The “Day at the Viking Townhall” at the Barony of St. Swithin’s annual Bog 3-Day event will be appropriately Viking flavored with the first brewing competition since the Plague! And this year, everybody is planning something: there will be archery, rapier, armored combat, thrown weapons, a bardic tavern (complete with an appearance of the ÆthelBar!), the iron scribe, classes – as well as a Baronial investiture. Good thing the event spans three days!
Lady Caterine showing off the brand-new wooden ÆthelBar top, which will be inaugurated at their investiture event.
Lord Jean Philippe dit la Barbe Rousse and Lady Caterine de Troyes will be stepping up as the new Baron and Baroness of the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog. They are involved in establishing a Bog and Friends Brewing Guild chapter to help encourage folks interested in the arts of brewing. Lady Caterine has brewed mead for the past 15 years and Lord Jean Philippe recently took on the position of Kingdom Brewers Guild Chamberlain, and he sure knows his way around a jockey box. To liven up the event, they asked fellow brewer and friend THLord Cassiano da Castello to run a brewers competition, not only as THLord Cas always shows great ability but also as he recently branched out to other types of brewing – specifically mead.
At first, THLord Cassiano said sure when asked by Lord Jean Philippe and Lady Caterine to run a brewers’ competition at their Baronial investiture to showcase brewers during their time on the Swithin’s Chairs as a help to friends. He did not expect many entries, given the uncertainty of the plague and this being so close to Pennsic. But as he is interested to get more into judging and supporting the brewing community, especially “post” pandemic, he figured he might as well start here!
Currently, I feel like I have somewhat of a handle on it, but I am also aware of my shortcomings and appreciate your help, as well as the help of Elena de la Palma who I will deputize on the day of. My current goals are to have a competition, have scrolls and prizes, and not fall on my face or have little infrastructure to make the thing happen.
If this is to happen again next year, he prefers to advertise at Christmastime so folks can get things in kegs or bottles ahead of time, not right after War Practice. He noted that: “I am also rapidly learning that this may be more service than I would like to do more than once a year (if I’m being completely honest!)”
This year, the brewing competition will focus on tasting over documentation. THLord Cassiano intends to assign judges to slots where they can taste and converse with the entrants, and then whatever entries are available after can be up for grabs for populace tasting! Of course, although their schedule will be hectic on their day of investiture, Lord Jean Philippe dit la Barbe Rousse and Lady Caterine de Troyes have already signed up as judges, as have I (Elska).
Are you interested in judging as well? Please contact THLord Cassiano (Cas Zemba on the Book of Faces) to be added to the list. Are you more interested in tasting? Keep an eye on the schedule, and come join us after judging – I am sure there will be plenty to choose from. And if the judges did not leave much, Lord Jean Philippe also requested that the Kingdom Brewers’ Guild bar have a presence – as the new Guild Chamberlain, he is the one in charge of guild equipment – which of course will include many homebrews to choose from. Bring your tasting cups!
Want to enter? Fill in your Entry Form now or at the event (please read the form beforehand as it requests brewing day specifics).
Want to see the scoring sheet?Check it out ahead of time!
To give THLord Cassiano a helping hand, and the competition a boost, the Kingdom Brewers Guild donated a couple of enticing prizes to be given away at his discretion. And when I mean enticing, I mean I would not mind getting my hands on some of these myself…
Up for grabs are:
– A Sour Cherry Pilsner beer ingredient kit by Brewer’s Best– Three water testing kits (pH, chlorine, peracetic acid) by Insta-Test
– And commercially dried whole leaf hops (Belma 21) from Hops Direct
And of course, THLord Cas would not be Cas if he wouldn’t add half-size bottles from the local distillery…!
Now it is up to you, our ÆthelBrewers, to come armed with brew and entry form, and Battle for the Tastiest Brew.
(From experience, I would guess this to be the one to go home with empty keg or bottles!)
This coming weekend, the Spring Æthelmearc Æcademy and War College will host many classes on diverse topics. But be prepared, as well as a Silent Auction to benefit SASS! Shaykha Jân al-Tha’lab from the Shire of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais, better known as Fox, is working hard to raise enough funds to be able to supply provisions for our Pennsic fighters. For now, she’s mostly made use of donations jars but to reach her end goal she plans a one-time silent auction at the Æcademy and War College. Traditionally, SASS is funded through a donation jar at the well-attended Adult Swim, but with event disruptions due to the Plague, this option was not available for our fighters this year.What is SASS? The Sylvan Army Support Staff provides food, water, basic first aid and armor/weapon repair stuffs to support and aid our Kingdom’s fighters and fencers while they’re on the field at Pennsic, WP, and several other events. We are a group of volunteers funded primarily through monetary donations from our populace, which is used to procure the Gatorade, pickles, olives, watermelons, oranges, pretzels, etc to literally feed an army, and a terrifying amount of duct tape.
