The time has come!

The time has come! Three years has come and gone. On December 1st Miriel and I will step down as the Baron and Baroness of the Ryhdderich Hael. During the reign one of my fondest pleasures was running and updating this blog. Each time I visited the blog I was reminded of all the great adventures we had and the many friends we made along the way. The blog was a personal project and will not continue when we step down. I will leave it up so people can visit and enjoy the many years of posts, but this will be our last official post here. Thank you to the people who contributed to the blog over the years and for the many compliments it received. Miriel and I will post additional thanks elsewhere before we are done, but for the M&M blog this is the final flight, we are signing off.

Good to luck to our heirs…and as always and forever HAEL YEAH!

Thrown weapons season comes to end but the memories remain

It was a dark and cold night on the thrown weapons range yesterday, but that did not stop the last tosses of knife and axe into well used targets. Granted it was a short practice, but it marked the end of a fantastic thrown weapons season.

Practice struggled with numbers this year, but thanks to watchful eye of Master Caleb and the steady dedication of Lady Thalia the range stayed active all season long. We shared many good laughs and saw the making of a new Champion (Lady Thalia). Thank you to Lord Akayuma for running our 2018 thrown weapons champs tourney and many thanks to THL Maeve Ni Siurtain for the use of her home, yard, and storage shed. Thanks to everyone who visited us when time allowed, it was good to see new and old and faces alike.

As winter sets in I ask everyone to keep thrown weapons in mind for next year. The Barony has a proud legacy in the thrown weapons community and I encourage everyone to come out and give it a try. I imagine as soon as the sun returns and the ground is dry you will find Caleb, Thalia, and myself out on the range again. Come join us!

Presenting the new Champions and Baronial award holders!

As Her Excellency and I enter our last few months and Baron and Baroness of the Rhydderich Hael it was our pleasure to name a new set of Champions and Baronial award holders one last time. This task is one of the highlights of the Baronial reign and we consider it an honor. The Champions represent the Barony as a whole and we ask that you join in congratulating and thanking our new Champions. Please note that Her Excellency and I have decided to leave the choice of the next Equestrian champ to our Heirs.

Lord Theowyndwood Keyote- Heavy Champion

Fuego - New Baronial Fencing Champion & Most Improved Fencer

Lady Thalia Papillon - Thrown weapons champion & Baronial Keystone holder & Iron man

Lady Logan Lotta de Kent - Bardic Champion

Lord Abdullah al-Rashid- Archery Champion

Lord Fearghus mac Eoin - Chivalry Champion

Grimnir the Handsome - Most Improved Fighter

THL Maeve Ni Siurtain - Equestrian (current)

Queen Ann - awarded to the populace of
 The Barony of the Rhydderich Hael and the Canton of Beau Fleuve

In Memory of Those Who Have Gone Before Us

Each year one of the honors handed out during champs is the Queen Ann Trophy. The award was created in Honor of Kent Weed and was originally bestowed to a person in recognition of their  excellence upon the field in both conduct and martial skill. Over the years the nature of the award has changed. Now the award is bestowed to people who have suffered hardship or loss, but despite that, remain strong and continue on both with life and in support of the SCA. Some may feel the award no longer represents its original intention, but I must disagree. Not all challenges are met at the end of a sword and conduct and courtesy are not limited to a list field. Recently the Barony and Canton has suffered great loss, and while it was hard for many, it did not break our resolve. During this time Her Excellency and I watched as people stepped forward, picked up the pieces, and continued to work to make the Barony and Canton strong. This was not restricted to Peers, veterans, or officers. Help came from the newest of members,veterans, and from young and old alike. This year instead of awarding the Queen Ann to a single person Her Excellency and I have decided to recognize The Barony of the Rhydderich Hael and the Canton of Beau Fleuve as a whole. We are so proud of each and everyone of you. Thank you. You share this honor with each other.

