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.

Meet the Officers: Knight Marshal

His Excellency and I are doing a series of blog posts written by the Barony's Baronial Officers. We asked the officers to write about what they do as a Officer, what you need to know if you want to ever do the job yourself, and just some fun info as well. Enjoy and we hope you learn something too.

Here is the first by our awesome Knight Marshal Lord Horatius Cincinnatus.

Knight Marshal

Job Duties

Keep everyone safe and encourage more people to fight and become a Marshal. During practices make sure the fighters are having a great time and following all the rules. Help out with new fighters and point them in the right direction. A side note you may be asked to help during Baronial events and rules clarification when needed.

Tech stuff and Expectations

Be a Marshal, run for position, get voted into position and have fun in position. Know the rules of the list found in the Marshals Handbook. Have back up waviors ready and authorization paperwork.

Show up to as many practices as you can. This means showing up even when nobody is there to fight.

Show up to Baronial meetings and help "Count" votes...

Do paperwork as required, yearly and quarterly and if you run fighting at an event.

Help keep good relations with the practice site. Make sure the doors open on time and a keyholder is on site.

Keeping the loaner armour up to date and in working or working*ish* order. Tape and padding fixes most things. Make sure you return armour to him after it is loaned out.

When random people return or make armour donations get them back to the loaner bin. With this said... not all donation meet safety standards we do appreciate all offers but as cool as they are Freon Helms are best used on display.

Consult with the secret order of practice cancellation, that's a trade secret...

Remember at all times you are responsible for keeping people safe and making sure they have a good time. Make sure you pick a good deputy. You never know when you might have to have back up

The Hael welcomes a new Heavy Weapons Champion!

On Wednesday June 7^th the Barony of the Rhydderich Hael gathered to determine a new Heavy weapons Champion. 10 fighters entered the list, with 6 competing to be the new champion. The tournament was round-robin with each fighter fighting each other fighter once. The fighter with the most overall wins was named the “open tournament winner”, and then the two champion contenders with the highest number of wins fought a best of five bout to determine the Baronial Champion.

The tournament was a great display of skill and determination, including skill levels ranging from veterans to fighters entering their first tournament. The final match for Baronial champion came down to Lord Wolfgang Starcke facing off against Lord Tadhg Mag Uidhir. The fight was a nail-bitter all the way to the end, but when the final blow was struck it was Lord Tadhg Mag Uidhir who won the day! The open tournament winner was Duke Sir Maynard who fought each of the fighters in a row before taking off his helm to marshal the remainder of the tournament.

Thank you to Duke Sir Maynard von dem Steine for his service as our previous champion and for running a successful tourney to find our new champ. Thanks to all the fighters who came out to fill our list, and last but not least thanks to Lady Brigette de Sainte Mere-Église for serving as our MOL for the day.

Additionally Her Excellency and I took time to pass on the “Most Improved fighter” award. This was no small task given the honor and skill we witnessed during the tournament, but in the end Her Excellency and I picked THL Jairus of the Darklands to carry the dagger. The dagger is typically awarded to the most improved fighter, but in this case (and given the skill of His Lordship) we awarded this to him for the inspiration he provides, representing the Barony and Kingdom on the field, passing his knowledge to others, and setting an example of courtesy and Chivalry.

Thank you again to everyone who came out, and of course…Hael Yeah! 

Magnus & Miriel

More than just a fight with sticks...

On the week of July 20^th 2016 the Barony held a tournament to determine the Baronial Heavy Weapons Champion for the year. The tournament was held on the night of the normal Baronial fighter practice. The tournament consisted of three elements…A fifteen minute bear pit with wounds retained, a Viking cloak battle, and finally a single elimination tournament (this was originally a double elimination, but was reduced for time). Ultimately His Grace Duke Sir Maynard von dem Steine won out over many and was awarded the position of Baronial Heavy Weapons Champion! As the tournament unfolded I watched each of the fighters interact not only as combatants but as friends. Some of the fighters that arrived to practice did not even know a tournament was scheduled, but armored up without hesitation and eagerly joined the list. There was a mix of experience and skill levels, and for some this was among one of the first tournaments they entered if not the first. Every fight was conducted with honor, filled with cheers, and concluded in good spirit.

