10 Wednesday May 2017
Posted in Announcements, En français
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On June 3rd, AS 52 the Barony of Bhakail will host the King & Queen’s Rattan Champions Tourney. The format will be as follows. Continue reading
01 Wednesday Mar 2017
Posted in Announcements, Arts and Sciences
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Greetings all from the Kingdom A&S Minister, Master Philip White.
You all may remember how impressed I was with this past year’s King’s and Queen’s A&S Champion’s Competition. Mistress Elysabeth Underhill and Master Magnus Hvalmagi organized an activity highly praised by the entrants and judges alike.
We want to build on their success as we plan for future A&S Champion’s Competitions. We also want to take advantage of what worked at the Kingdom competition and make it easy for other groups to use throughout the year.
To those ends, Mistress Elysabeth and Master Magnus have agreed to work with me as Kingdom A&S Special Deputies.
Continue reading
17 Friday Feb 2017
Posted in Bardic
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The piece as performed is based on Purananuru poem # 69, as translated by A.K. Ramanujan. The original poet was Alattur Kilar who was writing about the Tamil King Killivalavan.
That fair and tender season
When leaves beyond all reason
Sprout green towards skies above
And all hearts turn towards love
So joyful we will be
While we may
While the flowers bloom so free
To welcome the new day
We will sing
And dance in revelry
Think kindly of me is my plea
So all the world may well see
That you and I share one heart
And never more will part
So joyful we will be
While we may
While the flowers bloom so free
To welcome the new day
We will sing
And dance in revelry
That fair and tender season
When leaves beyond all reason
Sprout green towards skies above
And all hearts turn towards love
The blazing sun beats down upon
My fencer’s mask and sword
With one last drink I head boldly
To meet my last reward
When fighting’s done, I know I’ll end
With bruises, stiff, and sore
Tis now I keep within my heart
Why we go out to war
Chorus:
For to war, war — on we must go
To strike our foes a mighty blow
Or to be felled down, like falling snow
But the sun, the sun, is our worst foe
I gasp for breath, what do I find?
An oven’s scorching heat
It washes over me and fails
To cool my fiery cheeks
My jerkin clings fast to my limbs
My pants unto my seat
I know now that my moistened death
By boiling I will meet
Chorus
At last the marshals call a hold
But say to my dismay
“The sun’s too hot — you’ll roast alive.
No more we’ll fight today.”
A groan from fencers one and all
Our grief it does convey.
I must return to camp but swear
We’ll fight again next day.
Chorus 2x
Autumn – Maestro Orlando di Sforza
Autumn Sonnet dedicated to Her Most Royal Majesty, Queen Anna
Wilted willows sway, shamed to raise their eyes.
Ivy bearded birch shakes his woeful head.
The frowning oak glares as all ’bout it dies,
Grave to know all the world shall soon be dead.
The quiver of ochre and scarlet leaves,
Frightened of their inevitable fall,
On the barest breath of blustery breeze
Each tree expecting soon to lose them all.
Alone and defiant she stands, complete.
The slender ginkgo slips her golden gown
Now naked, with amber folds at her feet,
Her gilded dance done as the sun goes down.
Let us shine like her, brazen in bold show,
Defying death’s touch with our auric glow.
14 Tuesday Feb 2017
Posted in Arts and Sciences
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Eager to participate in the Barony of Concordia’s traditional mid-February blizzard, 26 artisans descended on Scotia, New York to show off their diverse talents at King’s and Queen’s Arts and Sciences Championship.
A portion of Lady Sofya’s display of her work creating several 16th Century Zimmara (loose overcoat/gown)
The competition consisted of two phases. In the first phase, 7 teams of 3 judges each spent up to 45 minutes discussing an artisan’s project with them, and then retired to render scores via rubrics and to fill out feedback forms so that artisans could walk away with advice. After the first judging phase, the top 5 (well, in this case, 6!) would go on to an interview phase with Their Majesties, Their Highnesses, and the judges. The Queen’s Champion was the winner, and the King chose his Champion from among the field.
