To the distinguished peers and populace of Æthelmearc,
At Pennsic War 49 this year, discussions and hours of planning were underway for a new program to be featured at Pennsic War 50. Next year, staff of Pennsic War 50 will help to bring the new generation into our society by fully immersing them into the experience of running a large-scale event such as the annual Pennsic War.
The new Young Adult Internship Program will be running its pilot program at Pennsic 50 and are looking for applicants from the realm to be considered for three internship positions. In this program, interns will be taken through the Mayor’s Office, Land Department or Department of Cultural Affairs branches of the Pennsic War and will be taught both basics and some details of that position. The intention of the program is to provide opportunities for young adults who may be looking to further their knowledge and find their path in the SCA.
The program coordinator and advisors are asking the peers of the realm to take some time and reach out to any young adults who they feel may be interested in taking an internship at Pennsic War 50. We are asking that young adults be in the age range of 18-24 years of age to ensure that we are ushering in the new generation of the SCA into the inner workings of our society.
For applicants to apply, we are asking that a resume with information about any service or work done in the SCA be submitted with a letter of intent specifying the position they are requesting and references for work done with in the kingdom. All SCA resumes can be sent to Internship@pennsicwar.org. Thank you for your consideration and with your help to bring the new generation into the fold of our society.
With gratitude,
Nasira al-Safiya Hatun bint Ivaz
Young Adult Internship Program Coordinator
Requirements for Application
A. Resume with details of any work/service experience in and out of the SCA
B. Personal information such as mundane and SCA name is applicable, age (preferably 18-24 years), kingdom and home address, and contact information such as email address and phone number.
Mistress Sadira leading a weedwalk in the Barony of Thescorre. Photo by Baroness Katja
The Weedwalks are a long-standing tradition at the Pennsic War: every morning at 10 a.m. class-goers can meet up with a teacher and walk around Pennsic getting a lesson in the local vegetation.
Because the teacher changes with each day, a student can find different plants, a different location, or different information depending on the teacher.
The Pennsic Weedwalks as they are today are operated by Master Emrys Eustace, known as “Broom” (Joe Marfice) and Mistress Sadira bint Wassouf (Patricia Chakalis). Sadira is the queen of all things botanical, and although not the first to lead weedwalks at Pennsic, her incarnation is the longest surviving.
Master Broom
“I originally learned from a man called Whitefeather, who may have been the first to do official weedwalks at Pennsic. My first Pennsic was #11 (1982) and as I recall there were two classes: Water-bearing/Chirurgeon training or battles and the weedwalk. (Not sure if there were others or if these were the only two I wanted to attend). I began leading walks after a person from another state led a walk, making several serious misidentifications.”
“I was ever so grateful when Master Broom started organizing the consortium, because I had done weedwalks for quite a few years before that and was feeling the strain of huge groups of people who wanted more.”
Master Broom agrees. “I only took over from her when she was getting tired of doing many daily walks, and then mundane matters took her away from Pennsic.” Later, Master Broom organized the weedwalks into a consortium with multiple teachers. He insists, “I am merely the organizer; (the teachers) all are the reason the Weed Walks exist.”
Sadira loved it: “I came back in 2014 to this lovely consortium and all their creativity. What a gift!”
Other teachers have included Raziya bint Rusa (Elizabeth Burdick), Juliane Bechaumpe (Ann Fairhurst), Rue (Jen Sadler), and Layla Al-Zarqa (Kelley Morgan).
Pennsic is just around the corner! What’s going on in, for and by our Kingdom? Read on for info about The Kingdom Encampment, Volunteer Opportunities, Royal Courts, Vigils and Elevations, Kingdom Activities, Populace War Points, and more! (Disclaimer: All info gathered from reputable sources, but may be incomplete, and/or subject to change.)
All About Royal
Æthelmearc Royal (“Royal” or “AE Royal” as it’s commonly called) is the heart of our Kingdom’s Activities. Located in block N04, next to First Aid Point, it features:
A Hospitality Tent and Table with greeters, schedules, retainer & guard signups, and a message board detailing happenings of the day and changes in schedule. You can even leave messages for Royalty, Their staff, and officers!
