M O N G O L I A

M o n g o l i a

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE BARONY OF SHATTERED CRYSTAL

Volume 29, Issue 2 June 2017/ AS LII P a g e 1 T h e S h a r d s I N S I D E C u r i a C a l l T H I S Their Crystalline Excellencies Archery Marshal Baron Maximillian von Fallingbostel Master Bubba Godgodson ISSUE: [email protected] [email protected]

Acknowl- Baroness Caroline de Mercier Equestrian Marshal 2 [email protected] Mistress Alphia Biras-Parz edgements [email protected] Seneschal Diamond Lady Ástríðr Árnarðóttír Rapier Marshal 3 [email protected] Lord Derrick the Tailor Demo Triad (618)-910-7130 [email protected] Keep & Pursuivant (a.k.a. Herald) Thrown Weapons Marshal 6 Mistress Petrona De Manciano Vacant Garden [email protected] Onyx Oven 8 Exchequer Youth Marshal Book of Lady Gillianne De Solis Lady Brigid MacCauley 9 [email protected] [email protected] Bards

Chatelain Minister of Arts & Sciences Folly Master Avery Austringer Muirgheal O’Seannaig 10 [email protected] [email protected] Marshal

Deputy Chatelain and Gold Key Chronicler Diamond Vacant Tiarna Cináed Ulric, Amhranai tan Briongloid Demo at 11 [email protected] (618)-722-1339 Lory Demo Coordinator Baronial Mistress Alphia Biraz-Pars Web Minister 12 “Dafydd ap Llewellyn” Polling [email protected] Knight’s Marshal Agate Master Avery Austringer Minister of Youth 13 See Chatelain Baroness Caroline de Mercier Atlas [email protected] Deputy Knight Marshal Vacant Scroll Roll 14

Verba Legis Calendar 19 This is the June 2017 issue of The Shards, a publication of the Barony of Shattered Crystal of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA, Inc.). The Shards is edited by and available from Jonathan Thorn, 6120 Leo Dr. Belleville, Il. 62223. It is not a corporate publication of SCA, Inc., and does not delineate SCA, Inc. policies. Copyright © 2017 Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. For information on reprinting photographs, articles, or artwork from this publication, please contact the Chronicler, who will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our contributors. Volume 29, Issue 2 P a g e 2 Acknowledgements

Cover art pictures are of Khadagan Kachugene by Malina An Eich Gil & “Mongolian Archer” by Cináed Ulric, and the background is "Asia" from Americanized Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol.1, Chicago 1892, now in public domain. Below are examples of alkhan khee from Dover Publishing’s Oriental Designs: 495 Different copyright free designs printed one side. Officer badge art is provided by the Middle Kingdom’s Midrealm Image Library, who’s statement is: “Feel free to download any of these images for use in your own pages. ...” Photos from the “Diamond Demo: Triad Grade School” article are by Lady Mwynwen Ysginidd except for the one notated by Caroline de Mercier. Mongolian Musicians Block Print pg. 9, Knucklebone Illustration pg. 10, line of archers divider, Scroll Roll & Baronial Polling logos, Caravan block print in the Agate Atlas article, and the yurts drawing on page 16 are by Cináed Ulric. Photos from the “Diamond Demo: Robyn Hood at the Lory Theater” are all by lady “Catherine Rose”, except for the one with Muirgheal O’Seannaig & Aleksandr Morekhodov which was by Lady Gillianne de Solis. Horizontal and Vertical dividers are from the web page Goode Cookery, and their page on Medieval Woodcuts Clip Art collection from the 15-16th centuries. Their permission-use statement is: “Those who wish to reduce or alter these images for their own use are welcome to do so.” Photo for Scroll Roll article was by Mistress Rhiannon Siobhan Shynane. All articles, except “Dear Abbess”, are written by the folks underneath the article’s title or end. “Cloistered Celebrations is written under a Nom de Plume and the author wishes to remain anonymous. This month’s Onyx Oven recipe is Copyright 2012 by Mistress Ailleagan nas Seolta (under her mundane name.) 717 Versailles Drive SE, Huntsville, AL 35803. [email protected]. Permission is granted for republication in SCA-related publications, provided the author is credited, and a reasonable attempt made to ensure that the author is notified of the publication and if possible receives a copy. All Creative Work, Photography, and Model release forms for every article, photo, or artistic graphic are on file with the Chronicler. P a g e 3 T h e S h a r d s Diamond Demos Triad Middle School

On Wednesday, May 10th, members of the Barony once again took over the sixth grade classes for Triad Middle School in St. Jacob, Illinois. After an hour long presentation on Heavy Armor & Rapier fighting the Barony then broke up into these classes with respected presenters and assistants: Master Avery Austringer—Arms and Armaments, Mistress Alphia Biraz-pars & Master Zardrick Godgodsson— Dance, Lady Gillianne De Solis & Lady Khadagan Kachugene—Scribal & Illumination, Mistress Caroline de Mercier & —Story telling, Lady Muirgheal O’Seannaig—Medieval Medicine, Tiarna Cináed Ulric & Baron Maximillian von Fallingbostel - Cards of Fate, Lady Mwynwen Ysginidd & Lady Dorcus the Lost—Medieval Games, Lord Matthew Elswyck & Antonio Tagliaferro & Lord Bartelmeu le Wis—Fencing, Lady “Regina Swordsmythe”- Blacksmithing,

