• About the Gazette
  • Kingdom and Local Events
  • Submissions

The Æthelmearc Gazette

~ Covering the Kingdom of Æthelmearc of the SCA

The Æthelmearc Gazette

Tag Archives: Thescorre

Populace in Focus: Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina

15 Monday May 2023

Posted by aethgazette in Interviews, Populace-in-focus

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Thescorre

Katja watching a friend be elevated. Photo by Master John Michael Thorpe.

Real Name: Chris Adler-France

SCA Name & title: Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina, OP, OL, sixth baroness of Thescorre (retired). If a situation requires a title, I prefer Baroness over Mistress or Dame, but I mostly prefer to just be called Katja.

Years in the SCA: 35+.

How did you find out about the SCA? During my sophomore year in college, my journalism professor told me that she thought that I would really enjoy her hobby. I thought the SCA sounded extremely interesting – I’d enjoyed going to some Ren faires and it sounded similar — but I had a full course load and worked part-time at a newspaper, so I decided that I didn’t have the time for it at that point in my life.

A year later, a friend in my astronomy class also prodded me to check out the SCA, but the guys in carpet armor I saw bashing each other at the fight practice he drove me to didn’t grab my interest. After repeated nudges, he pointed out that there would be a fencing, fighting, and arts event in my hometown in a week. Being a mercenary student, I figured I’d combine checking out the society with getting paid; I successfully pitched the idea to my newspaper editor. I threw on what I thought was vaguely medieval (a long dress), grabbed my camera and a notepad, drove to the site… and saw fencers laughing as they danced around each other in a ring and used mugs and cloaks as parry weapons. It was so fluid and utterly different from the stiff, straight back-and-forth collegiate fencing I’d done, it immediately grabbed my attention. Unlike what little Ren faire fencing I’d seen, it was obviously not choreographed, and women were fencing, not just guys!! It looked real and authentic and absolutely fascinating.

As I investigated the event further, the display of arts was so much more varied than what I’d seen for sale at faires, plus people were eager to talk at length about how and why they made things. Many were even more eager to teach how to make them, they didn’t hoard their knowledge or skills. The people I interviewed for the story were from all backgrounds and knowledgeable about so many things, and everyone was so, so kind, unlike the rudeness so common in the “real world.”

I was completely, utterly hooked.

Katja helping Ruaidri make period chicken salad for a 1998 outdoor event lunch. Photo by Baron Steffan.

Where did you start, what was your first event? I lived in the Canton of Ravenhill, Barony Beyond the Mountain (East Kingdom) and initially played a lot in the nearby barony of Dragonship Haven. Although the Ravenhill Triple Threat in March 1988 was my first attended event, the first SCA event I went to as an actual participant was Pennsic War 17.

Yes, I am one of those SCAdians whose first event was Pennsic. One of the gentles I interviewed at the Ravenhill event managed to charm my phone number out of me, we started dating, and he convinced me to go to Pennsic with him four months later (and I married him a few years later).

Finishing college and working full-time at the newspaper took up most of my time in the beginning, so I attended only a handful of events (generally helping out in kitchens) plus Pennsic for six years until I moved to the barony of Thescorre. Besides Pennsic, the first event I attended in this kingdom was an Ice Dragon in either 1991 or 1992, when I drove up from the East to visit friends in the Buffalo area. The first event I attended as an Æthelmartian was Sergeants & Yeomen in 1994.

Katja and a friend at Agincourt. Photo by Skylar.

What is your persona? My name is Russian, I wear mostly 16th century Turkish garb, but my persona is actually 10th century Khazar. Since so far I’ve been unable to determine if women worked in kitchens in that time period and location, I couldn’t defend being a baker, so my persona is a noblewoman.

Why did you pick this persona? I wanted to explore my own genealogy a bit (I’m half Russian/Polish and half German), plus everyone I knew when starting out was mostly Celtic, Italian, or Japanese, and I wanted to do something different. I liked the name Katja, a nice herald who was an expert on Russian helped me select the patronymic Orlova, and I sort of pinned a dot on the 13th century and vaguely eastern Russia. Done!

Then … a few years later, I discovered that “Katja Orlova” was a character in a John Le Carre novel?! The College of Heralds doesn’t approve literary or real historical figure names, so my name was unintentionally illegal. Serendipitously, I’d gotten really interested at that point in researching the Jewish/Turkic country of Khazaria that existed between the Black and Caspian Seas from the 6th to 10th centuries, and I wanted to explore more of my Jewish heritage (my mundane father was Ashkenazi on both sides). So, I went to the heralds’ tent at Pennsic to amend my name to make it more Jewish than Russian, something like Katja bat David.

However, the Jewish herald expert was so incredibly unhelpful and condescending that I got up, returned to the nice herald who had helped me choose my Russian name, and with his guidance chose a second patronymic and a locative. So, rudeness and my own impatience is why I have this ridiculously long Russian name. To all the wonderful scribes who created gorgeous scrolls for me, I apologize.

