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AoA Laird Sweyn Mac Awliffe

SCA scroll for Swayne Mac Awliffe
AoA for Laird Sweyn Mac Awliffe Words: Aneleda Falconridge Calligraphy & Illumination:Robert of Stonemarche
AoA for Laird Sweyn Mac Awliffe
Words: Aneleda Falconridge
Calligraphy & Illumination:Robert of Stonemarche

All hail and harken to our words,
lad who the northern reaches know,
as the swarthy one who wears the kilt
in weather fair or as winds blow.

He’s nae a man of many words,
there’s oft a stir when he goes past
for in his wake there usually is
some deed he’s done sae fleet and fast.

Who is he working all the day?
Who is this man who hauls the hay?
Who takes a chore so one can play?
The one called Sweyn Mac Awliffe!

He cuts a figure on the range
where he will help, and he will show
and teach the wielder of the axe
or the knife how best tae throw.

He is a kind and gentle man
Providing for the others’ needs –
From cool clear water o’ the spring
To tarts beloved of those he feeds.

Who in deeds e’er does his part?
Who unloads the burdened cart?
Who is this man so good of heart?
The one called Sweyn Mac Awliffe!

So we give him title now of Laird
And make him one of Eastern Court
And he shall bear himself the arms
that he alone shall wear and sport

(These are not yet registered but this verse is what will be used when they are. =)***
On Gyronny of gules and ermine,
a brown bear proper rampant
and on a chief argent a dagger
fesswise gules – none may recant! ****

Who makes the rounds with bonny care?
Who does a thistle and a dagger wear?
Who’s ever just, and always fair?
The Laird called Sweyn Mac Awliffe!

The Emperor Brennan did declare,
Empress Caoilfhionn also swore
this to be signed as solemn truth
at Malagentia’s Great Northeastern War

Therefore on the twelfth day of July
in the 49th year of the Society,
this deed is done now in full
with great and noble piety.

Breannan August Caoilfhionn Augusta

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Order of the Chivalry for Matthew Moraveous Avdenmork

WHEREAS the man know as Matthew Moraveous Avdenmork has come before Our presence at Our request; and

WHEREAS Matthew Moraveous was a decade hence reborn as one of the the pride of the Azure Tyger, serving her by choice as a sinister defender of the indomitable East, raising his arm to her glory with honor and joy against all challenges; and


WHEREAS he hath, time and again, forsaken all others to hunt the mighty dragon as an Unbelted Champion; and braved and bested,  with brutal exhilaration, the berserkers of the birch isle; and is numbered among the most fearsome band of Tygers Combatant; and

WHEREAS this kinsman of good heart continued to exhibit proper fealty to his beloved and fallen Knight and laudable loyalty to his widow; and has honorable represented his allegiances to Haus Dagon, the Dutchy von Drakenlkaue, his own House of the Crucible, and the Northern Army; and has loving provided for his family with inspirational devotion; and 

WHEREAS We have witnessed that his affection for the martial path has been unwavering, having seen his earnest adherence to martial laws and customs and having noted the prowess and humility evidenced in his behavior; We, Brennan August and Caiolfhionn Augusta, confirm by these letters patent, before all plebians and patricians, that Matthew Moravious Avdenmork is this day joined to an exclusive company, the best consorts of the Domina Orientalis, of whom there is no equal, as a member of the Order of Chivalry, who shall bear his own Arms:

________________________

Henceforth, may Matthew Moraveous ever augment the estimable Peerage of the Order of Chivalry with his understanding and promotion of Justice, Mercy, Tolerance, Strength, Prudence, Perseverance, Temperance, Prowess, Humility, Courage, Sacrifice, Loyalty, Truth, Compassion, Courtesy, Grace, Hospitality, Sacrifice, Honor, Gratitude, Franchise, and Love as he continues to serve Our enduring land and its people.

This We set with Our Names on the eighth day of August, Anno Sociatatis XLIX, on the battlefield of the Great Pennsic War in the sylvan Kingdom of Aethelmearc.

consilio et animis *

Emperor Brennan August        Empress Caiolfhionn Augusta
*(by wisdom and courage)
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Medieval Italian Feast for Tourney o’Love

A Feast from the Medieval Mediterranean is the planned menu for the Tourney o’Love on Feb 15, 2014. As things progress, this post will become more informative.