H.E. Maximillian, left, & Tiarna Cinaed, right. Volume 29, Issue 2 P a g e 4

Top left to right: “Lady” Khadagan; Mistress Alphia; H.E. Mistress Caroline Master Avery & H.E. Zardrick;

P a g e 5 T h e S h a r d s

Top left going clockwise: Lady Muirgheal; Lunch Feast; Lord Bartelmeu; H.E. Maximillian, H.E. Caroline, and Tiarna Cinaed; Lord Antonio & Lady “Regina” Volume 29, Issue 2 P a g e 6 Keep & Garden: Gers or Yurts Cináed Ulric

In our journey around the protect in and around the "ger sion to deliver a letter from Pope world Mongolia is the first place palace." Innocent IV to the Mongolia Em- we could encounter the dwelling Mongolian nomads his- peror in 1246, describes Mon- most folks around the world and torically moved three to four gols and their habitations: the SCA call a "yurt." I say "the times a year or more, to either first place we could" because help protect from the weather or “Their habitations are yurts have been a dwelling in to ensure better grazing areas round and cunningly made with Central Asia for thousands of for their livestock. Not only did wickers and staves in manner of years since 600 BCE, with the gers make this easy by being so a tent. But in the middest of the earliest evidence of yurt dwell- fast to set up, they were also top thereof, they have a window ings found in Bronze Age rock very light. Large family gers open to convey the light in and etchings in Siberia, their first could be entirely dismantled in the smoke out. For their fire is written recorded history by He- an hour and hauled on two or alwayes in the middest. Their rodotus, the Greek historian, de- three pack animals, such as wall are covered with felt. Their scribing the dwellings of the horses, camels, or yaks. Farther doors are made of felt also. Scythians, and archeological evi- west, in what is now Afghanistan Some of these may quickly be dence proves that the first em- and Pakistan, nomads used don- taken asunder, and set together pire of steppe warriors in Central keys as pack animals to haul again, and are carried upon Asia, the Huns, used yurts as their gers. As the steppe has no beasts backs. Other some can- their principal dwellings from the trees, nomads had to trade with not be taken insunder, but are 4th to the 6th century CE. Plus, residents of river valleys for stowed upon carts. And wher- modernly one can see this type wood. Merchants would sell ger ever they go, be it either to war, of structure being the basis for construction materials in differ- or to any other place, they trans- homes in so many countries and ent forms. For the least amount port their with them. They are regions, that there is a name for of money, they would sell logs of very rich in their cattles, as in them in so many languages: willow or birch. For a medium camels, oxen, sheep, and goats. Mongolian it is known as a ger; price, consumers could buy pre- And I think they have more Afghanistan - Kherga/Jirga; cut poles. For the highest price, horses and mares then all the Bashkortostan - tirmä ; India or they could buy complete sets of world besides.” Pakistan - Kheymah; Karakal- walls. pakstan - qara u'y; Kazakhstan - So if this must be the A Flemish Franciscan kïiz üy; Kyrgyzstan - boz üy; Per- dwelling of the Mongols (and monk and explorer, William of sia (Iran) - chador; Tajikistan most of Central Asia), how do we Rubruck, missionary and ex- (and spread into other close re- know what they look like? Be- plorer, provided similar but more gions) - yurt, khona-i siyoh, and sides the archeological digs, we detailed account in 1253: khayma; Turkey -Yurt, Turkmeni- have some fine descriptions stan - ak öý and gara öý; and in from history that not only men- “Their houses wherein some parts of Russia & China tion and further prove their use they sleep, they ground upon a and existence, but also give us the Tuvan word- өг. It is even round foundation of wickers arti- some very clear descriptive infor- mentioned that Chinggis Khaan ficially brought and compacted mation. John of Pian de Carpine, gave a speech on how they together: the roof whereof an Italian priest leading the mis- should select his "day guards" to [Cont’d page 7] P a g e 7 T h e S h a r d s

