Keep Calm and Ferment has been the running theme of the Æthelmearc brewers throughout the plague years – which should have resulted in copious brews to sample, right?! Figuring the fermentations outpaced the trying-to-stay-sane self-sampling… the Æthelmearc Brewers Guild is proud to announce the Kingdom Brewers Championship!
This years’ Kingdom Brewers Championship will follow the round table format, as pioneered by former Brewers Guild Head Madoc Arundel. Both tasters as well as each entrant will judge each entry, including their own! Not to worry, experience has taught us entrants are most critical… with their own entries! The judging criteria will be the 60-point rubric which can be found on the Æthelmearc Brewers Guild website here. Together with the rubric, each participant will also have a score sheet, which includes a very handy tally of various flavors and off-flavors and the causes, to help the tasters in providing feedback to the entrant.
Æthelbrewers roundtable and competition at the Feast of the Seven Deadly Sins in 2020.
Are you wondering what else the Kingdom Brewers Guild is up to this spring?
Our awesome Royals consented to a Bards & Brews Night around the Æthelmearc Royal fire pit during War Practice Royal Camp at Runestone Hill, Friday May 19th. This will be preceded by a heavy fighting torchlight Beer Pit, organized by Halfdan Bones (Daniel Bones Meerschaert on the Book of Faces) where the fighters have to buy in with a 6-pack of beer!
And by special request of the Baron and Baroness, who coincidentally are also brewers, and the Guild Equipment Team (applause, please!), Bog 3-Day will once again have a Brewing Competition. This year will be organized by Maddoc (Brian Strenko on the Book of Faces), and we all hope the entrants will donate their entries to the Guild Bar for the evening Bardic Circle, like the previous year!
And there will be even more in store – as Pennsic 50 is coming soon…
Thus: keep calm, brew more, and bring those bottles to share.
Documented from the Rolls and Files of the Coram Regibus of Thomas Byron II Rex and Ariella II Regina, King and Queen of Æthelmearc: Being a True Record of the Business of Their Royal Court at Pax Interruptus, 9 July, Anno Societatis LVII, in the Barony of Thescorre. As recorded by Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres, Meistr-y-gân, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald, assisted by Drotinn jǫrundr hinn rotinn, Silver Buccle Herald, with the additional assistance of Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir, Silent Herald, The Honorable Lady Sophie Davenport, and Baron Ixac ben Simone.
In the morning, Their Majesties requested that Baroness Bronwyn nic Gregor, Seneschal of the Barony of Thescorre, and members of the election committee, come forward to certify the results of the election.
Her Excellency being unavailable, Lady Nicole du Marais attested to the legitimacy of the Barony’s will.
Their Majesties therefore inquired of Baron Eldjarn the Thoughtful and Baroness Dubheasa inghean Dubgaill whether they were prepared to retire, and whether they had any remaining business to attend before so doing. When Their Excellencies replied in the affirmative, Their Majesties gave them leave to open their final court.
Upon that court’s conclusion, Their Majesties recalled Their Excellencies, thanked them for their service, and received back from them the Baronial coronets, and released them to their leisure among the populace. Their Majesties then called for Mistress Nuzha bint Saleem and Lord Andriú mac Domhnaill, as their duly elected successors, to present themselves and swear fealty to the Crown. Thereafter, Their Majesties placed the coronets upon their heads, and further Granted Baron Andriú Arms. Thus was the (temporarily hereditary) line of Thescorre secured.
At this time, Court was suspended.
In the evening, Their Majesties allowed Their Youth Champion, Hjotr Sigvardsson, to run the toybox, and encouraged the youth of the kingdom to pursue him…and pursue him…and pursue him….
Their Majesties invited forth all those attending their first event and presented them with cups as gestures of welcome. (So abundant were the newcomers that a resupply of cups was required, thanks to the timely and swift assistance of His Excellency, Baron Brandubh!)
Her Majesty requested that The Honorable Lady Cristina inghean Ghriogar come forward to thank Her Ladyship for the pouch she had gifted to Her Majesty earlier in the day. Her Majesty also noted that Her Ladyship had many, many examples of such fine workmanship, so much so that others had taken goodly note and found it worthy of further recommendation. Thus, Their Majesties requested to be attended by Their Most Noble Order of the Laurel and entreated that Her Ladyship set a time and place at which to sit vigil and contemplate whether she would accept elevation into that company. Scroll by The Honorable Lady Sophie Davenport.
