A Royal Collegium Entices Many

The Principality of Oertha, Kingdom of the West—Princess Vicana of Oertha invited teachers and students alike to attend a full day of learning at her Collegium held in the lands of the Barony of Selviergard in early April.  With the cold winters past and a full summer of planned events and activities on the horizon; Her Highness determined it was time to learn new skills and entertain new thoughts in preparation for a very full season in the lands of Oertha.

Paying the event registration provided the celebrant with a very useful site token crafted by Their Highnesses, access to all of the classes available, and a feast in the evening.  There were many people from all areas of the Principality attending, both instructors and students, and the hall was filled quickly.

Classes begin at the Princess’ Collegium held in the lands of the Barony of Selviergard.  April 6, 2019.  Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.

Oertha Celebrates as New Prince, Princess Found

The Principality of Oertha, Kingdom of the West—The Oerthan Winter Coronet and Investiture, held in the lands of the Barony of Winter’s Gate, was well attended this year by members from all over the Principality alongside honored visitors from Central Kingdom.  The North Pole Hotel, the location for the event, was warm and cheery and spectacular hosts for the bi-annual event to determine the next Prince and Princess of Oertha by Right of Combat.

The populace gathered together well before opening court to visit and trade tales.  In short time the call was made to prepare for court in which the room used was quickly filled with smiling and happy people eager to start the day.

Sir Bartram Sinclair takes the opportunity to get some rest before the tournament at the Principality of Oertha’s Winter Coronet and Investiture.  January 19, 2019.  Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.

Yule Celebrations in Eskalya

The Barony of Eskalya, Oertha—The Barony of Eskalya celebrated the Yule season alongside the Barony of Selviergard this year as the Selviergard Yule was cancelled due to the large earthquake the day before their event.  Both groups came together with open arms and warm hearts to celebrate the season together.  It was also at this event that the Barony celebrated the reign of Clare Elena and Cynehild as the Sister Baronesses and welcomed in their successors, Gavin and Celestria, as the newest Baron and Baroness of Eskalya.

The event officially opened with the final court of Clare and Cynehild, the Sister Baronesses of Eskalya.  After opening words from the Baronesses there was a presentation of socks and other items gifted to Their Excellencies by Mistress Sorcha Careman, much to the delight of the Baronesses.  There were several presentations and words of thanks given to members of the court and populace for their works and assistance given to the Baroness Clare Elena and Baroness Cynehild during their reign.  The Baronial Court ended with kind words to the populace and then the court of the Prince and Princess of Oertha opened.

Clare Elena and Cynnehilde, the sister Baronesses of Eskalya, thank the populace at the Barony of Eskalya’s Yule.  December 8, 2018.  Photograph by Kolskeggr Ungi.

Selviergard Celebrates Samhain

“Oooh…spooky.”—Baron Halfdan of Selviergard

The Barony of Selviergard, Oertha—The time had come for the celebration of the harvest as well as that special part of year when the veil between this world and the next is thinnest.  Festivities were planned and the populace was invited to a full day event with feasting, a tournament for both heavy and rapier fighters, and plenty of friendship and laughter throughout the day at the Barony of Selviergard’s Haunted Harvest Samhain held towards the end of October.

Members of the populace gather together at the start of the Barony of Selviergard’s Haunted Harvest Samhain.  October 27, 2018.  Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.

St. John's Dance Witnessed in Eskalya?

Event Report for the Barony of Eskalya’s Masked Ball Samhain

The Barony of Eskalya, Oertha—St. John's Dance, also known as the Dancing Mania, was a strange social phenomenon or real illness that occurred mostly in mainland Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries—with the earliest known occurrence happening in the 11th century in Bemburg.  The mania affected men, women, and children who danced until utter exhaustion, in some cases death, with no known reason as to why they started dancing.

The Barony of Eskalya featured something very similar in the middle of October during their Samhain event though there were no fatalities reported from this case.

With opening court, the Baronesses of Eskalya welcomed everybody to the Samhain Masked Ball.  After their opening statements the Baronesses of Eskalya recognized several individuals for their continued good works within the Barony of Eskalya.  Mistress Alienor FitzHenry was named a Courtier in the court of the Sister Baronesses and she was presented with a tippet for her position.  Additionally, the Order of the Caltrop, a baronial award given to those who have rendered exemplary personal service to the Baroness of Eskalya, was presented to Mistress Caitríona inghean ui Chionaodha and Mistress Alienor FitzHenry.

Additional awards and recognitions followed.  Hawise de Pevensey was recognized with the Silver Bough for her artistic ability within the Barony of Eskalya and Adelayde en Fiodoir was recognized with the Order of the Caltrop for her continued service to the Baronesses.

From there, the Autocrats of the event, Mistress Elspeth Buchannane of Loch Lomond and Viscountess Isabella Hawke gave brief announcements on what to expect for the day which included dancing, fighting, and feasting.

After court the day started with dancing.

Strange dances, such as Karabushka and Pavans, were performed with the knowledgeable Mistress Anna di Caterina Neri teaching and leading these popular dances to the populace.  While the dances did not last months, weeks, or even days as other outbreaks of the dreaded St. John’s Dance; the populace was well exhausted from hours of coordinated writhing and fancy footwork as prescribed my Mistress Anna di Caterina Neri.

In all, the epidemic was fun to witness.

Fun…or mania?  Dancers take part in favorite dances at the Barony of Eskalya’s Masked Ball Samhain.  October 20, 2018.  Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.

