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A Day of Tournaments Draws Near

06 Saturday Jun 2015

Posted by in Archery, Arts & Sciences, Event Announcements & Updates, Heavy List, Thrown Weapons

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Mark your calendars for the weekend of June 19-21 as the Shire of Port Oasis is trying something new. Hosting an all tournament event to showcase pageantry and inspiration as well as honor and prowess. When asked what sparked the idea for a different type of event, Lord Olaf Steinabrjotr, co-autocrat for the event, said, “The model of this event was conceived out of a few of us talking when we discussed the lack of pageantry and the lack of tournaments in our southern reaches of the kingdom, and also the fact that we would have to travel outside the kingdom to get to an event.”

There is a full day of tournaments scheduled and announced:

  • Bertie Beetle Tourney
    • Each fighter has to cut off an opponent’s body part. The purpose is to collect a whole fighter by body part. (Head, body, left leg, right leg, left arm, right arm). Once a needed blow is landed, the bout ends. All opponents continue to fight other bouts (AKA Round Robin) until a fighter collects a whole body. If an opponent is wounded with a body part already collected, the bout continues. If the opponent is killed with a headshot, the bout ends. All forms acceptable.
  • Roman Style Grand Melee Tournament
    • All in melee. last two standing combatants will do best two out of three.
  • Olaf’s Polearm Challenge
    • Single elimination pole arm tournament. First combatant to score 3 killing blows against an opponent will advance. Arm shots are ignored during this tournament.
  • William Marshal Tourney
    • Each fighter is given five coins. Then a Round Robin structure of tourney is held. Each “loss” of a bout requires the fighter to give up one coin to the winner. Once the fighter runs out of coins, they are eliminated from the tourney. The winner is the fighter with all (or a predetermined amount of) the coins. AKA: Ransom Tourney. Round robin or speed tournament depending on amount of combatants
  • Basic Single Elimination Tournament
    • All forms are welcome.
  • The Final Tournament
    • A double elimination tournament fought in the same fashion as crown tournament.
    • Each match will be a best 2 out of 3 to advance farther.
    • The final bout between the top combatants will be the best 3 out of 5 in each of the different forms : weapon and shield, two weapon, great sword, pole arm, spear.

      Co-Autocrat Lord Olafr. Photo by Master Alexandair

      Co-Autocrat Lord Olafr fighting tournament-style. Photo by Master Alexandair

The final tournament will be comprised of the winners from each of the five tournaments as well as a sixth combatant that will be chosen to enter the list based on the deeds and chivalric values demonstrated throughout the tournaments.

Not a fighter? Never fear! Port Oasis has also come up with a Day of Tournaments for the Arts & Sciences crowd which has a little something built in for everyone.

  • The Water Tournament
    • Our shire’s heraldry features a boat and water.  Our spring event was canceled due to water related issues, but in mid June’s heat we’ll most likely welcome some extra water to cool off.  This tournament will honor the many aspects of water in any non-performance medium.
  • The Period Technology Tournament
    • Let’s illuminate the populace’s knowledge of period technology!  Please share your working pieces, models, blueprints, research and other items of technological interest from anywhere within the known world of our period.
  • The Handout Tournament
    • To make up for a lack of class offerings, we are offering the Handout Tournament.  This means that those who would have attended your class wont have to decide between two activities, and you don’t have to worry about space or pre-approval from those in charge of the event.
  • The War Preparations Tournament
    • For this tournament, please show us any pieces that are related to period wars (such as a specific battle, people involved in a war, etc) but also anything created for warfare in the Modern Middle Ages such as your period camp equipment, garb meant just for war, war meals, fighter kits, photos of handmade pavillions, etc.  Please be creative and include any references that you have for this.
  • The Bardic Tournament
    • The Bardic Tournament will be judging for a period performance and an original performance.  Any performance art (music, story, poem, dance, juggling, etc.) is welcome for either tournament.  These will be judged by the populace.

There are Archery and Thrown Weapons Tournaments in the works as well. The full event announcement and more details can be found here.

St. Swithin’s Throw Back Three Day!

