Sir Ariella vs. THLord Rouland at the Gage Meet ‘n’ Beat, War Practice 2015. Photo by Lady Valentina de la Volpe.
Greetings All Fighters!
The Chivalry of Æthelmearc invite you to join us for a regional fighting practice in the Shire of Hunter’s Home on Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving, November 26, from 1 to 5 p.m.
The site has indoor and outdoor fighting space, including room for long weapons. It is not far from I-79 at 1898 Grant Street, Utica, PA 16362.
Please drop armor at the site and then park at the Fire hall at Grant and Academy Streets one block away. Sir Arnthor lives nearby and is available for questions about the site or directions. For questions or suggestions, please contact Sir Ariella by email or on Facebook (Cara McCandless) or Sir Arnthor.
Oh yes indeed, something is brewing in Sterlynge Vayle, something that will prove to be an intoxicating combination of alcohol, mayhem, and edged weapons. Do not fear for anyone’s life, though. It’s just the annual event, Axes, Ales and Arrows! Plus, a bonus Sunday Regional Muster at the very same site!
Baroness Marianna Maria Pietrosanti supervises archery. Photo credit Michele Broton.
Axes, Ales, and Arrows
May 22-24, 2015
The Shire of Sterlynge Vayle has been home to many people over it’s decades of existence, and many wonderful events have been held in her borders. A Long Time Ago – or not as long as some might wish – they hosted an event called “Axes and Ales”. A member of their populace, Lady Briant Huntington, served as head organizer for this popular event, until one day, she left on a pilgrimage. Over a decade has come and gone since her departure, and the remaining members have become restless to find out what has happened to their shire-mate. A Quest has set before them and any who would dare to join them as they again hold Axes, Ales, and Arrows! (Hey, you didn’t think we were only going to have axes to protect us did you? We aren’t completely crazy!)
Who is this mysterious Nest person, and what fate has she forced upon the sweet, biddable Lady Briant?
The weekend’s tournaments in Thrown Weapons and Archery will all be on the theme with a goal of helping us find out just what happened to Lady Briant. Baroness Anastasie deLamoure will be organizing the weekends Thrown Weapons activities, and Baroness Mariana Maria Pietrosanti is planning some awesome Archery activities. There will be a brew tasting, as well as an evening Bardic circle. There are no plans for heavy or rapier activities but if marshals are available those so inclined may fight to their hearts content.
The event site is Evenmarch – 233 Doolittle Rd, Harpursville NY 13787, 4 miles north of Windsor (which is Exit 79 on NY Route 17/I-86) and 6 miles south of Harpursville (Exit 6 on I-88 – to 79 “East”). The Entrance for camping will be on Doolittle Road.
A tasty dayboard will be served that all may be refreshed during the day. Before departing join us for a grand feast showcasing the journey of Laird Perote Campbell and his staff as they recount their adventures heading to the Holy Land in search of Lady Briant and her search for the sacred thigh bone of Saint Ignacio .
For more excellent information on the event AND for the address, which is the location of Sunday’s Muster, please see the event announcement in full at the Hey! Event! page:
Duchess Dorinda Courtenay attended the Hartstone Muster and filed this report.
On Sunday, January 18, over 90 people heeded the call of His Royal Highness, Timothy, and traveled to Hartstone for a regional practice. These good folks started their Pennsic training by hiking up three long flights of stairs to a large area with a wooden floor and a room full of sword brothers and sisters. What followed was six hours of fun.
Photo by Prince Timothy
The day started with some warm-ups and authorizations as people gathered. The Shire of Heronter had two new fighters join the ranks of the Æthelmearc Rattan Army as both Rachel and Loegaire mac Conaill mhic Siadhhail picked up their initial authorizations along with at least one other fighter. Loegaire came to the Kingdom a few weeks ago from a different organization and immediately fell in love with rattan fighting. This practice gave both of them their first taste of SCA melee fighting, and they loved it. Matthew from Alfred also authorized, and Davus of the Rhydderich Hael successfully completed his rapier authorization in parry item. This practice not only gave people the chance to get their needed authorizations, but it also served as a learning opportunity for the Marshals in Training.
Photo by Lord Simon Peregrine.
The warlords split the floor as the rattan fighters took the floor for thirty minutes while the fencers went downstairs to discuss tactics. Every half hour, the groups exchanged places. This format gave each a chance to spend time actually fighting as well as time discussing what to improve. An afternoon of teaching and practice left both groups exhausted, but better than when they started. None were more exhausted than Prince Timothy and Lord Sittius of Hartstone, who switched back and forth between rattan and rapier all day, although by doing this they did manage to avoid some of the stair climbing!
Photo by Lord Simon
An afternoon of repeatedly climbing three flights of steps and thirty minute segments of fighting would normally leave people in a sorry state, but a marvelous crew from Hartstone provided food and drink for all. In addition to the standard pretzels and pickles, there were delicious meat pies and other foods to keep folks happy and healthy. This group of folks worked all day to take care of the 85 fighters and fencers who traveled in.
Hartstone cooks. Photo by Lord Simon.
Both groups spent time on standard “fight to the last man standing” scenarios as well as resurrection scenarios later in the day. Fencers also worked on “how do we deal with being outnumbered” – a scenario we have been facing on a regular basis on the fencing field. Finally, the day ended with pick up fights for those who hadn’t been able to match up during the melee scenarios.
The following members of the White Scarf were in attendance:
Don Orlando di Bene del Vinta, Kingdom Rapier Warlord
Don Will Parris
Countess Elena d’Artois
Duchess Dorinda Courtenay
Baron Eric Grenier de Labarre
Don Mateo Pesci
Mistress Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen
Baron Benedict Fergus atte Mede
Comes Tindal vs. Prince Timothy. Photo by Lord Simon.
The following members of the Chivalry were in attendance:
King Titus Scipio Germanicus
Prince Timothy of Arindale
Duc Henri d’Artois
Duke Cygnus the Blissful
Duke Marcus Eisenwald
Duke Khalek Shurrag Od
Comes Magnus Tindal
Viscount Syr Bear the Wallsbane
Sir Michael of Northwood
Master John the Pell
Sir Havoc the Wild
Sir Wulfstan Huscarl
Sir Óláfr Þorvarðarson
Sir Stefan Ulfkellson, Kingdom Heavy Weapons Warlord
Sir Vladimir Mechnik
The day was a huge success, and can best be summed up by Loegaire’s post after the practice: “I love Æthelmearc!”
Delftwood Regional Fight Practice
Sunday, December 14 from 12pm to 5pm
Location: Rockefeller United Methodist Church
350 Nottingham Rd, Syracuse, New York 13210
Join the Barony of Delftwood and members of the Order of the Chivalry for the Delftwood Regional Fight Practice as they host the Æthelmearc Army. There will be plenty of fighting for participants as well as the opportunity to get pointers from the deep end of the pool.
Syr Stefan Ulfkelsson, Æthelmearc’s Warlord, will also be leading a series of melees. Come bring your A game and leave your excuses at home. This is one practice you don’t want to miss!