Please check out the SASS Silent Auction and bid generously! Or, if your house is as full as mine, you are also more than welcome to add directly to the donation jar, of course.
The Spring Æcademy and War College will be held in the Shire of Coppertree at Camp Kingsley, 5330 Tuffy Road, Ava, New York on June 18, 2022 and is a Royal Event. Please contact Master Fridrikr & Mistress Orianna, Chancellors of the Æcademy and Sir Beatrix Krieger, Dean of the War College, for more information on Æcademy.
Have books (sca tops), fighter gear or A&S specific goods spare to benefit Sass and our Pennsic fighters? I will be happy to take your donation (preferably before lunch) and add it to the silent auction menu. Baron Snorri skyti Bjarnarson is the event autocrat and can help track me down, or leave your donation at Troll when entering or at/under the Donations table.
We are very excited by the first in-person Æthelmearc Æcademy since 2019! The Shire of Coppertree is graciously hosting us at Camp Kingsley in Ava, NY on June 18th 2022. We have a wide array of classes ready for you, so come out and learn new things!
PLEASE NOTE some classes require additional fees for materials or that you bring your own supplies, so be prepared if you are interested in taking those classes.
Schedule for the day is as follows:
Site opens at 9:00am
Their Majesties will be holding a short court at 9:30am
Classes will run 10:00am to noon
Lunch break from noon to 1:00pm (bag lunches provided by Duchess Rowan and the Coppertree cooks, and you must preregister for the lunch)
The site is a boy scout camp so the classes are spread out through various buildings and grounds. If you need assistance finding your classroom let us know! All of the classroom buildings have electricity, and all of the classrooms will have bottled water for general use. The tap water in the camp is from a well-regulated spring-fed lake so it is also quite potable.
Current COVID policy for the Kingdom of Æthelmearc (and we do not expect this to change anytime soon) is that everyone over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask indoors.
All of the classrooms with the exception of the War College are indoors and, therefore, EVERYONE over the age of 2 INCLUDING TEACHERS MUST BE MASKED FOR THE DURATION OF EACH CLASS. The classrooms will have signs reminding attendees of this fact.
We know this might be difficult to manage but we are the SCA and courtesy dictates that we follow policy, and that we are patient with the difficulties this may present. We would recommend that you each bring one or more masks, and a straw to allow you to drink out of a bottle or mug without needing to remove your mask.
You must also eat out of doors, but the autocrat has assured us that there are plenty of tables in the various open structures and porches to allow for this.
Teachers are allowed to move classes outside if permitted by the weather and class structure.
Please feel free to contact either the Æcademy staff or the autocrat, Baron Snorri skyti Bjarnarsson, if you have any questions.
We look forward to seeing all of you on the 18th!
Fridrikr, Orianna, and Beatrix
Chancellors of the Æcademy and War College
‹From the event steward for Iris Festival and Kingdom Equestrian Champs, With Iron Comet Challenge, THL Hara Kikumatsu.
The Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands Iron Comet Challenge, Japanese Iris Festival, and Kingdom Equestrian Champs event is only a few days away, on June 4th. We hope for a beautiful, fun-filled day.
Last minute reminders:
1. SCA Covid protocols as of the event date will be enforced. Please be prepared to show your vaccination record or proof of a negative Covid test upon arrival at the event or at event setup Friday evening.
2. No food will be served, so bring food and drink. No glass bottles please.
3. Remember sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, a chair to sit on and, if you have one, a pop-up for shade.
4. There is handicap accessible parking, next to handicap restrooms, and an all gender changing tent. There are also separate Lords & Ladies changing tents.
5. Service animals only (other than the horses). They must be on a leash.
Iron Comet Challenge Rules:
1. For adults to be eligible for the iron comet challenge, you must enter the A&S competition, and have fought in at least 3 of the four non-equestrian martial tournaments.
2. Scoring will be done by tournament winner get 10 points, second 9 points, etc for each of the tournaments. The scores are added.
3. Youth iron comet winner will be determined by a combined archery, thrown weapons, and arts and sciences tournaments score.
