Being the online web log for the Southwestern Pennsylvania branch of the SCA, Inc.
Visit the Barony's Home Page at http://www.debatablelands.org/
Due to cost, almond milk will be replaced with cow’s milk. If you have a dairy allergy and were planning to attend feast, please contact me via email as soon as possible so I may provide you with a non-dairy option. My email address is: jenn(dot)strobel(at)gmail(dot)com.
On this day in A.S. XXXII (1997), the Kingdom of Æthelmearc was born. Happy Æthelmearc Day!
“So it was in the presence of the Crowns of the East, Hanse and Moruadh, and the Crowns of Atlantia, CuÆn III and Bera, Susan of Fox Meadow witnessed as Sir Yngvar the Dismal, 2nd and 14th Viscount of Æthelmearc, prevailed over a field of 41 entrants to win the Crown for his soon-to-be-bride, Caryl Olesdottir, 14th Viscountess of Æthelmearc. Finally, on September 20, A.S. XXXII (1997), Hanse and Moruadh, King and Queen of the East held Their final court in the Principality of Æthelmearc. They released the landed Barons & Baronesses, peers, and officers of Æthelmearc from their oaths of fealty; They awarded Arms to Bethoc of Ravenswood; and created Susan of Fox Meadow as the last Viscountess and last Lady of the Garnet. With this business being taken care of, Hanse and Moruadh then closed the Principality.”
From An Introduction to the History of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, by THL Hfrena Ulfvarrinsdottir.
Tomorrow, Sunday the 17th we are on for Archery Practice. Highland Park Washington Boulevard. 11am – 2pm! Hope to see you there.
My apologies for the lateness of this announcement. Time got away from me.
Due to Coronation and Summer’s End being this weekend and Agincourt being next weekend, the September Barony Meeting will be held on Sunday, 1 October 2017 to avoid conflict with these events. It will start at 1:00 pm at the Washington Blvd practice site. The Baronial Calendar has been modified to reflect this change.
Unto the Barony, greetings from Kameshima, Scribal Guildmaster.
Unfortunately, due to family matters, we are choosing to cancel the September Scriptorium, which was scheduled for next Wednesday, September 20th. We look forward to seeing you in October!
Also, we are very much looking for teachers interested in coming and teaching scribal arts at the Baronial Scriptorium! If you have scribal knowledge that you would like to share, please contact me at scriptorium at debatablelands.org and we can schedule a time for you to come and teach!
In Honor and Service,
Kameshima
Tomorrow September 10th we are on for Archery at Highland Park. 11am – 2pm. Hope to see you there.
No Archery Practice this Sunday. This Sunday we are at the shoot in the Wildwood event up north.
We plan for practice next week. Hope to see you there.
From the Kingdom Signet, Mistress Antoinette:
Good evening Aethelmearc! Just an update on the Ansteorra scroll project. I have been in communication with the King and Signet of Ansteorra today. They do NOT use scroll blanks, they have a different tradition than Aethelmearc- they use a preprint Charter system and therefore have no use for our blank scrolls. However, what would be helpful is this – a fund is being set up with John Neal Bookseller so that anyone can make a donation, via a gift certificate and it will be sent to the Signet in Ansteorra to purchase supplies and materials to repair, recreate scrolls and to replace damaged scribal supplies. I am in the process of making final arrangements with John Neal and will let everyone know when they can go to that site and donate.
Thank you! Our Kingdom’s generosity is overwhelming. The next time you see THL Peggy Máirghréad Wilcox- give her a hug, she got this ball rolling!
As many of you have been following, Hurricane Harvey has devastated the area around Houston, Texas. I am sure that many of you have already donated to help with relief efforts there because that’s the kind of people we are, but, sometimes it’s hard to know what to do in a situation like this to offer assistance. The Washington Post has published a list of organizations and contact information in order to help with mundane needs.
I do have a personal stake in this, Master Kieran, my husband and our Comet Persuivant, grew up in one of the areas effected and still has family and friends there, some of whom have been evacuated and who are waiting to return to their homes to assess the damage. Everyone is okay, but with Harvey poised to hit Houston again later this week, they may be evacuated again if the floodwaters continue to rise. This is not only true for our family, but for many others in the Houston area, some of whom have already been evacuated multiple times to stay ahead of the flooding.