Their Majesties gave leave to The Honorable Lord Angus the Bull, as Event Steward, to thank his staff. Before releasing His Lordship, Their Majesties also recognized his ongoing efforts to support his Barony and the Kingdom and named him a Companion of the Order of the Keystone. Scroll by Lady Vedis Aradottir.
Their Majesties gave leave to Baron Snorri skyti Bjarnarson, Archery Champion, to recognize the skill of Cricket Karasson in the day’s shooting and invite him to bear the Bow of State for the remainder of Court.
Their Majesties then invited Baron Andriú and Baroness Nuzha to hold their first Baronial Court.
Following the close of Baronial Court, Their Majesties requested one to come forward as the representative for Lady Dehka the Dancer. Baroness Dubheasa inghean Dubgaill answered this call.
Understanding that Lady Dehka will be unable to attend Their Court for some time to come, Their Majesties wished to convey to her Their appreciation of her skills, including dance, pottery, and gameplay, in token of which, they named her a Companion of the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll by Baron Caleb Reynolds.
Their Majesties then sought Lady Gwen Cooke. Their Majesties took good note of Lady Gwen’s dedication to her Barony, her tireless service, and her efforts to keep the Barony an industrious jewel in the crown of the Kingdom. Recognizing that such service is deserving of more than idle praise, Their Majesties were moved to name her a Companion of the Order of the Keystone. Scroll by Lady Murdia Drusilla Vettia Portia.
Noting the workmanship of the scroll, Their Majesties desired that Lady Murdia DrusillaVettia Portia present herself before Them. Their Majesties also recalled that this lady had done many, many works of service that day, including serving her Baron and Baroness, as well as providing the luncheon served in the Royal pavilion. Further, Their Majesties observed that this lady had performed similar service on many other occasions as well, and more besides, and for these acts They were minded creating her a Companion of the Order of the Keystone. Scroll by Nikolai Vasiliev.
Their Majesties wished once more to be attended by Lady Nicole du Marais. To this lady, they imparted Their knowledge both first-hand and by good report, that she contributes materially in many ways to the arts within the Kingdom. Her talent for capturing memories and providing the visual record of Æthelmearc’s events and its subjects; her gifts as a scribe; and her skill at creating garb, were all worthy of recognition, and thus They were pleased to name her a Companion of the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll by Dame Zofia Kowalewska upon wording by Mistress Beatrice de Winter.
Their Majesties next greatly desired to see Her Royal Highness, Princess Ceirech na Hinnsi, for a closer audience. They noted that Her Highness is a lethal warrior in her own right, having for some time been a driving force in siege combat. Their Majesties also conveyed the esteem and respect of others who had taken notice of Her Highness’ dedication to siege warfare, her skill upon the field, and her inspiration and leadership among her siege crew. Thus, they also invited His Royal Highness Arnthor, as the representative of Their Noble Order of the Scarlet Battery, to welcome Her Highness into that Order, and granted her Arms. Scroll by Ren Xing upon wording by “Some guy in a hat” (AKA Master Po Silvertop).
Before Their Highnesses could get too resettled, Their Majesties also sought Lord Chebe to join Them in Court. Their Majesties shared Their knowledge of the ways in which Lord Chebe promotes siege combat not only within his Barony, but throughout the Kingdom, as Their deputy marshal for siege. Noting his enthusiasm for engineering, his service to the Kingdom, and the prowess he brings to the battlefield, they were also moved to induct him as a Companion of the Noble Order of the Scarlet Battery, as well as Granting him Arms. Scroll by Baroness Ekaterina Volkova.
Their Majesties then requested that Baron Andriú mac Domhnaill approach once more. They desired to speak with His Excellency about the ephemeral nature of food as one’s art, and of the curious effect that despite this, the memory of a highly enjoyable morsel may linger far beyond the product itself. Noting that His Excellency’s gastronomic creations are the stuff of which such memories are formed, Their Majesties invited Their Noble Order of the Fleur D’Æthelmearc to join them and welcome His Excellency Andriú as their newest Companion. Scroll by Baron Caleb Reynolds.
