This message is to let you know that His Majesty, King Maynard, has eliminated the high tech pretenders who tried to pass themselves off as “Æthelnet” and “Æthelnators”.
His Majesty wishes to reassure the populace that there will be no takeover by any computer overlords. While events and meetings may remain virtual for a while, our webministers and Zoomerators will continue to do the stellar job they have been doing for the last year, and our leadership will remain human.
Please resume your regularly scheduled activities, secure in the knowledge that our beloved Kingdom is in good hands.
Most of you followed the predicament of the massive Ever Given cargo ship that was stuck in the Suez Canal until this past Monday.
It carried over 220,000 tons of goods coming from China to Europe, and all of that cargo was left to sit in the Egyptian sun until engineers were finally able to refloat the mammoth ship in cooperation with the Suez Canal Authority. The freighter’s position blocking the canal held up commercial travel for thousands of other ships and affected supply chains world-wide for almost a week.
The good news is that the rattan that was being hauled by the Ever Given and other ships delayed by its mishap is now on its way toward the Netherlands. From there, a supply of rattan will make its way to the U.S., Canada, Australia, and other parts of Europe. So SCA fighters, rejoice! Soon you should once again have enough rattan for all of your fighting needs.
Which are… uh… kind of low until the pandemic restrictions are lifted and we can have events and practices again.
But hey, rattan!
The Ever Given before it was refloated. Rattan bound for SCA kingdoms is in the highlighted container.
In related news, the following letter to the SCA Board of Directors was made available to the Gazette today for public posting.
Unto the Noble Lords and Ladies of the Board of Directors, Greetings.
Over the years I have been fooled on more than one occasion regarding the activities guided and supported by the Society of Creative Anachronism. For a while, I thought the Society was involved in a new musical style, and enjoyed it very much. Then I found out that what I thought my friends were referring to as ‘SCA’ was in fact ‘SKA’. You can imagine my disappointment. I still enjoy the music though.
However, I have been greatly encouraged that our Society has gone heavily into public good works. The re-floating of the Ever Given by the SCA is a great example of doing good works for the entire world, not just for our members. I look forward to more good works to support.
THIS CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT KINGDOM EMAIL AND DOC SERVER. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO PEOPLE WHO WILL NEED THIS INFORMATION. (Frankly, it is all important!!)
Good afternoon, Æthelmearc Royalty, Kingdom Officers, Guild Heads, Group Seneschals, and all who currently have groups that reside on the Kingdom Web Server, and the Kingdom’s Populace.
This is a VERY exciting time for the Kingdom’s Webministry!! With this said, there is much housekeeping to keep all aware of recent and upcoming changes.
We have been in the midst of setting up our Kingdom’s Google Account. I am very thankful for our team of Google Deputies who have helped brainstorm, write policies, and worked on creating specific Kingdom accounts on the backend of our Google Server.
New Kingdom Email Accounts
Soon we will have our first wave of Kingdom accounts set up. These accounts will be for all Royalty, Kingdom Officers, Guild Heads, Group Seneschals, and all who currently have groups that reside on the Kingdom Web Server. If you have had a forwarder in the past on the Kingdom server, it will now be an official email account on the Kingdom Google server. The Kingdom will no longer be forwarding emails and you will need to log in to check your email account. You will be receiving credentials to log in to your Kingdom Google account at the address you have been receiving your Kingdom email. If you are unsure of what email that is, please contact us at ae.google@aethelmearc.org (until the switch, then remove the “ae.”) and one of us will respond with information in a timely manner.
Groups and positions that will have automatic creation of accounts from this move include:
– All Kingdom Officers (that are listed on the AEthelmearc.org website. We will talk about this in a moment.) – All Group Seneschals – AEANS -AELeads – Chatelaine – Coins (Moneyers Guild) – Coppertree – Heraldry (We will talk about this in a moment) – Hunters Home – Kings Crossing – Marshal (Earl Marshal — We will talk about this in a moment) – Myrkfaelinn – Webminister – Kingdom Announcement and Discussion Lists (We will talk about this in a moment)
Additionally, the “ae.” section of emails will be going away with this move to Google. For example, in the past to reach the King you would type the following email: ae.king@aethelmearc.org. After the move, this will become king@aethelmearc.org. All Kingdom hosted email addresses (as listed above) will follow suit. If an email is sent to ae.****@aethelmearc.org, after the switch, it will bounce. We update all information on the Kingdom Website as quickly as possible after the changeover to reflect accurate information.
