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The Æthelmearc Gazette

~ Covering the Kingdom of Æthelmearc of the SCA

The Æthelmearc Gazette

Tag Archives: Twelfth Night

Court Report: Region 1 Twelfth Night

30 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by aethgazette in Court Reports

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12th NIght, Court Reports, Twelfth Night

Here continues the Record of the Reign of Gareth and Juliana, King and Queen of Sylvan Æthelmearc at the Region 1 Twelfth Night Celebration, January 27, AS 52, in Their Shire of Misty Highlands; as recorded by Lord Arias Beltran del Valle, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald, with the assistance of Her Ladyship Katharine McClung, Millrind Herald, as well as Lady Ragna Haakonardottir, and Lady Nichola Beese.

In Their first court in the morning:

Donnchadh to vigil

THLord Donnchadh is sent to vigil

Their Majesties first invited before them the members there present of Their Most Noble Order of the Pelican. Upon consultation, the Order informed Their Majesties that one person was missing from their number, and they asked that this be corrected.

Their Majesties then summoned before them His Lordship Donnchadh Dubhglas.  Having previously been given a writ to contemplate elevation to the Most Noble Order of the Pelican, Their Majesties then asked him if it was still his intent to join that august Order, which his Lordship confirmed.

Before sending him to vigil, Their Majesties asked that he be unencumbered by other commitments. So did Countess Elena d’Artois come forth and release his Lordship from his bond with her. His Majesty then accepted his Lordship’s squire belt from Count Jehan de la Marche to hold in safety until such time as his Excellency was present.

These things having been done, the Order then conveyed Donnchadh to the place prepared for his vigil.

Court was then suspended until the afternoon.

__________________________________________

In the afternoon:

Their Majesties first asked for a moment of silence to honor the memory of His Lordship Wolfgang Starke, well known and loved by many throughout the Sylvan Lands, who had recently passed.

As has been Their tradition, Their Majesties then invited those attending their first event in the society to come forward and receive a drinking vessel to take with them as they continue their journey in the Society. Seeing the energy with which many of the new members had thrown themselves into the activities of the day, His Majesties also awarded certain of them with sets of feast gear for their participation on the day.

First event

Gentles attending their first event receive drinking vessels from Their Majesties.

Their Majesties then invited the event autocrat, Lord Fiachna mac Cennetig, to speak about the day’s activities. Lord Fiachna thanked Their Majesties and the populace for attending, and with the assistance of those running each event, named the winners of the various competitions held throughout the day.

Their Majesties then called for the presence of Isabetta Simona da Murano. As a member of Their Majesties’ home shire, They have personally seen how Isabetta has worked to support her shire and take on a greater role in its activities, from making her garb, to assisting in the kitchens, and taking on work as a retainer. For these efforts were They moved to Award her Arms and named her a Lady of Their Court.  Scroll by THL Phelippe Ulfsdotter.

Isabetta AoA

Isabetta receives her AoA.

Their Majesties then called for the autocrat, Lord Fiachna to appear before Them once again. Their Majesties spoke to Lord Fiachna about the good humor and comportment for which he is known to many, and his gift for making and maintaining fast friendships and welcoming new members into Their home shire. He has also helped to secure sites for practice, and has made himself available to those in need of help.  In recognition of his courtesy and spirit did they name him to Their Order of the Cornelian. Scroll by Master Ælric Ravenshaw.

Fiachna Cornelian

Lord Fiachna receives a Cornelian

Lord Aydamur ibn abd Allah was next summoned before Their Majesties. Word had reached Their ears of his noblest of actions when faced with a grave injustice by a peer of the realm, acting to protect those at risk by said peer. His actions brought this injustice to light, and defended those affected by it. For this selfless action did Their Majesties deem him a gentle of great honor, and so added him to the number of the Order of the Cornelian, in an action applauded by the populace gathered that day.  Scroll by Lady Rivka bat Daniyel.

Aydamur Cornelian

Lord Aydamur receives a Cornelian

Their Majesties invited Master Alaxandair O’Conchobhair to appear before them.  Their Majesties spoke to the populace of the efforts of Master Alaxandair in the office of the webminister, both for the Kingdom and Their reign staff. He is also responsible for the creation of the new fighter and marshal database. For these, among his other tireless efforts to support the Kingdom, was he given an Award of Excellence by Their Majesties. Scroll by Baroness Cecily of Whitehaven.

Alaxandair Excellence

Master Alaxandair receives an Award of Excellence

Her Ladyship Astridr Vigaskegg was next summoned to Their Majesties’ presence. They thanked her for her efforts in keeping the Crown well fed, and for her willingness to assist in setup where needed no matter where she might be found. For all of these efforts and more was she, too, awarded by Their Majesties with an Award of Excellence. Scroll by THL Aibell Suil-uaine.