There’s also a large populace pavilion at the front where anyone can stop in and rest, with breezes from fans, cold water, and charging ports (limited availability).
An inner courtyard area with a meeting tent, firepit, open space, and more (must be on the schedule to use).
AE Scribal tents with classes of all kinds! Check the class list and message board!
A private area in the back where our beloved Royals live (must be invited).
Volunteers Needed for the Kingdom!
Æthelmearc Royal is an incredible resource, but it’s big and robust! Something of that grand caliber doesn’t spring forth from the field like Athena! Many volunteers are needed for both set up and tear down. It takes a while, but it can seem like a breeze if there’s lots of people to help. Consider spending a couple hours:
Set up is Sunday, 7/31, starting at 10am (will go into the afternoon)
Tear down is Friday, 8/12, starting at 10am (will go into the afternoon)
Volunteers are also needed to staff the Hospitality table. Some might call it the cushiest volunteer opportunity at Pennsic. A nice seat in the shade and breeze, with plenty of water, opportunity to charge your phone, and lots of smiling faces! Plus, you’re in the know!
You can also sign up to volunteer a little of your time to retain or guard for Their Majesties or Highnesses. There will be sign-ups at Hospitality, or better yet, contact Their staffs ahead of time! (Sign up for the King & Queen, Sign up for the Prince & Princess). You’ll see so many sides of our War you may not see otherwise!
Of special note: The Herald’s Office and Signet will have a backlog scroll binder at hospitality – look at it for your backlog scrolls and your friends, too! Leave a message for the Heralds & Scribes to let them know how to get that beautiful new scroll to you!
Let’s Celebrate! Kingdom Celebrations!
Come participate in Opening Ceremonies! Sing and march and show the Knowne World who we are! We have the BEST seats in the house, as the home Kingdom! Muster 11am middle Saturday at AE Royal (bring water, shade, and your Kingdom and Baronial colors!). We’ll march out together in time for the ceremonies to begin by the Castle at noon.
The Æthelmearc Kingdom Party, one of the most anticipated gatherings of the War, organized by THL Sumayya al Ghaziyya, with food by Lady Sorcha MacKenzie… This years theme is Carnival! We will have delicious foods, libations, games, favors from our potters, fire performers, and a special musical guest (yeah, it’s totally that one)! Monday 8/8, 8pm, AE Royal.
Let Us Entertain You! And Fight You!
Our amazing populace is talented, indeed! Check out these amusements, put on by our people, for the enjoyment of all!
Wed Peace Week (8/3) come all bards for the Haakon Oaktall Anniversary Bardic Circle in AE Royal
For the Scribes, Monday 8/8 from 2 to 6pm, join the Æthelmearc Scribal Tea to meet and greet your fellow scribes! In Scribal Tent 1 in AE Royal
Seneschals, come for the AE Seneschal Happy Hour (No Business Allowed) 5pm Mon 8/8 in AE Royal (big tent)
Mon War Week (8/8) 7:30pm – the Debatable Choir performs at the Performing Arts tent
Mon War Week (8/8) 9pm – I Genesii (THE GREATEST COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE TROUPE IN THE KNOWNE WORLD) performs at the Performing Arts tent, as they search for their missing Vecchi. We won’t reprint the entire announcement here, but it does involve the word “sploosh”!
Enjoy participating in, or spectating these special sporting events, put on by our people:
Rapier Novice Tournament – super fun! Rapier novices (less than 5 years fencing, no Kingdom fencing awards, no tourney wins) will NOT want to miss this! A perennial favorite organized by our own Master Po Silvertop the Rogue – so MANY PRIZES! Wed 8/10 at 10am, Rapier field.
Need more fencing? Our Kingdom hosts the Ladies’ Rapier Tourney from 10 to noon on Monday 8/10 (inclusive of all non-male genders)
Oh yes, yes it is! The Return of Helga Ball! Sun 8/7, 6-9pm. Let’s just say it involves some folks in aprons viciously defending their territory with a cabbage. It’s amazing! No experience necessary. No equipment needed besides an apron (cabbages provided). Ladies team sport, 18+ only.
Youth combatants pay heed! Tarl’s Youth Polearm Tournament is Monday (8/8) from 7 to 9pm on the field.