Their Majesties then had further need of Baroness Nuzha bint Saleem. Her Excellency presented herself and asked what further service she might offer. Their Majesties replied that Her Excellency’s service was indeed the subject of Their discourse with her, for indeed it can be said that her entire life has been spent in the service of the Society, even from her childhood when she might be found in kitchens, to her years of continued devotion to her Barony, to her current commitment to guide that Barony in the very seat previously occupied by her parents. Their Majesties declared Themselves not alone in this assessment, and thus called for Their Most Noble Order of the Pelican to draw nigh. In addition to Her Excellency’s new responsibilities, Their Majesties did command her to appoint a place and time at which she might give answer whether she would consent to induction into that good company. Scroll, in the form of a book, calligraphed by Mistress Abigail Kelhoge upon parchment of her own making, with words by Mistress Sadira bint Wassouf.
Her Majesty addressed the populace to name as her inspiration, Sarah, who had not only returned to the Society after many years’ absence, but had brought along several others, including her children, all of whom had participated in the day’s activities with enthusiasm and interest.
Their Majesties invited forward the scribes who had contributed to the day’s scrolls, for replenishment of supplies. Lady Kara Ivarsdottir also presented Moss, child of Sarah, with a traveling scribal kit to further encourage their newfound art.
His Majesty warned of the rumblings of coming war. Word has reached the Kingdom that foreign powers are soon to converge upon the fields of Pennsic, and all are needed to defend the Sylvan Lands against this impending threat. His Majesty entreated all to come with swords, bows, axes, with siege engines, and even scribal kits, to prove to the Known World that the forces of Æthelmearc are not to be engaged lightly.
There being no further business, Court was closed.
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.
Aunt Æthel asked me to come up with an April Fool’s Day writing challenge for the A&S peoples of Æthelmearc. The challenge is as follows:
1) Find an image of something unusual from the SCA time period. One image only, please.
2) Write a short paper for the Gazette for April Fool’s Day: one or two pages or around 1000 words. Not about what the image actually is, but what you think it might be. This is for humor. Have “evidence” that a battle was won through the use of interpreted dance? Have “details” about a cookbook for cannibals with recipes for Lent? Want to discuss the extinct species of killer oysters that once roamed Europe? Have “proof” that the Byzantine Empress Ariadne had her drunk husband, the Emperor Zeno, nailed into a sarcophagus and pretended that Zeno had died, even though everyone could hear him crying for help…. Wait, that actually happened. Save that one for a micro-research paper.
3) Please include the sub-title “Fake Research: Real Writing” so that we can sort out these challenges from the regular pieces submitted to the Gazette.
4) “Document” your claims in a professional fashion. Feel free to use as many “sources” or “footnotes” as needed. [1]
5) Please keep your writing family friendly, these will be read by anyone with access to the Æthelmearc Gazette. [2]
6) Leonardo da Vinci is off limits. Too many fake things are accredited to him; let us take the time to give bogus credit to other people from history. [3]
7) No aliens: The History Channel has that locked up and we don’t want to be sued for copyright infringement.
8) Even though this will be for fun and humor, please use the opportunity to practice your writing skills.
9) Submit your image and paper to the Gazette before April 1st. Aunt Æthel and I, and perhaps a few others, will read through all of the articles and pick a winner who will get the prize of bragging rights for the rest of the year. And I will have tokens for everyone who takes part.
Without further ado, here is my example of fake research: real writing:
Medieval Remote Controlled Ship Fake Research: Real Writing. by Caleb Reynolds
Take note of this image of the oldest, surviving, remote controlled vehicle. [4]
The oldest, surviving, remote controlled vehicle.
“This spice cellar, made to hold precious seasonings at the table, is of a typical northern European design. Major trade commodities in ancient and medieval times, salt and other spices were used both to preserve meat and to enhance the flavor of all types of food (often not very fresh). Some spices came from Asia and were very expensive. This whimsical container, in the form of a little ship on wheels, could be rolled from one guest to another.” [5]
This could have held salt in one half of the ship and ground pepper in the other half. This most likely was not made for major royalty; the details from the Museum do not list a maker or an original owner, but it appears to me that this spice cellar was not as valuable as some of the spices that it might have once held (the Museum does not indicate if any traces of spices were found in it during its two cleanings). The cellar is made of bronze and it is very nicely made, but it is not on the high end of such items that have survived. The interesting thing about this spice container, or nef, is not that it is a lovely bronze artifact that has survived several centuries, but that this is a battery operated, remote controlled “executive” toy.