To Start the Meal A Tray of Sweet and Savory Delights Expected to Include:

Olives, Cheese, Dried fruit

Bread, Olive Oil and Sardines

Pyramid Cakes (semolina honey cakes)

Stuffed Eggs (eggs, cheese, fresh herbs, cinnamon, clove, saffron)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Main Dishes Will Be Served:

Chicken with Pomegranate Sauce (chicken, oil, onion, egg, almonds, parsley, mint, marjoram, ginger, cinnamon, pomegranate juice/syrup, salt, pepper, pancetta or Prosciutto) * NF/GF/EF available

White Garlic Sauce (garlic, salt, water, almonds, bread)

Legumes with Parsley and Mint (lima beans, peas, parsley, mint, pancetta)

Pasta with Butter and Cheese (wheat vermicelli, butter, Parmesan cheese; GF/DF available upon request)

Lamb in a Savory Sauce (cooking style to be determined)

Basil and Verjus Sauce (verjus, lemon juice, basil, olive oil)

Puree of Carrot (carrots, honey, clove, ginger, cubeb)

Savory Groats (buckwheat groats, oil, green onions, spices) or Almond Rice (rice, almond milk)

Herbed Salad with Olive Oil and Wine Vinegar (salad greens, herbs, vinaigrette)

Zucchini with Fennel Seed (zucchini, fennel seed, lemon, olive oil, rice flour)

Angel’s Food (ricotta, honey, spices, rose or orange blossom water)

Apple Fritters (flour, apples, currants, cinnamon, eggs, sugar)

Cherry Torte (flour, butter, ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, ginger, pepper, cinnamon, rosewater)

Khabîsa with Pomegranate (semolina flour, saffron, almonds, pomegranate, rosewater, sugar)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

– The Menu is Subject to Change – all ingredients will be posted at the event.
Those who have allergies, sensitivities, or dietary restrictions should contact head cook, Aneleda Falconbridge, at aneleda@yahoo.com at least 10 days prior to the event. Many of the foods on this menu have meat, nuts, wheat, eggs, and dairy. We cannot promise there will not be cross-contamination of dishes. If you have life-threatening allergies we suggest that you do not eat this feast. If you contact us in advance, we will make accommodations for you to enjoy your self-provided meal in the hall.

We will have gluten-free pasta and two chickens which will be prepared without egg, flour, or nuts. There will be a small assortment of gluten-free sweets for the end of the meal

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Procession for Ro Honig’s Laurel

My friend Ro Honig von Somervelt was going to become a member of the Order of the Laurel at an event in the winter, and I was invited to arrange music for her procession by her Laurel, Mistress Carolyne laPointe.

She has two apprentice-siblings who are both excellent singers and musicians, and we had also a wonderful friend who would act as herald, so it made the creation of something quite special possible.

Because Honig’s persona is German, I searched through the words of many Minnesingers (and the little music I found to go with their words) but found nothing suitable for our procession. I knew that we would have Alexandre St. Pierre play his drum, I would play my harp, and Camille des Jardins would sing. Jean du Montagne would be our herald.

Ultimately I realized that I would have to create something. I found words by the Minnesinger Ulrich von Winterstetten* (who wrote in the 1200s) which read, “Aller sorgen fri  uf gruenem zwi ir mout was guot, ze sange snel.” (Free from all sorrow on the green branch its spirit was good, bold in song.)

I altered the text to honor the Laurel, making it “Aller sorgen fri uf lorebeerbaum ir mout was guot, ze sange snel.” (Free from all sorrow on the laurel tree its spirit was good, bold in song.)

I then looked up each word in a translation site which had the phonetics of the words so I got the timing right in reading them and I spoke them in rhythm for a bit. (I’ve come to quite love the word “lorebeerbaum” after that!)

I then made a small tune – it had to be, for Honig, in a cheery tone and I wanted to keep with the medieval custom of playing fifths. So the tune went as follows:

Music notation and words for "Der Lorebeerbalm" for Ro Honig

The method we had was to have Jean, the herald, begin the procession by speaking the words in German and then in English, then we sang the song (just one line) with the harp and drum playing. The drum played only in the choruses but the harp continued.

