Sunday, November 11th, from 11am to 4pm
755 Stonegate Dr, Wexford
Join us for a celebration of the autumn at Eorl Byron and Countess Sir Ariella’s castle in Wexford (755 Stonegate Dr, Wexford, PA). A big thanks to them for opening their home to us again! And what better way to celebrate than thwacking, tossing, singing and PIE! That’s right, we’ll have fighting (heavy and youth), thrown weapons, and archery, plus throwing pumpkins from the parapets (BYOP, no rotten ones – learned that the hard way!).
PIE!
The categories this this for the pie contest are (drumroll…) Period Pie, Traditional Pie and Whimsical Pie!!!
Make sure to bring enough or cut it small, since the judges are YOU! Yes, it’s a populace vote (tokens in a cup)! Each meeting attendee gets 3 tokens and can vote once per category. Gluten free pies always go over well if you are so inclined. The prize is GLORY (and maybe some trinket or two)!!
And if you’ve never encountered the Debatable Lands Harvest Revel Meeting PIE contest before – just about anything counts as pie, if you can name it pie…. “Pumpkin roll? Spatially challenged pie. Cookies? Crustless mini-pies. Pork roast? Deconstructed meat pie. Deviled eggs? Cursed baby chicken pies. BRING IT ALL!
BREWERS ROUNDTABLE
Our Brewing Guildmistress is hosting a Brewers Rountable. The goal of this roundtable is to learn about different beverages – how they taste, how they are made, and what people have learned through the process. Period is preferred, but not at all required. Some level of process documentation is preferred, but not required. Email brewing@debatablelands.org for questions/info.
There will also be a bake sale fundraiser (non-SCA funds) to benefit the local brewers, so bring cash if you are interested in delicious baked goods!
MONEYERS’ GUILD
The AEthelmearc Moneyer’s Guild will also be meeting sometime during the day.
SCHEDULE
The traditional schedule is:
Thrown Weapons and Archery starts at 11am.
Pie contest runs from noon to 3pm
Choir concert is at 1:45-ish, with a short Court and Barony Meeting announcements to follow.
Fighting (Heavy and Youth) will start after announcements, about 2:15ish.
Pumpkin tossing will happen at such time as feels appropriate. 🙂
NOTES: No garb. Some activities are weather-dependent. BRING PIE and pumpkins!
Facebook link to this Meeting: https://www.facebook.com/events/470186970138286/
Yesterday, we held our non-equestrian martial Championships at the Iron Comet Challenge. It was a day of valor, honor, prowess, and friendship. We are proud and humbled to have witnessed such passion and companionship. And most of all, fun!
There will be more news and thank yous and stories from the event staff and others, but without further ado, let us present to you Your New Champions!
Rapier Fighting: THL Ru Cavorst, seconded by Lady Ciarrdha Eilis
Youth Archery: Otto Brandulfrsson
Archery: Lord Alister Sionnach MacLeod, seconded by Lord Godfrey de Bayeux
Heavy Fighting: Lord Robert MacEwin, seconded by THL Guillaume le Noir
Thrown Weapons: Lord Thomas of the Debatable Lands, seconded by Lady Dorothea Starke Schutz
Youth Fighting: Fox
VIVANT VIVANT VIVANT!
In Levitate et Caritate, and Cheers
Baron Brandubh and Baroness Hilda
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):
People who have been awarded “Friend of the Barony” Comets – the Green Comet and the Cometus Amicus – are also eligible to become Champion.
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!
The Coronation of our very own Prince Sven and Princess Siobhan is coming up in shortly, on April 21st. It’s customary for our Barony to present the new King and Queen with a gift basket from our people. Not only does this showcase our most Excellent Artisans, but it also provides useful items to our new Royalty for use during Their Reign.
From our Largesse Coordinator, Lady Ashling:
Greetings all! With Coronation fast approaching, your friendly neighborhood Largesse Coordinator is putting together baskets! I know some of us have talked, but if anyone is interested in Largesse, or has a project they’d like to donate as a gift, now’s your chance! You can email me at Largesse@debatablelands.org for more details.
Items that are especially welcome are things our Royalty might gift to others, from order medallions to small pieces of jewelry, clothing accessories, incidentals like needle books, small blank notebooks, blank thank you cards, small feast items, cording, (consumables are welcome, but very well labeled, please). Anything you think is useful. Handmade or store bought or anything in between.
The Baron or I will be at the next two Sunday practices, and Monday choir practices, possibly other gatherings. Drop us a line if you’d like to arrange a drop-off/pick-up: baroness@debatablelands.org or Facebook, and baron@debatablelands,org or G+.
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!
Our next Baronial Bard will be chosen at the upcoming BMDL 12th Night celebration! Our most excellent Baroness Hildarun suggested a theme of “something old, something new”. This being the Debatable Lands, in which submissions to our annual pie competition can be anything even remotely pie-like, our Bardic competition will follow suit and interpretations upon the theme will be accepted very generously. Possible examples include, but are not limited to:
– a new bard performing a historical piece
– an old, erm, sorry, “experienced” bard performing a newly learned piece
– a new piece written about a historical event/person/situation
– an established performer competing for Baronial bard for the first time, or even for the first time for this Baronage
– a young bard performing a piece older than themselves
Get as creative as you like in interpreting the new/old aspects. The competition is scheduled to be held around 3pm in the Silver Room. Perform one piece that falls somewhere under the “Bardic Arts” umbrella. Song, poetry, story, instrumental pieces, all welcome, but please keep performances to no more than 5 minutes. The judges will be our Baron and Baroness. They like to be entertained, they like to be moved (emotionally only, please) and they can appreciate historical or historically-inspired pieces. The Baronial Bard’s primary duties are to compete in the Seven Pearls competition and organize next year’s competition for their replacement.