But wait, there’s more! Wed 8/10 from 6 to 8pm, adult and youth fighters team up for the Æthelmearc Tag Team Tournament. It’s not one to miss, and a favorite of our youth fighters!
Vigils and Courts and Elevations, OH MY!
The largest Æthelmearc Royal Court at Pennsic is Tuesday of War Week (8/9) at 6pm in the AE Royal Encampment (CHANGE of venue!!).
There will be multiple additional Courts throughout the War. Here they are presented copy-and-pastable, and organized by the known Æthelmearc Vigils and Elevations (other awards will be happening at these times, too!):
THL Renata le Rouge: Vigil Sat 8/6, 6pm, Debatable Lands N10 (Fletchers). Elevation to Laurel at additional Kingdom Court Sun 8/7, 6pm AE Royal at Debatable Lands Party (Baronial Court at 4:30). [Note: Morien McBain & Michael of Northwood will be sent to vigil from this Kingdom Court.]
THL Ottlige Rappoltsweiler: Vigil Mon 8/8, 4pm, Hunters Home encampment on Mt Eislinn. Elevation to Laurel at main Kingdom Court Tues 8/9, 6pm AE Royal
Master Morien MacBain: Vigil at Sun 8/7, 6:30pm, Lusty Wench camp E17. Induction to Laurel at additional Kingdom Court Monday 8/8 6pm (before Kingdom party) at AE Royal.
Sir Michael of Northwood: Vigil Sun 8/7 evening, at Kynges Bridge camp. Induction to Pelican at main Kingdom Court Tues 8/9, 6pm AE Royal
Mistress Caroline of Burgundy: Vigil Wed 8/10, 11am (after Novice Tourney), Rapier Field. Induction to Master of Defense at additional Kingdom Court Wed 8/10 ~4pm Rapier Field [Note: Vigil is in combination with vigils of THL Guillaume and Countess Kathryn, lately of the Mid]
THL Guillaume le Noir: Vigil Wed 8/10, 11am (after Novice Tourney), Rapier Field. Elevation to Chivalry at additional Kingdom Court Thurs 8/11 ~1pm (after the Bridge Battles) Heavy Field [Note: Vigil is in combination with vigils of Mistress Caroline and Countess Kathryn, lately of the Mid]
Order Meetings and Booze
The Æthelmearc Brewers’ Guild Bar is open for Order Meetings! And also various events in and about AE Royal throughout War Week. Huzzah!
Laurel Meeting, AE Royal, Sat 8/6 at 10am
Pelican Meeting, AE Royal, Sat 8/6 at 5pm
Gage Meeting, AE Battlefield Pavilion, Wed 8/10, 2pm
Chivalry Meeting, AE Battlefield Pavilion, Wed 8/10, 3pm
YOU Can Help Us Win!
In addition to joining your comrades-at-arms on the heavy and fencing fields of honor (see schedule for details), in the many field War Point opportunities, you can score some points in non-field activities as well!
A&S Populace War Point – Take or teach classes, most of War! Teaching a class gets you 5 points (5 points total no matter how many classes you teach), attending a class earns one point per class attended. Make sure to add your tally mark at the end of your class! Read more!
Archery & Thrown Weapons Populace War Points – throughout War Week! Check the Pennsic Martial Schedule for details.
Service War Point – it definitely exists, but remains mysterious at this time. All we know is that there is a Google document to record your service hours to the War.
Of General Interest
Pennsic War will be following Æthelmearc’s Covid Policies. You cannot get into the War without proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test within 72 hours from a medical facility. You’ll need to mask up at troll and other areas (but not most). Read the FAQs here.
The A&S War Champs War Point will be held Wed 8/10, from about 10am to 5pm in the Great Hall – cheer on our team!
Would you like to help the War itself? You can volunteer for the War! Just go up to your area of interest and volunteer. [Hint: Children’s Point is greatly needing some folks!). Read a bit more about the options here.
Families take note! The Known World Children’s Fete (Ages 4+) returns on Wed 8/10 from 10am to 1pm (registration begins at 9am) in the Great Hall! Arts, crafts, games, entertainment, snacks, and more! Read more here.
