Category: Events

A and S — Fletching — Sunday, June 24th @ 12:30 !!

FLETCHING!

Weather is happening, yes, it may rain (shocking, I know); if it does, we will cancel this week’s A&S. Call me for verification if you wish, I will also post on FB.

FLETCHING!
Sunday is A&S in BMDL, and this week’s class is on modern fletching, and will be taught by Master Urho Waltterinen. This is only the second time that Urho has taught for us, so please take advantage of this rare opportunity. Because this is a time-consuming process, as we must wait for the glue to dry, we are starting a little earlier than usual at 12:30. All of the jigs, glue, shafts, feathers and all the other things will be brought for us to learn on. Thanks, Urho!!

Location: Washington Boulevard martial practice site
Address: Allegheny River Blvd and Washington Blvd.
Directions: http://www.debatablelands.org/martial/fight_directions.php
Time: 12:30 PM.  Weather permitting!

Standard disclaimers here:

We are now accessible to our less mobile friends, have free parking, and a pet-friendly site. Yay!

However, keep in mind that you should bring everything you need for your comfort including a chair, a beverage or snack, bug spray, sunscreen, hat, cabana boy, rain boots, scuba suit, etc., etc., etc. Also, the site has a porta-john and no running water should you wish to make appropriate preparation.

I will have a table and a jug of water so that you can refill your water bottles or mugs.

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 there is no materials charge, as we are generously supported by the Barony and the teachers themselves.

It's the Art-Signal! Quick, to the Science-Mobile!
Arts & Sciences Meeting

 

Hope to see you there,
Elss Augsburg

Baronial Champs THIS SATURDAY!

Here is Everything You Need to Know About Baronial Champs This Saturday! These questions are answered by Baroness Hilda:

–Where is Baronial Champs being held?
–Which Champions will be chosen?
–How will Champions be chosen?
–Who is eligible to be a Debatable Lands’ Champion?
–What about a youth Thrown Weapons tourney?
–What are the responsibilities of a Debatable Lands’ Champion?
–What can I do if I’m not competing in either the Iron Comet round or the Champions’ rounds?
–What is the Iron Comet Challenge?
–But, it’s going to rain!!!!

Read on for the answers!!

Where is Baronial Champs being held?

In conjunction with the Iron Comet Challenge at this Saturday’s event. Here’s a link!

Which Champions will be chosen?

We are choosing all our martial champs except equestrian. So, Heavy fighting, Rapier fighting, Youth fighting, Archery, Youth Archery, and Thrown Weapons. It is a tournament extravaganza!

How will Champions be chosen?

This year, the tournaments are running in conjunction with the Iron Comet Challenge. There are Iron Comet rounds for each discipline (NOTE: ANYONE can enter each of the Iron Comet Challenge tournaments, from anywhere in the Knowne World, and regardless of whether they are participating in the entire Iron Comet Challenge or Champions rounds or not). Those wishing to vie for Baronial Champion should enter the Iron Comet Challenge tourney for that/those discipline(s).

Any eligible Baronial participant in each form (see also next question) who wishes to continue on to the Champion’s round will make it known to the Baron and Baroness. We will choose the top eligible participants to compete in the Baronial Champion’s round. (We may alter this for the youth tourneys.) The format of the Champions’ rounds tournaments will be chosen by the current champion (or their second).

Baron Brandubh and Baroness Hilda will choose the next Champion from this pool of people, based on their prowess, honor, and enthusiasm.
NOTE: This is often the winner of the tourney, but not always.

Who is eligible to be a Debatable Lands’ Champion?

These prestigious honors are Baronial in nature, so only the people who are Debatable Landers are eligible for the Champions’ rounds of the tournaments on Saturday. Also, there are two more eligible groups (whims of Baron Brandubh and Baroness Hilda):

  1.  People who have been awarded “Friend of the Barony” Comets – the Green Comet and the Cometus Amicus – are also eligible to become Champion.
  2. For the Youth Fighting and Youth Archery tourneys, any youth in the region is eligible for the Championship. This is because our youths have far fewer opportunities for achieving glory in a formal tournament setting.

What about a youth Thrown Weapons tourney?