To compete, please contact me at silencethebard [at] gmail, or find me the day of the event. I will be wearing the Baronial Bardic Blingy Baldric, which shall be passed to the incoming champion.
In Service and Song,
Silence de Cherbourg, BMDL Bardic Champion (outgoing)
On Friday November 24th Lady Gesa von Wellenstein hosted the Debatable Lands First ever Equestrian Championship, and we proudly Present THLord Kumagaya Kentarou Masamoto as the victor of the tournament and Our Premier Equestrian Champion!
We wanted to take a moment on this holiday to say how very grateful we are to you all. This Barony is made of such an amazing group of people – passionate, helpful, gracious, interested and interesting. We feel very lucky to be a part of such a vibrant community. Take a look around and really see who we are… the Debatable Lands is truly something special.
We love you all, and Happy Thanksgiving!
In Levitate et Caritate, and Cheers!
Baron Brandubh and Baroness Hilda
We are very much looking forward to Heavy Fighting and Rapier Fighting Champs Tourneys this Sunday at practice in the parklet at the corner of Washington Blvd and Allegheny River Blvd! Rapier starts at 2pm, Heavy at 3pm. Anyone residing in the Debatable Lands (including Steltonwald), or who has a Green or “Friend of the Barony” Comet is eligible to become champion, but we welcome all to participate for fun! Champions and seconds are invited to attend the 7 Pearls Event in September in Endless Hills to compete for the glory of the Debatable Lands against the other Baronies! More info on formats below from the outgoing Champs.
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RAIN DATE: Hopefully we can hold the tourneys this Sunday, but the weather is looking not great. If practice must be canceled, the tournaments will be held next SUNDAY, JUNE 4th
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From our Rapier Champion:
Greetings my fellow Debatables!!!! The time has come again to find a new Rapier Champion. It saddens me greatly to step down as (albeit substitute) champion and I am extremely proud to have held the mantle for the time I was given. On Sunday 5/28 a tournament shall be held at the outside practice site (location information to be included in the comments) at 2pm. The tournament shall be open to all rapier authorized citizens of BMDL, the Canton of Steltonwald, and those who have been awarded a Green Comet as Friends of the Barony. The tournament format will be as follows…
Round Robin (everyone shall fight everyone)
Swiss Five (each fight shall be fought using a different form)
* those form shall be from the following list
** Single Sword
** Sword and Soft Parry
** Sword and Rigid Parry
** Sword and Dagger
** Case of Swords
** (optional forms) Those individuals who are authorized in either/both Cut and Thrust and Two-Handed Weapon forms may choose to fight with that form. This will only be done under the conditions that their opponent agrees to face said style (i.e. Two-Handed) or are also authorized in Cut and Thrust (Cut and Thrust opponents MUST match forms)
All combatants shall rotate through 5 forms before being allowed to repeat a form.
Any combatant who is not authorized in a form shall default to Single Sword.
Combatants are NOT required to match forms (Cut and Thrust being the only exception to this rule).
NO Combatant is required to agree to fight against Two-Handed or Cut and Thrust styles. If not agreed upon, combatants must select from one of the base 5 forms.
The finals shall be a Best of Five.
**Forms shall be matched
**Forms will be as follows-#1 Single Sword, #2 Sword and Parry (either soft or rigid), #3 Sword and Dagger, #4 Case of Swords, #5 (should it come to that) will be Baronial Choice.
Based on the number of combatants…
3-5 combatants = all combatants shall fight a best of 3, forms must still change to complete the swiss 5
6+ combatants = fights will be a single pass, forms to be changed with each fight until 5 forms have been reached.
if less than 3 opponents, their Excellencies shall decide what action shall be taken.
I look forward to hearing the results and future of my beloved BMDL.
Debatable in Service,
Lady Cairdha Eilis O’Coileain
From our Heavy Fighting Champion:
Fighters of the Debatable Lands! Your heavy weapons champion commands your attention.
My time as Baronial Champion comes to a close this Sunday, when a tournament to determine the next champion shall be held. All good and able fighters are invited and encouraged to armor up (and fix what needs fixing from War Practice!) and come to the Washington Blvd. practice site this Sunday, May 28th. The tournament will begin at 3pm! All fighters who reside in the BMDL are eligible to enter this tournament, by decree of Their Excellencies!
Depending on the number of entrants, the tournament format will be either Round Robin, or, in honor of my lovely wife Odriana, using a Dutch system*. Bring what weapons form you have, several will be called upon, and what you don’t have can be loaned to you that day.
What does it mean to be champion? Firstly, it means representing the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands with honor and chivalry! As champion, you are our entrant in the Seven Pearls Baronial Champions Tournament** in September, where you will fight AEthelmearc’s other baronial champions. You are also invited and encouraged to fight at the Baronial Champion’s tournament at Pennsic (should you be attending), which occurs during War Week.
It has been an honor to serve as your heavy weapons champion this past year. I eagerly await to see who’s hungry to step up and take my place!