The Names as displayed on the award*: 

• Lord Sylvanus Huntsman
• James Ahern 
• Benedict Feargus McMead
• THL Don Behrend von Elmendorf
• Lord Robert I Etourdi
• Lord Daidalos Pagkration
• Lord Henri DuPont
• Lord Aquila d' Athos
• Lady Logan Latta D'Kent
• Sir Sextus Plinius Callidus
• THL Augusto Giuseppie de San Donato
• Alyce B Green
• Lord William Freskyn Murray
• Lord Dominic D'Artus
• Lord Belgraunde
• Lady Biotta
• Lady Lilionde Lyondemere
• Lord Dedrick Schweickhradt Von Schwartzwald
• Miriel du Lac
• Lord Rendell
• Lady Eleanore
• Lady Theowynwood Keyote 
• Linda the Stong of Will

*apologies and respect to changes of rank or name that do not appear on the award. 

Most improved fighter awarded

Each year Her Excellency and I poll a selection of heavy fighters to determine the recipient of the "Most Improved Fighter" award. This award is given to the the heavy fighter deemed to show the most improvement for the year. It is not limited to new fighters and can also be awarded to experienced fighters who have shown great prowess, or otherwise made contributions to the Heavy Community. The award is special because the recipient is determined by the opinion of their peers and not just the choice of the Baron and Baroness. This year the heavy community has spoken and determined Grimnir the Handsome the new "Most Improved Fighter". Normally this is announced in court, but Grim has recently accepted a job that has him away from home. Her Excellency and I did not want to wait to honor him so this blog post must suffice until we meet up with him again. Please take a moment to congratulate him when you see him next.

Her Excellency and I would also like to thank our out going "Most Improved Fighter" THL Jairus of the Darklands for his service.

Most Improved Fighter  - regalia

New Chivalry Champion announced

Lord Fearghus mac Eoin

Last weekend at Summers End Her Excellency and I continued selecting our 2018 Baronial Champions by naming Lord Fearghus mac Eoin as the Baronial Chivalry Champion. He graciously accepted. Lord Fearghus is a regular presence on the battlefield and at practice, fighting in both tourney and melee, teaching new fighters, and is an example of honor and chivalry. On the same day he was recognized by the King and Queen with induction into the Order of the Golden Alce for his prowress in battle. We thank him for his service to the Barony and Kingdom. Please congratulate him when you see him. We would also like to thank our outgoing Chivalry Champion Lord Chebe for his service.

Populace projects! - New Baronial Keystone regalia bag and cord

In 1999 The Barony was awarded a  Keystone for service to the Kingdom. Each year the Baron and Baroness are tasked to pick a new member of the populace to carry the Baronial Keystone. Traditionally the person does not have a Keystone of their own, but exemplifies the qualities of a member of the order. The medallion was once contained in small wooden box and hung on a simple black cord. Our outgoing Baronial Keystone holder Lady Artemisia da Manarola graced us with a new bag to carry they Keystone as well as a upgrade to the medallion cord. She also made a nice video documenting the process. Thank you for this wonderful addition to the Baronial Regalia!

Video - the making of the bag and cord

Lady Artemisia da Manarola

2018 Seven Pearls - Memories and Thanks!

Each year the Baronies of Æthelmearc gather with their Baronial Champions to compete in a day of multi-Barony tournaments known as “The Seven Pearls”. The winner of each of the Seven Pearls tournaments (heavy, fencing, arts & science, bardic, archery, and thrown weapons) earns the title of “Seven Pearls champion”. This year the event was hosted by the Barony of Blackstone Mountain and was held in West Virginia. During our reign Her Excellency and I have enjoyed not only a high level of participation in our Baronial champion events, but have had exceptional champions as well, and this year was no different. We hope these simple words will adequately express our thanks for your participation and dedication.

First off to the entire group: Yes each of you competed in the tournaments, but above and beyond that thank you for your service to the Barony. Each and every person helped in some capacity during the event, either with seeing to Her Excellency’s needs, moving our gear from place to place, unpacking and packing cars, setting up feast gear, and so on. In addition to that many of you helped during the event setting up, tearing down, cleaning, etc. Adding to that the fact that you each made the long trek to West Virginia to do so, and stayed the entire day so you could process with us into court as our outstanding champions. This is true testament to the Barony and we thank you for this.