However this missive is not really about the details of the tournament, it is about the experience. Under all of the normal trappings and sights of the tournament was another element, an experience that I often call “the magic”. That moment when all the little modern anachronisms seem to fade away if even for a second. For me it is sort of a tunnel vision that blocks out the modern gym walls or the odd bit of “sports equipment” armor. You see only the look of determination on the faces of the fighters, the respect given and received, the moment a new fighter earns that story that he will carry for years, and the bond that makes this hobby so much more than a simple fight with sticks. Sometimes this only lasts for a second and can only be experienced in person. It is said that the role of a Baron is to inspire the spirit of the SCA in people. Perhaps that is true, however on this day it was the people who inspired that spirit in me. Thank you all for giving me one more moment of “the magic” to remember and cherish. Vivat to all! 

Special thanks to Lord Horatius for running the tourney and Lady Brigette for acting as MOL. 

Back Row left to right: David, Grim, Gerardo, Bovi, Maximo, Troy, Ed, Alexi, Fearghus. Front Row left to right Wolfgang, Maynard. Fighting but not pictured was His Excellency Baron Richard from Rising Waters. 

Vivat to our New Baronial Heavy Champion!

After a tourney filled with fun moments and outstanding chivalry, our Barony's new Baronial Heavy Champion has stood victorious over all others.

Vivat to Duke Sir Maynard von dem Steine

We can not wait to watch His Grace and all of our other Champions compete in the Baronial 7 Pearls Competition in the Barony of St. Swithin's Bog August 20, 2016.

Stay tuned for more about the tourney in another blog post by His Excellency Magnus. 

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!!

True of virtue and strong of sword, another steps forward to declare himself for Champion!

To Their Excellencies Magnus and Miriel, Baron and Baroness of the Rhydderich Hael, Greeting from your loyal subject Sir Maynard von dem Steine. I declare my intent to compete, in most honorable combat, the right to hold the baronial sword, stand by your side and protect you and your people.

As your champion and knight, I will uphold the virtues of chivalry:

Prowess – I will take up any challenge to you and defend your lands from our enemies.

Humility – I will put your needs and the needs of your people before my own. I will not boast or brag of my accomplishments nor seek fame or fortune.

Honesty – I will tell no lie and be truthful in all things.

Loyalty – I will remain devoted to you, the Barony, and the kingdom.

Largesse – I will give all that is asked to your people, save the armor and weapons I will need to carry out my duties.

Courage – I will have the strength to fight through the fear and pain and never waiver under adversity.

Justice – I will carry out your will, be fair and righteous at all times

- In service and faith Maynard von dem Steine

Another rattan hopeful declares from the reaches of the Canton!

Please hear the words of Fearghus Mac Eoin,

Your Excellencies, I would like to reassert my desire be considered for the honor of Baronial champion and represent Your Excellencies in the Seven Pearls tournament in August. It would be my deepest honor to represent the Barony I now call home. While mundane life currently prevents me from attending the Barony's meetings and practices know that the Red Boar sharpens his sword against our neighbors in the East weekly and helps to train Aethelmearc's army at the regional practices in preparation for the coming war.

Yours in Service

Fearghus Mac Eoin

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.....?

The first heavy weapons champ declares!

A quick addition today. We welcome our first heavy weapons champion hopeful Tadhg Mag Uidhir (or as we sometimes lovingly call him "New Guy Troy")! Please wish him luck when you see him. Vivat Tadgh!

We are now caught up with previous declarations, but had another come in today. I will post that next week sometime when I get a chance.

Remember its never too late to declare.

Read older posts about champs...click here!

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