With the arrival of Skeggi, the Prince of Oertha, and the addition of Clare and Cynnehild, the Sister Baronesses of Eskalya, the opening court of the day took place. Baron Halfdan of Selviergard welcomed all to the event and wished everybody the best of luck in the tournaments and games planned for the day. The Autocrat of the event, Master Sextus Valerius Crusillus and his co-Autocrat, Lord Ryoturu Komori, was then called forward with announcements regarding the event in which they gave information on the upcoming activities for the day. From there, the Seneschal of the Shire of Hrafnafjordr, Lady Sylvia of Thrace, presented a gift for his Excellency: a vase, decorated in the Greco-Roman style, that was recently uncovered in a major archaeological expedition—and the gift was well received by the Baron of Selviergard. From there, His Excellency called his officers forward and presented them with hand-embroidered belt tokens made by the hand of Yama No Yuki-san and His Excellency gave many thanks for the officers continued works and efforts that benefit the Barony.
The Officers of Selviergard are given tokens of their offices at the Barony of Selviergard’s Ides of March event. March 17, 2018. Photograph by Ally of Selviergard.
After the presentation, the court switched over to the Principality in which Prince Skeggi made a gift of largess to Baron Halfdan. From there, His Highness accepted fealty from those who wished to do so and several of those in attendance came forward to take part in an important aspect of the Society. After the Fealty, Lord Colum Mac Eoghain Uí Niall presented His Highness with a painting done by his own hand, and a poem to accompany it, expounding on His Highness’ prowess on the field of battle at Oertha’s Winter Coronet and Investiture. The gift was well received by His Highness. Afterwards, the Prince of Oertha presented a scroll for Lady Valentina de la Bere that was made for her Award of Arms, and while she was not present at the event, Mistress Étáin O’Rowarke accepted the scroll on her behalf.
Baron Halfdan then gave words some final words, stating that he was very excited to see fortunes made and lost at the various games and tournaments in which people could place bets on…noting that the Ancient and Honored Guild of the Book would be more than willing to assist with betting on the tournament that would happen shortly.
The populace was then released to enjoy the day.
Games of chance were laid out for those who wished to try their luck and included favored board games such as Felix Sex and Duodicem Scripta, as well as some youth games such as Rota. In addition, several sets of knucklebones were available for multiple games of Tropa and Tali, addictive Roman dice games. Guests also brought some of their favorite games to share, and while not necessarily Roman in origin, were quite fun to play. Participants were encouraged to bet on the games and many of stakes were quite high for even the simplest of diversions.
Members of the Ancient and Honored Guild of the Book help participants place bets on the tournaments at the Barony of Selviergard’s Ides of March event. March 17, 2018. Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.
As the fighters prepared to enter the tournament; the Ancient and Honored Guild of the Book opened their ledger in preparation to receive wagers on the dagger fights. The Guild vowed to carefully tally the correct numbers in the books with precision and care…for a small fee of course. The tournaments were where most of the coins won from the day would come from, with fortunes made or lost in the pit-style tournament.
The first set of fighters were those of the Rapier persuasion. Prince Skeggi of Oertha, Donna Étáin O’Rowarke, Lady Angela of Eskalya, and Lord Colum Mac Eoghain Uí Niall took to the pit wielding daggers. Brutal slashes, violence, and incredible skill ruled the day. In the end, it was His Highness, Prince Skeggi who won the tournament.
Donna Étáin O’Rowarke and Prince Skeggi take the gladiator pit with daggers at the Barony of Selviergard’s Ides of March event. March 17, 2018. Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.
After the Rapier fighters it was then time for the heavy fighters to take the field and entertain the crowd. Into the pit went Lord Bartram Sinclair, Lord Sevastian Agafangilovich Golytsin, and Lord Hraði Kottr. The fighters did well with daggers, the honor of each combatant was readily apparent, and the brutal stabs elicited more than one gasp from the crowd—but there would be only one winner that day; Lord Bartram Sinclair.
Lords Bartram Sinclair and Hraði Kottr fight with daggers at the Barony of Selviergard’s Ides of March event. March 17, 2018. Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.
After the tournaments those who placed winning bets received their winnings, and the day continued with games of chance.
