Let’s Make Target Stands

Once more the passage of time (time flies like an arrow, they say) has wrought its depredations on our Barony’s archery target stands. Two years ago, the Debatable Lands A&S community and the Woodworking Guild banded together to make new target stands, and we are planning to do so once again this Sunday, July 18th!

Two of the new stands, at practice.
Two open archery target stands, with archery practice in the background.

Come learn or practice some basic woodworking skills while providing service to the Barony and its Archers! Join us at the Washington Boulevard site from 11am to 2pm, the same time as Archery Practice. Please wear close-toed shoes, and bring your protective gear like gloves, eye protection, and mask.

Captain of Archers Ronan is providing materials, Master Alaric is providing a good set of instructions, and I’ll be bringing tools. Feel free to bring your own tools if you have them.

See you Sunday!

Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to try to ensure the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events. By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge and accept the potential risks. You agree to take any additional steps to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as you believe to be necessary.

Archery is ON again this Sunday

Last week’s archery practice was such a success that we thought we’d do it again this week! This Sunday, April 18th from 11am-3pm, archery practice will take place at the home of Master Kieran and Mistress Odriana! We will be following the same pandemic procedures as last year, so please take note of the rules posted below.

Hope to see you there!

*Note: The loaner gear policy has changed! Loaner gear can be provided on an individual basis if you contact me ahead of time. If you plan on attending practice and you require loaner gear please send me an email at archerymarshal@debatablelands.org and I will provide a set for you.


The address of the site is 3000 Harts Run Road, Allison Park, PA 15101. To get there from the city, head north on Route 8 and make a right on Harts Run Road, then after 1 mile their house is on the right side. The driveway for the site is a small bridge. Look for the SCA sign!

Parking will be at the empty lot next door with the sign that says “Virgin Flooring” (2984 Harts Run Rd on Google maps). Anyone who needs to may drive directly up to the site to drop off people or equipment before heading to the parking lot.


We want to do this as safely as possible, so the following safety and social-distancing guidelines will be put in place:

  • Masks must be properly worn at all times (covering both nose AND mouth).
  • No sharing equipment. This includes bows, arrows, gloves, armguards, etc.
  • The loaner gear will not be available for general use. Contact the marshal ahead of time to reserve a set if needed.
  • Only the marshals can handle another person’s bow, arrows, or equipment, and only for inspections.
  • Maintain 6 ft. of separation when shooting on the line and when waiting in line to shoot. The ground will be appropriately marked.
  • When retrieving arrows, only one person per target may retrieve their arrows at the same time.
  • Marshals will be monitoring the practice and reminding people to adhere to these guidelines.
  • This is a practice for archers only. Please do not come just to socialize.
  • DO NOT COME TO PRACTICE IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL OR ARE ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ILLNESS.
  • These rules will be reviewed with everyone prior to the beginning of practice. In addition to these guidelines, I will do my best to ensure there is hand sanitizer, hand wipes, etc. available for staying clean. Being considerate of the health and safety of our populace is greatly appreciated!
  • If anyone has additional questions or concerns regarding the practice please reach out to me at archerymarshal@debatablelands.org.

Stay safe out there!

Yours in service,
Rónán Ó Conaill
BMDL Captain of Archers

Archers prepare yourselves! Next week is the start of Archery Season!

The snow has melted, the weather has warmed, and that means it’s archery season once again for BMDL! Next Sunday, April 11th from 11am-3pm, archery practice will resume at the home of Master Kieran and Mistress Odriana! We will be following the same pandemic procedures as last year, so please take note of the rules posted below.

Hope to see you there next week!

*Note: In order to keep attendance manageable, we are asking that only the archers attend this practice. If you aren’t there to shoot then please do not attend. In addition, loaner gear will not be provided.


The address of the site is 3000 Harts Run Road, Allison Park, PA 15101. To get there from the city, head north on Route 8 and make a right on Harts Run Road, then after 1 mile their house is on the right side. The driveway for the site is a small bridge. Look for the SCA sign!

Parking will be at the empty lot next door (2984 Harts Run Rd on Google maps). Anyone who needs to may drive directly up to the site to drop off people or equipment before heading to the parking lot.


We want to do this as safely as possible, so the following safety and social-distancing guidelines will be put in place:

  • Masks must be properly worn at all times (covering both nose AND mouth).
  • No sharing equipment. This includes bows, arrows, gloves, armguards, etc.
  • The loaner gear will NOT be available.
  • Only the marshals can handle another person’s bow, arrows, or equipment, and only for inspections.
  • Maintain 6 ft. of separation when shooting on the line and when waiting in line to shoot. The ground will be appropriately marked.
  • When retrieving arrows, only one person per target may retrieve their arrows at the same time.
  • Marshals will be monitoring the practice and reminding people to adhere to these guidelines.
  • This is a practice for archers only. Please do not come just to socialize.
  • DO NOT COME TO PRACTICE IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL OR ARE ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ILLNESS.
  • These rules will be reviewed with everyone prior to the beginning of practice. In addition to these guidelines, I will do my best to ensure there is hand sanitizer, hand wipes, a hand washing station, etc. available for staying clean. Being considerate of the health and safety of our populace is greatly appreciated!

If anyone has additional questions or concerns regarding the practice please reach out to me at archerymarshal@debatablelands.org.

Stay safe out there!

