East Kingdom Gazette

Q and A with the New East Kingdom Seneschal

December 23, 2013 by East Kingdom Gazette

The Gazette had the pleasure of chatting with Dueña Mercedes Vera de Calafia, the new East Kingdom Seneschal, about her new job, her life in the SCA, and her favorite cheeses.

Who are you?
My name is Mercedes de Vera de Calafia.

What does the Kingdom Seneschal do?
The Kingdom Seneschal does all kinds of things behind the scenes to make the business side of the Kingdom run more smoothly. Technically the Kingdom Seneschal is regional vice president of operations for SCA, Inc. The most visible part of job is to advise the Crown on Law & Policy and to manage the regional and local seneschals. In practice I find myself making a lot of lists & spreadsheets, and answering a lot of emails. Mistress Katherine Barr gave a wonderful interview about being Kingdom Seneschal, so if you are interested in learning more about the subject, you can read about it here: eastkingdomgazette.org/2013/05/21/so-you-want-to-be-the-kingdom-seneschal-thoughts-from-a-prior-east-kingdom-seneschal/#more-2791

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Why You Should Thank A Scribe!

December 23, 2013 by EK Gazette (Ygraine)

Scroll - Sagittarius for Ahtor Lys MacDavit by Ygraine of Kellswood - 2002 — Wording, layout, calligraphy and gilding done.

Here, in the East, we are lucky to receive original works of art to commemorate our awards and honors, with the artwork, lettering and words created specifically for each recipient. (Please browse the Signet Gallery for some outstanding examples.) This is not true in every kingdom. In some parts of the Known World, mass-produced documents are personalized to some degree, or recipients receive nothing from the Crown and commission their own documents, or in a number of areas individual scrolls are created but the text is the same for every recipient of a given award.

A lot of effort goes into the process that results in the presentations and proclamations you see in Court – (more…)

Period or Not… Names

December 18, 2013 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 …

Q&A: Registering Names and Devices with Mistress Alys Mackyntoich

December 16, 2013 by East Kingdom Gazette

Why would I want to register my name in the SCA?
Having a correct medieval name adds to the ambiance of events. In addition, you must have a registered name in order to register a device. Unique medieval heraldry can be used for banners, penons, shields, livery, etc. Your SCA name and heraldry provide you a unique opportunity to redefine yourself.

What are the requirements for picking an official name?
An SCA name must have two elements. The elements should be from the same language, or from two closely related languages. There is a table in the Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory (SENA) that tell us which languages can be combined. (more…)

Polling Responses due December 17

December 14, 2013 by East Kingdom Gazette

Their Majesties, Kenric and Avelina, issued Their second round of Award Order Pollings on Nov. 18, and responses are due back to Them by Dec. 17. If you are a member of a polled Order and are not subscribed to the polling distribution or the discussion list, you may sign up here: Polling Lists And …

East Kingdom Twelfth Night is fast approaching!

December 14, 2013 by East Kingdom Gazette

East Kingdom Twelfth Night will be held in Troy, NY, on January 4, 2014 and hosted by the Shire of Anglespur and the Barony of Concordia of the Snows. Per the autocrat, Lord Joel of Vestfell, the feast has a very hard cap of 150, and it’s “selling fast”. Online registration (by ACCEPS) ends on …

Changes to SCA Inc. Website

December 14, 2013 by East Kingdom Gazette

In early December, the SCA.org website got a new look. The motivation behind the “facelift” was the recent debut of the SCA Newcomers’ Portal. “We wanted to add a very noticeable link to the Portal, so that visitors and new members could easily find their way there,” said Mistress Jessa d’Avondale, Webmaster of SCA.org *. …

Agenda for Curia at Birka

December 14, 2013 by East Kingdom Gazette

The agenda for Their Majesties’ upcoming Curia is now available on the East Kingdom Seneschal’s web site: Curia The Curia will be held the day after Birka, in the Barony of Stonemarche: Sunday, 26 January 2014, 10:00am Stark Room, Radisson Hotel Manchester Questions may be directed to: Clerk of Laws in service, Edith Steyning Clerk …

Unofficial Court Report for 100 Minutes War

December 12, 2013 by East Kingdom Gazette

Posted on behalf of Baroness Theodora Bryennissa, called Treannah

On the 23rd day of November Anno Societatis 48, in the common era called 2014, at the end of a day filled with fierce battles, great fencing, youth combat as well as a delicious dayboard, Their Majesties Kenric II and Avelina II held Their Court. They warmly welcomed two of Their visiting Cousins to come and sit beside Them and Their Heirs, and King Timothy of Aethelmearc and Prince Guillaume, called William of Atlantia took up Their offer and took Their comfort. Their Majesties East presented each Cousin with gifts as Their Court began.

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Carmina challenge

December 11, 2013 by East Kingdom Gazette

Greetings to the singers, poets, drinkers, and wits of the East Kingdom! Lady Aildreda de Tamwurthe issues unto you a convivial challenge for the festival season, to be answered at Twelfth Night in the Barony of Concordia of the Snows.

The cheerful poets of Beuern have left us many jolly songs and poems about the simple pleasures of drinking and good cheer, and one of the most familiar is “Bache Bene Venies”. Like all good drinking songs, it has many many verses – each long enough to be clever, but short enough to let everyone who only knows the refrain sing it often and boisterously.

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