As for why my name is Russian but I wear Turkish: I wore a variety of European garb for my first 15 years in Society until I began researching the Khazars while I was simultaneously falling in love with belly dancing. It’s very hard to determine exactly what Khazars wore, since there is almost no existing artwork of them, but the predominant garb of that region was either side-closed coats (like Mongol dels) or front-closed coats (like Turkish kaftans). After wearing very not-historically accurate American Tribal Style for a few years, I settled on 1500s Ottoman simply because of the amount of historical artwork available and because it’s flattering to my figure and have pretty worn that for the past 20 years.

Artwork by Lady Portia Montesorri.

Do you have any group or household affiliations? I’ve collected households completely without intending to do so. I was welcomed into House Atai (Sir Yoshina’s household) due to my then-husband when I first began playing, but I participated more often with and was ribboned to Clann O’Choda while I still lived in Connecticut. After I moved to Thescorre and eventually started dating my upgrade husband (Master Eric Grenier de Labarre), I began camping with him at Sharc Pit, a household of fencers mostly from the East Kingdom. I’m also a member of House Robakovna due to my dearly missed Laurel, the late Mistress Michaele del Vaga, and a chum (friend) to Dark Horde Moritu due to my Pelican, Master Devon Adair Bartholomy.

Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA. I’ve been various flavors of editor for over three decades (newspapers, a regional magazine, legal books publisher). I was out of work for about five years due to recovery from successful breast cancer treatment and have been thrilled for the past three years to work for an academic publisher. I am the part-time assistant editor for US office of Boydell & Brewer and I totally love it –it has been my dream since college to work in academic publishing. The UK office of my company publishes lots of yummy books on medieval history.

Outside of work, I have always loved baking bread and cooking all sorts of cuisines. I have sporadically practiced yoga since I was a teenager; I have focused on Kundalini for the past nine years since it keeps my hip arthritis in remission and greatly eased me through cancer treatment. I still enjoy belly dancing when I can do so, as well as reading books, playing role-playing games weekly, and collecting comics. My husband and I are owned by several extremely spoiled cats.

Katja helping Eric season a roast at Pennsic. Photo by Eric Grenier de Labarre.

What SCA activities do you or have you participated in? I love cooking. I’ve cooked in a lot of kitchens in various kingdoms for almost my entire SCA career (both helping others and being head cook) and I used to teach frequently about how to run a kitchen, balance menus, or redact period recipes, as well as specific hands-on skills like bread baking, pasta making, soft cheese making, and sausage making. I LOVE diving into food history and own about a thousand analytical texts and reprints of historic cookbooks, so I’ve welcomed friends to my home for research and redacting sessions. I’ve often been asked to bake bread for other cooks for their lunches or feasts. I really, really enjoy cooking with other people and watching a hall full of people stuffing their faces happily with good food.

Besides learning belly dance in the SCA (and teaching intro classes and practices as well as intro classes on Turkish garb), I also adored English country and basse dancing when I used to do it, especially doing so at public demos. I enjoy the challenge of target archery, even though I suck at it. I stumbled into retaining when Eric and I were at Gulf Wars (when he was on Dorinda’s guard) and I realized that there were very few Æthelmartians on site to retain for Her Majesty or then-Princess Meirwen. (They were so very kind and patient with my clueless first retainer attempts.) I make kumihimo cords for medallion largesse while sitting in meetings or at Troll. I LOVE attending classes and learning new things. I also value being asked to judge food entries and research papers for A&S competitions, getting to learn about the amazing things gentles create and being as kind and encouraging as possible in my commentary. My sewing skills bite, but I still occasionally try to make my own garb or Eric’s fencing armor; most of my really nice garb has been made by friends or purchased from Silvertree Souk.

Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.) I’m currently the chronicler of Thescorre’s quarterly newsletter, The Fewmet (http://thescorre.org/fewmet), as well as the barony’s Gold Key. I’m co-head of the Cauldron Bleu cooks guild with Mistress Sadira. (Before the pandemic, I held monthly vigil cookie baking/decorating parties and feast prep sessions at my home on the west side of Rochester while she ran skills classes at her home on the east side.) I support Baron Steffan, our barony’s steward, by maintaining the inventory of kitchen equipment in his basement and reorganizing stuff back into their proper boxes after an event. I’m also a dancer for the drum & dance troupe, Raven Raqs Beladi, when we return to normal practices after the Pandemic.

Sideways to official roles, I have been a rotating editor for the Æthelmearc Gazette since its inception six years ago. I edit and post stories every Monday.

Katja being brainsucked by four of her five apprentice/proteges after a Pax Interruptus lunch: Baroness Dubheasa, THL Katrina of York, THL Collette de Paris, and Noble Saige. Photo by fourth a/p, Baron Eldjarn.

I’ve held a bunch of offices over the years, including baronial seneschal and kingdom archivist/waiver secretary. I worked on staff for Pennsic Technical Services for about five years and was the Pennsic site book editor twice. I’ve baked lots of vigil cookies and donated food for queen’s teas and kingdom parties.

In recent years, due to lasting and frequent fatigue, concentration, and dehydration issues from cancer treatment, I’ve pivoted to volunteering at troll and Æ Royal hospitality because those are service that is sitting down and usually in the shade.

