Category: Officers

Tavern in the Park – Vivant!

Cheers to all of you who worked to bring this Tavern event to life. The tavern was so much fun because of these people:

ZIANNA BEGUY URDINA DE ZABALETA who trolled everyone in with help from Cassandra Matis, Nichola Beese, Joe Feil, Chrissy Feil, and Casey Redmane;

BARON BRANDUBH Ó DONNGHAILE whose presence was much appreciated and his herald, KIERAN MACRAE, who kazoo-ed open the court; BARONESS HILDERUN HUGELMANN, we missed you!

ELSBETH ANNE ROTH who staffed a busy heraldic consult table;

AIBELL INGEN CHERNACHAIN who provided amusement with family activities;

BUGGA BILIBIT who led a Pilgrimage singing practice and GWENDOLYN THE GRACEFUL who knows and sings all the songs at the Bardic Circle (even the one about the Haggis!);

An extra Vivant for these first-time event staffers:

ELSA TALIARD my co-autocrat, who backed me up and also made sure the lodge was clean at the end of the day with help from Raven Whitehart, Eilionora inghean an Bhairdis, Ihala Auvinen, Ceindrech verch Elidir, Amanda Bowen, and Gwendolyn the Graceful;

EILIONORA INGHEAN AN BHAIRD developed challenging A&S competitions and offered display spaces for our arists;

IHALA AUVINEN who created a hearth-side bardic semi-circle and arranged for singers to lead us in our favorite songs;

RONAN O’CONALL organized the adult beverages so many of us enjoyed – mmmmm, mead;

EMILY FORNEY who brought in two merchants of wonderful goods, and who not only has never helped at an event before, but also has never attended an event before – really?

KATTERA DOPLERIN while not new to cooking, was head cook for the first time, and made terrific food that deftly avoided everyone’s food issues.

To all of you, I say again, many, many thanks!

If I did not list someone by name or deed, please know that the fault is mine, but that everyone’s assistance is most gratefully appreciated. Please let me know who has been omitted so that I may render thanks where it is due.

Yours in Service to the Barony,
Elss of Augsburg

A and S — Making a Viking Necklace – Feb 15

Greetings to the Debatable Lands!

Thursday is now once again for A&S in BMDL, and we are starting up with Viking Bead Stringing! If you are wearing an apron-dress, you need a Viking necklace. Bring your beads and I will help you string your bling!

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, starting at 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.

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

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.

See you there!
Elss Augsburg

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

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

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.

12 Things to Do at 12th Night

Celebrate Twelfth Night with us in the Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands! All are Welcome on this day to enjoy music and song and dancing, good food, and good friends!

What is a Debatable Lands Twelfth Night like? Here are the top 11 things to do!

1. Bring some food to share. Our event is free, even the food! It’s a potluck. All kinds of food are welcome! (Mmmm, cheese balls)

2. Bring and/or taste some cookies! A perennial favorite, Master Urho runs our favorite cookie competition of the year. Bring some to enter, or just munch on the entries and vote for a populace choice winner!

3. Bring your A&S project to display! The event features the Debatable Lands’ Arts & Sciences Championship and Display. There are no limitations, bring your projects, old or new, finished or in progress, to display. You can even request feedback from our top artisans. And if you’re from the Debatable Lands, enter the competition!

4. Bring some beverages. Wet site. Nuff said.

5. Snowball fight! Jasmine of Clan Tarn has her elves working overtime making stuffed “snowballs” for an epic tourney for young and old alike!

6. Get ready to laugh. The Best Commedia dell’Arte troupe in the Knowne World – I Genesii – will be *cough* performing *cough* …multiple times. Don’t miss the most beloved court of Misrule.

7. Bards welcome – the Debatable Lands Bardic Championship is also taking place. Only Debatable Landers are eligible for the Championship, but all are welcome to perform. The theme is the Old and the New.

8. Speaking of performances, the Barony’s own Debatable Choir will perform at 5pm. Let their dulcet tones wash over your ears and hearts.

