Baroness Oddkatla Jonsdottir has been a member of the SCA for about 10 years. She is a costumer and a cook who loves to organize things. She has participated in the East Kingdom Artisan Exchange since it’s beginning and enjoy making gifts or pieces of art for people. Her Excellency started the Æ Artisan Exchange in Æthelmearc to promote the artisans and art of our kingdom, plus it’s just plain fun.
1. What is the artisan’s exchange?
The artisan’s exchange is simply a secret gift exchange. It is for everyone who wants to make a gift for someone using their artistic talents. The bonus is that you get a gift in return. The exchange is primarily for Æthelmearc citizens, but we have members from several other kingdoms also.
2. What is the purpose?
Our purpose is to fill the Kingdom and the known world with lots of beautiful pieces of art, made by our fine people of Æthelmearc.
3. How do people participate?
Participation is very easy. All one has to do is contact Baroness Oddkatla Jonsdottir at Aethelmearcartisanexchange @ gmail . com, and let her know that they would like to a part of the exchange. If they are on Facebook, Her excellency will need them to ask to be a member of the Æ Artisan Exchange group on Facebook. If they are not a member of Facebook, it is not a problem. They can still participate using their email. Unfortunately, if they do not have a valid email address, becoming a participant will not be possible.
4. What are the rules/deadlines?
The deadlines vary on each exchange. The current exchange that I am setting up will be a 3 month exchange starting on or about March 17th, with gifts needing to be mailed by June 31, 2016. The current survey will be open until March 15th, 2016. Here are the rules:
Have fun. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right. Your recipient will, in all likelihood, adore it. So, don’t stress out too much about the object.
Get your object out on time. Please make sure you get your object out on time. When you send your item, do not take into account labor costs when pricing your item. It is recommended, but not required, that you get a tracking number when you mail your item. Many frustrations can be avoided by getting a tracking number.
Tangible items, please. We want everyone to be happy with their object. If you are someone with musical/bardic/wordsmithing tendencies, please consider that your talents might be better with something tangible in hand. If you are a wordsmith, consider an attempt at a scroll with your words on it. If you’re musical or bardically inclined, consider making a CD or a DVD of your performance (in the event that your recipient doesn’t live in the same kingdom as you) and mailing that to them. The thing is, getting cool stuff is awesome.
Mum’s the word. To your recipient, that is, until you send your item(s). We feel that part of the fun is the secrecy aspect of the swap. If you have to ask them a question, have your friendly neighborhood moderators ask them.
Make sure you have a working email/Facebook account. We have to be able to get a hold of you in case there is a question. Please check your email (put us into safe sender, if you have to), and please, please, please, don’t be afraid to talk to us if you have a problem, question, or concern. Participants do not have to have a Facebook account, but there will be a group maintained there.
Let us know you got your item. If you would, please let us know when you get your item(s). We like pictures. We like seeing you with your pictures. We like seeing you smiling wearing your item (if it’s wearable) with your pictures. So, please, take a photo. For those of you who are working on items (which should be all of you!), take some time to photograph your item before it leaves so you have a way to refer back to it. Think of it as your own personal documentation.
It is an obligation. Really, it is. Don’t get us wrong, this is supposed to be fun. But, inasmuch as it’s supposed to be fun, it’s also nice to get something for all your hard work. So, please, if you absolutely have to drop out, please pay attention to the deadline dates to drop out. We don’t want people making items only to find that they’re not getting something in return, because that is not fun.
5. How do people contact you? Anyone may contact me via email at Aethelmearcartisanexchange@gmail.com. They can also find me on the Æ Artisan Exchange group on Facebook.
As part of our on-going series of Kingdom Officer profiles, the Gazette interviewed THL Zofia Kowalewska, the Signet Backlog Deputy.
SCA Name/Title THL Zofia Kowalewska but most know me simply as Zosia.
What is the job of the Backlog Clerk? As the Signet Backlog Clerk, I live and breathe spreadsheets and old court reports. When someone doesn’t get a scroll because the Scribe was unable to complete the assignment in time (it happens) or a last minute award is given, we want to make sure the recipient eventually gets their scroll. Every level of award is important. So I go through the old reports, and work with our Signet and Silver Buccle to do our best to make sure the scrolls happen.
What’s the process for being assigned a backlog scroll to do? Just ask! You can email me at signet_backlog@aethelmearc.org and request a backlog. Taking on a backlog scroll is less stressful as we don’t have a Court date, but we do ask that you get them done as soon as you can. New scribes find Backlog assignments are helpful in fine-tuning their skills without the pressure of a hard deadline. And our more seasoned Scribes who may find it challenging to meet the deadlines due to mundane life (don’t I know it), can work on Backlogs at a pace that will fit their available time. Also, if you can only Illuminate, Calligraph or you have Wordsmithing skills, please offer those skills as well. You don’t need to do it all.
What kinds of backlogs are available? A little bit of everything. Award of Arms, Keystones, Sycamores, Gages, Champion, Sigils and occasionally other awards. Right now, it’s a mix of levels.
How long have you been in the SCA and what was your first event? I was fortunate to have met Baroness Juliana Rosalia Dolce da Siena while in College and attended several Ice Dragons from 1994-1997 but I didn’t fully step into the Society until 2007 at Summer’s End in the Canton of Beau Fleuve. Summer’s End holds a very special place in my heart.
What has made you stay? I have made so many friends and learned so much over the years. I also love my craft – I am a scribe and cook at heart. To be able to create a scroll for someone who has worked so hard or to cook for the populace, that is what I love. It has also allowed me to try things I wouldn’t normally do like teach classes, archery, thrown weapons and learn new skills. How often does someone get a chance to learn about the history of the fork, or find out how many different types of Pierogi there are, or how to pull off a three-course dinner for 70?
What do you like best about your office? I get to talk to scribes from all over Æthelmearc and see their beautiful work. I also get to work with newer scribes and watch them blossom. But I think my favorite thing is taking the names OFF the list – when an assignment is completed and the scroll is signed and given to the recipient, the joy that brings is priceless.
Anything else you’d like to add? We could use some scroll blanks for the Backlog assignments. If anyone is interested, please contact me at signet_backlog@aethelmearc.org. I will also be at the Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon. Any completed Backlog assignments or blanks can be delivered to me there as well.
Master Thomas Spence Colby recently published a book called The Roving Archery Course: A guide for course planning, construction, and appreciation that’s available for purchase on Amazon. Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope caught up with Spence and coerced him into answering a few questions.
Being Spence, of course, he had to start with some humor. And continue with more humor. And end with even more humor…
The status of the manual… I wrote the bloody thing to be cheap so I could hand them out at archery events — it was intended to be handbook, not the next great American novel. Perhaps I was seduced by the thought of fame and glory (although it’s been so long since I’ve been seduced it might have just been acid reflux, who knows?), but the book stands as it is. It will serve the purpose it was intended to serve. It won’t serve any porpoises, however. I didn’t use waterproof paper.
Please tell us about your persona and a little bit about your SCA career.
I was named Thomas at my christening, for St. Thomas à Beckett, in the year of Our Lord 1300, but my mother always called me Spence. She was a frail and sickly maid from Brittany and soon retired to a convent to pray and meditate, leaving me to follow my father, Donald of Colby, to the wars. He was a sworn archer to the Crown and fought and garrisoned throughout the Scottish lands and across France. He taught me to pull a true bow from an early age, but before I could join the archery company, I carried arrows to the ranks of archers. Later, I got to stand beside those sturdy men and learned the art of battle in action.
I was in command of a Company of my own when my father was struck and badly wounded during battle at a small village named Crecy. He lingered for years before he finally departed this veil of tears. By then, I had accrued enough honors and treasure to buy a small farm and retire with a wife and raise my son.
My other life is remarkably the same (it makes it easier to remember the details…) My mother didn’t name me Spence, but short of that, everything else basically the same. Okay, I didn’t shoot too many Frenchmen or Scots, but I did follow my dad to many archery shoots and learned the art from him. We shot many ‘field courses’ and spent many hours ridding the woods behind our house of invading stumps. I learned much about roving courses from him.
Master Thomas Spence Colby with his cartoon alter ego, Spooki
As far as the SCA career… I had a career? Huh! Where do I look for my 401(k) earnings? I started out as a fighter. Okay, I started out as a pell for the fighters. The fractured skull should have told me two things – one, never block a shot with your head, and two, it’s time to hang up the armor. But it took a broken collar bone six months later to pound the lesson home. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the broken bone as much as the fact that I won the archery competition right afterward (I only won because I refused to go to the ER and every time I pulled the bow back I tended to scream piercingly and distract the other archers… DON’T shoot with a busted collarbone, it stings a bit!) That was when I realized that even with flinging arrows into the next country and sobbing like a baby with each shot, I wasn’t too bad at this shooting thing. Don’t know why I never thought about it before… guess I just had my heart set on being a fighter.
Once I decided to forgo the sword and take up the string, I discovered the art I learned from my father was something I was fairly good at…. not the shooting bit; I still suck at shooting, but the art of setting up a course and crafting targets that were different from the standard. I started to offer my services as an archery marshal for local events and set up the first few ‘roaming ranges’ most folk had ever seen or shot. They proved to be a huge hit. Why fight it? Sure beats getting hammered by bigger guys in smelly armor – I could offer something I was good at and not go home after the weekend covered in bruises and limping badly.
The roving courses got attention – I first was asked to be a local marshal, then Shire Captain, Regional Marshal, and for a while, the first Archery Commander of the new Kingdom of Aethelmearc. I was the principle of the new Order of the Scarlet Guard and I’m proud to say, holder of the East Kingdom’s vaunted Order of the Sagittarius. I had more respect and honors that I ever did as a corpse on the list field. I think I made the right choice, there.
What prompted you to write a book about roving archery courses?
Well, I can say it wasn’t greed – I cut the profit margin so I could offer this book to people without much coin of the realm in their pouch. I spent over four decades pulling a bow and pulling arrows from trees, the ground, the neighbor’s car, and I realized that I had acquired a decent amount of understanding of the skills required to set and run a course… why make someone else go through the trial and error period if I could ease the trip? Besides, there might be marshals willing to try a roving course but unsure how to start. This was a service I could provide to the SCA – much of what I learned about the fun roving course I picked up doing them in the Society’s good grace. This was a way to give something back.
There’s a story I like to tell about how I got started with making roving courses in the SCA. When I buried the armor and picked up the bow everyone was shooting Royal Rounds. I find them boring… great practice, but we were losing archers from sheer boredom. I suggested that I set up a roving course and offer that at the next event. We had a blast. I was asked to do more courses.
In due time, I attracted the notice of archers from distant shires and far baronies, and they started to travel the long distances to come and shoot one of my courses. This made me a bit nervous… remember that no one was doing these courses in the SCA except me as far as I knew.
I had agreed to set up a course for a local event and just before the event weekend I found out that the Big Man himself was coming to see this roving course thing. The Principality Archery Captain!A Grand Master Bowman and in charge of all the archery activities in the area. Yoicks! I’d never met the man, but I knew if I screwed up in his sight, I’d never marshal another course and I might even have my birthday taken away. Sweaty palms time.