[Yurts from page 6] wherever they go. For the frame- the structure, the roof, has at its consists of wickers, meeting work of rods is so neatly and center the crown, or toono, a above into one little roundell, out skillfully constructed that it is ring to which roof poles (uni) are of which roundell assends up- light to carry. And every time attached by a series of holes ward a neck like into a chimney, they unfold their house and set it which the poles fit into and then which they cover with white felt, up, the door is always facing the bottom attaches via notches and oftentimes lay morter or south.” or ties to the wall, or khana. The white earth upon the felt, with crown is partially open, so air the powder of bones what it may What do those descrip- can circulate and a chimney can shine white. And sometimes tions mean? Well, a yurt or ger is penetrate, if needed. they cover it with black felt. The a portable, round tent covered The felt that covers the felt on the neck of their house, with skins or felt. The structure yurt is a thick felt usually made they do garnish over with beauti- comprises an angled assembly from sheep, goats, or yaks wool ful variety of pictures. Before the or latticework of pieces of wood or hair. The nomads who lived in door likewise, they hang a felt or bamboo for walls, a door the dwellings were herders and curiously painted over. For they frame, ribs which are poles and those were the animals they spend all their coloured felt, in rafters - in some cases straight owned and tended besides painting vines, trees, birds, and in others steam bent, and a horses and camels. beasts thereupon. They make wheel that is known as a crown The khana and felt may their houses so large that they or compression ring. The roof be replaced over time due to contain thirty feet in breadth. For structure is self-supporting, but wear and tear, but the crown measuring once the breadth be- large yurts may have interior and its pattern of wood, reeds, tween the wheel-ruts of one of posts, called bagana, to assist or fabric may last for years and their carts, I found it to be 20 supporting the crown. The top of in some cases be handed down feet over: and when the house the wall of self-supporting yurts for generations. The roof is was upon the cart, it stretched is prevented from spreading by what makes the two styles of over the wheels on each side means of a tension band which yurt: the older traditional style, few feet at the least. I counted opposes the force of the roof and the more modern style. The 22 oxen in one team, drawing an ribs. They are ideal dwellings for roof of the more traditional style house upon a cart, eleven in one the nomadic cultures of the Cen- is made of straight poles at- order according to breadth of tral Asian steppe as a steppe is a tached to the circular crown for the cart, and eleven more before very windy and cooler climate a more conical shape, while the them: the axletree of the carte biome because it is flat with no more modern is made with was of an huge bigness like into trees, shrubs, or tall grasses to slightly bent poles having a the mast of a ship. And a fellow serve as windbreaks. Thus the more domed shape. Either way stood in the door of the house, circular shape of yurts makes the gently sloping, aerodynamic upon the forestall of the cart them able to resist winds from shape of the roof also means it drawn forth [by] the oxen.” any direction. is also protected against the The lattice of a yurt is di- high winds are unlikely to be The Italian merchant vided into sections, called torn off. Marco Polo was another West- khana. Each khana is a collapsi- Only the door, or haalga, erner to visit the Mongolian Em- ble series of crisscrossed of the yurt is vulnerable, and pire in the 14th century. He wooden poles which are made of thus yurt doors modernly are wrote, “…They [the Mongols] light wood, such as willow, birch, very strong and often made of a have circular houses made of or poplar. Khana are then at- wooden frame and sometimes wood and covered with felt, tached to each other with leather the door itself is made of wood, which they carry about with ties. as opposed to original flap open- them on four-wheeled wagons The most complex part of ing in the felt. At the very least a [Cont’d page 15] Volume 29, Issue 2 P a g e 8 The Onyx Oven Mistress Ailleagan nas Seolta

Mistress Ailleagan nas Seolta, OP, is always looking to add to her collection of Medieval cookbooks, even if that sometimes means checking one out from the local library and copying the recipes out of it because the book is too expensive to buy. Sometimes that means some cookbooks that many in the culinary world are talking about she would never come across, but as fate or luck would have it she man- aged to get a hold of a copy of A Soup for the Qan which has recipes translated from a text written in 1330. Mind one that's translated not redacted and sometimes both need to be done in order to get the recipe. So she copied the recipe below, took it home and tinkered with it until she had all the pieces fig- ured out and...voila! There before her was a period recipe for Dried Mongolian Beef. Originally it called for five pounds of beef, she reduced the recipe to one-fifth, and now we bring it to you. It's a pretty simple, and tasty, recipe. For the original, I found it at https://madhavifeast.wordpress.com/347-2/ Enjoy.

Mongolian Dried Beef

Ingredients 1.16 pound beef (She used Milanese steaks, because they are thin, because one is making a jerky.) 3.12 grams or 2/3 teaspoon black pepper 3.12 grams or 2/3 teaspoon long pepper 1.25 grams or ¼ teaspoon dried mandarin orange zest (You can use tangerine, she suggests using dried peel since it is a seasonal fruit.) 1.25 grams or ¼ teaspoon cardamom 1.25 grams or ¼ teaspoon grains of paradise (if don't have that substitute a mix black pepper with a bit of cardamom and ginger and use 1/2 teaspoon of that.) 1.25 grams or ¼ teaspoon galingale (aka China/India Root) 52 milliliters or 3 tablespoons + 1 ½ teaspoons ginger juice 10.4 milliliters or 2 teaspoons onion juice 1/2 cup of water 25 grams or 5 ¼ teaspoons (or 1 tablespoon + 2 ¼ teaspoons) salt

Preparation Mistress Ailleagan measured the spices into a mortar, then ground them by hand, but one could use some modern equipment if one prefers. She then grated the ginger to squeeze it for the juice which took nearly ¼ pound of ginger to obtain the 3 ½ tablespoons of juice needed. She did the same with the onion, needing about half a large white onion to obtain enough liquid. (It is strongly recommend wearing gloves before juicing the ginger and onion; as one's hands will burn for about an hour if not.) After the spices were ground and the ginger and onion were juiced, combine them with the salt in a Ziploc bag and add ½ cup of water to ensure that all the strips of meat would be coated with the mari- nade/spices. Next cut the beef into strips and add it to the bag shaking, turning, etc. until all the beef pieces are coated. Now, leave the beef to soak for two days, turning it occasionally to ensure distribution of the flavorings. After the meat has marinated for two days, lightly scrape off the clumps of spices; there won't be any liquid left in the bag. Then lay the strips of meat on the trays of your dehydrator and let it dry, or if you have the ability to perform the task medievally, hang the meat over a fire and allow to dry, or if lacking both use one's oven on a low temperature. It may take about six hours for the beef strips to dry in the dehydrator. P a g e 9 T h e S h a r d s The Book of Bards Cináed Ulric