Lord Theowyndwood Keyote (Heavy): Wyn, It was such a pleasure watching you fight. You demonstrated spirit, energy, and honor on the field. Notably you stayed in armor and continued to fight long after the tournament ended showing it was the love of the game, and not just the tournament, that motivated you that day.

Lord Abdullah al-Rashid (Archery): Abdul, thank you for representing the Barony on the archery range.You shot straight, did well, and well lived up to the title of Champion and Hael Hound.Your help and kind presence for the rest of the day was very much appreciated.

Lady Thalia Papillon (Thrown champion, and representing Bardic and A&S): Thalia, what a weekend you had! Not only did you represent us as the Baronial thrown weapons champion, but also stood in and represented the Barony in Bardic and Arts & Science at the same time. As if that was not enough you took on the role of our herald, bragging us into court and acting as our court herald (all for the first time). Thank you!

Éadaoin Gaelach Rua (outgoing Baronial Bardic champ & outgoing Seven Pearls bardic Champion): Éadaoin thank you again for everything. Thank you for making the trip down to run the Seven Pearls bardic tournament, as well supporting the champions and us during the day. Thank you for your song “The Dragon’s Hoard” and for singing it on request so many times. It was wonderful to hear you sing it in the hall that night in front of Their majesties and assembled Baronage.

Fuego (Fencing): Fuego, your performance in the fencing list was beyond amazing. You fought with skill and honor, but also with a smile. It was heartwarming to see you laughing with your opponents after each fight, not only at the start but throughout what was a very long and hard tournament. You lived up to the title of fencing champion and certainly proved you earned the title of “most improved fencer”. Your enthusiasm on and off the field that day was a credit not only to you but the Barony. More than one person commented on how impressed they had been with your skill with the blade.

In addition to the folks who made the trip to Seven Pearls we would also like to thank THL Minamoto Roku-i Sakurako  and Mistress Liadhain ni Chleirigh na Coille for their hard (and last minute) work to make sure we had the scrolls we needed for the weekend, including one backlog from last year.

This is our last year at Seven Pearls the Baron and Baroness of the Hael. Thank you to all for making it a memorable event…and of course Hael Yeah!

Magnus and Miriel

With Story and Pen...The Champions for A&S and Bardic announced

THL Minamoto Roku-i Sakurako - A&S Champion

On August 22nd the Barony celebrated the annual "Post Pennsic Potluck" dinner. Her Excellency and I took this opportunity to hold our Baronial Arts & Science and Bardic champion tournaments. The  A&S was decided by Her Excellency, myself, and our Baronial Heirs. After a long discussion it was decided that THL Minamoto Roku-i Sakurako was the winner and accepted the position of our new Arts & Science champion. The Bardic competition was decided by populace vote, and after several moving performances the people declared Lady Logan Lotta de Kent the winner. Her Excellency and I offered her position of Baronial Bardic Champion and she graciously accepted. We would like to thank our outgoing A&S Champion THL Eleanore Godwin and outgoing Bardic Champion (and 2017 Seven Pearls Bardic Champion)  Lady Éadaoin Gaelach Rua for their service to the Barony. 

Lady Logan Lotta de Kent - Bardic Champion

With the final competing Champions determined our next stop is Seven Pearls (August 25th). We wish all our champions good fortune in their quests! Have a good time and enjoy the day. You are already winners in our hearts. The final 2018 Baronial award holders and Champions Iron Man, Queen Ann, and Chivalry will be announced at Summers End on September 22nd. The choice of new Equestrian Champion will be determined by our heirs at a later date.

Please welcome the new Heavy Weapons Champion!