26 Tuesday May 2015

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1012634_10101508573473719_1830386713_nThe Bog would like to welcome you to our event this year.

We’re calling it Throwback 3 Day in the hopes that you’ll appear, to celebrate our past with us, it will be such a treat.

We’ll have marshal activities, scribal arts and thee best food to eat.

Their Majesties will be here, and the Prince and Princess, too.

What better day to meet up with old friends and with new.

 

Please join the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog as we celebrate our past at this year’s Throwback 3 Day event. We’re in the mood to reminisce, so bust out that old garb you haven’t worn in years, and bring us your stories and old photographs from Bog events past. Throwback 3 Day will be held Friday July 17th-Sunday July 19th at the New Germany Grove- 1635 New Germany Rd Summerhill, Pa 15958. The site opens on Friday July 17th at 5:00pm and closes promptly at 12:00pm on Sunday. Camping is free and very much encouraged. No shower facilities are available, but please feel free to bring your own amenities. The site is discreetly wet and above ground fires are permitted. No pets allowed on site. The autocrat for this event is THLady Ursula of Rouen (Danielle Duvall, PO Box 661, Shepherdstown, WV  25443). Any questions can be sent to her at 540-287-1748 or Ursula.of.rouen@gmail.com. Co-Autocrat for this event is THLady Rois O’Faye called Rosheen (Tracey Zimmerman) who can be reached at tzimmerman125@gmail.com.

 

The site fee for this weekend of friends, food and fellowship will be $10 for adults, $5 for children agest 6-17. Children 5 and under are the esteemed guests of Their Excellencies. Checks can be made payable to “SCA, Inc; Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog”. There will be a $5 non-member charge. Reservations can be sent to our reservations clerk Lord Battista (Paul Tedeski at 499 Southmont Blvd Johnstown, Pa 1590)5 at 724-859-7190 or ptedeski@atlanticbb.net. Please, no calls after 8:30 PM. The only good reservation is a paid reservation.

 

Refreshments will be available Friday night for those camping, as well as breakfast Saturday morning. A Saturday day board is included in the site fee. Feast will be available Saturday evening for $8, and will be limited to the first 64 people. All dietary concerns should be sent to our Head Cook who promises several “Throw Back” treats and a day board that is sure to astound, Mistress AElfra Long (Sherry Meyers) at mistressaelfra@atlanticbb.net.

 

Numerous activities will be held throughout the day Saturday including: the last leg of the Kingdom A&S Challenge, the 7 Pearls fencing tournament, and the AE 500 tournament. There will be fencing and heavy pick-ups in the afternoon, as well as throwing on the thrown weapons range. Scribes are encouraged to bring their paints and brushes and compete in the 7th Annual Iron Scribe competition.

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Their Sylvan Majesties Invite You to Help Paint Pennsic Red (and to Fight, Fence, Feast, Craft and yes, Screen-Paint, while doing it!)

18 Monday May 2015

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Unto the glorious kingdom of Aethelmearc do TRM Timothy and Gabrielle send greetings.

This Saturday, May 23rd, the Shire of ACG is holding a fighter practice and Aethelmearc workshop. We will be working on Champions baldrics for Pennsic, put some of the finishing touches on the glorious new list field as well as a few other projects that We have in mind for the kingdom.
The workshop and practice will run all day in New Berlin PA.
I (Timothy), intend to put my helmet on for the duration of the day. providing competition and instruction to any who desire it. If I can hold my sword, and someone wishes to learn, I will instruct. If I can stand, and someone wishes to spar, I will give it my all.
I invite any and all of my brother Knights to join me.

It is our fondest desire that some of our kingdom’s many elite fencers can make the journey and work with those who desire to better themselves.
Plus, we have the workshop. Come help us take the known world’s breath away. It is our desire for everyone who journeys to Pennsic to know full well that they stand on our Kingdom’s lands, and her colors are Red and White. Bring your consort and any friends who can help with these tasks, make a day of it.
We promise you won’t be disappointed.

For more information, please see the Aethelmearc Gazette’s previous post on May 11th concerning this workshop at Æthelmearc Kingdom Work Day & Martial Practice.