If I remember correctly, the course was some dumb thing, ‘Smurfin’ Safari’… yup, we were shooting at blue-skinned wee folk, and I’m not talking Picts here. I figured that was the first strike against me, right there. Lawdy, Spence…smurfs?
Robert the Grey turned out to a wonderful, soft-spoken gentle who put me at ease very quickly, a truer gentleman I’d be hard pressed to find. He shot the course, seemed to be having fun, and didn’t rip away my warrant or anything. But there was a problem…
While Robert certainly shot up to his reputation, he didn’t place first… he was beaten out by a mere Bowmen with an Royal Round average of 32. Oops! I expected the roof to come down hard on me for that! I expected him to blame the course, the weird shooting situations, the targets, me….
Robert approached me and asked the scores, and I confessed he didn’t win… and his true honorable spirit immediately showed. He grinned in that easy way he has and told me that he deserved to lose – he hadn’t shot well and the Bowman was obviously a better shot at unmarked ranges and shooting through trees and brush – which are markedly absent on most Royal Round ranges. Robert slapped me on the back and told me to keep doing these courses; it had pointed out a flaw in his ability and in his opinion, more gentles could benefit by becoming a more well-rounded archers and shooting at something other than Royal Rounds’ concentric circles on flat, clear ground.
I vowed to do just that, and this book is a direct outgrowth of that promise.
How do you design a good archery target?
Oh, sure, I tell YOU and you tell someone else, and soon no one will need to BUY the book! I’m tempted to say “Just buy the bloody manual, oy?” but I guess it’s a fair question, albeit one that begs a long and involved answer. (Like a BOOK length answer…)
Okay, the secret I can share is this, and I can share this because I was constantly saying it to marshals… This ain’t the bloody Louvre, it’s an archery range! Art we don’t need – EVERYONE is creative or artistic enough to whip up a target that will more than serve the purpose. It needs only to be large enough for archers shooting at it to stand a chance to hit it, it needs to stop arrows, and have clearly defined scoring zones. I devote much of the book to making the targets for the course – lots of hints and help. I was known for making very fancy and elaborate targets but that’s not the real key to the best roving course.
What are the most important principles for creating a good roving range?
If I keep giving stuff away for free, why ask anyone to buy the book?! Sigh… okay, I mentioned it, so fair question. I compare designing and planning a good roving course to making a good stew. You need a good hearty broth that permeates the entire dish and flavors everything. In the roving course, the broth is safety. It is foremost and constant. Of all the wonderful activities we do in the SCA, this is the one that uses not only real weapons, but weaponry designed to reach out and touch someone further than an axe throw away! Safety is a constant concern and flavors EVERY decision.
A good stew needs a good mix of vegetables. This corresponds to the actual planning and lay-out of the course. The mix and variety of the targets, ranges, and shooting situations make the course interesting and challenging. Too many peas and the stew is unbalanced – too many shots from the same distance, and the course is boring. This section of the design is the real key to a good course.
NOT the meat! Meat being the targets… I can show you a course that will dazzle the most veteran archer and not use a single ‘flashy’ target. Ever hear of a vegetable soup? The targets are simply something to use to build the course and add depth – after all, while I can do a crackerjack course shooting at tree stumps or plastic bags stuffed with dead leaves, who wouldn’t whether be shooting French knights or dragons? I diagram the ways in the book to make a good target to dress the course with flair.
And last, but not least, a good stew would be edible without seasonings and spices, but flat, plain. The roving course is the same. I mention in the book some of the little things that boost the appeal of the course for the archers, like a water stop, scoring systems, signs, games and stories. This is the finishing touch for a course that can be quite a wonder for the gentles shooting it.
All these things need to plotted and planned, but it is easier than you might think.
What do you think most roving archery courses get wrong?
Seriously, I think the fact that many roving courses never happen is the biggest wrong thing. I’ve seen some poor courses, and one or two that were borderline unsafe (none of these are SCA – we have a great record for doing that right) but even a lousy course can a ton of fun. If I had to pick the most common boo-boos, I’d pick lack of variety in the course, shaky attention to safety, and lack of imagination and daring. ‘Lack of vision’ can apply to some courses I’ve shot – so many missed opportunities on the course, I want to cry! I restrain myself quite often from begging the people in charge to please allow me to help them set the course… didn’t you see that GREAT shot through the dead tree, across the swamp, and over the big pile of rocks?! Okay, granted, that’s not getting it wrong, but it is to weep for lost chances!
Do SCA archery roving ranges differ much from mundane ones? If so, how?
Yup, and how! The basic set-ups are the same, more or less, but the fact that the SCA has the Marshal running the course is a GREAT bonus and an opportunity that yields some excellent courses for us. The mundane courses are set up for a group of archers to wander through on their own. That can limit the possibilities for both course concept and target ideas. The SCA courses can really flower with a guide to the course tagging along – story courses, special scoring, theme related activities, and of course, let’s not forget… the SCA can shoot at Frenchmen! The mundane courses tend to stick with hunting animals as the concept and even there they can be strange and lack some sense of purpose – I swear I’ve shot at a deer, followed in succession by a deer, a turkey, another turkey, a deer, a turkey, a turkey, ahh! Look! Another turkey!, and finally a ‘beer’… a standing black bear that they replaced the head with a buck. They’re known to travel in six-packs. Okay, that showed some imagination (or the fact they were running out of targets and were scraping the bottom of the barrel) but in the SCA? Oh my! We can hunt mythical critters, save the princess, pretend to be Robin Hood, or re-fight the battle of Agincourt. WE can re-enact, be an actor in the story, live our wildest fantasies (the ones about archery, at least) and shoot for the sky! (Not literally, it’s tough to find the arrows again and the scoring rubric is the pits).We can be so much more creative and wonderful!
Did you plan to market the book toward a general audience? The description on its Amazon page has a lot of SCA references; are you expecting that most of the buyers will be Scadians?
Expecting? Perhaps hoping is the better term! I spent many wonderful years perfecting my abilities with setting up courses at events; it is only reasonable to draw on that experience. But the book is aimed at anyone that is looking to set up a course – at an event, a demo, a Boy Scout camp, local shooting club, or in the back yard. I tried to not be too oriented towards one group and stick with the core concepts. Which proved rather tricky, actually… a high speed machine with training wheels is a completely different weapon from my old stick and string and offering hints on set-up can be frustrating. The tricks that will dazzle a traditional archer will pose no concerns at all for someone using a laser rangefinder and a lighted four-power scope on a precision arrow-projecting machine. But I tried to make this manual useful for everyone that uses arrows. Except road sign painters.
I hope that every Archery Marshal gets a copy – it will help them plan better courses, I think. It is a neat and beneficial thing to offer a roving course at an event and fun to run as well. Okay, tiring… but very satisfying in the long run. And every archer should read the book and should learn the tricks as well – if for no other reason than to learn to appreciate a well-founded course when they shoot it. Or to beat one that isn’t….
The book is available on Amazon.com. It is a Print-on-Demand book, which means that it might require a week to get a copy in the mail (yes, THAT fast!). It is a trade paper 6X9”, 108 pages, crammed full of B&W illustrations, diagrams, and cartoons, and includes a helpful (sorta) glossary of archery terms. It is also a good read for anyone that’s not really interested in setting up a course but loves archery. I tell secrets.
Welcome to our interview with the Kingdom Ministers of Arts & Sciences, Master Fridrikr Tomasson and Mistress Orianna Fridrikskona. This is the third in our series of interviews with Kingdom officers, to learn what they do. You can read the first, an interview with the Kingdom Historian, here, and the second with the Silver Buccle Kingdom Herald here.
What are your SCA names and personas?
F – I am Fridrikr Tomasson, a 13th century Icelandic goji.
O – I am Orianna Fridrikskona, a 13th century Englishwoman minor nobility married to Fridrikr and living in Iceland with him.
Master Fridrikr Tomasson and Mistress Orianna Fridrikskona, Kingdom Ministers of Arts and Sciences. Photo by THLady Rufina Saavedra.
How did you become interested in being A&S Ministers?
Fridrikr was serving as deputy chancellor of the Æcademy and intended to apply for the Chancellor´s job. But he was asked by others to apply for the position of Kingdom Minister. After some discussion, together we decided to apply for the Kingdom Minister office instead. Their Majesties Titus and Anna Leigh accepted our application to the office.
Why are you sharing the office?
We’re sharing the office because we work best as a team. We have for over 30 years. This acknowledges what would be true if one of us held the job alone, the other would be sharing the burden. Interestingly, as far as the Corporate Minister is concerned, Fridrikr is the Minister and Orianna is the Emergency Deputy. But we each bring different strengths to the office.
What do the Kingdom A&S Ministers do?
Our job is to encourage and help the Arts & Sciences grow, both in Æthelmearc as a whole and in the local groups. We have reporting and paperwork duties to perform for the Corporate office, but the most important thing we do is help the artisans of Æthelmearc to grow and flourish. So, we try to get to as many A&S events as we can and we are trying to give the A&S community more of an opportunity to be “seen” through the new A&S Faire to be held next April 23rd in Hartstone, the displays at War Practice and 50-Year, the anticipated A&S War Point at Pennsic, and the Kingdom A&S Championship we plan to hold next October.
Who are your deputies, and what are their roles?
We have the following official deputies: Sir Olafr, the Historical Combat Deputy; Lady Fiona the Prepared, Kingdom Hound Mistress; THL Beatrice de Winter; Special Deputy for Rubric Development; and five Regional Deputies: THL Angellino the Bookmaker (Region 1), Master Remus Fletcher (Region 2), THL Jaqueline de Molieres (Region 3), Mistress Ysabeau Tiercein (Region 4), and Lady Margarita Carpintero (Region 5). The Academy Chancellor, Mistress Alicia Langland, and Dean of the War College, Duke Timothy of Arindale, are also our deputies, though they are appointed by the Crown.
What makes for a good A&S competition?
We believe that a good A&S competition places more emphasis on sharing of information than competition. That is why we have instituted face-to-face judging, which allows the judges to sit and talk with the entrants, exchanging information and giving advice. Although in a situation like the recent Kingdom Championship, the goal must be to find a winner, we believe that the opportunity to open lines of communication and develop and improve the artisans’ work and the judges’ understanding is far more important.
Their Majesties enjoy an opportunity to learn from the artisans of Æthelmearc at the recent Kingdom Arts and Sciences Championship competition. Photo by Master Fridrikr Tomasson.
How do the Kingdom A&S Ministers work with the Æthelmearc Æcademy, Ice Dragon Pentathlon, and other A&S activities in the Kingdom? What about InterKingdom A&S activities, like the Pennsic and War Practice displays and this year’s A&S War Point?
We support Mistress Alicia and Duke Timothy in the operation of the Academy and War College, helping encourage artisans to become teachers. This past year, we helped TRM Timothy and Gabrielle in choosing the champions for the A&S War Point. Since this is a new endeavor for everyone, we are open to doing more in the planning of the War Point in 2016. We helped organize the War Practice display this past year and look forward to expanding the displays at War Practice in 2016. We are also looking forward to working on the 50-Year A&S Display in 2016. As far as local A&S activities such as Ice Dragon are concerned, we are here to give aid and advice, but we feel these are inherently local events. We do like to participate and help in any way we can, and Ice Dragon does allow us the opportunity to recognize our personal choices out of all of the entrants, which is an honor and a joy to do.
