Monday, December 1, 2014

Feast of the four Crowned Martyrs

The Barony of Eskalya, Oertha--A warm hall and a sumptuous feast was presented in the Barony of Eskalya; honoring the Four Crowned Martyrs in the style of a fourteenth century extravaganza in an English manor. The event was well tended by both Eskalyans and Selviergardians (with surprise visits from some of our cousins from the Barony of Winter's Gate) as people, excited to taste the various period foods created by Mistress Clare Elena de Montfort and her kitchen staff, came out to enjoy an event to remember.


Baron Halfdan of Selviergard enjoys the Feat of the Four Crowned Martyrs. Photograph by Marjorie de ffeyrefeld. November 8, 2014.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Michaelmas

The Barony of Winter's Gate, Oertha--Sometimes, the simplest events are the most rewarding. Michaelmas had a modest schedule, Feast and Court. It was probably the most on time event I’ve been to in ages. This was my first adventure to Winter’s Gate, and I don’t think it is possible for me to have felt more welcome.

Their Excellencies Bran and Cemper were both welcoming and entertaining; two excellent qualities to have in any landed Baron or Baroness.

It was Ellisif Reikiavik who shone most brightly at this event. Called into court no fewer than four times, the feastocrat did a wonderful job. The feast was served in three removes. The first was early period recipes, the second late period recipes, and the third, and best, was desserts!

The autocrat, Margery Garret, managed to keep us on schedule and find time to enjoy her meal and strike up a bit of conversation as well. Also, a popular face during court, Margery managed to
make at least three appearances before the thrones.


Everyone who worked on Feast, in the kitchen, serving, or cleaning up afterwards, was invited into court to receive a token from the Baron and Baroness of Winters Gate. Photo by Marjorie de ffeyrefeld.

Eskalya Welcomes All…Ghosts Included

The Barony of Eskalya, Oertha--The Barony of Eskalya celebrated the Fall season with a spooky event held in the halls of the famed Castle Inverness…the home of the Lord Macbeth. Held in this haunted venue; the site was beautifully adorned in anticipation of welcoming guests from around the Principality of Oertha. The event featured entertaining decorations, a remarkable tournament, a wondrous feast, and even a restless ghost.

The event opened to the Court of Her Excellency, Baroness Elspeth, who welcomed all with open arms to the event including Princess Isabella and Baron Halfdan. However, there was one more guest that arrived to those haunted halls that made himself known in court; the spirit of the late Fathir von Trier.


The late Fathir von Trier haunts the event. Photograph by Stephen de la Bere.  October 25, 2014.

Michaelmas

The Barony of Winter's Gate, Oertha--Sometimes, the simplest events are the most rewarding. Michaelmas had a modest schedule, Feast and Court. It was probably the most on time event I’ve been to in ages. This was my first adventure to Winter’s Gate, and I don’t think it is possible for me to have felt more welcome.

Their Excellencies Bran and Cemper were both welcoming and entertaining; two excellent qualities to have in any landed Baron or Baroness.

It was Ellisif Reikiavik who shone most brightly at this event. Called into court no fewer than four times, the feastocrat did a wonderful job. The feast was served in three removes. The first was early period
recipes, the second late period recipes, and the third, and best, was desserts!

The autocrat, Margery Garret, managed to keep us on schedule and find time to enjoy her meal and
strike up a bit of conversation as well. Also, a popular face during court, Margery managed to make at least three appearances before the thrones.


Everyone who worked on Feast, in the kitchen, serving, or cleaning up afterwards, was invited into court to receive a token from the Baron and Baroness of Winters Gate. Photo by Marjorie de ffeyrefeld. 

Monday, September 1, 2014

A New Chapter in Our History…

The Barony of Selviergard, Oertha--The Barony of Selviergard celebrated the reign of Fathir and Étaín and welcomed Halfdan as the new Baron amid the scenic lands of the Barony of Selviergard. Under a sky that was most gracious and amid weather that was mostly warm and sunny; the Baronial Investiture and Warlord's Tournament was well attended by many people throughout the Principality who wanted to enjoy an event that featured pageantry, chivalry, classes, and murder most foul.

In the opening court, Baron Fathir and Baroness Étaín welcomed those who made it out to the event including the Prince and Princess of Oertha and the Baroness of Eskalya. They then thanked various members of the populace who helped make Their reign successful with a gift of hand-made boxes and kind words to all.