Their Royal Majesties of Aethemearc, Timothy and Gabrielle.

Their Royal Majesties of Aethemearc, Timothy and Gabrielle. Photo courtesy of Jim Bubb.

Volunteer Position Available: Æthelmearc College of Heralds Exchequer

04 Monday May 2015

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EKOFFICERS_herald_colorUnto the Kingdom, greetings from Kameshima Silver Buccle! It takes a lot of work to keep a College of Heralds running, and not all of it requires heraldic knowledge! Dame Elsbeth and Master Alaric have served the Æthelmearc College of Heralds as College Exchequer and Deputy College Exchequer for many years, and now it is time for them to retire with our thanks and take some much-deserved rest on their estates. However, the College needs an Exchequer to keep running. That’s where you — yes, YOU — can volunteer to help! Have you been interested in learning the ways of the exchequer, but find the idea of serving in that capacity for your local group too daunting? The College provides an excellent introduction to this job, with minimal paperwork and minimal checks to write. Dame Elsbeth and Master Alaric have thoughtfully provided this description of the duties of the position and the approximate time needed:

  • Serve as a member of the financial committee for the College of Heralds.
  • Deposit funds for heraldic submissions in a timely manner (1 to 2 deposits / month)
  • Write reimbursement checks for allowable College of Heralds expenses in a timely manner (1 to 2 checks / month).
  • Complete four financial reports a year, three electronic, one paper (2 to 3 hours a quarter).
  • Be a signatory on the College of Heralds bank account.

If you are interested in this position, or even just in hearing more about the position and what it requires, please contact me via email.

In Honor and Service,

Kameshima Zentarō Umakai
高貴国境の王国の治部卿
Silver Buccle Principal Herald, Kingdom of Æthelmearc

Message from a Grateful Sylvan Signet

18 Saturday Apr 2015

Posted by in Kingdom News, Officer Announcements

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Mistress Ekaterina Volkova steps down as Signet. Photo by Lady Christina Mary Lowe, called Jinx.

Mistress Ekaterina Volkova steps down as Sylvan Signet. Photo by Lady Christina Mary Lowe, called Jinx.

I look back on my term as Sylvan Signet of the Glorious Kingdom of Æthelmearc​ in wonder. Through the position I have met and worked with some of the most amazing and talented artists in the Known World.

This started 5 years ago when Duncan von Halstern​ and Ilish O’Donovan​ said “Sure, let’s hire her” when my name was presented to them to take over for the Retiring Gillian​. They have the first of my thanks. I also give thanks to all the Royalty that I have served under: Christopher and Morgen, Isenwulf and Rosalinda​, Andreas and Kallista, Khalek and Branwyn, Maynard and Liadain, Timothy and Gabrielle​, Tindal and Etain; and Titus Germanicus​ and Anna Leigh. I learned a great deal from all of them and hope that they too feel that a friendship has formed.

But I could not have done the job without my various deputies. To Marija Kotok​, Giana di Aurelio, and Sthurrim Caithness, who at some point stood as my drop deads, I told you I wouldn’t do it. To my education deputies Giana and Yvianne, thank you for coordinating classes for Heralds and Scribes. To my Pennsic University Coordinator Matilda Bosvyle​, you were a godsend, thank you for helping to increase the reputation of the scribes of our Kingdom. To Filippo​ and Anna Leigh​, who were my fund raising deputies – because of your works we were able to host the known world at Pennsic. And to Giana and Juliana Rosalia Dolce di Sienna, my webministers, thank you for the work you did to make our website better.

Also a big thank you to my Heralds, Master Brandubh and Master Kamishima – thank you for being the Yang to my Yin in making court happen smoothly and being a sounding board when I needed.

To Kayleigh MacWhyte, Marguerite Louise Gingraix​ and Augusta Weyfare​ – fellow Signets who helped me at times throughout my terms.

A big thank you to Baroness Alexandra dei Campagnella, who agreed to take this job after me. I know I leave the office and its people in good hands.

