30 Monday Jan 2017
Posted in Events, Heavy List, Rapier
≈ Comments Off on Birka Bear Pit Tournament Results Published
Rapier Combat at A Market Day at Birka. Photo courtesy of Dutchess Caoilfhionn.
Results from both Armored and Rapier Tournaments at the 2017 Market Day at Birka have been posted to the Northern Army website. Vivat to Douglas Henry who placed first in the Armored Combat bear pit, and to Robert of Anglespur who placed first in the Rapier Combat Bear pit. Congratulations to everyone who competed!
03 Wednesday Feb 2016
Posted in Court
≈ Comments Off on Unofficial Birka Court Report
Being the Court of Their Majesties Brennan Ri and Caoilfhionn Banri held on January 30, A.S. L (2016)
in the Barony of Stonemarche at A Market Day at Birka
Court Heralds: Malcolm Bowman, Ryan MacWhyte, Mylisant Grey, Alys Mackyntoich, Lucien de Pontivy, Aildreda de Tamworthe, Grimm the Skald, Kayleigh MacWhyte, Maria von Ossenheim, Lucien de Wyntere, Yehuda ben Moshe, Liadin ingen Chineada, Eginhard d’Aix la Chapelle, Kirsa Oyutai, Simona bat Leone
Reporting Herald: Malcolm Bowman
Olaf Haraldson, Writ for Pelican.
Catalina de Valencia, Silver Rapier. Scroll by: Mariette de Bretagne
Grimm the Skald, Silver Rapier. Scroll by: Shadiyah Al-Zhara
Gabriel Roberts, Silver Rapier. Scroll by: Xandra Rozina Xiberras Galea
Eadgyth aet Staeningum- Silver Crescent. Scroll by: Sorcha Dhocair inghean Uí Ruairc, W: Colin MacKenzie
Valerian of Somerset, Tygers Combatant. Scroll by: C&I: Lada Monguligan Frame: Mongo Chinua Glass: Conor O Ceallaigh
Baptiste O’Brien, Tygers Combatant. Scroll by: Jonathan Blaecstan W: Nest verch Tangwistel French: Kirsa Oyutai
Harkin mac Tighearnan, Tygers Combatant. Scroll by: Robert dwe Makminne & Emma Makilmone; W: Tommaltach MacFiachoch
Benedict Hope, Award of Arms. Scroll by: Aaradyn Ghyoot
Ban of Wintermoor, Award of Arms. Scroll by: C: Faolán an Screcain I &W: Aislinn Chiabach
Keagan MacKeagan Award of Arms. Scroll by: I& W: Leonete d’Angely C: Nataliia Anastasia Evgenova
Allerick van den Broeke, Award of Arms. Scroll by: Fiona O’Maille ó Chaun Coille
Kirsa Oyuta, Silver Wheel. Scroll by: Katherine Stanhope French: Godfroy de Falaise English: Deidre Ruadh Inghean Mhic an Mhadaidh
Medhbh ingean ui Cheallaigh, Silver Wheel. Scroll by: Mergriet van Wijenhorst
Þory VeÞardottir, Award of Arms. Scroll by: Cassandra Arquest de Northumbria
Cherrl de la Rouche, Award of Arms. Scroll by: I: Yzabell du Perche C:Nest verch Tangwistel
Orso Tano de Firenze, Award of Arms. Scroll by: Sorcha Dhocair inghean Uí Ruairc W: Ulrich Reinhart
Duncan Fletcher, Award of Arms. Scroll by: Juliote de Castlenou D’Arry
Cassandra Hobbes, Silver Crescent. Scroll by: Xandra Rozina Xiberras Galea
Ro Honig von Summerfeldt, Silver Crescent. Scroll by: Christiana Crane
Margurite de Gui, Silver Crescent. Scroll by: Alisay de Falaise
Brita Mairi Svensdottir, Augmentation of Arms. Scroll by: I&C: Elsa de Lyon W: Anastasia Guta
Cathain, Apollo’s Arrow (w/Award of Arms). Scroll by: Aleksei Dmitriev
Temyl zwie Breuken, Award of Arms. Scroll by: I: Lorita de Siena C: Faolán an Screcain German: Udalrich Schermer
Marjorie Parmentar, Award of Arms. Scroll by: I: Lorita de Siena C: Faolán an Screcain French: Nathalie Royne/Kirsa Oyutai
Analeda Falconbridge, Laurel. Scroll By: I: Camille des Jardins C: Alexandre St. Pierre W: Lucien de Pontivy & Aildreda de Tamworthe
Adrienne d’eureaux, Silver Brooch. Scroll by: Alexandre St. pierre
Christiana Crane, Maunche. Scroll by: Edward Mac Gyver dos Scorpus W: Analeda Falconbridge
Anastasia Guta, Maunche. Scroll by: I: Thyra Eiriksdottir W: Alys Mackyntoich
Kristin Alarsdottir, Award of Arms. Scroll by: Camille des Jardins
Sunnifa Heiriksdottir, Writ for Laurel. Scroll by: Nest verch Tangwistel
Lijsbet van Catwic, Award of Arms. Scroll by: Nyfain merch Cohel
Anna Ophelia Tarragon, Tyger of the East. Scroll by: Alexandre St. Pierre W: Adrienne d’eureaux Latin: Steffan ap Kennydd
Hrafyn Bonesetter, Chivalry. Scroll by: Stone: Olaf Haraldson W: Aife Chonchobair in Derthaige
Court was also attended by Their Highnesses Prince Kenric and Princess
Avelina, Their Majesties Emperor Magnus Tindal and Empress Etain of
Æthelmearc, and Her Highness Princess Thora of Atlantia.
