Pennsic Baronial Camp News!

Hi all, from Niall!

Now that registration for Pennsic 51 has opened, it’s time to make the official announcement – after eight years of service to the barony, Joe Broom Marfice is stepping down as Camp Reeve for the Baronial Encampment at Pennsic, and I will be stepping forward to fill that role moving ahead. Don’t worry – Broom isn’t going anywhere just yet; he will be staying on to help me in this transition, and is taking over as Land Agent for the Barony.

As we get closer to Pennsic, I’ll be posting more and requesting information from those who have signed up to camp with the Barony. We’ll have more information regarding rules and fees and whatnot, but expect things to be relatively similar to years past.

Yours in service,
Niall mac Raedwulf

Call for Cookies for the Baronial Party @ Pennsic!

Hi all from Niall!

I am handling food for the Baronial Party and Court at Pennsic this year, being held at Aethelmearc Royal on Middle Sunday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm! (Surely you’ve seen posts about it *somewhere*…)

Following Baronial Court (starting between 2:00 and 2:15), we will be serving light fare, featuring the ever-popular Walking Tacos, available in your choice of Fritos (which are gluten-free) or nacho cheese Doritos, as well as your choice of toppings (all of which should be gluten-free). (I am also considering a vegetarian option to the taco meat; more on that to come.)

The Brewers’ Guild will be providing various libations from brewers across the Debatable Lands, and ice water and lemonade will also be available. There will also be fruit and vegetable trays, chips and salsa, and an authentic Debatable Lands Cookie Table – this last item is the main reason for this post.

PLEASE BRING COOKIES FOR THE COOKIE TABLE! If you have shelf-stable or pre-packaged cookies, you can drop them off at the Debatable Lands camp (N10) anytime during Peace Week prior to noon on Middle Sunday. Homemade cookies and the like can be dropped at AE Royal between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm on Sunday. We have attendees with allergy considerations, so please do not bring cookies with peanuts or peanut butter, please mark any homemade cookies with potential allergen information, and gluten-free cookies are always welcome.

I look forward to seeing you all at the party!

Missive from the Baron and Baroness

By now, as many of you know, Pennsic has been postponed again until 2022, due to the ongoing pandemic. For many of us, this news is disheartening, as Pennsic plays such a large role in how we play in the SCA here locally. We miss our friends, we miss the camaraderie of the fields of honor, we miss hugs and campfires, and being surrounded by 10,000 of our closest friends. It seems at times, our souls are frayed with the longing of it.

Take heart, Debatable Lands…. We are still here. We are still a community.

We know that this past year, and even before that, has been full of challenges – and the pandemic has just been one. Our personal lives have changed dramatically, in ways that only you personally can know and understand. Our hobby, like most of the world, has endured the rough edges of social awakening, in all its forms. We’ve seen each other’s words, and have spoken words, online and in social media, that stem from pain, and cause pain. Our humanity has been on display, in every facet. It’s difficult. So difficult. And we’ve felt it, too.

But, Debatable Lands… We are still here. We are still neighbors.

The edges may feel bruised right now, but the core – the very core – of what makes our hobby so amazing endures. Courtesy. Honor. Shared Passions. Camaraderie. Joy. Our challenges cannot shake them. They cannot be erased. We are still here.


We remember Baroness Hilda’s first event. A small 30-ish person schola in Highland Park. She took a class by Master Dani on medieval counting, learned what Troll was, and pasties. She was offered a seat on a cloak at a bardic circle and made dear friends. We can still have these events.

We remember the day Baron Brandubh chose his SCA name. It means “black raven” in Gaelic. And he wanted a wolf on his heraldry until we joined Mistress Elsbeth’s Laurel staff, and spent hours and hours in her basement, absorbing all things heraldry and making lifelong friends, and discovering jicama. We remember, too, the day he attained Grand Master Bowman, the swelling of pride and accomplishment. Our interest groups can still meet.

We remember the day the Brewer’s Guild opened that oak cask of aged, redacted 14th century mead to bottle, from under Master Tofi’s stairs – the smooth, perfect taste of it, the feeling of shared appreciation, the laughter of friends brought together. We can still research our passions and share in the joy of it.

