Tacuina sanitatis 14th C. Public domain in the US
The long form version of Master Andrixos’ History of Calontir is now available on the Kingdom website. This is the expanded version of the history written for, and published in, the 50th Year site book.
http://www.calontir.org/history_of_calontir.php
The Unicorn is Found (from the Unicorn Tapestries) 1495–1505, The Met Museum. CC0 license.
Under their Open Access program, The Met Museum has released 375,000 new images under the Creative Commons Zero (Public Domain) license, raising their library of freely available images to nearly half a million.
The collection is available and searchable at http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection
As some of you know, I’m a nerd about calendars and clocks. So this weekend I decided to figure out the Roman-style date for Valentine’s Day.
First I needed to know whether February was a month when the Ides fell on the 13th or the 15th. In only four months of the year does the Ides fall on the 15th – March, May, July and October. Remember how Caesar was killed on the Ides of March? For years I thought the Ides was always the 15th. That would have been too easy.
Although all four months in which the Ides falls on the 15th have 31 days, not all months with 31 days are the same. In January, August and December the Ides falls on the 13th.
Once I determined the Ides fell on the 13th, and that my chosen date (the 14th) fell after the Ides, I needed know how many days there were in the month. This is especially tricky with February, since it is not only the shortest month, but once every four years it is a day longer.
Why do I need to know how long the month is? Because the Romans, in their infinite wisdom, decided that counting from the beginning to the end of the month was too simple. They preferred to count from the end of the month to the middle (the Ides). Then they counted from the Ides to the Nones (usually the 5th, but in those four special months, it’s on the 7th). And they counted from the Nones to the Kalends, or the first day of month.
Now, when I first got into this, I thought the “Nones” fell on the 9th. Nones means nine, right? How mistaken I was. It actually means nine days before the Ides. If the Ides is on the 13th, the Nones is nine days earlier, on the 5th. Of course in those four months when the Ides falls on the 15th the Nones is on the 7th. Luckily, the Kalends doesn’t move.
So, if the date you’re interested in is February 3, the Roman date is “iii nonis Februarius” (three days before the Nones of February). And if the date you’re interested in is February 9 the Roman date is “v idus Feburarius” (five days before the Ides of February).
If you’re trying to do the math, and you can’t make it work, it’s because the Romans counted inclusively. The day before the Nones is also the second day before the Nones.
I had a hard time wrapping my head around this. Finally I remembered sitting in church on Easter morning. As I child I listened to the priest say “On the third day he arose.” I remember counting on my fingers – from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon is one day, from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning is two days, where’s the third day? I was told for the early Church (the “Roman” church) it was one day for Friday, one day for Saturday and one day for Sunday (three days).
So the Nones is nine days before the Ides, because both the Nones and Ides are counted. And the Kalends is five days before the Nones, because the Nones and the Kalends are both counted.
Which brings us to the dates after the Ides. That’s the majority of the month. Any date after the Ides is counted as so many days before the Kalends of the next month. So for February 14, the date is written as “xvi kalendas Martius.” That’s 16 days before the Kalends of March. Washington’s birthday, Feburary 22, is “viii kalendas Martius” (you’ve got it – 8 days before the Kalends of March). Here’s a list of how you write the 14th day of January, February, March and April:
January 14 xix kalendas Februarius
February 14 xvi kalendas Martius
March 14 pridie idus Martius*
April 14 xviii kalendas Maius
*Calling the day before the Ides (or Kalends or Nones) “pridie” solves the problem of having to call the day both ii idus and i idus.
The 14th of the month is 19 days before, or 16 days before, or 18 days before the Kalends of the next month depending on how long the month is. Don’t ask me how such a convoluted system lasted for nearly two thousand years.
Two points to keep in mind. First, the tale ending of Roman nouns changes depending on how the word is used. I don’t pretend to understand the system. Sometimes it’s nones, sometimes it’s nonis, sometimes I see it as nonae. February is Februarias, Februariis or Februarius depending on usage. Second, I’ve used lower case Roman numerals because most of the medieval examples I’ve seen use lower case. The Romans themselves would have used capital letters (they used all caps all the time). The Carolingians loved the little letters. You may see examples of both.
If you want to see how all this works using a medieval Book of Hours calendar, check out this Khan Academy video created by the Getty Museum: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/medieval-world/medieval-europe/v/medieval-calendar (4:29 minutes).
