No business meetings in the Barony for August!
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August 2002
August 3 - 18 -- Pennsic
August 24 -- Camp
Sequanota
Demo
at Camp Sequanota from 11:00 am to 12:30
pm
September 2002
September 28 -- Fall Coronation
Greetings fellow Boggers
We want to thank everyone who had a hand in making the Three day another great event. As usual we heard many wonderful comments. Well done
Congratulations to Quinn Kerr for a very well fought Inter-Baronial Fencing Tourney. That makes 2 years in a row the winner was a Bogger!!! Vivat! ( I had no worries Quinn- AE) A very well deserved Vivat to Iago and Quinn for receiving their White Scarves, that makes 3 Don(a)s of Fence in the Bog. Very well done and a great honor!!!
Welcome Lady Brynn! Brynn recieved her AOA. Welcome our newest Keystones, Baroness Charmaine, Lord Kenn the Just, Lord Connor McGregor and Lord Ruldolph der Wilde. We also welcome our newest Sycamore, Lord Derrick the Wanderer. Vivat, Vivat, Vivat!!! We are so proud of the Bog and are happy to see that others also note what we do.
We hope to see many of you at Pennsic later this month. If you are going, remember to drink plenty of fluids and use sun block. Have a fantastic War!
So long as the Raven flies and the Cattails grow,
we
remain in service to Crown and Bog,
Aquila and AElfra
Baron and Baroness
Another event has come to pass in the Bog and we all have added to our collections of SCA memories. Thanks to the hard work of our Autocrat, her support staff and the Bog populous at large the event was a wonderful one. I must echo the sentiments of Uncle Mandibus, "The" Baroness and "A" Baroness. Thanks to all, it is very easy to say pride is instilled by this "family". We may bicker amongst ourselves at times but when something is needed we are all there to help each other out, as demonstrated by the hard work that made the event a success. Vivats to all the members of our family who received awards and orders. And thank you to all of the populous for making the Bog what it is, without the Bog in its entirety, none of us could achieve those things we have as individuals. I will be seeing many of you at our annual family vacation.... Pennsic, until then stay safe and happy.
In service,
Talishar
Greetings to the Populace and Friends of the Bog from Lady Caitilín "Cait" ní Mhaolconaire,
The Boghalla event was a great success on many levels. Vivats to those in charge, and to all the Boggers recognized in both Baronial and Royal court. Also I’d like to give a special "thank you" to Lady Katya who kindly allowed me to stay with her for the weekend when I arrived in the midst of a storm Friday evening!
Throughout this newsletter you will find some reports, "thank you" letters and Pennsic information. I would ask you to pay special attention to a missive from Baroness Charmaine on a question her Highness, Elspeth asked her at Three Day.
For those going to War, I wish you a safe trip, good weather, and much fun. Also I hope you make some new memories. Actually, I would like to challenge those Boggers attending Pennsic to share one new memory from this year with everyone. Be it an amusing memory or an example of chivalry or a moment when you thought you’d really been transported back in time. Depending on how many people take up the challenge, I’ll either put the letters in the September issue or intersperse them throughout the year.
If you have any questions or would like to submit anything to the newsletter (either the hard copy or electronic version), please contact me at 724-238-0114 or bogchronicler@yahoo.com.
In service,
Cait
There will be no meetings of the Basket Case Guild for August. However, they hope to resume meetings in September.
Greetings from Your Chatelaine Charmaine!
We had a demo at the Ligonier Library in Ligonier, PA, on Thursday, July 11, under the auspices of Lady Caitilín ní Mhaolconaire which went very well. Approximately 38 children attended along with a few adults, and we even attracted a few people off the street. There were heraldic, garb and various other displays, hands-on demonstrations for the kids, some finger foods, plus fencing and heavy weapons fighting. Quite a lot squeezed into a mere hour and a half!
Upcoming demos: Library demo scheduled for Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe for Saturday, July 27, also under Lady Cait’s direction, and a demo at Camp Sequanota scheduled for Saturday, August 24, in conjunction with their Heritage Days, under my direction.
I’ve made up Barony Business cards and hard-copy new comer hand-outs for those who aren’t internet connected. If you need any, just ask.
Lady Kathryn de Lyon has stepped down from her duties of assistant chatelaine for the Westmoreland area of the Bog, and Lady Caitilín has stepped up to fill the position for the time being.