Astridr Excellence

THLady Astridr receives an Award of Excellence

Their Majesties then called for the co-autocrat of the day, Lord Olaf Stenbrjoter to attend them again. His Majesty spoke about the effort and attention to detail put into Lord Olaf’s garb, presenting before those who see him the true image of a Viking. For this attention to detail and accuracy was he awarded a Golden Stirrup. Scroll by Baron Caleb Reynolds with calligraphy by Baroness Graidhne ni Ruaidh.

Olafr Golden Stirrup

Lord Olafr receives a Golden Stirrup

Her Ladyship Katharine McClung was then called before Their Majesties. Their Majesties noted her Ladyship’s long history of service to the Kingdom and to her home Barony, acting as baronial herald, helping with events, and greeting newcomers, all over a career of more than two decades. For this work, did they grant unto her an Award of Excellence. Scroll by THL Aibell Suil-uaine.

Kathryn McClung Excellence

THLady Katharine receives an Award of Excellence

Their Majesties then summoned before them Lord John Augustine Stag.  As a member of Their home shire, Their Majesties spoke of the prowess he displays in the fencing lists as the victor of many tournaments, and for his devotion to practices in Misty Highlands. For his efforts in the arts martial was he named to the Order of the Golden Alce. Scroll by Lady Luca da Cola.

John Augustine Stag Golden Alce

Lord John receives a Golden Alce

Lord Ragnar Gunnolfsson was then called to Their Majesties after being relieved from his duties in the tavern. As had Lord Stag before him, Lord Ragnarr has demonstrated his fencing prowess time and again, and marshals and runs local fencing practices.  For his efforts in supporting the fencing community and his skill with the rapier was he too named to the Order of the Golden Alce. Scroll by Baron Caleb Reynolds will calligraphy by Baroness Graidhne ni Ruaidh.

Ragnar Gunnolfsson Golden Alce

Lord Ragnar receives a Golden Alce

Their Majesties then summoned Their Captain of the Guard, His Lordship Oliver Sutton before them. They spoke of a gentle present on the day who They required to answer some serious charges. So, following orders recalling the Kingdom 12th Night did His Lordship and other guards retrieve Lady McKenna Henderson from her duties in the kitchen. While retrieving Lady McKenna, Mistress Maria Christina de Cordoba appeared before Their Majesties to have words with her protégé as she was retrieved.

McKenna charges

Lady McKenna faces charges, then receives a Millrind

Upon her arrival, both Their Majesties and Mistress Maria spoke Lady McKenna on the serious nature of the charges levied against her. His Majesty then demanded she face her accusers, and so was Their Noble Order of the Millrind called to attend them. All those present in court had noted Lady McKenna’s tireless service as Army Secretary, on many a reign staff, as a shire officer and providing assistance at events. Her title no longer deemed fitting for her station, Their Majesties did add her into the number of that Noble Order. Scroll by Lady Gulsah Aydini.

His Lordship Donnchadh Dubhglas was once again called before Their Majesties.  Having sat vigil during the day, They asked his Lordship if it was still his wish to join the number of Their Most Noble Order of the Pelican. Confirming his wish that it be so, Their Majesties then called forth the members of that order, before asking for words from the peers of Their realm on His Lordship’s worthiness for elevation.

Countess Elena d’Artois spoke first as a member of the Order of the Rose. She spoke well of the nurturing spirit he brings to those he meets.  He can guide those around him to success with a well-placed word, and has gained the respect of his community and his shire in the process.

Count Sir Jehan de la Marche then spoke of his time with his squire, offering a verse to the populace telling of his prowess on the field, and his leadership of not one but two shires when that leadership was needed.

Donnchadh with Jehan

Count Jehan addresses his now former squire, THLord Donnchadh

Mistress Chrestienne de Waterdene next spoke as a member of the Order of the Laurel. She shared words about his devotion to the artisan community by encouraging arts activities and by creating more opportunities for those events to happen. He also has worked for authenticity in many of his personal endeavors, from fencing to garb.

As a Master of Defense, Master Annanias Fenne then spoke to the populace of Donnchadh’s skill with a sword. He is known to educate those around him in an effort to improve those desirous of bettering themselves, and betters the Kingdom in the process.

Finally, Master Ælric Ravenshaw spoke as a member of the Order of the Pelican.  Master Ælric spoke of the service provided by His Lordship Donnchadh for the 29 years of his membership in the Society, a time which included terms as seneschal, marshal, chatelaine, and chronicler, as well as helping to found two chapters nearby and growing the cut and thrust community, and even serving in the military during his few breaks from the SCA.

Having heard the words of the peers of Their Kingdom, Their Majesties saw Donnchadh invested with the regalia and symbols of the Order before confirming him as a companion of the Pelican. Scroll by Her Ladyship Ismay Ponde.