4. Youth scores are tallied for only the youth, not as part of adult scores.
A Little More on the Event:
Here is the event page: http://debatablelands.org/events/2022-06-04%20Japanese%20Iris%20Festival.php. The event will have fencing, thrown weapons, heavy fighting, and archery tournaments. In addition there is kingdom equestrian champion tournament for horses and riders. There is also a arts and sciences competition with no theme. There is an equestrian arts and sciences competition. In addition to the arts and sciences competition, there is a arts and sciences display with an Asian theme.
The combined iron comet challenge is combination of the results from all the non-equestrian competitions.
The event will be held in the horse arena at Brady’s Run, 121 Brady’s Run Rd, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Preregistration is closed, but you can pay at the door with cash or check.
Cost:
Adult Event Registration: $12
Adult Member Discount Event Registration: $7
Youth 17 and under are free.
There are two Arts and Sciences activities being run at next month’s Japanese Iris Festival event (June 4, 2022 – 121 Brady’s Run Rd, Beaver Falls, PA 15010).
The first is the Iron Comet A&S Competition. The competition has no theme, and accepts all types of projects. The competition is mandatory for anyone in the Iron Comet Challenge, but it is open to everyone. Anyone can win, but only those participating in the martial competitions
will receive tournament points.
The second is the Festival A&S Display. The display is also open to any type of project, but projects displaying arts of Eastern Asia are encouraged. There are no points awarded, no judging, and no winner. Please bring all your most interesting, most useful, most attractive, and most intense projects to show. Research and instruction are not required, but we would love to see any supporting documentation if you have it, and enjoy having you answer questions about your work if you’re not busy elsewhere. You can display as many items as you wish, but if you need a lot of room please consider bringing your own tables and possibly your own shelter.
Both activities will be under shelter, but this event is primarily outdoors so please be prepared to protect your entries from stray raindrops and errant breezes. By site policy, no glass bottles are allowed.
You do not need to register your entries or display items ahead of time,
but if you want to send email to let event staff know what you are
bringing or if you have any questions, please contact “ansminister (at)
debatablelands.org”.
Who is ready for some learning? Many amazing teachers have heeded my call for classes at this years War Practice! We have decided to go paperless so no class handouts will be available. However, if you need a printed copy, please email me to request one. Did you know that there is an App for War Practice this year? Here is the link: https://eventee.co/event/16244 The event schedule is listed there as well.
Yours in service,
Lady Vika Vyborskaia
Friday Classes
9:00 AM
Tent 1 – How to Write Poetry Like a Well-Mannered Brute – A poetry workshop for the aspiring heart! An introduction to various period-specific forms, devices, figurative language, the mysteries of enjambment, and the acrostic! Come with longing, leave with poems of your own devising! (2 Hours) – Morien MacBain – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 3 – How to Open Up a Can of Worms Without Making Too Much of a Mess: Starting an SCA Research Project – Does research and documentation seem overwhelming? Are you interested in doing an A&S project but don’t know where to start? This class will teach you how to find, evaluate, and document the sources you need to research and complete an A&S project in any category. (1 Hour) – Rosie Dubroc – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
10:00 AM
Tent 2 – Introduction to Fingerloop Braiding – Learn some basic fingerloop braiding patterns you can use to create necklaces, bracelets, lacing, medallion cords, etc. (1 Hour) – Forveleth Dunde – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 3 – Cofia y Tranzado: The Omnipresent Spanish Headwear – In 1500s Spain, the cofia y tranzado (cap and braid case) was all the rage. Worn by women of virtually every rank, it could dress up, dress down, and be styled in a wide variety of ways. This class will survey the many different examples we have of the garment in use, and will include a pattern and all details needed to make and wear your own (it’s easy!) (1 Hour) – Baroness Elena de la Palma – (Adults)
11:00 AM
Tent 2 – Castle Knitting for Children – Children will use a very basic knitting-style skill to create a rope/snake/cord to be used as imagination dictates! Best for ages 7 and up, though many 6-year-olds can manage fine with parental assistance. – Limit 10 kids per class. No materials fee. (1 Hour) – Elsa Taliard – (Kids 6 and up with Adult)
