February Business Meeting – THIS WEDNESDAY

The next Business Meeting for the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands will be on Wednesday, 7 February 2018 from 8:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church (416 W North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 – map).

The Officers of the Debatable Lands are elected by the membership and is made up of members of the populace, just like you. The Officers are responsible for ensuring that the policies of the Kingdom and Barony are followed and are accountable to the populace of the Debatable Lands. The Business meeting is open to everyone in the Barony and attendance by the populace is encouraged.

Have a thought you’d like to share with the Officers? Email seneschal@debatablelands.org.

Youth Combat Practice

Hi everyone!

We have had a couple of great practices this winter. This past Sunday, we had friends from Wheeling join us. As of right now Feb 4th and Feb 11th, we will be having practice at the Chinese Church at 2pm. I would love to get as many youth as possible to the Feb 4th practice. I would like to have a meeting with them.

Also as many of you know, I have a grandson due anytime now. This will not affect fighting practice. Mistress Arianna will hold the practice if I should be at the hospital with my daughter.

Hope to see everyone on Sunday!

Jasmine

Tavern in the Park – Help Wanted!

Oye! Oye!

The Tavern in the Park seeks part time help! We need a few strong gentles that can help us move and set up chairs and tables. The time for this would be approximately 8:45 am to 10 am.

We are also seeking Trolls to collect the fee as people enter the Tavern. We have well trained trolls to teach new trolls the ways of collecting said fees. We only like to keep trolls working for about an hour throughout the day.

There will be good food – good friends – good times to enjoy for all. Kindly contact Lady Zianna at ladyzianna(at)gmail(dot)com or via Facebook if you would like to volunteer. The Tavern Staff is looking forward to a great day in the park!

Zianna

Event Info:
http://debatablelands.org/events/2018-02-10%20Tavern%20in%20the%20Park.php

Tavern in the Park — A and S for All

 What better way to pass the last of Winter’s Chill than sharing arts in a Tavern?

There will be two competitions and a few different display options: First competition will be Scroll Blanks with Illumination from based on the personas of their Excellencies. Her Excellency’s name is turn of the millennium German but she mostly dresses late 14th c. England (she likes to think from around Ipswich). His Excellency is 14thC Irish, dwelling in England. Basic documentation is requested, max one (1) page. This will be judged in 4 levels: youth (under 18), novice (less than 1 year), intermediate (1-3 years), advanced (3+ years).

The second competition will be about Tavern items. What nonperishable items can you find in a Tavern? Cups, plates, silverware, games, tables, benches, chairs, signs, etc. Documentation is required, min one (1) page. This will be judged Youth and Adult.

Mistress Odriana is sponsoring a Table of Fail. Everyone makes mistakes. What are yours? Bring your projects that took a wrong turn or didn’t quite work out. Show them off and get some help! I myself will be displaying an item or two.

Another display option is in the Artist’s Forum. Display a few pieces of work and from 1-2pm, stay with your work and talk about your work with whoever wants to know. Many times, people want to know about what you do but don’t know who to ask. Help spread your knowledge and love of arts and science to the curious.

The last display option is for pre-Ice Dragon Pentathlon items. You slaved over the winter to ready your slew of items. Trapped by mighty winds and mounds of snow, you may not have talked about or shown your items to anyone. Here is your opportunity for feedback on your work(s) in progress or  completed works. Either leave a notebook for people to write in or stay by your work or both!

You can reach Eilionora inghean an Bhaird at daughterofthebard AT gmail DOT com with any questions about the competitions or displays.

 

Event Info:
http://debatablelands.org/events/2018-02-10%20Tavern%20in%20the%20Park.php

A Love Letter from the Baroness

My Dear Friends,

It has been a difficult week or two for so many whose eyes rest upon these words. Our Barony is affected by difficult situations both from afar and near within the SCA. We are feeling the pain of loss, of division, even of disillusionment. So many of us feel lost… our hearts and our spirits ache with it.

My dear friends and chosen family, remember who we are….

We are the newcomer with eyes bright and interested at their first tourney, or choosing the language and script for our first scroll.

We are brothers- and sisters- in arms, fighting side by side in joy and companionship.

We are the camp that comes together to find shovels and ropes, drenched by a downpour, so that our neighbors’ Pennsic homes are saved.

We are the group that makes hot soup and tea for those bedraggled camp saviors.

We are the family that comes together to support a virtual stranger with food and hugs and tears in the time of the greatest grief.