I could have gone simple with this and just provided one with an example of Mongolian poetry or something, but I'd like to introduce your mind and ears to the music of Mongolia for two reasons: 1. It is beautiful and 2. Because our modern mind and ears are usually so stuck in the modern rut of everything being in a four-four (4/4) beat and in the key of either C or F that we're not comfortable listening to medieval western civilization's pieces in off modes, minor tones, or off beats, let alone the very open, free flowing, sometimes non-resolving pieces of the eastern world. So here for you now is time to do a little research. That research will be on the urtiin duu. The urtiin duu is the traditional Mongolian "long song" and it is believed to date back 2,000 years and have been recorded in literary works since the thirteenth century. A rich variety of regional styles has been preserved until today, and performances as well as contemporary compositions still play a major role in the social and cultural life of nomads living in Mongolia. It is one of two major forms of Mongolian songs, the other being "short songs" or Bogino Duu. As a grand ritual form of expression associated with important celebrations and festivities, Urtiin duu plays a distinct and honored role within Mongolian society. Urtiin duu is a lyrical chant sometimes made of 32 verses, or just a ten word text where each sylla- ble is held or extended over several notes or time, with a highly ornamented melody praising the beauty of the steppe, mountains and rivers, the love for parents or close friends, expressing reflections on human destiny, or any number of philosophical, religious, romance, or celebratory, themes repeated throughout the song. It is characterized by an abundance of ornamentation, falsetto, a long and continu- ously flowing melody with rich rhythmical variation, an extremely wide vocal range and a free composi- tional form. The rising melody is slow and steady while the falling melody is often intercepted with a lively triple meter, imitating the pace of life in the grasslands. Performances and compositions of Urtiin duu are closely linked to the nomadic pastoral way of life, which is still widely practiced in Mongolia. Eastern Mon- gols typically use a morin khuur (horse-head fiddle) as accompaniment, sometimes with a type of indige- nous flute named limbe. Oirat groups of the Western Mongols typically sing long songs unaccompanied or accompanied with the igil, another stringed instrument of the region. There are many examples of the long song on youtube, but many are current popular acts that have kept the form and style of the urtiin duu, but have backed it with more of a modern, Mongolian Pop (western civ) type beat. It is perfectly fine to listen to them, but I suggest these listed below as they’re closer to period style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OayxYHVfP0Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zip54HvtE2w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BgiZNK9gsw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuSSKkLJqSQ Volume 29, Issue 2 P a g e 1 0

The Folly Marshal E m i l i a n Ț e a p ă f i

Mongolian Shagai Like the Greeks and Romans, the Mongols used astagalus, or sheep ankle bones, similarly to what we now use, dice. The exception of course there are only four sides (five if one is playing on uneven ground.) The primary four ways, or faces, that these bones can fall are not given numbers, but the names of animals: sheep, goat, camel, and horse. Depending upon what one is playing and the surface one is playing on, there is sometimes considered another side and that one is referred to as cow. The great thing about these bones however is that not only have several games been created to play with them, but also a form of divination...... (cue mysteri- ous oriental music here....) Regardless of which game you play, or attempt at divination, it is a simple collection of pieces and pretty simple game rules that can give hours of enjoyment on times between battles, during the rain, or late in the evening among friends. Also it should be noted you can collect sheep or goat ankle bones, or deer bones will work as well, if you have the ability to do so, or you can buy them from many places online in various sets, or the more crafty folks could also create a mould and make them out of clay or a good salt dough recipe would work as well. The shagai divination method uses only four sheep bones. Each bone can fall in one of four ways since each bone has four different faces. The four faces are called goat, sheep, camel, and horse. The four pieces can fall one of 35 configurations that are assigned meanings. They are very well suited for simple yes/no questions. In fortunetelling, shagai are rolled on the ground; the two convex sides, horse and sheep, are considered lucky, with horse being the luckiest. The sides with concave indents, goat and camel, are deemed unlucky; rolling all four sides on one throw is considered indicative of very good fortune. If not fortune telling, one will be playing a game and depending on the game, the bones may be tossed like dice, flicked like marbles, shot at with arrows, caught in the hands, or simply collected according to the roll of a die. In many games, the side on which a tossed piece lands (horse, sheep, camel, or goat) is significant. Two of the most common games are:

Horse Race: A very common game, usually played with two, but also with more players. Each player flicks one piece (his "horse") in turn along a sequence of stationary pieces representing the race course. It is said that adults enjoy betting on the outcome of their offsprings' racing horses, as much as in the real thing. * Each player takes a bone as their playing piece - it is important that these bones are possible to distinguish from each other. Mongolians often paint or mark some of the bones to suit this purpose, otherwise one will need to find bones that are noticeably different in size and/or texture. * A 'track' is made by placing 12 bones end on end. Each bone will act as a marker for a 'square' of the track. * The players' pieces are lined up alongside the first bone on the track. [Cont’d page 17] P a g e 1 1 T h e S h a r d s Diamond Demos Robyn Hood at the Lory Theater

On Thursday evening, May the 11th, several members of the Baron gathered to give an impromptu demo in conjunction with the opening of the new movie, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, at the Lory Theater in Highland Illinois. After greeting, talking, and showing off to folks in the park across from the theater, members then went inside, in garb, to watch the movie. Those in attendance were: Ástríðr Ár- narðóttír & “Page Jacob Thomas”, Alen of Bellwood, Aleksandr Morekhodov & Gillianne de Solis, “Catherine Rose”, Christian Van de Vos & TH Lady James Ainsley, Malina An Eich Gil, Muirgheal O’Sean- naig, and Lord Randex & Lady Lenora (friends of Aleksandr & Gillianne’s),

Above left and going clockwise: Lords Alen of Bellwood, Aleksandr Morekhodov, Randex, Jorgson, & Lady Lenora in discussion; Lady Malina An Eich Gil & TH Lady James Ainsley work on braiding; “Page Jacob Thomas” & Kurro Ookami-san; Lord Aleksandr Morekhodov & Lady Muirgheal O’Seannaig Volume 29, Issue 2 P a g e 1 2

Left: Lords Jorgson and Randex in combat. Right: Entering the theater are lady “Catherine Rose”, Mistress Petrona da Manciano, Lady Muirgheal O’Seannaig, Lady Leah and Lord Aleksandr Morekhodov

Baronial Polling

Oyez! Their Majesties have made the an- nouncement! The last decision of the Baronetcy transitioning has been made. It was decided that the investiture of Kurro Ookami-san and Mistress Patrona de Manciano will take place in Their lands, the Shire of Swordcliffe, during the morning court at Baroness Wars V, August 26th Although not in our lands, there are still various ways to make the investiture our, and Ookami & Petrona’s, own special moment. Please be sure to inquire of them as to what plans and projects needed to be executed for this upcoming special event for the barony.. P a g e 1 3 T h e S h a r d s

Agate Atlas

Where does one go to in Mongolia if one is a history buff? Try these few places to begin your journey... Huduu Aral, Khuduu Aral is a fairly wide Steppe, where an excavation found the first Mongolian city, Aurag. The world-famous Secret History of the Mongols was written in 1240, and it is here that most related events of this book took place. There is said to be a healing source there and thus is a major des- tination for Mongolians. Here the river Kherlen flows, which attracts many tourists to come fishing, and the surrounding lakes are ideal for birdwatchers as there is an abundance of various bird species in habi- tat around the lake. The area is located approximately 240 km from the capital of Mongolia, Ulaan- baatar. It is said that Temuujin was born into the family of Yesugei Baatar in 1162 at a place called De- luun Boldog by the Onon river in Dadal soum of Khentii aimag. Beginning from 1185, Temuujin directed a military campaign to unite the Mongolian people, which was at that time divided into more than 80 feud- ing ethnic clans. Finally in 1206 the Great Mongol Empire was established and Temuujin was declared Chinggis Khaan which meant “Great Khaan”. 2006 was the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Mongolian nation by Chinggis (Genghis) Khaan and there are two monuments dedicated to Chinggis Khaan at Deluun Boldog: one is a large rock in Deluun Boldog with an inscription in old Mongol script marking the birthplace of the Great Khaan, while the second monument was inaugurated in 1962 to com- memorate the 800th anniversary of Chinggis Khaan’s birth with a life-size figure of Chinggis Khaan carved on a white stone in the shape of mountain peaks and engraved with old Mongol script. Both are located in an attractive wooded area in North-west Hentii region which contains trails, lakes as well as a museum where visitors learn why this fierce warrior and great leader is still revered today. Speaking of mountain peaks, Burkhan Khaldun Mountain is also considered to be the birthplace of Chinggis khaan, as well as one of the rumored locations of his tomb. This mountain is rich in archaeo- logical history, with over 800 burial sites identified by archaeologists. The mountain is also located in the 1,2 million hectare Khan Khentii Strict Protected Area established in 1992. This mountain is considered the most sacred mountain in Mongolia, because it was first designated as sacred by Chinggis khaan. Going back to the capital city, there are two cities that held that title before Ulaanbaatar, Ordu- Baliq and Karakorum. Ordu-Baliq (Kharbalgas) - Arkhangai. Ruins of the first capital of Uyghur Khaganate, established in 744 and flourished until 840, when it was ruined by Yenisey Kyrgyzes. The city had 10 m (near 33 feet) tall city walls, sentry towers, and was 25 km² (82,021 feet) large. There has been statues with runic inscriptions found at the site. Meanwhile the Karakorum ruins (Kharkhorin) - Övörkhangai, are mostly underground, and was established by Ghengis Khan around 1220. Even European artisans came there to build wonderful buildings and create artworks, including the legendary Silver Tree and, possibly - Xanadu palace. It was destroyed in 1388 and now only two large sculptures of turtles, former adornment of city gates, remain. Volume 29, Issue 2 P a g e 1 4