At 4pm, Wed 8/10, there will be a Known World Equestrian Meeting in AE Royal
The Memorial Ship Ceremony will be Thurs 8/11 from 1p to 6pm. Visit White Wolf & Phoenix merchant booth for details. It will feature in particular for Viscount Edward Zifran of Gendy. He was a long time icon of the Pennsic War, the East Kingdom, and friend to many here in our Kingdom.
Feel the need to run? The Unofficial Half Marathon starts at 7am middle Saturday, meet at First Aid Point (right by AE Royal!)
Want to know more about Pennsic happenings? Check out the full schedule here. Other resources (including a printable handout, event guide, and university booklet) HERE.
This news just in from the official Pennsic War Facebook page:
Ok folks here is the post some of you have been waiting for the rental shower trailer is up on E06 here are some pics. Works good some of the sign painting crew used it last night just to test it out the biggest thing they pointed out was the lack of outlets for hair dryers and the like.
Dear Gentles, have you ever found yourself with more to pack at the end of Pennsic than you did when you set out from home, only to find that your vehicle seems to have shrunk? Is your kitchen area full of boxes of cereal, pasta, jars of peanut butter, and jugs of bottled water you can’t remember buying?
Never fear! The annual Paladin’s Pantry Food Drive is here to help by conveying your camp’s extra food and drink to a local food bank. Just drop any unopened foodstuffs or beverages (no alcohol, please) at one of our handy collection points:
AEthelmearc Royal (N04) Next to Pennsic University
Atlantia Royal (N40) Near the Gothic Abbey
Northshield Royal (E02) Across from Solar Showers
Trimaris Royal (W17) Runestone and Great Middle Highway
BMDL Baronial (N10) Central Serengeti
Barony of Bhakail (N11) Corner of Brewer’s and Fletcher
Barony of Blackstone Mountain (E04)
House Sable Maul (N29) Count Jehan’s Bounty
Nine Dragons (N01) Next to Great Hall
Venshavn (E24) Across from Wulfden’s Back Door
Clan Blue Feather (E12) Slope of Horde Hill
House Akeru Thunder (E17) Hill Road
The Lusty Wench Tavern (E17) Across from Chalk Man Pub
The Chalk Man Pub (E17) Hill Road and Good Intentions
House Finisterre (B09) Far West Side
Offices of the Pennsic Independent –Top of Runestone Hill
House Iron Lance (W13) Bottom of Runestone Hill
and Maison Rive (Merchant Space 23) Across from Cooper’s Store–this location open for Final Sunday Collections!
Last Pennsic, we collected TWELVE pickup truck loads of high-quality food, drink and other supplies for local shelters. In addition, this year the program will be collecting used tents, sleeping bags, cots, and rain gear, (especially those in child sizes), which will serve no one in a dumpster, to benefit the homeless.
So exercise your charity, lighten your load, and help members of the community that has made us so welcome over the years!
Please direct any questions to Morien MacBain (Lusty Wench Tavern, E17) 304-283-5640. Want to help out more? Join us on Facebook!
In addition, while Paladin’s Pantry doesn’t accept ANY cash donations, Portersville Food Pantry (to whom we deliver the food) does! They are a registered 501(c)(3) charity, and lovely people. They have Paypal, Venmo, and snailmail donation options, if you’d like to help them financially!
The following missive was posted on social media by Lady Mordona Mayfel, and is reproduced here (with minor formatting edits) with permission:
Greetings everyone! I’m Lady Mordona Mayfel, Assistant deputy mayor of Zoning and Planning “Land Office”. I wanted to stop in and give a quick introduction who I am and what’s going on for Independent “singles” camping this year. I will be your singles camping liaison again this year.
First, what is singles camping? Well its campable land set aside and reserved for any patron of Pennsic who doesn’t have a private camp for a home. It can be anyone, from new to veteran campers alike. If you come, we’ll have space for you.
Now that isn’t anything new, but here’s something that is. We’ll have staff and volunteers during daylight hours of operation to assist singles campers in finding a plot of land that best suits their needs for Pennsic. Want to be close to fighting and not need to hike all your heavy gear? What to be close to the Pennsic night life and parties? Need something quiet and kid friendly? We’ll find something that works for you.