However, throughout the final court, participants became aware of something wrong with the Baron as he became progressively more debilitated which many thought to have been linked to a strange elixir presented by a member of the Barony of Winter's Gate.

An emissary from the Barony of Winter's Gate offers Baron Fathir a mysterious drink before Court starts. August 9, 2014. Photograph by Halfdan Ôzurarson.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Selviergard's Fourth of July Parade

Barony of Selviergard, Oertha--What a wonderful day for a parade in Central Selviergard! The weather was warm and sunny, filled with good cheer, and attended by both Selviergard and Eskalya.

The Fourth of July Parade is one of the major activities that the Barony of Selviergard recruits from in the local area. With many people watching the parade; it is a great opportunity to let people know that there is a group near them that participates in the Current Middle Ages.

The day started off getting ready for the Parade with around twenty people participating; complete with banners, flags, and smiles. A couple heavy fighters were in attendance, our very own Baron and Baroness and Sextus Valerius Crusillus, who wowed the crowd with feats of daring and violence.

Baron Fathir and Sextus Valerius Crusillus warm up before the parade. July 4, 2014. Photograph by Halfdan Ôzurrson.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Hunting the White Stag: Selviergard's Summer Hunt

Barony of Selviergard, Oertha--The sun was shining and the weather quite warm as the Barony of Selviergard celebrated a Summer Hunt. The White Stag, a creature of mythical proportions, had been spotted in the woods and intrepid hunters went out to hunt him down.

Many people from both Selviergard and Eskalya attended the Hunt; new friends and old got together under the sky of a perfect day to have fun, socialize, and celebrate a piece of history from the hallowed past of these lands. Games of skill and chance were brought out with gusto, sun protection put on, and the shade of the large pavilion were enjoyed by all.
Participants at Selviergard's Summer Hunt stay out of the hot sun under the pavilion. June 28, 2014. Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.
After a brief opening court where the Baron and Baroness of Selviergard welcomed all; both rapier and heavy fighters prepared themselves for a Round Robin Tournament. This tournament would determine, by the attendees, who would be The White Stag and who would be the Great Bear for the Woods Battles.

Upon the Eric, the Rapier fighters fought with precision and mirth; often creating fun and interesting scenarios to amuse and entertain those watching. Upon the field the following gentles took the honored Eric: Donna Étaín O'Rowarke, Sir Viresse de Lighthaven, Breock of Whitby, and Brann mac Finnchad.

Sir Viresse de Lighthaven and Master Breock of Whitby during the Round Robin Tournament. June 28, 2014. Photograph by Marjorie de Ffeyrefeld.

After the Rapier Fighters left the field, the Heavy Fighters took it. The Heavy fighters showed gallantry and daring upon the field that day. Upon the field the following gentles took the eric: Baron Fathir von Trier, Viscount Gregor Hawk, and Ulfgar Torkson.

It is important to note that all of the fighters fought with honor, chivalry, and skill. However, in the end there could be only one White Stag and one Great Bear during the hunt.

Baron Fathir von Trier and Viscount Gregor Hawke exchange blows during the Tournament. June 28, 2014. Photograph by Marjorie de Ffeyrefeld.

Those who watched the Tournaments cast their favor upon the fighters in the form of red and white painted wooden tokens. The white tokens were for whom they thought showed great virtue and prowess upon the field, whereas the red token was for who they thought was the most ferocious in battle. The fighter with the most white tokens was named The White Stag while the fighter with the most red tokens was titled The Great Bear.

For the Rapier Fighters it was Sir Viresse who was chosen as The White Stag while Brann mac Finnchad was elevated as The Great Bear. For the Heavy Fighters it was Baron Fathir who was chosen as The White Stag while Viscount Gregor Hawke was honored with the role of The Great Bear. The rest of the fighters then became the hunters.

After the Tournament the Baron and Baroness of Selviergard held an informal court to acknowledge the fighters and proclaim the roles for The Hunt. Afterwards, the fighters were led to examine the woods where the hunters would stalk their quarry. From there, the Hunt was on!