I have edited or proofread numerous SCA documents for those who know of my mundane expertise, ranging from local policies to the Big Red Book for scribes to friends’ Ice Dragon documentation. I’ve loved being head cook of feasts and lunches for decades, but my body gets really broken if I try to do that now, so I pivoted several years ago to mentoring other cooks to help them make successful, on-time, on-budget, yummy period meals.

When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? To have fun and escape the 20th century for a little while. Oh, and to make new friends and learn things.

What are your goals now? To have fun and help others have fun while escaping the 21st century for a little while. And to keep making new friends, try to keep in touch with existing friends, and learn things.

What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA? When Eric and I won the election to be landed baron & baroness, we started seeking advice from various gentles about how to hold our Courts. I’m fortunate that I almost never get stage fright, so that wasn’t what bothered me; my voice isn’t very loud, so I worried that while Eric can easily project across a stadium, I wouldn’t be heard unless I was shouting. We learned about how much the landed baronage support the Crown in creating pageantry and spectacle for the populace, about how important it is to ensure that gentles are valued and appreciated during their moment of recognition in Court, and I really didn’t want to screw that up by shrieking or having people not be able to hear our praises unless only Eric said them. Several very kind gentles gave me excellent advice on breath control and projecting my voice (notably Mistress Matilda and Countess Caryl), so I was fairly effective at being heard during our term.

Eric and Katja in a baronial court at Pennsic, with Dona Yasmina heralding. Unknown photographer.

After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA? I want to regularly attend archery practice, but it’s hard to find enough spoons on Sunday mornings. I’ve been seriously considering replacing my recurve with a crossbow because the couple of times I’ve shot one has been AWESOMESAUCE and I think that will be kinder to my upper body.

Maybe this will finally be the spring that I get off my rear and set up on our property the target that has languished in our garage rather than just thinking about how setting it up would be A Good Idea™.

If you could accomplish only one thing in the SCA in the next year, what would it be? I really need to resurrect my food research website so that it doesn’t look like it escaped from the 1990s.

A project I’ve started and want to get off the ground this year: The number of SCA friends who kindly and repeatedly provided encouragement and advice while I underwent cancer treatment was wonderful and humbling, and it definitely had an impact on my positive attitude towards treatment and recovery. Cancer centers often recommend patients join a support group, but I realized that it can be very scary for some people to talk to a group of strangers. In my past seven years of survival, I’ve personally talked to many friends or friends of friends who are facing cancer, and it struck me that it might be easier for people to join a group of people they already know or at least have heard of. So, I created the Facebook group AEthelmearc Cancer Support. Anyone who is a cancer patient or survivor/ally is welcome to join. It’s an unofficial group and won’t legally provide any medical advice, but survivors can share with patients what they went through and how they handled the process, and help patients not feel alone.

Katja being carried into court in Sadira’s camel. Photo by Mistress Tsvia.

What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA? Try everything that appeals to you, enjoy the stuff you like, try other things if at some point you’re no longer able to do those things. Cherish the friends you make, whether you have them for decades or just a few years.

If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? Probably being competent at archery or thrown weapons—the communities are so welcoming, kind, and fun.

Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? That’s a weird question for me to contemplate. I’m a double peer who never sought or expected to receive accolades when I began playing because I was fringy and focused on making friends. Nearly every award I’ve received has been a very pleasant surprise. My personal goal is to stay on this side of the grass, as Devon often says, and keep enjoying life. But if gentles ever think I’ve done enough to merit a Jewel or an Augmentation, considering all the impressive gentles who have been recognized with those in the past, either of those are good benchmarks to be seek to be worthy of and either would probably make my head explode. Devon would be proud and the tiny, terrorizing Michaele I still bicker with in my brain might be pleased.

Please add additional comments as you see fit.

As the Twelfth Doctor said, “Run fast, laugh hard, be kind.”

 

 

 

 

 

Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:

Participate now – find out how!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

College of Three Ravens cancelled for 2023

06 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by aethgazette in Event Announcements & Updates

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

C3R, College of Three Ravens, Thescorre

Due to multiple issues, the Barony of Thescorre’s annual schola, the College of Three Ravens, has been canceled for 2023.

C3R 2024 is being planned for its normal date of sometime in February. It will most likely be an in-person event, with a possible hybrid component.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

College of Three Ravens Postponed

30 Monday Jan 2023

Posted by aethgazette in Event Announcements & Updates

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

C3R, College of Three Ravens, Schola, Thescorre

Greetings, Æthelmearc,

After discussion at the barony’s business meeting last week, we are postponing the College of Three Ravens and will not be holding it on February 18, 2023 because of stalled planning and struggles to incorporate a hybrid style of event.

We are working on trying to find a viable site that would allow in person and virtual and accommodate the needs of the event.  We are spending this time in between now and the February business meeting research our options as to if/when/where we can successfully hold our annual schola. The decision will be made at the February 21 meeting.

That being said,  if you know of any possible sites within our barony, please reach out to me directly with info on the site. Location-wise, it would need to be a site that could possibly accommodate 150+ gentles, with room for fighting and rapier as well as room for multiple class tracks, and a space for court.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. Our most sincerely apologies at the delay and uncertainty of this year’s C3R.

