East Kingdom Gazette

Covering the Eastern Realm of the SCA

Q&A – SCA Grand Council

by East Kingdom Gazette

The following is a Q&A answered for the Gazette by Lady Heather Shea, the Questrix (Kelly Magill) Grand Council Chair.

What is the role of the Grand Council in the SCA?
The SCA Board, circa 1995, created the Grand Council as a think-tank to brainstorm about business-side changes or generate ideas about how the SCA operates as a corporation. It issues quarterly reports to the Board, and has been granted the right to place items on the agenda for Board discussion. It has been meeting continuously (with changes in membership and structure) for 19 years.

Can you give us examples of issues you’ve discussed?

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Period or Not… Names

by East Kingdom Gazette

This is a recurring series by Mistress Alys Mackyntoich on whether certain names currently can be documented to period based on existing evidence..  There are a lot of names that people think are medieval, but actually aren’t, and others which people think are modern, but in fact are found in the SCA’s period.  If you …

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Eastern Rose Tourney Announcement

by East Kingdom Gazette

Published on behalf of Duchess Anna Ophelia Holloway Tarragon Save the Date! The Eastern Rose Tourney will be September 20, 2014 in the Barony of Bergental. The Roses of the Eastern Kingdom invite one and all to come and witness the Splendor and Pageantry that will be our Eastern Rose Tourney. Each Rose will sponsor one member …

Artisans Village at Mudthaw

by East Kingdom Gazette

Published on behalf of Mistress Elizabeth Elenore Lovell

Mudthaw is this weekend and I hope to see many of you there! We are hosting an Artisan’s Village from noon to 2:30 and here is the current list of artists participating and what the demos/classes will be:

Elizabet Marshall: Will be demonstrating and teaching the Bayeux Tapestry stitches. She will have with her materials for teaching those familiar with using a needle and thread who are able to concentrate on careful, deliberate stitching. She will also have materials on hand to teach finger loop cording for ages 10 and up. Parents are requested to stay with their children.

Grimbold : Will be demonstrating Cold-working techniques of early metal smiths, including simple Anglo-Saxon cold-forging work in non-ferrous metals, Viking-era Danish decorative stamping and if time permits, ‘opus interrasile’, a rare Roman and Byzantine Empire openwork method. Reproduced tooling, techniques and works all based on period finds and research.

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May Faire on May 10 in BBM

by East Kingdom Gazette

Greetings from the good gentles of the Barony Beyond the Mountain.  As the weather warms, young men’s and women’s fancies turn to thoughts of…  bows, great weapons and medieval life, of course!  Come join us for a day full of learning and competition.  Our archers have set forth a challenge to all comers, our warriors …

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Schedule for Mudthaw on March 22

by East Kingdom Gazette

The tentative schedule for Mudthaw is now available: 10:00 – Site Opens 10:00 – Merchants Open – lower hall 10:00 – A&S Entry Open – upper hall 10:00 – EK Signet Scroll Display – upper hall 11:30 – Morning Court – outside 12:00 – Armored Combat Tournament begins 12:00 – Rapier Tournament 12:00 – Thrown …

2014 King’s and Queen’s Arts and Sciences

by East Kingdom Gazette

IMG_2850February 22 dawned bright and clear as competitors, judges, and arts and sciences enthusiasts arrived for this year’s competition. There were 29 competitors this year, entering a wide range of projects, from sweets to swords, lace to illumination, and everything in between. Others came just to display their work and have a chance to share their crafts with like-minded people. The level of enthusiasm was high as both judges and populace visited the displays to talk to the participants about their research and workmanship. More than one judge commented on what a tough job they had because the level of work brought to the competition was so expertly done. In the end, only a few points separated the winners from the rest of the entries. Everyone left with new ideas about how to advance their work.

This is just a small sampling of the arts and sciences work being undertaken by the members of the East Kingdom, with photos from the day. It was inspiring to be able to see the variety of interests being pursued.

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In Memoriam: Don Jehan FitzAllen

by East Kingdom Gazette
Photo by Lady Camille des Jardins
Photo by Lady Camille des Jardins

The East Kingdom lost a true Renaissance man as Don Jehan Fitz Alan of Endewearde passed away suddenly at home on Friday, February 28th.

Don Jehan was a fine artisan and swordmaker, a talented swordsman, a long-time officer for his local group, and a gentle man devoted to nature, laughter, family, and the sea. He was an apprentice to the late Master Gregory Finche, and he served first as Exchequer for the (then) Shire of Endewearde starting in 1991, and then as Seneschal starting in 1994. He received his AoA from Randal and Katherine at Great Northeastern War V, and for his service to the East Kingdom he was inducted as a Companion of the Silver Crescent by Timothy and Gabrielle at Great Northeastern War XII. For his service to the Rapier community and his skill with a sword, Lucan and Marike inducted him as a Companion of the Golden Rapier at A Market Day at Birka (2000) and for his skill as a swordmaker he was recognized as a Companion of the Manche by Hanse and Oliva at Great Northeastern War XV. He had also served as Northern Region Rapier Marshal, and was currently serving the Barony of Endewearde as Exchequer for the incipient Canton of Wyndriche.

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