Post-Spring Crown Reflections

My home Barony just hosted Spring Crown Tournament, and I played a very minor role in the stewarding team, so my time for some weeks has been taken up with paperwork and projects for that.

The big event is over and now it is time to go 'splat' and recover. (And go through the photos, jot down all the ideas inspired by wonderful people, and plan what is next on the to-do list.) Plus!- Start blogging all the projects that were completed before I forget and they end up stuck in the drafts folder forever, like so many others!

This was a really well attended event, with overseas visitors and a large and prestigious list of contenders. The event ran really well, everyone seemed to have a great time, and was full of beautiful and moving moments. (Plus lots of silly and fun ones.) I got to see old friends and make new ones. And regret not having time to catch up with many others, but such is the nature of big events, I guess.

There was a wealth of beautiful arts and sciences on display, garb to drool over, and displays of courtesy and chivalry (on and off the field) to be inspired by. Innilgard is renowned for it's plentiful good food, and the cooking team did not disappoint, with feast goers being seen in the evening walking around rubbing their bellies and moaning happily that they 'ate too much'.

There were two Peerage ceremonies, a Protege ceremony, presentation of gorgeous scrolls, and other lovely forms of recognition for well-deserved people. I got to see two friends step up as Heirs to the Throne after an exhilarating battle. And laughed as Knights in the stocks got pelted by sponges to raise over a thousand dollars for a cancer charity in remembrance of lost friends. There was beautiful dancing and a range of excellent bardic performances. I got given a personalised performance of interpretive dance in lieu of a rose in the Rose Tourney. And did I mention the drool-worthy garb?

All in all, it really was the sort of event that renews in every way. 

Medieval Faire Demo 2019

I have been busy lately, but not as productive as I would have liked as I have been battling some strange symptoms as well as fatigue.
A highlight of my fortnight was spending some time with my SCA group at the Gumeracha Medieval Faire. I couldn't spend as much time there as I would have liked, but I did get to talk to a lot of visitors about the SCA and the arts and crafts that we do. This always leaves me feeling exhausted, but motivated because it is a nice reminder of some of the aspects of the SCA that I love.

Some of the heavy fighters on the field

Sections of the A&S display with items made by our members

These sorts of public demos always seem to generate a special sort of camaraderie that I really appreciate too. I also get to see what some of the other re-creation groups are doing and wearing, and I come home inspired to start new projects and improve my kit.

While the re-enactors usually don't get to see very much of the Faire (as a visitor would), we are lucky that the SCA  tent is on the banks of the creek where the jousting horses and heavy horses stay, so we have a beautiful view. And a lot of the other 'entertainers' pop around to say hello.

A&S Pentathlon

I've been quite ill with respiratory issues this week, but I needed to drag myself along to an event this weekend. For the last year I have been running an A&S Pentathlon Challenge in my Barony, and this weekend was the opportunity for people to show the items that they have been working on.

Here are the guidelines:

Each entrant must complete five projects that each meet the requirements of at least one distinct category of the thirty available. The projects must be begun after the Baronial Rapier Championship 2018, and completed by Baronial Rapier Championship 2019 (excepting those calling for existing items/part finished projects). You can post updates on the Baronial or A&S Facebook pages and/or display your entries at events. 

Projects must be submitted to the A&S Officer – summaries and photographs as appropriate, reviews of comestibles/potables by consumers and performances by those present etc. There will be a special display of projects as they are at the Baronial Rapier Championship in 2019.

Projects may meet more than one category, but each one must meet at least one distinct category. 

This event is distinct from and does not count towards the Baronial A&S Championship.
Shared/group projects may count towards the Challenge for all participants.