What was once thought of as a third chamber to hold spices, has actually been identified as a battery compartment. The classification took years to make as the batteries required did not resemble modern batteries in shape or size. Electrical batteries can be, potentially, dated to the 2nd or 3rd century AD, with the discovery of the “Baghdad Battery” [6] It is theorized that this nef was designed, and perhaps built by, the legendary French architect and artist Villard de Honnecourt. [7] While this nef does not appear in the 33 surviving pages of his sketchbook, a percentage of the 250 some odd drawings do contain images of mechanical devices and automata, including the design of a perpetual-motion machine.
Unfortunately, the controller has not survived, [8] but we can assume that the nef was controlled by radio waves and not sound waves, due to the lack of visible microphones that would be needed to pick up the clicks and clacks of an audio controller. Such audio remotes were in use well into the 1970s when LED technology began to replace “clickers”. We can also assume that it does not function via Bluetooth as it is not Norse in design or construction. Since this object is a valuable piece of art, as well as of history, no attempt has been made to disassemble the nef to trace it’s circuitry. Furthermore, the device is too rare and delicate to attempt to power it up for fear that it would be permanently damaged. That, and the lack of the appropriate batteries, which we believe were last made in London in 1667, when the factory burned down due to a fire of unknown cause. [9]
While some may think that the idea of a medieval RC car might be in the realm of science fiction, please let me quote the writings of the 13th century Franciscan friar, Roger Bacon:
“Ships may be made to move without oars or rowers, so that large vessels may be driven on the sea or on a river by a single man, and more swiftly than if it were strongly manned. Chariots can be built which can move without any draft animal at incalculable speed… Flying machines might be made in which a man might sit, turning a certain mechanism whereby artfully built wings might beat the air, in the manner of a bird in flight. Another instrument could be made which, although small, will lift or lower weights of almost infinite greatness… Again, instruments might be made for walking in the sea, or in rivers, even to the very bottom… bridges might cross rivers without pier or prop.” [10]
While wholly mechanical devices are represented in greater numbers in museums, indeed there are dozens of examples of wind-up salt nefs from this same time period, and even more from the 16th century, [11] this is the oldest electric nef known to have survived. It is clear from the image that this is not a steam powered device: electricity would be the only, logical, method of propulsion, as there is no wind up mechanism present.
Some might say that this device could not have been remote controlled due to various reasons, i.e.: primitive medieval technology; lack of understanding of radio waves; the device predates Radio Shack; etc. Careful analysis of the nef, using non-destructive methods, have not revealed any controls on the device itself, [12] nor any holes or ports where a control cord could have once been connected to the internal mechanism. The nef is less than 6″ long, [13] far too small for a jacquard style controller. [14]
From a strictly engineering standpoint, it is clear that the remote control would only need a forward and back setting, much like a basic, toy train set, as the wheels of the nef do not turn left or right: the nef could only move forwards and back. Which, for a long high-table, would be most convenient: the host could drive the nef to a guest without the fear of steering it off of the edge of the table. Such a dining faux pas would be most embarrassing, and potentially dangerous as the spilled salt would be too far away to reach before the traditional bad luck stabs one in the back.
While this nef might never be powered on again, we can always hope that other, similar, devices might be found in the basements of museums, complete with their batteries and controllers. Or, perhaps, with new digital X-ray technology, researchers might be able to map out the interior of the device, layer by layer, so that modern day artisans might be able to replicate it’s design.
[1] Please feel free to use as many “bunny ears” as you see fit.
[2] Potentially the entire planet.
[3] There are three other ninja turtles who get zero representation.
[4] Currently in the possession of The Walters Art Museum (54.2501) and dates to around 1400.
[5] Description from Walters Art Museum’s web page.
[6] Actually it was discovered in present-day Khujut Rabu, Iraq.
[7] Gimpel and Barnes, various pages describing what is known about his life and history.
[8] While no radio controllers from this time period have survived, the complete lack of surviving controllers cannot be used to state, equivocally, that they never existed in the first place.
[9] Bell, p170
[10] Mortimer, p77 and other sources.
[11] The 16th century “Mechanical Galleon” is one of the best examples of a clockwork nef, which could roll on wheels, tell the time, play music, and fire tiny cannons at boring dinner guests.
[12] Not even an obvious On/Off switch.