What are the best ways to encourage people to become involved in the Arts and Sciences?
We believe that the more opportunties that artisans can be given to show their skills, the more likely people are to become involved in the Arts & Sciences. We also believe that the Kingdom MoAS office can be an excellernt place to distribute and make information for readily available. We hope to do this through the Kingdom A&S website.
The Æthelmearc A&S website.
What kinds of things can people find on the Kingdom A&S website?
We have images from recent A&S events, report forms for local officers, and messages from the Kingdom Ministers. We hope to have links to excellent A&S exemplars and other information in the future.
What are the best and worst parts of your position?
The best part is the opportunity to meet the many excellent artisans of Æthelmearc, to communicate our love of the Arts and Sciences to others, and to travel throughout the Kingdom and be of service to the Crown and people.
The worst part is trying to gather reports from local officers. It can be frustrating from time to time.
Where do you see Arts & Sciences in the SCA or the kingdom going? Are there any changes we should expect coming?
We hope to see the Arts and Sciences continue to grow. As we said before, we hope two annual events will occur: the spring Arts & Sciences Faire and the autumnal Kingdom A&S Championship. We hope to see small local events dedicated to the Arts and Sciences continue to develop and flourish. We also hope to see more focused A&S Symposia occur as local events. We want to help and encourage more new artisans to grow in our Kingdom.
Welcome to our interview with the Kingdom Herald, whose title is Silver Buccle Herald. This is the second in our series of interviews with Kingdom officers, to learn what they do. You can read the first, an interview with the Kingdom Historian, here.
The Gazette wishes to thank Master Kameshima for his thoughtful and well-written answers to our questions!
What is your SCA Name and persona?
Kameshima Zentarō Umakai is a government official in 16th century Japan, serving in the Department of State and Ceremony.
How did you become a herald?
When Dame Elsbeth Anne Roth was Laurel Sovereign of Arms (the chief herald of the SCA), her staff mainly consisted of people from the Debatable Lands. She, along with Lady Juliana de Luna and Lady Richenda du Jardin, saw this as an excellent opportunity to train a new generation of heralds, and invited me to start attending her staff meetings. I fell in love with so-called “book heraldry” (the study of how names and coats of arms existed in period, and helping other SCAdians to design theirs) at those meetings.
My interest in Court Heraldry stemmed from my love of theater, which goes back to when I was a child. Mistress Giulietta da Venezia, who was Comet Pursuivant of the Debatable Lands at the time, helped teach me all the things I needed to know to conduct Baronial and Royal Courts.
Photo of Master Kameshima by Master Augusto Giuseppe da San Donato.
What does the Kingdom Herald do?
The Kingdom Herald is in charge of coordinating all the Heralds in the Kingdom (called the “College of Heralds”). This includes overseeing the process of name and armory submissions within the Kingdom, coordinating heralds to conduct Royal Courts, and making sure that martial tournaments such as Crown Tournament and the Queen’s Rapier Championship are called by heralds if they so desire.
Each Kingdom’s College works a little differently. In Æthelmearc, at least for the last several years, the Kingdom Herald (who has the title of Silver Buccle Principal Herald in Æthelmearc) has had the responsibility of being the primary Court Herald, but that will be changing. Starting with Their Highnesses, each set of Royalty will have a primary Court Herald (who will have the title of “Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald”) as part of their Reign Staff.
What kinds of heraldry are there in the SCA?
Heraldry in the SCA is divided into three major categories:
Book Heraldry is the study of names and armory as they were used throughout SCA period. Heralds help people come up with the names and coats of arms that they use in the SCA.
Court Heraldry is the practice of conducting Royal Court. That means a lot more than just reading scrolls out loud! There’s a lot of protocol and ceremony that goes along with Royal Court, plus you need to work with the Royalty to make sure that Court remains interesting and doesn’t drag on too long.
Tournament Heraldry is helping to “emcee” martial tournaments, which includes making sure that the fighters know when and in which “list” they’re going to be fighting, making sure the audience knows who’s fighting, and making sure that the traditions of the list are followed (like the conducting of “honors,” which are where the fighters pay honor to the Crown, to their inspirations, and so on).
Who are your deputies, and what are their roles?
I have a lot of deputies! And most of them have titles that, like mine, are named after awards here in Æthelmearc.
There are Regional Deputies for each of the 5 Regions of the Kingdom who are in charge of keeping closer tabs on what’s going on with the local groups in their regions than I’m able to. Their titles are Millrind (Region 1), Gage (2), Scarlet Guard (3), White Horn (4) and Fleur d’Æthelmearc (5).
I also have deputies who are in charge of various specific aspects of heraldry. Garnet and her deputy Cornelian are in charge of the submissions process (which I’ll explain in more detail below). Keystone is my Education deputy, and he organizes heraldic education classes for Heralds & Scribes Symposiums and Æthelmearc Æcademies, as well as local educational opportunities. Sycamore is in charge of Tournaments, organizing heralds to emcee Crown and other tournaments. Their deputy Seedling is in charge of the Crown Tournament Shield Trees, from which you’ve seen the combatants’ armory hanging at Crown. Golden Alce is the deputy for the Order of Precedence, which is the list of who has what awards and when they got them.
Finally, the College of Heralds has a Silent Heraldry deputy, in charge of providing sign language interpretation during Courts, a College Webminister, and, because we maintain our own bank account, a College Exchequer.
What is the College of Arms? How does it operate?
The College of Arms is the collective name for all the heralds in the SCA! But you’re probably asking how the submission process works. When you submit a name or armory, first it gets sent to Garnet. Garnet puts it out on what’s called an “Internal Letter of Intent,” where heralds throughout Æthelmearc (and a few from other Kingdoms) get about a month to do extra research, make sure that the names and armory don’t “conflict” (they’re not too close to names and devices that are already registered), and so on. Then Garnet will decide whether it needs to be returned for more work, or whether it can get sent in an “External Letter of Intent” to the Laurel Queen at Arms and their deputies, the Pelican Herald (who makes name decisions) and the Wreath Herald (who makes armory decisions). Then heralds throughout the SCA get another chance to look at it, do more research, or anything else that is needed. Finally, Pelican and Wreath will make decisions on all the names and armory that were submitted in a given month from all around the SCA, whether it is returned, or registered for all time. A few months later, their decisions are published in a “Letter of Acceptances and Returns” (“LoAR”) which are posted on the LoAR page of the SCA heraldry website.
The whole process takes about 9 months. I know that sounds like a long time, but the SCA is a big place, and we want to make sure we get it right!
Do only Kingdom-level heralds get to do courts?
Nope! While Silver Buccle does the majority of Courts (and the Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald will be taking over that job), that’s just so that the Royalty have a primary point of contact to develop a smooth working relationship. When I can’t make it to an event, I’ll ask one of the local heralds to conduct Court. And when I am at an event, usually I’ll have another herald assist me as a “Second Herald,” helping me to keep everything organized, read scrolls, and generally make Court interesting for the populace, and a special moment to remember for those getting recognized.
Anyone who’s interested in giving Court a try should ask Silver Buccle or Jewel of Æthelmearc. We’ll work with you and train you so you know the things you’ll need to know. How else do you think you get good at this job?
What kinds of things can people find on the Æthelmearc College of Heralds website?
The College of Heralds website contains all sorts of heraldic resources, including submission forms, links to Internal and External Letters of Intent, the Order of Precedence, past Court Reports, and the Kingdom Roll of Arms, which contains pictures of all the names and coats of arms used by the Royalty, Groups and Populace of Æthelmearc. There’s also a Staff Roster of all the heralds in Æthelmearc.
The site’s going to be going through a lot of updates and upgrades in the next few months, which started with the brand new Order of Precedence page put in place a few months ago. Stay tuned!
What makes for good heraldic design?
Good heraldic design, by and large, is simple. For most of period, coats of arms had one or two types of charges, and no more than two or three colors. Remember, not only did these need to be easily recognizable through a helmet while on horseback, but people needed to remember the heraldry of the people they were fighting with, so they knew who was trying to kill them and who wasn’t. Here in the SCA, because we have so many people who have armory, sometimes our armory gets a little more complex than what you saw in period, so that it doesn’t conflict with someone else. But simpler is always better.
Heralds describe armory using a special language technique called blazoning. It’s a standardized way of describing the colors and charges of armory. A lot of people find it a little bit intimidating, but heralds love to teach people how to blazon heraldry!
What are the best ways to choose an SCA name?
Start by talking to a herald. There are few things that make heralds sadder than having to tell someone that the name they picked out of a fantasy book can’t be registered. You should, however, have some general idea of where you want to start. Some people choose a time and culture (“I want to be Italian, maybe 15th century; I love the clothing!”), and heralds can show you lists of names that were used in that time and place. Some people choose a name (“My grandmother was named Anna, so that’s what I want my name to be”), and heralds can do their best to find times and places that name, or something like it, was used. Other people have a certain meaning they like (“I want a last name that means ‘dark wolf’), and heralds can help you translate that into different languages and try to find names that get close to that meaning.
My lady wife, Isabel, says the best advice she ever got about choosing a name in the SCA is “Make sure it’s something that you’ll answer to when you’re on fire.” Sound advice, but let’s hope we never have to test that out!
Photo by Mistress Rowena ni Donnchadh.
How can I become a herald?
Just speak up. If your local group has a herald, talk to them and ask how you can help. If you want to learn book heraldry, Garnet holds her monthly decision meetings on Google Hangout, so if you have a Google account, you can get an invitation to sit in and listen. Not only will you learn a whole lot about name and armory research, but you’ll get an inside view on how the decision process is made. If you want to get involved in tournament heraldry, find a tournament that’s being heralded and ask to help. That includes Crown Tournament! If you want to give Court a shot, again, find Silver Buccle or Jewel of Æthelmearc and just ask. We LOVE getting new people involved in heraldry.
If I’m not good at designing devices but I want to herald courts or tourneys, can I still be a herald? Or what if I like the device and name parts, but don’t want to do courts?
Sure! Very few heralds do all three (much less do all three well). Some of the most famous heralds in the SCA have never heralded a Court or a tournament; others have never done any research into names or armory. It’s all about doing what you love, so find what you love and do it.
Why did my submission bounce, and what can I do about it?
If your submission gets returned for any reason, the most important thing to remember is that you have one year to resubmit without having to pay again. We’re not in this for the money, our job is to get people historically reasonable names and armory that they like.
The most important thing to do is talk to a herald and show them the return letter that you got from Garnet. A lot of times, the reasons for return are written for heralds, and people who haven’t learned name or armory research might not understand what it means. Your local herald, or the herald that helped you with the original submission, can go over with you what went wrong, and what you can do to fix it and get it back into the process.
My device submission bounced but I still want to use it anyway. Will I get in trouble?