Donnchadh swears fealty

Master Donnchadh swears fealty

Their Majesties then called for the presence of Her Ladyship Ismay Ponde, who came before them escorted by her lord, Count Sir Jehan de la Marche. Their Majesties spoke fondly of Her Ladyship’s long history of service to the Kingdom as a scribe and calligrapher for many a scroll handed out to award those gentles deemed to be deserving of them by many reigns. Her service to the dream had not gone unnoticed, and so did they deem it correct and proper that she be named a Baroness of Their Court.  The coronet was placed upon her head by Count Jehan, who thanked Their Majesties for the opportunity, having been unable to place such on his lady’s head in the past. Scroll by THL Phelippe Ulfsdotter, with calligraphy by Mistress Antoinette de la Croix.

Ismay court barony

Count Jehan places the Baroness’ coronet on his lady’s head

Her Majesty then rose to speak about the many sights She had seen that day that inspired her. From the heavy fighters to the fencers, to the feats of strength and the artisans displaying their work, the spirit of camaraderie and fellowship was evident through the whole day. However, one lady stood out about the rest, and so did Her Majesty then call for Lady Charlotte Starke and name her as Queen’s Inspiration for the day, awarding her the Golden Escarbuncle.

Charlotte Stark Golden Escarbuncle

Lady Charlotte Starke is named Queen’s Inspiration and receives a Golden Escarbuncle

Court was once again suspended

_________________________________________

During feast that evening:

Their Majesties bid the populace attend Their words as they had further business amongst them.

Adelyn Cornelian

Lady Adelyn receives a Cornelian

They summoned before them Lady Adelyn Idesborn, who had returned victorious against an explosion most foul that prevented her presence in Their court earlier that afternoon. Lady Adelyn’s disposition as polite, courteous, and helpful had been evident to them from her arrival within the society. She can often be seen helping to organize projects behind the scenes of an event, and showing largesse to many in the process.  For her displays of courtesy in many forms  was she too named to the Order of the Cornelian. by THL Phelippe Ulfsdotter with calligraphy by THL Shirin of Susa.

There being no further business before Them, the Court of Their Majesties was then concluded.

All photos courtesy of Lady Aine ny Allane.

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Court Report: Sylvan Glen Twelfth Night

15 Wednesday Feb 2017

Posted by aethgazette in Court Reports

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Sylvan Glen, Twelfth Night

All photos courtesy of Lady Elektra of Sylvan Glen.

Documented from the Scrolls of the Reign of Marcus & Margerite, King and Queen of Æthelmearc: the Business of Her Majesty at Sylvan Glen Twelfth Night, February 4th, Anno Societatis LI, in the Shire of Sylvan Glen. As recorded by Maestro Orlando di Bene del Vinta, Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald. 

Her Majesty invited the youth known as Thomas Bronhulle, the event’s King of Misrule, to join Her in Her court.

Her Majesty called for Tiberius of Sylvan Glen, the day’s co-autocrat, who made several announcements, offered thanks for those in attendance and for those who provided support and service, and also announced the winners from the day’s varied competitions. However, at the conclusion of his announcement, Her Royal Majesty bade Tiberius linger a moment longer. She spoke of his leadership and service to his shire and offered Her praise for his excellent efforts as first time co-autocrat alongside his mother, Lady Reina Dulcedame. Thus, She did Award him Arms and raise him to the ranks of the nobility. Scroll forthcoming.sylvanglen

Next, Her Majesty called for Niño of Sylvan Glen and thanked him for all of his helpfulness and service, despite his young age and small size, and She did bestow upon him a Silver Buccle. Scroll forthcoming.

Lord Daniel Rufus was next called before the Sylvan Throne, and his wife Lady Eleanor of Pembroke came forward in his stead. Her Majesty spoke of the courtesy, kindness, and chivalry displayed by Lord Rufus, and that these are values that are highly prized by the Society, and thus She did bestow upon him a Cornelian. Scroll forthcoming.buccle

Her Majesty then sought words with Lady Umm Samin bint Asad al-Isfahaniyya. Her Majesty stated that She had heard much praise of Lady Samin’s work. Her Majesty spoke of Lady Samin’s work as the webminister for Sylvan Glen, and Herself found the webpage to be well maintained and attractive. Her Majesty then inducted Lady Samin into the Order of the Keystone for this service. Scroll forthcoming.

However, Her Majesty stated that Her business was not yet complete with Lady Samin, and reiterated that She had indeed received many words of praise of Lady Samin. Her Majesty told of the reports of Samin’s artistry, and that Her Majesty had witnessed Samin’s skill this very day when viewing the A&S display where several works of art with accompanying documentation by Lady Samin could be viewed. Thus, Her Majesty was moved to induct Lady Samin into the Order of Sycamore. Scroll forthcoming.

etainTHLady Etain Eame was next called to attend Her Majesty. Her Ladyship’s years of quite service to her shire and to the kingdom as autocrat, head cook, seneschal, head tollner, kingdom NMS secretary, and more were noted. Seeing these years of service could not go unrecognized, Her Majesty called forth the Order of the Millrind, and inducted THLady Etain into that Order. Scroll forthcoming.