In service,

Gwen Cooke, autocrat

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Event Update: College of Three Ravens Class Schedule, A&S Competition

23 Wednesday Feb 2022

Posted by aethgazette in Arts & Sciences, Competitions, Event Announcements & Updates

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

C3R, Classes, College of Three Ravens, Thescorre

Thescorre’s virtual College of Three Ravens is happening this weekend on February 26, and there is a LOT going on!

We have 27 classes, a three-category A&S competition, an amazing Zoom background competition, a heraldry consultation table, Court, and the space and time to enjoy each others’ company.

We also will be posting about site tokens — tangible tokens for an Æthereal event — so stay tuned for that!

Here is the list of relevant links and forms for your enjoyment and event preparation:

1. Event/class schedule, complete with class descriptions, here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ys46NFrGhX8oaFpTl6p9m0H6nxKZrYWS/view

2.  A&S Competition entries page: http://thescorre.org/upcoming-events/c3r-2022/c3r-2022-as/

3. Populace, please vote for your favorite A&S entry! You can submit your vote for one of each of the three categories here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-64il1lvBmFSVc4MgpY4IzD8zCeAwkCrlRvSC4P99xOJ9TA/vie

4. Register to attend the event (this will ensure that you receive the schedule with the live ZOOM links) here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaNIqu-aRxaHCtNWkdOeqtEdTJf_VtT7KId9qknCe-zmMe8w/viewform

5. Check out the the Background Competition information near the bottom of the event page: http://thescorre.org/upcoming-events/c3r-2022/

We are so very excited for you to join us on this year’s Journey Reimagined as we celebrate newcomers to the SCA, celebrate those embracing new skills, and celebrate the journeys each of us took to get into our beloved Dream.

Thank you to every teacher, artisan, zoom-moderator, attendee, and member of our wonderful Society for helping to make this event happen!

In most humble service,

The C3R Virtual planning team

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

In Memoriam: Lady Elswyth Rosamond

14 Monday Feb 2022

Posted by aethgazette in In memoriam

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

In memoriam, Thescorre

Lady Elswyth Rosamond (mka Rosalie Mae Carter Hillman) passed away on February 7 at the age of 83. In addition to holding an AoA, she was a member Thescorre’s service order, the Raven’s Feather, and a recipient of Æthelmearc’s Order of the Keystone, also for service.

Her daughter, Brehyres Gwendolyn the Graceful, says she frequently served at troll and as event registration clerk, and sang in Thescorre’s choir, Ravensong.

Her Excellency Dubheasa, Baroness of Thescorre, says “I knew Lady Elswyth as Ro. My first event was C3R (College of Three Ravens) over 20 years ago. I walked into the event, not knowing what to do or where to go. Ro was sitting at Troll, and when I told her I was new, she directed me to the kitchen. I spent that event in the kitchen, making life-long friends. I also spent several events sitting next to Ro at Troll, where I delighted in her knowledge and sense of humor. Because of Ro, I’ve developed my passions of the kitchens and service to Thescorre and Æthelmearc. I am forever grateful I knew Lady Elswyth.”

Dame Aine O’Muirghesan remembers “When I was expecting Emily, I bought Adam tickets to a Mandy Patinkin concert at the Eastman Théâtre for his birthday, the beginning of January. Emily wasn’t due until January 17, so we were good. Except the little stinker came three weeks early. So I needed a sitter, for a newborn baby. Mom (Rosalie) to the rescue! She and Gwen also gifted me with a rocking chair, because they had an extra one, and I should have one to rock my baby. I remember her kindness.”

Mistress Orianna Fridrikskona says: “I remember her working troll and being part of Ravensong. She always had a sweet smile and was a delight to be around and work with.”

Her obituary is available here.

There will be no memorial at this time. A celebration of her life is planned for June.

A Ravensong performance. Lady Elswyth is in the center, in light green.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

College of Three Ravens: Remote and Reimagined

10 Monday Jan 2022

Posted by aethgazette in A&S Competition and Display, Arts & Sciences, Event Announcements & Updates

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

A&S classes, C3R, College of Three Ravens, Schola, Thescorre

Join the Industrious Barony of Thescorre as we partake in our annual wintertime  schola, this time with a new twist!

Our Theme

Rediscovering the Dream: It’s the Journey, Not the Destination.
For more information, see the event page.

Classes

Class Registration is live and we are now accepting classes for this fabulous event. We cannot run our beloved schola without the work of the amazing teachers throughout the SCA and we’re delighted to offer themed tracks this year that fit our theme of Its the Journey, not the Destination. We’re honoring that spirit of the newcomer (to the SCA) and the novice to our crafts!