Well, there’s not really all that much “trouble” you can get into. As cool as I think it would be to be the “heraldry police,” we tend to err on the side of playing nicely with each other. So, that being said, that depends on why it got returned. If it got returned because it can’t be registered, then at least you can be sure that nobody else is using it either. So yes, you can use it, and while heralds might look at it and try to teach you why it’s not registerable, nobody’s going to tell you that you can’t. If, on the other hand, it got returned because it was the same as, or too close to, someone else’s heraldry, then yes, that person does have the right to demand that you stop using that heraldry. You can refuse, of course — like I said, we’re not the heraldry police — but since the SCA is about promoting honor, courtesy and chivalry, that would be counter to the spirit of the game that we all play.
When does your term end? How will your successor be chosen?
The Principal Herald, like all Kingdom officers, serves a maximum of two two-year terms. I started my second term this past May, so my term will end in May 2017. Also like all Kingdom officers, my successor will be chosen by whoever will be King and Queen for the Summer 2017 reign.
Where do you see heraldry in the SCA going? Are there any changes we should expect coming?
I’ve already talked about the biggest change: the fact that Silver Buccle won’t be the primary Court Herald. As a result, I’ll have a lot more time to concentrate on two things that have always been very important to me as a herald: education and recruitment. The Regional Heralds will be working with local groups to encourage heraldic workshops, consultation tables, and other opportunities for more people to learn and practice heraldry.
Heraldry — be it the use of names, the display of armory, or the pageantry of Court and tournaments — is one of the primary ways of making what we do in the SCA feel more “real.” Just as a fighter likes their kit to be authentic, or someone who makes garb wants to get the garment right, or a scribe wants their scroll to look like it came out of a medieval manuscript, we heralds love to see banners hanging in the hall, and we love to hear names ring loud and clear through the hall. More than anything, though, we love to teach others what we’ve learned and encourage people to love heraldry as much as we do.
Why not give it a try?
All photos not otherwise credited are by Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope.
Anno Societatis 50 seems to be a year of transitions for many of the Baronies of Æthelmearc. Of our Seven Pearls, five have or will soon have new Barons taking their thrones: Thescorre, the Rhydderich Hael, Delftwood, and Endless Hills have already had elections, while the Debatable Lands is getting ready to send out ballots. Mistress Sadira bint Wassouf was invested as Baroness of Thescorre in July when Baron Aquila and Baroness Bronwyn stepped down, marking the first of these transitions to be completed.
In light of these changes, Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope (who is a candidate for Baroness in the Debatable Lands, herself) asked current and former Landed Barons for their thoughts on what the job entails, including its rewards and its challenges.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BARON?
A wide variety of things are expected of Barons and Baronesses (hereafter shortened to “Barons”). While Kingdom law states only that Barons hold their baronies in fealty to the Crown and are required to report on the status of their barony at the start of each reign, custom dictates a more complex role. Barons are the link between the people and the Crown, because they serve both. Serving the people means being good role models, encouraging the populace in their endeavors, and recognizing those who excel. Serving the Crown means bringing deserving members of their Baronies to the attention of the Crown via letters of recommendation, building the Kingdom’s army in times of war and its artisans in time of peace, and enforcing the Kingdom’s laws within their baronies. The Barons of Æthelmearc also have traditions around the various Seven Pearls competitions (A&S and Bardic, along with martial championships), as well as a Baronial dinner at Pennsic for which each Barony takes a turn as host. In addition, Barons often reach out to the Shires around them to form communities of support with those smaller groups.
Baron Carolus and Baroness Isolda of the Rhydderich Hael. Photo from the Baronial website.
Baron Carolus Loke of Bae Blaidd Gwael, current Baron of the Rhydderich Hael, summed up the role of Baron this way: “Service, service, service. With a side order of pomp and ceremony.” More specifically, he says, “We are, in the strictest sense, empowered by the people we serve. It is our role to do several things: (1) Recognize the achievement of individuals in the barony thru our local awards, and advocate to royalty recognition thru kingdom awards for people in our Barony, people in local Shires, and in the kingdom as a whole. (2) Grow the barony. We assist the Chatelaine in making welcome any newcomers or anyone with an interest in the opportunities the SCA has welcome. (3) Organize. When there are good projects or work that needs to be done, we advocate and persuade and rally people to get things done.”
Baron Uilliam (Liam) macanTsaoire of the Debatable Lands says, “Being Baron and Baroness is mainly related to court and awards. Very often, you are asked for advice on matters inside the SCA, from fealty to what different offices do. On occasion, we serve as referee or intermediary in disputes.”
Baroness Geirny Thorgrimsdottir, former Baroness of the Rhydderich Hael, agrees but notes, “The behind the scenes work is just as important, [like] pitching in to set an example to the Barony that everyone should do their share. Another duty is doing all you can to support and encourage the Baronial officers in their job. Otto and I considered ourselves essentially officers, and so attended barony and officers’ meetings, acting in concert with the Seneschal and other officers. Another less pleasant task … was to mediate between parties with disputes. Many of these problems go away simply by enforcing the standard SCA chain of complaint starting with “Have you spoken to that person yet?” When faced with these situations you need to be scrupulously impartial. They also highlight another duty, to be aware of the laws and policies of your Barony, Kingdom, and the SCA.”
Baroness Helene al-Zarqá of Delftwood says, “We are responsible to the Crown for the lands we hold in fief for the Kingdom, and responsible to the populace whom we serve in the Crown’s name. Meaning, we let the Barony know what the Crown is doing/saying, and encourage them to become involved at all levels with everything going on. We also are constantly talking to the Crowns about what our folks are doing, and making sure they know who each and every person is. It does no good to say Billy is doing this phenomenal work, if they have no idea who Billy is.”
Baroness Sadira bint Wassouf of Thescorre has an unusual perspective. Although she was only invested as Baroness in July, this is her second time in the role; she and her late husband Master Saleem ibn Alefan ibn Iftakruddin served as Baron and Baroness of Thescorre in the mid-1980s. As a result, she is keenly aware of how things have changed in the intervening years. “One of the things I think that I need to do with help from many people is to re-organize record-keeping for my successors. There is a learning curve associated with having more members of the orders and doing actions on-line.”
WHAT DOES BEING BARON COST?
While being Baron is not nearly as expensive as being King and Queen, there are associated costs, and Barons typically are in office for much longer than royalty.
Baron Gunnar and Baroness Barbary Rose of Endless Hills. Photo by Caitriona de Clare.
Baroness Barbary Roseof Endless Hills says, “Travel is probably the most expensive part of a Baron’s job. If your barony is in a remote part of the kingdom, it may cost more to get to events [than from other baronies]. This is where carpooling is a great thing! And you will need to travel – to visit your cousins in other baronies, to invite others to come to one of your events. If you wish for others to visit YOUR barony, you will need to visit THEIRS.”
Baron Liam agrees, saying that sitting the Baronial thrones costs him and Baroness Constance Glyn Dŵr “About $500/ year, the highest cost being travel.”
Baroness Geirny commented, “I believe the costs would vary greatly depending upon those occupying the Baronial seat. How many events do you normally attend? How much new garb do you feel you require? Our increase in expenditure was very moderate because we already attended a large number of events, and only made new garb for big occasions. I did buy a big pair of gold brooches to reflect my status as a wealthy land owner, though.”
Baron Carolus recounted additional potential costs, including new garb (plus fighting/fencing tunics for martial Barons) in the “home team colors.” He considers two events “must-go-to” events: Royal events (Crown Tourney and Coronation), and other Landed Barons’ Investitures. He notes, “Coronations and Investitures probably require a gift. For Coronation, we ask the populace to contribute, as do we. He also recommends that Barons plan to attend Pennsic, some events further away where Royalty is in attendance, and events at neighboring Shires, Dominions, and Cantons. He admits that he and his lady might go to these events even if they were not Baron and Baroness, but says “As Baron, we feel a little more push to attend.”
Baron Carolus further notes that “Depending on how you roll, a bigger vehicle is a real plus. Baronial pavilions, thrones, standards and flagpoles, and Barony baldrics for the populace gobble up room quickly.”
Some baronies may have funds set aside to help their Barons pay for travel and largesse, but that’s not common.
Baroness Sadira notes that costs are much higher than in the past because more travel is required now. “Since I am old, really hate camping except for Pennsic, and have vertigo, I will need to go to hotels more and use crash space on floors less.” She also feels that standards for court garb are higher than they were the last time she sat the avian throne. “What I wore before would not be “elegant” enough by today’s standards, so I am working on that and having fun. The cost is relatively low because I can make it myself or get help from my “personal tailor” (her daughter, Baroness Nuzha bint Saleem). On the other hand, she notes that communications costs are much lower than they were thirty years ago. “The first time, everything was snail mail and phone – and someone always waited until the Monday morning after an event to tell me what had gone wrong at the event. These issues could have easily been handled at the moment, but by Monday meant many calls, each having a time-based cost. Many things can be done by email or other electronic media which are being paid for anyway for modern life.”
Baron Ichijo Honen of Blackstone Mountain says, “Initially, our cost for garb was a bit high, in the $300-$500 range, due to the need for Baronial specific garb, but that settled down shortly thereafter. The travel costs, however, have been the big ones. I’ve spent around $10K per year on gas, lodging, food, and event fees.” This is mostly because Their Excellencies have a large truck that gets poor gas mileage, travel almost every weekend to events plus practices during the week to various parts of a far-flung barony, and of course because Blackstone Mountain is located on an edge of the Kingdom, so all of the other groups are proportionately farther away than for more centrally located baronies.
Baroness Emilia O’Madigan of St. Swithin’s Bog says it’s possible to limit the financial damage. “Cost is really dependent on many variables…some of which are under your control and others are out of your realm of control. Setting a monthly limit on out-of-town events, along with staying with friends or family for such events will help alleviate the expense.”
Baron Iago and Baroness Emilia of St. Swithin’s Bog. Photo by THL Caitilín ní Mhaolchonaire.
GIVING AWARDS AND HOLDING COURT
One of the things that sets a Barony apart from a Shire or Canton is that the Baron and Baroness get to give baronial awards. Like the Crown, most Barons count on their populace to provide recommendations, though it’s more typical that Barons know award recipients since they live in the same area and often see their subjects’ work in person.
All of the Baronies in Æthelmearc have Signet Officers on whom their Barons rely to arrange for production of baronial award scrolls. Everyone interviewed for this article agreed that it’s crucial to have a good working relationship with both their Baronial Signet and their Baronial Herald. Most baronies also give tokens or medallions with their baronial awards, so the Barons are always looking for donations of this regalia from their artisans.
Baron Liam said that in addition to recommendations from their people, he and Baroness Constance “Are always on the watch for members of the populace doing good works.”
Baroness Geirny agrees, and adds, “We also convened meetings of the baronial orders for advice and suggestions. Holding court requires a great deal of coordination beforehand. A good herald and scribal minister make all the world of difference. Ideally the scrolls get collected up as soon as possible so the heralds can have a chance to look them over before court. And you have to make sure you allot some time during the day to sit down with your herald and go over the docket. Even if you’ve prepared it in advance, there are often additions and other complications to account for.”