An illustration of a plant, part of Lady Raziya’s entry creating a style guide for how plants were drawn in different periods
The entrants were:
Lord Agapios Cargos
Alexandria Guyon de Champagne
Lady Cassandra Arques
Baroness Charitye Dale
Don Christoffel d’Allaines leComte
Master Donovan Shinniock
Magister Galefridus Peregrinus
Lady Irene von Lassan
Lady Isabella d’Allaines le Comte
Master Jean-Paul Ducasse, Baron of Concordia of the Snows
Lord John Kelton
Lady Judith bas Rabbi Mendel
Baroness Katheryn Fontayne
Lady Katrusha Skomorokh
Lady Lada Monguligin, Vicereinne of Ostgardr
Lady Alys Treeby
Lady Sofya Gianetta di Trieste
Lord Lorenzo Gorla
Lady Mýrún Leifsdóttir
Maestro Orlando di Sforza
Lord Padraig Ó Riain
Lady Raziya bint Rusa
Herrin Rosina von Schaffhausen
Lady Ruadhnait inghean Ruaidhri
Lady Tola knitýr
Lady Yzabel du Perche
Baroness Katheryn’s entry included this dress, dyed using natural dyes in a dye oven she built
We had quite the slew of judges as well:
Mistress Ose Silverhair
Mistress Heather Rose de Gordoun
Mistress Pagan Graeme
Mistress Eleanore MacCarthaigh
Master Erhart von Stuttgart
Mistress Amy Webbe
Lady Kataryn “Kit” Mercer
Mistress Renye Wurm
Baroness Bronwen Rose
Sir Zhigmun Czypsser
Mistress Brunissende Dragonette de Brocéliande
Master Angus Kerr
Duke Kenric aet Essex
Master Philip White
Master Nataliia Anastasiia Evgenova Sviatoslavina vnuchka
Mistress Angharad verch Rees
Master Fridrikr Tomasson
Asa in Svarta
Mistress Nest verch Tangwistel
Mistress Sylvia du Vey
Mistress Aildreda de Tamworthe
The room was packed full of incredibly diverse art, ranging from focused research on historic combat techniques to an actual working boat. Artisans spent the day talking to judges, to other artisans, and to enthralled members of the populace seeking to enhance their knowledge of period practices.
Magister Galefridus’s entry included couscous and stew cooked in a special pot
A full gallery of all entrants and their exhibits can be found here, courtesy of Baroness Cateline la Broderesse.
There was also a Youth Arts and Sciences display! Several young artisans of the kingdom put their work on display, and received an extraordinary response from the populace. So great was the volume of attention that the judging teams assigned to talk to them could not physically get to the table to talk to them – there were so many people clamoring around already!
Illumination in the children’s A&S display, painted by Emma Lovell
Mosaic tiles in the children’s A&S display, created by Caleb Patrasso
As the dust settled, 6 artisans emerged as the finalists. They were:
Magister Galefridus Peregrinus
Lady Lada Monguligin
Baroness Katheryn Fontayne
Lady Sofya Gianetta di Trieste
Lady Tola knitýr
Lady Raziya bint Rusa
Lady Lada’s documentation for her entry, concerning early Russian illumination
The room was cleared, and the six artisans waited by their projects. Their Majesties and Their Highnesses, accompanied by their Champions and a handful of retainers, sat with each artisan. They spoke about their project and enlightened their audience, and then spoke with passion and inspiration about what they would bring to the position of Champion.
Lady Tola’s entry was comprised of two embroidered purses and one knit purse
After consultation, Their Majesties chose Lady Sofya Gianetta di Trieste as Queen’s Champion of Arts and Sciences and Lady Raziya bint Rusa as the King’s Champion of Arts and Sciences. There was much rejoicing!
Lady Sofya is chosen is Queen’s Arts and Sciences Champion
Lady Raziya is chosen as King’s Arts and Sciences Champion
Master Magnus and Mistress Elysabeth would like to thank all the entrants for showcasing their amazing talents, and all the judges for their tremendous service.