Youth can (and are encouraged to!) throw in the regular championship. The youth and adult ranges and rules for thrown weapons are exactly the same, unlike fighting and archery.

What are the responsibilities of a Debatable Lands’ Champion?

All our Champions are invited to process at Baronial Courts, and to stand with us in Court if they so desire (and if there’s room!). Additionally, they have the honor of wearing, maintaining and using the Baronial Champion regalia so that all may know of their prowess!

Champions also have the responsibility to run their successors’ tourney, and to compete in the 7 Pearls tournament, where all of the Kingdom’s Baronial Champions come to challenge each other for Best of the Best status. This year, the 7 Pearls Tournament is in Blackstone Mountain, on August 24th.

What can I do if I’m not competing in either the Iron Comet round or the Champions’ rounds?

Enjoy the day! You can help out in the kitchen, with our hard-working and patient MOLs (love you guys!), as a retainer, at troll, or with other event needs. Or, cheer on the competitors! These tournaments are to choose the very best of the best in our Barony – it’s exciting to watch! It wouldn’t be the Super Bowl without the fans, amirite? Or just hang out and be with your friends and eat good food. We are here for whatever flavor of fun floats your boat.

What is the Iron Comet Challenge?

The Iron Comet Challenge is different than and separate from the Baronial Champs rounds. ALL are welcome to participate in any or all of the Iron Comet Challenge tournaments – the more, the merrier! However, the Challenge is designed to discover the most well-rounded gentle with the greatest prowess in the martial and gentle arts.

To be a “Challenger”, you will participate the 4 martial tournaments, and also the A&S Competition. The lowest martial score will be dropped (meaning you can choose not to participate in one), and each Challenger will be ranked in each form.

We also choose a Youth Iron Comet Champion! Same rules, except there are 3 martial tournaments (fighting, archery, and thrown weapons) and the A&S, and the competitors may drop one martial form if they desire.

Iron Comet Champions’ Regalia (Adult and Youth), by Lady Gesa

This prestigious day of competitions is only run once every two years.  The winner will be known throughout the land as the Iron Comet Champion! And has the right to wear and keep Iron Comet Champion regalia. Come and see who is the best of the best! Is it you?

Also, those who participate in ALL the forms will receive recognition. In the entire history of the event, only 3 adults have ever done so: Master Annais, Don Marcus, and Lord Robert MacEwin. Will you be counted among them?

But, it’s going to rain!!!!

Never fear, my dear Comet Constituency! We do not melt! Also, there is indoor space at the event, and we can run most of the tourneys inside. It’ll be cozy, but we will make do. Debatable Landers do NOT shrink from a challenge – particularly weather-related ones! Besides, some of the best times I’ve ever had at events stemmed from unexpected contingency plans… it’s an adventure we can have together!

 

The Baron and I are very excited to see everyone compete in both the Baronial Championships, and the Iron Comet Challenge. The Best of the Best, in more than one way! See you there!

 

In Levitate et Caritate,
~Baroness Hilda

A and S — Iron Comet Includes A and S

By now, you have probably heard that the Iron Comet Challenge, which is on June 23rd, requires participation in three martial categories AND the A&S competition.

You have a great A&S entry, but you wouldn’t mind making a tiny bit of effort to impress the judges, right? You can use all the help you can get, right?

Documentation!

Yep, documentation is a quick way to up your score, and I am here to tell you how to do it easily.

Idea #0

You should do this no matter what. On a nice whole clean sheet of paper or a notecard of any size, neatly print what your item is and your name. If you are a young person, write down your age too. Ask your mom or dad, they’ll know if you need this. Here’s what it might look like:

Inkle Woven Dress Decoration
made by Ima Youth (age 10)

Idea #1

If that looks a bit simple to you, you can add detail about your work, like what it is made of, or what gave you the idea to make/do that item.

Here’s what it might look like now:

Inkle Woven Dress Decoration
Pattern #75 from Inkle Weaving by Helene Bress
made by Ima Youth (age 10)

Idea #2

If you did any research about what this thing was like in period, you can include that information too. If you looked at a painting online, or read a book or two to find a recipe, tell the story – where you found the original, what it was made from, how it was made in that time period, everything you learned.

