What a beautiful day to celebrate the Investiture of our Heirs as your new Baronage, Prima & Violeta! We leave the Baronial thrones in caring and competent hands, and we have every confidence they will serve you all with as much affection and levity and care as we and all our predecessors did! VIVANT!
Since the office is turning over, of course we have done an inventory of the office’s items (as is required in our policies – and we do follow the rules here in the Debatable Lands!), and we’d like to share a few things that you may just see today that are of historical interest. Enjoy!
In Levitate et Caritate, and Cheers! (and for one last time) Baron Brandubh and Baroness Hilda (dusty in here…)
Click on each image to see the whole thing.
Ancient Banners
Affectionately, “Old & Tickly” featuring the Archers Company and Ancient Cour d’Or arms. Click to see the whole thing “Old & Venerable” from the hands of Baron Leonard in the 1970s. Has been to every single Pennsic War.Langdon & Ardis’ Court banner from the 1990s (and 80s?)
“New” Banners
One of a set made by THL Ells for Pennsic during Byron & Ariella’s tenureFrom the hands of Sonogon Ishiyama, who has made much, much more than this. Hilda’s “livery guy”Current Court Banner. Made by the hands of Genevieve ~2000. Stand by Liam later on.Huge battle standard by the hands of Hrefna inn hepna during the tenure of Tofi & Genevieve. Still flies very tall and proud at Pennsic (cat not included)Banner gifted by St. Swithins Bog in 2016, one of a set that includes each Barony in the Kingdom (each holds their own)
The Barony’s Coronets
Current. Hinged, gold- and silver-plated. Commissioned by Alonzio & Tatyana from Darkridge Jewels ~2004. Recently replated by Sinclair Jewelers in 2020 Ancient coronets and carrying box. Originally made by Baron Leonard himself and significantly updated over the years, notably cut to about half height by Langdon in his tenure. Each Baronage since Len has chosen to be invested in these works of art and love.
The Thrones
Made by the hands of Graedwyn mab Tiernon in the early 2000s
The Baronial Mantles
Commissioned, conceptualized and patroned by Hilda & Brandubh, presented in 2023, project managed by Hrefna inn heppna, these mantles represent ~1400 hours of work by our wonderful and generous artisans. They represent the love, generosity, and dedication of all the people of the Debatable Lands.
The slideshow above shows the whole process from concept to completions. Click on the arrows or swipe to browse through.Pics by Hrefna, Elinor, Ceindrech, and Hilda.
The Coven of the Cloaked Comet Concept, Overall Design, and Patron: Baroness Hilderun Project Manager/Embroidery and Applique Design/Embroiderer Extraordinare: Hrefna fruðikona (lapel embroidery) Patterning and Design Consultants: Mistress T’svee’a and Lady Elinor Embroiderers: THL Ceindrech and THL Gesa (escarbuncles), Laird Forveleth (collar), Kit and Jay (comet and laurel wreath), Seamstress: Lady Elinor (with some last minute help from Hrefna, Lord Khalid, Kit, and THL Owen)
Some Fun Stuff
Baronial Plague Rat by Lady Bronwen Jourdemaine. Praetoria (almost) Prima was delighted to discover its existence. Baronial Coconuts. I mean, our Pennsic horses. Most often seen in the hands of retainers or the Baronage at Pennsic opening ceremonies. They are very silly and we love them.
We will once again be holding practice this Sunday at Ace Axe Throwing but will be starting at 11am. Going forward this will be our new start time. Hope to see everyone there.
For the holiday schedule we will be canceling on the eves, the 24th and 31st.
First, there is some confusion about the address. Previous announcements had it wrong.
The correct address is North Park Lodge, N Ridge Lane, Gibsonia, 15101. It is off Pierce Mill Rd.
iMaps and Google maps are correct, but Map Quest is wrong.
Second, Troll will close at 2 PM. I inadvertently left that off the schedule.
Lastly, come and have fun!!! Bring your best dress, masks, period coins for betting and games, comfy shoes for lots of dancing, and plenty of room for good food.
The last Sunday sewing of the year is this Sunday from 3-6pm at my house, 1105 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh 15232. Note the later time. This is so there is no conflict with the indoor practice at Ace Axe Throwing. When sewing resumes in the new year, I will stick with this later time.