Tent 3 – Voice Heralding 101 – From SCA.org: “Voice heralds” are used for “crying out announcements, announcing the fighters entering the list field, as well as acting as the voice of the nobility in court, reading the scrolls that accompany the awards being given out.” “Book heralds”: helping members of the SCA to research period names and design devices (armory), as well as registering them with the SCA College of Heralds. “Protocol heralds”: recording the awards and honors that are given in court, drafting period-style ceremonies for use in court, determining the precedence of award holders, as well as other legal niceties in all sorts of situations. This class deals with Voice Heralds. Learn how to project your voice, how to present yourself, what to say, and how to say it! (1 Hour) – Baron Snorri skyti Bjarnarsson – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
12:00 PM
Tent 1 – The Song of Breath: Troubadour Poetry and Lore – A survey of the history and stories of the troubadour poets, rich in anecdote, and with reference to particular motifs and forms of their art. Special attention will be paid to the sestina form! (2 Hours) – Morien MacBain – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 2 – MOL What’s that? – Learning how to run all types of tournaments. (1 Hour) – Lady Vika Vyborskaia – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 3 – How to be an SCA Assassin – An Introduction to having a persona that is nefarious and not getting into trouble; includes accoutrements, A&S ideas, and other suggestions. (1 Hour) – THL Maggie Rue – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
1:00 PM
Tent 2 – En Espanol: Defining Characteristics of Women’s Fashion in Spain from 1500 – 1600 – What makes Spanish fashion distinct from, well, anywhere else? That’s a big question, but we’ll try to answer it for one particular segment: women’s fashion from 1500-1600. We’ll look at everything from materials, cut, and construction to embellishments, undergarments, and accessories, reviewing commonalities from image and inventory sources of the time. – Baroness Elena de la Palma – (Adult)
Tent 3 – Mushroom Foraging Safety 101 – Wild Mushrooms are sexy. Gastrointestinal distress is not. Let’s get you out there foraging safely! Wild mushroom petting zoo last 1/2 hour of class, appx. Class Limit 15 (2 Hours) – Elsa Taliard – (Adults Only, NO ONE UNDER 18)
2:00 PM
Tent 1 – Night’s Black Agents: Elizabethan Espionage – A survey of Elizabeth’s intelligence service, spymasters, codes, and night’s black agents, as well as the litany of conspiracies and plots they faced! (1.5 Hours) – Morien MacBain – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
3:00 PM
Tent 2 – Risqué Pompeii: Art Under the Volcano – Upon the discovery of Pompeii, and its neighbor Herculaneum, Victorian explorers were both surprised and horrified by what they found. The sexually explicit artwork they uncovered would forever change their view of Ancient Rome and eventually lead to our modern concept of pornography. Come have a look at the artwork that caused such an uproar that it was hidden away for nearly two centuries. Ages 18+ (1 Hour) – Rosie Dubroc – (Adults)
Tent 3 – The Guzheng, The Chinese Zither – This is a basic informational class on the guzheng, a Chinese stringed instrument. I will give an overview of the history and evolution of the instrument in the relevant time frame of the SCA and weather permitting, will bring the instrument out to demonstrate basic techniques of how it was played. (1 Hour) – Brigette de Sainte Mere-Eglise – (Adults)
4:00 PM
Tent 2 – Introduction to Combat Archery – Have you ever wanted to be a part of the action on the battlefield, but didn’t want to swing a sword? Have you ever wanted to shoot back at that pesky archer who keeps killing you? Give combat archery a try. The class will cover the basics of combat archery: what equipment you need, the rules, and basic tactics. (1 Hour) – Freiherr Friderich Swartzwalder – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 3 – Cooking the Books – a Review of Period Cookbooks – The class will look at almost 60 period cookbooks. The teacher will give her opinion on the usability of each book. A handout will be provided listing all the books and a table will be included listing the features of each book. (2 Hours) – Baroness Oddkatla Jonsdottir – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
5:00 PM
Tent 2 – Jakob Fugger, The Richest Person Who Ever Lived – A look at the life of Augsburg banker Jakob Fugger. He financed Popes, Kings, and Emperors. Learn about the person who redefined banking and established modern capitalism. A person who was despised by many, including those who needed his services. (1 Hour) – Freiherr Friderich Swartzwalder – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Saturday Classes
9:00 AM