Follow this link to register to teach.
  • Track 1: SCA Newcomers. These are classes geared toward people who have just joined the SCA. These can be about SCA-specific terminology, or clothing that signifies a station/order. What even are the awards? What are the officers and what do they do? Think back to when you joined and teach about something you would have loved to know back then.
  • Track 2: Novice. For people new to an art/science/activity. These are fondly referred to as “Beginner Classes”. What can you teach the very beginning of? Basic footwork? Simple stitching? Maybe making rice? Whatever you can think of to get someone started on their own journey.
  • Track 3: Tips and Tricks. These will be classes taught by veterans of an art/science/activity, that offer hacks and helpful hints on how to accomplish that task easier/quicker/better. Maybe it’s a class on how not to burn out, or how to organize a kitchen so that you serve on time. Maybe you have tricks for how to herald a court or how to make a specific award medallion for easy largess. Anything you have done that makes life in the SCA easier and more fun, pass it on!
  • Track 4: Peer Challenge. We issue a challenge (all in fun, of course) to the Peers of the Kingdom! We want you to try something NEW! Have you been doing service since you joined, but never had time to try out calligraphy? Now is your chance! Have you spent every event in the kitchen, but never had the opportunity to try out fencing? This pause in our SCA lives has allowed us a beautiful moment. We have the chance to think about what we really WANT. We have the grace of this moment to consider WHY we spend our precious little time on THIS hobby. Use this time to explore something new and then share that experience with us. You can do this as a question and answer, a show and tell, even amusing anecdotes about your times trying out your “new thing”. Step off your personal path for just a moment and try a different journey, even just for a short time. We hope it brings you joy and that you find renewed interest in our Dream.
  • Track 5: Other. Of course, there will be an “Other” category for those who have classes that they would like to share that don’t fit the above categories. We would just ask that you give us a short blurb about how it might fit the theme of “Reimagining the Dream – A New Journey”. You can get creative. It’s kinda what we do.

A&S Challenge

We, the autocrats of College of Three Ravens (Virtual!) wish to issue forth these Arts and Sciences challenges unto you all!

We know our Kingdom, as well as all other kingdoms who might hear of our missive, is full of skilled artisans! Masters of their crafts! We know this and celebrate you all for it!

And now we ask you to challenge yourself and try your hand at a NEW arts and sciences track, and show us your results! For this year’s College of Three Ravens, we have three A&S tracks that we seek entries to, all within our theme of Reimagining the Dream!

Our categories of competition are:
  • 1st Attempts – anything you have never done before, but always wanted to try out. Share your new found excitement with us!
  • The Journey – Show us your project, from the earliest learning of the art to as complete as you want to consider it. You don’t need to have a “complete” project for this one, just show your work! 🙂
  • Beauty in Failure – Share your attempts that didn’t succeed. We learn from our mistakes, so this is your chance to help us all learn!

**For all of the categories, be prepared to share your favorite part of the experience, even if it was laughing at yourself when it didn’t work. Help us experience your art through your joy.**

A&S Registration form here.

Come, try your hand at something new and be celebrated for it!

In service to the Dream,
Lady Gwen Cooke and Lord Torbjorn Sigurdson, C3R (virtual) Autocrats

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Court Report: Fall Crown, October 9, 2021, AS 56

13 Monday Dec 2021

Posted by aethgazette in Court Reports, Crown Tourney, Heavy List

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Fall Crown, Thescorre

Here begins the Report of the Court of Gareth and Juliana, King and Queen of Æthelmearc at Their Crown Tournament, held in the Barony of Thescorre, October 9, AS 56, Jorundr hinn Rotinn, Silver Buccle Herald, reporting, with the assistance of Silent Herald Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir, Silver Sycamore Herald.

In the morning.

Their Majesties summoned Baroness Amalie Rinehardt before Them to answer a question posed by Their predecessors. Their Majesties called for The Order of the Pelican to attend Them, and take Baroness Amalie to Vigil that she might contemplate joining that order. Baroness Amalie asked Their Majesties to hold the Coronet of the Baroness of Delftwood in trust while she contemplated.

On the field.

Their Majesties summoned before Them Earl Thomas Byron of Haverford and Countess Ariella of Thornbury. King Gareth placed the Heir’s Coronet on Byron’s head, crowning him Prince of Æthelmearc. King Gareth then handed the Consort’s Coronet to Prince Byron who placed the Coronet on Ariella’s head, crowning her Princess of Æthelmearc.

In the evening, joined by Their Heirs Prince Byron and Princess Ariella, and Baron Eldjarn of Thescorre.

Their Majesties invited Master Eric Grenier de Labarre, the autocrat of the day, to address the populace. Master Eric spoke of the two-year adventure in planning this event that was originally intended for AS 54, and the impressive support given by his event staff.

Their Majesties then called for all newcomers to attend Them. As is Their Majesties’ tradition, They gave gifts of mugs to those newcomers to welcome them to the society.

Their Majesties next sought the presence of one Baron Christian Goldenlok, who was instructed to carry the toy chest and deliver gifts to all the youth assembled.

Their Majesties invited the Ladies of the Rose and Garnet present to join them. The Ladies of the Rose spoke of the honor and Chivalry displayed on the field during the day. They invited Lord Gregory Hillson, the current holder of the Shield of Chivalry, and thanked him for his service, and then called upon Posadnik Zvonimir Zadodchikov to attend them. His Chivalry particularly impressed the Ladies of the Rose, so they instructed him to take up the Shield of Chivalry and join the Royal Court. They further wished to give tokens to some of the combatants that impressed them this day and called on THLord Hrafn inn Trausti, Sir Arden Scot, and Lord Tiberious Hostilous Mallous.

Their Majesties summoned Baron Gunther and Baroness Rois of Saint Swithin’s Bog, who renewed their oaths of service and stewardship for their Barony.