If you’re not interested in figuring it out a date for yourself, go to http://www.lieberknecht.de/~prg/calendar.htm. A medieval-minded German (Otfried Lieberknecht) put together a calendar utility that figures out any date, past or present, for you. It will also take a Roman-style date and translate it into modern reckoning.
Useful Resources:
Bridget Ann Henisch, The Medieval Calendar Year (University Park, Penn., Pennsylvania State University Press, 1999). This work analyzes the Labors of the Months and similar themes in medieval calendars. It includes many examples of medieval calendars in Books of Hours. It also includes a useful Appendix that details how to determine a date using Roman-style dating.
“Calendarium” includes the Roman sections of William Smith’s A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (John Murray, London, 1875). It goes into depth about the early Roman calendar and Caesar’s reforms, but near the end it has a useful chart for figuring the date using Roman-style dating: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Calendarium.html.
“Some Notes on Medieval English Genealogy” includes calendar charts for each year in the 11th through 16th centuries at http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/cal/medcal.shtml.
Lovebirds in the 14th-century Codex Manesse (Cod. Pal. germ. 848, f. 249v). Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, CC BY-SA
The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is seeking candidates for the position of Society Exchequer. This position reports to the SCA Corporate Treasurer.
Duties and responsibilities:
Preferred Skills:
Prior experience as an exchequer in the SCA is required; prior Kingdom Exchequer experience is highly desired. Working knowledge of SCA’s accounting procedures is necessary. Individuals with accounting backgrounds or training are highly desired. Dependable email access and dependable phone access are required for this position.
The Society Exchequer receives a stipend for their services and will receive a 1099 for tax purposes. Work load will vary but expect to put in an average of 15 hours per week.
Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, together with modern and SCA qualifications, via hardcopy to:
Renee Signorotti
Society for Creative Anachronism
PO Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036-0789
Courtesy copies should be provided via email to:
resumes@sca.org
treasurer@sca.org.
The deadline for applications is April 1, 2017.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036
You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.
This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.
Men harvesting wheat, Queen Mary’s Psalter, circa 1310. Public domain in the US
Handouts from the meeting:
The first report was by Mistress Katherine von Heilige, event co-steward, on promotion of this year’s War. The event stewards are planning a major effort to promote the War and bring up attendance. Promotional materials, including “save the date” cards, are being printed for distribution at Gulf War and other out of Kingdom events this spring. Folks traveling out of Kingdom are also encouraged to talk up the War, make friends and invite them to Lilies.
The remainder of the meeting was conducted by Mistress Rebecca Beaumont, Lilies Committee Chair. Highlights of the meeting include:
Please contact Rebecca, Murdoch or Kat if you have constructive input on ways to make Lilies War a success.
The Lilies War website: http://www.lilieswar.org/
Detail from the Hunterian Psalter, Glasgow University Library MS Hunter 229 (U.3.2) circa 1170. Public domain in the US
The Board of Directors is accepting applications for the position of Corporate Treasurer. This is a part-time, stipend position, which requires approximately 5-10 hours per week except when finalizing the yearly budget.
Applicants must be available for at least the October quarterly Board Discussion Session (typically held on Friday), in addition to the October Board meeting (typically on Saturday). Additional traveling may be required.
Skills:
1) Working knowledge of basic financial spreadsheet program (QuickBooks or other);
2) Experience with managing budgets and financial forecasting, including tracking and analyzing variances;
3) Basic suite of office communication skills – spreadsheets, presentations, Word, etc.
4) Preference for degree in accounting or finance.
Duties of the Treasurer:
Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, together with modern and SCA qualifications, via hardcopy to:
Renee Signorotti
Society for Creative Anachronism
PO Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036-0789
Courtesy copies should be provided via email to:
The deadline for applications is April 1, 2017.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036
You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.
This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.
County scroll for HE Sir Duncan Bruce of Logan, done in the Reign of Bataciqan-nu Ko’un Ashir and Ashland de Mumford
Text by Master Christopher Amber, Calligraphy by Mistress Mirabel Wynne, Illumination by HL Áine nic Táilliúir
SEND forth word to all the Known World of the commendable achievements and glorious deeds we celebrate this day.
PROCLAIM it as well to all the corners of the Calon Kingdom that its Crown would recognize by custom tradition and desire one of the line of Falcon Kings.
AMONGST those treasured in Calontir, one Logan, sometimes called Duncan the Bruce’s son, has been raised and augmented by Heartland Crowns.
MANY are those amongst the Falcon’s subjects that count a friendship and special kinship with this warrior and servant for and of the populace of his native lands.
