had made for the project. His Excellency has provided documentation for the book, including decision points, materials used, exemplars, and in-progress photos; it’s linked from the book’s web page referenced below.

Champs book title page

While His Excellency worked on the project, I began to mull over the possibilities the book might serve aside from a bit of regalia. No one would know from afar what the pages contained, or even whether they were totally blank. But why have a perfectly good book with nothing in it? Why not, instead, have each champion write about their project, the one leading to them being chosen as champion? That way there could be an on-going journal of the diverse projects that might inspire future artisans and perhaps educate them or lead them to resources or people they didn’t know about.

Thus, it came to pass, after further thought and discussion, that the book’s first pages would talk about the purpose of the book, and charge successive champions with continuing its raison d’être. Following that would be an index, listing all of the champions since A.S. XL and the monarchs who chose them as champions. Two pages would then be allotted and assigned to each past champion up to the present, followed by a good amount of free space for future champions to summarize their projects.

Not being a scribe, I contacted Lady Asteriya Royarchevicha who lives locally and whose work I had seen previously, and she agreed to write out the initial text, indexes, page headings, and so on (see image title page). I left the book with her for a couple of weeks and was pleasantly surprised to find the first page had become an illustrated title page on its own. Most of her work can be seen on the book’s web page mentioned below.

Champs book sample entry

Finally, with the text skeleton laid out, I began to flesh it out by adding my own entry well into the book on its assigned pages. I wrote a bit about my embroidered-shoes-on-bone-ice-skates project (see image) and then passed it to Elska á Fjárfelli for her to enter her material on Black Sope and she passed it to Hrólfr á Fjárfelli who wrote about his Warp Weighted Loom and textiles.

Champs book back cover

Now that new co-champions have been selected for the coming year, the book has been passed to them to have and to hold for their term. As stated in the book, it is hoped that past champions will be able to borrow it for a while in order to complete their entries, either directly or with the help of a scribe or illustrator. I very much look forward to reviewing the book in the future to learn about past champions’ projects and see what they are to add to this Kingdom document.

More information, photos, and the text of its first few pages as well as some Champions’ entries can be found on the book’s Kingdom web page.

In Memoriam: Master Cynwulf Rendell

18 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in Æthelmearc History, Tidings

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Rendell at Baronial Investiture 2018 MikusOn Saturday, September 28, THLord Cynwulf Rendell was too ill to travel to the Harvest Raid event in the Shire of Heronter, where he was scheduled to be elevated to the Order of the Pelican for his work in the thrown weapons and archery communities. So that morning King Timothy, together with a group of Rendell’s friends and peers, instead drove over an hour to Rendell’s home in the Barony of the Rhydderich Hael to bestow the Pelican upon him there, and also to induct Rendell’s lady, Eleanore Godwin, into the Order of the Millrind. There were tears and laughter and many words of praise for Rendell’s kindness, generosity, and service.

The following day, Master Rendell’s son, Lord Gawin Hawkseye, posted this announcement to Facebook:

Dear friends, family, and supporters of our house. Last evening at 4:30pm Master Cynwulf Rendell passed on from this world to the next. His day was filled with words from his friends and gifts from his loved ones. It was a day of a house full of people that have supported the love of his art and strength and goodness of his character, and in turn he showed his devotion to the group. We thank you for making his final day so special.

Master Rendell and his family joined the SCA in the Shire of Heronter in 1994. He was immediately interested in archery and thrown weapons, becoming a marshal in short order, eventually taking on the role of Kingdom Thrown Weapons Marshal. He traveled around the Kingdom, organizing and running lines and training

Duchess Dorinda Courtenay:

Rendell served as the Heronter archery marshal from the time he joined us until they moved. Every week he brought all the targets and loaner equipment for a half dozen people. He spent so much time teaching during the practice that he had to come early to get in a round for himself. He and his lady and his son also helped during the reigns of Cygnus and Dorinda. They took some time off, but for the last 5 or so years, he came back to run archery at Harvest Raid. Each year he created unique and fun shoots for people of all skill levels. He worked to train others, and even agreed to serve as our archery marshal, but his health did not allow it. We will miss him very much.

