“But how do I know about…”

But How Do I Know About……………

…… is usually one of the first questions a new person asks! There are so many things to learn and discover that it is difficult to figure it all out. If you like to do research by reading, then I have a rabbit hole for you to dive down: http://www.florilegium.org/.

This is an amazingly HUGE collection of articles and discussion threads, organized by topic. It won’t answer your every question, but it will give you some guidelines, some further directions, some things to think about. Check out the Newcomers link on the left, or just go to your topic directly.

Newcomers:
Wondering what to wear? Try “Generic Clothes – Tunic, Skirt, Shirt, and Pants” by Caitlin nic Raighne, or maybe “Easy T-Tunics” by THL George Anne.

Going to an event and want to look like you know what you are doing? Read “Event Etiquette” by Master Donal Mac Ruiseart.

Court? What’s court? Here’s an interesting read from people in other kingdoms. Nothing specifically AEthelmearcian, but it’s pretty close to what we do: “Comments about SCA Courts for newcomers.”

My first event was Agincourt, and I was so new that I didn’t know you had to bring your own table setting if you were going to eat in the evening. Feasts in this area are delicious, filling, generous, and usually have something for everyone. Before going, I certainly wish I had read this: “Orts It All About, Alfred? – (Attending your first year or two of SCA Feasts)” by Lady Caterina della Pieri.

So you have been around for a bit and want to start diving in to your favorite topic. How about…..

Beverages — wine, mead, coffee, beer, ale, cordials, ciders, caudles, possets, sekanjabin, water, tea, chocolate, and by our good friend, “Did you know you can malt acorns? Part 1” by THL Madoc Arundel.

There are thirteen (yes, 13) topics on Food of various kinds, 14 topics if you count Feasts.

Interested in Plants, Herbs, and Spices? There are articles from ambergris to woad.

These articles are written by all sorts of people, and some are new and some are old. But those I have read have stood the test of time and are still valuable today (except the Humor topic. Just don’t. Well, you’ve been warned.).

Enjoy!
Elss Augsburg

A and S — Viking Whipcord — March 29

Thursday March 29th is once again A&S time!

Welcome to THLady Rufina Saavedra who will come to teach Viking whipcord braiding. Yep, we are making string *again*!

You *need* to learn how to make your own dress lacing, pouch ties, neckline closings, package ties, medallion and necklace strings. This is an very easy way to up your garb game to another level.

I don’t care much for Pinterest, but there are some nice photos here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/176484879119330457/

Standard disclaimers here:

Location: Victory Pointe Gaming Lounge (and ice-cream parlor), upstairs in the game room
Address: 1113 Carson Street on the South Side
Time: 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.

Upstairs is not handicap accessible, so if you need assistance or have questions, please call or text me at 724-759-3333.

Park safely — feed the meter to avoid tickets. Try across the street in the bank parking lot.

See you there!  Elss Augsburg

It's the Art-Signal! Quick, to the Science-Mobile!
Arts & Sciences Meeting

Youth Practice April 1st

Reminder there will be no youth combat practice on April 1st. Youth fighting practice will be on April 8th. We will let you know if we are at Washington Blvd or the church. Youth are invited to Bacon, Beer, Bash on April 7th, where there will be youth fighting and a tournament for prizes after morning court. Loaner gear will be on site. Also a chance to eat a lot of bacon 😁

A and S — Fingerloop – March 22

Tomorrow, Thursday March 22nd, is once again A&S time!

Welcome to Lady Cynewyn Æthelweardesdohter who will visit us to teach fingerloop braiding. You *need* to learn how to make your own dress lacings, pouch ties, neckline closings, package ties, medallion and necklace strings. This is an very easy way to up your garb game to another level.

Check out this fabulous site http://fingerloop.org/ — it is an online version of an excellent but out-of-print SCA publication!

NOTE: yes, the weather is bad today. If the weather is bad tomorrow, please be safe. If necessary, we can reschedule.

Standard disclaimers here:

Location: Victory Pointe Gaming Lounge (and ice-cream parlor), upstairs in the game room
Address: 1113 Carson Street on the South Side
Time: 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.

Upstairs is not handicap accessible, so if you need assistance or have questions, please call or text me at 724-759-3333.

Park safely — feed the meter to avoid tickets. Try across the street in the bank parking lot.

It's the Art-Signal! Quick, to the Science-Mobile!
Arts & Sciences Meeting

See you there! Elss Augsburg

How Do I Get There From Here?

In the near future, there are two events that will be held at different locations — this weekend’s Barony Meeting will be at fighter practice (See http://www.debatablelands.org/martial/), and the Enhanced Archery Practice on April 22nd will be held at the Castle.

There is a good chance that if you don’t have a car, these will be difficult to get to. However, many fighters, fencers, archers, and other folks will be coming from all around the area to attend these meetings. So why not catch a ride?