Next, Her Majesty invited forward all children. She noted to the King of Misrule that earlier in the day he used Her herald for his court, and so in return, She asked His Majesty Misrule to carry the chest of toys for Her so that the children might select a gift.

Her Majesty then called forward Lord Arthur of Linden from the Kingdom of Atlantia. She spoke of his A&S entry and how impressive was his detail and skill, and so named him Her Inspiration and bestowed upon him a Golden Escarbuncle.

There being no further business, this court of Her Majesty was closed.

Faithfully submitted,

Maestro Orlando di Bene del Vinta
Jewel of Æthelmearc Herald

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Entertainers Wanted for Kingdom Twelfth Night

08 Thursday Dec 2016

Posted by aethgazette in Event Announcements & Updates

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Twelfth Night

luteguy_8227Kingdom Twelfth Night is looking for entertainers!

What’s a Carnivale without jugglers and minstrels? Please share your talents and entertain us! There will be a “town square” space set aside in the main hall for you to show us your best!

For event information click here.

-Mistress Othindisa Bykona
Kingdom 12th Night 2017 Autocrat

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COURT REPORT: Their Royal Majesties Titus and Anna Leigh at St. Swithin’s Bog 12th Night, 24 January A.S. XLIX

28 Wednesday Jan 2015

Posted by euriol in Court Reports

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Court Reports, St. Swithin's Bog, Twelfth Night

TN-KingdomArms

Documented from the Scrolls of the Reign of Titus and Anna Leigh, King and Queen of Æthelmearc: the Business of Their Court at St. Swithin’s Bog Twelfth Night in the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog January AS 49, accompanied by Their Highnesses Timothy and Gabrielle, Prince and Princess of Æthelmearc, and Their Excellencies Iago and Emilia, Baron and Baroness of St. Swithin’s Bog. As recorded by Their Silver Buccle Herald, Kameshima-kyō Zentarō Umakai, with the assistance of Drotinn Jorundr hinn Rotinn, Golden Alce Herald, and Lord Ian Campbell of Glen Mor.

His Majesty announced that He would be holding a meeting following Court, and any gentles who wished to weigh in with their opinions regarding the recent announcements by the Board of Directors would be welcome.

Their Majesties Granted leave to Their Excellencies Iago and Emilia to hold Their Baronial Court.

Gunnar UlfrBani was Awarded Arms for his skill and service upon the fencing field. Scroll by THL Rois O Faye.

Battista Alce

Lord Battista di Lupo Speranza

Battista di Lupo Speranza was Awarded Arms and inducted into the Order of the Golden Alce for constant dedication to both the fencing and rattan communities. Scroll the THL Alianora Bronhulle.

Lord Arvik of St. Swithin’s Bog was created a Companion of the Keystone for service at events and to the thrown weapons community, for serving as Head Cook, and especially for  his promotion of thrown weapons to the youth of the Kingdom. Scroll illuminated and calligraphed by THL Ismay Ponde upon wording by Count Sir Jehan de la Marche.

Lord Lord Arvik of St. Swithin’s Bog with his Keystone scroll

Lord Arvik of St. Swithin’s Bog

Lady Svava of St. Swithin’s Bog was elevated to the Order of the Golden Alce for her constant drive to better herself in both light and heavy weapons, often competing on both fields in the same day at the Pennsic War. Scroll in progress by Baroness Barbary Rose.

THL Rois O Faye was named to the Order of the Sycamore for her skill and productivity in creating commemorative scrolls to celebrate the achievements of the populace of Æthelmearc. Scroll by Lady Rachel Dalicieux.

Aemelia Soteria Keystone

Lady Aemelia Soteria

Lady Aemilia Soteria was inducted into the Order of the Keystone for her multifaceted service to multiple Baronies, including in thrown weapons and archery, as MOL, teacher, and lender of equipment. Scroll illuminated by Master Caoinleán Seanchaidh and calligraphed by Mistress Cynthia Love of the Tower upon wording by Lady Elizabeth of St. Swithin’s Bog.

Her Majesty informed all those who wish to create and donate largesse for the upcoming Estrella and Gulf Wars that Æthelmearc has the responsibility to create largesse for the host Kingdom of Atenveldt for Estrella, and the Kingdom of the Outlands for Gulf Wars.

Lady Elizabeth of St. Swithin's Bog

Lady Elizabeth of St. Swithin’s Bog

Lady Elizabeth of St. Swithin’s Bog was named to the Order of the Golden Alce for her quiet service to the thrown weapons and archery communities. Scroll by Lady Rachel Dalicieux.