We remember the day we saw our first tourney – the raw feeling of it just below the surface of the type of chivalry we thought only existed in storybooks. The violence and speed and beauty of our athletes giving primal life to our ideals of honor. Those ideals and feelings of chivalry are alive and well and are still burning bright in our hearts. And very soon, we will be able to bring that to external realization again. Soon.

We remember our first SCA campfire, the cold, still air meeting the warm light of the fire, songs and conversation and laughter ringing into the night, our bellies warm with drink and friendship. We can still meet with our friends over a campfire.

We know you have had experiences just like these, and countless others. Remember them. Recreate them in all the old and new forms that are available to us today.


They Joys and Passions of the SCA do not live on the fields and in the camps of Pennsic. They live in US. No one place is the SCA. WE are the SCA.

We Are Still Here.

In Levitate et Caritate, and Cheers,
Baron Brandubh and Baroness Hilda

And Ad Gloriam Aethelmearc, and SALVE ACCOLENS!

Baronial Happenings at Pennsic!

Hello Debatable Lands! We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Great Pennsic War, happening now! We hope set-up went well, and that you are or will be enjoying yourselves!
~Hilda and Brandubh

For your convenience, here is a list of activities at Pennsic of Baronial interest. (Those reading on the email list may want to click on the link to the blog post for a formatted version.)

Ceremonies and Courts
(Retainers needed, please)

  • Sat, 8/3, 5pm – Muster for Opening Ceremonies at AE Royal, N04. 5:30pm step-off for the procession (on the nose, not SCA time)
  • Sat, 8/3, 6pm – Opening Ceremonies, on the Battlefield by the Castle
  • Sun, 8/4, 5pm Baronial Reception, AE Royal
  • Sun, 8/4, around 7pm-ish, Baronial Court, AE Royal
  • Tues, 8/6, 5pm, muster for Kingdom Court, AE Royal
  • Tues, 8/6, 6pm, Royal Court, Great Hall (note that there will probably be other Royal Courts throughout the War)
  • Thurs, 8/8, 8pm, AEthelmearc Party, AE Royal
  • Fri, 8/9, after the battle (2pm-ish?) Closing Ceremonies, Battlefield

Known World Baronial Champs Events
(come cheer your champs!)

  • Sun, 8/4, 1pm-3pm, KW Baronial Archery Champs – yay, Kathryn!
  • Tues, 8/6, 12pm – 3pm – KW Baronial Youth Fighting Champs – yay, Xavier, Bree, and Ethan!
  • Tues, 8/6, 1pm-3pm – KW Baronial Thrown Weapons Champs – yay, Duncan!
  • Wed, 8/7, 9am-12pm – KW Baronial Heavy Combat Champs – yay, Bors! Blue and White lists
  • Wed, 8/7, 12pm – 3pm – KW Baronial Rapier Champs – yay, Jorundr! Blue and White lists.

Parties, Performances, and Other Happenings

  • Sun, 8/4, 5pm Baronial Reception and Court (7pm-ish), AE Royal , link to FB event:
    https://www.facebook.com/events/687736711654599/ , and see also www.debatablelands.org.
  • Sun, 8/4, 9pm-ish, Baronial Bardic Circle in Memory of Rachmiel, Debatable Lands Camp, N10, Fletcher Rd , Link to FB event https://www.facebook.com/events/556713591526472/
  • Mon, 8/5, 5:30 – 7:30pm, Childrens Party, AE Royal
  • Mon, 8/5, 7:30pm – Debatable Choir performance, Performing Arts Pavilion
  • Mon, 8/5, 9pm, I Genesii performance, Performing Arts Pavilion
  • Tues, 8/6, 9pm, Count Jehan’s Golden Jubilee, AE Royal
  • Wed, 8/7, 3pm, Baronial Brewers Guild Meeting, Polyhymnia (Debatable Lands subcamp, N10, corner of Cariadocs and Chandlers)
  • Wed, 8/7, Seven Pearls Dinner (closed party, but volunteers for cooking and serving needed – dinner provided, contact Hilda for details)
  • Thurs, 8/8, 8pm, AEthelmearc Party, AE Royal
  • Fri, 8/9, 10am-4pm, AE Royal Teardown (please volunteer an hour or two)
  • Say, 8/10, 12pm-6pm, Baronial Camp Teardown

Order Meetings, Seneschal and Exchequer Meetings, War Points, and other Activities of Interest in the Kingdom can be found on the AE Periscope:
http://aethelmearc.org/ae-pennsic-xlviii-periscope/

Barony Reception

Food Friends!