Their Majesties next invited Their Chronicler Dame Aine O’Muirghesan who having served a full two terms and an extra bonus year beyond that wished to be allowed to step down. Their Majesties called for Baron Maghnus de Lyons to attend Them. Upon confirming his desire to serve as Chronicler and hearing his oath, they did invest him as Kingdom Chronicler.

Their Majesties next invited Laird Kenneth MacAnleigh, King’s Arts and Sciences Champion, and the Queen’s Arts and Sciences Champion Lady Ilaria Rosati to attend them. Laird Kenneth passed on the regalia and Book of Champions to Lady Alaria so that she might complete her entry before the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Championship to be held at Tavern Brawl in King’s Crossing on October 30.

Their Majesties called The Order of the Chivalry to appear before Them. His Majesty had been delivered the newly finished box of the Chivalry created by Baron Robert of Sugargrove and the accompanying Book of Chivalry by the hands of many of the Kingdom’s scribes. He passed these items to Sir Murdoch Bayne so that they might be passed to Sir Tigernach and then to all new members of the Order of Chivalry as they are created.

Their Majesties summoned Finley to attend Them. Finley assisted Their Graces Maynard and Liadain in bringing much joy and merriment to the Kingdom during a dark time, and for this Their Majesties felt it only right that he join the Sylvan Pack. Scroll by Amalie  Rinehardt. Collar by Duchess Runa EikBrandrskon.

Their Majesties spoke to Lord Daven M’Kinnay and commended him on his service as chatelaine in the Barony of Endless Hills.

Their Majesties next called Ascillia Attebroke. Her fighting prowess on the heavy field as well as her assistance water bearing and sewing has been spoken of by many. Thus Their Majesties did Award her Arms. Scroll by Riobard O’Suilleabhain.

Next, Their Majesties called on Torsteinn Olfuss. This gentle also impressed Their Majesties and thus They Awarded him Arms. Scroll illuminated by Anastasie de Lamour with calligraphy by Wat Tuttle.

Their Majesties next sought Lord Torbjörn Sigurdson. Lord Torbjörn is known for assisting with autocratting events and being staff at events, and marshaling on Thrown Weapons ranges in the Barony of Thescorre. For this, Their Majesties did induct him into The Order of the Keystone. Scroll by Gwen Cooke.

Lady Eadaoin Gaelach Rua was next added to the rolls of the Order of the Keystone in absentia for her service as a bard, and as event staff, often being the last to leave the event. Scroll by Caleb Reynolds.

Lady Margareta le Sayre was also added to the Order of the Keystone in absentia for her long service as a cook, retainer, and setting up Æthelmearc Royal encampment at Pennsic. Scroll by Caleb Reynolds.

Their Majesties did next seek Lady Gwen Cooke. They wished to talk of her skill in the scribal arts, which included scrolls that were part of this very Court, and her further skill in embroidery and sewing. For this, They did have her join the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll by Ekaterina Volkova.

Their Majesties demanded the presence of The Thorsol. Sir Thorsol Solinauga does good art. His Majesty spoke of a cup that Sir Thorsol made that he uses regularly, and his further skill in woodworking. For this Their Majesties did induct Sir Thorsol into the Order of the Sycamore. Scroll by Renata Rouge.

Their Majesties next wished to talk of the garb worn by THLady Muireann ingen uí Muirchertaig, who looks like she stepped out of a tapestry or portrait, to join us at events. For this, Their Majesties were pleased to induct her as the third recipient of The Order of the Golden Mirror. The scroll is a work in progress by Guisah al-Zakiyya.

Their Majesties next summoned Shaykha Jan al-Tha’lab, known as Fox. Shaykha Jan is known for her work in creating and organizing SASS, which is greatly of service to the martial communities at Pennsic. For this, Their Majesties felt it only right that Shaykha Jan answer to a certain group of people. They summoned Their Order of the Millrind and upon ascertaining that it is indeed their wish that Shaykha Jan join them, Their Majesites did induct her into the Order. Scroll by Mairghead Stoibheard inggean ui Choinne.

Their Majesties did next invite Their Predecessors, Duke Maynard and Duchess Liadain to join Them that They might finish some business initiated by Their Graces. They then called for Baroness Amalie Rinehardt to present herself before Them. After being guided in by a special extra live AELive featuring Maestro Filippo de Sancto Martino and Dame Zofia Kowalewska, guest starring Baron Caleb Reynolds as Pelican IT, words were spoken on Baroness Amalie’s behalf by a member of the populace, THNoble Rhys Penbras ap Dafydd, a member of the Order of the Chivalry, Duke Magnus Tindal, a Master of Defense, Master Benedict Fergus atte Mede, a member of the Order of the Laurel, Mistress Nuzha bint Saleem, a Royal Peer, Duke Timothy of Arindale, a Jewel of Æthelmearc, Countess Caryl Olesdatter, a member of the Order of the Pelican, Kameshima-kyo Zentarou Umakai, and former mentor, Master Alaxandair Ó Conchobhair. Hearing these words, Their Majesties decided to continue, and returned Baroness Amalie’s Coronet as Baroness of Delftwood to her. They heard her Oath as a Meisterin of the Pelican, and presented to her the regalia befitting a Pelican. The ancestral Pelican medallion of Æthelmearc was presented by Dame Zofia Kowalewska for Master Rhion Elandris of Glyndyfrdwy, a family medallion was presented by Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir, a personal medallion was presented by Baintighearna Ania Mhoireach, a cloak was presented by the Shire of Angel’s Keep, and a Cap of Maintenance was presented by Freiherrin Helena Mützhazenin and Posadnitsa Zaritsa Zavodchikovna. Upon reading a scroll by Master Jonathan Blaecstan with words by Master Po Silvertop Their Majesties did declare Meisterin Amalie a Companion of the Pelican and bid her to join her new order.