So, in addition to the basic information above, you might include something like this:

I saw a picture of an actual dress from 1410 CE that belonged to Princess Important Lady. It was online at the British Library website at www.bl.uk/princessclothes/754690. There was a beautiful woven band on the neckline of her dress. According to the website, the band was woven of silk, using a method called tablet weaving, in the colors that were right for her heraldry.

Idea #3

Is your thing exactly like the thing you were inspired by? Maybe, but probably not, but that’s OK. To make your documentation more informative, explain the differences between how the item was originally made and what you did. Most importantly, tell why you made the changes.

So, in addition to the information above, you also might include something like this:

To weave the band, I needed both red thread and blue thread. The original string was silk, but silk is very expensive and beyond my budget, so I used Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Cotton, size 10, in Bright Red and Royal Blue. I was able to buy two balls for $5.00 at Pat Catan’s and got enough to complete my project.

Even Better Ideas

If you do not know how to tablet weave, or if you are just learning to weave, that is good information to include, too. Also, if the pattern is different from the original, describe that too. You might also say where you got the loom, how long it took to make your item, and if you had to experiment or repeat your work to get it right.

Final Words of Encouragement

Any documentation is better than no documentation. Anyone (of any age) (I am looking at you, adults!) can write the documentation for a project by following the ideas above. If writing is something that you find worrisome or difficult, start before your project is due. Like, now. Use short declarative sentences to tell your story. You will probably fill up less than a third of the page, so it won’t even take weeks to write.

Even though this may sound like it is written for children, adults can follow this outline also. You might provide more detail, or use more complicated words, or describe more completely the steps it took to produce your item, but the process is the same.

Finally, if anyone of any age would like help with their documentation, type up your first draft. You can bring it to practice on Sunday, or you can email it to me, and I would be happy to offer suggestions. My email is ansminister at debatablelands.org. Don’t delay, there is only one more week to the Iron Comet Challenge!

In service,

Elss Augsburg

KWHSS: Thanks!

Thank you!         Thank you!         Thank you!

The Known World Heraldic Symposium for 2018 has closed and by all accounts was a smashing success!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who helped make this event possible.

Inspiration for the bid:
Elsbeth, who always wanted to have KWHSS held in the Debatable Lands … we made your dream come true.

Event planning:
Wu, the event steward for the 2017 KWHSS who provided me with valuable information and advice.  Supporting cast:  Emma, Juliana, and all those who sent me advice and made suggestions.

Event execution:
Raven, my co-event steward, who helped out wherever needed and made the totes and name tags happen through excellent recruiting!

Website:
Jorundr, he kept up with all my updates and crazy ideas and made them work, and made sure I stayed within the policies.  Supporting cast:  Kameshima.

Social Media:
Rachel, who served as my “Facebook Secretary” as I am not on that platform.  Supporting cast:  Elss, who posted to BMDL’s blog and shared the information across Facebook. Thanks also to all those who liked, shared and further distributed the information about the event.

Classes:
Kameshima and Antoinette, recruiters of fine teachers from across the Known World.  Supporting cast of teachers:  Alicia, Alys, Antoinette, Arianna, Beatrice, Brunissende, Christoforo, Clydwyn, Corbin, Cormac, Ellesbeth, Elsbeth, Emma, Gisela, Herveus, Ishiyama, Jeanne Marie, Jehanette, Jehannette, Jon, Jorundr, Juliana, Kieran, Kryss, Lada, Lillia, Lyonet, Madoc, Malcolm, Marie, Mariette, Meadhbh, Melissa, Nataliia, Nicolaa, Paul, Rachel, Richenda, Robert, Scaith, Seraphina, Shirin, Solveig, Thyra, Ursula, Vivienne, Wu, and Yehudah.

Reservations:
Hara, information wrangler, who always made sure I had the information I needed when I asked “so, how many pre-regs do we have?”

Class Scheduling:
Bronwyn, tetris master supreme who worked wonders in setting up our class schedule given all the constraints (and for handling last minute changes at the event).