Yours in service,
Rónán Ó Conaill
BMDL Captain of Archers

Spring Archery Muster

On April 22nd, an enhanced martial practice will be held at Earl Thomas Byron of Haverford’s castle, the address of which is listed in the Dark Pages.

The primary focus of the day is archery, with a range set up in front of the garage all day and also a shoot from the castle turrets from about 1:00 pm onward. THL Deryk Archer has worked hard to create a set of target challenges for us. The Thrown Weapons and Youth Fighting communities will join us. There will be a space dedicated to A&S, and a few classes will be held.

This practice will be held on Sunday, April 22nd in place of the regularly scheduled practice.

Posted on behalf of Mestari Urho Waltterinen
crossbow1953 (at) Verizon (dot) net
Per valde mustache adveho valde officium

https://www.facebook.com/events/216367475589410/

Seeking Archers to Represent the Debatable Lands at the Scarlet Guard Inn!

Hello Debatable Lands!

As many of our archers know the Scarlet Guard Inn is scheduled for June 9-11 and will feature the best archery experience in Aethelmearc. Prominently featured will be the Scarlet Guard Challenge where one archer from each group in the kingdom is invited to vie against all other group’s representatives in this kingdom wide challenge. How is that 1 representative chosen, you might ask?

Lord Ronan, who was the representative for the Barony at last year’s Scarlet Guard Inn, will host a challenge tournament on Sunday June 4 at Archery Practice, and invite the winner to compete in this intra-kingdom competition. So wax your strings and straighten your arrows, this will be fun and challenging!

Cheers,
Brandubh et Hilderun

Sunday Practices, June 5th

Knight Marshal Isenwulf writes:

Come on out this Sunday for Baronial heavy fight practice. Hone your skills, learn new skills, and be ready for Pennsic! We start at 2:00pm at the Washington Boulevard site.

Fencing Marshal Jorundr writes:

There will be fencing practice this Sunday at Washington Blvd. starting at 1:00pm.

Dance Master Pavel writes:

There will be dance practice at the Washington Blvd practice site tomorrow. Come join in and have some fun.

Practice will start immediately after archery practice, around 2:00pm.

All dances will be taught and called. No experience necessary, if you can walk you can dance.

Captain of Archers Katheryn Täntzel writes:

Looks like the weather is going to clear up for Archery practice. Thunderstorms look to clear up just in time for 11am practice. Weather permitting archery practice is on for this morning. Hope to see you all there. Highland park 11am-2pm.

Sunday Practices, May 28th

ARCHERY
Captain of Archers Katheryn Täntzel writes:

Sunday! Archery practice shall be up and running 11am to 2pm at the usual site at Highland Park. Join us for the usual targets, along with 2 additional targets who dare to tempt our baronial archers. Looking forward to seeing you there!

HEAVY WEAPONS
Knight Marshal Isenwulf writes:

This Sunday… Baronial heavy weapons practice… 2 PM… training, learning, swing some sticks… and melee! Washington Boulevard site. Be there!

FENCING
Fencing Marshal Jorundr writes:

There will be fencing practice this Sunday starting at 1 PM.
Loaner gear will be available.

YOUTH
Deputy Youth Marshal Arianna writes:

Greetings youth fighters and parents!
While Mistress Fredeburg is out of town, I will be running Youth Fighting from 2-5 pm this Sunday at the Washington Blvd. site. Map here: https://goo.gl/maps/K5K28wB4gRU2
There will be loaner gear and freezer pops!

Sunday, May 15th

Captain of Archers Lady Katheryn Täntzel writes:

Weather permitting, it looks like this Sunday Archery practice is a go. All archers welcome, 11am – 2pm. See you Sunday (googlemap)

Takamatsu Yoshitaka writes:

This Sunday at practice BEFORE the barony meeting there will be an archery tournament as well !!! While this tournament is NOT to choose the archery champion of this fine barony it is for an archer to represent this barony in the Second Annual Scarlet Guard Challenge at Hornwood Scarlet Guard Inn!!! This tournament will start around noon and be hosted by me. Ideal participants are those already planning to attend Hornwood. Bring your A Game everyone , I’d really like it if the Debatable Lands could dominate this challenge for a few years like has been done with the 7 pearls.

Knight Marshal Isenwulf writes:

Heavy fight practice will be held, starting around 2:00 (pending the end of the Barony Meeting) this Sunday.

In addition, don’t forget that the tournament to decide the new Baronial Heavy Weapons Champion will also be held. All fighters, belted and unbelted, are eligible to compete. See you there!

Deputy Youth Marshal Arianna writes:

Weather permitting, there will be youth fighter practice this Sunday from 2-5pm at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Allegheny River Blvd. in the East End of Pittsburgh, map here: https://goo.gl/maps/MT1eSkgMDPu.

I will be marshalling while Mistress Fredeburg is unavailable. There will be loaner gear.

If your youth fighter has not yet authorized, NOW is the time to do it! The AEthelmearc Kingdom Youth Championship Tournament is next weekend, May 21st, at AEthelmearc War Practice. We will be pressed for time before the tourney, so the more kids are authorized ahead of War Practice, the better!

The forecast is for rain so keep an eye on this list for updates in case of cancellation.

Dancemaster Pavel Dudoladov writes:

Weather permitting (as in ground not being mud and not raining) there will be dancing. Going forward there will be dance at every Sunday martial practice ( so not during War Practice etc) again weather permitting. I look forward to dancing with you all, no experience needed, all dances will be taught and called.