Scroll Roll

May 6th, A.S. LII at the coronation of William & Isolde, the King & Queen of the Middle Kingdom, held in their lands of the Barony of Flaming Gryphon and at their first court, it was announced that His Excellency, Baron Maximillian von Fallingbostel was made a Companion of the Company of the Bronze Ring. Membership is given to those who have not only shown excellence and leadership in rapier combat, but who have also trained others in these skills. Also the Honorable Lord Gavin MacFergus was made a Companion of the Order of the Red company. Membership into the order is given to those who have shown proficiency and leadership in melee and/or tournament combat. It was further announced that Her Excellency, Mistress Caroline de Mercier was offered elevation to the Order of the Laurel for her longstanding excellence in performing, teaching, and encouraging in the bardic arts, specifically the art of storytelling. She has chosen to sit vigil and be elevated at a later date. Please watch for notices as it take a lot of assistance and planning for a proper vigil and elevation. Also on May 27th, at their court at Spring Crown Tournament in the Barony of Shadowed Stars, Their Majesties did see fit to put The Honourable Lady Berengaria Mordant was placed on vigil for the Or- der of the Laurel. Please, give all of these members a congratulatory “HOOBAH!” when next you met for their well earned praise.

Below: Her Excellency, Mistress Caroline de Mercier, realizes the boon for a Laurel is for her. P a g e 1 5 T h e S h a r d s

[Yurts from page 7] sentations of the five elements: minutes and 3 hours to set up wooden door frame helps fire, water, earth, metal, and or take down depending upon strengthen the yurt and gives a wood, considered to be the fun- how large and the amount of more solid place to attach a felt, damental, unchanging elements assistance one has, and they sheep's wool, or rug flap. of the cosmos. Such patterns usually house between five to Not only is the hauling are commonly used in the home fifteen people. They are usually and setting up of a ger itself with the belief that they will a little over two meters (six feet) relatively quick and easy, but bring strength and offer protec- high, with a slightly domed top the decoration and layout of a tion. Repeating geometric pat- rising another two feet. Their ger became something that was terns are also widely used. The easy set up and light weight set, and thus easy to place most widespread pattern is the travel, makes them a great items as well. With some varia- continuous hammer or walking "tent" with which to camp in at tions in customs in several pattern, alkhan khee, which SCA events, in fact there are countries, most of them are gen- looks similar in form to either several sites on the web that erally the same set up: at the Celtic or Norse knot work de- discuss the construction and centre, directly below the crown pending upon how the alkhan use of a ger for SCA camping. is the hearth or in more modern khee is drawn, embroidered, And their round style and history times some kind of wood burn- etc. Commonly used as a bor- can actually help several perso- ing stove, entrance is always der decoration, the alkahn khee nas in their camping from the facing south and the circular represents unending strength regular ger for Mongolian's or area is blocked off into four spe- and constant movement. An- other Asian personas, to those cific spaces moving clockwise: other common pattern is the with middle eastern persona's at the entrance quadrant (6 on ulzii, a symbol of long life and with a few decorative twists, or the cock) is a male (herders) happiness, while the khamar even decorate the outside of the only domain with saddles, weap- ugalz (nose pattern) and ever wall in a stone pattern style and ons and hunting gear; continu- ugalz (horn pattern) are derived make your ger a Celtic stone ing left (9) is also the male do- from the shape of an animal's round house. main for sleeping, particularly nose and horns, and they are the head of the household, the oldest traditional patterns. Bibliography along with chests for rug and And of course specific  "Assembling a Yurt", Original utensil storage; then around to traditions rose up with living in Mongolian Yurts. Ashid Ger the north quadrant (12), where these structures as well. When LLC © 2017 Website. http:// the altar sits facing the entrance entering a ger one must always originalyurts.com/how-to- and where important guests are enter on the right foot and must assemble-mongolian-yurt/ received; the next quadrant (3) never touch the threshold of the Copyright accessed May is where women and children door when doing so. One is to 11th, 2017 sleep and also contains things always move around the ger in a  "Yurts". Mongolia Travel & like churns. clock wise direction, and should Tours. Randocheval Mon- Traditional decoration it be a large enough ger to need golie LLC © 2016 Website. within a yurt is primarily pattern- two support poles, one is to http://www.mongolia-travel- based derived from sacred orna- never walk between them as and-tours.com/yurt- ments with certain symbolism. that represents the connection mongolia.html accessed May Symbols representing strength of the earth to the sky and thus 16th, 2017 are among the most common, crossing between breaks the  Jenott, Lance. "The Journey including the khas (swastika) binding tie. (Of course it's usu- of Friar John of Pian de and four powerful beasts: lion, ally where the hearth is located, Carpine to the Court of Ku- tiger, garuda (legendary human- so unless you need really warm yuk Khan, oid-bird like creature), and feet...... ) [Cont’d page 16 dragon, as well as stylized repre- Yurts take between 30 Volume 29, Issue 2 P a g e 1 6