We are the grizzled old-timer, telling stories around the fire, and lending wise words to open minds.

We are the gentle striving toward the Peerage, taking an inner journey to mold their spirit in courtesy and compassion.

We are the smiling, laughing dancers and singers, with music filling our hearts.

We are the Royal that spends countless at home hours facilitating appreciation and looking for ways to enhance Their peoples’ delight.

We are the artisan that falls into the rabbit hole of researching their passion, a journey of all shapes and times.

We are the circle of friends by the fire, in homes, in meeting halls, planning shenanigans and fun of all kinds.

We are the bards, the scribes, the fighters, the parents, the children, the craftspersons and artisans, the martial specialists, the officers, the teachers, the students, the family and friends that love and respect each other.

We are a community. We are the SCA. We are AEthelmearc. We are the Debatable Lands.

Remember who we are. Hold out your hands in friendship to those you don’t know, and those you do.

In reason and compassion, respect and forgiveness, joy and passion… remember who we are.

Support each other, nurture each other, enjoy each other.

I love you.

In Levitate et Caritate,
(Which means “with levity and affection”)
~Your Baroness Hilda

February Business Meeting – Wed., 7 February 2018

The next Business Meeting for the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands will be on Wednesday, 7 February 2018 from 8:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church (416 W North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 – map).

The Officers of the Debatable Lands are elected by the membership and is made up of members of the populace, just like you. The Officers are responsible for ensuring that the policies of the Kingdom and Barony are followed and are accountable to the populace of the Debatable Lands. The Business meeting is open to everyone in the Barony and attendance by the populace is encouraged.

Have a thought you’d like to share with the Officers? Email seneschal@debatablelands.org.

Court Report for BMDL Twelfthnight

Greetings from your Comet Pursuivant!