[13] H: 3 3/4 x L: 5 9/16 x D: 2 11/16 in. (9.5 x 14.13 x 6.84 cm) Walters.
[14] While the Jacquard loom is a 19th century invention, the technology that led to it can be traced to 16th century Bruges with their cam-driven carillon bell ringing mechanism. That carillon was inspired by translations of Hero of Alexandria. See Burke, ch. 4.
Æthel, Aunt. “How to Fake It Until You Make It.” Aunt Æthel’s Big Blog of Baloney. Created on February 31st, 1982.
Gimpel, Jean. “Medieval Machine: The Industrial Revolution of the Middle Ages.” New York. Penguin Books, 1977.
Haughton, Brian. “Hidden History: Lost Civilizations, Secret Knowledge, and Ancient Mysteries.” Red Wheel/Weiser. 2006.
Jones, Terry, and Alan Ereira. “Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives.” London: BBC, 2004.
Keyser, Paul T. “The Purpose of the Parthian Galvanic Cells: A First-Century A.D. Electric Battery Used for Analgesia” Journal of Near Eastern Studies, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 81–98, April 1993.
Mortimer, Ian. “The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century.” New York: Touchstone, 2014.
Scott, David A. “Copper and Bronze in Art: Corrosion, Colorants, Conservation.” Getty Publications. pp. 16–18. 2002
Tattersall, Ian; Nevraumont, Peter. “Hoax: A History of Deception : 5,000 Years of Fakes, Forgeries, and Fallacies.” New York. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. 2018
The time flies and we are approaching the end of our first term as Kingdom Minister and Deputy Minister of Arts & Sciences. It is our pleasure and intention to request a second term, but we encourage anyone interested to also consider applying for this position. Therefore, we are calling for letters of intent for the position of Æthelmearc’s Kingdom Minister of Arts and Sciences, to begin at the end of our first term on January 12th, 2022.
Applicants would preferably have some knowledge of scoring rubrics and about the format, setup and running of the Kingdom Arts & Sciences Championship, the Queen’s Prize Tourney, and Arts & Sciences Faire. Please don’t hesitate to contact either of us for more information, we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have!
This announcement is from the Kingdom Seneschal, Master Illadore de Bedegrayne.
Greetings to the Populace of Æthelmearc!
SHORT VERSION: Crown to be held in Misty Highlands, August 21st , 2021, letters due to Their Majesties by July 21st, Coronation to be held hopefully in September, with an October Crown following. If you plan on entering this tournament, please listen to this video/read this email in full, as it has specific requirements.
First and foremost, Letters of Intent to Their Majesties must be provided no later than 30 days prior to Crown Tourney- so by July 21, 2021. We highly recommend using the online form on the Kingdom website. The form will be turned on within a few days by our Kingdom Webminister. You may also use email or regular mail but we recommend sending that in quickly.
As we are limited to 150 people who may attend an event, pre-registration to Crown Tourney for those other than Their Majesties, required officers, staff, or entrants will open after July 21st date. Pre-registration will be required. Crown tourney will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend. A more formal event announcement will be forthcoming. Please understand that if the BOD does not lift the 150 person rule, if you are not a combatant couple or staff, you might not be able to attend.
Coronation: The preferred date for Coronation is September 25, 2021. Alternate dates may include September 18 or October 1. New Heirs will have the option of having their Coronation online, at a small local event (say in a park), or another event scheduled in September. Should none of these options be viable, Coronation will occur on the morning of October Crown Tournament. Heirs will need to choose which option they would prefer on the day of their victory. This is not the norm as most Æthelmearc heirs have several months to make Coronation happen. This decision was made due to our desire to get back on track as a Kingdom.
October Crown: It is our intent to have another Crown in October, with letters due to The Heirs 30 days prior to the event. The details for October Crown are still being determined but the preferred date will be October 16th or later. The October Heirs would step up in April 2022.
As you can see, Combatants and Consorts who enter the August 2021 Crown tournament need to consider not only what it means to be Royalty during a pandemic but also the time commitment for the quick turnaround for Coronation and the next Crown Tourney.
I know you may have many questions. Please feel free to contact me at seneschal@aethelmearc.org and I will do my best to answer them.
Illadore de Bedegrayne
Kingdom Seneschal
A video version of this announcement is available here.