BRAVE and Bold he has striven to give all of himself and many were the occasions that he would test the mettle of those who he would serve as King.
LO then, the day arrived when honorable combat proved right and well that the finest combatant, the true heir, should find him alone victor of Crown Tourney.
OF years in advance of any to first claim a Crown in the Known World, he had been forged by sword, tradition and example into an heir Calontir deserved.
ON his head the prince’s crown set well and with his princess he began preparations against their ascension and Calontir’s place amongst its friends and allies.
DESIRING to show the strength he felt and gathered from his consort, when the Day of Coronation came, he ascended to the Falcon thrones not alone but in companionship.
YLVA, daughter of Jon, did he his drottning bring to share the duties, burdens and joys of rule as he himself assumed the mantle of Konung of the Land of Storm Cleavers.
VERILY the populace of Calontir cried out acceptance of this pair and in great numbers embraced the chance to offer fealty which held a special meaning in the Konung’s heart.
IN earnest need he began to gather troops to assist in the Pennsic conflict and many were those who felt the need to answer the call of their Crown.
KONUNG and General both, he pledged the Falcon would fly, on wings outspread, wherever the Ealdormere Wolf lead and great were the exploits and comradery shared by these Kingdoms.
IN Surtur kissed lands he did not fail his Kingdom, as he sat amongst his people, providing the bounty of Frost Giant’s toil to those who had ventured forth along with him.
NOW the Falcon lands enjoyed peace and many were the recommendations he and his drottning heard and well deserved were those elevated amongst the populace and peerage.
GATHERING by force of personal invitation, he also set a tourney to assure a Calon heir and some thirty one combatants honored him by hearing his word and answering that call.
SO now but a few of the deeds of this Man have been laid out, let those who may have more speak it to him, that he may know of the love that this most Beloved Konung may enjoy as, rightfully, by Law and Tradition, the seal upon this saga is set with a County Coronet.
County scroll for HE Mistress Ylva Jonsdottir, done in the Reign of Bataciqan-nu Ko’un Ashir and Ashland de Mumford
Text by Halgrimr riddari, Calligraphy and Illumination by Ayisha bint Asad
Ylva’s Saga
None doubt the gifts of the Stormcleaver……
When the Heartlands were in need of a Harkonung,
The gosling of battle protected her from all great dangers and in time
When most needed, The Guardian of the Heartland,
gifted the spear-kin with wise and generous heirs.
Logan, a mighty warrior, and his heart-bearer Ylva.
Graceful and beautiful, Ylva’s wordfame was yet a whisper
but soon it would be louder than a blast from Gjallarhorn!
It was soon observed that she was no commoner,
she was intelligent, well spoken, and in all respects well behaved.
Those who knew her thought well of her, and considered her
a most excellent woman.
Upon ascension, The Folk hastened toward the Falcon Thrones
men and women, a multitude and a crowd,
throng and a troop; unending happy faces and open hearts
both the venerable and those in the springs of their lives
pressed forward and ran toward the Krongur’s fair maid,
Every one of them in the rejoicing Hjartlund became cheerful
And lifted ale-prows after they learned that once again
A ring-rich Northern peace-weaver had returned to the High Seat
With Joy in their hearts, from that time until they no longer could,
High minded courageous Calon goðar went forth;
Fierce comrades, bold warriors, Skaldi-blessed, highly skilled artisans
Saddle beast tamers and hearts-blood givers bearing Her banners high,
joyfully moving forward, with stern minds and stouthearted souls
slowly increasing the minds worth of the kingdom in her name.
Upon being seated upon the Calon High Seat,
She took great pleasure in discovering and commemorating
The achievements of her People and Her Kingdom,
Knowing that it is enlightening to discover the prowess and skill
Of others, even more so to recognize them for doing it freely.
Displaying love and giving name fame
Creating smiles and honoring those who please her so.
Graciously heaping praise on those who toil at their crafts
Encouraging the deepening of life-blood wells,
Giving battle-garb to the newly trained levy of the Calon Host,
Ever gleaming Cup-bearer upon the fields of war.
And when the time came, in addition to the adoration of her people,
Ylva, wise drottning, Hammers’s heart, rune counselor and life-blood giver
did win not only everlasting renown for her grace and generosity
But was adorned with a high seats helm for long remembered deeds
done for her land and her people.
This post combines two separate emails from the SCA Announcements email list – Ed.
Requests for nomination for the Finance, Communications and Peerage Committees have been sent to all Kingdoms (Crown and Seneschal) asking for nomination of members from the populace.