Jean then announced** “Now into this room comes Ro Honig Von Sommervelt member of the Order of the Maunche.” Then singing then, “Now into this room comes Honig Von Sommervelt, recipient of the Golden Lyre.” Then we sang then, “Now comes into this room Ro Honig Von Sommervelt, chatelaine of the Province of Malagentia.” And we sang, then “Now into this room comes Ro Honig Von Sommervelt, descendant of the proprietress of the Tyger and Bucket, the Best Tavern in the Known World.” And then I stopped playing the harp fifths and we sang the piece in a three-part round until all the procession had filtered into the area around the Royal dais.

And then all the important things happened, and we were happy to have done it and relieved it was finished, our fine friend was a Peer and all was well.

— Aneleda

*As she is Ro Honig von Sommervelt, and he was von Winterstetten, I kind of also liked that odd symmetry.

**I may have these out of order; and also my memory of the words is close but not exact, as Jean had created the lauds.

 

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Gorsedd Challenge

Beginning in January 2013, at the Queen’s Meadhall in Carolingia, I am starting started my Gorsedd Bardic Challenge. This is where I’ll hold I held myself accountable.

I completed my challenges at the Marketplace at Birka in Stonemarche in January 2014.

“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to perform a set number of pieces in a year, according to the criteria listed below.  Pieces may be performed in any venue, be it bardic competition, feast, sitting around with friends at a post-revel, or any other occasion within the SCA. The year begins with the first performance.”

To achieve Level 1: Perform 5 pieces
At least one of these must be documented period
Must include at least

  • one story or monologue
  • one song

-Song-
1. “I Fight for You” original song performed (from book) at the Queen’s Meadhall (Feb 2, 2013)
2. “I am of the North” original song performed at Tourney o’Love during a break at feast. (Feb 18, 2013)

-Period Song-
3. “Three Ravens” performed for Lord Lucien, Queen’s Champion, at the Queen’s Meadhall. Documented period piece performed with voice and harp. (Feb 2, 2013)
4. “I Have a Younge Sister” performed with harp accompaniment at the Tourney o’ Love. Documented period piece. (Feb 18, 2013)

-Story-
5. “The Tale of Adolphus the Devourer” an extemporaneous story performed at the Mudthaw feast, while Adolphus acted it out around the feast table (March 23, 2013)

To achieve Level 2: Perform 7 pieces
At least two of these must be documented period
At least one of these must be original
Must include at least

  • one story or monologue
  • one song
  • one poem
  • either one physical performance (juggling, magic, dance, etc.) or one instrumental piece.

-Song-
6. “Follow Me” an original song performed at Mudthaw at feast for a table of listeners, (March 23, 2013)

-Instrumental –
8. Multiple pieces at the Smithwick End of Summer Gathering with other players playing harp and lute. During one cantiga I played the melody on soprano recorder as my partners played strings. (August 23-25, 2013)

To achieve Level 3: Perform 9 pieces
At least three of these must be documented period
At least one of these must be original
At least one of these must be on SCA history
Must include at least

  • * one story or monologue
  • * one song
  •  one poem
  • * one instrumental piece
  • one physical performance (juggling, magic, dance, etc.)

–Poem–
8. For Sir Brennan on His Knighting scroll reading at court – original poem written in the style of Norse verse (November 2, 2013)

9. Instrumental Jam with Mistress Afie and Baroness Emma at Crown Tournament (November 2, 2013) 

–physical performance–
10. Middle Eastern dance at the Birka Hafla (January 25, 2014)

–period song–
11. Amarilli Mia Bella, performed at the Birka Bardic (January 26, 2014)

FINISHED!
To achieve Level 3: Perform 9 pieces

Period songs: Amirilli Mia Bella, The Herne, I Have a Young Sister, Three Ravens, several cantigas on recorder/voice/harp chords
Original songs: I Fight for You, I Am of the North, Follow Me
Original story: The Tale of Sir Adolphus the Devourer
Original poem on SCA History: The Tale of Brennan’s Knighting
Physical performance: Middle-eastern bellydance

There were many other performances during the year, of many kinds, but these are the ones I am using for my Gorsedd Challenge. The last, the dancing, was the hardest for me, but a small hafla is like a dance bardic circle and while there may be another person on the floor, the dance is a performance all its own. I enjoyed the challenges and would encourage any other performers to try the challenge for themselves!