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THE BARONY OF SELVIERGARD MAY 2012

FROM THE BARON…

Unto the Populace of the Barony of Selviergard I send this new missive,

That place called Estrella did in fact see much fighting. No

sooner had I gotten my lady, the Baroness E'ta'in, to the safety of our camp did the fighting start on the next day’s light. I heard there had been fighting there before, and that this fight was not as big as 3for1the1fun1of1it3 some in the past. Even with the fighting I was blessed by her This is the May 2012 issue of the DragonTale, a company and my daughter’s. I will not bore you with those publication of The Barony of Selviergard of the times, they are meant to be special and private. I would like Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA, Inc.). The DragonTale is available from Travis Abe-Thomas, to send a special thanks to Bránn; you were a tremendous PO Box 2254, Palmer, AK 99645. It is not a corporate help! publication of SCA, Inc., and does not delineate SCA, Inc. policies. Enough of wars in foreign or faraway places! I have Copyright © 2012 Society for Creative Anachronism, questions for you: What was the first thing you made in the Inc. SCA? Is it still around? The first things I hacked out were For information on reprinting photographs, articles, armor bits for arms and legs. They were functional and or artwork from this publication, please contact the horrible at the same time, however, I had fun making them. Chronicler by e-mail to [email protected] The ballistae I made are tied for the most fun because of all who will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our the people that worked on the project, the other is the contributors. marionette stage. Each project had inspired people just Published monthly in electronic format, hard copies trying to learn and make something new. Please share some available by request. of your old projects as well. 3for1the1fun1of1it3 I have seen many wonderful starry nights, but none match the wonder of the Northern lights of Selviergard and Oertha. I continue to work on my return trip to those lands and wish IN THIS EDITION… you well till I get there. The Nine Worthies Fathir Oerthan Summer Coronet Info Selviergard, Baron Irish School of Italian Fence

Next Baronia l Business Meeting: Saturday, May 19, AND MORE… 2012 at the Selviergard Spring Pas d'Armes

SELVIERGARD'S ESKALYA'S BARONIAL

SPRING PAS D'ARMES CHANGEOVER

May 18-20, 2012 May 12, 2012

The Knowne World is invited to participate in a With the change of the seasons, and the return of weekend celebrating the Nine Worthies on the Field the Sun to the Greatland, the time also has come for of Honor at the Selviergard Spring Pas d'Armes. the Baronial Circlets to pass to another. Their Both heavy and rapier fighters are asked to come Excellencies, Breock of Whitby and Margret Anne of forth and display your skill in the true spirit of the Somerset request the honor of your company as

Dream; with banners and pennants flying in the they welcome their Heir, Elspeth Bouchannane, to breeze. The weekend of will inspire not the Baronial Thrones of Eskalya. only the ladies in the gallery, but your honorable and worthy opponents as well. The day's events will include a feast for our outgoing and incoming Baronial Cornets. There will be a prize There are two Arts and Sciences competitions being tourney for both heavy and rapier, details held this weekend. Heraldic Armor Pieces--other forthcoming. Contests of the day include Swans in than shields and surcoats. The Arts and Sciences any mode (documentation a plus) and Baroness' Minister is looking for aillettes, crests, or other whim: Eskalya Pride – best display of Baronial colors. pieces of heraldic display worn while you fight. Two Arts & Sciences exhibits are planned: A display Minimum documentation required, even if it is just of Baronial and personal favors (bring your favorite an illumination from period. The other competition favors to share) and Populace at Work: bring your is Representation of Chivalric Virtues in Any Mode; A&S project, finished or not, for the Populace to any one or more of the virtues shown by the Nine view. The site opens at 11:30. Opening Court will Worthies represented in Any Mode; such as an begin at 1:00 PM. illumination, a subtlety, etc. Site : First Congregational Church--2610 E Northern Site : Little Susitna River Campground / Mi. 57.5 Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99508-4119. The Church Parks Hwy / Houston, AK 99694. The site opens at is located on Northern Lights between Lake Otis and Noon on Friday and closes at 6PM on Sunday. UAA Drive behind Wendler Middle School.