Rapier Email Addresses
In addition, all email addresses that had fencing noted in the address (specifically for aethelmearc.org, NOT for marshal.aethelmearc.net) will be updated to rapier. If an email is sent to ae.region1fencing@aethelmearc.org, after the switch, it will bounce. Everyone will be notified before the switch occurs [which is slated for December 12, but will be reposted next week] and after the switch has taken place.
Heraldry Website and Email Addresses
The AEHeralds site will be joining the Kingdom server and AEHeralds.net will be switched to heraldry.aethelmearc.org. All emails that are associated with aeheralds.net will be changed to reflect the new ending once this change takes place. Please note, after this change if an email is sent to ****@aeheralds.net it will bounce. Everyone will be notified before the switch occurs and after the switch has taken place. Marshal: The Marshal site will be switching domain endings from marshal.aethelmearc.net to marshal.aethelmearc.org. All emails that are associated with marshal.aethelmearc.net will be changed to reflect the new ending once this change takes place. Please note, after this change if an email is sent to ****@marshal.aethelmearc.net it will bounce. Everyone will be notified before the switch occurs and after the switch has taken place.
Kingdom Announcement and Discussion Lists
These lists are being retired from our longtime host at CMU and will open as Google Groups. We are attempting to move all the email addresses over to the new groups for those who are already members or either or both of the Kingdom lists. The new addresses for sending to these lists will be announcements@aethelmearc.org and discussion@aethelmearc.org. If you are not currently on either or both of these lists and would like to be, please let us know at ae.google@aethelmearc.org (until the switch, then remove the “ae.”), and we will gladly add you to either or both of these lists. You do not need to have an aethelmearc.org email address in order to be on these lists.
People with Multiple Accounts
For any position that has 2 related positions, which have corresponding emails in 2 separate subdomains: In these cases, we are creating aliases so you can use the same account for either email account. For an example of this, after changes go into effect, region1rapier@aethelmearc.org and region1rapier@marshal.aethelmearc.org will feed to the same account.
For any person that has 2 (or more) unrelated positions: Please note that you will have a separate Google account for each of these positions and will need to log in/out of these accounts to access specific information. A few quick Q&As:
Q & A
What if my Group/Order would like email addresses with an AEthelmearc subdomain? We can do this! Please have your seneschal email ae.google@aethelmearc.org (until the switch, then remove the “ae.”) and we can talk about specifics and work on this.
What about me? Can I get an aethelmearc.org Google Account/email address? At some point in January we will be opening up our thelmearc Google Account Request Form for all paid members in Æthelmearc to create an Google account on our server. This will allow you to have an email address ending in aethelmearc.org and space in Google Docs. Please stay tuned for more specific information.
What if I don’t know how to use Google? Please know we have documentation available and we will have online trainings available on Zoom. Please stay tuned for more information.
Can I easily log in and out of “unrelated” accounts? Yes! We will have documentation available for logging into and switching between multiple Google accounts.
Can I be logged into my personal Google account and an AEthelmearc Google account simultaneously? Yes! We will have documentation available for logging into and switching between multiple Google accounts.
Æthelmearc Documents Moving to Google Docs
The second subject of note — the Kingdom Doc Server has been moved to Æthelmearc’s Google Docs account. All Kingdom-hosted documents on the Kingdom website should reflect this change. Please let me know (ae.webminister@aethelmearc.org — until the switch, then remove the “ae.”) if something is not correct so it can be remedied.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at ae.webminister@aethelemearc.org (or during the downtime next week at ae.webminister@apospirit.net).
Their Royal Majesties have agreed, in consultation with myself, the Deputy Kingdom Seneschal for Pandemics (Duke Christopher), and Master Morien, the Kingdom Earl Marshal, we are continuing the pause on heavy fighting and rapier fighting until at least January 31, 2021.
I know this is not what we want. However, his Grace has indicated that they have been seeing an increase in cases from schools and from sports. That does not bode well for our fighting activities. It is best that we be prudent and do our best to stay healthy.
Please wear your masks, wash your hands, and socially distance when at all possible.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
As announced on ÆLive by Their Majesties, in consultation with myself, the Deputy Kingdom Seneschal for Pandemics (Duke Christopher), and Master Morien, the Kingdom Earl Marshal, we are continuing the pause on heavy fighting and rapier fighting until at least October 1st.