Categories:
1. Child's Play - Any item intended for a child - clothing, accessory, toy, game, wrap, cradle etc.
2. Out of Your Comfort Zone - An item from a time or place or material or skill set you have not
previously explored
3. Hitting Below The Knee -An item intended for use below the knee
4. The Neck Best Thing - An item intended for use on, around, or above the neck
5. Here Be Monsters - An item featuring or incorporating fantastical medieval beasts and creatures.
6. For Science! -Arts and Science often focuses a lot on the Arts side. Make a project that
is more related to the Sciences.
7. Show Us Your Arms -A project of heraldic display.
8. Break A Leg- A performance based project - learn a new dance, sing a song, do a performance etc.
9. Tool Me Once - A project to make a tool to be used in other projects (not necessarily for the Challenge).
10. Cover Me -A project to make an item intended for protection: from the elements, from
other people who want to hit or poke you etc. Suggestions include: wet weather gear, armour, tents and shelters
11. String Theory -A project significantly incorporating some form of string - weaving, knitting, ropes, nets, knots etc
12. One Metre Material Project -A project made of less than one linear metre of fabric, wood or other
material that usually comes in larger quantities.
13. Century Time Traveller -A project from exactly 500, 600, 700, 800 years etc in the past. Make
something from in period, from a year ending in 18.
14. Back To Basics -Ever wanted to undertake a sheep to clothing project? Mine your own clay for bricks and build an oven? This is your opportunity. This project will be made as much as possible from unprocessed elements, from the beginning to the end product.
15. Those Who Can, Also Teach Pass on your knowledge! Present an A&S class or run an A&S activity outside
of activities you usually run, or write an informative article for an SCA publication or similar.
16. Give What You Get- A project to be given to the Barony or Kingdom or to be given to Their Excellencies or Their Majesties to be given out as largesse, or as a gift for a relative newcomer.
17. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Out Of Period -A project that includes accurately documenting something often erroneously considered naff, out of period or otherwise wrong for the SCA.
18. Tis the Season- A project specifically related to a particular season or Saint’s day or holiday.
19. Embellish It- A project to add embellishment or decoration to an already existing item
20. With The Grain- A project featuring grains – of wheat, of rice, of paradise or any other grain
21. Fly The Colours - A project based on the primary Baronial colours – Red, White and Blue.
22. Oh Say, Can You Sea? - A project related to the high seas – something nautical, related to ships,
made of shells or pearls etc
23. Togs, Togs, Undies - An item that could be considered an under thing. Or an item of clothing intended for a specific purpose: eg, swimming, cooking, hunting, hawking, sports.
24. Remake, Reuse, Refashion, Reconsider - A project to remake or complete an item you or someone else has previously made, or half-made and abandoned.
25. Containment System - A project to make something designed to hold other things – boxes, bags etc.
26. Forget Me Not - A project related to death/mourning. Memento mori, mourning clothing or traditions 
27. Counting (on) Sheep - Ovines were significant to medieval life – providing meat, milk, wool and
the imagery of lambs. Incorporate one into a project.
28. Fire Burns - A project using real fire. Cook on it, forge with it, make it in a period manner.
29. A Bird In The Hand - Of or relating to birds – feathered accessories, quills, roasted birds, raising chickens, falconry projects etc
30. An Essay Of A Thousand Words - Research and write an essay on an aspect of medieval life. Topic of your
choice, minimum of a thousand words.

With thanks to Cecily de Montgomery, Southron Gaard A&S Officer for this concept

The A&S display tables.

Many people were away, so entries weren't as prolific as I had hoped, but the ones we had were well received by the populace. Hopefully the challenge will inspire people to develop existing skills and to learn new ones.

Public demo at new venue

Yesterday I Attended a public demo at a new venue. It was an interesting day with wild weather which probably put off a lot of potential visitors. Our arts and sciences display table looked good, and I got to chat with lots of interested people while working on my embroidery.

A&S Pentathlon Display Table

I mentioned in an earlier post that I am running an A&S Pentathlon in my local group to get people motivated to do Arts and Sciences and to develop new skills. At a recent event we held a display table where people could show what they have been working on. I only had two of my five entries available for display; I am working a coif with purple embroidery, and I also displayed my second piece of braid woven on the rigid heddle loom.

An A&S display table is an excellent way to let people showcase what they have been working on in a no-pressure environment. People can come and have a look at people's projects and documentation and hopefully get inspired to try something new or develop an existing skill or knowledge area.

Hand sewn tunic by Lord Faelan and my braid and embroidery

Class notes and sundial by Master William and embroidered game board by Lord Faelan

Hand-sewn doll's dress by TH Baroness Linet

Klosterstitch angel by Lord Faelan

SCA Swap and Sell Day

A friend of  mine recently organised a Swap and Sell day at my local A&S training. People brought along old garb, jewellery, half finished projects, unwanted feasting gear, fabric, leather, threads- anything pertaining to the SCA or useful in any way. Wow! What a fun day it turned out to be! People were excited to get a bargain or clear out old bits and pieces. New people and older players stood around chatting about future projects, ideas and failed attempts. Low prices encouraged people to buy resources for attempts at new skills without worrying about wasting too much money if the project didn't work out.  People tried on garb outside their comfort zone and were inspired to try something new. What a great way to get people inspired and talking about the arts and sciences. And get some bargains to boot!

New Bling and Gallery of Projects

I attended an event recently where a talented member of my Barony was selling hand made jewellery. I bought this lovely necklace from Lord Gabriel Ziegler.

At the event, there was also an Arts and Sciences display. I didn't really think I had anything to bring, so I grabbed an unfinished Elizabethan embroidery that I have been working on to show. It was only today, as I was looking through a cupboard for something, that I realised that I have many items that I could have brought along to show. Isn't it funny how quickly we forget projects that we worked so long on if we are not using them regularly? I have decided to compile a gallery of photos of my work to keep a record of what I have done, and also to use as an inventory. This will also help me to keep track of what I have blogged.