If you are on Facebook, then you can subscribe to the BMDL Ride Board at https://www.facebook.com/groups/138059386320162/ and post there to see if anyone near you will be able to give you a ride. Of course, you can always post to the Unofficial Populace Discussion Page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/DebatableLands/) or send an email to Sca-bmdl@lists.andrew.cmu.edu .

Give it a try, we’d love to see you!

 

A and S — Elizabethan Fairies – March 15

It's the Art-Signal! Quick, to the Science-Mobile!
Arts & Sciences Meeting

Greetings to the Debatable Lands!

Tomorrow, Thursday March 15th, is once again A&S in BMDL!

THL Luceta DiCosimo will tell us about her findings on Elizabethan Fairies. These creatures are not what I expected, will you be surprised too?

Standard reminders here:
Location: Victory Pointe Gaming Lounge (and ice-cream parlor), upstairs in the game room
Address: 1113 Carson Street on the South Side
Time: 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.

Upstairs is not handicap accessible, so if you need assistance or have questions, please call or text me at 724-759-3333.

Park safely — feed the meter to avoid tickets. Try across the street in the bank parking lot.

See you there!
Elss Augsburg

2 days left!

All content and quarterly officers reports are due and in two days, on March 15th, for the quarter 1 edition of The Althing.

Please send all content and reports to chronicler@debatablelands.org or contact me through Facebook.

Spreading the word

Isn’t amazing when you find out how much fun something new is?

Last Friday I attended the demo at the Carnegie Science Center.  They hosted an evening event for adults over 21 to enjoy a medieval-themed evening. I loved the amount of people who were interested and enchanted by our wonderful Barony, Kingdom, and Society.

We had around 100 volunteers present to speak about different aspects of the society. Our Baron and Baroness helped party-goers take pictures that made them look like royalty. We were able to offer pictures with a prince or princess.  We performed, talked about fighting, archery, fencing, siege weapons, thrown weapons, A&S, and made the Science Center ring with our voices.  People fought and fenced for the entertainment of the people.  I spent the evening behind a table of archery and thrown weapons equipment.

People walked by and immediatly wanted to know more about what we did.  They wanted to handle our axes, crossbows, and more. They asked questions about everything from what we did to historical information and many wanted to know how to find more information and how to join in our fun. Several people were sad that we couldn’t throw axes right there, inside the Science Center.

Telling people about our hobby is always the most fun thing for me.  Between the myriad questions and excitement about something that I love, it always makes it a fun time that will never get old. Considering that this demo had over a thousand people that were some of the most interested people I’ve ever takled to it made it some of the most fun I’ve ever had in the SCA.

– Tigerna Alister Sionnach MacLeod

SCA Garb Basics

For March 8th’s A+S Meeting, let’s talk about garb

It's the Art-Signal! Quick, to the Science-Mobile!
Arts & Sciences Meeting

One of the things that sets the SCA apart from other organizations is that participants are required to make a reasonable attempt at dressing like medieval nobility when they attend our events. This is meant to encourage participation in the experience, but it can seem daunting when you are first getting started in the SCA.

Let’s have a garb basics round-table this Thursday where we can talk about our experiences getting started with SCA garb, show some examples of basic garb in different styles, and share some tips on how to overcome the basic fear of applying scissors to fabric.

Whether you’re a newcomer who needs to ask a pile of questions, an experienced SCAdian thinking of trying something new, or a garb expert with detailed help to offer, please meet with others in the Baronial Arts and Sciences community tomorrow night in Pittsburgh’s Southside.

We will be at Victory Pointe Gaming Lounge (and ice-cream parlor), upstairs in the game room, at 1113 Carson Street on the South Side, March 8th starting at 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.

Upstairs is not handicap accessible, so if you need assistance or have questions, please call me at 412-596-2204.

Be sure to park safely — feed the meter if needed. They ticket like crazy on the South Side. I think the best place is across the street in the bank parking lot.

Yours in service,
Ishiyama Gen’tarou Yori’ie
(Arts and Sciences Deputy)

Court report for Tavern in the Park

Here begins the court report for Tavern in the Park, on February 10, AS 52.

His Excellency Brandubh, after trying out his best “Hel-loooooooooooo, Debatable Lands!”,  thanked everyone for attending this little event, and explained that Her Excellency Hilderun was out of town and sends her greetings and well wishes for all to have a wonderful time.

His Excellency invited THL Elss Ausberg to give thanks and recognition for those who helped organize the event’s activities, noting that every person was trying a new thing for the first time.

His Excellency then wished to acknowledge those scribes who entered the day’s A&S competition, creating a scroll blank inspired by the personae of Their Excellencies. Entrants included: Lady Nichola Beese, Katrina Beese, Lady Aibell ingen Chernachain, THL Lucetta di Cosimo, and Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope. The following winners were announced:

Katrina, Youth division; THL Lucetta, Novice division; Mistress Arianna, advanced division.

Baron Brandubh offered additional thanks and encouraged everyone to continue to enjoy their evening.

There being no further business, the Court of Their Excellencies was closed.

Submitted by Kieran MacRae, Comet Pursuivant.