A Trip Down the Silk Road

Principality of Oertha, Kingdom of the West—The Shire of Hrafnafjordr hosted the Principality’s Summer Coronet and Investiture this year amid a beautiful weekend with many people from all over Oertha as together they celebrated the reign of Skeggi and Kharakhan, the Prince and Princess of Oertha, and welcomed Their Heirs to the Lupine Thrones.

Many populace members arrived on Friday to set up pavilions and encampments in preparation for a full weekend of activities that included tournaments, courts, bardic, and much more.  Additional time on Friday was spent visiting with friends and family and laughter filled the campsite liberally.

The event opened early on Saturday with a fundraiser breakfast being served and Turkish-style coffee offered.  Populace members waited for the event to officially open with court by relaxing and preparing themselves for the day’s activities.  Later in the morning it was time to start the event with the opening court of the day that would lead to the tournament to determine the next Prince and Princess of Oertha.

In opening court announcements were given regarding the event and upcoming activities.  The Autocrat of the event, Lady Sylvia of Thrace, welcomed all and gave information on what to expect during the weekend.  Additionally, Mistress Anna di Caterina Neri, the Principality Seneschal, had some words as well.

From there His Highness, Prince Skeggi of Oertha, welcomed all to the event in which he made known his appreciation for all those in attendance for what was to be a joyous weekend.  His Majesty, King Uther, had a kingdom court opened for business, first starting with calling Their Highnesses forward to swear fealty.

Afterwards Peers of the Realm were called forward to swear fealty as well and then His Majesty proceeded to inviting the populace to pay homage to the Crown of the West if they wished to do so.
His Majesty then called forward Lady Talorc Caer Arienrhold and presented her with a Court Barony.  In addition to her title she was presented with a baronial circlet for her new position within the court of the West.  There was much cheering from those in attendance.

From here, King Uther took the time to address the assembled populace about recognizing compassion and kindness in the Society.  It was here that he encouraged everybody to write out a thank you note during the event and to present it to another person so that the recipients of these kind words would be encouraged to continue their works and deeds that exemplify the Society that we live in.

The court then transferred back to Prince Skeggi and Princess Kharakhan as they concluded court for the morning in which several awards and recognitions were given to members of the populace.  The Order of the Orion was presented to Lord William the Archer for his skill in archery within the Principality of Oertha.  While Lord William was not present, Baroness Elena of Winter’s Gate accepted the award and scroll on his behalf.  Additionally, the Order of the Argent Flame was presented to Adelaide the Weaver and Arnthorr Hesthofdi for their exemplary hospitality.

More awards and recognitions followed with Sir Culann mac Cianain being presented with the Order of the Oerthan Sword and Lord Bartram Sinclair being presented with the Ash Leaf by Their Highnesses.  The Oerthan Sword is a Principality award presented to those whose martial prowess and chivalrous behavior on and off the field is exemplary and the Ash Leaf is presented to those who excel in the fighting aspect of the Society on a kingdom-level.

With awards and recognition bestowed upon members of the populace it was time to start the ceremony to begin the Coronet Tournament.  Seven fighters were called forward to take part in the Invocation.  After presenting themselves and their Consorts to the populace and the Prince and Princess of Oertha; the fighters concluded the ceremony by taking the oath and choosing their opponents for the first round of the tournament.

Entrants to the Coronet Lists swear of the Axe of State at the Principality of Oertha’s Summer Coronet and Investiture.  July 21, 2018.  Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.

A New Warlord is Found

The Barony of Selviergard, Oertha—Amid the scenic landscape of Southern Selviergard and overlooking the great Eagle River did the Barony hold one of their traditional events to determine new champions.  This event dates back to the very beginning of Selviergard while it was inhabited by the Trolls and, still today, we hold this event that draws in fighters who wish to prove their skill in the most brutal of all tournaments: The Bear Pit. 

The event, hosted by Lord Rin McCray, was well attended by many populace members from both the Barony of Selviergard and the Barony of Eskalya and featured not only the tournaments for heavy and rapier, but other fun activities as well.  The weather was fair enough for an early August event, much better than some years in the past.

The site officially opened on Friday afternoon with several people making their way to the cozy campground to prepare for the activities on Saturday.  After setting up their camps many of the populace took the time to sit around the bardic fire to visit with each other and renew the bonds of family and friendship or to make new acquaintances.

Saturday morning saw the rest of those who would celebrate the event.

In opening court; Baron Halfdan welcomed all to the event stating that he looked forward to seeing not only the tournaments but the competitions as well.  From there, the Autocrat gave his announcements.  Here, Lord Rin McCray publicized the various contests that would be held throughout the day that included bardic and heraldic competitions.  It was after the announcements that the Warlord and Rapier Champions were released with gifts from the Baron and the Axe Oath given to those who would take part in the Bear Pit Tournament to determine new baronial champions.

After opening court, the fighters prepared for the tournament—a Bear Pit Tournament that tests not only the skills of the fighters but their endurance as well.  Ten minutes in the Bear Pit saw five fighters; Sir Bartram Sinclair, Sir Sevastian Agafangilovich Golytsin, Viscount Fergus mac Thomais, Lord Connar Ulfsson, and M'Lord Gudleif.  As with all Bear Pit Tournaments the fighting was fierce and involved a lot of pushing to try to get opponents to step out of the circle.  At the end of ten minutes, however, a clear winner was determined by the List Mistress.

Viscount Fergus mac Thomais and Lord Connar Ulfsson battle in the Bear Pit at the Barony of Selviergard’s Warlord’s Tournament.  Photograph by Halfdan Ozurrson.  August 4, 2018.