As Mistress Arianna of the Gazette reported previously, Master John the Artificer (John Robert Rose) passed away on November 25th, 2020. Recently, his niece reached out the Kingdom of Aethelmearc to ask his friends and SCA family to share stories and pictures, so that his family may use them in an online virtual memorial that is being planned.
His niece has shared this information about his final arrangements:
A small funeral mass will be said on Friday, February 26th*, at 11am at Sacred Heart Church, in Highland Falls, NY. It will run live feed from [the Facebook page noted above], any who wish to attend virtually can sign on … at 11 am to catch the live service.
*If you would like to send Flowers for his Mass on Friday, you can contact Lilies of the Valley, in Highland Falls, NY. Their phone number is: 845-446-4446.*
We are currently planning a larger, virtual memorial to honor my uncle’s memory more in detail, and to invite friends and family to share together. The date of this is to be announced, anyone who wishes to be a speaker, or share pictures please let us know and we will gladly add you to the program. Thank you!!
[*Editor’s Note: The original version of this story had the date of the funeral mass on the 19th, but since it was delayed until the 26th due to inclement weather, the date was updated to the 26th.]
This winter, join the Barony of Thescorre at our annual schola as we move our festivities to a virtual space for the year’s C3R…. The COVID Corvid College of Three Ravens!
We are gathering together on Saturday, February 27, 2021 and using Zoom, Facebook, and our Barony Website to organize and run the event! While we are still physically distanced from one another, this is an opportunity to join in classes, A&S, workshops, bardic activties, feasting, and court from the safety of our homes.
This year, we are celebrating all that we love about the SCA and we have the unique opportunity to share that love with any and all who want to participate. We hope that this virtual format will allow gentles from Æthelmearc and the Knowne World entire to join in our fun as we work to learn together and come together in the safest ways possible.
If gentles have any questions, please reach out to the Event Autocrats, Lady Gwen Cooke (Jenn Bigelow-Carlson) or Lord Torbjorn Sigurdson (Jon Carlson).
REGISTERING FOR THE EVENT
You must complete the Google forms appropriate (listed below) to get the Zoom log-in information.
To register to attend the event and access the ZOOM Rooms, please fill out this form.
To register to teach a class for C3R, please fill out this form.
To submit an entry for A&S or Largess, please full out this form.
(Entries can be traditional SCA projects OR can be projects you have worked on during the pandemic to help your neighbors using your SCA skills, such as mask making, cooking for neighbors, etc.)
To perform during our feast (singing, playing instruments, or storytelling to name a few things), please contact Torbjorn.
We look forward to seeing everyone in this digital platform this winter when we come together for this year’s COVID Corvid College of Three Ravens!
I have a few things to cover tonight – some good, some more difficult. Bottom line up front – I need for you, for all of Æthelmearc, to hold two separate ideas at the same time – we must double-down right now on keeping ourselves safe, and we need to think about what re-opening looks like in the future.
First – doubling down to keep ourselves safe. Unfortunately, WV, PA, and NY’s infection rates are not good right now and, in conjunction with Their Majesties, The Earl Marshal, the Deputy Kingdom Seneschal for Pandemics, we are extending the fighting and fencing ban until at least April 1st. I also do not recommend having in-person gatherings for the next few months, as we deal with these new COVID variants. If you are going to have one, please contact Duke Christopher at pandemic@aethelmearc.org.
Also, I highly recommend doubling down on mask wearing – and getting the vaccine when it becomes available if your doctor recommends it for you. I got my first shot three weeks ago and so far no adverse reactions – but no super powers either.
So, now the better news. The SCA, in general, is starting to talk about what opening back up looks like, as the current projections, with the current vaccines, and the new vaccines that are coming on to market, show that we likely will be in a better place come summer. Also, Pennsic Staff and Coopers Lake are currently planning on Pennsic happening – though that does 100% depend on whether or not the State and County will permit it happening.
We are not opening up immediately, it will be likely summer before Æthelmearc opens up, but I would like for you to consider what that means for you. What form and timeline does reopening take, for yourselves, your family, your friends, your Shires, Dominion, and Baronies?
Please start thinking (and planning) about what the next summer may look like for you and yours. I encourage you to share these thoughts and concerns with me. Please email me at seneschal@aethelmearc.org. I have some thoughts but I would like to hear yours first. This is just the beginning of a conversation we will have together as a Kingdom over the next several months.