Rendell skeet shoot Edward HLady Simonetta d’Alfasi:

I only met Rendell a few years ago; he and his lady wife joined about the time I took my extended break. When Siobhan and I came back to the SCA in 2016, our first event was Baronial Champs. Rendell was running thrown weapons and archery. He was very kind to Siobhan’s child, showing them how to hold the axe and where to stand to throw it. I was impressed with his patience. The following week we all went off to archery, and once again Rendell was patient with me and showed me how to get most of the arrows down range and not into my feet. Time passed, I got better and Rendell began to teach me how to make targets, how to run a range, how to inspect bows, and how to marshal. I think he was as proud as I was surprised when I was awarded my Golden Alce. Every milestone reached by any of his Hounds made him as proud as if we were all his children. It’s why we all called him Papa Hound.

Mistress Anna Eisenkopf:

When he was Kingdom Thrown Weapons Marshall almost 20 years ago, he traveled everywhere and was pivotal in the growth of thrown weapons at that time.

Master Jacopo di Niccolo:

We often sat and shared information about our ranges and frequently this developed into new and fun ranges. He loved to challenge himself and others.

Rendell ID 2016 FridrikrBaron Rhiannon Elandris of Glyndyfrdwy on the Rhydderich Hael Facebook group:

My heart is torn in half. He was a kind and gentle man who was a great teacher, a role model for us all. He will be sorely missed. We have lost a great light, so we must shine all the brighter ….all of us…Together. I see where some now doubt that they have a place. Everyone in the Hael has a place. Do not doubt. Do not let the weasels overcome the promise that He saw in each and every one of us (yes Rendell, you were right). I know we can strive to fulfill those beliefs…Together.

Fair skies, Rendell. Soft winds to you and a stout string to your bow.

Baron Edward Harbinger:

I remember his fun side. At one event we were sitting together and decided that Lady Simonetta’s stuffed rabbit needed a bow. We set about looking for materials and came up with a wooden coffee stir stick and a piece of string. We next needed to see if the bow would actually work, so we broke some toothpicks in half and tried to shoot them, at objects around the hall. Our wives found us doing this and told us we were not allowed to sit together anymore (especially during court). The stuffed rabbit still carries that bow, if I’m not mistaken.

THLady Máirghréad Stíobhard inghean uí Choinne:

It was my greater pleasure to benefit from his sage and ever humorous instruction in thrown weapons. This goes back to about 2009. Not only were his tips clear and true and simple, but his declaration to my sister to “just throw like you are aiming at your husband” has given us many belly laughs!

Master Juan Miguel Cezar:

Due to his health the elevation was not able to happen at Harvest Raid and His Majesty along with a small entourage went to his house. When they came back one of them brought me a small beanie baby that Rendell wanted to give to my daughter. Sadly she was not with me since she was on her way back from Myrtle Beach with my parents and by the time she got home Sunday evening he had already passed. I wanted so bad to take a photo of her with it and send it to him as thanks. His last thoughts were of others, just like he was in life.”

Rendell token from Etain MikusMistress Sadira spoke at Rendell’s Pelican ceremony on behalf of the Order of the Laurel, She graciously shared her words:

I am Sadira bint Wassouf, Mistress of the Laurel and Pelican, 6th Jewel of Æthelmearc, Second and Eighth Baroness of Thescorre. But today I would speak about Rendell for the Laurels. Sort of…

Rendell is unquestionably an artist. Martial arts are called arts for a reason. The flight of an arrow or a throwing knife is art in motion with a satisfying THUNK at the end. And when Rendell shoots, there is joy in his eyes. Whether designing ranges and targets, whether shooting or watching others, the passion of youth has never left him. And the true heart of art is passion.

But where does art end and service begin?

