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.

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” 

With a song....The Hael Welcomes a new Bardic Champion!

Éadaoin Gaelach Rua

On June 16th, fresh on the heels of Pennsic, the Hael gathered for the annual "Post Pennsic Pot Luck"! In addition to the piles of fine food and Pennsic stories, Her Excellency and I also took the chance to hold our Bardic Champion competition. It was a fine night of song and story, with a total of five people competing (as well as performances in addition to the main competition). Determining the winner was based on populace vote, the vote of our outgoing champion, and if needed, a tie breaker from Her Excellency and I. However in the end all of the voices agreed and Éadaoin Gaelach Rua was named (and accepted) the position of Hael Bardic Champion! We look forward to Her performance at Seven Pearls!

Her Excellency and I would like to thank our outgoing champion THL Brigette de Sainte Mere-Église for her service and truly moving performances last year.

Her Excellency and I invite everyone who is able to join us at the Seven Pearls event and help cheer on The Champions! We hope to hand out and announce the remaining Baronial champs (Iron man & Chivalry) and award holders at Summers End.

...and of course Hael Yeah!

The competitors: Back row left to right,THL Jairus of the Darklands, Lady Thalia Papillon, THFool Dagonell, Éadaoin Gaelach Rua (Her Excellency and I did not perform). Front: Master Filipo de Sancto Martino.

Congratulating our new Baronial Bardic Champion!

Please join us in congratulating our new Baronial Bardic Champion Lady Brigette de Sainte Mere-Église. Lady Bridgette made a wonderful showing at our Bardic competition (held on July 17th at the Baronial Hael Storm). It was a tough choice but in the end she prevailed in our eyes.



Make sure to come and support her and all our Champions at the Seven Pearls Event, Hosted by The Barony of St. Swithin's Bog August 19 - August 21 2016.

Seven Pearls Event information - Click Here!

Our final champion, that being Heavy Weapons, will be determined by a tournament to be held on July 20th as part of our normal practice. Please come out and cheer on the fighters. 

Our Baronial Champs So Far!

Last month on May 28th our barony held Palfreys and Polearms which was when His excellency and I named some of our baronial Champions and Award winners, a few of these chosen will represent our barony at the 7 Pearls Competitions coming up August 16th, 2016 in St. Swithin's Bog in Summerhill PA. 

Our Fencing Champion

Minamoto Roku-i Sakurako

Our Thrown Weapons Champion

THL Eleanore Godwin 

Our Arts & Sciences Champion

Lord Wolfgang Starcke

Our First Equestrian Champion

Lord Rhiannon Elandris of Glyndrvdwy

Our Chivalry Champion and Most Improved Fighter of the Year

Lord Tadhg Mag Uidhir

Our Baronial Keystone Holder

Lord Rhys Penbras ap Daffyd

Our Iron Man Champion

Fionnbhar (the horse)

Then because there are were many members of the Barony who could not be present at the event but had declared for Champion positions, we decided that the Titles of Baronial Champions of Heavy Weapons, Bardic and Archery would be announced at a later date.

At Hornwood Scarlet Guard Inn on June 11th, 2016 we had the chance to name our Archery Champion.

Our Archery Champion

Lady Siobhan Readnait 

There will be more info to come on Our Heavy and Bardic Champions, keep your eyes open!!

A Bardic Hopeful Declares with Dulcet Tones!

A few days ago Lady Brigette de Sainte Mere-Église declared herself to us as a bardic champion hopeful, and sang this beautiful song for us as a part of her declaration. Here is the lyrics and her simple statement. 

"My lord my champion you'll be 

For your valor and courage won't wavier. 

Your purpose is noble I see 

With my love do I offer my favor. 

Please wear this small token for me 

With. So the greatest of might for my honor 

From the righteous cause do not flee. 

May your greatness be known the world over.

Fight for my honor and fight for the glory 

And fight for the king of the land. 

Fight from the heart and I'll give you my love, 

Till the end of the world is at hand.

For you my task it shall be 

To provide you with true inspiration, 

I’ll stand by you with gentility 

To sustain you through hell and damnation. 

Your behavior will reflect upon me

Be it ever befitting your station, 

By example of true courtesy 

We will both make our mark on this nation.

CH

When this day into battle you go To defend the poor folk of the land, In this war you must vanquish our foe For the right of our king you must stand. My love will go with you, you know as you enter the field sword in hand With the lord protecting you so May you return with the victory grand CH

In the days of quiet and peace To the tournament fields you will end You will fight with whomever you please Be it noble or neighbor or friend You will perform with the grace and the ease That my love's inspiration might send Your opponent's will drop to their knees And declare you the victor again.

With this song of courtly love written by Lady Maeve Ronan, I declare my intent to be your Baronial Bard."

Friend and Fool...the first bardic hopeful declares!

Unto Their Excellencies Magnus de Lyons and Miriel du Lac does The Honorable Fool Dagonell the Juggler, Haelie by right of birth, and citizen forever by the whim, will and wish of Their Excellencies Donnchad Iain MacGafriadh and Ailionora MacGafriadh, sent warmest greetings.

It is my intent to become their excellencies chief entertainer, delighting young and old alike with story and song, puppetry, juggling, and magic.

To that end, I intend to match my skills against bard and minstrel, troubadour and jongleur alike.

In Service,
Dagonell

Another Champion hopeful vying for all but two Champion positions!

A man of many talents Lord Wolfgang Starcke throws his hat into the ring!

"Greetings from Lord Wolfgang Starcke, once and future Iron Man of the Rhydderich Hael. Disturbing word has reached me of a great shortage of contenders for various champion positions in our fine barony. To help remedy this, I offer my services to your Excellencies as rattan champion, rapier champion, thrown weapons champion, archery champion and Arts & Sciences champion. I would add equestrian champion, but the horses are all plotting against me. I consider my absence from the bardic competition a service to the entire Kingdom, not just the barony.  

With all that said, I will happily serve in whatever capacity you desire."

Now we need that bardic hopeful.....?

Seven Pearls Championships

This year the Kingdom's Seven Pearls Championships will be happening all at one event!! This weekend long event will be held August 19-21, 2016 in the wonderful Barony of Saint Swithin's Bog.

All the assorted Barony's of the Kingdom will be bringing their champions to this event to compete to see who will hold the title of Kingdom Baronial Champion in their field. Heavy, Rapier, Thrown, Archery, A&S, and Bardic. (and maybe more..)

So if you are looking to become our Baronial Champion this year, you need to save this date because you will be required to attend and represent our Barony.

So stay tuned for more information, His Excellency and I will be posting more about the Baronial Championship as it draws closer, and we can't wait!

Link to Kingdom Calendar Event Page