THL Gunther Grunbaum was created a Companion of the Sycamore for his skill in leatherworking, and for winning the St. Crispin’s Leather A&S competition at the recent festival of Agincourt. Scroll in progress by THL Gwydion ap Arden.

There being no further business, Their Majesties’ Court was closed.

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

TN-Herald

~ All photos courtesy of Mistress Hilderun Hugelmann.

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The Traditions of Debatable Lands Twelfth Night

03 Saturday Jan 2015

Posted by aethgazette in Event Announcements & Updates

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Debatable Lands, Event Announcements & Updates, Twelfth Night

The Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands has one particularly unusual tradition for its Baronial Twelfth Night celebration.

din004 tavern dinersThe event is free.

For many years, the Debatable Lands has opened its coffers to sponsor the event, demanding no payment from revelers other than contributions to the pot-luck sideboard (which is usually overflowing with goodies from meat to sweets to drinks). While donations to help cover the cost of the site are appreciated, the free event makes an excellent introduction to the Society for newcomers. Also, because it’s free, there is no Non-Member Surcharge to deter new people.

Another thing that makes Debatable Lands’ Twelfth Night a great starting place for new folks is that, in the tradition of medieval Twelfth Nights, it’s filled with silliness and merriment. It features a cookie contest judged by the Baron and Baroness as well as any royalty in attendance, a pillow fight tournament,  board games, merchants, a silent auction of items never claimed from previous events’ lost and found, a heraldic quest, a performance by the Debatable Choir, and an extremely silly gift exchange wherein participants can pick an unopened gift from those contributed by other participants or elect to steal a gift already opened by another gentle. Bottles of alcohol, fabric, and books are often among the most prized gifts, but sometimes joke items like stuffed reindeer antlers are also hotly contested. A Baronial Court and dancing to live music by the Debatable Consort cap off the festivities. This year, Their Majesties Titus and Anna Leigh will also be holding Royal Court.

For the past five years the event has been autocratted by THL Elss of Augsburg and held in a lodge at a park in the northern suburbs of the Debatable Lands. The lodge is a wood structure located in a secluded forest, with massive stone fireplaces that lend it a medieval atmosphere. The site is dressed up for the event in holiday greenery and red ribbons.

peop046-female musicians

This year, Debatable Lands Twelfth Night will be held on January 17th. It will include something new: a Taster’s Tavern organized by the head of the Kingdom Brewer’s Guild, THLord Madoc Arundel, where attendees over age 21 who provide ID can sample drinks donated by the brewers in attendance and learn more about brewing period potables. Their Excellencies, Liam and Constance, will also be choosing their Baronial Brewing Champion at the event, as well as their Arts & Sciences and Bardic Champions.

For more information, see the official event announcement at http://debatablelands.org/events.php

– Submitted by Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope

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Q&A: Savor the Food at Twelfth Night—No Waiting!

10 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by aethgazette in Event Announcements & Updates, Food, Interviews

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cooking, feast planning, feast service, food, Twelfth Night

By Baroness Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina (Chris Adler-France).

Looking forward to showing off your latest court garb at Æ Twelfth Night, but not to once again standing in line for an hour at lunch?
Tired of bringing food for your children to eat because they don’t usually like what’s offered at dinner?
Planning on not signing up for onboard because you want to get on the road earlier in the evening?

We think Kingdom Twelfth Night should be the high point in the feasting year. We want this one to be extra special.

If you’ve read the event announcement for the kingdom celebration on January 10th in the Shire of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais, you may have noticed that the group has several different plans in mind for the day’s food—plans that it hopes will address these common concerns and make the dining experience far more relaxed and enjoyable.

(See announcement at http://www.eg.bucknell.edu/~acg/Events/TwelfthNight2015.shtm.)

The autocrat (Mistress Alicia Langland) and head cook (Baroness Bronwyn MacFhionghuin) graciously agreed to chat about these plans with The Gazette: [Editorial clarifications are in brackets]

Q: The dinner plan for Kingdom Twelfth Night is different from the standard feast service at most Æthelmearc events (a two- or three-course meal served at night). Please explain your plan and what inspired it?

Feast_table2

A lady’s feast, courtesy of http://www.Godecookery.com

 

A: Bronwyn: We’re offering two feast options, which is one or three meals. The first meal [at lunchtime] is provided to all those attending and is included in the site fee. The second and third meals [mid-afternoon and early evening] have an additional fee and will be served approximately two to two-and-a-half hours apart.

Alicia: ACG’s cooks often provide so much food that our feast guests complain they’ve run out of room (in their stomachs) before they run out of dishes! To combat this, we decided to borrow an idea from a Thescorre Twelfth Night feast many years ago — to serve the feast throughout the day, with time to socialize, participate in activities, and digest between each course. Because not every SCAdian wants to — or is able to — stay for all three courses, I decided to offer two pricing options. The first course would be included in the site fee and thus provided to all, and the second and third courses would be available for an additional fee for those who wish.