Tent 1 – Roman Wire and Bead Jewelry – Examine Roman jewelry artifacts that can be recreated using simple materials and tools. Kits and handouts available. Students encouraged to bring round needle nose pliers, wire cutters, and bead mats. Students must be able to safely use wire cutters. Limit 15 Cost $10 for supplies for a full necklace and earrings (2 Hours) – Dame Elizabethe Alles – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 2 – Medallion making – This make and take class will teach you how to make a painted medallion with a glass cabochon. These are ideal for largesse, heraldic display, or award medallions. All supplies provided, including real lambskin vellum. Limit 12 Cost $5 (1.5 Hour) – Nichola Beese – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 3 – Pasamanos: A Survey of Spanish Needlework – Spain has a rich tradition of needlework dating back hundreds of years into period. This class will trace the development of this tradition, starting with some of the earliest examples and extending to lacemaking, drawnwork, and the other highly complex styles found decorating ruffs, camisas, and more during the Spanish Golden Age. Focus is on exposure to styles, not on learning the techniques involved. (1 Hour) – Baroness Elena de la Palma – (Adult)
10:00 AM
Tent 2 – Bayeux Stitch Embroidery – Cone learn Bayeux stitch! This historically accurate technique combines outline or stem stitch and couching and laid work techniques, allowing you to cover large areas with ease and stitch non-geometric and pectoral designs. Limit 12 Cost $5 (1.5 Hours) – Renata Rouge & Nichola Beese – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 3 – Fabric and Embellishment in Late Period Spanish Clothing: Evidence from the Inventories – What fabrics would a Spanish queen wear? How would her garments be decorated? This class explores some answers to these questions by surveying recorded inventories of Isabel of Portugal, Juana of Castile, and other contemporary Spanish royal women from 1530 – 1600. (1 Hour) – Baroness Elena de la Palma – (Adult)
A&S Pavilion – Tent 1 – Weedwalk – Walk through the campground to appreciate and identify wild plants and learn some of their uses and dangers. Please wear sturdy shoes. Rain or shine. Limit 20 – Baroness Sadira bint Wassouf – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
11:00 AM
Tent 1 – So, you want to be an Apothecary in the SCA – This class is an introduction to Apothecaries throughout different eras and cultures and how best to portray one in reenactment, LARP-ing, or any fictional setting. In addition, discussion will be provided on how to create research papers and projects, as well as gifts and largesse that are persona oriented. (1 Hour) – THL Maggie Rue – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 3 – Mushroom Foraging Safety 101 – Wild Mushrooms are sexy. Gastrointestinal distress is not. Let’s get you out there foraging safely! Wild mushroom petting zoo last 1/2 hour of class, appx. Class Limit 15 (2 Hours) – Elsa Taliard – (Adults Only, NO ONE UNDER 18)
12:00 PM
Tent 2 – Tips for Teaching a Better A&S Class – Whether you are planning your first class or have been teaching for a while, A&S classes can be a lot of work to develop and present. This class aims to provide some helpful tips to make it simpler and more efficient to turn your ideas into classes that are both easy for you to teach and easy for your students to understand. (1 Hour) – Rosie Dubroc – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Campsite – Forester Flint and Steel Firemaking – The House Sable Maul Camp – This class will involve a variety of skills involved in creating a fire quickly and reliably with flint and steel. A variety of char materials, tinder, and kindling will be considered, as well as the ability to locate ort make such materials in the wilderness. All class materials will be provided, enough for ten students will be on hand. (2 Hours) – Rikardr Vid-Bjorn – Limit 10 – (Any, Youth with Adult supervision)
1:00 PM
Tent 1 – Art Analysis For Living History – As more and more Medieval and Renaissance art becomes accessible, there are more and more exciting opportunities to create and appreciate art across cultures and time periods. Join us for a fun, interactive workshop to explore a way to analyze extant scroll illumination or paintings to identify specific details for creating realistically period art, to assess your own illuminations, or just for an additional level of enjoyment. This class is appropriate for any age or level of ability and interest, especially beginners in illumination. (1 Hour) – Baroness Sadira bint Wassouf – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 3 – Newcomers Meet & Greet – (1 hour)
2:00 PM
Tent 2 – Castle Knitting for Children – Children will use a very basic knitting-style skill to create a rope/snake/cord to be used as imagination dictates! Best for ages 7 and up, though many 6-year-olds can manage fine with parental assistance. – Limit 10 kids per class. No materials fee. (1 Hour) – Elsa Taliard – (Kids 6 and up with Adult)
Tent 3 – Turkish Hat Making – Make and take class where you get to make an Ottoman Tarpus hat. Some knowledge of hand sewing required, materials provided – though if you have a specific fabric you’d like to use, please bring it. – Limit 10 hat makers (2 Hours) – THL Sumayya Ghaziyya – (Adult)
3:00 PM