Their Majesties called for Mistress Alina Marie de Valenciennes to appear before Them. The scroll commemorating her induction to the Order of the Pelican during Their last reign had been delivered so They wished to deliver it to her. Scroll by the hands of Ekaterina Volkova.

Her Majesty wished to speak to Mistress Rioghnach ni Rose. Mistress Rioghnach was Her Majesty’s inspiration this day and so Her Majesty wished to award her a Golden Escarbuncle.

His Majesty wished all who attended this day safe travels and thanked the staff and the Barony of Thescorre for hosting. He further wished to invite any members of the Kingdom that are interested to join Him as he plans to attend Gulf Wars in the spring. 

Court Closed.

In Service,

Jorundr, Silver Buccle Herald

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

College of Three Ravens 2021: Class List

23 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by aethgazette in Arts & Sciences, Event Announcements & Updates

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Classes, College of Three Ravens, Thescorre

The schedule of classes for College of Three Ravens 2021 is now available on the Thescorre website.

To see the printable class schedule with times and to register for the free event, see here.

The classes, by teacher, are:

  1. Baroness Amalie Reinhardt
    -A Brief History About Micography
    -How to Locate and Use an Inspiration Piece to Write Period-Sounding Scroll Texts
  2. Ilaria Rosati
    -A Simple French Hood c. 1505-1515
  3. Éadaoin Ruadh
    -Bardic Feedback & Roundtable
  4. Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir
    -Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the SCA
    -Talking with Your Hands
  5. Baroness Hannah d’Avila
    -Birka and Ribe: reconstruction period beads
  6. Mistress Alicia Langland
    -Blackletter Double Trouble
  7. Dominic McMorland
    -Body Mechanics for Heavy Fighting
  8. Filipo de Sancto Martino
    -Commedia dell’arte101
    -How to Write a Brag!
  9. Daedez of the Dark Horde Moritu
    -Daily Life Among the Mongols
  10. Baroness Sadira bint Wassouf
    -Dim Sum with What You Have or Can Get
  11. THL Beatrice de Winter
    -From Beak-masks to Beakers: A History of the Black Death
  12. Angus the Bull
    -Pole Arm: Pell to Practice
  13. Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina
    Post-Pandemic Food in the SCA Roundtable
  14. Iohn Spooner
    -Redacting a piece of furniture from an illumination
  15. Sǫlveig Þrándardóttir
    -Samurai Chef: Cooking & Dining in 16c Japan
  16. Caleb Reynolds
    -So, you think you can’t research something
  17. Glenna Cholmondeley
    -Support Spinning
  18. Baroness Orianna Fridrikskona
    -The Icelandic Turf House
  19. Uilliam (Liam) MacantSaoir
    -The Monongahela People
  20. Friderich Swartzwalder
    -Who’s who in Europe 1500
  21. Baron Friðrikr Tomasson
    -Will You Give Your Throat: Throat Biting in Old Norse Icelandic Literature
  22. Lucetta di Cosimo
    -Baba Yaga
  23. Mistress Cordelia Colton
    -Basket Weaving for kids
  24. THL Cael O’Conaill
    -Commedia Character Workshop
  25. Padriag Ua Chaeleichair
    -Meditation Techniques to Improve Martial Training & Competition
  26. Lucia de Moranza
    -Modern Alchemy 101: Dyes and Mordants
  27. Baroness Clarice Roan
    -Beginning Poetry Class

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

C³R 2021 Cook-Along-At-Home Feast

16 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by aethgazette in Cooking, Feast, Food, SCA @ Home

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Cauldron Bleu Cooks Guild, College of Three Ravens, Online event, Online feast, Thescorre

Unto the Known World does the Barony of Thescorre send Greetings!

DO you miss playing in an SCA kitchen with other cooks? Are you sad you won’t be able to sit down to yet another famous College of Three Ravens feast prepared by the Cauldron Bleu Cooks Guild?

We, members of the Barony’s 43-year-old cooks guild, invite you to join us in celebrating our favorite past time; we cordially invite all who are interested in helping us prepare a virtual feast for this year’s C3R.

While we cannot have this event in person, we are provided with the perfect opportunity to have ALL OF YOU “in the kitchen” with us! We are currently choosing period recipes from our favorite places and times, with absolutely no respect given to any semblance of order or plan for a “menu” (this is still a pandemic folks – we can’t be THAT organized).