I suspect that Rendell was born with service in his very soul. Some people do service, but Rendell is service. I only became fully aware of his service when I stepped up as Baroness the second time. Now, if you are ever stupid enough (I mean, lucky enough) to become a landed Baron or Baroness, you need to know that about 45 seconds after you don the coronet, a “thing” happens. The “thing” makes you want to say “REALLY??? NOW???”

But this time the “thing” impacted archery and even with all of my skills as a counselor and teacher, I could not even figure out what the “thing” was – much less untangle it. Archery in Thescorre was at a complete impasse.

Finally, in desperation I crashed a meeting of Kingdom archery marshals at a winter event and explained the “thing” as best I could. I asked bluntly, “What can you do for me?”

Without hesitation, Rendell said, “I will help you.” Now, we hear these words all the time, but something in his tone made me believe.

That spring, Rendell showed up at the first archery practice, and he kept coming back for months and months.

We have only one truly precious possession in this life and that is TIME. Rendell showered us with his time, poured out with reckless abandon, with patience and joy in his eyes.

So where does service end and art begin?

It is an art to bring people together, to teach your art and see the joy of a child bloom in their eyes – then set them free to pass it on.

In Rendell art and service meld seamlessly and when that happens, the Great Dream we all hope to live in the SCA comes true.

My peer? I suspect we would all have to work very hard to become his peer.

Rendell and Eleanore MikusIn addition to the Pelican, Master Rendell was recognized with many Kingdom and Baronial awards for excellence and skill, including the White Horn for thrown weapons, the Scarlet Guard for archery, the Cornelian for courtesy, and awards from three baronies in recognition of his service including to groups in which he did not live.

Ralph Spencer was a copy machine repairman. He is survived by his wife, THLady Eleanore Godwin, and his son, Lord Gawin Hawkseye. No funeral services will be held; THLady ELeanore announced there will be a Celebration of Life for Rendell on November 10 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Wrights Corners Firehall, 4043 Lake Avenue, Lockport, NY 14094. Doors open at 12:30pm for set up. Pastor Tom will speak at 1:15pm and there will be an open mic after for folks to share stories, laughs, and love.
Food will be pot luck, no kitchen use, just the sink. Bring your own dishes.

Memorial information is available here: https://www.amigone.com/obituary/Ralph-E.-Spencer/Amherst-New-York/1858926

Donations may be made in Ralph’s memory to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, 311 Citrus Street, Jamestown, NY 14701.

More on the New Royal Encampment Walls

02 Friday Aug 2019

Posted by in Æthelmearc History, Camping, Pennsic

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AEthelmearc Royal’s new look. Photo courtesy of Her Majesty Juliana

Any gentle walking by or into Æthelmearc Royal since Sunday has remarked on the gorgeous new encampment walls (as was reported here). But what was the inspiration? Her Majesty Juliana kindly sat down for a few minutes with The Gazette today.

“We wanted the encampment on the whole to be more welcoming, be more accessible, look more coordinated, and for people to be able to see in when they walked by,” she explained.

She and His Majesty Gareth sewed and block-printed the majority of the shorter, striking dark red walls in recent months. She noted that red fabric generally does not hold up well in bright sunlight, but these are UV resistant and she hopes they will last a long time.

The older, much taller walls (some with the heraldry of all of the Kingdom’s groups, some with simply escarbuncles) are indeed quite faded but have not been totally abandoned. They have been repurposed to serve as interior walls and along the back boundary of the encampment.

His Majesty, Lord Otto, and Lord Rickard made the portable holes for the new walls, she added.

The wider entryway is specifically intended to make it more accessible for those gentles in scooters or wheelchairs, she noted. In addition, she hopes it will eliminate the bottleneck that frequently happened when a fighter or other gentle pulled a handcart through the gate or gentles simply stopped for a moment to chat with each other. “It was way too crowded!” she remarked.

Reporting by Baroness Katja (Chris Adler-France)

 

 

The Development of A Viking-Age Royal Wardrobe

10 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Arts & Sciences, Æthelmearc History, Costuming, Fiber Arts, Royalty

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By Elska á Fjárfelli, OL

Take a look behind the scenes into the development and production of the Royalty Wardrobe for the summer reign of Duke Sven Gunnarsson and Duchess Siobhán inghean uí Liatháin of the Sylvan Kindom of Æthelmearc, AS 52 to 53 (photos provided by the Royalty).

Want more? Check out our collaboration in detail in The Research behind the Wardrobe, awash with illustrations and resources, and available to download here.

Our Challenge:

By Royal Decree, create three wardrobes which would be plausible in 950 to 1050 AD based on Norse culture and cultures with which the Norse would have been in contact; with minimal Kingdom heraldry. Additionally, for Pennsic Opening Ceremonies, one outfit which emphasized Kingdom heraldry within an overall Norse design.

Wardrobe I – an early Slavic outfit

This wardrobe was inspired by early Eastern European and Russian fashions, specifically as found in the grave field of the Volga region. As many of the typical designs and jewelry choices, like the half moon temple rings, are from a later period, the biggest challenge was to come up with a fashionable design without using the later-period flashy jewelry and elaborate gold-work embroidery.

Royal Wardrobe

The Wardrobe Team:

His & Her Garments – medium-weight linen, with silk fabric accents

  • Head Seamstress THL Lisette la bergiére

Her belt – wool tablet weave

  • Tablet weave by Lady Genevieve O’Connor

Her veil – lightweight linen, bronze spangles

  • Assembly by THL Cristina inghean Ghriogair

Her belt & neckline – silk fingerloop braids, cowry shells, bronze bells, and spangles

  • Assembly by Elska á Fjárfelli, OL

Her headband – silk and gold thread brocade, with a linen band and spangles

  • Brocade weave by THL Hrólfr á Fjárfelli

His kaftan chest embellishments – silk & gold thread tablet weave

  • Tablet weave by Lady Genevieve O’Connor

His collar – silk and gold thread on silk fabric

  • Embroidery by THL Cristina inghean Ghriogair

His buttons – reproduction pewter Gnezdova buttons

  • Button mold and pewter casting by Artemius Andreas Magnus, OL

His belt & pouch – belt and tarsoley set from 10th century Birka

  • Designed and assembled by Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson

Both – a set of Slavic design knives.

  • Heft and sheath construction by Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson

Both – 10th century embroidered turnshoes

  • Created by Lord Robert of Ferness

Research

  • Luceta DiCosimo, OL
  • THL Cristina inghean Ghriogair
  • Elska á Fjárfelli, OL

Wardrobe II – the Heraldic outfit

Even though heraldic imagery is not typically found in Norse context, as our Royalty would be presiding over Opening Ceremonies at Pennsic we felt that a little Kingdom pride would not be misplaced. To stay within the spirit of the age, the heraldry is artfully hidden within the patterns of the block prints. Her under tunic is carefully pleated around the neckline for that extra sumptuous look.

Royal Wardrobe 2

The Wardrobe Team:

His & Her Garments – medium-weight linen

  • Head Seamstress Baroness Sybilla Detwyller

His & Her block printing

  • Design of stamp, carving, and printing by Baroness Sybilla Detwyller

Her heraldic brocaded apron dress trim in red and white silk

  • brocade design and tablet weave by THL Hrólfr á Fjárfelli

Her pleated under tunic

  • Design and construction by Chrestienne de Waterdene, OL

His belt & pouch – belt and tarsoley set from 10th century Birka

  • Design and construction by Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson

Research

  • Baroness Sybilla Detwyller
  • Chrestienne de Waterdene, OL
  • Álfrún ketta, OL

Wardrobe III – the Anglo-Saxon outfit

Unlike the Slavic outfit where all the cool accessories are from after our chosen timeframe, in the case of Anglo-Saxon fashion the well-known designs and jewelry — like the shoulder fibulae — are from a much earlier period. To emulate the (ecclesial) opulence of the period this outfit depended heavily on copious metal brocade and embroidery.

Royal Wardrobe 3

The Wardrobe Team:

His & Her Garments – medium-weight linen

  • General construction by Etain ingen Ruaidri

His & Her silk and metal brocade trim

  • Brocade tablet weave by THL Silvester Burchardt

Her woolen belt with carved bone buckle and end piece (not worn in picture)

  • Tablet weave by Lady Genevieve O’Connor
  • Bone carving by Cynwyl, OL

His belt & pouch – belt and tarsoley set from 10th century Birka

  • Design and construction by Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson

Research

  • THL Silvester Burchardt
  • Elska á Fjárfelli, OL

Wardrobe IV – the Norse Rus outfit

Everyone likes block-printed fabrics and we are no different. This design was ideal to highlight the amazing art of one of our artisans, and also to provide the Royalty with single-layer summer weight Pennsic garments.

Royal Wardrobe 4

The Wardrobe Team:

His & Her tunic and dress

  • Head seamstress Noble Rhys Penbras ap Dafydd

His & Her klappenrock and Birka coats

  • Seamstress THL Abigale Kelloge
  • Help with assembly by Michelle DeBuyser
  • Help with assembly by THL Moniczka Poznanska
  • blockprinting coat trim by Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen, OL

His & Her block-printed fabrics

  • Printed by Freiherr Fridrich Flußmüllner

Her glass bead and embossed silver necklace (not shown in photograph)

  • Glass beads by Artemius Andreas Magnus, OL
  • Embossed silver pendants by Rob ‘Rayleon’ Podkowa

His kaftan posaments (not shown in photograph)

  • Made by Lady Alita of Hartstone

His belt & pouch – belt and tarsoley set from 10th century Birka

  • Design and construction by Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson

Sourcing period correct ball buttons (not shown in photograph)

  • Countess Anna Leigh

Research

  • Álfrún ketta, OL
  • Elska á Fjárfelli, OL

Bonus! Wardrobe V – the Mammen outfit

While the connection between embroidery and Norse culture is not quite as clear as one might hope — with the embroidery remnants more likely being an Anglo-Saxon textile pillaged from a British Isles monastery — the highly embroidered museum-recreated Mammen outfit is too good to be true and makes for an excellent Royal wardrobe.

The Wardrobe Team:

His & Her garments

  • Head Seamstress Lady Syele Pfeifferin

His & Her Embroidery

  • The Stag by Lady Aurelie of Nithgaard
  • The Acanthus Leaves by THL Renata Rouge
  • The Tree of Life by THL Cristina inghean Ghriogair

His & Her weaving of trim

  • Tablet weaving by Lady Genevieve O’Connor

Her embroidered turnshoes

  • Created by Lord Robert of Ferness

His block printing of Large Faces

  • Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen, OL

His belt & pouch – belt and tarsoley set from 10th century Birka

  • Design and construction by Lord Snorri skyti Bjarnarson

Research

  • Elska á Fjárfelli, OL

 

The Royal Wardrobes Project was set up in the less-traditional way of utilizing up-and-coming artisans from around the Kingdom. The Wardrobes Project was created as a collaboration between many different artists whom were part of both the initial design discussions and the practical constructions as much as they desired. The Project is set up to be a learning opportunity for all involved and to be a source of additional information, to take home and use for our own personal wardrobe projects. And I hope it will inspire you, too!

Escarbuncle

Getting To Know You! Participants Wanted

10 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in Æthelmearc History, Interviews, Populace-in-focus

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Hello! Magnus de Lyons here, Gazette editor and proud inhabitant of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc.

Our Kingdom is a vast and wonderful place filled with many happy faces, but how many of these faces do you see event after event and have never met or maybe wondered more about?

During my reign as Baron of the Rhydderich Hael, we started a Baronial blog. One of the regular features of this blog was a “who-is-who” series of articles that featured members of the Barony. Each article introduced the person and asked brief questions about their SCA history and interests.

My time as Baron of the Hael is ending, and the blog is ending as well, but I thought the idea of the interview articles might have enough merit to expand them to the entire Kingdom. To that end I have decided to continue the project as a series of Gazette article and I am looking for willing participants.

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 submissions I will post articles. If you participated in the Baronial version of this you are still more than welcome to participate in this.

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 one photo to use in the article. Answers with no photos will not be published. We are looking into an online questionnaire and will update that information when and if it comes available.

I hope to hear from as many of you as possible and look forward to learning more about everyone!

Read the Baronial Blog interviews here.

Contact information: 

Magnus: E-mail

Facebook: Lance Magnus Kazmark

Æthelmearc Summer A.S. 53 Photography Contest: The Winners!

25 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by in Æthelmearc History, Competitions

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Æthelmearc Summer A.S. 53 Photography Contest

By Duchess Dorinda Courtenay

Finally, the moment you have been waiting for – the results of the Summer A.S. 53 Photography Contest!  Master Raev, Master Orlando, and I would like to thank each and every person who took the time to share one or more photographs with us.  This was the largest group of entries we have had, and the choices were very difficult.  People are doing better and better at keeping the modern out of their pictures, and that means we get to also look for photographic excellence.   While we didn’t always agree, we came to a consensus and give you the winners.   Please remember that these photos are the property of the photographer, and they may not be used without permission.  We have even asked for permission to use their pictures as part of this article!

As always, the purpose of this contest was to encourage people to watch for modern elements creeping into photographs, and to create beautiful pictures that allow us to show the world what we do.  This is no easy task in a world filled with soda bottles and fire extinguishers, but some people always find a way!

Congratulations to all who entered, and thank you for sharing your art.

Honorable Mention: A Silent Victory at AEthelmearc Coronation by Karli Champ:

This picture was a great candid of a pair in combat, yet had outstanding composition.  We aren’t sure we know the beginning or the ending to this story, but we know it was an interesting one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention: Soldier on a Horse by Wulf Johnson.

Equestrian photos are even more difficult than most to get without too much of modern structure in the background.  We loved the bright colors of this one of a mounted soldier ready for battle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention: A brief rest during Viking Hiking the Lehigh Gorge Trail by ‎Hrólfr Á Fjárfelli‎: 

This was a beautiful scene with people with matching garb in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Honorable Mention: Equestrian Champs – Barony of Rhydderich Hael by Thalia Papillon.

The heraldry, the colors and the angles caught our eye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention: Dominic McMorland being surprised with a writ for the Order of Chivalry – Harvest Raid 2017 by Lori McKinney.

This photo captured a moment of deep emotion that stuck with us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention: Spring Crown 2018 by Michele Vicchitto.

At a first glance, this picture was simply pretty.  After not much squinting, the modern elements came forth, and we pondered not recognizing this photo.  However, we do not always get to choose our backgrounds, and in this case, the thrones were where the thrones were.  What we suspect would have been a dreadful picture if simply taken and posted, was turned into something beautiful by the work of the photographer.  We chose to recognize the photo as the best example of turning nothing into something wonderful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candid Runner Up: Banners Over Pennsic by Jim Bubb.

While we weren’t sure if banners were “posed” or “candid”, we put it here.  We loved the colors, the diagonals and the motion of this photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posed Runner Up: Portrait of Magdalena Aberlin by Tammy Crawford.

The color and life and movement of the “Swirling Girl” makes for an absolutely beautiful picture.  What more can be said?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candid Winner: HRM Juliana congratulating Mistress Mahin upon her elevation to the Order of the Laurel. Ice Dragon, 2018, AS 52.by Sherry Lemon.

This was not just a beautiful picture of two gorgeous ladies, but it forever captured a beautiful moment in a bigger story.  Court candids can be difficult, and this one succeeded fabulously.  It was cropped perfectly, and chose it as the winner for the Candid category.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posed Winner: THL Thorsol Sits Vigil by Angelique Armstrong.

