Armored and fencing practices moving indoors this Sunday

Hello, Debatable Lands!

Starting this Sunday (November 1st), our armored and fencing practices will move indoors until springtime (November 1st through April 18th). Practices will be from 1-5pm. Location is Become Better Sport Performance and Personal Training, 5372 Enterprise Blvd, Bethel Park, PA 15102 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/W7MwzGsYfCKMq91v5).

Two additional scheduling notes: Archery will still be outside this Sunday, and November 15th is the Harvest Revel at The Castle, and armored/fencing practice will be there that day.

There will be a few changes compared to last year:

1) Cleanup! We’ve been asked to do more cleanup at the end of practices, due to tracking dust in from the storage room. Last year we vacuumed the gym area. In addition, we’ll mop the gym floor that we use, and wipe down the bathroom as appropriate. Please keep that in mind, and if you can stay, stick around to help with cleanup at the end of practices.

2) We’ve been asked to use the rear entrance to minimize mess from tracking in snow, etc. I’ll post signs and the front door will be locked. Instead, we’ll use the door furthest down on the right side of the building.

3) The gym owner has asked us to keep the last few racks open for gym employees to use. That will cut down on our usable area a bit, so more of the fighting will have to occur in the storage room. We’ll have a bit less room for fighting, but should still have plenty of room for 3-5 pairs at a time, likely more.

November A&S Roundup!

Salve Accolens! We had a wonderful bounty of A&S activity at Agincourt! There was a most colorful A&S display hosted by the Æthelmearc Clothiers Guild, scribal playtime, a Moneyers Guild display, and a Debatable Consort performance!

Their Majesties and our Baron- and Baroness-Elect have put out a call for scrolls! Our Excellencies-to-be have a full docket for Investiture on December 19th, and the Baronial Twelfth Night on January 16th and their signet Dylyedog Ceindrech verch Elidir will have scribal assignments available soon. There will also be a final court of Baronessa Violeta and Praetoria Prima at Investiture, for which Magister Owen will be assigning scrolls. If you have any interest in the scribal arts, I strongly encourage you to join us at November’s Scriptorium (date and time TBD) in Stanton Heights! Come and work on scrolls, blanks, or award medallions, regardless of your skill or current scribal assignments. Stay tuned for further details! (Contact point – Magister Owen Tegg and Dylyedog Ceindrech verch Elidir)

We have many other A&S gatherings up for the coming weeks including:

Fiber Arts Guild Meetup tonight Monday, October 26·7:00-9:00pm
Open to all! Join Lady Ilsa Starling on October 26th at Mistress Ts’vee’a’s home in Stanton Heights from 7pm-9pm for a casual gathering of fiber artists with their works-in-progress, plans, and good conversation. (Contact point – Lady Ilsa of the Debatable Lands)

Every Tuesday – the Debatable Choir (voice) and Consort (instruments) meet at the St. Peters United Church of Christ from 7pm-9:30pm. (Contact point – Mistress Arianna for Choir, Baron Alaric for Consort)

A&S Night will be Thursday, October 29th from 6:30-9:30pm. Come with or without project and spend time with your fellow artisans! (Contact point – THLady Elinor Walden and Oyama Michiharu-san)

The Brewers Guild will be having their meeting on Thursday, November 12 from 7:00 – 10:00pm. Please await further details from Breherys Muirgheal! There is also a call from our Baron- and Baroness-Elect for beverages for both Investiture and Twelfth Night! (Contact point – Breherys Muirgheal)

The Cooks’ Guild will be meeting Sunday, November 22·5:30 – 8:30pm at Duke Byron and Duchess Ariella’s castle in Wexford. Their meeting will start with a Native American theme, recipe TBD. (Contact point – Duchess Ariella)

To avoid conflict with Thanksgiving Day, the November Baronial A&S Night will be moved to Thursday December 3rd from 6:30-9:30pm (Contact point – THLady Elinor Walden and Oyama Michiharu-san). We will be having two additional A&S Nights in November, the first at Emilia’s on November 9th from 6:00-9:00pm (Contact point – The Honorable Lady Emilia Mazzo de Novella), and at Mistress Ts’vee’a’s home in Stanton Heights on Wednesday, November 18th from 6:30 – 9:30pm. (Contact point – Mistress Ts’vee’a bas Tseepora Levi)

All of these gatherings are listed on the Debatable Lands calendar at: https://debatablelands.aethelmearc.org/calendar.php

If I’ve missed your meeting or if you are looking for additional information, please reach out to me!

YIS,
Lord Ingvar Sviatoslavich
Baronial A&S Minister

Agincourt XIX Court Report

Here begins the Court Report of Violeta and Prima, Baronessa and Praetoria of the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, at Agincourt XIX October 24th AS 61. Owen Tegg, Sigil of Æthelmearc Herald reporting.