Photos courtesy of Caitline La Broderesse
14 Tuesday Feb 2017
Posted in Events
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The outgoing bardic champions address the crowd assembled
On a day befitting the name of our hosts, Concordia of the Snows, thirteen exceptional performers assembled to vie for the positions of King’s and Queen’s Bards. The competition consisted of three rounds, with each performer given a total of 15 minutes to use over all three rounds (with extra time available for the finals at their Majesties’ discretion).
The competitors were:
Countess Chatricam Meghanta or “Megha” (aka Marguerite inghean Lochlainn)
Mistress Elizabeth Elenore Lovell
Mistress Judith Fitzhenry, called the Uncertain
Lady Lilie Dubh inghean ui Mordha
Lady Lillie von der Tann
Lady Lorita da Siena
Maestro Orlando di Sforza
Lord Robert of Anglespur
Maitresse Sabine de Kerbriant
Lord Sean O’Morain
Lady Solveig Bjarnadottir
Jarl Valgard Stonecleaver
Mistress Ysemay Sterling
In addition to Their Majesties Brion and Anna, the judges for the competition were Mistress Alys Mackyntoich (Queen’s Bard), Lady AEthelflied Brewbane (King’s Bard), Master Grim the Skald and Master Michael of York.
Bards waiting their turn to perform
The first round performances ranged from period documented pieces to SCA folk songs, poetry and prose, and even instrumental music combined with vocal song. The competitors did not make the task of deciding who should advance to the second round easy on the judges. After much debate, eight performers were asked to return to offer a second piece. They were: Countess Megha, Lady Lillie, Lady Lorita, Maestro Orlando, Lord Robert, Maitresse Sabine, Lady Solveig and Mistress Ysemay.
Once again, the performances were stellar, and selecting four to advance to the finals was not easy. Ultimately, Countess Megha, Maestro Orlando, Maitresse Sabine and Lady Lillie were asked to offer a third performance.
Countess Megha performing her first round piece.
As is traditional, each finalist was given a challenge based on the performance resumes they had turned in at the beginning of the contest. Countess Megha was asked to prepare an inspirational speech on the subject of Winter. Maestro Orlando was asked to offer an Elizabethan monologue on the subject of Autumn. Maitresse Sabine was asked for a contrefacte (new lyrics added to existing music) on the Spring. Lady Lillie was asked for a song on Summer. They were given 30 minutes to prepare.
Maitress Sabine in the first round.
All four finalists rose to the challenges before them with passion, vigor and excellence. Maestro Orlando presented an original Shakespearean sonnet that he had written in 30 minutes. Countess Megha used her 30 minutes to adapt an existing period Indian poem about the rainy season and the generosity of Kings. Maitresse Sabine wrote and sang new words to go to the period tune E, Dame Jolie by Guillaume de Machaut. Lady Lillie presented an original song she had composed about the battle with the heat at this past Pennsic War.
Baroness Arlyana Van Wyck took videos of the final performances, which can be found at the public links below:
At the end of the day, Queen Anna chose Maitresse Sabine as Queen’s Bard and King Brion chose Countess Megha as the King’s Bard, with much acclaim all around.
Maitress Sabine is named Queen’s Bard
Countess Megha is named King’s Bard
Maestro Orlando was inducted into the Order of the Troubadour based in large part on his performances during the competition.
Maestro Orlando is inducted into the Order of the Troubador
Mistress Alys and Lady AEthelflied thank all the competitors for their hard work, passion and willingness to perform, as well as the people of Concordia of the Snows for putting on a splendid event.
Article written by Mistress Alys, photos by Cateline La Broderesse.
23 Monday Jan 2017
Posted in Events, Official Notices, Tidings
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06 Tuesday Dec 2016
Posted in Arts and Sciences
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The East Kingdom Bardic Championship will take place on February 11, 2017 in the Barony of Concordia of the Snows (Scotia, NY)
Photograph courtesy of The Honorable Lord Hugh Tauerner
King Brion and Queen Anna will select their Bardic Champions based on a three-round competition. Competitors will be judged by Their Majesties and the current Champions, along with an advisory committee, on choice of material, artistic impression, audience impact, technical skill, and individual response.