Tent 1 – The Way of Saint James: Pilgrims to Santiago – We will examine the legends, history, and lore of the *Camino de Santiago*, with special emphasis on the nature of medieval pilgrimage, sites of special historic, religious, and cultural importance along the route, plus advice for planning and completing the pilgrimage today. Taught by former pilgrims. *¡Buen camino!* (2 Hours) – Morien MacBain – (Any, Youth with Adult Supervision)
Tent 2 – “Kingdom MOL Meet & Greet” – As I’ve recently taken office, I would like to be able to meet personally with as many MOLs from around the kingdom as possible. If you are an MOL, interested in becoming an MOL, or just are curious about what it is that a Minster of the List does, please come and visit. (2 Hours) – Odriana – (Adult)
4:00 PM
Tent 2 – “Authorization Clerk Demo and Q&A” – Join Odriana, Deputy Authorization Clerk for the Kingdom, for a demonstration of the new online authorization form. This is also an opportunity for any Marshals that have not had the opportunity to give permission to be included on the online form so that your local fighters can use the form. There will also be time for Q&A in case you have any questions about the authorization process. (2 Hours) – Odriana – (Adult)
One more weekend, and it is time to pack the camping gear, head out of town and enjoy the copious A&S activities at the Æthelmearc War Practice! With the Return of the Great Hall, boy, do we have a line up… There will be Artisan Playtime, there will be Scribal Playtime, there will be Brewing, there will be Bardic – as well as a woodworking demo and whatever other projects the populace brings for show and tell. Reserve some time out of your busy schedule of martial activities and classes for the many Cool Things happening in the Great Hall yet once again!
Brews and Bards in the Barn Social from 4-8pm in the Great Hall
Master Morien MacBain performs on the field.
To start the weekend off with a bang, the Brews and Bards in the Barn social will happen Friday from 4-8 PM in the Great Hall. Sylvan Bards THLady Maggie Rue and Master Morien MacBain plan a bardic circle together with the pouring of libations by the Brewers Guild. Master Morien would invite prospective Bards to partake of his Eleanor of Aquitaine Challenge! He offers a pair of prizes, one for Joglars or Best Performance and one for Trobars or Best Poem or song Composed on-site, during the evening! He will announce the topic at 5PM and composers may either present their work themselves, or designate another to do so. Eleanor of Aquitaine was the great patroness of the troubadours; the trobars were the writers, the joglars were the singers and a person could be both.
The Æthelmearc Guild of Brewers, Vintners, and Meadhers is working hard on restoring the Pennsic Bar and intends to have it up and running to be able to serve cold brews and fruity meads during the Brews and Bards in the Barn revelry. The first part of the evening the Brewers Guild plans a social get-together or round table for all our brewers old and new to meet and greet the many familiar and perhaps not so familiar faces we have not seen since far too long. Have you kept on brewing? Bring something to share. Are you looking for feedback? Definitely bring something to share! We welcome all, and will also have non-alcoholic beverages available.
Artisan Playtime from 1-5 PM in the Great Hall
A plow plane used for cutting the groove for a panel in a frame.
My personal favorite, woodworking virtuoso Master Robert of Sugargrove will bring his collection of hand tools to demonstrate commonly used period techniques. He shared with me: “I usually do a little stock prep – rough scrub plane & finish smooth plane – how we make a flat, true board; then either some dovetail work or mortise & tenon joinery.”
Master Robert likes to get random folks to try plane work; to give them a sense of what is involved in just getting out a board for a project. He hopes woodworkers will stop by with questions, like what type of wood to use, which joint where, how do I lay out for joinery and such, which Master Robert does not think “really anything unusual or cool,” but I beg to differ!
Teaching the populace the proper way to handle a plane.
Scribal Playtime from 1-5 PM in the Great Hall
Is woodworking not really your thing? THLady Eleanore Godwin is coordinating Scribal Playtime during the same time slot of 1 – 5 PM. She recently secured supplies from her locals the Barony of the Rhydderich Hael (thank you, Mistress Cori!) and looks forward to sharing her tables with the populace. Would you like to get feedback on an existing project? Bring it and share! Are you new to the art but curious to try your hand? Choose a bookmark or perhaps a scroll blank and give it a swing! You never know until you try, right?
At Artisan Playtime, everyone is welcome set up a table and chair and share what they are working on, or to stop by and be inspired by what others are working on. Artisan Playtime is a most wonderful way to see artisans in action, to socialize and network – and to get out of the rain / sun / whatever Pennsylvania Spring has in store for us!