– Baroness Charmaine
The mid-year report has been completed and balanced.
Dona Caroline of Burgundy
Their Excellencies Aquila & Ælfra dropped off various armor pieces to be used as loaners. They also gave some shelf brackets for use in the Baronial Shed.
Tower
Photos from Bog 3-day event have been posted on the web page at 3day 2002 and 3day 2002 pics by Mandibus .
As always, if you have any corrections, additions or suggestions, e-mail me at kennthejust@yahoo.com.
Virtually yours,
Kenn the Just
Anyone wishing to submit or work on a device, please contact Ludwig von Strassburg.
If you were born in July, please check your authorization card for the expiration date!
From the Baronial Marshal of Fence
Now that the three day is done most of us will be preparing for Pennsic. Fencers, take the time to double check your equipment and clean your blades. Also, if you are planning on fencing at Pennsic be sure to bring lots of fluids. The fencing field is not always watered like the battle field. The temp. and armor at war can really be a problem, so bring as much water as you can.
Lodovick, Quinn, and I are doing a fund-raiser at war this year. We will be offering a fencing challenge, a buck a bout, with the loser's money going to the chirurgeon. So, stop out to the field and watch us win some money for a worthy cause.
Iago
Fighter practices continue and people are getting more and more interested. Roxbury seems to be the spot for perspective new members. We have possibly two more fighters to authorize and two more war virgins will be camping with us during Pennsic. Since I am basically the only Marshal I'd like to see others take a Marshal Stasis. You must see Sir Murdoch in person to be re-upped. We should have approximately five to six authorized marshals within the Barony for all activities that a marshal would be needed. I hope all that go to war have a fun and safe time
In Service to
Æthelmearc,
Tower
No report
From the Baronial Rapier Champion
OH SUCH A WEEKEND!!!!!
I can not express my pride in having been chosen to represent the Bog in the Pearls tournament. And while I was one with sword in hand that took the field, I assure you I was by no means the one who won this tournament. From the moment our fair Baroness bestowed the duty upon me, the wheels began to turn and the Bog machine started rolling. Twice a week, through holidays, weddings, snow storms, summer sun, torn muscles and thread bare tempers my fellow Boggers never left my side. Every practice started with..." Quinn what do you want to do". They beat me down then pulled me back up, they yelled at me and then hugged me, they laughed at me then shook my hand. They gave me every ounce their minds, muscles and hearts had to offer, and they did it all for the Bog! When I walked on the field Saturday morning I knew that my opponents were not merely fighting Quinn, they had to face down a defeat the entire Bog. There is no mortal man in the Kingdom of Æthelmarc that can do that!! It almost didn't seem fair. Those poor fellows had to face down ever fencer, fighter, archer, brewer, bard, dancer, musician, scribe and reprobate that is the Bog. We simply out numbered them! While most of it is quiet honestly a blur I believe that when given the Inter-baronial Buckler by her Majesty I yelled..For the BOG!!!! And please believe me when I say, I have never uttered a truer statement!....I thank the creator of all things that I did not fail you all who gave me so much!
POLUS ELEMENTUM
Your humble (tired,
bruised and so happy its over) Servant,
Quinn
From the Baronial Bards
There is no bardic practice planned for August.
For Pennsic, we don't have anything really open planned yet. We will probably play the coffee houses, and during midnight madness. Rowan, however, will be interpreting Moonwulf's concert this year -- assuming he has one.
Of general interest -- Gaelic Storm ( the "steerage band" from Titanic) will be at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival this year. The dates for the festival are September 6-7; Friday 4pm-midnight, Saturday 11am-midnight, Sunday 9am- 6pm. This is also the weekend of the Highland Games in Ligonier. For more information on either festival visit: http://www.pghirishfest.org/ or http://www.ligoniergames.org/.
Lord Morgan and Lady Rowan
News from the Western Border
Report from the Western Border, July 9:
Greetings unto the populace and friends of the Bog,
There will be no August gathering on the borderland. We will meet again on Tuesday, September 10, from 6:30pm - 7:30pm. However, we remind everyone that we have the room at 6:00pm so if you’d like to arrive early to research or work on a project, please do.