And finally, a thank you to the ones I could not have done this without… my scribes. I am awe at the skill, talent, dedication and generosity that you have all shared. The scribes of Æthelmearc are the Kingdom’s true jewels. These fine folks have produced 1599 scrolls in the last 4.25 years. They worked under all kinds of pressure, usually short notice being the biggest. They were given an average of 37 days to make unique one of a kind scrolls (more often than not, it was closer to 15 or fewer days) to help make someone’s special moment even more special. These are the unsung heroes that deserve the praise and rewards for my term. No matter how long I am gone from the office I will always think of you as MY scribes. I can only hope that I was able to serve you well.

To the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, my home and the best Kingdom a person could hope to live and work in, I thank you for being you and appreciating the scribal arts as strongly as you do. Don’t forget to thank your scribe.

Sincerely,

Ekat
Sylvan Signet of Æthelmearc, Rtd.

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Blackstone Raids: Waterbearer supplies needed!

15 Wednesday Apr 2015

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Greetings Æthelmearc Army,

In your preparations for Blackstone Raids on the weekend of April 24-26, I would like to ask something of you. Every year Baroness Constance and the waterbearing staff make very sure that there is hydration available. The staff of Blackstone Raids provides a budget for water and supplies for the water bearers which goes against the bottom line of running the event.

So here is my challenge to the fighters, fencers, archers and throwers of the kingdom. In your packing, plan to bring something to help the staff.

What is needed?Waterbearers

  • Gallon jugs of water
  • Jars of Pickles
  • Bags of Oranges
  • Bags or bins of pretzels
  • Watermelon/Grapes

If you arrive Thursday or Friday you can drop them at the main lodge. If you arrive Saturday you can drop them off at the water bearers tent on the battle field.

Help support the whole army and keep them well-nourished and hydrated!!

 In Service,

Baron Liam
Deputy Commander
Aethelwald

The East signs the Treaty of the Golden Lance!

04 Saturday Apr 2015

Posted by in Equestrian, Interviews, Royalty

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Golden LanceThe East Kingdom joined Æthelmearc and four other kingdoms (Ansteorra, Caid, Trimaris and Atlantia) in signing the Treaty of the Golden Lance, which recognizes Equestrian prowess and service in the East Kingdom. (Æthelmearc signed the Treaty in 2013 at the Pennsic War.) Until this time, the East was the only kingdom which did not have an award specifically to recognize its equestrians. On March 28, in the Barony of Settmour Swamp, TRM held their Curia and the matter of creating an equestrian award was discussed.

When asked what caused him to consider creating an equestrian award in the East Kingdom, His Majesty Edward replied:

“Her Majesty and I have long recognized the contributions of our equestrian community, and the East has maintained King’s and Queen’s Equestrian Champions as determined by an annual tournament. While the investments of the community are significant and the results are impressive, there has been concern (even among the equestrians) about providing a unique award for such a small community. The East has approximately 35 authorized riders. As it happened, we were sitting the thrones as the equestrian community united in their support for an award, and Mistress Eleanor fitzPatrick gathered data on what the other kingdoms have done. This provided us with a great deal of context for our program. While we don’t have many authorized riders, our numbers are consistent with the median kingdom numbers, and every other kingdom had an award which recognizes equestrian martial prowess. The East should do no less.”

TRM riding in the Grand Procession at Gulf Wars, on “Otto” and “Zia,” the steeds of Mistress Arabella da Seina. Photo by Barbarossa.

TRM riding in the Grand Procession at Gulf Wars, on “Otto” and “Zia,” the steeds of Mistress Arabella da Seina. Photo by Barbarossa.

According to the information posted about the Curia on the East Gazette, His Majesty “also remarked that he felt creating this award will create an environment that will encourage the community to grow and will give recognition to members of the Order when they travel, as part of an Order that is recognized in several kingdoms.” (The full article can be found here.)

After discussing the matter with the populace, TRM decided to sign the Golden Lance Treaty and created the Order of the Golden Lance of the East. The Order will be a polling Order of High Merit similar to and equivalent to the Silver Crescent (Service), Maunche (A&S), Tygers Combatant (Rattan) and Golden Rapier (Rapier). In accordance with the Treaty, the award will be the highest award for Equestrian prowess and service in the Kingdom.