Bronwyn: The original idea came from Master Gille. Also, from my point of view doing tablesetting research, big elaborate meals did not take place in the evening by candlelight. When you look at the lists of items needed for a historical feast in various account books, there was a heck of a lot of food prepared. Now, did they eat it all at one sitting? It takes time to prepare, make, and serve all that.

So…why not create a day for the kingdom for everyone to go out & have a grand day dressed in their finery, socializing, eating, being festive, happy & relaxed. That’s how we created an event where one of the big showcases is the feast.

Alicia: One big benefit of serving the three courses separately will be evident at the end of the day. Typically, feasts are served late afternoon/early evening and can last up to two hours, depending on the number of courses served. By this point, folks are generally anxious to get on the road and don’t care to linger for dancing. By serving two of our three courses earlier in the day, we’ll have only one course remaining to serve later, which means there will be plenty of time for dancing. Or, if folks don’t wish to remain, they’ll be able to get started on their homeward journey sooner.

Q: In addition to earlier, spaced-out dinner timing, you’re also planning to serve lunch “family style” (a table’s worth of food served to each table, as is common at dinner) rather than offer the standard stand-in-line sideboard. Why did you decide to serve lunch that way?

A: Bronwyn: Two things—

  1. The layout of the facilities — we designed the rooms for sit-down meals.
  2. This is the Kingdom’s big holiday party. We want people to have an enjoyable time and feel festive. Think sitting down to holiday dinner with your family (for those that celebrate that way) or dressing up for a night out & going out to dinner.

Alicia: One of the things we enjoy most about events is socializing with friends. At lunch, this can be hard to do, either because there is no set time for lunch and thus everyone eats catch-as-catch-can or because there’s not enough space at tables for larger groups to be seated together.

In the SCA, lunches tend to be served in a modern style.
With our Twelfth Night feast, everyone gets to enjoy at least one course based on period recipes, served in a way that will allow plenty of time for socializing with friends at your table.

Three_servers

Detail of three servers from King Arthur and his Knights at the Round Table, from Walter Map, Le Livre des vertueux faix de plusiers nobles chevaliers, Rouen 1488, courtesy of http://www.Godecookery.com.

 

When we hosted Timothy and Gabrielle’s Coronation, it took almost an hour for all of our guests to be served lunch (buffet-style). (I think we had over 300 attendees.) That’s just too much time waiting. And with all the activities we have planned for Twelfth Night, we’d rather our guests spent their time having fun than waiting on line.

Q: You’re also preparing a feast specifically for children. How is that different from the adult meal?

A: Bronwyn: That is my protégé’s idea, Lady Macaah Sitt al Galb. She tried this out at our Shire birthday event and it was a great success. Her own children are picky eaters, so she looks for children-friendly medieval recipes (using her children as taste testers) and creates a menu that also becomes an instructional coloring book.

The food is milder in flavor and subtly differs from food they would normally eat. The meal is very interactive; the menu doesn’t overwhelm the children’s appetites and it gives them the chance to play with subtle teaching. It is definitely geared to the younger child or the smaller appetite. We actually have a few pre-teen/teen girls here in ACG who are not adventurous eaters. Last time, they assisted Macaah with the younger children, as well as eating with them. (Also, prior to the feast, there will be a butter making class where the children will make the butter for their meal.)
A plus here is parents do not have to pay for an adult feast seat when their child may only eat bread, butter, and carrots.

Alicia: One thing I love about the children’s feast is that it introduces children to period food… which they will enjoy eating! (How many times have we heard adults say they don’t like period food? If we win them over when they’re young, these young diners might be more open to eating at feasts when they’re adults.)

Another plus is that since children participating in the children’s feast will be seated at a special table, this frees up those spaces for other guests at the other tables. It also means we’re not serving adult-size portions to someone who’s unlikely to eat it all. This is more economical and efficient.
The children’s feast menu is:

  • First course: cheese, spiced applesauce, rolls with butter
  • Second course: meatballs, Parmesan noodles, honeyed carrots
  • Third course: Fruit, “Food for Angels” (a cream cheese dip), and of course King’s Cake… with the chance to get the “bean” and be King of the day!

I would like to note that the children’s feast is limited to 12 children, aged five to 12. [Children who are not signed up for the special children’s feast table can be signed up for the regular feast, sitting with their parents and eating the normal feast with them.]

Q: You’re also offering pre-seating registration for dinner. Please explain how that will work?

A: Alicia: As an autocrat, one of my biggest headaches has been the feast seating chart. I’ve had guests come to me in tears because they couldn’t sit with their friends at feast because someone forgot to sign them up on the seating chart and all the seats at the table were filled.