Site Fee : Adults $10.00, Children 5-13 $5.00, Site Fee : Adults $15.00, Children 12 and under children under 5 are free, family cap is $30.00. Be $5.00, Children under 6 free. Family Cap of $40.00. aware of the $5 NMS fee. Make checks payable to

SCA Inc-Barony of Selviergard. Autocrats : Anna di Caterina Neri (Georgia Pfile) annahnarie(at)gmail.com. Syr Viresse' de Lighthaven Camping spots have been reserved and are available (Kathy Judge) wingedcup3(at)yahoo.com. on a first-come-first served basis. The campsites are $10 per night for each campsite (a separate fee) and can hold two cars (so people can share a campsite if they so desire).

Feast will be potluck so bring something to share!

Since we have access to the gril, please bring your own meat for the barbeque

Autokratos : Halfdan "Two Bears" Ôzurrson (Travis Abe-Thomas) / [email protected]

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FROM THE MINISTER OF ARTS & SCIENCES…

Greetings to the Populace, The A&S activities at the Pas d'Armes will be as follows; As spring is finally upon us, I have a few items to put before Saturday there will be a class on The Good Wife of you. I would like to say that I Paris manuscript—a compendium of information hope all of you are enjoying and advice written for young ladies in the 14 th working on personal projects century on deportment and running a household— working on personal projects and learning new by Magistra Cynehild; and Mistress Trava is planning things. Along those lines--my second quarter reports a class for children on behavior. are coming up this month, and I would like to know what you are personally working on, and whether Competitions are; anyone deserves recognition (i.e. awards) so that I Heraldic Armour Bits : I’m looking for heraldic may add it to my report. Also, I would like to thank representation on the field of battle other than all those who came forth to donate their time and surcoats and shields—crests, aillettes, and such. I energy making ribbon roses for March Crown—the would like to see minimal documentation on your general consensus is that they were a great hit. piece—something on how it was made is always And as spring is here, so is the season for welcome as well. recruitment. I believe that some of us are planning Representations of the Chivalric Virtues, in any on participating in Three Baron’s Faire this year— mode: I’m looking for pieces that display one of the where potential members from all over gather—I Nine Chivalric Virtues, as shown by the Nine would like to see us take the opportunity to attempt Worthies—in keeping with this year's theme. The to snare some future artisans, as well as fighters. So virtues are as follows; courage, generosity, prowess, next time you are doing one of your crafts and truth, purity, loyalty, humility, justice, and faith. someone stops to look, take a moment, and ask if Suggestions are an Illumination, subtlety—let your they are interested in what you’re doing. imagination work on this one. Before I get to more interesting things below, I Other upcoming competitions in Oertha are; would like to reiterate that I am still working on gathering information for my teacher database—so Coronet: Best travel container; Celtic/Norse please send me the data that I have been asking for, knotwork, in any mode; Viking stitches in any mode. that I might expand upon the resources available to Eskalyan Baronial Changeover: Swans, in any mode; our members. Best display of Eskalyan colors; and two display tables. Additional details may be found in their Also; Fighters—my challenge to enter into an A&S respective event copies—if you have accidentally competition or display still stands. I hope that you deleted them, I do have copies. I hope that I see will take me up on this, and remember that any day many entries from the talented hands of our Barony you learn something, is not wasted…. at these (and more) events! I am in need of teachers for the Pas d’Armes this I would like to see our Barony become more active in month, I have one slot filled, but there is still one the fine arts as well. To this end I am trying to get… other. There will be a table (or two, if needed) set aside as an A&S display—so please bring your recent CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 projects, completed or not, to show off.

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FROM THE MOAS ; CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 CALENDAR monthly/bi-monthly dance practices going, as well as OF EVENTS regularly scheduled bardics. I am also quite willing ______to schedule and arrange A&S days/nights if there is

anyone just can’t wait to teach something—this Baronial Changeover works in reverse as well….if there is something that May 12 you would like to learn—and there’s some interest in Barony of Eskalya it—let me know and I’ll see what I can do to find ______someone to teach. Spring Pas d'Armes Yours in Service (when I’m not sewing), May 18-20 Barony of Selviergard Tiarna Bránn mac Finnchad, Selviergard Minister of ______Arts and Science Spring Captaincy May 25-27 Barony of Winter's Gate ______