TRM explained that several factors made him decide to join the Treaty of the Golden Lance as opposed to creating an East-specific award, as noted in his response:

“One of the concerns that Her Majesty and I (and prior crowns) struggled with is the size of our equestrian community. We feel that being a member of this treaty, particularly one that includes our neighbors Æthelmearc and Atlantia, would help our riders think of themselves as part of a larger community. We hope this will build social bridges across the Society, and increase the pool of candidates that our riders measure themselves against as they strive for excellence.”

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The Treaty of the Golden Lance prepared by Duchess Katherine Stanhope and signed by the East Kingdom, and other signatory Kingdoms. Photo by Duchess Kiena Stewart.

In anticipation of possibly signing the Treaty, TRM requested Duchess Katherine Stanhope prepare a document that could be signed by the other signatory Royalty when TRM attended Gulf Wars.  His Majesty Edward commented that Duchess Katherine “is an active rider and an excellent scribe. I would add that she did us a tremendous service with very little notice, as it became clear to us that the treaty would have to be signed at Gulf Wars if we wished to pass it into law. The treaty text is quite long, and we asked her only a few days before the event.”

The Treaty was signed at the royal reception on Thursday evening at Gulf Wars. His Majesty Edward remarked, “Both the king and queen [of each of the signatory kingdoms] were asked to sign (with a dip pen in dim lighting!), in the order in which their kingdom joined the treaty. We were lucky that all of the signatories were present at the War, and it was a pleasure to discuss with each of them as they signed the document.”

His Majesty Edward commented that he did not ask the other royalty to keep this signing a secret as he had been open in his communication, with the equestrian community and his royal cousins “that we intended to establish an equestrian award in the East. However, we did not intend to make our final decision as to whether that would be the Golden Lance or a kingdom specific award until our Curia. With that in mind, we asked our royal cousins Ansteorra, Trimaris, Caid, Atlantia and Æthelmearc to sign the treaty at Gulf Wars and we, with our heirs, reserved our signatures until after our Curia. It was not a secret in the East that we were considering joining the treaty, but we were clear with our cousins that the treaty might not be signed by us in the end.”

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His Majesty Edward signing the Treaty. Photo by Duchess Kiena Stewart.

The document was returned to the East Kingdom and after making their decision at Curia, TRM Edward and Thrya signed it. Their heirs, Prince Darius, called Omega, and Princess Etheldreda, signed the Treaty indicating their support of the Treaty. And thus, the East Kingdom became the sixth kingdom to join in the Treaty of the Golden Lance!

Her Majesty Thyra signing the Treaty. Photo by Duchess Kiena Stewart.

Her Majesty Thyra signing the Treaty. Photo by Mistress Kiena Stewart.

[I would like to thank His Majesty Edward for his time and assistance in writing this article by responding to my questions and granting me permission to use them and the photos of himself and Her Majesty Thrya.  Also thank you to the photographers, Duchess Kiena Stewart and Barbarossa, who granted permission to use their work  —- Mistress Shishido Tora Gozen.]

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The East heirs, Prince Darius Aurelius Serpentius, called Omega, and Princess Etheldreda Ivelchyldalso, as well as a photobombing Æthelmearc King! (Photo from The East Kingdom Website.)

A&S Classes at War Practice

23 Monday Mar 2015

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War Practice will be here in less than two monthes, and one of our best activities is we have to offer to the people of Æthelmearc and our guests is an excellent roster ot classes.

There are many talented teachers and artisans in the kingdom who have a great deal to share.  If you’ve ever wanted to teach a class, or if you’d like to do a trial run before Pennsic or the next Æcademy, here’s your chance.

If you would like to teach a class, please send me the following information for the website and site booklet:

Name of Teacher
Title of Class
Description of Class (brief, please, 75 words or less)
Class Length
Maximum Number of Students
Age Limit of Students
Fee, if any

 Master Michael Alewright Teaching

Students learning Book Binding from Master Michael Alewright
photo by Mistress Rowena ni Dhonnchaidh

Please include your legal name and e-mail address, and your preferred time for your class, as well as any special requirements you may have.  The schedule will be filled on a first-come, first- served basis, so the earlier you volunteer, the more likely it will be that I can accomodate you.

