Category: Uncategorized

The Dos and Don’ts of vigils

In the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, we are amazingly blessed with many dedicated servants to the Crown and the SCA community. Frequently, our friends and neighbors are recognized by the Crown and offered membership in the Peerage order as appropriate to the candidate’s area of expertise. These are the Order of Chivalry, the Order of Defense, the Order of the Laurel, and the Order of the Pelican.

Usually, to celebrate the occasion, just before the elevation to their order, there is a celebration during which the candidate sits in a private or quiet corner, and ponders the upcoming honor with the advice and words of encouragement and inspiration from others. This vigil can be as simple or as elaborate as the candidate desires, and is overseen by friends and supporters.

A big question is: who can visit a vigil? Absolutely anyone can visit the person that is sitting in vigil, whether you know them or not. However, as always, courtesy and respect matter. Here are some recommendations from Her Esteemed Ladyship, The Honorable Lady Mannerly of Knowsalot:

DON’T snarf the food. DO appreciate the attractive and appetizing array of food, but delay eating until after you have spoken with the candidate.

DON’T barge into the candidate’s sitting area. DO find the person who is keeping track of the people waiting to enter and have your name put onto the list of visitors.

DO try to remain in (or return to) the general area so as to be available when you are called.

DO be happy for the candidate! They are receiving an award for their outstanding work in a field they love. Ask about their work, ask about their plans for future endeavors, and above all, if you have words of encouragement, advice, or affection, say them.

After the visit, DO help yourself to the food, chat with the others around, visit with friends, meet new people. There may be a book for people to sign and leave a message, so feel free to do so. Otherwise, go and enjoy the rest of the event.

In service to the Dream,
Elss of Augsburg

“But how do I know about…”

But How Do I Know About……………

…… is usually one of the first questions a new person asks! There are so many things to learn and discover that it is difficult to figure it all out. If you like to do research by reading, then I have a rabbit hole for you to dive down: http://www.florilegium.org/.

This is an amazingly HUGE collection of articles and discussion threads, organized by topic. It won’t answer your every question, but it will give you some guidelines, some further directions, some things to think about. Check out the Newcomers link on the left, or just go to your topic directly.

Newcomers:
Wondering what to wear? Try “Generic Clothes – Tunic, Skirt, Shirt, and Pants” by Caitlin nic Raighne, or maybe “Easy T-Tunics” by THL George Anne.

Going to an event and want to look like you know what you are doing? Read “Event Etiquette” by Master Donal Mac Ruiseart.

Court? What’s court? Here’s an interesting read from people in other kingdoms. Nothing specifically AEthelmearcian, but it’s pretty close to what we do: “Comments about SCA Courts for newcomers.”

My first event was Agincourt, and I was so new that I didn’t know you had to bring your own table setting if you were going to eat in the evening. Feasts in this area are delicious, filling, generous, and usually have something for everyone. Before going, I certainly wish I had read this: “Orts It All About, Alfred? – (Attending your first year or two of SCA Feasts)” by Lady Caterina della Pieri.

So you have been around for a bit and want to start diving in to your favorite topic. How about…..

Beverages — wine, mead, coffee, beer, ale, cordials, ciders, caudles, possets, sekanjabin, water, tea, chocolate, and by our good friend, “Did you know you can malt acorns? Part 1” by THL Madoc Arundel.

There are thirteen (yes, 13) topics on Food of various kinds, 14 topics if you count Feasts.

Interested in Plants, Herbs, and Spices? There are articles from ambergris to woad.

These articles are written by all sorts of people, and some are new and some are old. But those I have read have stood the test of time and are still valuable today (except the Humor topic. Just don’t. Well, you’ve been warned.).

Enjoy!
Elss Augsburg

Youth Practice April 1st

Reminder there will be no youth combat practice on April 1st. Youth fighting practice will be on April 8th. We will let you know if we are at Washington Blvd or the church. Youth are invited to Bacon, Beer, Bash on April 7th, where there will be youth fighting and a tournament for prizes after morning court. Loaner gear will be on site. Also a chance to eat a lot of bacon 😁

Fight Practice March 25

Hello,
There will be fight practice on March 25, from 2 till 6 PM, at the Pittsburgh Chinese Church. Loaner armor will be available.
Duke Timothy has said he plans to join us this week. So if you want to cross swords with him, here is your chance.
I hope to see a lot of you there.
Robert

There is something for everyone this weekend!

This weekend is pretty much all things SCA. There will be something going on in the Barony both days this weekend – pace yourselves and you can make it to everything so you don’t miss anything fun!

Saturday, 17 March

We will be doing a demo as part of the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The staging area will be on Liberty Ave, South Side. The truck team has to arrive at 8:30am. Marchers at 9. The parade starts at 10, but that is the front of the parade, we’ll be waiting a bit, so don’t worry about being a tad late.

There will be horses, pageantry, random drunks, families, and us being awesome. This year our equestrians will be joining us and we will look amazing. So, wear your warm medieval clothing, bring your banners, and get all of your steps in while we show our best face to our friends and neighbors in Pittsburgh.

If you have any questions about the Parade, please contact the coordinator, Yingerz, at ying762(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Sunday, 18 March

The March Barony Meeting will be held at the Pittsburgh Chinese Church (map and directions) starting at 1:00 p.m. and going until around 3:30 p.m.

What do you have to look forward to? Updates from your officers, announcements, and the usual camaraderie. If you would like to share an event or something of interest to the Barony, contact the Comet Persuivant, Maighster Kieran MacRae at herald(at)debatablelands(dot)org before the meeting to get on the docket or just grab him before the meeting begins. If you’ve been thinking about an event or something that you would like to do or see in the Barony, this is a perfect time to talk with us.

Just following the meeting, in keeping with stuff from the 80s being fashionable again, join Odriana for a recommendation letter writing party. There will be note cards, envelopes, postage, beverages, and some snacks. There will be some examples available for you to work from, there will be an internet connection so we can check the OP, and if you like to study beforehand, please check out the article on the Aethelmearc Gazette written by Duchess Dorinda and updated by our own Baroness Hildarun. There’s also a recent article from THL Madoc on the Gazette.

If you have any questions about the Barony meeting, please contact Odriana at jenn(dot)strobel@gmail(dot)com.

So much going on means even more changes to have fun. We hope to see you there!!

2 days left!

All content and quarterly officers reports are due and in two days, on March 15th, for the quarter 1 edition of The Althing.

Please send all content and reports to chronicler@debatablelands.aethelmearc.org or contact me through Facebook.