On the 15th of August 2018, Her Excellency and I asked our current heavy champion Lord Quirin Werneken (formerly know as Lord Tadhg Mag Uidhir) to conduct a tournament to determine the new Ryhdderich Hael heavy weapons champion. The tournament included a 15 minute bear pit, followed by a double elimination tournament that included the top four bear pit winners. After a series of spirited fights by all present, one person won out and Lord Theowyndwood Keyote was named the new Baronial Heavy Weapons Champion. 

The tournament also included a category for "top non-champion competitor", and was won by the Hael Archery Champion Lord Abdullah al-Rashid. Our thanks to our outgoing champion Lord Quirin Werneken for his service. Her Excellency and I would also like to thank the MOL Lady Thalia Papillon  and Marshals THL Lord Horatius Cincinnatus and Baron William Freskyn Murray for helping run a safe and successful tournament. Next week on August 22nd we will determine our new A&S and Bardic Champs. Please watch for details.

New Fencing Champion & Baronial Keystone holder are named!

Fuego - New Baronial Fencing Champion

New Fencing Champion Named!

On July 25th 2018 Her Excellency and I held a tournament to determine our new Baronial Fencing Champion. The tournament was run by Don Behrend von Elmendorf in memory of our departed Champion Lord Wolfgang Starcke. In true tradition of the Hael the tournament was a grand display of skill and chivalry. In the end, due to her dedication to our fencing community and her prowess in the tournament, Her Excellency and I named Fuego our new Baronial Fencing champion. Fittingly her peers also named Fuego "Most Improved Fencer" on the same day. We look forward to watching Fuego at Seven Pearls and know she will do us proud!

Our thanks to the fencers who turned out for the tournament, the MOLs, and marshals. It should also be mentioned that in addition to the Champion spot, there was also an overall tournament winner. This honor went to Baron Caleb Reynolds.



New Baronial Keystone holder also named!

Lady Thalia - New Baronial Keystone holder

In 1999 The Barony was awarded a  Keystone for service to the Kingdom. Each year the Baron and Baroness are tasked to pick a new member of the populace to carry the Baronial Keystone. Traditionally the person does not have a Keystone of their own, but exemplifies the qualities of a member of the order. This year it was our honor (and the honor of our Heirs) to pick Lady Thalia Papillon to carry the Keystone for the coming year. Lady Thalia has severed the Barony as Baronial MOL, assisting at events, working on and donating largess projects, and in September will Autocrat her first event.

Her Excellency and I would also like to thank Lady Artemisia da Manarola for carrying the Keystone last year and for her continuing service to the Barony. As a credit to her continuing service Lady Artemisia made a new cord and carrying bag for the Keystone (along with making us think she lost the keystone as a lead in). Fittingly enough Their Majesties Sven and Siobhán saw fit to award Lady Artemisia her own Keystone and Her Excellency and I had the privilege to deliver the scroll to her on this day.

Fencing Champion Regalia

Fencing Champion Regalia

Champs continues - a new Archery Champion is named!

On July 22nd 2018, at the Archery Muster held in the Canton of Beau Fleuve, Her Excellency and I held our tournament to determine a new Archery Champion. The hopeful archers gathered, firing many arrows and consuming large amounts of pot luck, but in the end a choice was made.Lord Abdullah al-Rashid was named  the new Hael archery Champion! Anyone who has seen Lord Abdul with a bow will attest to the fact the Hael is well represented. Many thanks to our parting champion Lady Simonetta di Alfassi

Among the top shooters we had Lady Thalia  and Brian Wypij, both shot well, however Brian's work schedule does not allow him a trip to Blackstone and Lady Thalia has graciously accepted a position as our thrown weapons champion. We thank them both for their service.

The Dragon's Hoard - raise up your voices to this original song!

Our talented Bardic champion (Seven Pearls winner)  Éadaoin Gaelach Rua has graced the Barony with a wonderful song. Please read and hear her words. The talent of our populace always amazes us. 