Lady Kathryn de Lyon de Savoire, mostly known as "Kat", announced that she is stepping down after 5 or more years of service as the leader of the Borderland group. She doesn’t plan to quit the SCA, but is broadening her horizons in other areas, including making more beautiful scrolls like the one for Baroness Charmaine that was giving at Three Day. We all thank Lady Kat for her years of service to the group! As her second, I will be attempting to fill her shoes for the next while.
Rose Thorne is looking into some public sites where we can hold A&S classes with the hope that we might attract new people. She also plans to contact the area colleges in the Fall about doing possible demos.
I have had one new person contact me. She, her husband and daughter will possibly attend the September gathering.
In service,
Lady Caitilín ní
Mhaolconaire
Tablet Weaving Workshop
The workshop went swimmingly. Kat was the first to arrive shortly followed by Ælfra, Viv, and Meglin. We briefly discussed the history of tablet weaving, which can be dated back to the late iron age from the as far west as Spain, up through Scandinavia, and down to Egypt, Many different types of thread and yarn can be used in tablet weaving producing trims for clothing and ecclesiastical items as well as bands strong enough to use as saddle girths and ropes. We then progressed to setting up basic "looms" made from wooden boards and "C-clamps".
In service,
Rose
The Library Demos
I would like to thank everyone who attended the Ligonier Valley Library and Adams Memorial Library demos.
Approximately 20 Boggers attended the Ligonier library demo. The Baron and Baroness welcomed the children to the library and invited them to explore and ask questions. In the basement, the children found displays on clothing and heraldry. They learned tablet weaving, tasted period snacks, and listened to the bards. A first for the library, one member played the bagpipes! The children could also do a craft and have a simple henna drawing done on their hand. And that was all before they were escorted back outside where, to their wide-eyed delight, they witnessed the skill of our heavy weapons fighters and fencers.
The Adams memorial library demo has not yet taken place as I write this, but I am hoping it will have been an equally good success. Special thanks to Master Gwilym who took charge of the demo!
These were among those rare demos that, to me, remind us of what we’re all about. Why? We gave the children the chance of seeing the middle ages through our eyes. In return, they challenged us with questions, and gave us the chance to teach them some of what we’ve been learning over the past years. The reward? The delighted smiles, laughter and wide-eyes of an appreciative audience. Vivats to all who attended!
In service,
Caitilín
Happenings in the Bog
WAR NOTES - updated
Please note that opening ceremonies will be at 4 pm on Monday instead of 10 am.
Gate guards are needed for the Bog shift on Wednesday from 4:30 to 8:30.
Water/showers- As has been discussed, everyone should bring thier own dringing water. There will be barrels of clean water for showers and cleaning, in the camp for all to use. Gentles should be prepared to supply their own showers (groups/families/households should get together and plan accordingly).
Remember to paint a sheet or two for the front of the camp. Grommets also need to be placed for hanging. Questions? contact Baroness AElfra.
Monday morning is opening ceremonies, we hope to have as many Boggers as possible take part. Lets show the world how spiff we are!
Wednesday- Guarding AEthelmearc Royal camp from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. If you are able to guard please contact Lord Connor McGregor at gossard@pennswoods.com. It always a lot of fun.
For now the field battle is scheduled for Friday. (With luck it will stay that way)
For more Pennsic information check out pennsicwar.org.
Have a safe and fun
War.
AElfra
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 - 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ENTERTAINMENT DEMO
As entertainment for their Heritage Days Festival, Camp Sequanota would like us to "perform" for about an hour and a half on Sat., Aug. 24 (weekend after Pennsic). Hope you'll all be recovered by then, because I need fighters, fencers, archers and thrown weapons people to show off their stuff. As far as I know, I won't need displays, though if that changes I'll let you know. Please let me (Baroness Charmaine) know BEFORE PENNSIC if you'll be able to attend this demo. It's only an hour and a half, after all!
Baronial Court Report from Three Day Event
On the 20th day of July, 2002, at the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog’s Three Day Event did the following people receive awards or recognition from their Excellencies, Baron Aquila and Baroness Ælfra.