As evening began to creep upon the celebrants it was time for a feast. The Feastocrat, Mistress Nemonna Vicana prepared a wondrous selection of foods from the lands of the Greeks including Gyros with homemade Taziki sauce. Olives, a fine selection of cheeses, and other foodstuffs brought by the populace was laid out on the table and the feast began in earnest. A notable delicacy in this selection was Spanakopita, a Greek spinach pie, made by Lady Celestria Textrix’s mother. This unique and delicious food was enjoyed by many.
After the Feast it was time for the closing court of the day.
The Court of Halfdan, Baron of Selviergard opened. The first order of business was two awards to bestow. The Order of the Dirk, the baronial award given to youth with great promise and who give great service, was awarded to Neveah and Jacob for their continued works not only within the Barony of Selviergard, of which they have been a big help at many events, but for their service at other events around the Principality as well.
Baron Halfdan of Selviergard awards Neveah and Jacob with the Order of the Dirk at the Barony of Selviergard’s Ides of March event. March 17, 2018. Photograph by Ally of Selviergard.
From there, the Autocrat was called forward to announce the winners of the various tournaments and competitions for the day. The first winner recognized was for the Rapier Dagger Tournament in which a prize was bestowed upon Prince Skeggi as well as a prize for his inspiration. The next winner was for the Heavy Dagger Tournament in which Lord Bartram Sinclair was called forward and bestowed with a gift for him and his inspiration as well. Lord Hraði Kottr was noticed for his amazing Roman clothing and awarded an olive tree as a prize. The olive tree was not present at the time but Baron Halfdan assured Lord Hraði Kottr that when next they met he would deliver the prize to him. For the most amount of coins won throughout the day a gift of a two handled Roman mug was bestowed to Baroness Elisheva bint Sitt al-Sirr. For her amazing work at Roman earrings as an entry to the “Roman” theme Arts and Sciences competition, as well as a gift of largess to the baronial coffers, the Baron awarded Lady Ciara der Alcan with a working replica of a Roman oil lamp. After the prizes for the competitions were bestowed the Baron of Selviergard thanked everybody who entered the competitions and tournaments.
Final announcements regarding the event were given by the Autocrat and, before they returned to their chairs, Baron Halfdan had them brought forward and, according to his tradition, gave Master Sextus Valerius Crusillus and Lord Ryoturu Komori bronze rings from his own hand. Three cheers were given to the Autocrats for the wonderful event.
Additionally, in court, there was a presentation of a dagger that was made by Lord Hraði Kottr to Lord Colum Mac Eoghain Uí Niall as a sign of respect and admiration for his efforts on the field of battle. Lord Hraði was the first to receive this dagger from then Lord Sextus Valerius Crusillus several years ago, and Lord Hraði continued this tradition by bestowing the weapon to another worthy individual.
The Prince had words in which he thanked those of the Barony of Selviergard for hosting his first event as Prince and thanked everybody for attending. Additionally, he had the autocrat of Summer Coronet and Investiture come forward with announcements for the event in July. The announcement of the Barony of Eskalya’s Herculean Pas d’Armes was also given with invitation to all those present to take part in a day of fighting, pageantry, and splendor as some of the trials of Hercules would be presented on the Field of Honor.
Additionally, Mistress Elspeth took on a new protégé, Lady Ally of Selviergard, in a ceremony officiated by His Highness. From there, the Court transferred back to the Baron of Selviergard in which His Excellency had some unfinished business as well as final words.
Baron Halfdan of Selviergard called forward Lord Colum Mac Eoghain Uí Niall and admitted him into the Order of the Or Claymore, an award given for excellence in the arts and sciences noting his continued and amazing skills evident during his time in the Barony and the Principality.
From there, Baron Halfdan thanked everybody for attending the event noting that it is events such as these that make the SCA what it is; a fun place to spend time with friends and family. With three cheers throughout the hall it was time to end the event and head home.
The Autocrat of the event, noting in a missive addressed to the populace, that “…thank you to the populace for attending our event, without you, there is no event.”. Indeed; an event may be full of things to do, and many sights to see, but it is the populace that makes it what it is—a memorable time spent with friends celebrating something fun.
The Selviergard Associated Press
Originally Published in the May 2018 edition of The DragonTale
Originally Published in the May 2018 edition of The DragonTale
Event Date: March 17, 2018
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