How does one use this service? Well all you need to do is poke your friendly volunteers at Troll or Watch and they’ll radio for us and we’ll be there in a few minutes if we aren’t already there. During the week, it’ll just be myself, but on the high traffic weekends, we’ll have some volunteers to also assist in the daylight hours.
If you have any questions regarding singles camping, please send me an email at land2@pennsicwar.org
Thank you and I hope you all enjoy your war this year!
The Pennsic Guides are now available on the Pennsic website home page here. Scroll down to see them. Note that the University Booklet and Event Guide will not be distributed in printed form at Pennsic this year, only the Hand Out, which has QR codes linking to the other two guides as well as additional resources.
In addition, a list of the merchants who will be at Pennsic is listed below. Note that this does not include food vendors.
Pennsic 49 Merchants List:
A Case Of Random
A Leather Crafter
A’s Round Pottery
Armlann
ArmStreet LLC
Artful Badger Designs
Ash And Griffin Pottery
Auntie Arwen’s Spices
Aurora’s Creations
BadAss Garb
Barb’s Garb
Black Mountain Clothiers
Blades By Violent Discord
Blue Unicorn
Bohemia
Boots By Bohemond
Brandr Forge
Briar Patch Garb
Brothers Cross Trading Company
Cabochons
Calontir Trim
Camelot Treasures
Caravan Crossroads
Carolina Calicoes
Cat Man Do Designs
Catskill Mountain Moccasins
Circle Works
Claybaby Pottery
Crafty Celts
Dancing Pig Pots
DeRosas Leatherworks
Designs By J
Drachenstein Treasures
Dragonscale Jewelry
Dru Shoemaker / Trouvere Music Works
Earth And Loom
Egill’s Woodstuffs
Elk Ridge Archery
Fearghal Blades
Feed The Ravens
Fiona’s Fineries
Fire Horse Pottery
Gaukler Medieval Wares
Gode Erthe Pottes
Green Mountain Leathercraft
Grey Goose Bows
Greybarr Traditional Archery, LLC
Griffins Gate Clothing
Gryphon Furniture
Guild Mirandola
Gwen Erin Natural Fibers
Hero’s Haven
Historical Glassworks
Hobbitronics
Hrymgnar’s New + Used Booty
Ian’s Grove
Icefalcon Armory
Iron Cross Tailor
Irontree Works, Inc
Just Plain Plunder
Kemmer Woodworks
Kentucky Leather And Hide
Kings Ransom
Kingskeep
Knights Of The Classroom, LLC
Knives Of The North
Kraken Apothecary LLC
Laurel Cavanaugh, Goldsmith
LeEllen Expressions
Littlehammers Forge
Livonia Smithery
Macklemore’s Thrift Store By Merchant’s Wares
Magrebi Imports
Maison Rive Historic Clothing And Supplies
Malik’s Bazaar
Mediaeval Miscellanea
Mid East Magic /Possibly Period
Minerva’s Spindle
Minnow Creek Ceramics LLC
Miriam’s Yarns And Fibers
Misc Etc
Moongate Designs
Moonstich Leather & Silver
Munitions Grade Arms
Neverland Designs
New Mythology Press (formerly Aesc & Thorn Publishing)
Archery has always been one of my more longer-term interests – as a teenager, I briefly shot Olympic-style archery, plus it’s how I found out about the SCA way back when; asking around for a place to shoot traditional-style longbow archery and finding the Dominion of Myrkfaelinn’s weekly practice. I vividly remember my husband saying after attending a handful of practices not to get too invested as he did not intend to drive me all over the place…! Boy, did he misread that situation… But then, during the plague, I was only one of many artisans who kinda sorta lost their groove and had a bit of a rough start getting back into things when events started happening again. Cycling back to my beginning, what really pulled me back to playing again was the archery range. Not only is it outside and people automatically keep their distance – especially since I shoot left-handed! – the ranges have become quite an interesting challenge and something to look forward to at many events.
Iron Will Junior posing with helpers THLord Bjarki and Akira Watanabe
Culminating this past weekend at Pax Interruptus, where I met my match and got foiled by Will, the Advancing Man. I shot at Will, but I did not get him… I must admit, while on the one hand I was disappointed to be eliminated from the finals that quickly, on the other, the visual of eight archers’ worth of arrows bouncing off a moving target wearing chain mail is quite a vivid sight to remember! The mastermind behind this target, and most of the ranges post-plague, is Baron Snorri skyti Bjarnarson from the Shire of Coppertree.