Most feast-goers don’t understand what goes into table portioning in the kitchen. Tables often end up not being filled or being over-filled, which means folks are either served too much or too little food.

In addition, people might mistakenly be signed up a two different tables. People who pay to eat on-board sometimes don’t sign up on the feast chart, making it difficult to determine how many on-board spots are available for waiting-list folks to fill.  Sometimes, people sign up, but their names are illegible, making it hard to tell if everyone who’s on-board actually has a seat. Large groups might wait so long to sign up that there aren’t enough spaces at any one table for them to sit together …. The list of problems goes on and on.

I wanted to find a way to avoid some of these issues. Pre-seating is one part of the overall plan. This fall, in a post to the Æthelmearc listserve, Her Grace Dorinda mentioned that Stormsport wanted to try pre-seating at its event. Afterward the event, I wrote to her and asked how it went. Based on her comments, I decided it was worth trying at Twelfth Night.

Here’s how pre-seating will work at Twelfth Night (I hope!):

When they send their reservation, guests should include names of and payment for everyone in the group (up to 12). Prior to the event, the reservations clerk will print the pre-seated names on the seating chart. When pre-registered guests troll in, they will be given a sticker to place on the chart. (This will help event staff identify which seats are “unclaimed” prior to serving the first course.) Guests must place their sticker on the chart prior to the start of the first course in order to keep their seat.
By pre-seating folks, we can hopefully avoid the problems I mentioned. It should save our guests time because they won’t have to search for a table that can accommodate them and their friends. I’m hoping folks will take advantage of this opportunity.

Feast_table

Illumination from Les Tres Riche Heures – the Duc de Berry at feast, courtesy of http://www.Godecookery.com

 

Q: Has your group tried any of these meal ideas before at your events and, if so, how did they work out?

A: Bronwyn: We did the children’s feast before. It was very well received by the children as well as their parents.

Alicia: At Timothy and Gabrielle’s Coronation feast, we had a server — wearing a spiffy shire tabard — assigned to each table. Having assigned servers worked out really well, and I thought was much more classy than the typical all-call for someone from each table. At a pre-arranged signal, the servers came back to the serving table, received instructions about what to say when they served the dishes, and then took the dishes to their assigned table. At that point, the servers were free to sit with their friends and enjoy the meal. (They were responsible for periodically checking with their assigned table to refill beverage pitchers and returning emptied dishes to the kitchen for washing.)

Q: For cooks in other groups who may want to try out these ideas, what kind of scheduling or planning concerns have you had to address to accomplish these?

A: Bronwyn: So far we have had to work the schedule to give enough time to eat as well as have the other activities throughout the day. We also need more servers than usual, since the feast will take place in two rooms and have two shifts of servers at lunch. Plus, we also need to provide washing stations twice for the three meals. In addition, there will be two sign-up boards for seating, as well as two different site tokens.

Alicia: Logistically, a LOT of planning went into this event! Starting with the projected attendance (between 200 to 250), I needed to make sure there would be enough seats for everyone to be served at the same time. I used a scale drawing to experiment with various layouts to find what would work best. (It is much easier to move rectangles in a computer screen than to lug tables about!)

As for the head cook’s job at this event, serving three separate courses — with a different cook heading up each course — has added additional levels of complexity. To manage this, Dame Bronwyn is tasked with the job of ensuring continuity among the three cooks and their courses. Unlike head cooks for most feasts, she will not plan a menu, shop for ingredients, or prepare dishes. What she will do is manage the kitchen, to make sure it runs efficiently and that the cooks have what they need.

Q: One potential issue I foresee is that, for a normal sideboard, the lunch cook only needs one or two table’s worth of serving equipment. However, since you’re serving eight portions to each table, you’ll need enough serving equipment for each table, just as you will hours later for dinner.

A: Bronwyn: Correct, plus the first meal serves the largest amount of diners. So, we will be washing dishes, pots, etc. three times. That means we’ll need more serving-ware than we normally would for a first course. But we will have a longer time to accomplish the washing-up. And the second and third courses will be served to a limited number of guests, so there will be fewer dishes to wash after these courses. Also, the recipes we chose are not too elaborate in prep or execution, so that will keep the kitchen moving. Finally, we will bus the great hall tables between courses to keep them tidy.

Q: You’re planning to serve the feast in two rooms at the same time? What inspired that decision and how do you envision that will work out?

A: Bronwyn: The front room will be the Æthelmearc Winter Market. We are designing the room to look like an outdoor medieval winter market complete with merchants, a tavern, and a dining area (think: beer garden). We hope the choice of decor will give that feeling.

Traveling through the market, you will see the entrance to the great hall. This is where the diners partaking of the three meals will be. Royalty will be here as well as the children’s feast. We hope the decor in this room will provide the ambiance of a great hall adorned for the winter holiday.