Mercedes Vera de Calafia, East Kingdom Seneschal, announced that
Midland Vale had completed all requirements and is now officially a Shire.
West Kingdom Chancellor Minor Jolie De la rue presented a gift of toys for
the Royal Toybox created by other children.
Lucan von Drachenklaue was re-belted by Her Majesty and swore fealty.
Thirty-seven newcomers presented themselves when called into court.
Please note – all Tygers Combatant, Maunches and Silver Crescents now bestow a
Grant of Arms to their recipients (if they do not already have one).
23 Saturday Jan 2016
Posted in Uncategorized
≈ Comments Off on In Memoriam: Baron Olaf of Trollheimsfjord
We are saddened to report that Baron Olaf of Trollheimsfjord, known in the modern world as James Michael Revells, passed away very suddenly on January 9. He was 61. Baron Olaf was a long-time resident of the Barony of Stonemarche, but had moved south to Atlantia to be near his family last fall. He is survived by two daughters, two brothers, and three grandchildren.
His daughters chose to honor the importance of the SCA in his life by dressing him in his finest garb, including his coronet, for the funeral service. After the funeral his remains were cremated, that being the closest our modern age offers to the traditional Viking ship burial.
Baron Olaf of Trollheimsfjord at Market Day at Birka. Photo courtesy of Hlafidge Arastorm the Golden.
Olaf was a long-time participant in the SCA, receiving his Award of Arms in 1989. He leaves behind a lasting legacy in many ways – in long-running events he was instrumental in starting, in the children of friends in the Society who grew up thinking of him as Uncle Olaf, and in artisans who learned from him, and went on to become respected practitioners of the arts he taught and encouraged. One can read the breadth of the hole he leaves behind in the comments and remembrances being left on his Facebook pages (one under the name Olaf of Trollheimsfjord and one under Jim Revells).
He will be best remembered for being the man who started the Market Day at Birka event. Today, with typical attendance in the 1600-1700 person range, Birka is the largest event in the East Kingdom, unless one wishes to count Pennsic. It’s an institution, with more than a quarter century of history. And we owe it all to Olaf.
Back in 1989 he conceived a vision – an event recreating the famed Market at Birka in Sweden. It would have merchants from all over the Known World, and bear pit fighting in the Viking style, and Viking games. He presented this idea to the Barony of Stonemarche, and people agreed it sounded like a fun concept for an event. No one except Olaf really believed it would grow the way it has. He had faith in his dream, being ready to pass out fliers at Pennsic for it’s second year, even before the first one had taken place in the humble confines of the common room at his condominium complex. That first Birka had some issues, leading to him receiving a Burdened Tyger for his work as the autocrat, but it kept going. He ran it for two years, then stepped aside to let someone else serve as autocrat, but he’s always been at the heart of it, even when he wasn’t in charge of anything. In 2001 King Andreas and Queen Isabella recognized that and named him a Baron of their Court to honor his work in making Birka a landmark of the East.
He was also a fine metalsmith, making beautiful period jewelry. For those skills he was inducted into the Order of the Maunche in 2003. He was also widely known and respected for his willingness to share his skills, and to encourage beginners to take up the art he loved. Here too he leaves a legacy. In 2002 he was instrumental in proposing the idea of a Metalsmith’s Symposium, with an entire event full of nothing but metalworking classes. Once again he stepped up to the challenge of making his dream real and ran it for the first time. He set the pattern, and the event now has a 14 year history, across multiple kingdoms.
Most of all, he will be missed by family and friends for the kind of man he was – generous, honorable, and always there when he was needed.
Mistress A’isha bint Jamil
02 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in En français, Tidings
≈ Comments Off on Birka Garb Challenge, issued by Caoilfhionn Banrí / Défi de costume à Birka, par Caoilfhionn Banrí
Greetings, people of the East!
Her most royal Majesty Caoilfhionn has issued a Garb Challenge to the good gentles attending the Market Day at Birka. She desires to see the skill with needle and thread of the populace in interpreting the theme, “Characters of Pixar.”
If you must, turn yourselves Inside Out in order to find the perfect Toy, Story book, or other accessory to adequately display your Incredible interpretation of the challenge. Even if it seems you might hit a creative Wall-e, or you are afraid Monsters, Inc-luding laurels, squire brothers and apprentice siblings may scorn you, you must be Brave, keep your chin Up, and stay strong by eating nourishing Ratatouille. Although it is a Bug’s Life out there for those artisans who think taking on challenges is like Finding Nemo, those wounds inflicted by pins, needles, and shears will soon turn to sCars of pride and victory!
En français Traduction par Behi Kirsa Oyutai
Salutations, gens de l’Est !
Sa très grande Majesté Caoilfhionn mets au défi toute la population venant au Marché de Birka de produire des costumes. Pas n’importe lesquels cependant; son désir est de voir le talent de nos artisans avec fil et aiguille lors de l’interprétation du thème, “Personnages de Pixar.”
27 Tuesday Jan 2015
Posted in Heavy List, Rapier
≈ Comments Off on Birka Tournament Results
The following tournament results are available from the oxhide bear-pit style tournaments traditionally held at A Market Day at Birka.
Heavy list comtat at A Market Day at Birka. Photo courtesy of Countess Caoilfhionn.
