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 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.

Presenting the final 2017 Champs and Baronial award holders

After a long and exciting Season Her Excellency and I finally determined the last of our 2017 Baronial Champs and award holders. Please take a moment to congratulate them and thank them for their service. 

Full list of current 2017 Champions and Award Holders

Lady Thalia Papillon - Iron Man
 (competed in the most Baronial Champ events)

THL Maeve Ni Siurtain - Equestrian

Lord Chebe - Chivalry

THL Minamoto Roku-i Sakurako - Queen Ann
(Chivalry and participation even when faced with difficulties)

We present Your Current Champions!

Current Rhydderich Hael Baronial Champions - 2017

Her Excellency and I are proud to present the current compiled list of the Rhyderrich Hael Baronial Champs and award holders for 2017. We have a few more to hand out at Summers End, but since the 7 Pearls event is coming up before that date, we wanted to acknowledge the current champions and thank them for their service. We look forward to seeing everyone at Seven Pearls! 

Lord Tadhg Mag Uidhir- Heavy

THL Wolfgang Starcke- Rapier

THL Eleanore Godwin - Arts & Sciences

Lady Simonetta di Alfassi- Archery

Lord Akayuma Yatarou Kage’o - Thrown weapons

 Éadaoin Gaelach Rua - Bardic (Winner 7 Pearls Bardic Champ)

THL Maeve Ni Siurtain - Equestrian

Rhydderich Hael Baronial award holders- 2017 

Lady Artemisia da Manarola- Baronial Keystone

Lady Thalia Papillon- Most Improved - Rapier &  Iron Man
 (competed in the most Baronial Champ events)

THL Jairus of the Darklands (right)- Most Improved- Heavy

THL Minamoto Roku-i Sakurako - Queen Ann
(Chivalry and participation even when faced with difficulties)

Lord Chebe - Chivalry

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.

The Hael welcomes a new Thrown Weapons Champion!

On Monday July 17th Her Excellency and I attended the last of our martial champion tournaments with the purpose of determining a new Hael Thrown Weapons Champion. Our current Champion THL Eleanore Godwin ran a challenging course tasking each participant to throw axe, knife,and spear at a series of unique targets. We had a total of eight throwers with four competing for the position of Champion. With all weapons thrown it was Lord Akayuma Yatarou Kage’o who won out above all and accepted the position of Hael thrown weapons champion. This is not the first time Lord Akayuma has served as thrown weapons champion so we have no doubt he will do a great job. We are already proud of him!

Thank you to THL Eleanore Godwin for her service as our thrown weapons champion (and as current A&S champion) and for running a fun tournament.

We would also like to thank Master Augusto Giuseppe da San Donato for his inspiration during this tournament. Master Giuseppe was facing some serious surgery that would have eliminated him from participating in the tourney, but took time out of his schedule to come and throw the week before so he could participate. Additionally, even though he did not need to, he came out the week after his surgery to watch the other champions throw and to cheer them on. Vivat! 

On point! The Hael Welcomes a new Archery Champion.

Our new Champion Lady Simonetta di Alfassi

What an exciting week for the Champions of the Hael! Only a day after the new fencing champion was determined (Lord Wolfgang Starcke), the archers of the Hael gathered to decide the next archery champion. The tournament was held at the Double T archery club alongside the normal Baronial archery practice. There was a total of seven archers shooting, with five of the seven competing for the champion spot.

The final duel!

The tournament included two parts. First, each person was required to complete a single Royal Round before moving onto the main part of the tourney. The score of the Royal Round was not important and was solely meant to encourage people to submit Royal Rounds for the year.  The main part of the tournament involved shooting two rounds of six arrows at a standard archery target at a distance of 20 yards. The goal was to score as closest to 41 points without going over. The score for each ring was modified with the center (yellow) set as 15 points, working out to the outer ring (white) set as 1 point.

At the end of the first round of shooting Lord Abdullah al-Rashid was in the lead with a total of 40 points. The second round began with no less enthusiasm even though a score of 40-41 was required to challenge or beat Abdullah. Arrows flew, the scores were counted, and in an exciting upset Lady Simonetta di Alfassi came away with a high score of exactly 41 points! Bewildered but happy, Lady Simonetta di Alfassi was offered and accepted the position of Baronial Archery Champion!



Thank you to our outgoing Champion Lady Siobhan Readnait for her service and for running such a fun tournament and to all the archers who joined us for the tourney.

The scores and tokens for the shooters (provided by  Lady Siobhan Readnait)

Announcing the New Hael Rapier Champion!

Lord Wolfgang Starcke

On a warm July night the rapier fighters of the Hael gathered on the list field to determine a new champion! Nine fighters entered the list, with seven competing for the spot as Rhyderrich Hael rapier champion. The format was round robin with each fighter fighting a best-of-three bout against each other fighter. At the end of the fighting the result was a tie between Lord Wolfgang Starcke and Lord Abdullah al-Rashid. This is the second time this year Lord Wolfgang has made it to the finals of one our tournaments, facing off in the heavy finals against Lord Tadhg Mag Uidhir only a short time ago. The final bout was best of five with alternating matching weapon forms. Both fighters made a great showing, but in the end Lord Wolfgang Starcke stood victorious. Her Excellency and I offered, and he graciously accepted his rightful position as our new Rapier Champion. Her Excellency and I would once again like to thank Lady Brigette de Sainte Mere-Église for acting as our MOL, Lady Logan Lotta da Kent and Lord Robert l'Etourdi for acting as our marshals, the gathered fencers, and last but not least our outgoing champion THL Minamoto Roku-i Sakurako.

Lady Thalia Papillon

In addition to our new champion, Lady Thalia Papillon was declared "most improved fencer" in recognition of her steadily improving skill over the past year. Recently authorized at Adult Swim in February, Lady Thalia has gone on to enter several tournaments (performing well in all) and gained additional authorizations not only in fencing, but also in combat archery and siege.  



Finally Her Excellency and I sought to add an additional piece of regalia for the Hael fencing champion. This new regalia came in the form of a buckler built and hand painted by Lady Malleen Fenella Menzies (AKA Rivin). The new shield was presented  to the new champion for the first time and there is no doubt this beautiful piece of art will become a part of Hael history. 

Lady Malleen Fenella Menzies (AKA Rivin) and her fine work!

Thanks again to everyone who came out to support and represent the Barony! What a wonderful night. 

The Arts & Sciences are in good hands again!

Her Excellency and I have selected a new Arts & Sciences Champion! The setting for the contest was the Cooks Collegium held in the Barony on June 24th. There was a small (but impressive) display of projects that focused heavily on the scribal arts. Her Excellency and I spoke to each entrant about their work and their plans if they became our champion, and after a short deliberation, determined a winner. We are pleased to announce that THL Eleanore Godwin is our new Baronial A&S Champion. Eleanore's work and display was above and beyond, and her plans for Seven Pearls is....well that is a Secret for now. In an Ironic twist of fate Her Ladyship was also assigned to create the scroll that we would ultimately award our new A&S champion. Her Excellency and I offered to have another scroll made for her, but Eleanore was pleased to finally have some of her own work to keep and display. We agree she deserves it. Her Excellency and I would also like to thank our outgoing A&S champion Lord Wolfgang Starcke. Wolfgang thank you for your service as our Champion and your continuing dedication to the Barony and the Kingdom. Shown below is a selection of the work Eleanore displayed at the contest.