Lord Connor McGregor, Captain of the Baronial Guard, was asked to serve another year;
Lady Augusta Long "Talishar" was relieved of duty as Baronial A&S Champion;
Lord Ian Campbell was named the new Baronial A&S Champion by their Excellencies;
Lord John the Brewer was inducted into the Order of St. Swithin’s Bog for Marshal Activity;
Representatives from Sylvan Glen were invited into court, at which time they bestowed the gift of a brewers jug with the Bog’s device engraved upon it to the Baron and Baroness;
Baroness Charmaine was inducted into the Order of St. Swithin’s Bog for Service;
Dame Catelyn was requested to come before their Excellencies so that they might bestow the gift of a violin upon her. The gift was from the St. Swithin’s Symphony and the Bog at large, and was given to her for her kindness and willing to share her knowledge with us;
Dame Vivienne Marie de Beauvais was inducted into the Order of St. Swithin’s Bog for A&S;
Baroness Charmaine was inducted into the Special Order of St. Swithin’s Bog.
And so closed the court of their Excellencies, the Baron and Baroness of the Barony St. Swithin’s Bog, Lord Aquila Blackmore and Lady Ælfra Long.
Respectfully submitted
by,
Lady Caitilín ní Mhaolconaire, Court Herald
Baronial A&S Champion: Lord Ian Campbell
Marshal Activities:
Archery:
Children's Archery
Tourney: 1st, Chris Zunner ; 2nd, Andrew Ford ; 3rd, Jenna Ford ; 4th,
Ian.
Adult Highlander Shoot: John the
Brewer.
War Points Tourney: Ronan
Spenser.
Fencing:
The second annual Inter-baronial Fencing
Tourney left Lord Quinn Kerr the days winner. (The 2nd year in a row that
a Bogger won!!!)
Brewing Competition:
1st, Cinnamon Mead by Lord Derrick the
Wanderer;
2nd, Wild Flower Mead by Lord Richard of North
Fork;
3rd, Green Tea/Jasmine/Rose Petal Mead by Lord John the
Brewer.
Her Majesty's Choice: Raspberry by Eoghan & Cailean
Diarmat.
Her Highness's Choice: Cinnamon Mead by Lord Derrick the
Wanderer.
Baroness's Choice: Wild Flower Mead by Lord Richard of North
Fork.
Baron's Choice: Green Tea/Jasmine/Rose Petal Mead by Lord John
the Brewer.
An excerpt from an email sent out to the Bog by Baroness Charmaine:
I'm sure you all know that Princess Elspeth and Prince Rurik have been great supporters of the Bog since the moment they first came to know us. Saturday evening Her Highness took me aside and put it to me, "Why does the Bog work so well? What is it that you, as a group do, that makes you such a cohesive unit?" She mentioned that other areas, with similar features such as ours (small group, isolated group) have monstrous problems with factioning and infighting, and she wondered why we didn't.
I thought about this for a moment (for we surely have had our share of problems in the Bog) and my answer was this:
"We're a family."
Yes, it's a silly little game we play with the family tree and everyone related to everyone else in complicated, convoluted fashion, but you know what? IT WORKS. We think of ourselves as a FAMILY. Families have problems, families can be dysfunctional, but they are still families, related by blood and working for the greater good of the unit. And I believe this is what we, as the Bog, have done and still do.
And we seem to be unique in this. I know a lot of us were surprised when we learned that other groups don't do this; it came so naturally to us. To be sure, many people join households and there are households within the Bog, but idea of family is different. Anyone can be a part of the Bogger family--no one votes, there's no power hierarchy, it's nothing but something we have fun with. (Of course, all the Gobi probably helps as well . . . :)
I am proud to a part of St. Swithin's Bog, and a member of our Family!!!
Vivats to everyone!
--Charmaine
Sometimes it's the simplest joys that give the heart its sweetest pleasures.
Greetings Family and Friends,
I want to say thank you to all who stopped by, or helped me at Casa Katya, Thank you!
First to my houseguest Lady Kiwi, I can not thank you enough for all the help, you are truly deserving of the Bog Service Award. Lord Derrick, Timmon and Lord Laochlain, your service with a smile was excellent. You certainly "rocked" our world! Master Gwilym your advice, counsel, and wisdom are greatly appreciated. To the smallest helper Jeremiah. Laughter is certainly the best medicine. Come and visit anytime!
And a very special thank you to Don Quinn and Lady Brynn, thank you for sharing Jeremiah.
And to all those who lent an arm, your support is deeply appreciated.
And to all who stopped to say "Hello", thank you, thank you!
In deepest appreciation to the people
of the Bog, I remain,
Lady Katya
Drop dead Seneschal