Baroness Emilia says, “This is where it is ideal to have an incredible team of Baronial members to support you. There is no way that you can be everywhere and seeing everything, so award recommendations are key. A reliable and dedicated Scribal Mistress is priceless and life-saving at times. We are very lucky in that aspect. The biggest advice we have for holding court is to be flexible. Know the docket and have general ideas planned for what you would like to say, but be ready for changes and mix-ups. The more relaxed you are, the smoother the experience is for everyone. Take some time prior to court to review everything with the heralds as they can be just as nervous as you are! Fun courts are nice…fun short courts are even nicer.”
Baron Fergus and Baroness Helene of Delftwood. Photo from the Baronial website.
Baroness Helene says having a loud voice and a good court presence is important. “Fergus and I are both theater people. Court is a stage, and we love it.” She and Baron Fergus also have another advantage over some of their baronial cousins. “Since we are both creative, we have personally made most of the award medallions we have given out. We also get some award medallions donated.”
Baroness Sadira notes that scrolls are given more often now than in the past. In her first term as Baroness, she says, “We did not give scrolls for our Baronial service award (the Raven’s Feather), just words and the token. Now, we also have awards for martial activities and arts. Thescorre has amazing scribes and artists who create lovely scrolls and tokens. Our Arts Officer facilitates getting them done. The scribes communicate well about wording, and we have talented wordsmiths among us!”
Baron Carolus commented, “Get really lucky and find a great herald and scribal head and this is really easy! Humor aside, be organized and plan one to two events ahead, communicate, always say please and thank you, and apologize when you drop the ball. It’s going to happen. Always remember the focus is on the person receiving the award, this is their moment in the sun.” He also notes, perhaps due to the challenges of the most recent Ice Dragon site, “I would have liked to explore technology (microphones) to allow for better acoustics.”
Baron Ichijo concurs that recommendations from the populace paired with his and Baroness Cerridwen’s observations help them determine who is ready for baronial awards. Regarding scrolls and court, he says, “We frequently send out a request for scroll blanks, and we have quite a few on hand, so it’s fairly easy to get them calligraphed for Court with enough warning ahead of time. As for award tokens, some we order, some we get from the populace themselves. Our preference is the ones the populace make.” Regarding court, he says, “It is an absolute thrill to be able to give awards to people who deserve them, and to be able to see their faces light up when you give them. Being heard is never a problem for me, as I’m loud when whispering, let alone talking. Cerridwen takes care to speak up during court, as she tends to be quieter than I am.”
Baron Ichijo and Baroness Cerridwen of Blackstone Mountain. Photo by Lady Valentina de la Volpe.
Some Barons like to use humor during court to keep things entertaining, but Baron Ichijo notes that it’s important to keep things in perspective. “We try to keep a balance between entertaining and respectful. You have to break up a dry court, keep it interesting, but you always want the people you are giving awards to understand that you are sincerely appreciative and respectful of all that they do.” Baroness Geirny agrees, saying, “I personally feel there needs to be a balance between seriousness and camp. You don’t want it to be a total comic farce start to finish, but neither do you want people bored to tears. Interspersed moments of levity are grand, but shouldn’t take over.”
Baroness Sadira agrees as well. “One of the best pieces of advice I got when I first became Baroness was to be serious about awards, to choose words and actions to truly honor the recipient unless you are 100% sure that they WANT silliness. For some people, these awards may be the first – or only – award of their lives. It is important to honor the substance behind the award. On the other hand, I love improvisational theater, and there is room in court for schtick. So where there are pirates or mathoms or camels, silliness can add to the ambiance as much as pomp and circumstance. The key is the discernment of what to use and when.”
WORKING WITH THE BARONIAL SENESCHAL
Barons must work with their local seneschals in a relationship that can sometimes seem to overlap. Here’s how the Barons of Æthelmearc say they collaborate with their seneschals.
Baroness Helene says “With the two group seneschals we have worked with, we all have come to the agreement that we take the lead on “game side” issues, while the seneschal will take the lead on the “rules side” issues. We have found that you still need a great relationship with your seneschal to make sure that everyone is clear on if something is “game-side” or “rules-side.” Fortunately, we’ve had wonderful seneschals to work with.”
Baroness Sadira of Thescorre. Photo by Baron Steffan Wolfgang von Ravensburg.
Baroness Sadira agrees that it’s important to keep the roles separate. “I see the seneschal as the legal representative of the group. The seneschals typically organize meetings and events, and I try not to meddle so that we are not giving conflicting messages. I take care of helping people to interact in positive ways. I have been a teacher and counselor for many, many years and that experience has helped with approaching conflict and controversy. Hopefully, by helping people develop better communication skills we can all enjoy our time together more and continue to learn and do our chosen arts.”
Baron Ichijo says “Your seneschal has the thankless duty of making sure that the things you want to do/implement are compliant with the Society, Kingdom, and Baronial bylaws, not to mention mundane law. Generally they are great at working with you, and it behooves you to heed their advice. They usually want to see the cool things happen too, they just have to keep in mind the consequences should things not be on the up and up.”
Baron Carolus brags, “We have the absolute best seneschal! We understand our different roles given by the SCA, and work together to help each other if we can. Not a lot of overlap, but that is driven by Kingdom and Society. We both understand what those roles/responsibilities are, and we don’t butt heads. Listening skill and communication are key. In this we are blessed.”
Baron Liam puts it another way. “I often say, we are the church, the seneschal’s office is the state. Our job is to make the game fun, the seneschal’s job is to create and manage the framework to make the game fun. That being said, we work together as much as possible to make it all fun.”
Baroness Barbary Rose indicates that Endless Hills has more overlap of responsibilities than other baronies. “We have to work with our seneschal to schedule Barony meetings and Curia, [get] event site approval, baronial purchases, and policy changes. It helps to be able to get along with your seneschal!”
FEALTY TO THE CROWN
One of the requirements for Barons is that they swear fealty to the Crown of Æthelmearc, usually at each Coronation. What does that fealty require of our local lords and ladies?
Baroness Emilia says, “It is our job to facilitate the whims of the Crown – to follow their edicts and commands – to serve them faithfully and humbly.”
Baroness Geirny says, “[The Baron is] the King & Queen’s eyes and ears, the person they’ve chosen (even if in practice that’s merely ratifying the results of a local election) to represent them. It means ensuring Their barony is running smoothly, that Their people are cared for, and coming to Their aid when needed, be that in recommending gentles for Kingdom honors in times of peace, or rousing the troops for War.”
Baron Carolus says it’s important to have open communications with the Crown. “My fealty oath means I will use my influence in the Barony to assist them in any way they ask, and in ways they imply. In the Barony, supporting everyone makes for a strong Barony, allowing all areas to grow. It also means always being “in character” in my interactions with them. At an event where it was raining, my lady took the umbrella I was holding and sharing and goes to cover the King. My reaction was ‘How did she think of that before I did?’”
Baron Ichijo says “[Fealty] is something I take very seriously. I gave up my squire’s belt to sit as Landed Baron. I have only one oath of fealty, although it is a twofold oath. I have an oath to the Crown, and through the Crown, to the populace of the lands we hold in fief. We work very hard to be faithful to it. As the Crown wishes, we take it as command. As our populace requests, so too, do we take it as seriously.”
Baron Liam looks upon fealty as a contract, as it was in the middle ages. “A wise former Baron and Baroness of the BMDL told us before we stepped up, ‘You are the voice of the people to the Crown and the voice of the Crown to the people.’ We as Barons and Baronesses are extensions of the crown and serve at Their will. Our fealty is necessary to fulfill that contract.”
Baron Liam and Baroness Constance of the Debatable Lands. Photo by Master Augusto Giuseppe da San Donato.
Baroness Sadira sees fealty through the lens of her mundane cultural and ethnic heritage. “Fealty has an odd cultural context to me. I am actually half-Syrian, and Arabic people take ideas of family and name very, very seriously. If I were to call someone “sister,” it means that I take that relationship as deeply as a sister of my blood. So I choose my words very carefully. I offer what I will really give and the extent to which I will give it. The words will change with each set of royalty. And I will do what I say.”
Baroness Helene also takes her fealty to heart, saying that it requires her “To put the Kingdom and Barony first in all things – before self, before households, before friends if that is needed. It means to support what is best for Delftwood and Æthelmearc instead of what may be best personally for us. It means we have a responsibility to be the Baron and Baroness and thus the Crown’s representative to ALL of the people of Delftwood, regardless of our personal feelings towards any person in particular.”
OTHER DUTIES
Outside of the usual duties, each barony may have slightly different expectations for their Baron based on the size, culture, and makeup of the group.
Baron Carolus says it’s important to pitch in and set an example. “When we are done at an event, there are floors to sweep, dishes to clean, chairs to stack. Balance getting yourself packed with helping to clean up.”
Baron Liam, who rules the largest barony in Æthelmearc, notes “The Barony-Marche is nearly the size of some kingdoms in the SCA. As Baron and Baroness, we handle some amount of business nearly every day. In many cases, it becomes a little more than a part-time job.”
Baron Ichijo and Baroness Cerridwen of Blackstone Mountain. Photo by Master Alaxandair o Conchobhair.
Baron Ichijo thinks of the Baron as a super-Chatelaine who needs to always be on for his people. “[I want] to make sure that everyone who interacts with me comes away from the experience with positive feelings about our Barony, its hospitality, and its atmosphere. I always try to be welcoming and entertaining, try to make people feel like they are at home, even away from home. This can sometimes be challenging if you are having a bad day, or feeling unsociable. No one can ever know these things. You must always have your game face on. It can be quite draining. Make sure that your retainers and closest confidants know when you need a moment, so they can try to run blocker for you. But always have your game face on when talking to people. You are the face of your Barony.”
Baroness Sadira says she is still adapting to the technology of the new era. “I am finally learning to ask for help. There’s also a lot more regalia to transport which is difficult from the perspective of packing space and lifting ability.”
THE CHALLENGES
What do the Barons of Æthelmearc think is the most challenging aspect of their jobs? This varies pretty dramatically by person and by group.
Baroness Helene finds time and logistics to be her biggest difficulty. “It is always a challenge to try to support everyone in what they are doing, and we find that we have to make tough decisions on where to go and what to do. It is hard to be everywhere at an event when multiple things are happening all at once – particularly at Pennsic. But even at local events, trying to see everything that is going on, and trying all the fun stuff that we can try, takes up most of the event.”
Baroness Emilia agrees. “The biggest difficulty would be the lack of time. Most times you are needed somewhere and there is never enough time to do everything or see everyone. Maintaining a balance between what is needed to serve your Kingdom, help your Barony, pursue a career, and be a good parent/spouse can be difficult.”
Baroness Sadira at Pennsic 44. Photo by Baron Steffan.
As an older Scadian, Baroness Sadira considers the changing of the guard from older members to newer ones a particular concern. “I believe that the older members need to figure out how to truly mentor new members and turn over the skills and information that they need to continue to provide the activities we love, especially in the area of event planning. We are in the process of setting up some conversations around these changeovers with the idea of perhaps putting some helpful hints into writing.” She also notes that these days there are more lifelong Scadians who started as children. “They are accomplishing wonderful arts, research, and service at a young age. Acknowledgement of their contributions and energy is essential so that they don’t burn out.”