"Song written for the Hael, original tune and lyrics. The chorus makes reference to the green and black of our coat of arms, alluding to what they represent within the Buffalo area. King Rydderch, for whom we're named, was rumored to wield the sword Dyrnwyn (DUHRN-win), which would only draw for a worthy person, and would sprout with flames when that was accomplished. He was also given the epithet Hael, meaning "generous." As an artist's note, I will always refer to the dragon on our arms as the Smiling or Laughing Dragon, as its mouth is always open, and I appreciate humor above many other institutions in the SCA. Please enjoy. Éadaoin Gaelach Rua".


The Dragon's Hoard - original song


The Dragon’s Hoard
© 2018 Rebecca Glon
For the Barony of the Rhydderich Hael

As you cross the western gate to Sylvan AEthelmearc,
A joyous country you will find with open arms.
Come drink with us, and eat your fill, and put your mind at ease.
Let all our smiles bring you in, like they once welcomed me.

chorus
Here, in the Rhydderich Hael,
We grow our dreams in rich, black earth and hunt our foes through the great pine wood,
And when we find our passion, we share our gifts as all should
And that’s the hoard our dragon guards.

Laughter and court shenanigans are timeless as the sun—
Just when you think we’re finished, we’ve only begun.
Our helping hands and fiber skills are many to behold
From artisan to dance, each Haelian proves bold.

But never think we’re without teeth for fending off dark hearts—
Our flying blades and flashing steel are common in these parts.
That’s if you best our Hael Hounds and engines of war:
Hospitable on top of a Murder Snowflake core.

chorus

Long ago, a British king who “Generous” title claimed,
Fought the Saxons valiantly, and it’s he for whom we’re named.
The thunder of our “Hael yeah!” may never turn a tide,
But lights the fire of Dyrnwyn that burns within our pride.

As you live this Dream and in between, may you find your worth.
Earn it with humility as you roam this mortal Earth.
Recall our Smiling Dragon and the humor in its gaze.
May that brightness strengthen this modern middle age.

chorus, hold note on “guards” 

July demo report of 2018 - A tale of fire!

Her Excellency and I receive a lot of officer reports, but rarely are they so eloquently worded that we feel motivated to blog about them. However, Lady Biotta's account of the 2018 4th of July demo was an exception! So please hear the words of our demo coordinator as she speaks of the brave demo marchers! Thank you everyone for your service that day!

"A call to march went out across the Baronial lands and though the heat was oppressive on that fourth day of July a small, but determined band of Haelies did answer that call for the honor of Their Beloved Excellencies. With a magnificent show of outfit with banners held high, the band of eighteen did make the slow trek through the village streets offering tokens to the waving crowds as others were doing before them.

Lo these hearty men and women with growing sense of fellowship did speak of their home ways with those observers while they marched along the chosen roads and showed to them some feats of their Martial prowess while sounding invitation to all to join them in their studies when next they met at their home base. And at times the journey seemed never ending, but they took heart and found new resolve in one of their own who brought stead with him and supplied quenching waters throughout to get them to the appointed end and rest for the weary".

So ends the July demo report of 2018.

Yours In Service, Biotta

It was a bit warm!

The Hael welcomes the first of the new champions!

Her Excellency and I have started the process of selecting new champions (who will also serve our Heirs). On July 16th at thrown weapons practice our current Champion Lord Akayuma Yatarou Kage’o held a tournament to determine the new thrown weapons champion. The tournament included multiple ax, knife, and spear targets as well as rather challenging "chocolate chip cookie" knife throw. As a tribute there was a Royal Round knife target that required throwers to use the throwing knives of Master Augusto Giuseppe da San Donato.

With all weapons thrown, we are proud to announce we have named Lady Thalia Papillon as our new thrown weapons champion. Lady Thalia has spent the first part of the season taking thrown weapons by storm throwing at practice, events, and in tournaments. We know she will represent the Barony with skill and honor. Please congratulate her when you see her.

Her Excellency and I thank Lord Akayuma for his service and all the throwers and spectators who attended the tourney.

Our quest for new champions continues with Archery at the Archery muster this weekend:

Canton of Beau Flueve - archery muster - Sunday July 22nd

Heavy champion tourney is schedule for August 15th and normal practice.