Transportation:
Robert, who organized a fleet of shuttles to get our attendees from the airport, to and from the Friday reception, and back to the airport again. Supporting cast:  Muirgheal, Elsbeth, Alaric, Elss, Hilda, Ceindrech, Gwen, Alison.

Reception:
Byron and Ariella for opening their home to the heralds and scribes of the Known World.  The reception was a hit! Odriana for organizing the tasty food enjoyed by many.  Supporting cast: Alastar, Ceindrech, Kieran, Alethea, and Elss.

Publications:
Ceindrech for putting together a fantastic event booklet.  Supporting cast:  Gesa, Hilda.

Hospitality:
Odriana for providing tasty snacks on Saturday and Sunday.  Supporting cast:  Kieran, Alethea, and Alastar.

Troll:
Hara for organizing a crew to greet our guests and balancing the troll sheets before the event ended!  Supporting cast:  Ceindrech, Crystal, Rivka, Muirgheal, Arthes, and Alister.

Name Tags:
Edana for doing the design and production of the name tags prior to the event.  They looked fabulous! Rivka for doing the production at the event. Alaric, Elsbeth, and Hara for loaning their laptops for on-site name tag production.

Quest:
Myfanwy, who made a quest so challenging that only one gentle was brave enough to turn in their answers.  Did you get a chance to see all the artwork?  It was fabulous!

Library:
Rachel for organizing and creating cool bookmarks!  Supporting cast: Ts’vee’a, Melodia, Ceindrech, Sturrim, and Graidnhe. Plus Alaric, Ceindrech, Dmitrii, Elsbeth, Graidnke, Mariette, Rachel, Rivka, and Ts’vee’a for contributing to the library.

Liaison:
Elsbeth, who fielded questions from visiting royalty and heralds alike!

Proceedings:
Drauma-Ellisif, who is collecting proceedings for publication.  Hint, hint, it is still not too late to submit your contributions!
http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/proceedings.php

Merchants:
Ceindrech and Ts’vee’a, who helped arrange for the great set of merchants at the event and made sure they had the space to set up for business!

Audio / Visual:
Jorundr, Irene, Alastar, and Ts’vee’a for organizing, labeling, and getting the projectors to their locations. Robert, Jorundr, and Yehuda for making their projectors available for use.

Scribal Playtime:
Shirin and Antoinette for providing cool banners to paint!  Looking forward to seeing them at a future event!

Commemorative Totes:
Raven, who came up with design and arranged for their production. Supporting cast:  Alicia.

Court:
Their Excellencies of the Debatable Lands, Brandubh and Hilderun, and Her Majesty of Atenvedlt, Ian’ka.

Performances:
The Debatable Choir and i Genesii.  Come and see them at Pennsic on Monday evening of War Week!

Field Trip:
Mary Kay, Senior Librarian at the Hunt Library, for putting together a fine collection of books and manuscripts for us to view and learn about.

Hotel:
The staff at the Pittsburgh Marriott North for welcoming us and helping to make our event a success.

If I missed anyone it is because of my forgetfulness.  All your contributions were noticed, no matter how big or small.  This event happened because of all of you! And finally, thank you to all who traveled from lands near and far to attend.  We hope you enjoyed your visit to Aethelmearc and we look forward to seeing many of you in Calontir next year and Lochac in two years.

Humbly Yours,
Alaric & Raven
Event Stewards, KWHSS 2018

Pennsic Pre-Reg Ends on June 16th

Hello Debatable Lands!

This is a reminder that Pennsic Pre-Registration ends on JUNE 16th!

You MUST pre-register (PAID) in order to camp with the Debatable Lands or our sub-camp.

Pennsic Pre-Registration ends on JUNE 16th!

It must be PAID because that is how we are allocated land for you.
Unpaid registrations do not allocate land.

Debatable Lands is an open camp. Anyone** is welcome to camp with us, and we especially encourage new folks to join us. If you pre-reg with the Debatable Lands, and we don’t know that you have done so, please email me (baroness@debatablelands.org) or the Baron (baron@debatablelands.org). Our pre-Pennsic camp meeting in the afternoon after July Barony Meeting and the New to Pennsic class, July 15th.

Pennsic Pre-Registration ends on JUNE 16th!