For Baron Ichijo in Blackstone Mountain, remaining neutral in all internal Baronial affairs can be hard. “We must not take sides in any issue based on personal wants/feelings, but must always have what is best for the Barony in mind at all times. We cannot become embroiled in personal squabbles, in personality conflicts, or any other disagreements that do not involve Baronial business or well-being.”
Baron Carolus coyly comments that “The answer to that might cost you a few Angry Orchard ciders 😉 In truth, It looks easier from the outside, harder doing it, like so many other things. Mundane life’s ups and downs will always color your life. We try to minimize that in the SCA.”
Baron Otto and Baroness Geirny. Photo from Her Excellency’s Facebook page.
Baroness Geirny’s challenge was more personal. “Mine was asking for and accepting help. I tended to be too independent in ways that weren’t always conducive to the atmosphere we were trying to create. Letting other people carry my things, or recruiting sufficient retaining staff [were challenges. Otto’s biggest challenge was balancing being Baron and Kingdom Warlord at the same time. Taking on any other office while being a baron can be a strain for time commitment. It can be done, but one must account for both.”
For Baron Liam, being head of a large barony has its pitfalls. His biggest challenge is deciding who to give awards to and when. “You want to give everyone the awards they deserve as soon as possible, but, you also don’t want to make every court 3 hours long.”
Baroness Barbary Rose notes that “When we were first invested, our Barony had different factions that didn’t always agree. It was our personal mission to unite the Barony as one group. Some who didn’t agree with us did leave active participation, but one good thing that happened is that a previously-inactive group returned to active status. The working group we have now is industrious and busy, and we think, happy as a Barony.”
THE BIGGEST SURPRISES
Any new position is bound to come with some surprises.
Baron Ichijo says he was not expecting “How incredibly open, welcoming, and helpful the other Landed Baronage was when we stepped up. Without them, I don’t think we would have been as successful as we are, nor would the transition have been as smooth.”
Baron Liam was not expecting the job to be as much work as it was, despite having been squire to a former baron. “No matter what, there is always something else to do, and things you can’t get to right away.”
Baron Gunnar and Baroness Barbary Rose. Photo by Mistress Rowena ni Donnchaidh.
Baroness Barbary Rose was surprised that many gentles from outside her barony recognized her and Baron Gunnar at events, even out-of-kingdom. “Another surprise for me was how a chance random comment created The Tyrant of Endless Hills (me) and has produced songs, Facebook memes, and endless schtick. We get a lot of mileage out of that random comment,” she laughs
Baroness Geirny says she and Baron Otto “Were both surprised, and to be honest pleased, with how much influence we actually had with the officers and populace of the Barony. A strong Baronial presence can color the entire tenor of the group, and so is a power that should be wielded as wisely as possible.”
Baroness Sadira has been surprised by the greater pageantry now compared to her last stint as Baroness, especially with the 7 Pearls competitions. She’s also been surprised and impressed by how technology has made things easier, while at the same time adding to her responsibilities. “Now, polling lists are all on-line. Facebook, barony and kingdom lists, and email take a much larger amount of time to maintain – and writing has always been very hard for me. Issues can get handled faster – and can get out of control at the speed of electricity.”
Baroness Helene and Baron Fergus were surprised at how much time being Baron and Baroness took up. “All of a sudden, our events were filled with ‘duties’ – which, while fun, would not be what we originally would have done. On a positive note, we were met with an incredible amount of support and love from our people. I was surprised by how many people looked to us to fit their mold of how a Baronage should present themselves, and by the number of people who have told us that we have been doing great.”
Baron Fergus and Baroness Helene at Pennsic 44. Photo by Mistress Rowena ni Donnchaidh.
THE REWARDS
Most of the Barons cited being able to reward people for their good works as the best part of the job, but there are other cool things about being a landed baron as well.
Baroness Emilia says, “Being able to spotlight your Barony or Barony members is very rewarding.”
Baron Liam says, “You get to be the people to give someone their first award or give someone who has been in the society for a long time an award that they weren’t expecting. You get to recognize people for the good things they do, and it’s awesome.”
Baroness Helene notes, “The most rewarding part is being present when the Barony comes together to do something amazing, be it court in a hospital room, being part of the event where about 2/3 of the people attending (most of them local) dressed according to the theme, showing off the skills of our people at the annual Baronage dinner, or being part of an event that is wholly about another cause but so many people show up in garb to support it. We can’t take credit for it, but we get to really brag about it!”
Baroness Sadira enjoys watching the faces of award recipients as she speaks the words of honor in a court. “I am truly blessed to be able to do this again. I had never been elected to anything in my life before I became Baroness in 1985. To be elected a second time is an even greater honor!”
Baron Ichijo agrees, saying “It is also very rewarding to be up front, whether in our own court, or a Royal Court, to watch their faces when they finally get recognition for what they do. Hands down, that has got to be the most rewarding part.”
Baron Carolus looks at the bigger picture, saying it’s “People we have met, without question. Incredible acts of service to us and to others, and of perseverance. It’s also a very cool seat at Courts!”
Baroness Geirny’s reward is more personal: “The affection of the populace. Otto and I were Baron and Baroness eleven years ago and still have people share fond memories of our tenure with us. It’s intensely gratifying.”
CHANGED RELATIONSHIPS
When one becomes a landed Baron, typically any other fealty relationships are modified or severed, so squires, protégés, etc. usually return their belts to the peers in order to avoid fealty conflicts. Barons who have personal households may also need to change their relationships with those groups of friends.
Baron Liam was squired to Sir Alonzio of the Peacemakers and a member of his household before becoming Baron. He says, “When you wear the Landed Baronial Coronet, you cannot be in fealty to anyone but the crown. You hand back your belt to your Knight/Pelican/ Laurel, It is difficult to give up those things and the relationships involved. The best part is you have those people you were in fealty to as advisers when needed.”
Baroness Geirny notes that “This is something on which gut feelings vary from person to person and each have their own beliefs and motivation. It was in fact an issue for Otto and I the first time we ran–unsuccessfully– in the Baronial election. Neither of us were members of active households, but Otto was a squire. I believed that if we were to win, he should relinquish his belt. My reasoning was as Baron, he would be required to swear his fealty directly to the King & Queen, and that as his fealty would represent that of his Barony, it wasn’t fair to split that homage between his King and his Knight. Otto, however, felt that his relationship with his knight and his personal fealty were separate and different from that of his role as Baron. In the end, the disagreement was settled because his Knight, Sir Yoshina, agreed with my stance on split fealties, but was rendered moot as by the time we won an election, we were both already peers.”
Baron Carolus and Baroness Isolda at Pennsic 44. Photo by Mistress Rowena.
Baron Carolus says, “This did not affect me, as I was not belted, [but] I do understand Isolda’s decision to return her belt, and the emotions that were involved. We belong to a household, and its members are very supportive of us. We worked hard to make the household a non-factor in anything we did.”
Baroness Sadira notes that relationships other than peer-associate changed when she became Baroness. “When Saleem and I were Baron and Baroness in the 80’s, we did not have retainers or champions. The atmosphere of the Barony in 1985 was kind of fragmented, with folks thinking that there was a lot of favoritism in positions like Exchequer, Seneschal, marshals, etc. In reality, opening up Business meetings to the populace rapidly disabused people of this notion since so very few people wanted to run for positions of responsibility. But because of the sensitivity to “favoritism” we chose not to add to the perception by having a household, retainers, etc. This time, it is much easier to interact with barony members. People have been very gracious and accommodating about taking on roles and responsibilities either for an event or for long-term service. I need to stay mindful, however, to be sure that people have opportunities to serve – or to choose not to – as they need to depending on changing situations in life.”
Baroness Helene says, “Fergus and I believe that no person can serve two masters. This was not a problem for Baron Fergus because he was not a formal student. I, however, chose to be released from my then household and to terminate my cadet/apprentice relationship. This way, it was clear that we both were dedicated to Delftwood and to Æthelmearc.” Regarding her relationships with other people in her Barony, she says, “This is a difficult question. There were some people who changed their attitude towards me because I now wore a coronet, but it might also have been my different attitude towards everyone else. Part of the role and our responsibility is to bring greater attention to the people in the Barony. This sometimes requires putting aside ego to support the greater whole. We also have felt more responsibility to act as guides towards newcomers.”
ELECTION POLICIES
Æthelmearc Kingdom Law specifies a number of rules regarding how Barons are chosen and who is eligible to become Baron and vote in Baronial elections. The law allows a fair amount of leeway for each barony to choose its policies to suit the barony’s populace and their culture.
Here are the basics required by Kingdom Law:
Each Barony must have a baronial election policy approved by the Crown and the Kingdom Seneschal, and kept on file with the Kingdom.
At every baronial election, groups most also poll their members as to whether they wish to remain a Barony, become a Province (which is like a Barony but has no Baron), be demoted to a Shire, or be dissolved.
Baronies can set a minimum age for eligibility to vote in baronial elections anywhere between the ages of 14 and 17.
The selection process for a new Baron/Baroness must be completed within one year from the date of the resignation. If the Barony has term limits, the selection process for a new Baron/Baroness must be completed by the end of the current Baron/Baroness’ term.
If the voting results in a tie between candidates, the Crown chooses who will become Baron/Baroness.
Term Limits
Many Baronies have term limits, with each term usually being three or four years. In most baronies, the Baron and Baroness can run for a second term, though in many groups those are considered “extensions” and are for shorter periods, like one or two years. Some Baronies have maximum times of service; for instance, Thescorre’s Barons may serve for a maximum of nine years with an initial three year term and multiple one- or two-year extensions based on votes of confidence of the populace. The Bog’s barons may not serve two consecutive terms but can run for baron again after a break. The Debatable Lands is the only Barony in Æthelmearc that has no term limits on its Barons.
Baron Liam and Baroness Constance at Pennsic 44. Photo by Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope.
Restrictions on Candidates
All baronies in Æthelmearc require that candidates for the office of Baron be residents of the Barony, age 18 or older, and paid members of the Society.
Endless Hills has some of the most restrictive requirements for candidates: they must have a 12 month prior residency and SCA membership, and to be nominated, a petition signed by at least 5 gentles who are SCA members and eligible to vote must be presented to the Baronial Officers. Barons of Endless Hills are also required to attend specific events, both baronial and royal progress, as well as baronial meetings and an annual baronial curia.
St. Swithin’s Bog similarly requires candidates to have been paid SCA members for one year prior to the election, and also to state their willingness to travel and take on the costs of the office. The Bog also requires candidates to have submitted a name and device to the College of Heralds (a requirement that was once in place for entrants in Æthelmearc’s Coronet and Crown Tournaments as well, but has since been removed). Bog candidates must also send a letter of their intent to run to the baronial chronicler be published in the baronial newsletter, with a copy to the Crown.
In Thescorre, all nominations for Baron must be seconded and candidates must accept nomination, while in Delftwood, interested candidates send a letter of interest to the officers. In Blackstone Mountain, candidates also send a letter of interest, which must include their reason for wanting to be baron.