9. Stuff and cash, cash and stuff… our Twelfth Night Auction of Forgotten Treasures ™ will delight you with the garb, gear, stuff and do-dads available at this silent auction. Have stuff you don’t need? Bring it to donate! But wait, there’s more! We also have a few fine merchants.. peruse their artwork, chainmail, and more!

10. Courts and vigils and courts, oh my! The event features Mistress Graidhne’s vigil and induction into the Order of the Laurel, as well as many other awards, Kingdom and Baronial.

11. Stay for the dancing! After evening Court, our event always has one of the best dances of the season in the entire Kingdom. Don’t worry, we’ll teach you!

12. Bring a donation for Paladin’s Pantry! The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank needs food items, blankets, and more. Read more here!

See you there!

New Stórfréttir Features!

Unto the Barony, greetings from Kameshima, Webminister!

I hope you are all finding Stórfréttir, the new incarnation of the Baronial Blog, helpful and informative. As we continue to move forward to make Stórfréttir the focal point for information dissemination throughout the Barony, I am thrilled to announce some new additions to the Baronial web site and the Stórfréttir interface that should make Stórfréttir even easier to use and access.

  1. Direct Subscription – If you do not subscribe to the Barony’s email list but still want to receive Stórfréttir posts in your email, you can now subscribe directly! Go to the Stórfréttir front page (http://www.debatablelands.org/blog/) and enter your email in the “Subscribe to Stórfréttir” widget along the right side of the page to receive a confirmation email to add your email address to the distribution list.
  2. Author Login – There are now two menu items listed under Stórfréttir in the main web site menu. The “Author Login” menu item takes you to the login page, and if you have a Stórfréttir account, you can log into your account there in order to author new posts.
  3. Stórfréttir FAQ – Have questions about Stórfréttir, be it how to log in and post, or what is needed to read? Click “Stórfréttir FAQ” under the Stórfréttir menu to go to our FAQ to read all about it!

Also, remember that clicking directly on the “Stórfréttir” menu item will take you to the Stórfréttir front page.

As always, your Webminister team stands ready to assist you in any way we can to make the most of our new and continually improving features. Send any questions you may have to webminister at debatablelands dot org.

In Service,
Kameshima, Webminister

Youth Combat Practices for the Rest of the Year

Greetings from Gwen, Social Media Deputy!

I bring words from Jasmine of Tarn Clan, our Youth Combat deputy:

No youth combat on Dec 24th or Dec 29th.

Next practice on Jan 7th. All youth from 6 to 17 are welcome. We will be “trying out” some of the snowballs to make sure they work for twelfth night and other fun things.

If anyone needs to contact Jasmine, she can be reached by email at youthcombat @ debatablelands.org

Ever in Service,

Gwen

Court Report Equestrian Championship

The Report of the Court of Their Excellencies Brandubh et Hilderun, Baron and Baroness of the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, Court held at Equestrian Practice on the 24th day of November anno societatis 52.

Their Excellencies thanked Their Equestrian Marshal Lady Gesa von Wellenstein for organizing the day and riders, her grounds crew, and all the riders: Leah of the Debatable Lands who rode Daisy, Lady Beatrix of Aglesey who rode Maple, Emma who rode Remmy, Jackie who rode Daisy, THLord Kumagaya Kentarou Masamoto ho rode Maple, and Viscount Alexander Caithnes of Wyk who rode Taco, and presented each with a ribbon for participating in the first Debatable Lands Equestrian Championship.

Brandubh and Hilderun then recognized Leah of the Debatable Lands for coming in Third place and presented her with a woven belt favor made by Lady Beatrix of Anglesey.  There was tie for second place and Their Excellencies gave woven favors by Lady Beatrix of Anglesey to Emma and Jackie for their accomplishments.

His Lordship Kumagaya Kentarou Masamoto was then called forth and named the victor as he had won the tournament by points, and Their Excellencies invited him to stand as Their Premier Equestrian Champion, presenting him with the Champion’s Belt Favor made by Lady Gesa von Wellenstein, a carrot for his winning steed Maple, and a scroll by the hand of THLady Rachel Dalicieux.

Court closed.