Baron Snorri has recently been elevated to the Scarlet Guard – the Kingdom’s grant-level award for prowess in archery – and of course he takes his job of promoting the arts of archery quite seriously. When I asked his thoughts on the archery community of Æthelmearc, he shared the following: “We’re lagging behind other kingdoms here, especially the East. We need our experienced shooters to come and shoot at practices and events, and our novice shooters to put in the hours of practice needed. Archery is first and foremost about prowess – no one calls light when you hit gold, and no one else gets to decide that your score was lacking in some subjective measure. It’s one thing to know, as a new archer, that Grand Master Bowmen exist in the SCA. That can seem unreal and unreachable, though! But when there’s one of them right next to you at practice, filling up the gold with shafts every round, you start to realize that it’s actually possible, it’s a real, attainable thing – this guy next to you on the range still puts on his pants one leg at a time, and if he can do it, you can too!”
And just as I enjoy upping my SCAdian game to make my wardrobe and brewing more plausibly period, Baron Snorri has a similar mindset in regards to archery. He feels that people doing archery in a medieval recreation society should actually be trying to do medieval plausible archery. “It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I’m a little bit of a purist (some would say a snob – and maybe, sometimes, justly) about shooting period bows and arrows in the SCA. So, to practice what I preach, I only shoot ‘period’ bows, and I only shoot ‘period’ arrows.” He puts “period” in quotes as he is well aware that what he is doing, and virtually everyone else shooting in the period divisions of the SCA, isn’t really shooting actual period equipment – just the draw weight itself is significantly lower and most bows, even period-looking horsebows, use modern glues and have fiberglass components.
To help the archery community define “period,” the Society Handbook includes a definition of a “period” bow and arrows for SCA context. The broad strokes are that the archer would shoot off their hand, meaning no cut-out rest in the riser (handle) of the bow, and shooting arrows with self-nocks, that is, the nock of the arrow is cut into the shaft of the arrow, rather than being a glued-on commercially-made plastic nock. Since all SCA archers have to shoot with wooden shafts and feather fletchings anyway, we’re already halfway, so this does not seem all that hard, right?
But in Baron Snorri’s experience, the vast majority of archers in the SCA cannot seem to quite get all the way there: most are still shooting what’s generally referred to as “traditional” or recurve archery equipment. In the before-time, pre-internet, it could be difficult to get a bow that met the period archery requirements. No one really made them outside of hobbyists, and the traditional archery scene in the USA is huge, so recurve types of bows are readily available – often at garage sales and secondhand shops for a near-pittance. But now that we have the internet, bows of a much more medieval form are available from a bunch of different places. Both horsebows and longbows that meet the SCA’s definition of “period,” as discussed above, can be had for around $100, and a dozen appropriate arrows can be had for as little as $40.
Now, certainly that’s not “let’s go try out archery” money for most people. For a beginner, telling them to fork out $150 to try out archery would most likely kill their interest immediately. But Baron Snorri is not trying to make the case that a beginning archer in the SCA should be shooting period gear – just like no one’s telling a fledgling fighter that they should be buying a $500 helmet before they can fight. But, just like with fighting, where when a fighter reaches a certain threshold of skill and time-in-grade, it’s time for them to surrender the ancient bascinet from the loaner pile and start looking at something that fits their own head and persona. And when archers reach a certain skill and dedication level, I feel like they ought to be looking to set down their Samick Sage or their 1978 Bear recurve, and start looking to move to a period longbow or horsebow.
He is unsure why many archers do not take their equipment to the next level (if you have an idea why, Baron Snorri asks to please reach out and tell him!). “My current working theory is, again, availability of equipment. Although availability of bows is largely a moot point now that vendors such as AliBow, Flagella Dei, Ringing Rocks Archery, and many others are selling longbows and horsebows that meet the SCA’s period requirements for very reasonable prices. However, availability of arrows may be an issue. Many, many archers in the SCA either make their own arrows, or personally know a person who is making their arrows for them, and if this is you, then you’re my target audience for this next section…” (see the first bullet point).