In the Rhydderich Hael, nominations are made in person at a Barony meeting, and cannot be made by someone not physically present at the meeting. However, the nominees do not have to be present. Nominations must be seconded.
In the Debatable Lands, nominations are made by the populace, either via mail/email or at a Barony meeting, and do not need to be seconded.
Most groups give the nominees anywhere from a week to a month to accept or decline their nomination for Baron, but in the Rhydderich Hael, nominees only have 48 hours to decide.
Several Baronies do not permit certain officers, like the Seneschal and Exchequer, to run for Baron unless they step down from office first.
Restrictions on Voters
All Baronies require voters to be residents of their Barony and paid members of the SCA. St. Swithin’s Bog has “Non-Resident Membership” option for people who live outside the Bog’s zip codes but have petitioned to become residents and been approved by the officers. Such gentles can vote in baronial elections and hold baronial office in the Bog. The Debatable Lands allows voters who do not meet the voting requirements to petition the selection committee for a waiver permitting them to vote.
The Debatable Lands requires voters to be at least 17 years old, but the waiver option also applies to the age limit. St. Swithin’s Bog similarly has a minimum voting age of 17, but with no waiver option. The other baronies do not specify a minimum age, so the Kingdom default of 14 applies.
Baron Iago and Baroness Emilia at Pennsic 44 Opening Ceremonies. Photo by Baron Steffan.
Voting Methods
Most Baronies have their Seneschal run the election for Baron. Only the Rhydderich Hael and the Debatable Lands have a Selection Committee comprised of some number of the baronial officers who run the election.
Each Barony has a slightly different method of counting votes. Some baronial election policies are vague about how voters choose their preferred candidates; the implication seems to be that subjects vote for their single preferred candidate and the candidate with the most votes wins, even if that’s a plurality rather than a majority of the votes. However, the Rhydderich Hael, Thescorre, and the Debatable Lands use variants on what is sometimes called an “Australian” ballot, where voters rank the candidates in their order of preference rather than choosing a single candidate. In the Rhydderich Hael and Thescorre, these placements have a point score associated with them (top preferred candidate gets as many points as there are candidates, 2nd preference gets the number of candidates minus 1, etc.), and the candidate with the most points wins. In the Debatable Lands, ballots are counted by placing them in piles based on the candidate ranked first. If the candidate with the most ballots does not have over 50%, the smallest pile of ballots is redistributed to their 2nd place candidate, and the process continues until a candidate has more than 50% of the ballots.
Several baronies allow voters to cast a “negative” or “unacceptable” vote for candidates; in the Debatable Lands and Delftwood, candidates who receive too many negative votes may be eliminated.
Blackstone Mountain requires all ballots to be returned to the Baronial Seneschal by mail, and does not accept hand-delivered ballots.
Baronial policies are available at the links below:
I was thrilled when Tiercelin reached out to me about it. I had a lot on my plate at the time, but I jumped at the chance anyway. The “official” channels of the SCA have been improving, through the generous dedication of officers and volunteers, but they’re just not at the same point yet as how we as a community share information online. I’d been a reader of the East Kingdom Gazette, and every time I read an article, I wished Æthelmearc had something similar. Vivat to Tiercelin for her vision, time and energy!
What do you like most about being on the Gazette staff?
It’s awesome helping to facilitate our Kingdom’s unofficial foray into modern communication. I especially love how fluidly the Gazette interacts with social media. How *fast* it is. A time-sensitive piece of information can reach hundreds of people in hours. People can subscribe via RSS feed, or we also push each article to our Facebook and G+ pages. I myself read it through Facebook.
Also, it’s been a joy to experience the generosity of photographers around the Kingdom. Several talented folks have given the Gazette blanket permission to use photos of events that they post to their Facebook pages. Other times, the editor or article’s author asks permission to use a photo, or provides pictures themselves. I think the use of imagery really enhances the experience, and lets our readers interact with the information on multiple levels.
How has the Gazette been received in your area?
Really seamlessly. The way I hear folks talk about articles, it’s like the Gazette has always been around. Occasionally, for a particularly interesting bit of news (like the Order of Defense), I’ll hear people talking about it online or in person, and it’s obvious that they’ve gotten their information from an article on the Gazette, or they’ve shared the Gazette’s link as a way to pass on information. It’s cool to be a part of that.
What kinds of articles would you like to encourage people to submit?.
I’d like to encourage all event stewards to submit event announcements and updates to the Gazette as a matter of course, after updating the official channels. We have lots of space, and the Gazette is a great way to help build buzz for fun and interesting activities that you may not have room to talk about in an official announcement.
It would also be wonderful to see some more great “think pieces” about the SCA and what we do. Because it’s a blog, and the links can be shared and re-shared, we have a very wide reach at times – for example, Master Daniel del Cavallo’s piece, “On the Peerage” reached over 3,000 SCAdians across the Known World, and Lord Magnus de Lyons great article, “The SCA and Recruiting in the World of Live Action Role Playing Games” recently reached over 1,000!
This is the third in a series of interviews with peers of the rapier world, throughout the Society. I have spoken with representatives of the Order of the Laurel and the Order of Defense, digging into their experiences and perspectives on the evolution of the fencing world. While there is an admirable company of these respected individuals in our Kingdom of Ӕthelmearc, I have approached several more from our neighbors in the Midrealm, Atlantia, and the East. I hope these interviews offer an interesting look through the eyes of rapier fighters that have risen to the prestigious rank of Peer of the Realm.
Master Aedan Aylwyn
A Premier member of Atlantia’s Order of Defence. Photo by Aine Ruadh Inghean Neill
Credentials and History: Who are you, what do you do, and who elevated you?
My name is Aedan Aylwyn. I first started in the SCA back in ’80 or so in high school and for my first two years of college. This was back in Calontir while it was still a principality. Life came up, then more life and then a trip overseas for Uncle Sam to an active war zone. When I came back, one of the life changes I wanted to make was to get back into the SCA. I was living in the Washington DC area in northern Atlantia. So I really consider my SCA time to start in ’92 in Atlantia. I had some college sabre fencing experience that started me into rapier. I was mostly self-taught, having quickly moved to a city where there were no other rapier fighters. I must have done pretty well and I definitely kept very busy as I was recognized with Atlantia’s top rapier award in ’95 as the 12th Provost of Atlantia by TRM Cuan and Bridget. Half a year later, Atlantia signed the White Scarf treaty and grandfathered all of the Provosts (closing that order).
I’ve served as Baronial Seneschal and solo Landed Baron (no Baroness). I was the 4th Society Rapier Marshal where I overhauled that office, instituted online information, reporting forms and deadlines and the first comprehensive rewrite of the SCA rapier rules, adding the third form of Cut & Thrust combat at that time. I have kept very busy for the past 20+ years, being recognized by numerous Kings and Queens with their personal awards, six times with the Sharks Tooth for ferocity in combat (on both the armored and rapier fields, both melee and tournament) and Atlantia’s Orders of High Merit for service (Golden Dolphin) and combat teaching (Sea Stag). I was greatly honored by TRM Amalric and Caia in ’00 with them making me the 6th Companion of the Nonpareil, an Atlantian award given out at most once per reign for “showing excellence, honor, courtesy or chivalry above and beyond any duty and exemplifying what it means to be an Atlantian”. TRM Ragnarr and Anneke inducted me into the Order of the Pelican in ’06. Most recently, I was honored to become one of Atlantia’s three premier members of Order of Defense by TRM Logan and Esa. What is your focus of study/training? How do you like to fence?
I am a very process focused person. This is probably the only reason I was able to do as well as I did with no direct teachers, instead going to events and working with anyone that would hold still. For a long time, I essentially developed my own style, graduating from light rapier to heavy rapier as that came into existence. It wasn’t until Dante di Pietro, a former rapier student of mine that had become a peer in the WS, started studying Capoferro in depth in ’05 that I had a good vehicle to reinvent my fighting for probably the fourth time in my SCA career. I started by learning Italian rapier from/with him and specifically Capoferro and later going back to my roots of finding commonality and underlying concepts in what and how this stuff worked. Since then I have become a big fan of Giganti for the theory and philosophy of fighting rapier. For the past couple of years, I have taught classes on tempo, measure, Italian blade work concepts and Giganti’s philosophy of counter-guarding.
I enjoy fencing in all its forms, both tournament and melee.
Competing in the prestigious Ruby Joust Tournament. Photo by Courtney Pachis.
What draws you to fencing, inspiring your dedication towards excellence?
At first, it was the easy analog to the little bit of Olympic style fencing that I knew. Since then, it was the community of people involved and the joy of executing clean technique successfully over slop or sheer athleticism. What goals do you set for yourself as a fencer, teacher, peer, and citiczen of the kingdom?
My first reaction was that you listed those in reverse order. One of the best things about Atlantia (in my opinion) was that the early rapier leaders (of which I quickly become one) set the tone that you were an Atlantian first and did whatever you did second. I described this as “being an Atlantian who fights rapier, not a rapier fighter that lives in Atlantia”. My goal is to continue finding people that are dedicated to improving Atlantia and rapier and helping them succeed. If I can teach someone to the point where they beat me straight up in a tournament, I made my goal. Ditto for helping someone that becomes a senior marshal, succeeds in HMA studies or steps up for a major office of any sort. What challenges have you face as you became the fencer you are and as you become the fencer you wish to be?
As stated previously, I started in the Barony of Storvik and learned the basics of rapier fighting but quickly moved down to Caer Mear which had no other rapier fighters at the time (and for many years after). My initial learning was all done by attending events, analyzing my tournament fights and doing pickup fights/training with anyone that would hold still at an event. It helps that I didn’t start really fighting rapier until I was almost 30 years old so I never had a chance to rely on being young and fast. I have always been an analytical person and fighting styles were just one more thing to break down and figure out. As historical studies come into prominence, I was mentally set to once again reinvent how I fought to now “do it right” the way I had always wanted. What were your thoughts and feelings as the Order of Defence was announced and approved?
On the one hand, I was always for it. I thought that providing a way to recognize prowess in rapier would always be a good thing and was previously lacking to a degree in the SCA in general. On the other hand, Atlantia has always had a well-integrated fighting community. Some of what I saw in other Kingdoms was a feeling of “if we only had X, we would be respected and listened to”. That’s never been the case in Atlantia so while I thought the recognition would be a good thing all around, it never stopped me from doing what I was doing and enjoying it while I did. How did you feel when you were asked to be a Master of Defence? What did you think being a Master would mean?
I had one of those “angry young man” moments before I became a Provost A good friend confronted me with my poor attitude and it made a big difference. Since that point, I have been very careful to not anticipate any type of recognition or award and focused on doing what I did because I enjoyed it and thought it made a positive difference. I was very honored to be one of the premiers of the Order but I really did try to not care about it if and until it happened. As to meaning, I just see it as an extension of all of the leadership I am currently providing for rapier. It will take some time for the OD to truly separate from the Atlantian White Scarf order so I still think of myself as part of that larger ~60 person group. Until that time, I have the added responsibility of setting the correct tone for those member of the OD order that will follow me to make sure we do the best we can for Atlantia.
A serious competitor…but not too serious. Photo by Victoria Dye.
