Celebrating Samhain

"The hall is festooned with bears…excellent!"

--Halfdan, Baron of Selviergard

The Barony of Selviergard, Oertha--Samhain is a wonderful time of the year when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest; allowing the spirits to enter our world and enjoy time with friends and family who are still living. Children often take this time to rampage for candy while adults usually have parties where many dress in spooky costumes and eat finely wrought foods shaped as skulls or other morbid designs.

The Barony of Selviergard hosted an event to welcome the season and feast, fight, and have fun in true Selviergardian style.  Members from around the Principality of Oertha came together to enjoy a fantastic event in a warm hall.

Two Rapier Tournaments were held; a "First Blood" and a Grand Melee.  The Rapier fighters included Donna Etain O'Rowarke, Magistra Cynehild Cynesigesdohtor, and Tiarna Brann mac Finnchad.  It was Cynehild that won the First Blood Tournament while Tiarna Brann mac Finnchad that won the Grand Melee; effectively sending his opponents to the afterlife.

The Rapier fighters participate in a Grand Melee.  October 31, 2015.  Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.

Super Heroes, Super Villains Clash

The Barony of Eskalya, Oertha--The Barony of Eskalya hosted a Samhain celebration in which participants were encouraged to come as their favorite super hero or super villain as they may have looked like in the time period of the Society for Creative Anachronism.  Many people attended, and the plethora of different themed clothing worn by the majority of the celebrants was quite fun to behold.

People dressed from many different aspects of a culture that is very well represented in the Society.  Marvel, of course, took the day, but DC, Star Wars, and even Nintendo was represented as well. "Seeing all the awesome representations of heroes and villains was amazing!" the Autocrat, Anna di Caterina Neri, declared after the event in her missive to the populace.

Super Heroes and Villains pose for the historians at Eskalya's Samhain.  October 17, 2015.  Photo by Halfdan Ozurrson.

Archers Take Aim

"Selviergard archers with bow and arrow in hand,

the apples may survive but not the beasts of the land."

--From The Chronicles of Selviergard

The Barony of Selviergard, Oertha--While the Fall Fling was a small event it was quite enjoyable for all who were able to make it out to celebrate a day of archery.  While mostly attended by Selviergardians, there was at least one couple from Ravensfjord and one person from Eskalya who came out to witness who would become the Barony of Selviergard's Archery Champion.

Tiarna Brann mac Finnchad and Baron Stephen de la Bere inspect the target.  October 10, 2015.  Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.