The story, the setting and composition were all top notch on this photo, but what put it over the top was the lighting.  The more the judges looked at this photo, the more they found to love, and thus named it winner of the posed category!

Summer Photography Contest Wants Your Entries

11 Wednesday Apr 2018

Posted by in Æthelmearc History, Gaming & Fun

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By Baroness Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina (Chris Adler-France)

Zinoviia Ivanova’s winning photo, in the posed category, of Sir Ruslan.

Have you ever snapped a photo at an event that looked like it was a medieval painting come to life?

Duchess Dorinda Courtenay wants your photos!

Specifically, she wants your entries for the Summer A.S. 53 Photography contest, an unofficial, fun competition she created due to her personal desire to encourage citizens of Æthelmearc to share photographs that remind us of the time periods we celebrate.

A couple of years ago, Her Grace was scrolling through Facebook and saw a particularly lovely photo of Drachenwald’s Twelfth Night.

“It was more like a painting than a photo, and it really highlighted how a beautiful photo could show the magic of what we do. I wanted to recognize those who used their skills to best display the arts of the kingdom. To do that, I started this contest!”

Orlando di Bene del Vinta’s winning photo, in the posed category, of Cairdha O’Coileain.

This is the third randomly scheduled contest; Her Grace has sponsored one roughly every nine months. The first contest received over 40 entries, while the second one received over 30. Her Grace noted that some gentles entered five photos and some only one.

As in the past contests, AEthelmearc citizens are welcome to enter up to five photos – candid or posed — in the contest on the Facebook group page, AEthelmearc Summer A.S. 53 Photography Contest. (Please post the photos, rather than sharing them to the group, and make each photo its own post so that the judges – Master Orlando, Master Raev, and Her Grace – can find them more easily when judging.)

Vidarr Hrafnsson’s winning photo in the candid category.

Entrants who have submitted five photos and wish to submit a better photo may do so, but must remove one of their previous photos from the Facebook page.

She urges entrants to avoid including or to crop out cars, fire extinguishers, soda cans, and other modern items from their entries, so that we can “share the magic of old times through modern technology.”

“Photos will be judged not only for standard photographic excellence, but also how much they evoke the time we study,” she added.

All of the photos remain the sole property of the photographer and cannot be used without her/his permission.

When is the deadline for this contest? June 1.

“We really want people too enter, and we really want them to focus on eliminating the modern. We look forward to you all sharing your memories with us in this forum.”

Harvest Raids, the Making of Knights, and the Bonds We Share

03 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Awards, Æthelmearc History, Event Reports, Heavy List

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By Lord Christian Goldenlok

Sir Thorsol is knighted. Photos by Baron Steffan.

In relation to each other, the rubber band of geographical life is made from unequal parts time and distance. When it stretches, all too often we have too much distance between us and not enough time to spend when we are together.

The opposite is also true. While it’s nice to visit with old friends around the fire, hearts become restless to look out to the horizon and build bonds away from home. In a perfect world, we could all live within walking distance. Until then, we have to use our time effectively. I am terrible at time management, mostly because I spent half my raids hugging people. It’s a rough life.

At Court at Harvest Raids, an Æthelmearc event in Western New York, my King and Queen made the first set of knights of their reign. Two men were presented, two men with whom I have very different relationships.

The first man to be brought forth was His Lordship Thorsol Solinauga. The Thorsol and I have been friends for years. He sought me out from the VERY beginning of my journey and has never once not made me feel welcomed at an event. He is either a saint or an incredible actor.  We have fought against and beside one another, and we have shared laughter, a love for this society, and many good conversations and will continue to do so. Thorsol is a popular man and inspired me to strive to build up people outside of the household and shire that I could love.

I have always measured my goodness based on his example. He is the gauge of inclusiveness to which I try to measure up. I have never heard him raise his voice in anger. Besides his deeds on the battlefield, I am sure that his diplomacy is something others should emulate. He can and will out-humble you. He is a dirty hippie. Sir Thorsol was the first man my King knighted. He is absolutely worthy of the station.

