End of Year Letter

With the end of one year and the beginning of another, it is the traditional time to reflect on the year past and the year to come. I am always pressed to find the words to express just how highly I think of everyone in this Barony. I am honored to serve as your Seneschal and proud of what we as a Barony accomplish every year. The kindness, talent, generosity, enthusiasm, knowledge, and volunteerism shown by all of you is inspiring.
From gathering items for gift baskets for the Royalty to sharing your expertise to train new martial participants you are all amazing volunteers. The countless hours that you put towards helping make the Barony, the Kingdom, and the SCA a vibrant organization is truly a gift to each of us. Your efforts are seen and appreciated.

Here are some highlights from the last year:

January
This year started with a lovely, smallish Baronial Twelfth Night, run by THL Elss and Lady Kathryn, where so many people received recognition from our Baron and Baroness, including the The Royal Livery Company (the first time they were recognized). It was also where we got to see Mistress Graidhne elevated to the Order of the Laurel.

February
Lady Zianna generously donated new list ropes for our use in indoor combat. They were immediately used for the Carnegie Science Center Demo where we had over 100 people join us to make this Demo so successful we are invited back and in a leading role. The William Blackfox awards were announced and the BMDL took home six awards. We also had a very successful Tavern in the Park event autocratted by THL Elss and Lady Elsa.

April
Baron Leonard passed away mid-month, which was a significant blow to the Barony as a whole. We had a demo at CCAC South that was very successful. The Comet Persuivant began a project to make Baldrics for everyone participating in a martial activity at Pennsic. The Brewers Guild came out of dormancy and set their first meeting date.

June
We hosted the Known World Heralds and Scribes event, coordinated by Master Alaric and THL The baldrics for martial activities at Pennsic were finished and handed out to as many people as possible, the rest to be distributed at Pennsic. We also had an Iron Comet event, autocratted by Don Jorundr and the Barony got new Champions.

July/August
PENNSIC – As always, the BMDL was everywhere – volunteering, coordinating,

September
The Barony hosted the first ever Known World Commedia gathering. We had the pleasure of hosting so many talented visitors and rumor has it that it’s going to be held again.

October
Agincourt, now in its 12th year, was held during its traditional weekend and was autocratted by Baroness Constance and Meesteres Odriana.

November
We had our traditional Harvest Revel Barony Meeting at the Castle – there was pie, GLORY!!!, singing, pumpkin launching, and fellowship.

December
We had our first joint fencing practice with Broken Plow, which will now be held the first Sunday of the month at the Broken Plow studios in Creighton, PA. We also had end-of-year retrospectives from quite a few people published on Stórfréttir. We also saw the untimely passing of Lady Amanda and Jamie MacMichael, over which most of us are still processing our grief and our hearts are with their families.

The coming year is starting out just as full as last year —
Kingdom Twelfth Night on 5 January.
Baronial Twelfth Night a week later, 12 January, where we will also have our Barony Meeting.
Aethelmearc Grand Tournament on 2 February.

There was a recent call for letters for the Office of Baronial Minister of Arts and Sciences, those letters are due at our February Business Meeting on Wednesday, 6 February. If you are interested in the position or serving as a Deputy to learn more about the realities of the office, please check out the call for letters on Stórfréttir. We welcome new people to put in letters and become part of the Barony’s Leadership.

We also have a call for letters for the Office of the Comet Persuivant. While the current Persuivant is interested in serving another two-year term, if you are interested in the position or would like to serve as a Deputy Herald to get an idea of what that job entails, please read the call for letters on Stórfréttir. Those letters are also due at our February Business Meeting.

We have the most amazing Barony in the Known World and I am perpetually impressed by the breadth and depth of opportunities that we have here, not only in knowledge but also in service and martial skill.

aude aliqid dignum*,

Odriana, Senschal

*dare something worthy

A and S — Sewing Circle – December 30th

Extra A&S Meeting in December!!

Date: SUNDAY December 30th
Time: 1 PM – 3PM more or less
NEW Location:
HackPGH
1936 5th Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(In the garage around the back of the building on Watson St.)

You can also put 1960 Watson Street, Pittsburgh, PA into your GPS.

Home

This A&S day is for all equestrians (or anyone actually) who would like to work on barding or garb. There will be sewing machines available. Please let me know if you are interested in a specific project, such as banners.

HackPGH is a maker space — sort of like the best basement or hobby room ever. We’ll be getting a tour of the facility – you won’t want to miss it.

Standard disclaimers here:
We are accessible to our less mobile friends, and have free parking on the street.

If you need assistance or have questions, please call or text me at 724-759-3333.

Thank you for asking! These meetings are free and we are generously supported by the Barony and the teachers themselves.
Elss

Sad Tidings

My Dear Friends,

We are deeply saddened to inform you that Lady Amanda of Kirkby Lonsdale  (Suzanne Veter) has passed away.

She was second generation SCA, and Principle of the Order of the Tyger’s Cub in the East Kingdom. She grew up in the Rhydderich Hael, traveled extensively, and has lived here in the Debatable Lands for the past 7 or so years. Amanda was a sweet lady, and the loss of her light is felt strongly.

We offer our condolences to her husband, Viscount Ariel, her children, her parents, Sir Raymond of the Straits and Viscountess Angharad of Lions Tower, and her friends.

We will pass along any other information about final arrangements if they become available.

In Caritate,
Baroness Hilda and Baron Brandubh

Althing deadline

Good evening good Barony!

Today is the deadline for the 4th quarter Althing. Please submit all content to Chronicler@debatablelands.org and please send all officers reports in as well.

Tigerna A. Sionnach MacLeod
Chronicler – Debatable Lands

Baronial Bardic Competition at The Debatable Lands 12th Night

Greetings, Debatable Lands! It has been my honor to serve as Baronial Bard for the Debatable Lands for the past year. Their Excellencies will hold their next Bardic Championship competition at Baronial 12th Night, and they want YOU to enter! Bring a song or story to perform for Their Excellencies and you could be the next Baronial Bard of the Debatable Lands!
The competition will begin at 2pm in the Silver Room. In honor of Baron Brandubh turning 40, the theme for this competition, which you may use or not as you like, is Joy and Celebration. However, entries on all themes are welcome.
The winner of the competition will serve as Baronial Bard for one year, receive a lovely baldric and belt favor to wear proudly for their year in office, and will represent the Barony-Marche in the 7 Pearls Bardic competition to be held on Labor Day weekend at the Shoot in the Wildwood event in the Barony of Delftwood (Syracuse, NY).
So prepare your songs, stories, and voices, and show us your bardic might at 12th Night!
In service,
Arianna of Wynthrope Debatable Lands Baronial Bard

Althing deadline

The Althing submissions deadline for the fourth quarter has come and goneand due to lack of content and reports, as well as my own issues in mundane life I am extending the submission date to December 21st.

Pleas send me all officers reports and any other content for the Althing to Chronicler@debatablelands.org, re encourage anyone with anything to share to send it to us!

Yours in service,

Tigerna Alister MacLeod
Chronicler – Debatable Lands