As the Scarlet Guard doesn’t have a “mission statement”, Baron Snorri made his own (which I think is worth sharing here):
It’s my duty as a member of the Scarlet Guard to:
Mentor new archers, whether by running practices, offering equipment to try, coaching, assisting with equipment acquisition, and teaching associated skills like fletching and leather working.
Challenge experienced archers by running challenging and exciting ranges, traveling to events that have archery, shooting in tournaments, and issuing personal challenges.
Represent the Kingdom of Æthelmearc and our archery community in a positive light, by competing for honors for our Kingdom in the Pennsic Champion’s Shoot, SSAC, GAT, GET, IKAC, and other inter-kingdom competitions.
Maintain my prowess by continuing to practice and improve in all disciplines: handbow, recurve, and crossbow.
Find and nurture archers to become new members of the Scarlet Guard, by taking Students.
To cycle back once again: Will the Advancing Man is both my nemesis, and a very well-done functional moving target. To entice other archers to challenge themselves against this wicked warrior – to shoot at Will! – I am letting you all know ahead of time this invader of our Sylvan Lands will make another appearance this coming weekend at Bog 3-Day! In the general shoot, the “easy” version is just a painted cardboard Viking warrior with a spear and a shield in the East Kingdom’s colors, attached to an upright backstop that’s about eight inches of closed-cell polyethylene foam on a 4-wheeled sled (want to make your own sled? Take a look at the Gallery of sled pics). Will the Advancing Man is shot as a 30 second timed end, with the sled starting about 40 yards out, and advancing to about 10-15 yards out. Hits to the warrior count for 3 points, hits to his shield or anything else are zero.
For the quarter finals, Iron Will Junior is something else: the cardboard Viking is removed and a “real” Viking is assembled by ‘dressing’ the backstop in a linen Bocksten tunic, a padded linen gambeson (worn backwards), and a real metal maille shirt. Snorri and his team added “arms” of duct-taped pool noodles with gloves on the ends, and a Styrofoam head. They glued a wig onto the head, and used expanding spray foam to securely attach a conical steel nasal helmet. The arms and head were attached to the body with 12” sticks of shaved rattan, just jammed between the layers of backstop foam. An old wooden shield was attached with a ratchet strap to cover his “legs.”
It is shot as a timed end in the same way as before, but at Pax all eight quarter finalists shot at the same time, with the four who stick the most shafts into him advancing to the semifinals.
Medieval armor piercing arrow heads, called bodkins, as available from 3 Rivers Archery Supply.
To give well-prepared ‘period’ archers a leg-up, Baron Snorri had posted in advance of Pax that he would allow non-target points for this portion of the shoot. He was disappointed to find that only THL Bjarki took him up on this, and he only brought rigging-cutters for the semi-finals (to cut the water-bags, another really cool target), not armor-piercing bodkin points for Iron Will Junior… As this was a brand-new target, I asked Baron Snorri how he thought it worked out: “I tested Iron Will Junior at home with a field point arrow shot at 20 yards from my 45-pound horsebow. I blew through the maille, actually destroying seven rings. I figured this would not be an issue for the other shooters. Spoiler: I was wrong. How it actually worked: less than half the shooters were able to pierce the maille. Some were unable to adjust and stuck no arrows – Forester Ælfric of the Midrealm was skilled enough to adjust his aim to the [tiny and helmeted] head and stuck two there. As this was meant to be an elimination round, that’s ultimately fine, but it’s a lot more fun if everyone can stick arrows!”
Will you do it again or tweak it? “One time is not a great test of anything. We’re going to run him exactly the same at Bog 3-Day this weekend and see how it goes. I do need to fix the “snowplow” on the front though. We put an angled piece of plywood on the front at the bottom, covered in 2’ insulation board foam and fake grass, so that no one shoots the tires (we don’t actually care about the tires, we shot one as a test and it was fine, because they’re not inflated tires – but if you shoot the wheels as it’s rolling, your arrows get broken), and the weight of the fully-armored Iron Will Junior pushed that down just enough that it dragged on the ground a tad and it bent. Minor adjustment is all it needs.”