Three Baron's Fair Demo June 1-2

Barony of Eskalya ______

Three Baron's Renaissance Fair Demo June 9-10 Barony of Eskalya

THE DRAGONTALE A Note for all Autocrats… ONLINE! Please make sure to send a copy of your event Did you know you can access The DragonTale information to your local web minister and the online? In addition to the current newsletter, the Principality web minister to ensure that your event website is building its collection of past baronial is properly advertised on the websites. These newsletters as well. courtesy copies; in addition to sending them to the

various chroniclers, should be in addition to This project, headed up by both the Office of the postings on the various e-mail group lists. Chronicler and the Baronial Web Minister, is a work Autocrats are encouraged to post upcoming event in progress. As such, you will notice subtle and not information on the Baronial Facebook page as well. so subtle changes to the look and feel of the If you need help, please contact the Chronicler. website. However, the mission is the same: to offer an alternate way to access the newsletter. Editor You can check out The DragonTale at :

dragontale.selviergard.info

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THE NINE WORTHIES By Kurios Halfdan "Two Bears" Ôzurrson

Established in the , the list of the Nine Chivalry is one of the many things that brings us Worthies was first penned by Jacques de Longuyon together in the Society for Creative Anachronism. in his book Voeux du Paon ; a literary work translated However, we often attribute chivalry as being as "The Vows of the Peacock." The Vows of the exclusive to those of the Order of Chivalry; those Peacock was considered to be a very popular Knights of the Realm who have shown their prowess romance novel in the 14th century. In his book, de on the field and exude the essence of chivalry. We Longuyon describes, amongst other things, nine often fail to remember that we are all considered virtues that he associated with the concept of Lords and Ladies in the Society and that we too romantic chivalry. should strive to show chivalry in our dealings with others; no matter what color our belt may be or how De Longuyon's list of The Nine is separated into long we have been participating. three distinct groups, each with three people in it.

The list of The Nine starts with the three good The Three Good Pagans Pagans; famous names from Rome and Greece-- Hector, , and Julius Caesar form Continuing on with our topic, we take a moment to this list. The second list is comprised of the three look at each member of the triads of the Nine Worthies. The Three Good Pagans; Hector, good Jews; , , and the little known . The last and final section--reserved for Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar, are well the three good Christians--the exalted names of King known names of the ancient past. These three men were considered by many to be accomplished Arthur, , and Godfrey of Bouillon are fighters and men of great honor. However, de recorded. Longuyon specifically chooses a single chivalric virtue

All of the Worthies, with the exception of two, were that each of these men represents in his book, "The conquering heroes--and all of them were noted for Vows of the Peacock." their prowess in arms and the honor that they Hector was the Champion of brought to their respective nations. As such, each Troy; a Prince of the mighty one of the Nine Worthies are seen as examples of city, and a man who fell chivalry, and--while the named individuals may have honorably to Achilles. Hector embodied more than one virtue, it was de Longuyon was known for his great love, that codified the chivalric virtues and named the and thus, sometimes singular most influential virtue in each of the represents love in the chivalric Worthies. virtues. However, Hector can Why should we strive to understand the concepts of also be seen as the embodiment of noble and courtly

Chivalry that de Longuyon has ascribed to these nine behavior. When Hector was slain, he perished in a worthy historical figures? You may be thinking to manner that was befitting one of his nature. Hector yourself, "I'm not a knight so I don't really need to fell honorably to Achilles; he didn't resort to trickery read this." However, the Ideals of Chivalry is an or cowardice even when he knew that he would be important part of our Society; a concept that is slain in battle. Instead, Hector went into his final meant for all of us and not those of just one battle with nobility, even though the gods had Peerage. already determined his fate.

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THE NINE WORTHIES; CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 women, research into the historical Caesar shows little evidence to support this idea. It is, perhaps, Hector could be seen at the actual Epic Hero of through classical literature accessible during the Homer's Iliad . A Hero can be described as one that writing of The Vows that de Longuyon came to his abhors deliberate acts of cruelty, defamation, and conclusion that Caesar personified the chivalric injustice. While Achilles was the conqueror, Hector notion of protecting women. showed great noble and courtly behavior when he faced his foes. For example, in Hector's duel with What can be identified clearly, however, is that Ajax that ends in a stalemate, Hector commends Julius Caesar can be seen as the embodiment of Ajax for his courage and skill. The two exchange gifts prowess. It is through his militaristic and political and end up making a short truce between the two prowess that Caesar reached the highest station in armies in which they take time to bury the dead. Rome and acquired the love of the common man. Alexander the Great is well Caesar had been born into a lower governmental known for his conquering of position and progressed through Roman society many lands including Persia, quickly through his overall prowess and