KMoAS Consultation Table from 1 – 5 PM in the Great Hall
A reminder, the Kingdom Ministry of Arts & Sciences will arrange for an A&S ConsultationTable during Artisan Playtime for those new, and not so new, to the arts & sciences to chat about projects, progress and inspirations. Come hang out with us, ask questions about research, documentation and entering for future events, or just plain enjoy the view of art happening in real time!
Hope to see you there.
Elska
Please Contact Me if you would like to know more.
It is probably not a bad idea to bring a comfy chair.
As of Thursday April 28 at 7PM, Master Madoc Arundel stepped down as Head of the Royal Æthelmearc Guild of Brewers, Vintners, and Meadhers, and we, Mistress Elska á Fjárfelli, assisted by Guild Deputy Lady Violeta de Valencia, are taking over leadership of the Brewers Guild.
Lady Violeta and I would like to thank Master Madoc for the awesome job he did with the Guild, growing its presence in person as well as online. I can’t think of saying our thanks any better than old-time brewer Master Artemius of Delftwood: “You fostered and advanced guild and mentored many of the members. You encouraged many of us to try new recipes and gave honest feedback that helped us all grow as brewers. The kingdom has benefited from your efforts on many levels. Thank you very much for your service and guidance over the years.” Thank you from the bottom of our heart!
Naturally, we jumped right into the job and are busily coordinating Guild participation both at Æthelmearc War Practice and of course at Pennsic Royal. Our new Guild Chamberlain Lord Jean Phillipe from St. Swithin’s Bog started inventory of the Guild equipment right away to make sure everything is spic and span come Pennsic Bar time, with a hopeful early appearance of the bar at War Practice. And don’t worry, we will track down you active brewers and see what we can coordinate for Pennsic bar donations soon (please PM or email us).
For those who are not as familiar with the two of us – or just itching to get out and share a good home brew – the Brewers Guild, in collaboration with Bardic Champion Master Morien MacBain, will host a Brews & Bardic in the Barn Social Friday evening from 4 to 8PM in the Great Hall during War Practice (stay tuned for more on this event). Come say hi, share a brew, admire the Guild bar & taps, and hang out to enjoy the song & stories! After two years of Plague, I am betting there are some stories…!
Again, thank you, Master Madoc, for your service to the Æthelmearc Brewing community, and for your offer to stay on as Guild Webminister. We hope to do you proud. Understandably, the Guild is not quite the same now as when we the Plague first manifested and we figure it best to start back up with a clean slate. If you consider yourself an active brewer and/or active Guild Officer, please reach out (sooner rather than later) so we can update the Guild Roster, etc.
Lady Violeta and I look very much forward to help the Guild back on its feet, and welcome back our brewers, vintners and meadhers. Now go forth, and ferment All The Things!
Mistress Elska and Lady Violeta
Head of the Brewers Guild, and Deputy
Learn more about the Æthelmearc Brewers Guild here
Rumblings of War have reached our borders and to help prepare, the Shire of Steltonwald invites all to gather at Cooper’s Lake Campground May 19-22, 2022 for the Æthelmearc War Practice XXXI.
Class coordinator Lady Vika Vyborskaia would like to remind the populace that this week is THE LAST CALL to schedule your class or order meeting for War Practice!
The deadline being this coming Friday, April 27th. Get your classes and workshops on the schedule to make sure you have room inside the wonderful water proof and sun shading class tents. This is a perfect opportunity to dust off those in-person make & take classes we’ve missed so much during our Plague-induced shift to virtual class offerings. Please email Lady Vika asap as there are still a few time slots available for Friday and Saturday!
Merriment in the Brewers Tent – the brewers competition and social of War Practice 2019.
The Royal Æthelmearc Guild of Brewers, Vintners, and Meadhers plans a well deserved Round Table and Social of copious libations, lively discussions and stories of unusual plague brewings… We invite anyone to come hang out with us – and brewers, please bring a sample of whatever you concocted to share! Tentatively scheduled for Friday early evening. Contact Elska with any questions.
Master Robert of Sugar Grove teaching the Youth of Æthelmearc how to safely operate a hand plane, War Practice 2019.
The much anticipated Wood Workshop and Hand Tool Tastings will happen once again under the expert tutelage of Master Robert of Sugar Grove. He loves sharing his knowledge with those gentles interested in learning more about hand tool woodworking as well offer the opportunity to experience hand tools and equipment often unfamiliar to the modern woodworker.