Lady Marion inghean ui Ruanadha, the Disaster Relief Coordinator in Ansteorra, has set up a PayPal that can be donated to and is receiving gift card donations at her home in Keller, TX. Donations can be sent to the PayPal address AnsteorraTwister(at)gmail(dot)com or mailed to
Brandy Merrell
629 Unbridled Lane
Keller, TX 76248
They are not receiving other donations at this time as cash/gift card donations can be applied to whatever the most immediate need is at that time. Once Harvey is over and more is known as far as needs, Lady Marion will be posting more specific information. Please see the article in the Aethelmearc Gazette for additional details from her missive.
Another thing that our friends in Ansteorra are going to need is more SCA-centric things and the Signet’s office has already put in place a means by which to donate scroll blanks to help replace lost scrolls/scroll blanks in Ansteorra. Here is the information how to how to participate:
Our Royal Majesties and Royal Highnesses along with your Signets:
Antoinette and Shirin request that you hear the good words of THL Mairghread Stoibheard inghean ui Choinne who wishes to spearhead a campaign to collect scroll blanks for our Ansteorran cousins in their time of need as their lands have been devastated by that well-known scoundrel Harvey.
“I am asking for a scribe in each region to also serve as a collection point in addition to the Signets as I will only be attending Harvest Raids and Fall Academy as of right now.
These can be newly prepared blanks or existing blanks donated by your Baronage, Shires and/or Dominions and/or their scriptoria.
As you know, purchasing a scroll blank is either cost prohibitive or nearly impossible. Many of our friends have lost their current scrolls to the inclement weather.
If you are willing to serve as a collector for Scroll Blanks of Ansteorra or can suggest a collector for your region, please respond to my email.
I remain yours in service,
THL Mairghread Stoibheard inghean ui Choinne (mundane Margaret Wilcox)”
wilcox.margaret(at)gmail(dot)com
Odriana, Seneschal
Greetings from your Comet Pursuivant!
Here begins the report of the court of Brandubh et Hildarun, Baron and Baroness of the Debatable Lands, at Pennsic 46, occurring on Monday, August 7, AS LII. Kieran MacRae, Comet Pursuivant, reporting.
Their Excellencies called forth Master Eustice called ‘Broom’ in acknowledgement of his service as BMDL camp coordinator, and so that he may recognize the help of others that were making camping with the BMDL a more enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Their Excellencies wished to recognize the seven archers of the BMDL that made it onto the Champions team of 20 to compete for the Archery War Point.
Their Excellencies encouraged all to try their hand at the thrown weapons range to try out for the Thrown Weapons Champions team, occurring Thursday.
All those who participated in the Pennsic Half Marathon were invited to be recognized for their effort and training in taking on this challenging feat.
Their Excellencies called before them Fox, current AEthelmearch youth fighting champion, commended him for his martial prowess, and invited him to represent the BMDL as their Youth Champion, for the Known World Youth Champions tourney.
Their Excellencies called into their presence Master William de Montegilt, but his presence was alas elsewhere.
They then called to see Cheng Tai Ren, but he too, at the time, was unseen.
When Their Excellencies called Elsa Taliard before them, they were most pleased when she presented herself so that she could be recognized for working at events and contributing to gift baskets, though not being a resident of the BMDL. She was therefore presented with a comettus amicus (nee Green Comet). Scroll by Alysoun of the Debatable Lands.
Their Excellencies called both Renata Rouge and Antonio de Luna to their presence. When it was learned that Antonio would not be available, THL Renata agreed to accept both accolades to be given, namely that both Renata and Antonio have been most helpful in helping with Pennsic set-up, general camp maintenance, and willingness to assist with camp tear-down, and therefore each was gladly awarded a comettus amicus. Both scrolls by: Alaric Macconnel, illumination; Rachel Daliceaux, calligraphy.
Zianna Beguy Urdina de Sabaleta was brought before Their Excellencies and praised for her work at troll, cooking marvelous subtlties, and was presented a gold comet for her dedicated service. Scroll by: Dorothea Stark Shultz, illumnation; Rachel Daliceaux, calligraphy.
Their Excellencies requested Dorothea Stark Shultz come from behind their thrones to in front of them, so they could extol her efforts as a retainer and help with court set-up. She was given a gold comet for such service, scroll by: Rivka bat Daniyel, illumination; Ceindrich verch Elidir, calligraphy.