Space is available from 9am-8pm on Friday and 9am-6pm on Saturday in one of three large tents (with tables and chairs), the upper bathhouse (also with tables and chairs, plus electricity and access to water), and the Great Hall.

Please send your request to me by 30 April:

E-mail: helen.pinto@comcast.net
Phone: 724-203-4014
Mail: Helen Pinto
1936 Crestmont Dr
Aliquippa, PA  15001

Thanks in advance for you generous offers, and feel free to cross-post this announcement anywhere you think there may be interest.

-Aidan ni Leir

An Announcement from Their Majesties of Æthelmearc on the Additional Peerage

26 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by in Fencing, Kingdom News

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AEthelmearcUnto the good populace of Æthelmearc do Titus, Rex, and Anna Leigh, Regina, give greetings!

As you are all aware, there has been a great deal of emotional and passionate discussion over the past week regarding the SCA Board of Directors’ decision not to implement a rapier peerage. The confusion over whether or not the BoD was advocating the knighting of fencers added further heat to the SCA community’s concerns.

We would like to share with you what has taken place among the Crowns of the Known World over the past week, and what possibilities We anticipate over the coming weeks and months.

First, we would like to thank David Keen (Master David of Caithness), our Kingdom Ombudsman on the Board, who has done his best to keep Us informed of the Board’s plans and thought processes. The Board has been flooded with letters from gentles all over the Known World, and is well aware of the sense of urgency felt by SCA members regarding resolution of this issue. They will be holding an executive session on Monday, Feb. 2, to discuss possible options. Since they have already rejected the proposal for a rapier-only peerage, that option is not on the table at this time. One of the options they are considering is an Omnibus peerage for all non-rattan martial arts – not only rapier, but also archery, thrown weapons, equestrian, siege, combat archery, etc. If you would like to send your opinions to the Board of Directors, please write to them this week, before the Feb. 2nd Executive Session, at comments@sca.org.

In the meantime, the Crowns of the Known World have also been discussing the issue. As you might imagine, getting 19 couples from all over North America, Australia, and Europe to come to agreement on a subject this controversial is not an easy task. One thing We are agreed upon is that all endeavors in the Society deserve a path to peerage. There is also a general consensus that if the BoD does not act on this matter very soon, then the Crowns may take the matter into Their own hands.

One of the barriers to knighting rapier fighters is the 1999 Seneschal’s ruling, referenced by the BoD in their announcement of Monday, January 19, barring the knighting of non-rattan fighters. We are hoping that the Board and Society Seneschal will not sanction any Crowns who choose to ignore that ruling. We know how contentious knighting someone for fencing would be, and it is not Our first choice. That said, the Crowns of at least four Kingdoms have indicated that they are prepared to take that step if the Board cannot come to agreement on a solution to this issue. We can only wait and see what the Board chooses to do, continue discussions with the other Crowns, and then make Our own decisions accordingly. We are talking to the Chivalry and White Scarves of Æthelmearc, and may poll them regarding their opinions on this matter since they are the ones who would be most directly affected.

We appreciate thoughtful, impassioned, and courteous discussions of this issue. Know that We are listening and want to find the best solution for all concerned.

In service,

Titus Scipio Germanicus and Anna Leigh
King and Queen of Æthelmearc

Don’t Forget to Submit!

20 Saturday Dec 2014

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brussels_kb_92781The Gazette welcomes submissions from the populace – share your news with our Sylvan Kingdom! The Æthelmearc Gazette has been a success thanks to all of you; we are getting more than 700 views a day on a regular basis at this point, and moving upward each week!

We welcome event announcements and updates sent by autocrats, officer reports and missives, letters from our beloved Royalty, articles covering almost anything from our SCAdian time period; in short, anything of interest to the subjects of Æthelmearc.

See the submissions tab above for some short guidelines, and then send your news to aethgazette@gmail.com.