If he lived in Pittsburgh, we would throw pottery together, sing and play guitar together, or play boardgames together. He would be a part of my life because I would make him do so whether he wanted to or not. I love The Thorsol, and the beauty of the words spoken for him by friends I also know told me what I already knew for years: that many people are joined with me in sharing in my love for him. Thorsol spoke words of fealty on the Sword of State, he received his last unanswered blow from King Gareth, and he made his way, humbly and happily, to be with his new Chivalric brothers.

His ceremony was fantastic, and I wept happy, ugly tears for my friend, a man I wish I had more time with and less space away from. My house is a Bon Jovi-free zone.

After Sir Thorsol got the hell out of the way (Thorsol, GIT!), the crown proceeded to its next point of business and called forth Baron Dominic I-don’t-even-know-his-last-SCAdian-name. (Editor’s Note: Morland)

Sir Dominic is knighted.

 

Down the isle processed a handsome man with his beautiful wife whom I can’t recall I’ve ever met. As he and his retinue processed I thought to myself, “I don’t know her, nope, don’t know that guy, nope not him, nope don’t know her.”

The stranger knelt before my King and Queen, the King and Queen I know better than ANY other SCAdians, are masters of the fighting house to which I belong, and with whom I have spent countless hours. As the seconds passed, dichotomies between Dominic and Thorsol and the differences in my familiarity with the Royals and my familiarity with Baron Dominic began shooting through my mind.

As the introductory words were spoken, I searched my memory and couldn’t remember a time I had ever interacted with this man save a handshake or two, maybe a pat on the back in passing. Dominic and I have NEVER had the opportunity to sit and talk together. Earlier, as I had passed his vigil tent, I actually couldn’t recall any of the people who were standing guard for him or in that general vicinity. I’m Christian (expletive) Goldenlok and I know everybody… yet an entire group of people were unintentionally foreign to me.

Dominic’s heraldry is stunning, however.

To my delight, as the moments went on, I started to become slowly, intensely connected to these people, the man being knighted, and the ceremony.

Other people I didn’t know stood before the crown and offered their endorsements of Dominic. I started to feel a connection between their love for this man in relation to my love for the people that I hold dear. Tears streamed down the faces of many friends of Dominic, the majority of whom I have never become acquainted.

I began to feel the spirit of reverence that emanated through the ceremony. Words like honor, mental toughness, and graciousness poured out of the mouths of his friends, and I began to see that the same kinship that exists between me and Sir Thorsol absolutely exists between these fine people and their fine friend and brother, Dominic.

He began to tremble while kneeling before Their Majesties. You could visually comprehend that all his sacrifice, all his time spent in harness, all his time serving his friends, family, and the kingdom he calls home were about to manifest into becoming a Knight of Æthelmearc. He was aware of all this and, I imagine, was reacting to it. I empathized with the weight he was feeling. You could see he was humbled at being exulted by his friends. His dream, and the dreams and hopes and expectations others had of him, seemed to turn into a heartfelt, tangible reality with every word that filled the hall of that great Court. With the mounting of spurs, the clasp of cloak, and the fitting of the belt, he was being reworked, remade.

And then I started freaking ugly crying.

 

With so much strife in the modern world, it isn’t surprising that we occasionally need to be reminded that there is so much positivity and so much commonality that transcends the boundaries of time and distance in the SCA. As we struggle, as we toil in the fields, we must be reminded that there will come a time for harvest because of our collective dedication. It was obvious to me that many placed stones for Sir Dominic to walk on in his path to knighthood, and it was truly inspiring to see the love his friends showed him.

 

In closing, we must learn to become even more inclusive, to become even more open and honest and caring, and to realize that there is so much love in this world to be seen if only we fix our collective eyes to see it. I felt that love for you, Sir Dominic, and I hope we have time in the future. I’m grateful for both of these men, their separate retinues, their relation to us all, and their example to me.

 

Harvest Raids was fantastic!