Egypt, and the militaristic determination. This historical fact quickly points to incursion into India. the notion that Caesar is connected with the Medieval scholars saw him Chivalric notion of prowess. as the main figure who Putting it Together spread the knowledge of the Greeks Understanding who these historical figures are and Greeks into these dark areas of the ancient world. In what place they held in the Medieval mindset are Alexander; the virtue of generosity is seen. Through important to us in the Society. What can we learn his many victories, Alexander amassed great from these three examples of chivalry and how can fortunes. With the money that he received he not we incorporate them into our groups? One obvious only paid his army very well, but he also founded at place that these virtues can be witnessed and least ten cities with the fortunes he reaped from expressed is on the field of battle; fighters should conquered empires. take a moment to show the examples of Hector, However, this was not the only extent of Alexander's Alexander, and Caesar no matter if they are a knight generosity. A story is told where a beggar met or not. The virtues that these three men represent; Alexander on the road. The beggar, in great need, courage, generosity, and prowess, are prime asked for alms from the mighty conquer. Even examples of battlefield virtues. Having courage to though the beggar had no right to ask Alexander for face your opponent, bestowing them with money, Alexander threw him several gold coins. generosity after the battle, and continually working When asked why he gave the beggar gold instead of on martial prowess are all ways that fighters can copper, Alexander replied "copper coins would emulate the Three Good Pagans. adequately suite the beggars need, but gold coins However, for those of us who do not fight, we can suit Alexander's giving." take the example that the Three Good Pagans show Julius Caesar is considered by us and incorporate them into our Society life. many to be the father of the Having the courage of Hector to introduce yourself Roman Empire; the Empire to the new person who just arrived at the event is which would later become the definitely a good start. Showing the generosity of cradle of the Christian religion. Alexander by inviting somebody into your While some documents hail ENCAMPMENTO Julius Caesar as the defender CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 of women, research into the May 2012 The DragonTale Page 6

THE NINE WORTHIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 Moses. Ten of the Observers were frightened of the enemy and gave false reports while Joshua and encampment out of harsh weather is another good Caleb, two of the observers who were not afraid of example. The prowess of Caesar can be exemplified their enemies, gave a truthful account of what in excelling in what you do; be it crafts, holding an awaited across the Jordan River. officer position, or even setting up your David , the b iblical hero encampment. and king of Israel, is-or- The Three Good Jews was representative of the virtue of purity. At first De Longuyon took a great risk in adding Jewish glance, David appears people to his book, "The Vows of the Peacock." anything but the symbol of Considering the amount of anti-Semitism in the Chivalric purity, and in Middle Ages, his use of three Jewish men as figures some cases it is true. to be admired could have come at a considerable However, the type of risk to his person. However, the term that De purity that is being Longuyon uses extensively, "heroes of The Old Law," Throughout the story of David in the Bible, we can helps to incorporate these three individuals into the see this purity of the heart take place; especially in Christian traditions; and thus, approved by the his decision not to slay King Saul in the cave; even general reader. when it would have been advantageous of him to do so; and once again when he finds King Saul asleep in

Of the three Triads, the Jewish heroes are group that the tent. Additionally, the story of the later years of is discussed by de Longuyon in the least detail. David's life where he takes mercy upon the last of However, understanding that the history of the Saul's line is another fine example of the purity of Jewish people was little known by the medieval man, David's heart. even highly learned ones, it comes to no surprise Judas Maccabeus was a why de Longuyon detailed so little of this group of Jewish hero who stood up the Nine Worthies —he may not have known against Antiochus IV, a himself. Seleucid king who had Joshua , from the tribe of forcibly conquered the Nun, was the leader of the Kingdom of Israel and all Israelites after the death but outlawed the nation's of Moses. He led his religion. It is from his people into the Promised loyalty to his cause and his Land and conquered the his ability to inspire it in others that he personifies nations that were already the chivalric virtue of loyalty. dwelling there; eventually carving out the kingdom of It was Judas who led a rebellion and fought against of Israel. However, it is before this time when the enemy using guerilla warfare; considering how Joshua was sent as one of the Twelve Observers that woefully outnumbered his forces were; tactically it