If you are unable to pre-register (paid) before June 16th, there are some nice singles camping areas in the general vicinity of Debatable Lands camp (not on the same block). 🙂

~In Levitate et Caritate
~Baroness Hilda

 

** “Anyone” does not necessarily include individuals under SCA or modern sanction or certain restrictions. We reserve the right to refuse registration for clear cause.

KWHSS: Four Days Away!

Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!
Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium is 4 days away!
We’ve finalized the overall schedule.  Check it out!  http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/schedule.php
See some updated information on the Name Tags and Field Trip in our FAQ:   http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/faq.php
Transportation:  If you’re flying to / from the Pittsburgh Airport or going to the Reception and would like us to help with transportation, please let us know!  We’re in the process of making our arrangements and would like to know sooner, rather than later.  Thank you! http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/transportation.php
We’ve updated our local activities page with additional information!  More to see and do!  http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/local.php
Scrolls!  Bring your scrolls to display and share!  See our other activities page!  http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/local.php
Safe travels everyone, and see you soon!
Baron Alaric and THLady Raven
Event Stewards

KWHSS: Merchants and Banners and Lunch … Oh, My!

Oyez, Oyez!
Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium is 1 week away!
Merchants!  We have Merchants!  Check out our merchant page for a listing:  http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/merchants.php
Banners!  Help us decorate the main hall!  Bring your banners!  See our other activities page and look for “Banners”: http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/activities.php
Lunch!  The lunch menu is posted.  Please see our “Other Activities Page” and look for “Saturday Lunch Break”.  http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/activities.php
Our schedule page has been updated with a site map and list of what activities are where.  Check it out!  http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/schedule.php
Totes!  The deadline for pre-ordering has been extended.  See our web page for instructions on how to pre-order!   http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/tote.php
An announcement from one of the merchants coming to KWHSS:
Scribes! Are you attending KWHSS?
  • Did you know that John Neal Books will have an onsite store?
  • Did you know you can preorder supplies to be brought to you?
  • Did you know that all you have to do is follow the link below and put that item in your cart to get free delivery and 5% off the order?
  • Did you know that every preorder comes with a gift and will enter you to win a fabulous prize?
  • Did you know you need to place your order before Wednesday, June 6th?
    You didn’t know? Well, now you do! See you all there!
    Murienne/Nikki
    http://www.johnnealbooks.com/prod_detail_list/s?keyword=KWHSS
In Service,
Baron Alaric
THLady Raven
Event Stewards

Pennsic Pre-Reg Ends June 16th!

Hello Debatable Lands!

Pre-Registration (paid) for the Great Pennsic War ends JUNE 16th!!

All are welcome to camp with the Barony, but PLEASE NOTE:

If you are planning to camp with the Debatable Lands (camp name: “Debatable Lands”), including our sub-camp, you MUST pre-register (paid) by June 16th! Note that unpaid pre-regs do not count for land allocation, so you must submit a paid registration to camp with us.

Our camp name is “Debatable Lands” for both the main camp and our sub-camp.

Here’s the link: http://www.pennsicwar.org/penn47/

Also, if you register to camp with the main Debatable Lands camp, and we don’t know you, please do drop me a line (need to get your tent dimensions and add you to camp info dissemination): baroness@debatablelands.org.

In Levitate et Caritate,
~Baroness Hilda

KWHSS: Class Schedule Available

Oyez, Oyez!

10 Days and Counting!

Get your classes here.  Lots of classes. Scheduled classes!  You want scribal classes? We got ‘em.  You want heraldic classes? We got them too!  Time to start planning what classes you’ll attend.  Check out our classes page. http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/classlist.php

Final reminder:  the deadline for the discounted event registration is May 31, 2018.  Send your reservations to THLady Hara.  The information can be found on the main event page:  http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/index.php

Transportation:  Are you flying in to the Pittsburgh International Airport and would like us to help coordinate transportation?  If so, please see our transportation page: http://debatablelands.org/KWHS/transportation.php

You can also sign up for transportation to / from the Friday night reception from there as well.  Parking is limited so we encourage you to take advantage of the provided transportation.

Please forward and spread the word!

In Service,
Baron Alaric and THLady Raven
Event Stewards