[Yurts from page 15] 1245-1247 translated by William Woodville Rockhill (1900)" Silk Road Seattle. Simpson Center for the Humanities at the University of Washington © 2003 Website https://depts.washington.edu/ silkroad/texts/carpini.html [The text there is from The journey of William of Rubruck to the eastern parts of the world, 1253-55, as narrated by himself, with two accounts of the earlier journey of John of Pian de Carpine. tr. from the Latin and ed. translated by W. W. Rockhill, with an introductory notice, by William Woodville Rockhill (London: Hakluyt Society, 1900).]  Jenott, Lance & Janeen Richards. "William of Rubruck's Account of the Mongols" Silk Road Seat- tle. Simpson Center for the Humanities at the University of Washington © 2004 Website https:// depts.washington.edu/silkroad/texts/rubruck.html#yurts [The text there is from The journey of Wil- liam of Rubruck to the eastern parts of the world, 1253-55, as narrated by himself, with two accounts of the earlier journey of John of Pian de Carpine. tr. from the Latin and ed. translated by W. W. Rockhill, with an introductory notice, by William Woodville Rockhill (London: Hakluyt Society, 1900).]  Kemery, Becky. Yurts: Living in the Round. Salt Lake City, Ut.: Gibbs Smith, Publisher, © 2006  Kuehn, Dan Frank. Mongolian Cloud Houses: How to Make a Yurt and Live Comfortably. Bolinas, Ca.: Shelter Publications, Inc. © 2006  Lane, George. Daily Life in the Mongol Empire. Westport, Ct.: Greenwood Publishing Group, © 2006  Mongolian Yurts (Ger), Polyglottando February 19, 2015 visited May 15, 2017 https:// polyglottando.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/mongolian-yurts-ger/

[Shagai from page 10] * Players then take it in turns throwing 5 bones that are used as 'dice' (or you could use an actual die), and they then can move their horse forwards a space for every 'horse' they roll. The winner is the first player to get their horse past the last space on the track.

Mongolian Marbles: A big handful, usually around twenty, of bones is dropped by the player. They then look to see which bones have the same face - horse, camel, sheep or goat. * The player whose turn it is then flicks a bone towards a matching bone. If it strikes the target with- out either bone touching or striking any other bone then the player can pick up one of the bones (either the bone that was used to strike or the struck bone) and then continue their turn, trying to hit another like bone with like. It should be noted, a player cannot just push a bone - there must be a definite 'flick', though range of techniques are acceptable and flicking must be done with the right hand, and the picking up of scored bones only done with the left. Scored bones must not be held in the right hand at all. [Officially I don't think there is a penalty for this, but make one of a loss of a scored bone if caught using the wrong hang could add another dimension to the game.] * If a player misses, or if there are only non-matching bones left in play, play passes to the next player, who will scoop up all the remaining bones, drop them, and take their turn.  Play passes round the circle until either all bones are scored or only three remain. Whenever there [Cont’d page 17] P a g e 1 7 T h e S h a r d s

[Shagai from page 16] are three or fewer bones, a player must score all three, or else pass the three on to the next player (i.e., returning a scored bone if they have two remaining at the end of their play). * If all bones have the same facing after a throw (i.e. all horse, all goat) then any player who is quick enough may grab and scoop up all the remaining bones, ending the game and scoring them immediately. * A player's score is the sum of bones they have collected through the course of the game. This game can be played to a very high level of skill - for example, flicking a bone so that after striking its target one or the other flips to the required side for the next shot. You'll also want to drop the bones at the start of your turn so that the bones don't fall too close nor too far apart - close enough to make it easier to hit the target, far enough apart that they aren't in each other's way or indeed touching. Some of the other games one can play with these bones are: Birthing Camels: On each turn, a player tosses all the pieces to the ground. The goal is then to use the "sheep" pieces to knock the "camel" pieces also into sheep position. Cat's Game: A number of "sheep" (or "goats") are lined up two-by-two. The player then throws another object (often a piece of chain) up into the air and catches it again. In the short time while the object is floating, the task is to pick up one piece with the same hand, but not to disturb the others. (Kind of like jacks) Twelve years: Two players in turn toss two pieces like dice for twelve rounds (corresponding to the twelve-year cycle of the traditional calendar), counting a point for each horse landed. If no player reaches 12 points, the game restarts, otherwise the higher score wins. Tossing Three Shagai: Any number of players take turns tossing three pieces like dice. Three pieces landing on the same side score two points, two of the same give one point. Winner is who first reaches a predetermined number of points. The Four Shagai: Players take turns tossing four pieces. All four landing on different sides scores eight points, four same sides give four points, and two pairs give two points. Any player may attempt to grab an "all pieces of a four same sides throw" by any player, if they successfully grab it then they also get the score of that throw. Winner is who first gets ahead of all others by a predetermined margin. Four Animals: The pieces are divided into four groups, representing herds of different animals as of which side is turned upwards. Players take turns tossing one extra piece like a dice, collecting one from the herd of the type thrown, or putting one back if the respective herd is empty. Once all four herds are depleted, the player who has collected the most pieces wins. Bibliography:  Ioannidis, Nancy "Learn How to Play Ankle Bones" Youtube. Youtube. August 23, 2013: Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deb33d0Kvzw accessed May 1st, 2017  Kapaj, Luigi. "Shagai" The Silver Horde. ViaHistoria.com. © 2001: Website. http:// silverhorde.viahistoria.com/main.html accessed May 2, 2017  "Mongolian Knucklebone Shooting." Khan Expedition: Mongolia Tour Operator. Khan Expedition LLC. © March 2017: Website https://www.khanexpedition.com/en/post/knucklebone-shooting.html accessed May 3rd 2017  "Mongolian Traditional Games and Toys" Horseback Mongolia. Horseback Mongolia, Inc. ©2017: Website. http://www.mongolia-trips.com/travel-tips/nomadic-life-traditions/mongolian-traditional- games-toys/ accessed May 2, 2017  Rabook, Ami. "Bone Games" The Golden Road to Samarqand. Blogspot. November 7, 2005: Web- site. http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/11/bone-games.html accessed May 2, 2017  Souter, Keith. The Pocket Guide to Dice & Dice Games © 2013 Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. Ebook Volume 29, Issue 2 P a g e 1 8