Joshua is attributed the chivalric virtue of truth. was his only option. Eventually, Judas amassed a large army and the external war against Antiochus

In the Book of Numbers we see the story take place. was won for a short time. Twelve men are sent into the Promised Land to scout out the enemy. After forty days of gathering Eventually, the Seleucid Empire, now under the information, they come back and make the report to command CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Moses. Ten of the Observers were frightened of the

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THE NINE WORTHIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 actual events, de Longuyon utilized these stories when he codified the chivalric attributes to the Nine encampment out of harsh weather is another good Worthies. However, even though some of the tales example. The prowess of Caesar can be exemplified were disproportionate to the actual person, the list in excelling in what you do; be it crafts, holding an of the Christian Nine Worthies still sheds light on command of Antiochus V, retaliated and sent a large aspects of historical chivalry. army against Judas Maccabeus. Seeing the large numbers of the enemy forces before them, most of , the heroic the Jewish rebellion army deserted, leaving Judas and tragic figure that with a small number of loyal men to face their fates straddles both myth and in the Battle of Elasa where Judas and his men history, is often titled the perished. "Once and Future King of England." Arthur is well Putting it Together known for his enchanted sword--Excalibur, his Incorporating the virtues of the Three Good Jews takes a more personal note than the other two triads Knights of the Round of Worthies. Their virtues push us to look deep Table, and his quest for the Holy Grail. Although within and are more difficult to express in our there are many heroic tales of King Arthur, it is one everyday outward appearances. However, these of his more human moments that helps solidify the virtues are evident on the battlefield and are often aspect that he represents; humility. shown by those who take up the sword. Having When Arthur's wife, Guinevere, was to be burned at Joshua's truth means that a fighter calls shots that the stake for her adultery with Lancelot; we see the are good, no matter what he expects to gain in the human side of Arthur. At first he cannot bear to see tourney. The purity of David is fighting for a good the woman he loves killed; but Mordred is right cause; such as for the honor of your loved one or for beside him; confronting him. Arthur had a choice to the sheer enjoyment of the match. Judas' loyalty is kill the queen or kill the law; both of which Arthur seen when a fighter is loyal to his master and his didn't want to do. Instead, Arthur shows great honor. humility in accepting that he is, in fact, just a man, For those of us who do not fight, we can look at the and relinquishes his kingship to protect both his love examples of the Three Good Jews and express them and the law. ourselves. Exemplifying Joshua's truth can be as Charlemagne was King of simple as speaking the truth to those who ask for the Franks and later honest opinions. The purity of David is having clear Emperor of the Romans morals and motives when dealing with others, no until his death in 814 A.D. matter what station or degree. Judas Maccabeus' His leadership brought loyalty is the loyalty we give to those of our forth a new renaissance of household, our friends, and those we serve under. ideas, a revival of art and The Three Good Christians culture, and helped to solidify the control of the The final triad that de Longuyon discusses in his Cat holic Church. Through a series of military book, "The Vows of the Peacock," focus on the Three campaigns and various programs that he instituted, Good Christians; King Arthur, Charlemagne, and Charlemagne labored to bring order to a chaotic Godfrey of Bouillon. While most of the heroic tales Europe. of these individuals were fictionalized after the CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

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THE NINE WORTHIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 needs to employ the humility of Arthur and let hi s actions speak for him. Additionally, displaying the Charlemagne is noted for his many chivalric virtues, justice of Charlemagne would mean that a fighter but most especially his sense of justice. It is written should always seek the right path; even if it is the that the Emperor of the Romans felt sympathy to path is difficult and arduous. The faith of Godfrey the common man of his realm; many of which who doesn't necessarily mean that the fighter should were repressed by the local government officials. take up a religion, simply that the fighter should Charlemagne's belief was that government should have faith in his ability and his beliefs. benefit those who are governed, and as such, he sent investigators to all corners of his kingdom to For those who do not fight, the virtues the Three administer justice, to inspect the existing Good Christians represent can be a little trickier to government, and promote and revitalize both civil express in the Society. However, Arthur's humility and religious duties within his empire. can be conveyed by being humble at events; to know