Here beings the court report of Brandubh and Hilderun, Baron and Baroness of the Debatable Lands, at BMDL Twelfthnight, January 13, AS 52.
Their Excellencies bid everybody welcome to another Twelfthnight, and appreciated the populace’s attendance for the unusual afternoon court.
The Royal Livery Company was invited to come before Their Excellencies to be recognized for their skills and achievements in “Death From Above!” at War Practice and Pennsic. For this the Company was awarded an Iron Comet. Scroll by Lady Alysoun of the Debatable Lands, with words by His Excellency Brandubh.
Their Excellencies called forth Master Emrys Eustace called Broom and praised his organizational service to the Baronial encampment at Pennsic, and awarded him a Gold Comet. Scroll illumination by Lady Rivka bat Daniyel, calligraphy by Lady Ceindrech verch Elidir.
Their Excellencies called Traygor Greypanther to approach them, but he was not in attendance.
Their Excellencies then called Jasmine of Clan Tarn to approach them, and presented her with a Gold Comet for her service as new youth marshal and her efforts to the youth fighting community. Scroll by Nicola Beese.
Their Excellencies called Raven Whitehart before them to thank her for her service to the BMDL by teaching classes, creating beautiful scrolls, and general helpfulness. They awarded her a Comettus Amicus in recognition, and made her a friend of the Barony. Scroll by Mistress Antoinette de la Croix.
Maighster Uilliam mac an t’Saoir was instructed to approach Their Excellencies, who recalled his feats of prowess on the fields of battle, both as army commander and in the single lysts. He was thusly awarded an Iron Comet, with scroll by Lady  Ceindrech verch Elidir.
Their Excellencies invited Sumayya al Ghaziyah to approach them, and recounted all that she has done for the Barony: Chronicler, A&S coordinator for the St. Crispins A&S competition, coordinator for kingdom largess, and leatherworker’s guild mistress. For all this, she was awarded a Gold Comet. Scroll forthcoming by Lady Rivka bat Daniyel.
Sile inghean Chein was next called before Their Excellencies, and they proclaimed how impressed they were to see her have tried nearly all martial forms in the Barony, including heavy weapons, combat archery, equestrian, traditional archery, and thrown weapons. They presented her with an Iron Comet for such deeds. Scroll wording and illumination by Master Alaric MacConnal, calligraphy by THL Rachel Daliceaux.
Their Excellencies then desired to see Gesa von Wellenstein before them. They pointed out the previous equestrian activities in the BMDL- none. For starting the equestrian activities in our Barony she was awarded a Gold Comet. Scroll illuminated by Meesteres Odriana vander Brugghe and calligraphy by Maighster Kieran MacRae.
His Excellency proclaimed that his cup was empty, and called THL Madoc Arundel to be brought from the bar downstairs to address this issue.
Rachel Daliceaux was then called before Their Excellencies, much to her confusion, and proclaimed the challenges of planning to recognize their Baronial Signet when she was still in the room for court prep! But for Rachel’s beautiful voice and scribal skills, she was awarded a Silver Comet. Scroll words and illumination by Master Alaric MacConnal, calligraphy by Lady Ceindrich verch Elidir.
Once Madoc Arundel surfaced to the gathered populace, Their Excellencies called him forward, not just to fill their glasses, but to praise him for his dedication in bringing such fine ales and spirits (and means of serving them!) year after year to the Barony’s Twelfthnight celebration, and awarded him a Comettus Amicus, making him a friend of the Barony for such deeds. Scroll illuminated by Meesteres Odriana vander Brugghe, calligraphy by Maighster Kieran MacRae.
Their Excellencies called all scribes and wordsmiths who contributed to the scrolls that went out this day to attend them, that they may receive tokens of appreciation.
Just before the Court of Their Excellencies was to be suspended, members of I Genesii approached and went on about some kind of ‘magic trick’, about some kind of ‘disappearing’, which sounded most suspicious. A sheet was raised in front of Their Excellencies, incantations were uttered, and somehow Their Excellencies Uilliam and Constance were sitting on the thrones, replacing Brandubh and Hilderun!! Apparently this was not according to plans, and the sheet was once again raised, more babbling happened, and when the sheet lowered, there were… was I hallucinating??… Lord Robert MacEwan of Thornhill and Lady Alethea Cowle??… In the seats of Their Excellencies?… as Lord and Lady of Misrule?!? Feeling faint, I quickly suspended this Court of Their Excellencies before I lost control of any more of my senses.
In the evening Their Majesties Gareth and Juliana gave leave to re-open the Court of Their Excellencies.
Their Excellencies called forth current Bardic Champion, THL Silence de Cherbourg, regarding the afternoon’s Baronial Bardic Competition. Silence called forth the two finalists, THL Pavel Dudoladov and Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope, and announced Arianna the winner and new Bardic champion, with Pavel to serve as second at the next Seven Pearls event. Award scroll began by an unknown scribe, illumination finished by Mistress Arianna, and calligraphy by THL Rachel Daliceaux.
Their Excellencies then called forth their current A&S Champion, Lady Bugga Bilibit, to report on the day’s Baronial A&S competition. The entries were wondrous all around this year, and the two finalists called forward were Mistress Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen and THL Lucetta di Cosima, and announced Fredeberg the winner, and Lucetta to serve as second at the next Seven Pearls event. Scroll by Lady Alysoun of the Debatable Lands.
There being no further business, the Court of Their Excellencies was closed.
Report submitted by Kieran MacRae, Comet Pursuivant.

Tavern in the Park — Merchant Alert!

Image result for medieval merchant

If you are interested in selling SCA-related wares at the Tavern in the Park (North Park, Feb 10, daytime), please email me at emily4knee (at) gmail (dot) com. I am organizing the merchant room for the day!

Event Info:
Web: http://debatablelands.org/events/2018-02-10%20Tavern%20in%20the%20Park.php

FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/1420669634708077/

Posted for Emily Forney, merchant co-ordinator

New Equestrian Practices

Greetings Debatable Lands!
I am excited to announce that Gesa has the dates for equestrian practices finalized! The practices will Start on Friday April 6,2018 and end on November 23,2018. There will be mounted games practice every Friday. Then on the 2nd Wednesday of every month we will be practicing riding before the prince which is Medieval dressage.
The practice dates are as follows for each month,
April 6th, 11th, 13th, 20th, and 27th
May 4th, 9th, 11th, 18th, and 25th
June 1st, 8th, 13th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th
July 6th, 11th, 13, and 20th
August 17th, 24th, and 31st
September 7th, 12th, 14th, 21st, and 28th
October 5th, 10th, 12th, 19th, and 26th
November 2nd, 9th, 14, 16th, and 23rd
As Before practice will be held 10522 Old Babcock  Blvd,Gibsonia pa. And please make sure you are following the BMDL announcement page as we will be putting out announcements for any upcoming equestrian events as well as reminders for practice. We look forward to seeing everyone at practice. Any questions feel free to email us at equestiran@debatablelands.org
YIS
Sile Inghean Chein