But wait, there is more! Once again War Practice will have access to the Great Hall! Bring your projects in progress! Bring your curiosity! Bring your displays! Saturday from 1 to 5pm we will have A&S PLAY TIME! Stay tuned for more detail…
And during A&S Playtime, The Kingdom Ministry of Arts & Sciences will arrange for an A&S Consultation Table for those new, and not so new, to the arts & sciences to chat about projects, progress and inspirations as well as ask questions about research, documentation and entering for future events. The KMoAS is here to enable serve your A&S endeavors to the best of our combined abilities!
Come join us as we endeavor to explore all of the martial and arts & sciences activities the society offers. This will include Rattan, Fencing, Archery, Thrown Weapons, Combat Archery, and Siege with several Kingdom Championships on the schedule. The peaceful pursuits include an extensive A&S class track and meetings, as well as shopping, dancing, and more.
Shenanigans by Master Robert of Ferness and THLady Lasairfhiona inghean Aindriasa in the Brewers tent involving big and tasty balls… Chocolate Beer Bacon Brownie Balls – really what else could we mean?!
For updates as they become available, please visit the Steltonwalt website and keep an eye out for the Class Schedule next week.
All throughout the Middle Ages, men wore coifs to keep their hair clean and out of their face. In many illuminations, coifs are depicted in white or a natural color. Depending on one’s status during the Middle Ages would determine on how fine the cloth was for the coif. Finer white linens for the wealthy and peasants had rougher linens in natural colors.
I have been learning how to hand sew medieval clothing items using period-correct sewing tools lately. I recently got inspired by these images from the Rutland Psalter of 1260, men’s coifs with the stitches depicted.
The coifs appear to be a two-piece construction with a band across the back of the coif to cover the raw edges and a longer band across the front of the coif to cover the raw edges and act as the ties for under the chin.
I used The Medieval Tailors Assistant book for reference on cutting out the coif pattern and for stitches to use for construction of the coif. I used reproduction sewing needles and pins that were based off archeological digs in London. (I purchased them from The Fairytale Chest shop in Etsy.)
I chose a fine white linen and used white linen thread for sewing. Construction of the coif for me was pretty straightforward: sew the two pieces together down the center of the coif, finish the seams to hide the raw edges, and sew on the bands.
I found the linen easy to work with; it was easy for me to crease the seams and it held the creasing very well for me to sew. I used a backstitch to sew down the center of the coif seam. Next, using my fingers and natural body heat, I pressed open the seam, folded over the raw edges and used a simple whip stitch to tact them down.
Next was creating the bands for the back and front of the coif. I measured both front and back for the length needed, adding 12 inches on each side of the front band for the ties. I cut my bands a little over an inch wide. Again, using my fingers, I folded the bands in half, making a good crease in the linen as I went along the length of the band. Next, I opened the band and carefully pressed in the outer edges of the band to the center, making a good crease in the linen. Then I folded the band in half again, making it in the fashion of modern-day double-folded bias tape. I did not cut the bands on the bias as I felt this would make them too stretchy and the coif would not fit right. For the front band, I double folded in very small edges to hide the raw edges.
Opening the bands, I put them on the raw edges of the coif and sewed then on using a whip stitch that is shown in The Medieval Tailors Assistant book. For the front band, I closed the tie ends using the same whip stitch.
I found sewing with the reproduction needle mostly easy; however, as my body heat warmed up the brass, it bent the needle. I had to stop quite a lot to straighten out my needle. I also found that the needle and pins left bigger holes in the fabric compared to their modern counterparts. But I felt in the end of it all, the holes went away as I continued to work with the linen and felt that it didn’t change the outcome of the coif.
I still need to work on making my stitch work much better, but that will come with practice, practice and more practice! Hope you enjoyed reading about this project, I really did enjoy making the coif.
(Lady Isolda is apprenticed to Master Hrólfr Á Fjárfelli)
– Three water testing kits (pH, chlorine, peracetic acid) by Insta-Test
– And commercially dried whole leaf hops (Belma 21) from Hops Direct
And of course, THLord Cas would not be Cas if he wouldn’t add half-size bottles from the local distillery…!
Who is ready for some learning? Many amazing teachers have heeded my call for classes at this years War Practice! We have decided to go paperless so no class handouts will be available. However, if you need a printed copy, please 
Greetings Populace and Brewers of Æthelmearc!