Godfrey of Bouillon was when to step back and not have to be in control or to have the last word. The justice of Charlemagne the Duke of Lower Lorraine who, at the can be seen when we work with other people; to do summons of the Pope, what is right instead of what is popular or easiest. helped lead the French Finally, the faith of Godfrey is having faith in

Knights to the wall of ourselves, our beliefs, our family or clan, our Peers, Jerusalem. After being and faith in the royalty to do what is right. successful in capturing the Final Thoughts city, Godfrey was elected the ruler of Jerusalem; but his religious piety As I have mentioned before, the concept of chivalry prompted him to accept the title of Defender of the and how we act towards one another is an Holy Sepulcher instead, stating that the title King of important part of the Society for Creative Jerusalem belonged to God. Although he died a year Anachronism. It doesn't matter if you wear the later, Godfrey had extended the reaches of the white belt or not; chivalry is for all members of our Kingdom of Jerusalem and helped to establish the group. It is what binds us together; a part of what is foundations of that kingdom. termed "the Dream", and as such, merits at least a basic understanding. Godfrey is attributed the chivalric virtue of faith. His faith is articulated especially in not accepting the There are several versions of the Knightly Virtues that can be found; ranging from simple lists to title of King of Jerusalem. While Godfrey's virtue of faith shows in other examples; most of them are extravagant reams of information, and some people developed and added upon in the later years when may choose one list over the other. By the sagas of Godfrey were written. However, understanding where these concepts derived from, according to most accounts, he was known as a namely the words written long ago by de Longuyon in his "Vows of the Peacock," we can begin to gentle and pious man who journeyed to the Holy Land to liberate Jerusalem for the Christians. understand the basics of what chivalry is from a historical aspect and focus on incorporating these Putting it Together values in our lives in the Society for Creative Anachronism and our mundane lives as well. Again, it seems that the fighters have it easy when demonstrating the virtues of these three Worthies. A good fighter doesn't have to always comment about his ability on the battlefield, instead he just

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OERTHAN BRÁNN'S LOREM IPSUM

SUMMER A collection of strange and wondrous links CORONET 14th and 15 Century Clothing

July 20-22, 2012 (representations only) Eagle River, Alaska Clothing from effigies of Thomas Beauchamp

Their Highnesses Taran and Heleyne, Prince and Byzantine Icons and Frescoes Princess of Oertha, welcome one and all to bear Articles on creating Byzantine Iconography witness to Their Coronet Tournament and the selection of Their heirs by right of combat on July Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae 21st and Their Investiture on July 22nd. There will be Two types of vegetable crops as illustrated in the a Roses Tourney for Heavy and Rapier after Their Tacuinum Sanitatis heirs have been selected.

Cloisters Garden Blog A&S Contest : Best travel container, documentation A blog from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, on encouraged. This includes, but is not limited to, their medieval garden tourney boxes, tote bags, pouches, jewelry chests, sewing boxes, scribal cases, etc. The Image of Irelande, by John Derrick

Royal Whims : Prince Taran’s Whim: Celtic/Norse Collection of woodcuts from the above book Knot Work in any mode and Prince Heleyne’s Whim: Viking Stitches in any mode. Celtic Dress of the 16th Century An article on Scottish and Irish clothing, utilizing To celebrate his recent Knighthood Sir Varyag will secondary sources from the period hold a Symbel Saturday evening. A ribbon roses class will commence (taught by Rouva Ellisif a Reikiavik). If Thirteenth and Fourteenth Century Female Civilian you’re interested in learning how to make these Costume traditional Oerthan roses please bring the following A timeline of Effigies supplies: 1½” wide ribbon, floral wire, tape and leaves and needle and thread. Thirteenth and Fourteenth Century Male Civilian Costume Please be reminded that this is bear country! All A timeline of Effigies food and beverages not intended for immediate consumption should be kept in hard sided vehicles, The Dorchester-on-Thames Belt and the Soldier no exceptions! For safety please keep a clean camp who wore it and a close eye on children at all times. A reconstruction of a Late Roman military belt There will be no food provided so please plan accordingly. If you wish to participate a potluck feast Social Aspects of Dress in the Roman Empire is planned for Saturday evening. The rough draft of an essay on the subject by Angela Costello Our site rental includes use of the group camp area. If you wish to camp in an individual campsite there is a $15/night rental fee. Limited site reservations are Links provided by Bránn mac Finnchad CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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IRISH SCHOOL OF ITALIAN FENCE:

ON FLINGING THE SWORD AND WHY NOT TO DO SO By E'ta'in O'Rowarke

During a fencing bout, one may often see a fencer 4. T he point of the sword becomes uncontrollable cock back his elbow before thrusting, thus gaining and will most likely miss the intended target. Any speed and power for a thrust. Being on the receiving extra movement, like a lunge, will also cause the tip end of such a thrust can result in a nice bruise that move out of line. might even make a heavy fighter smile. In a real life duel to the death such a thrust might be seen as 5. Once the sword is flung, one has to reset the arm necessary, so one may be able to run the sword all to bring the sword back into play again. A flung sword must move in a long tempo to attack again the way to the hilt through your opponent. In our friendly duels this can be seen as a lot of giving the opponent plenty of time to cause a unnecessary pain. Often one may hear from those wound. teaching not to cock your elbow to throw a fast As you see not only is safety a concern in shooting a thrust as it can lead to injuries or a broken blade. On wild thrust, but also the fencer is more likely to miss that note there are other reasons beyond safety in on the attack and find himself in a dangerous our sport for not flinging the sword at one’s position. A thrust is more well served if it is opponent. controlled allowing for the blade to move quickly, Salvator Fabris in his text talks about this very thing. while still allowing the possibility of changing He gives five reasons of why a fencer should not fling directions during the thrust. The speed should come the sword during combat, none of which is for the from the body not the arm, thus creating control of the blade’s direction. safety of the opponent. We shall now go over the reasons flinging the sword is a bad technique.

1. A fast moving blade cannot change directions. If the blade is being flung at a certain target and the opponent moves to void or parry the shot, you cannot adjust the angle of the speeding blade thus putting oneself in danger of being wounded as you miss your opponent.

2. A parry to a fast moving blade will send the blade a greater distance offline. The distance of the movement of the blade to go offline will equal that of the speed of the blade. A controlled thrust will not move very far offline, allowing it a better chance of being realigned with the target.

3. Fling the sword wildly weakens the forte Salvator Fabris,1544 -1618 (defensive part of the blade), so that the parrying sword’s debole (offensive part of the blade) is stronger.

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MEDIEVAL PLANTS & GARDENING By Bránn mac Finnchad

Pleasaunce N C O E A L E W R A A P E A M E A I B Fig Knotwork O G G I B E N E S J C A E T U R F L O Strawberry R I W O P O R R A U I F N E T E L E C Cucumber Cucumber F L C O R O S S C E W A B O X W O O D Rose Fava Bean F L F A S C M U W X L V N U A F F T E Bay Costmary A Y O E B I M E G P A A O B S F P K A Myrtle Gillyflowers S F T W N B N E G A S B E T I Y A B I Carrot Fennel K L R E E N A G A R R E R C E R L K A Wormwood N O I R E R E G C A A A I S D A R P T Jasmine Sage Borage P W D E W B Y L E H W N P N A O L T W Cabbage F E S D B E R M S B A R A S W E I O R Medlar

Boxwood E R F N L L E W E L V M O T A M R R Y Turf Eggplant N S W E E T B R I A R R O S E M A R Y Sweetbriar Rose B N T V T R R S B A D N A M W N A A F Angelica Lavender Herber C O P A T Y E W L S K U R O I M N C W Flowery Mead G L R L I M H D F R N I O S T L P S R Rose Alba Officinalis F E B A N G E L I C A D E S L E E E I Mandrake Pomegranate R M O D G M S E E M B D O S A G L I A Rosemary Beet M F E N N E L N A O O C H Y R G B G R Chamomile Asparagus Saffron Melons Try your hand at this new wordfind! Bletting Anise

At Selviergard's last event, Vikings Discover Japan, there was an amazing photo taken that was eventually posted to the baronial Facebook page. So far, only two funny captions were posted:

From Sir Soren: " Are you pondering what I'm pondering, Pinky?"

From Katherina: " Yes mester what cans i do frs yous are we gunna uses the exsplosions mester..."