Questions regarding the competition format or requirements should be directed to the current Queen’s Bard, Mistress Alys Mackyntoich. Mistress Alys is not on Facebook, but Lady Aethelflied Brewbane, the King’s Bard is, and will answer questions arising in that forum.
***For the first time this year, we are asking those intending to compete to pre-register with Mistress Alys, the Queen’s Bard, by sending her an email at alys.mackyntoich@gmail.com. Emails must be received by midnight on February 6, 2017 if you wish to compete. The email need only contain your name and a statement of intent.*** Continue reading
22 Tuesday Nov 2016
Posted in Announcements, Arts and Sciences
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Photograph courtesy of The Honorable Lord Hugh Tauerner
Unto Our beloved populace,
As many of you are aware, this year’s Arts & Sciences and Bardic Championships will be a combined event this year. We write this day to clear up a couple of misconceptions about the combining of these two important events.
We are working with our current champions on a plan to make this work as smoothly as possible, and we ask for your support on what we know will be a fabulous day. It’s a new idea, but we ask you all to give it a chance. We know that We will have to be flexible and We are asking you to please be ready to do the same. Change is not always a bad thing, many wonderful things have come from change. Among other things, we are excited to enable the people who would have only been able to attend one of these Championships the opportunity to see both.
We are looking forward to the Art & Sciences & Bardic Championships, and seeing and hearing all of the amazing art that you display that day.
We remain,
Yours In Service
Brion Rex Anna Regina
14 Saturday May 2016
Posted in Heavy List
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The King’s Champion is Lord Gellyes Joffrey.
The Queen’s Champion is Lord Kenimathor of Lochleven.
The EK Gazette thanks Master Rowen Cloteworthy for reporting today.
15 Tuesday Mar 2016
Posted in Arts and Sciences, Events
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Tags
a&s, a&s champions, Arts and Sciences, champions, King and Queen's Champions, Kings and Queens Champions
On February 6th, in the Shire of Barren Sands, an impressive array of artisans and craftspeople convened to compete for the positions of King’s and Queen’s Arts and Sciences Champions. Entries included examples of the vast range of Eastern arts, including pottery, metal-working, period clothing, syrups and sugar work, illumination, research on period hygiene practices, a comparative analysis of period bread-making, and cooking in a working model of a period ceramic oven.
Lady Cassandra Blondel de Seint Alban kindly permitted the Gazette to use her photos of the many lovely works on display. The images below are merely a sample of the day’s excellent works.
By the end of the first round of judging, the following people were chosen for the second round:
After interviewing all of the seven finalists, their Majesties chose Elysabeth Underhill and Magnus hvalmagi as their Champions.
Mistress Elysabeth, Queen’s Arts and Sciences Champion, recreated three glass bead strings from the Portway Anglo-Saxon Cemetery using data from the Portway excavation report. She placed the bead strings in historical context by comparing and contrasting them using research she had done on Anglo-Saxon bead typologies, the social meaning of beads in Anglo-Saxon England, and the meaning of grave goods in Anglo-Saxon burials.
Master Magnus, the King’s Champion, describes his work as follows: “In 1555, the Swedish archbishop Olaus Magnus published Historia de Gentibus Septentrionalibus (History of the Northern Peoples), an encyclopedic work detailing all facets of existence in mid-16th-century Scandinavia. Included in the text are writings about the production of malt and beer, but they lack the detail needed to readily redact the recipes. Using supporting information gleaned from contemporary rural Norwegian farmhouse brewing – the kind that grandpa and great-grandpa would’ve done in the Old Country – as well as numerous other sources, I fill in the gaps and attempt to establish plausible connections that allow the contemporary to inform the period practice, in order to take my best shot at recreating the infrastructure and process indicated in the text. The project is broken into 3 parts: Part I, the recreation of the malt (including a malting kiln); Part II, the reconstruction of a rotary hand quern; Part III, the development of a coherent recipe and subsequent beer.”