Rapier, A&S, and Bardic date are TBD.

Populace in Focus! - THL Maeve Ni Siurtain

Real Name: Michele Nufer

SCA Name and Title: THL Maeve Ni Siurtain

Years in the SCA: On and off, 30+

Persona: Celtic, 10th-13th century Celtic Chieftain’s daughter. Never really came up with a detailed persona story

Group or Household affiliations if any: Ravenstar Lance, inactive with Tuatha Fieren

Tell us a bit about your life outside the SCA.

Currently I am a stay at home mom of 2 children. Erin, who just turned 21, and Ian, who is 12.  I am a former Special Education Teacher, teacher assistant (I semi-retired from the education field in 2007. I help out at the barn where my horse, Guinness is boarded in Orchard Park and work per diem for Carnaby Estate sales with Tiercelin. I have a small menagerie, 11 Koi, 2 guinea pigs (Bandit and Shadow) and one neurotic dog (Winston) My husband does not participate in the SCA.

What SCA activities do you participate in?

In my early days in the society, I did a little of everything, heavy (spear) fencing(had authorization in 4 weapon forms) archery (never was very good),scouting at Pennsic, scribal (calligraphy and illumination, which I can’t do anymore) and dance. Nowadays, I participate in equestrian mostly, embroidery and teach a few classes now and then as well as help wherever needed or wanted.

Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience.

I have been Baronial Dance Mistress and MOL and more recently Baronial Chatelaine and now Region 4 Chatelaine. My experience with the SCA started way back in 1985 at Buffalo State College at the Milton festival that they were participating in. I used to travel, and made many friends in many groups when I would stay with them and also when people came up here and crashed at my home. I have been in 2 kingdoms and one principality without even moving! (East and Aethelmearc).

What are your goals in the SCA?

Goals? Maybe to be King’s Equestrian champion at least once... To find a way to participate more without undue stress at home. To finally make some court garb… And one way out goal/ wish, to be fought for in a crown tourney.

If you could accomplish only one thing in the SCA in the year 2018 what would it be?

To ride in as many equestrian events as I can.

What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?

Try everything, go to meetings/practices, be curious (it’s ok to ask questions/give compliments (ooh, I really like your____...) It’s so much easier to get information these days as opposed to when I joined (had to go to libraries!). As to who to ask, Anyone! The groups are pretty friendly and happy to talk about anything! When I was new, I would wander around and if I saw something that interested me, I would ask the nearest person, or the one doing it about it

If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have what would it be? 

Maybe to be excellent at one of the things I’ve tried??

Additional comments as you see fit.  

Being around as long as I have, I have seen changes in group dynamics and styles. Believe it or not, there are fashion trends!  Sideless surcoats, Tudor, Italian Ren, and quite a bit of Viking! The quality/ authenticity of garb has increased immensely over the decades. I consider myself as a “jack of many trades”, so, I know some about a lot of things!  If you see me at an event or practice, feel free to come and chat, I love meeting and talking to people (guess that’s why I like being a chatelaine<LOL)

Populace in focus - Lord Fearghus mac Eoin

Real Name: 

Nathan Littlejohn

SCA Name and Title: 

Lord Fearghus mac Eoin

Years in the SCA?

Just south of 20

Persona:

14th century Scottish wandering crusader type.

Group or Household affiliations if any:

House Gladique Scoparum

Tell us a bit about your life outside the SCA:

I work in the construction, primarily large industrial projects. I spend a fair amount of time tending my garden and working in my wood shop. I currently reside with my lovely lady, a Skye terrier whose name is Oscar, two geckos, and a rather grumpy bearded dragon. I also bonfires and beer. 

What SCA activities do you participate in: 

Primarily heavy fighting, but also woodworking, calligraphy & illumination, and armoring. Also period cooking and food preservation. Someday I may dabble more in brewing but there’s only so many hours in the day.

Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (offices, etc):

My semi nomadic lifestyle has led me across three kingdoms (the East, Aethelmearc, and Atlantia) so the only office I’ve held was Knight Marshal of Thescorre. I have autocratted, run more demos than I can count, helped in the kitchen, and generally try to make myself useful or at least amusing.

What are your goals in the SCA?

Besides making prettier garb and armor, my main goal has always been to have fun and encouraging others to do the same.

If you could accomplish only one thing in the SCA in the year 2018 what would it be?

Besides attending more events, make more scrolls.

What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?
Don’t worry about rank, joining households, awards, or any of that, just go to events and have fun.

If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have what would it be?

Probably embroidery, I like making pretty things.

Scroll from the past, finally delivered!

One of the fun jobs of a Baron & Baroness is handing out scrolls and awards. Sometimes these come from our hands, but sometimes the task falls on us to deliver the words of the King and Queen. Not long ago, while attending the College of Three Ravens in Thescorre, a backlog scroll came to us. A Silver Buckle  (youth service award) for a "Robert of the Rhydderich Hael". I decided to take the scroll and search for the owner. Thanks to the power of social media I was able to contact Robert and (if my math is correct) deliver his scroll 14 years after is was awarded. Thanks to everyone who helped in the quest! Robert, enjoy the scroll. Maybe we will see you around again.

Meet the Officers: Minister of Arts and Sciences

Now it's time to meet the next officer of the Hael, if you do A&S in our barony this officers wants to help you and guide those who are interested to the art they love. Time to learn about it from THL Eleanore Godwin our Minister of Arts and Sciences

What does the Minister of Arts and Sciences do?

The Minister of Arts and Sciences is a facilitator of education. The officer does a few things that are connected to learning. MoAS's make sure people wanting to learn about a subject are connected to a teacher or place they can have access to the subject they are interested in. The minister also finds students for someone wanting to teach, or opportunities for teachers to teach others.

The MoAS also helps artisans find opportunities to display their work. The MoAS is responsible for arranging classes for their group in subjects that are wanted or helpful to newcomers. Another responsibility is to maintain records of demos, activities participated in by members, who has taught, who took classes, and who made something.

The final responsibility is filing quarterly reports of all these activities. The reports are easily written with the on-line report form provided by the Kingdom Minister of Arts and Sciences Office.

Meet the Officers: Pursuivant

The next installment of our Baronial Officer Blog posts, this one written by our spectacular Pursuivant Mistress Ekaterina Volkova, please enjoy learning about what our Pursuivant does!

Pursuivant

A Great Barony is run with precision

A Baronial Court requires nothing less!

Tradition, discipline, and rules must be the tools

Without them - Disorder! Chaos! Anarchy!

In short, we have a ghastly mess!

What is the Pursuivant?

The Pursuivant is the Baronial Herald. This is a required posting as laid down by the Laws and Policies of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc in Article Vl, Section VI-200. In the Rhydderich Hael, this position has the title of Ice Dragon Pursuivant. The Pursuivant has a drop-dead deputy, in the Hael they are the Haelstone Pusuivant.

What does the Pursuivant do?

1. The majority of the time, the Pursuivant runs Baronial Courts. This means:
   1. keeping track of the docket,
   2. coordinating with the Scribal Guild to make sure scrolls will be coming in and from whom,
   3. running Baronial court,
   4. and filling out court reports for the Silver Buccle Herald.
2. If they are available, the Pursuivant also heralds in Their Excellencies in processions at such events as the Seven Pearls Tournament, Pennsic, War Practice and Coronations (depending on the wishes of Their Majesties).
3. Sometimes folks will come to the Pursuivant for help in designing and submitting SCA names and devices. I personally have a deputy that handles this aspect of the job.
4. Quarterly, it is the responsibility of the Pursuivant to submit a report to Kingdom. This is done via an online form found on the Kingdom Herald’s website.

What is required to be Ice Dragon Pusuivant?