I know this is disappointing. I once again recommend pell work, footwork drills, zoom practices, and in general doing what you can to stay safe and sane in these times.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
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)
Greetings from THL Deirdre Scot of Clann Scot, Kingdom Authorizations Clerk:
I hope everyone is doing well and remaining healthy during this unprecedented time. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, any authorizations that expired after March 1st have been given a grace period til August 31. It is our hope that by that time we will receive guidelines on how to reopen practices and large gatherings. In the event that we are still unable to gather, the grace period will be extended once again. Once official practices start to reopen please make sure you sign the appropriate waiver forms until you are able to reauthorize in your desired forms.
If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact myself or my deputy at ae.authorization@aethelmearc.org. Stay well, and until we can gather again, you are all in our hearts!
In Service We Remain,
THL Deirdre Scot & Meesteres Odriana vander Brugghe
Per the Æstel, just in case you were unsure – May Crown tourney has been officially postponed/cancelled.
Their Majesties announced this via their Court at Coronation. They also will let everyone know as soon as we can when it will be held. They indicated that they would give as much notice as possible, so that combatants could get in their letters.
As Kingdom Seneschal, I have gotten a variance from the Society Seneschal for this postponement/cancellation.
More information TBD. As soon as I know, I will let you all know. Girl Scout’s Honor.
Getting stuck at home is no reason to skip out on the things we enjoy most. This year was my big push to get back into fighting trim, but that was quickly put on hold due to recent events. I was down, I was ready to give up, but then I said to myself… why let a lack of events and social distancing stop you from living your dreams! To that end I decided I would hold a grand tourney! We needed to stay close to home so my backyard would set the stage. There was plenty of room to fight in and high walls to protect us from unwanted visitors. Federal law mandated we keep the gathering to under ten people, so I sent out invitations to my closest friends. It was important to stay six feet apart so the theme of the tourney was set as pole-arms!
Lady Thalia – totally not bribed by steak dinners
A crisis is no time to part with rules and policy so I needed all the elements in place. First I needed an MOL. Thankfully, I live with my dear love and Hael Baronial MOL, Lady Thalia. She quickly agreed and I knew she would be totally unbiased in her score keeping (granted I did promise steak dinners after the tourney, but I felt this would have no impact on the outcome, so we proceeded). After discussing the tourney and possible imitations, it was decided a bear pit was the best choice. So rules as discussed included a 30 minute bear pit, pole arms only. Two points for a win, one point for a loss, and minus one point for violating the six foot safety distance during the fight.
I am a marshal in good standing, but felt it was important to have a separate marshal to oversee the tourney and armor inspection. Lacking access to any marshals, I decided it was in the spirit of the day to deputize a marshal in training. I was able to find a local willing to take the job, and though new to the SCA, his enthusiasm was notable. He quickly took to studying the rules of the list and before long I was confident we would have a safe, fun day of fighting.
The day of the tourney was upon us. I quickly took to setting up the list ropes and waited for my fellow combatants to arrive and armor up. The sun was out, my banner flying, and the spirit of SCA tournaments gone by was in the air! As the time of the tourney drew near I stood alone on the field. No doubt the invitations I sent to my friends met delay or loss in the mail. No matter! I had my marshal inspect my armor which proved more challenging than expected due to a lack of thumbs and the inability to speak English, however in the end all was deemed safe.
The bear pit commenced! Given the lack of fighters it was decided that I would enter the list and perform a series of killer battle techniques. Lady Thalia would judge if my efforts would be a win or a loss and mark down my points. I knew she would be tough on me (and again not motivated by steaks dinners) so I fought my heart out. Twenty minutes in my chances looked good! Sadly ten minutes in the marshal noted I was not using my pole arm, and I was almost disqualified. Thankfully it was ruled that, since I was the only fighter, I was not in violation of the six foot safety distance rule.
Things are looking good for old Magnus!
Thirty minutes went quickly but I was certain victory was in my grasp! Before long the clack of rattan ended, the tired… fighter retired from the field. Lady Thalia started counting the points and I waited to embrace the glory of the day. As Lady Thalia finished the tally a hush fell over the field. In a proud unbiased voice she proclaimed the winner….Prince Maynard von dem Steine…wait…what? Son of a bitc…..
1st annual backyard tourney wars! – Group photo of the fighters!
The Donnan Party event was scheduled for March 28 in the Shire of Ballachlagan.
From the autocrat of the Donnan Party to the Known World:
As with other gatherings of large groups of people, the Donnan Party has unfortunately been cancelled. Our host site, West Liberty University, has altered its campus offerings in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and following their suggestion we are going to suspend our activities on their campus. We are sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused you, but look forward to seeing all of you once this crisis has passed.
Greetings Æthelmearc,
The Donnan Party event was scheduled for March 28 in the Shire of Ballachlagan.