Alicia: We are fortunate to have a site with two large banquet rooms. Based on my layout experiments, I determined that, to accommodate everyone comfortably, we needed to seat people in both rooms.

From this came the idea for the “Great Hall” and the “Marketplace.” Those diners who pay the additional fee for the second and third Courses will be served in the “Great Hall” and will receive a hand-cast pewter feast token. Those who pay only the site fee will be served in the “Marketplace”; their site token will be more rustic.

Seating in two different rooms is not common in the SCA and will involve extra planning as well as lots of pre-event publicity so folks aren’t so baffled when they arrive.

When they troll in, guests will be given a color-coded sticker with their name on it to place on the seating chart. The stickers for those eating only the first course will be a different color from those who pay to enjoy the second and third courses. They will then place their stickers on the seating chart that is color-coded to match their sticker.

To emphasize the differences between the two rooms, the decoration and layout will be very different. The Great Hall will be more open and formal, with High Table and the Great Throne at one end. The Marketplace will be bustling with activity throughout the day, with merchants lining two sides of the room and a Tasters’ Tavern, with potables supplied by the Æthelmearc Brewers’ Guild, at one end. We hope musicians, jugglers, and bards will add to the lively atmosphere in this room. In the center of it all will be the tables for our guests. A masked ball with live music will round out the day’s festivities.

In addition to the activities going on in the marketplace, court and bardic activities will be take place in the auditorium on the second floor. A vigil, children’s activities, and dancing instruction for the masked ball will be held in the basement. Trying to schedule all of these activities plus three separate sit-down services has been quite a challenge!

All of this is made possible by the hard work of a number of people and a LOT of communication. I am extremely grateful to the event staff, who have worked so hard to make this event happen.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add about the event?

A: Alicia:  We think Kingdom Twelfth Night should be the high point in the feasting year. We want this one to be extra special.

Although ACG is centrally located in the Kingdom (four hours from almost everywhere) and conveniently located at the nexus of two major interstates, many folks think it’s too far to travel to.

Hopefully, with the promise of a delicious feast, the Tasters’ Tavern, merchants, an amazing auditorium for bardic activities, and a masked ball, folks will find something to entice them to come!

I feel very lucky that our cooks (and shire members) are willing to try something new. I just hope it works the way I’ve planned it in my head!

—submitted by Baroness Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina

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Æthelmearc Twelfth Night – January 10, A.S. xlix (2015)

09 Tuesday Dec 2014

Posted by aethgazette in Event Announcements & Updates

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Event Announcements, Event Announcements & Updates, Twelfth Night

cloved fruitFrivolity! Foolishness! and Fun! are the order of the day at Æthelmearc Twelfth Night, hosted by the Shire of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais, on Saturday, January 10, 2015. Be you brewer or bard, dancer or diner, gamester or juggler, we hope you will find much to amuse you!

The day will be jam-packed with plenty to do:

  • Two Courts
  • Vigil of THLord Tigernach mac Cathail, as he contemplates joining the Order of the Pelican
  • Kingdom Bardic Championship
  • Bardic Showcase (for those wishing to perform but not compete)
  • Feasting!  (Savor the full three-course meal or enjoy just the first course.)
  • Tasters’ Tavern**
  • Brewing Competition (judged by actual brewers!) **
  • Brewers’ Roundtable **
  • Dancing Instruction
  • Masked Ball with LIVE MUSIC (instruction sessions will be held during the day)
  • Gaming
  • Kingdom Gifts Display
  • Scroll Blank Challenge
  • Kingdom Historian’s Display
  • Shopping!
  • Much schmoozing!!

Please note that only pre-paid reservations postmarked ON or BEFORE December 15, 2014 will be guaranteed on-board space.  Even if you only want to eat the first course, mailing your reservation by Monday, December 15 allows you to take advantage of the Early Bird reservation discount and SAVE $$$$!

** This site allows alcohol and is BYOB. Please respect the legal drinking age, which in Pennsylvania is 21, and drink responsibly. Anyone found serving alcohol to those under 21 or publicly intoxicated will be asked to leave immediately with no refund.

For details about these activities, the site, or the schedule, please visit http://www.eg.bucknell.edu/~acg/Events/TwelfthNight2015.shtml

To see photos of this GORGEOUS site — including its 600-seat auditorium — go to http://caldwellconsistory.com/facility

Like us on Facebook!  Tell everyone you’re planning to attend!  See who else is coming!  Updates and teasers will be posted here regularly:  https://www.facebook.com/events/663432110413436/

peop025 - chess game

Image courtesy of GodeCookery.com

The official event announcement can be found in the Kingdom Newsletter, The Æstel. This unofficial event announcement is being printed as a courtesy to the autocrat, and the Gazette is not liable for any changes to the event or event listing.

 

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