Court was performed by Owen Sigil of Æthelmearc with assistance from Baron Brandubh Ó Donnghaile, Tabor Herald.

Their Excellencies called before them Breherys Muirgheal inghen Dubhghaill, lærifaðir jǫrundr hinn rotinn, and Schwertleherer Irene von Schmetterling. Baronessa Violeta praised their collective leadership of the Historical Fencing Book Club, a project so collaborative that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and individual contributions cannot be separated out. For their scholarship and teaching, each was awarded a Lapis Comet, with one single united scroll cut on the spot into three sections.

Calligraphy and words by Oyama Michiharu-San
Illumination by Magister Owen Tegg, based on the 1601 Fabris fencing manual.

Next, Their Excellencies called upon the Event Steward, Baroness Vika Vyborgskaia. She thanked all of the event staff and asked that The Honorable Lord Duncan Mac Coulagh be called to announce the results of the archery tournament, and he was summoned.

His Lordship Duncan praised the prowess of all tournament entrants, and announced that the winner was The Honorable Lady Ghaliya bint Jusef. For her victory, she was awarded a plaque by His Lordship Duncan.

Their Excellencies summoned Baroness Elena de la Palma and Maestra Lisabetta de Rossi, the event’s arts and sciences coordinators. They thanked all teachers, scribal hosts, the Moneyers Guild, and those who attended classes, as well as all who entered the A&S display. Finally, Baroness Elena reminded all aforementioned participants to come and claim a gift of autumnal tea.

Gwendolyn the Graceful, Meistr-y-Gan, addressed the Populace to advertise the unofficial Baronial T-shirt fundraiser, and remind all present that orders must be placed and paid by the end of Debatable Lands Investiture on December 19th.

Their Excellencies summoned Mistress Ottilig Rappoltsweiler, who despite living outside Their lands, can often be caught serving in Baronial kitchens and coordinating events. For her friendship to the Barony, they awarded her a Jade Comet.

Scroll by Signora Benedicta di Venetia, based on Roman mosaics.

Their Excellencies next called for Master Illadore de Bedagrayne. Mistress Gytha Oggsdottir explained that she had returned home, but approached in her stead. Baronessa Violeta proclaimed that Master Illadore is a true and steadfast friend of the Barony, and awarded her a Jade Comet.

Calligraphy and illumination by Maestra Lisabetta de Rossi
Words by Magister Casimir Zelený z Strášná skála.

Their Excellencies commanded the return of The Honorable Lord Duncan Mac Coulagh, who has given countless hours of his time to run archery and thrown weapons practices and tournaments in Their lands, and shared his knowledge freely with all who would learn. For this enduring service, They awarded him a Jade Comet.

Scroll by Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope

Their Excellencies called for the presence of Istani of the Debatable Lands, or one who would speak for them, and Katharine of the Debatable Lands approached. Baronessa Violeta commended Istani’s willingness to serve the barony despite the rigors of graduate school, and praised their growing prowess on the rapier field. For this, Istani was awarded a Hematite Comet.

Calligraphy and illumination by Maestra Lisabetta de Rossi
Words by Baron Alaric MacConnal

The Honorable Lady Elsa Taliard was called, and Their Excellencies affirmed her request to be named a non-resident Citizen of the Barony and presented her with a scroll proclaiming this.

Illumination by Freþesant atte Wodeland
Calligraphy by Zie of the Debatable Lands
Words by Oyama Michiharu-san

Their Excellencies called for the presence of Meister Clewin Kupferhelbelinc. They spoke of his enduring presence at rapier practices and on the field and his continuing service to the Baronial fencing community. For this and for his performance as Baronial Rapier Champion, Their Excellencies bestowed upon him a Hematite Comet.

Scroll by Maisterin Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen

Next, Their Excellencies summoned Baron Alaric MacConnal. Baronessa Violeta commended Baron Alaric for his long service to the Debatable Lands as an Officer, a scribe and wordsmith, a brewer, an event steward, steward of Baronial equipment, a music director– a list of jobs so long and varied they cannot all be listed. For this enduring service, They awarded Baron Alaric an Amber Comet.

Scroll by Dyledog Ceindrech verch Elidir upon parchment from the Æthelmearc parchment project, based on the Book of Deer

Their Excellencies called before them Sir Maghnus an Chnoic an’Iora. Again, They spoke of persistence, of long service, and of uplifting the whole community. For his steady presence as a Siege commander and his deadly Ballista accuracy, They awarded Sir Maghnus a Hematite Comet.

Illumination by Lord Sean O’Connor and Lady Maire ni Cathai O’Connor
Calligraphy by Mistress Graidhne ni Ruaidh

Finally, Their Excellencies thanked Their Majesties, Her Highness, and the Populace for attending the event. There being no further business, court was closed.