1. You must be a member in good standing in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
2. You must submit your resume to the Seneschal of the Barony with a copy to the current Pursuivant
3. You must be voted into the office at the voting Barony meeting.
4. Other things that are a bonus:

1. Getting along with the current and potential future Baron/Baroness of the Barony,
2. the ability to keep confidences as you will know award information sometimes months ahead of time,
3. a loud and carrying voice,
4. little to no stage fright,
5. organizational skills (preferably spreadsheet and google docs abilities),
6. a comfortable pair of shoes (Ice Dragon court is LONG),
7. a sense of humor is a big bonus too.

What are the perks of being Pursuivant?

1. You get a front row seat to see people’s faces as they receive awards,
2. you get to see up close all the pretty scrolls the scribes of the Barony make,
3. you’re not straining to hear what they are saying in court

Baronial Nominations April 4th 2018 - A word from the Election Steward

On April 4th 2018 the Barony continues the process of electing a new Baron and/or Baroness with the call for nominations and the selection of potential candidates. The nomination process will happen at the April Baronial business meeting under the guidance of the Election committee and in accordance with Baronial policy. Her Excellency and I invite the populace to join us in support of the Barony and encourage people new and old to participate in the process. A link to the Baronial policies is provided below and explains the election policy, the nomination process, and the requirements to serve as Baron and/or Baroness. If you have any questions about serving as Baron and Baroness, please ask. We are always willing to discuss the job. Serving as the Baron and Baroness has been a great honor and we look forward to watching the selection of our Heirs. Please join us! 

Several people have asked question about the election and the election process that are not covered in the Baronial policy. Her Excellency Baroness Elisabeth Johanna von Flossenburg was nice enough to answer several of these questions. If you have other questions please direct them to Her Excellency Elisabeth by e-mail at: (bostonhahn at aol dot com)

Can people accept the nomination immediately or are they required to wait 48 hours?  

They can accept verbally immediately if they meet all the requirements outlined in the policy. They must furnish a copy of valid ID and a valid SCA membership card. They can also write an acceptance letter in advance and turn it in at the time they accept the nomination. They can also wait until the last minute. 

Policy says people must accept nominations in writing. Can that be an e-mail, Facebook, etc? Or does it have to be pen and paper?

I personally do not care, but we do need a file copy of the acceptance if asked by the Kingdom Seneschal or the Crown, so I feel it is best to write an acceptance letter in paper and pen/pencil. Again, this can be done in advance if they so choose. 

Who do they send this acceptance letter to? The policy does not specify.   

The acceptance letter should be given to the Seneschal or to any member of the election committee. However, in the end they should be kept by the Seneschal with any other election materials in case they have to be produced if any questions about the election should arise. 

Can people who accept the nomination make it public right away, or should they wait the 48 hours until all the nominees have responded? 

The acceptance can be made public immediately. 

Can people campaign after accepting the nomination? 

I see no reason against campaigning if someone so chooses. There are no restrictions. 

There is a tradition of asking the nominees a series of questions. These questions are then post in the newsletter along with photos. This is not in policy. Do you plan to do this? 

The introduction of the candidates will be left to the Chronicler. This will include a series of set questions given to the candidates to answer. These answers will be published in the newsletter prior to the election. The nature of the questions will be determined by the populace. Prior to the nomination meeting the Chronicler will ask the populace (via Facebook and Yahoo) what questions they would like to ask the Candidates. A selection of these question will be drawn from the populace responses and sent to the candidates to answer. Please watch for more information on this.  

Any additional thoughts? 

I would like very much to add a reminder for everyone to check their membership expiration and to renew if there may be a chance that it will expire or already is expired. Each person must be an active member in order to vote.  This means that they must have an active membership at the time the mailing labels are created or they cannot vote.  I remember that the first time there were elections in the Barony I had just renewed my membership but for some reason my mailing label was not included.  Sir Calidus called Milpitas and checked, I produced my receipt and was able to get it rectified.  But there is never a guarantee that this can be done.  So let's try to avoid this kind of situation!    

Baronial policy:

Link to Baronial Policy