Author: Mathurin Kerbusso

Review: The Knowne World Bardcast Features the Music of Calontir

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Unknown Artist. Minstrels with a Rebec & a Lute.
13th c. Manasseh Codex. El Escorial, Madrid. Public domain in the US

The Knowne World Bardcast is a podcast of bardic performances from across the Society. The typical format is familiar to listeners of radio and podcasts for generation; a playlist of recordings gathered from bards who have recorded their songs and made them available. The production levels of the recordings are spotty, of course, but Lord Gideon ap Stephen does a good job of editing the program and making it interesting. It is a pleasant way to be introduced to the music of other kingdoms, and a good way to pass the time on road trips to foreign wars. Please consider subscribing on your favorite podcatcher.

Lord Gideon is on a quest to publish episodes that showcase each particular Kingdom. His goal is to have episodes for all 20 Kingdoms, and he has done several of them so far. At the time of this article, he had recently posted an episode for Calontir and, for the first time, had to split the episode into two parts.

The Calontir Episode, Part One:  In the Key of Army

“Part One: In the Key of Army” is a documentary-style episode recorded at Gulf Wars. Gideon recorded Calontir singing as a kingdom at the Calontir Party. Standards such as the Battle of Maldon, Benevento, In Praise of a New Knighthood, and many other Calon favorites. Will make any Calontiri heart skip a beat, and long to join the chorus at the earliest opportunity.

The Calontir Episode, Part Two:  The Heart, The Land

This is a more typical episode of The Knowne World Bardcast. After being impressed by Calontir’s group singing, Gideon received messages reminding him that Calontir has its own share of solo bards, songwriters, poets and performers. The call went out and many answered and  “Part Two:  The Heart, The Land” was born. From across time and space, recordings of Calontir bards were gathered and assembled into a playlist:

Lord Gideon’s “The Knowne World Bardcast” is a great addition to the wealth of SCA culture, and this close look at Calontir’s culture of song is most welcome. We will be adding KWB to our SCA Links page under “Arts and Culture”

Eyfríðr’s Celtic Book Reviews

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Copyist-illuminator. Mid-15th Century. Public domain in the US

Three short book reviews by Lady Eyfríðr Geirsdóttir

Here are my reviews for the first three books of my Celtic research project. I’ve tried to describe the book itself and then my personal thoughts on it — Eyfríðr

The Celts, by Barry Cunliffe

A broad approach to Celtic history, focusing mainly on the late Iron Age and beyond with emphasis on interactions with Rome and linguistics.

Eyfríðr says:  Great for an overall view of the Celtic world, and a nice starting point for research and clarification.

The Origins of the Irish, by JP Mallory

JP Mallory gives himself a valid criticism:  “This book may well be criticized for focusing so much attention on assessing the various hypotheses for immigration into Ireland….and not devoting much space to exploring the genius of the Irish (or Irelanders) in developing their own cultural identity.” There are many theories and not many facts when it comes to the origins of the Irish.

Eyfríðr says:  Essentially just theories of immigration. That information overall was good, the author had a few funny quips, but on the whole his ‘tone’ as a writer came across as quite self-satisfied, which was off-putting for an informational text. 

Archaeology and Celtic Myth: An Exploration, by John Waddell

More archaeology than myth, with reasonable conclusions and interesting parallels between Ireland and Indo-European mythos. Reviews both well-known sites like Tara and lesser known sites. Lots of primary and secondary sources. Focuses on equine ritual, solar worship, sacral kingship, and sovereignty goddesses.

Eyfríðr says:  I expected more myth but was very pleased with the scientific approach to the subject matter. Lots of really fascinating details that make you wonder and wish for a time machine. Reading this made me feel like I got the briefest glimpse into the Iron Age.

Replacement Regalia Bid Proposals

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From Their Royal Majesties:

We, the Kingdom, are in need of artisans to place their bid proposals for replacing the Kingdom regalia that was recently stolen. We are opening the bids up to anyone who would like to submit one.

You can see all of the items that need to be replaced and submit your proposals via the form here:

http://www.calontir.org/regaliabid.php

Each item or set of items will need a separate bid proposal, and even one requires a “team bid proposal”.

Bids will close at Midnight on May 11, 2019, the day of St. George and the Dragon.

Thank you, Calontir!

Where the Falcon Soars Above the Heartland

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Tacuina sanitatis 14th C. Public domain in the US

At Gulf Wars XXVIII Lady Elaisse de Garrigues won the A&S Champions Battle, with a project titled “Where the Falcon Soars Above the Heartland:  Musical Compositions Exploring the Development of Polyphonic Organum”

Here are the documentation and accompanying recordings for that winning entry:

 

Ninth Century Parallel Organum:

 

Eleventh Century Free Organum:

 

Twelfth Century Florid Organum:

 

Organum Triplum:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Their Royal Majesties: Letters of Intent and Why We Fight

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Unto the Chivalry, Huscarls, Fyrdmen, and Men at Arms of the Kingdom of Calontir, and unto those who inspire them to deeds of greatness,
Greetings, from Donngal, Fourth of that name, King of Calontir, and Catalina, Fierce Queen of the Heartlands.The deadline grows close for submitting letters of intent to contend to become Our heirs. Before that deadline passes, please consider our words:
Different Kingdoms have developed different traditions surrounding Crown Tournament:

Some Kingdoms allow anyone from the Known World to enter, whist others have held that only the Chivalry may enter without an express invitation from the Crown. Our Kingdom Laws reflect a desire, borne from our first days as a Kingdom, that nobody, Crown or common, should be able to influence the outcome, outside of the will of the combatants themselves, and our long-held tradition which states that you shouldn’t enter crown unless you’re there to win it; a pushback against the notion that crown is a good place to be seen by the chivalry.

We were reminded, today, by a good friend’s post from a far Kingdom, that every fighter in the list lends their renown to the eventual victor.

To that end, we ask each of you, fighter and consort, to search your hearts, and if you are ABLE to serve as Crown (as opposed to actively wanting it), then we beseech you, take up pen, then sword, and bring your renown to add to the glory of our eventual heirs, and to the history of our great Kingdom.
In Love and Service to the Crown & Kingdom
]|)onngal & Catalina

 

Kingdom of Calontir Map Updated

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Rescued from Facebook:

The Kingdom of Calontir map has been updated.

The creator of the map is Sir Gustav Jameson.

Also contributing to the map was Sir Stefan MacIntyre who pulled together the KML data, Sir Brendan Mac an tSaoir who helped with data scrubbing and Sayyidi Umm Ya’kub Rayya al-Zahra’ bint Fath al-Badawiyya who contributed the original draft.

Lady Allison of Forgotten Sea

 

http://seneschal.calontir.org/calontir-map.php