The Order of Defence is new, allowing for new traditions to be formed. How was working with vigilants from around the Society to give birth to the new order?
Interesting but frustrating at times. The culture of rapier in Atlantia made for very easy adoption of this new Peerage. It just fit right into what we’re already doing. I’m a big fan of being knowledgeable about other Kingdoms and their culture but there were still times where I just shook my head at some of the aspects that others were stressing about and determined that “we need to fix this and all do it the same way”. How do you see your views on training and study changing? Your role in the Kingdom? Society?
No changes at all. I’ll keep doing what I have been. I don’t really see the OD peerage impacting that. I suppose it might affect how others perceive me but I am not too worried about that and will deal with it when it crops oup. What advice would you give newer fencers aspiring to improve themselves as fencers and citizens of the Society?
Have goals in mind, both short term and long term. Find teachers and styles that work for you. If you ask for help, listen to it and question your reasons for both following it and for ignoring it. Do something besides just rapier and be active in your local group and your Kingdom. Understand that there is no “one true way” for anything but make sure you have a good reason for what you do and what you don’t do. I think winning is lots of fun but don’t be a d*ck about it. If you find yourself feeling apologetic about something after a win, you probably did something you shouldn’t have. Always set your goals against yourself, not against anyone else. Did you fight above your normal? Make something work that you’ve been practicing? Do something stupid that you knew better about? Don’t beat yourself up because X is better or Y looks nicer. Compete against yourself. How do you expect working with the Orders of High Merit, such as the White Scarf, to evolve as the Order of Defence grows into greater responsibility for the community?
I really don’t see much changing. As a Pelican, I don’t think anything about someone with a Golden Dolphin (High Order of Merit – Service) taking on a job or getting something done. Other than joking with close friends, I hope I never see or hear “you’re only a WS, you should listen to me or do what I say because I’m a Master of Defense”. If you make it to the White Scarf or equivalent level, I expect you to lead the community just as much as I do.
A champion and servant of his kingdom, Atlantia. Photo by Elashava Bas Riva.
The next in the series of Gazette editor profiles.
One of these photos is Aoife, and one is a perfect representation of how she feels when approaching a deadline (snap of a portrait taken at the Vatican last year).
Name: Dame Aoife Finn of Ynos Mon Editor Area/Title: Ephemera, Aoife’s Links
What made you want to join the Gazette staff?
My service has often been about communication. The Gazette was such a worthwhile endeavor, I couldn’t resist. I just graduated last year with a spiffy communications degree. It’s what I do. When my former Apprentice asked me if I wanted in, I was so very proud to see a little of my legacy come forward into the next era of reenactment communication. It touches my heart.
What do you like most about being on the Gazette staff?
There is a seriousness to the craft, even when we are being funny. We bounce ideas around to be sure we haven’t missed anything important not only in coverage, but in attitudes that might need to be curbed (or promoted) for the benefit of others. We often know about others who have a “mission” in the SCA, and yet that mission is often skewed by the demands of others, the needs of important people, and while we like to talk about those things that impassion us in our articles, we want to be kind, thoughtful, and mindful. There are few, if any, opinion pieces, and that’s on purpose.
We also want to know who won the arts tourney in the Shire, what special projects are being taken up in the Dominion, which group welcomed a new member or a new baby, and how citizens travelled to other lands, and witnessed the traditions of other Kingdoms. The Gazette is the first news source in Æthelmearc that holds no official capacity. Even though that is true, it has grown dramatically in readership because we know we can be trusted not to over inflate, to not pander to personal points of view, and to be respectful. It might be exaggerating to say that we champion the underdog, but I am fairly sure that we represent those who don’t have fancy hats or high ranking titles as well as those who do. The Gazette is, simply, everyman’s SCAdian news source in the Kingdom. We are here to tell you the news, and that’s it.
How has the Gazette been received in your area?
Honestly, I’ve been a little more forward about my affiliation with the Gazette than others, so there’s starting to be some interest in getting the Eastern areas of the Kingdom into the arena, so to speak. I and my fellow editors don’t need to create your content, unless you need help. We want to hear those voices, the folks who might be new to putting together an article. I know there are some fabulous writers out there, so everyone should feel free to write up their own stuff and submit it. Whomever is editing that day we receive it will look it over briefly for simple stuff like spelling and swear words. Don’t be surprised if you get a request for pictures, or more information. If your group is doing it, and it’s interesting, we want to know.
What kinds of articles would you like to encourage people to submit?
We’re all used to shortening the event announcements for the newsletters because we had to do that for so long. The Gazette has no such limitations. If your event has a fun theme or special challenge, we’d like to know about it! The Gazette covers all of the Kingdom, not just the “Golden Crescent” on the western border. That means smaller groups should feel free to use the Gazette as a resource to attract an attendance for their events. Those smaller events are my personal favorite. I hope the Gazette can help preserve and promote them.
Interested in submitting articles to the Gazette, suggesting blogs to feature, or to be put on our roster of photographers whose work we have permission to use? Email us at aethgazette@gmail.com. Check out our submission guidelines here.
This is the second in a series of interviews with peers of the rapier world, throughout the Society. I have spoken with representatives of the Order of the Laurel and the Order of Defense, digging into their experiences and perspectives on the evolution of the fencing world. While there is an admirable company of these respected individuals in our Kingdom of Ӕthelmearc, I have approached several more from our neighbors in the Midrealm, Atlantia, and the East. I hope these interviews offer an interesting look through the eyes of rapier fighters that have risen to the prestigious rank of Peer of the Realm.
Photo by Mistress Tsvia bas Zipporah Levi of Granada
Mistress Illadore de Bedagrayne
Credentials and History: Who are you, what do you do, and who elevated you?
I am Illadore de Bedegrayne, Premiere Member of the Order of Defense of the West Kingdom, elevated on May 1st, A.S. L, by Queen Aesa and King Miles. I am also the 29th White Scarf of Æthelmearc and a cooking Laurel. I have been in the SCA since I was 18 and have loved just about every minute of it. I started fighting rapier in 2001, after watching several of my friends get involved with fencing. I fell in love with it the second that (now Master) Michael Alewright put a sword in my hand at a fencing practice in the BMDL – and knew I was completely hooked after my first melee game of “Paranoia” at my second practice.
What draws you to fencing, inspiring your dedication towards excellence?
So many things. My dad taught me to love sports at a young age (including how to throw an elbow when I was nine) and my mom taught me that “a thing worth doing is worth doing well.” I grew up playing sports and with the understanding that practice makes perfect and is worth doing because of the both of them. What brought me to fencing were my friends; what kept me was the camaraderie of the rapier community as well as the historic nature of our sport. I love the history and the research being done by the rapier community. It is just utterly fascinating that we can trace what we do back to the 15th century (and further back) – and use books and manuals written in that time to help train and hone our skills.
I was also inspired (and continue to be inspired) by so many rapier fighters in both the West Kingdom and Aethelmearc – and the rest of the Knowne World. The list is long and I’m afraid to write it all out as I may miss someone. I also take inspiration from many members of the Chivalry and how dedicated they are to their Art as well.
Serving as a Pennsic Champion. Photo by Lady Saskia van Ouwater
What goals do you set for yourself as a fencer, teacher, peer, and citizen of the kingdom?
My goal has always been the same – become the best fencer in the Universe. I am, obviously, still working on that one.
What challenges have you face as you became the fencer you are and as you become the fencer you wish to be?
While injuries have been one of my main challenges, I would have to say that the rapier community gaining acceptance in the Society has been the biggest challenge we have all had to face. It has been tough. Back in January, when the Board of Directors had first voted against the Order of Defense proposal and then reversed the decision, hearing the backlash against the rapier community on social media truly stung. The outcry really rocked me as I had thought we were past that – fighting is fighting. It should not matter what type of weapon you have in your hand, as it is the journey and the discovery that matters. I am grateful for all of the outpouring of joy for the new Peerage that has happened since then; however, I still think some bridge building is going to be needed to mend some of those rifts.
On the day of her elevation to the Order of Defence. Photo by Sandra Linehan
How did you feel when you were asked to be a Master of Defense? What did you think being a Master would mean?
This will be a surprise to no one who knows me – but – I was back in Court (actually, off to the side as Queen Aesa and King Miles were holding court on the field), blathering on about fencing with other fighters when I was called into Court, rather than paying attention. So, I was quite shocked when I was called and saw now-Master Joseph Blayde kneeling in front of Their Majesties.
As to what being a Master of Defense means – I think it means being a leader for the rapier community at the Society level. I feel my experiences as a White Scarf have given me a great foundation for this “new job” as well as my experience as a Laurel. As a Peer (and as a White Scarf), I know that it is no longer “all about me.” I have been given a job to do – to make the rapier community and the Society a better place, to help train newcomers, to be an inspiration, to make a path for those who come behind me. It is going to be a tough job and I am sure that I will not always be perfect at it. I will; however, get back up more times than I fall down. I also know that I cannot do this alone, either, and I will need help from all of you on this new path. Yes. All of you. 🙂
The Order of Defence is new, allowing for new traditions to be formed. How was working with vigilants from around the Society to give birth to the new order?
Difficult. There are many strong voices and many strong opinions. The one thing that brings us together, however, is the idea that we are trying to do what is best for the Society and the rapier community. In that I think we all agree, we are trying to do what is best. How we get there, however, is the challenge.
My personal hope for starting a tradition – white garters. They are easy to spot on the field and most of us wear boots of some sort. Plus, I’m a knitter so it’s easy for me to produce those. 🙂
What advice would you give newer fencers aspiring to improve themselves as fencers and citizens of the Society?
There are some tried and true methods for becoming a better rapier fighter – practice all the time, travel and fight more people, read books, thinking about fighting – every day. The one other suggestion I have is to keep a fighting journal. It helps to go back and see how far you have come – and putting ones thoughts to paper often helps organize those thoughts and gain insight. As to how to improve as a citizen of the Society – understand that both Service and Art are the backbones of our Society as well as fighting – so go get involved! Help out at events, become a marshal, run practices, be an officer, be the Iron Key keeper, etc. And make Art! Do research, make hats, sew a tunic, learn embroidery, build catapults, etc. The SCA is an amazing group – go out and explore. How do you expect working with the Orders of High Merit, such as the White Scarf, to evolve as the Order of Defence grows into greater responsibility for the community?
First off, the White Scarf has always held a special place in my heart. Until a few months ago, the White Scarf was the highest award one could receive for rapier combat in both the West and in Æthelmearc. In the West, Duke Uther Schiemann der Hunt, as King, opened the Western White Scarf Order with the intent of helping the West get ready for a rapier peerage. With that understanding in mind, I see the White Scarves of both the West Kingdom and of Æthelmearc as my fellows, my compatriots, and as my brothers and sisters. I expect to work closely with them in the future – closed or open orders – they were given a job to do for the rapier community when they were made White Scarves, just as I was. I will also admit that I do not see the Masters of Defense as the “best of the best of the best White Scarves” either. I feel that the skill level of a White Scarf should be the equivalent of a Master of Defense and vice versa.
Master Thomas Spence Colby recently published a book called 