Can’t help with reception prep? Want to try a new recipe? Thinking of bringing food for the reception? YAY!

Bring some cut vegetables or fruit. Bake some cookies (we loves our cookie tables!) Bring something that’s gluten-free for our Baron. Make a surprise!

The barony is paying for and providing the ample and delicious food, the brewers’ guild will have their wares available. But I know how we like to just add a little thing here or make a bit for there. Feel free to do something with food! If you are, please let me know at foodguild@debatablelands.org

Thanks, Elss Augsburg

Woodworking at Pennsic

The Honorable Lord Kai Saerprenn reports that he will be running his Intro to Woodworking series again this year at Pennsic. This set of classes takes you from raw logs (Really! He gets his materials from the firewood people at firewood prices.) to furniture by showing you all the tools used along the way (and how to sharpen them).

These classes are taught in THL Kai’s camp of Hus Faerhaga in N08, quite conveniently near the Barony’s camp.

Also in N08 are THL Otelia d’Alsace’s hand tool demonstrations, in the Barony of Thescorre encampment.

Lastly, in the main Pennsic University area, Sir Bedwyr will be demonstrating how to use a variety of of Eurpoean hand tools.

Check the Schedule for more information.

Pennsic Baronial Reception – Sunday, Aug 4th, 5pm AE Royal

Hello Debatable Lands!

Just a quick note to invite all Debatable Landers and friends (the more, the merrier!) to the Debatable Lands Baronial Reception at Pennsic.

Come socialize, eat, and enjoy Court with your friends and neighbors! A light dinner will be provided by the Food Guild, led by THL Elss.

When: Sunday, August 4th, 5pm – 8pm
Where: AEthelmearc Royal Encampment at Pennsic (next to Chirurgeons)
Who: Everyone is invited!
Featuring: Baronial Court, time tentatively 7pm, plus a quick Royal drop-in to send friends to vigils
Food:  Light dinner provided. We would also love to have food and drink donations.

Also, we’ll be “passing the hat” to fund raise for the Barony’s new trailer!

In Levitate et Caritate, and Cheers,
Baron Brandubh and Baroness Hilda

For those on Facebook, here’s the Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/687736711654599/

Pennsic Baronial Reception – Sunday, Aug 5th, 5pm, AE Royal

Hello Debatable Lands!

Just a quick note to invite all Debatable Landers and friends (the more, the merrier!) to the Debatable Lands Baronial Reception at Pennsic.

Come socialize, eat, and enjoy Court with your friends and neighbors! A light dinner will be provided by Lady Kattera.

When: Sunday, August 5th, 5pm – 8pm
Where: AEthelmearc Royal Encampment at Pennsic (next to Chirurgeons)
Who: Everyone is invited!
Featuring: Court (Royal and Baronial), time TBD
Food:  Light dinner provided. We would also love to have food and drink donations. To talk to Lady Kattera about that or about dietary restrictions, you can contact her at Legbascrossroad@gmail.com.

Also, if anyone can bring some lawn games or other activities, I think that could be fun!

In Levitate et Caritate, and Cheers,
Baron Brandubh and Baroness Hilda

Last Reminder: Pennsic Pre-Reg Ends June 16th!

Hello! This is your last reminder:

Pennsic Pre-Registration ends on June 16th, at 11:59pm. You MUST pre-register (paid) to camp with the Debatable Lands!! This is true for many other camps as well.

Here is a super handy link for you!

See also other info in my previous post. Looking forward to seeing you there. 🙂

~Baroness Hilda

Note: for those reading this on the email list, the you must open the blog to click on the links, or use this: https://www.cooperslake.com/prereg/account/index.php.

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.