I know there are plenty of other great captions for this photo just waiting to be heard. Send them to the Chronicler at [email protected]

May 2012 The DragonTale Page 12

OERTHAN CORONET CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 WINTERS GATE SPRING

available through Lifetime Adventures at CAPTAINCY www.lifetimeadventures.net/campgrounds/html. May 26-27, 2012 Also, if you park in the campgrounds day use parking

area there is a $5 parking fee. Warm weather is finally arriving and so is the time for tourneys!!!! Join us for our annual spring contest Site Information : Eagle River Campground / to choose a new Captain for the Winter's Gate militia Hesterberg Road / Eagle River, AK 99577. Site fee and a Rapier Commander for the Winter's Gate $15 adults ($5 NMS), $5 children 5 to 15, children Cavaliers. These will also be L'Emprise du Loup under 5 free, family cap $50. Please make checks tournaments, so here's your chance to ugrade your payable to “SCA, Inc.-Principality of Oertha”. Site kit, polish your armor, and look as shiny & authentic opens at 12 noon Friday and closes at 6pm Sunday. as possible. Site is discretely wet.

Please RSVP the autocrat (including tent type/size A&S contests are cordials and food with flowers, and and a headcount). best armor kit/fighter presentation. On Saturday, there will be the famously yummy picnic lunch Autocrat : Trava Zapadova (Trava Ridlon) auction and a class on making Viking whipcord. Dinner is potluck - please bring a dish that will serve Directions : Take the Glenn Highway to the Hiland 8, along with a card listing ingredients. The Barony Road exit (mile 12). Follow the signs to the will be providing a meat dish. campground and enter the gate for the group camp

area. Site Information: Moose Creek Pavilion at Pioneer

Park/ corner of Airport Way and Peger Road / Fairbanks, AK 99701. Site opens at 12pm and will close at 9pm. Event fee is $7 for members ($12 for non-members); ages 6-12 are $3, and children under 6 are free. Checks should be made out to “SCA Inc -

Winter's Gate”.

Autocrat: Ellisif a Reikiavik (Kaari Parrish) / ellisif2(AT)hotmail(DOT)com .

Directions: Make your best way to Airport Road. Drive to Peger Road and turn in the same direction as the "Pioneer Park" sign. The second drive on the right is to the canoe rentals, and that parking lot can be used for loading. To reach the pavilion, follow the

signs. From the main parking lot off Airport Road, meander towards the back left corner of the park.

You know you're in the SCA when you sneer at "the Burger King" saying "He's wearing a

ducal coronet"

May 20 12 The DragonTale Page 13

Regnum Do you have a recommendation for improving this newsletter? Do you have ideas for articles Uther and Kara that would be amazing? Contact the Chronicler King and Queen of the West today at [email protected] with your [email protected] ideas! Taran and Heleyne Prince and Princess of Oertha [email protected]

Fathir and E'ta'in Baron and Baroness of Selviergard [email protected]

BARONIAL OFFICERS

Arts and Sciences Bránn mac Finnchad [email protected]

THE DRAGON IS HUNGRY; Chatelaine Rolynnda of the Azure Stone PLEASE FEED IT [email protected]

Keep if fed with your submissions! Articles, pictures, Chronicler

artwork, recipes, tales, and rhyme; these items Halfdan “Two-Bears” Ôzurrson make good food for hungry newsletters. [email protected] Submissions can be sent directly to the Chronicler Constable through e-mail or in person. Submissions are due by Adelicia Oakleigh of York May 25th, 2012. [email protected] Autocrats, please take a moment to send your event Exchequer (ACTING) copy to this newsletter as soon as possible. Sending Canute Mjoksiglandi in your event information early ensures that your [email protected] event will be seen in the newsletter in the best

possible spot. Herald Alyssia of Cameo Keepe The next newsletter will be published on [email protected]

JUNE 1, 2012 . Marshal Barak the Hunter [email protected] Artistic Credits

Dragon Art by Katherina (Shiloh Morrison) Seneschal

Photo's by Thomas "Two Bears" Sorngrym (Travis Abe-Thomas) Trava Zapedova Dover Clip Art, oertha.westkingdom.org, Classroomclipart.com, sca.org, Salvator Fabris, Oerthan Armorial Page, and godecookery.com [email protected]