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”