Once again at Baronial Twelfth Night on January 27th, we will search for the finest bakers of cookies in the Kingdom.
Those who wish to compete should bring a large sampling for the populace and a separate plate of six-to-ten cookies to be set aside for the judges. All cookies will be open for the populace judging throughout the day. Submissions will be accepted starting at 10:00. Judging will begin at 11:00 and continue until 4:00.
This year, pending availability, our new Excellencies, Violeta de Valencia and Aurelia Argentia Prima, will pick their winners. If the King and Queen of Fools are selected early enough, they too will be judges. This event is listed as a Royal Progess, so Their Majesties will be asked to judge. Should any other “special guests” attend, they will be additionally asked to serve. Note, that there are still gentles in the Barony with food allergies, so be sure to inform us if your cookies contain possible problems. We need to especially watch for gluten and nut allergies.
There will be a populace’s choice as well, judged by dropping beans as votes for the cookie of choice.
Please include a recipe if you wish and any nutritional information to protect our Barony.
To all who are attending the Barony-March of the Debatable Lands Investiture and Masquerade, take heed!
Troll will open at 9:00. There will be photo opportunities, mask crafting, and token embellishment opportunities. Please bring banners and heraldry to display.
Morning Court will start at 10:30. Join us to bid a fine farewell to their Excellencies Brandubh and Hilda, and welcome their new Excellencies Violeta de Valencia and Aurelia Argentia Prima.
Dancing, entertainment and a delectable side board will run from 12 noon to around 4. Breaks from dancing will include the Debatable Choir, a fencing duel between Lærifaðir Jorundr and Don Robert, i Genisii the Greatest Commedia dell’Arte Troupe in the Known World, and a harrowing bout of Heavy Fighting. Between each will be sets of dance, led by Brehyres Gwendolyn the Graceful with live music coordinated by Master Alaric MacConnal and Dame Elsbeth Anne Roth. For those who prefer, the lower level will have games of chance and an open bar sponsored by the brewers guild. Please bring ID, coins for betting, and any games you would like to share.
Evening Court will begin at 5 pm to cap off what looks to be a great day.
Troll Opens 9:00 Morning Court 10:30 The Debatable Choir 12:00 – 12:20 Dancing Set 1 12:20 – 1:00 Fencing Bets Fight 1:00 – 1:20 Dancing Set 2 1:20 – 2:00 i Genisii 2:00 – 2:20 Dancing Set 3 2:20 – 3:00 Heavy Bet Fight 3:00 – 3:20 Dancing Set 4 3:20 – 4:00 Evening Court 5:00 Site closes 7:00
questions? Contact Ceindrech verch Elidir or Dorothea Stark Schutze
I have some preliminary sketches for a medium-sized project the Woodworking Guild could perform as a service to (and funded by) the Barony. This would be a project to improve the appearance of the Debatable Lands camp at Pennsic.
I’d like to discuss these plans with as many of you in the guild as I can before I submit them to the Financial Committee. I need your feedback on my proposed design, and any suggestions you might have for improvement.
I also hope that I can persuade the Guild to participate in the manufacture of the project parts and the assembly of the project at Pennsic. Actual work on the project probably will not happen until Spring.
I’ll be bringing my preliminary plans to Investiture on Saturday, and I will be attending Practice with them on Sunday. If enough of you are available, we can have a Guild meeting at Practice from 1pm to 3pm.
A few years ago, there was a project to make banners for all of the Baronial officers and many of the deputies.
It would be super awesome if we could get the whole collection back together at Investiture this Saturday to greet the new Baronage with all the pomp this Barony has to offer.
If you have one of these banners, please bring it or otherwise make sure it travels to the event.
If you have a personal banner, or a Kingdom banner, or heraldic banner of any kind (within the bounds of acceptable SCA heraldry) please bring it to witness investiture!
Greetings unto the noble populace of the Debatablelands, my second term as MOL is coming to an end. I am putting forth a call for letters for the next term starting February 2024. I am willing to train and assist a replacement, reach out to me with any questions. Please send letters of interest and intent to Baronial Seneschal and Their Excellencies by no later than February 7th, 2024 or be present at the February Business meeting with your letter of intent in hand.
In Service, Baroness Vika Vyborgskiai, Mistress of the List of the Barony-Marche of the Debatable-lands