Guild Halls

Business Meetings Held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Schnucks in Collinsville, IL at 501 Beltline Rd, Collinsville, IL 62234

Arts & Sciences (classes, free nights, & projects) Held on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesdays of the month starting around 6-6:30 as folks arrive. At the Marine UCC Church 111 N. Center Street, Marine, IL. 62061

Argent Scriptorium (scribal & Illumination) TBA

ARMORER’S GUILD/FIGHTER PRACTICE Held on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesdays of the month starting around 6-6:30 as folks arrive. At the Marine UCC Church 111 N. Center Street, Marine, IL. 62061

CRYSTAL ACADEMY—FENCING/RAPIER Held on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Tuesdays of the month starting around 6-6:30 as folks arrive. At the Marine UCC Church 111 N. Center Street, Marine, IL. 62061

CRYSTAL COOKS TBA

CRYSTAL DANCE TROUPE Dance practices are sometimes held during the A&S Tuesday times or on their own on the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month around 7:00 p.m. at the LoveJoy United Presbyterian Church, 2550 Rock Hill Rd, Wood River, IL 62095

THREAD THURSDAYS Held most Thursdays at the home of Carrys of Caer Rhudd 6 - 9 p.m. Any textile interest is welcome. Please contact her regarding directions. (314) 651-3459

Always check Baronial email, website, or Facebook page for additions and changes to the schedules. June

Remember, if not attending an event, June 3-4 is the demo 1 Thread Thurs- 2 3 Martial Rum at the St. Louis Pagan Picnic in conjunction with Barony of days 6:00 p.m. Bny Flame Three Rivers! Come out and have fun! Louisville, Ky 4 5 Dance Practice 6 A&S, Ar- 7 8 Thread Thurs- 9 10 Husbandry 7:00 p.m. mored & Rapier days 6:00 p.m. Symposium Practice 6 p.m. Shr Riviere Princeton, IN 11 12 13 A&S, Ar- 14 15 Thread 16 17 Baronial mored & Rapier Thursdays 6:00 Border War Practice 6 p.m. p.m. Ctn Rimsholt Lowell, Mi 18 19 Dance Prac- 20 A&S, Ar- 21 22 Thread 23 24 Baron Wars tice 7:00 p.m. mored & Rapier Thursdays 6:00 Ctn Marche’ Practice 6 p.m. p.m. Perrysburg, OH

25 26 27 Business Mtg 28 29 Thread 30 August Shard Collinsville, IL Thursdays 6:00 article deadline 7:00 p.m. p.m. July The Barony’s quarterly “court” is at the Sugar Loaf Twsp Hall 1 Simple Day Bny Sternfeld in Dupo, Illinois starting around Noon ….ish. Potluck & Practices Danville, IN 2 3 NO Dance 4 A&S, Ar- 5 6 Thread Thurs- 7 8 Day of Playe Practice mored & Rapier days 6:00 p.m. Ctn Rokkenhald Practice 6 p.m. Gilberts, IL

9 Baronial 10 11 A&S, Ar- 12 13 Thread 14 15 Swine N Quarterly mored & Rapier Thursdays 6:00 Roses; Bny “Court” Noon Practice 6 p.m. p.m. Three Towers Dupo, IL. Mt. Gilead, OH 16 17 NO Dance 18 A&S, Ar- 19 20 Thread 21 22 Practice mored & Rapier Thursdays 6:00 Practice 6 p.m. p.m.

23 24 25 Business Mtg 26 27 Thread 28 September 29 Collinsville, IL Thursdays 6:00 Shard article 30 31 7:00 p.m. p.m. deadline

Baronial and Kingdom events are listed before others, followed by the closest to our Barony. For events outside of this scope, please see the Midrealm Kingdom Calendar at http:// www.midrealm.org/calendar/ or check the advertisements in your latest kingdom newsletter, The Pale. For all side “guild” meetings: dance, weaving, etc. Please be sure to check email & facebook notices for changes in usual schedule on a daily basis.