Their Excellencies, feeling that they were on a roll, then called for Alysoun of the Debatable Lands. Twice. She wasn’t there.
Spirits were lifted, though, when Ceindrich verch Elidir came before Their Excellencies to receive a silver comet for her scribal works, her lovely voice as a member of the Debatable Choir, and really cool socks. Scroll by: Calligraphy and illumination by Rachel Daliceaux, words and sung to the tune of Mairi’s Wedding by Baroness Gwendolen the Graceful.
Their Excellencies called forth Lucetta di Cosimo, acknowledged her great service with regards to the fiber guild, I Genisii, and creating unique archery targets, and presented her with a gold comet. Scroll by Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope.
Their Excellencies called Katheryn Tantzel to their presence, and awarded her a silver comet for her beautiful scribal work (especially with burning wood) and her theatrical work with I Genisii. Scroll by Baroness Alex di Campignella.
Their Excellencies then called Kattera Doplerin to be recognized with her work as a retainer, cook, and help with the BMDL Pennsic meal plan, and was thusly awarded a gold comet. Scroll by: Rivka bat Daniyel, illumination; Ceindrich verch Elidir, calligraphy.
Elenora Pexatore was summoned, and gladly she approached, so that Their Excellencies could boast about her good service in opening Victory Point for Pennsic A&S classes, and her assistance with the BMDL Pennsic meal plan. She was awarded a gold comet in recognition, scroll by: Nikola Beese, illumination; Gwendolyn the Graceful, wording; Ceindrich verch Elidir, calligraphy.
Their Excellencies then called Jorundr hinn Rotinn to come from behind their thrones and be met with the recognition of his fencing skills, his duties as a fencing marshal, and prowess as BMDL fencing champion; thus they awarded him an iron comet, scroll by Nikola Beese, her first attempt at an entire scroll.
Their Excellencies then called forth the Order of Copernicus, and noting that the Order only grows by one each year, sought to recognize one who exemplified what the Order represents. Meestress Odriana vander Brugghe was brought before Their Excellencies and praised for her years of service to the BMDL, which have included, but not being limited to, multiple baronial offices held, autocrat, head cook, scribe, and opening her house for numerous purposes to share, teach, and inspire those who wish to learn and grow. Scroll by Kieran MacRae.
Their Excellencies asked all scribes and wordsmiths to come forward to be presented with a token of appreciation in memory of Countess Aidan.
There being no further actionable business, after thoroughly looking across the populace, the Court of Their Excellencies was suspended….
….and minutes later Alysoun of the Debatable Lands returned from her travels, prompting a reopening of the Court of Their Excellencies, which they did gladly, to recognize Alysoun for her beautiful singing voice and directing skills with the Debatable Choir, along with her impressive scribal skills, and so awarded her a silver comet. Scroll by Antoinette de la Croix. Thus re-suspended the Court of Their Excellences…
…until Master William de Montigilt entered the area, and thus re-reopened the Court of Their Excellencies. Master William was praised for his bardic skill and contributions, and was presented with the scroll for his silver comet, which had been read into the official record at BMDL 12th night, AS 51. And there being no further missing citizens of interest, alas, the Court of Their Excellencies was suspended, again….
….and upon the return of Cheng Tai Ren, our faithful Comet Pursuivant set down his plate of yummy food and, with a joyous sense of duty, re-re-(counts on fingers to check)-RE-opened the Court of Their Excellencies, made sure that Cheng didn’t get away, and called him before Their Excellencies, which to be honest, he already was. Their Excellencies praised him for his prowess with heavy weapons, in the lists and on the melee field. For such deeds he was presented with an iron comet, which was read into the record at War Practice, AS LII. The scroll is a work in progress: illumination by Rivka bat Daniyel, English poem by Gwendolyn the Graceful, translated to Chinese by Shaloma Smith.
Conferring with Their Excellencies, just to make sure, the Court of Their Excellenceis of the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands for Pennsic 46 was….
Their Excellencies heartily encouraged all to attend the concert of the Debatable Choir, to occur at 7pm that evening in the A&S Performance Pavillion.
….officially closed.
Submitted by Kieran MacRae, Comet Pursuivant