From The Office of the Comet Pursuivant:

Salve Accolens

In addition to this Court Report, I wanted to give out a huge “Thank You” to Owen and Brandubh for stepping in and helping out by running court on almost no notice. It was a last minute need that made sure our court could proceed unhindered.

Thank you again!

YIS,

Michi
Comet Pursuivant

An Update from the A&S Office

Dearest Barony,

It has been an absolute honor for me to serve as your A&S Minister and I got so close to completing my first term! But as you may have seen, the barony has asked that I serve elsewhere, so I must pass the torch to my deputy, Lord Ingvar Sviatoslavich, for the remainder of my term through February 2027. This is also our joint call-for-letters for a new A&S Minister, due at the baronial business meeting on February 3, 2027. The A&S Minister fosters the arts and sciences community of the barony, communicates with the baronial guilds, promotes and publicizes the A&S happenings, and submits quarterly reports to the kingdom to brag about all the aforementioned things. The two-year position also has flexibility to be what you make of it, as many prior A&S Ministers have had different focuses within the role. Finally, the A&S Minister attends all baronial business meetings and serves on the financial committee to vote on any financial matters. If this interests you, please submit a letter of intent (your prior experience and intentions for the future) to artsandsciences@debatablelands.aethelmearc.org and bmdl@aethelmearc.org by the beginning of the February business meeting.

Yours in Service, THLady Elinor Walden

Your former Baronial A&S Minister

A Tenth Baronage has been selected!

Salve Accolens!

The votes are in, the ballots are counted, and counted again. And maybe even again. The Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands has officially selected its tenth baronage…

Magister Owen Tegg and Her Ladyship Elinor Walden!

We’d also like to say thank you to the candidates Breherys Gwendolyn the Graceful , Sir Maghnus an Chnoic na n’Iora, THLord Skjoldr Bjorn, and THLady Arthes MacLeod – who ran with such dignity, grace, and passion.

Vivant to all of our candidates and to staying a Barony!

The investiture of Owen and Elinor will be held on December 19th, 2026 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills. Keep your eyes out for more information shortly.

YIS,

Michi
Comet Pursuivant

Dancing in the Barony!

Twice a month, dance practice is held in the barony at local libraries and it has become quite the success! Tonight, Lady Diana Chandler led several dances to a crowd of fourteen people, from experienced peers to curious newcomers, in a variety of styles. We also practiced Black Almayn, which is being highlighted in a showcase dance in the morning of Crown Tournament this weekend. In addition to Crown Tournament in the Shire of Sunderoak, there are many events in the kingdom this winter featuring dance including:

  • AEthelmearc AEcademy (November 14, ACG)
  • Rhydderich Hael Baronial Investiture (December 12)
  • Debatable Lands Baronial Investiture (December 19)
  • Debatable Lands Twelfth Night (January 16)
  • Kingdom Twelfth Night (January 23, Delftwood)
  • Dance the Cold Winter Away (TBA, ACG)

Thank you to Lady Diana for running the Baldwin Library dance practices and Meistr-y-gân Gwendolyn the Graceful for running the Whitehall Library dance practices! If you want to join us in the future, check out Whitehall on November 6th from 7pm-9pm or Baldwin on November 19th from 6pm-7:30pm!

For any additional details, check out the baronial calendar or contact the Baronial A&S Minister, Her Ladyship Elinor Walden, to send you to the right person!

Last chance to return your ballot. Ballot Count and Barony Social on Sunday Oct 18th

It’s almost time for the ballot counting. If you have not filled out and returned your ballot, you may want to turn it in by dropping it in the mail slot in the front door at my house, 1105 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, 15232, before 9am Sunday Oct 18th. You can also bring it to crown tourney or bring it to the barony social at the Buffalo Inn before 2pm. Please make sure your ballot is in a sealed envelop. Mailing your ballot at this late date may result in ballot not arriving in time. Ballots received after ballot count begins will not be included in the tally.

This Sunday, October 18th there is a Barony Social, Heavy and Fencing practice, and Ballot count. The site is the Buffalo Inn, 3757-3779 Buffalo Drive, South Park, PA 15129. https://maps.app.goo.gl/efUvBHBGH6Xnngr2A The fun starts at 10am and continues through the afternoon. There is are Arts and Sciences activities including largess make and donate, a weavers green, and a mini scriptorium. If you have other arts and science activities you would rather do, feel free. However, if it is messy, make sure you have drop cloths or tablecloths to cover the work surface. You will need to clean up afterwards There will be fencing and rattan fighter practice outdoors. No food will be provided, but feel free to bring food or beverages to eat, drink, and/or share.

At 2pm the selection committee will take the ballot box and retire to the back room to count the ballots. We encourage people to stay through the afternoon and find out the results.