What other archery events do you have planned? “In the spirit of putting my money where my mouth is, I took over as Marshal-in-Charge from Naran Noyon of the Pennsic Period Bow Shoot. This will be the 8th Period Shoot at Pennsic, and it is running from 9 AM to noon on middle Saturday at the archery range. I have a collection of period targets from medieval Europe and Asia to shoot, and prizes for the best participants. We even have a fabulous period dayboard prepared by Baroness Oddkatla Jonsdottir and Baroness Annika Iosafova on the range immediately afterwards. It’s always a great time to come see all the different period missile weapons and garb everyone comes in.”
“Here’s a picture from the 6th Period Shoot: at least nine of those folks are Æthelmearcians, and we were fortunate that year to also be joined by Their Highnesses of Ealdomere. This shoot is an excellent time every year, and is always the highlight of my war. If the Archery Champion’s Shoot is the Super Bowl of SCA Archery, the Period Shoot is the Pro Bowl.”
Is there anything new happening in Kingdom? “This all JUST came together, and I’m SUPER EXCITED about it: the Æthelmearc Holiday Shoot! Big thanks to Master Denys the Decadent for finding the new site for the Holiday Shoot, and to THL Alrekr Bergsson for agreeing to be my co-Autocrat and setting this all up with his local shire, Hunter’s Home. I can’t even express how excited I am – HRH Arnthor is going to choose his next Archery Champion at this event, we’re going to have a HUGE prize table, the owners of the range are very excited to have us, and there are over EIGHTY targets at this indoor range to shoot at. We got a great price ($15 for members, NO CHARGE for non-shooters) and I’m ecstatic about this event. I’m expecting shooters from four or five kingdoms to be at this.”
And what about the very-near-future? Bog 3-Day this coming weekend! The archery range will include:
Woods hunt with 3D animals
Woods walk with a very challenging Spot Shoot
Clout
Wands
Yahtzee
Some various flavors of bullseye targets at known distances, timed and untimed
A moving Advancing Man timed end
A pumpkin
The eight best scores from all that will advance to the quarterfinals and shoot at Iron Will Junior, and the four who stick the most in him will advance to do falling water-bag duels!
Baron Snorri would like to thank the following gentles, who are always there to back him up: “Big shout-out to THLord Bjarki for always being game to help with whatever I’ve volunteered us for, as well as Lord Dalibor, Lord Halfdan, Lord Godzimir, Lord Gunnlaud, and everyone else in Ætt Skyti. I’m not a member of their household, but they’re always there to help and shoot.”
And thank you, Baron Snorri, for your help with this story but most importantly, for making the archery range something exciting to look forward to!
Pennsic is nearly upon us and the Æthelmearc Brewers Guild is happy to announce that the Æ Royal Bar will be back once again this year!
Because of the unusual circumstances of this Pennsic and the precautions that are necessary to keep our populace safe, the bar will be running on a much shorter schedule than last Pennsic.
We hope to be open for Order meetings, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Court, Baronial dinner, and the Kingdom party; with the possible addition of a few more hours depending on need and interest.
That said, we need you. To make this happen we need bar staff to help us man the bar and keep the drinks flowing. We are looking for volunteers to work the events and times the bar is scheduled to be operating. There are time slots of 30 minutes but of course more is always appreciated; we know there are many opportunities to volunteer around Pennsic, and your time is precious to us.
If there are any Baronies / Shires / Households / groups or individuals that would like to staff the bar for certain events or certain days, please feel free to sign up as a group or singularly. We will need someone to be the point of contact for group sign-ups, and would ask for a contact method for anyone taking a solo shift. We need at least 2 people, but prefer 3 to cover each shift, so if there is an empty slot in the schedule, please feel free to take it – the more the merrier!
If you know your availability or if you have a preference for working a specific time frame, you may sign up for that slot now by contacting me via Facebook Messenger at Vick Presler, or via email or Elska via Facebook Messenger at Elska á Fjárfelli, or via email. During Pennsic, starting Peace Week, please contact Elska via text or call at 315-200-9738 or 607-351-5181 (Hrolfr) for any questions or to sign up for a shift.
In Service,
THL Lasairfhiona inghen Aindriasa
Butler, Æthelmearc Brewers Guild