Please contact your Kingdom Seneschal if you are interested.
Requests for nomination of members for the remaining committees will be sent at the end of Q1 2017.
The following proposal is a summary of the Board Committee structure approved by the SCA Board of Directors on October 22, 2012.
Executive Committee
Mission: Execute day-to-day oversight of Society business between Board meetings and such other responsibilities as may be designated by the Board from time to time in its discretion.
Finance and Audit
Membership to include 3 representatives of membership at large.
Mission: assist the Board’s oversight of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes, the audit and integrity of the Company’s financial statements and the qualifications and independence of the Company’s independent auditor
Risk Management
Membership to include 3 members at large
Mission: Oversee insurance, legal, and related matters.
Nominating and Governance
Membership to include 3 members at large
Mission: recommend to the Board the persons to be nominated for appointment as directors; recommend to the Board the directors to be appointed to each committee of the Board; develop and recommend to the Board Society governance guidelines and policies
Communications
Membership to include 3 to 7 members at large
Mission: develop and oversee advertising; public relations; publications, social media and other communications initiatives of the Society
Membership
Membership to include 3 members at large
Mission: grow and sustain membership in the Society; evaluate and oversee implementation of programs and initiatives for membership support
Youth Activities
Membership to include 2 members at large
Mission: Completion of design and implementation of YAFA programs
Technology
Membership to include 4 members at large
Mission: Prepare 5-year technology development plan for Society
Peerage
Membership to include 4 members at large
Mission: Review proposals for the creation of new peerage
From time to time the Board, at its discretion, may form other ad hoc committees for special projects. The Board has the authority to dissolve or modify any committee or its membership at any time. Committees will make recommendations to the Board and give quarterly reports, but final decision making on all issues will remain with the Board.
Committees will consist of Board members, Society officers, and members-at-large to be nominated in response to a Request for Nomination (RFN) sent by the Board to each Kingdom Seneschal, describing the mission of the committee and suggested minimum qualifications for committee members. Nominations may be made by the sitting Crown with the advice and consent of the Kingdom Seneschal. RFNs for membership of the Finance, Communications and Peerage Committees will be promulgated by the Board on or before year-end, 2016.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036
You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.
This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.
Men harvesting wheat, Queen Mary’s Psalter, circa 1310. Public domain in the US
Detail from the Hunterian Psalter, Glasgow University Library MS Hunter 229 (U.3.2) circa 1170. Public domain in the US
Greetings unto the Populace of the SCA,
Now that 2016 has come to a close, we wanted to update you on our partnership with
the AmazonSmile program.
As of November 2016, AmazonSmile has donated an additional $689.33 to the
Society For Creative Anacronism for the period of July 1 to September 30.
The total donated from this program since July 2014 is now $4764.69.
It is your continued participation in this partnership that has made it a
great success. For those of you already participating, we send you a big
thank you. We appreciate your continued support of this partnership and SCA
Inc.
For those who haven’t heard of the AmazonSmile program, here is the
original announcement:
Many of us shop at Amazon for a wide range of products. Did you know that
the SCA can benefit from each purchase you make at no additional charge to
you?
Here’s how: Go to smile.amazon.com. Sign into your account and a “pop up”
page will appear. On the right side of the page, at the bottom is a
“search” window. Type in: Society for Creative Anachronism and click the
search button. Click on the top one and you are done. Your donations will
be automatic for any purchase within the Amazon Smile program (which is
most merchandise). You can also use the following link.
http://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-1698556
Amazon donates 0.5% of each purchase to the non-profit organizations of
your choice and the Society for Creative Anachronism is one of those
organizations. This is a painless way to support our organization. These
donations will be deposited quarterly from the AmazonSmile Foundation into
a separate SCA corporate account dedicated for these donations.
What is the AmazonSmile Foundation?
The AmazonSmile Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation created by
Amazon to administer the AmazonSmile program. All donation amounts
generated by the AmazonSmile program are remitted to the AmazonSmile
Foundation. In turn, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates those amounts to
the charitable organizations selected by our customers. Amazon pays all
expenses of the AmazonSmile Foundation; they are not deducted from the
donation amounts generated by purchases on AmazonSmile.
Here at SCA Inc., we wish all of you well in 2017 and thank you.
Yours in Service,
John Fulton
President, SCA Inc.
Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
Box 360789
Milpitas, CA 95036
You may also email comments@lists.sca.org.
This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.
You must be logged in to post a comment.