With the aid of hounds, the hunters managed to spot The White Stag and found it to be an honorable challenge to defeat him. Verily, was The White Stag ever brought down? The Great Bear also proved to be a challenge for many hunters, a dangerous foe who was only able to be defeated by a blow to the head.

Ulfgar Torkson battles The Great Bear during the Hunt. June 28, 2014. Photograph by Brann mac Finnchad.

After the Woods Battle, the hunting parties, along with the Stag and Bear, marched back to the encampment in order to regal those there with stories of the hunt. Afterwards, various games were played by many while waiting for the final court of the day. The weather was still warm and spectacular, so there was no rush at all.

During the court, Baron Fathir and Baroness Etain thanked all those in attendance and had the autocrat come forward with his announcements. After thanking those in made it out to the event, he presented gifts to both sets of White Stags and Great Bears. Additionally, the Inspiration of both of The White Stags was given a gift as well.

The gifts for The White Stags, The Inspirations of The White Stags, and The Great Bears. June 27, 2014. Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.

From there, Her Excellency Elspeth had business and asked to open a court as well. In her court Celestria Textrix stepped down after long service as the Eskalyan Exchequer and welcomed her replacement Isabella Hawke. Additionally, Mistress Anna di Caterina Neri (who was not in attendance but represented by Sir Viresse) stepped down as the Eskalyan Seneschal after faithful service and welcomed her successor Celestria Textrix.

After Court was the feast. People brought out a lot of food to share and a great time was had by all. The various toasts to various people went their rounds, and stories of the Hunt made their way again to willing ears, proof that people had much fun.

I would like to thank everybody who made it out to the event. Without you, events like these are not possible. Thank you to our visiting Royalty, Baron Fathir and Baroness Étaín, Prince Kenric and Princess Dagmar, and of course, Baroness Elspeth. To all of our Eskalyan Cousins that made it out; thank you! To our Selviergardian kin, thank you as well! To all those that were able to help make sure the site was much cleaner than we found it, a hearty thanks to you! And to the person who ordered the perfect weather…I am sure that I do not only speak for myself when I say "thank you so very much!"

Will the White Stag visit these lands again? The future is unknown, and even the best soothsayers cannot say. However, when the Stag does return the hunters will be ready, the hounds will be prepared, the horn will be sounded, and the banners unfurled as we race out to meet The White Stag and share an adventure together.

The Selviergard Associated Press
Published in the July 2014 edition of The DragonTale
Event Date:  June 28, 2014

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Collegium Expands Minds! No Fatalities

The Barony of Eskalya, Oertha--The Baronies of Selviergard and Eskalya got together towards the end of March and put together a wonderful two day event full of classes. Members from all over the Principality attended this event to learn new skills, new ideas, and revel in the company of friends and family at the Bi-Baronial Collegium.

The listings of classes was immense ranging from the Knightly Virtues to the learning the Oslo Stitch and almost everything in between. Such a list could not be possible without the two baronies coming together to share an event such as this. There was Calligraphy and Illumination being taught alongside instructions on paining silk banners. Leather masks and embroidery were also taught. Still others sat in and participated with discussions on Virtues, Worthies, and new ideas. Even tastes were offered from the Traveling Spice Show of spices common (or uncommon in some cases) in our time period. There was something for everyone.

And yes, there was dancing.

Sir Soren looking happy during the dancing.  Photograph by Halfdan Ôzurrson. March 29, 2014.

The Ides of March

The Barony of Selviergard, Oertha--Friends, Romans, countrymen…lend me your ears! Selviergard's celebration of the Ides of March was one of great excitement and fun; an event honoring the life and death of Julius Caesar with togas, games, and lots of stabbing. The event was well attended by people around the Principality of Oertha; many dressed in Roman clothing to escape the taxes imposed by the autocrats of the event; but even those who came from non-Roman provinces had the opportunity to win some of it back through games and other diversions provided throughout the day.

Populace members, dressed in the height of Roman fashion.  Photograph by Halfdan Ôzurrson. March 15, 2014.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Of Kings and Princes

The Principality of Oertha--This Oerthan Winter Coronet saw many things; camaraderie, friendship, and valor; these things are quite common in the lands of Oertha. What is not common, however, is a Coronet of this magnitude and pageantry that will be fondly remembered for many years to come.

The Royalty of the Kingdom of the West.  Photograph by Aine Inghean Lochlann.