We have been redacting, cooking, and photographing or video recording our endeavors and sharing them with all of you throughout this month right up until the event on February 28. Our hope is to have quite a fun time learning redactions, techniques, and sharing in each others’ tables.

What we would like from you:

Join the Cook-Along-At-Home Feast page on Facebook. We invite you to choose your own items that you love or have always wanted to make, redact (or choose a redaction that you like, or work with someone you know to create the redacted recipe).

Post your medieval recipe(s), your redaction(s), your process, your photos, videos, etc. Whatever you would like to share with everyone. MISTAKES ARE WELCOME. Please share as you go through the process and PLEASE do not leave out what didn’t work. We are here to learn, to enjoy cooking, and to share with those we love. No one is perfect and food can be pretty, but let’s hear about all of it – the good, the bad, and the ugly. There are no parameters except that you choose an item that interests you and that you work safely (please do not break any rules handed down from the BOD about social distance, etc. This is meant to be done safely in your own space, not as a get- together.)

You are welcome (and encouraged) to safely drop off test batches or extra surplus foods created to your neighbors and local friends, whether SCA or not.

Let’s have some fun! This is open to the entire Known World, so feel free to share far and wide – If you cannot share, but would still like to participate, please email the info to our webminister and she will update for you: webminister AT thescorre DOT org. Just let her know your name and any info you’d like in the post so she can properly credit.

So far, we have honey-glazed carrots and Boxing Day coffins, among other dishes. Thank you to everyone who is cooking along at home with us!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Event Announcement: College of Three Ravens, February 27, 2021

08 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by aethgazette in Arts & Sciences, Bardic, Competitions, Cooking, Event Announcements & Updates, Feast, Largesse, SCA @ Home, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

C3R, College of Three Ravens, online A&S, Online Activities, Thescorre

This winter, join the Barony of Thescorre at our annual schola as we move our festivities to a virtual space for the year’s C3R…. The COVID Corvid College of Three Ravens!

We are gathering together on Saturday, February 27, 2021 and using Zoom, Facebook, and our Barony Website to organize and run the event! While we are still physically distanced from one another, this is an opportunity to join in classes, A&S, workshops, bardic activties, feasting, and court from the safety of our homes.

This year, we are celebrating all that we love about the SCA and we have the unique opportunity to share that love with any and all who want to participate. We hope that this virtual format will allow gentles from Æthelmearc and the Knowne World entire to join in our fun as we work to learn together and come together in the safest ways possible.

If gentles have any questions, please reach out to the Event Autocrats, Lady Gwen Cooke (Jenn Bigelow-Carlson) or Lord Torbjorn Sigurdson (Jon Carlson).

REGISTERING FOR THE EVENT

You must complete the Google forms appropriate (listed below) to get the Zoom log-in information.

To register to attend the event and access the ZOOM Rooms, please fill out this form.

To register to teach a class for C3R, please fill out this form.

To submit an entry for A&S or Largess, please full out this form.
(Entries can be traditional SCA projects OR can be projects you have worked on during the pandemic to help your neighbors using your SCA skills, such as mask making, cooking for neighbors, etc.)

To perform during our feast (singing, playing instruments, or storytelling to name a few things), please contact Torbjorn.

We look forward to seeing everyone in this digital platform this winter when we come together for this year’s COVID Corvid College of Three Ravens!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Æthelmearc Gazette

Æthelmearc Gazette

Categories

  • 50 Year
  • A&S Champs
  • A&S Competition and Display
  • A&S Faire
  • AE 300
  • AEcademy
  • AELive
  • Announcements
  • Aoife's Links
  • Archery
  • Arts & Sciences
  • Autocratting
  • Awards
  • Æthelmeac Æcademy
  • Æthelmearc History
  • Bardic
  • Book Reviews
  • Brewing
  • Camping
  • Combat Archery
  • Competitions
  • Cooking
  • Corporate News
  • Costuming
  • Court Reports
  • Crown Tourney
  • Dance
  • demos
  • donations
  • Equestrian
  • Esoterica
  • Event Announcements & Updates
  • Event Reports
  • Feast
  • Fencing
  • Fiber Arts
  • Food
  • Food pantry
  • Foresters Guild
  • Forestry
  • Gaming & Fun
  • Gulf Wars
  • Heavy List
  • Heraldry
  • Herbalism
  • Humor
  • Ice Dragon
  • In memoriam
  • Interviews
  • Kingdom News
  • KMOAS
  • Largesse
  • Music
  • Newcomers
  • Officer Announcements
  • Pennsic
  • Poetry & Prose
  • Populace-in-focus
  • Quarterly reports
  • Queen's Rapier
  • Rapier
  • Research
  • Royalty
  • SCA @ Home
  • SCA History
  • SCA Shop Talk
  • Scribal
  • Service
  • Siege
  • Teaching
  • The AEthelmearc 300
  • Thrown Weapons
  • Tidings
  • Uncategorized
  • Youth Activities
  • Youth combat

RSS The Æthelmearc Gazette

  • Court Report Bog Twelfth Night 1/21/23
  • Court Report: Queen’s Rapier Champion Tourney, April 8, A.S. 57
  • Populace in Focus: Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina

Powered by WordPress.com.

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: