Author: Mathurin Kerbusso

UPDATED: RESCINDED Marshals Please Read: Change to Helm Inspections Starting October 1st

Posted by

Ed. note:  This directive was rescinded later, and will not go into effect 10/1/2016. Per Syr Duncan:

After being told two weeks ago that we had to start inspecting helms off of the head the SEM has decided that we need to wait until he has a better idea of what we are looking for and how. To that end he is suspending his earlier edict to inspect helms in any manner differently than what we are already doing. Sorry for the inconvenience. I am at work and have no way to access Facebook, can someone please forward this the Kingdom Facebook page and the calon list?

YIS,
Duncan

From Syr Duncan of Skeene, Earl Marshal of Calontir
I received the following from Sir Padraig, the Deputy SEM for Rattan combat. We are to begin this process now. I am not worried about if we inspect the same helm at several different events. We are supposed to make this part of our normal inspection process until further notice.

I think it is because of a rash of concussions, goose eggs and pressure gashes in the recent past. I know this will be a bit of a pain in tracking how many inspections we do and how many fail because of not enough padding but I have no choice in the matter. We need to begin this process OCTOBER 1.

Quoted message follows:
” I am asking one and all to begin a round of helm inspections that would
include a check of the interior padding. We should be looking for
proper coverage, thickness and resilience. I would Appreciate if
your Marshals would get a count of how many helms were inspected,
how many failed and why. It would be nice f we could have this info
by kingdom included in your end of year reports. I would also like
you to instruct your Marshals that if any head injuries occur,
bleeding lumps, tko’s or Mo’s even, that they inspect the injured
fighters helm and include any finding good or bad in the report to
you. I think in short time we can find out if our inspection has
been sloppy in the past, or if there really is a problem that we can
put a finger on.
In service
Padraig”

Thank you,
Syr Duncan of Skeene

 

Illustration of the Battle of Barnet (14 April 1471) on the Ghent manuscript. Public domain in the US

Illustration of the Battle of Barnet (14 April 1471) on the Ghent manuscript. Public domain in the US

List of Combatants and Consorts for Fall Crown Tournament A.S. LI

Posted by

Their Royal Majesties Logan and Ylva have announced the list of combatants and consorts for Their Crown Tournament. 

  • Duke Dongal Erikson and Countess Catalina  de Aruzuri
  • Duke Joe Angus Wilson of Clan Gunn and Duchess Phaedra Filia Roberti
  • Count Bataciqan-nu Ko’un Ashir and Lady Ashland de Mumford
  • Count Damien McGavin and Countess Issabell St. Charles
  • Sir Angus of Blackmoor and Mistress Diana nic Luthais MacLean
  • Sir Riik of Flatrock and Baroness Ermosinda de Ystra
  • Sir Colin James MacLaclan and Mistress Elianor de Morland
  • Sir Talbot of Galtris and Mistress Meadhbh inghan ui Shuibhne
  • Sir Wulfric Terrell and Lady Isibil Edvinsdottir
  • Sir Reimond of Ipstones and Mistress Mirabel Wynne
  • Sir Duncan MacTorquill and Countess Fionna nic Alisdair
  • Sir Mathieu Chartrain and Duchess Aislinn Morcroft
  • Sir Mar i Miklagardi and Mistress Fionnuala inhean Fhearghuis
  • Sir Cai Dubhghlas and Lady Sameera of Vatavia
  • Sir Erik de Tyr and Mistress Roselyn of Aberdeen
  • Sir Hildibrandr Tjuguskegg and the Honorable Lady Alessandra de Piro
  • Sir Avraham ben David Hakhuzari and Mistress Jorunn Eydisardottir
  • The Honorable Lord Osrik von Beck and Baroness Catherine Ann Jourdayn
  • Master Magnus Anskegg and the Honorable Lady Winnifred d’Artois
  • The Honorable Lord Alric Upplendingr and Lady Aelith Semere
  • The Honorable Lord Titus Decimius Alexander and Lady Cordeilla Uxor Alexander
  • The Honorable Lord Killian O’Connaill and Mistress Rebecca Beaumont
  • The Honorable Lord Aiden O’Seaghdh and Mistress Gabriella von Fredrichstahl
  • Baron Hugh du Puy and Baroness Marie du Puy
  • The Honorable Lord Gerald Kendall and the Honorable Lady Alianora Jehannette des Amandiers
  • The Honorable Lord Cearr Mac Brendan and Lady Nghuala Ingen Ui Fallamhain
  • The Honorable Lord Janos Katona and Lord Hirakawa Kagetora
  • Baron Augustin the Blind and Lady Aleit de la Thomme
  • Lord Gianlupo delle Bande Nere and the Honorable Lady Giraude Benet
  • Lord Moon Hides the Sun and Lady Malina Attewode
  • Lord Zacharia MacDonald and the Honorable Lady Aine nic Tailliuir

 

 

Bavarian engraving of a medieval tournament from the 1400s. Public domain in the US

Bavarian engraving of a medieval tournament from the 1400s. Public domain in the US

Getting Started in Silent Heraldry

Posted by
silentherald
Ed. Note:  This article is based on an interview with Mistress Nesscia inghean Chearnaigh, as well as notes provided by her.  Neither the Falcon Banner nor Mistress Nesscia endorse any of the listed links, which are provided for information only.  Nesscia encourages anyone exploring this path to try several of these sources and find the best fit.  
 
Mistress Nesscia came to the SCA because of Silent Heraldry. She had long time friends who had found the SCA and needed access, so she came along to interpret for them. “I had nasty, old, thrown together costumes” she laughs.  But she soon became enchanted in her own right; “As I looked around it was like ‘This is really cool. Look at what these people are doing. Let me play too.'”

Now Nessica teaches and encourages others in the art of Silent Heraldry. The Falcon Banner recently asked her for some advice on how someone can become a Silent Herald.

    • Start taking classes in American Sign Language (ASL).  Just like a voice herald, you must have a basic knowledge of the language in order to be understood.  Your local college, university or other community resource may have continuing ed courses available. If not, several online resources are listed below.
    • It is very difficult to acquire a language in isolation, especially if you are not attending classes in person.  Find a practice partner.  Engage your child, your spouse, your neighbor or anyone else willing to come along on this journey with your.
    • If you don’t have anyone in your daily life who can assist, there are online groups for practicing with others, via online video.  You can also video chat with someone else in the Kingdom who is involved in Silent Heraldry.  Remember you will need a web camera to participate in these groups.
    • Avoid books on ASL.  It is very difficult for the beginner to look at a two dimensional picture and translate accurately into a three dimensional medium.  Beginners can end up practicing and memorizing the wrong thing.  “It takes twice as long to unlearn something and learn it the right way,” Nesscia advises.  With the availability of video sources, she does not advise hard copy sources at all.
    • Hang out with other Silent Heralds.  Nesscia has a Youtube channel to show the signs for some words that are SCA specific, but much of the nuances of Silent Heraldry are “word of mouth.”  You can also get opportunities to actually do Silent Heraldry this way;  “I’m willing, if you are taking a sign language class, come on, Ill get you up there!” Nesscia says.

 

Silent Heraldry Video Resources

Articles About Silent Heraldry

Online ASL Learning Resources

Online Practice Resources

Eynon Llangenydd’s Queen’s Prize Pictures Online

Posted by

Gleaned from Facebook:

THL Eynon Llangenydd announces:

My pictures of most of the QPT projects and some of the artisans have been uploaded to a Flickr album. I might pare the numbers down a bit and post to a Facebook album later. I didn’t get everyone’s projects and some shots were a bit awkward to avoid disturbing judging

IMG_6191

Presentation scene; detail of a miniature from BL Royal MS 15 E vi, f. 2v. 15th C. Public domain in the US

Presentation scene; detail of a miniature from BL Royal MS 15 E vi, f. 2v. 15th C. Public domain in the US

County Scroll for Matsunaga Kagetora

Posted by

The County scroll for His Excelleny Matsunaga Kagetora

Text by Master Andrixos Seljukroctonis, Calligraphy and Illumination by Viscount Master Christopher Reuben Montoya

 

Scroll by Viscount Master Christopher Reuben Montoya, text by Master Andrixos Seljukroctonis

Scroll by Viscount Master Christopher Reuben Montoya, text by Master Andrixos Seljukroctonis

 

Cease Kamikaze

Blow no more, heavenly wind

Upon King, upon Kingdom

Rising Sun has brought storm’s end

In calm, all recall tempest

Reclaim lost pillow

Traveler’s cushion far wandered

From home of the dawn

To land entranced by sunsets

Path of pillow was king’s road

Brought from the Nippon

To Heartland and to Shogun

Hail, Matsunaga.

Wind-driver and wind-driven

Strong gale blew through Calontir

Eight corners he saw

As Falcon soaring above

Lifted by wind’s strength

Soft breeze brought he to the land

Spring’s zephyrs caused winter’s rout

He subdued blizzard

And sought stronger storm to test

Led samurai south

To war field well windswept

Foes all dispersed by his gust

Gods keep man humble

After victor’s council held

Divine bellows turned

Brought rain like forge’s fire

Fortress strong sacked by wind-flood

Among folk he strode

Seeing aid brought to needy

Raising homes sunk low

Sheltering people from fear

Here he did gust as a king

Like a willow tree

Falcon tribe withstood the storm

Plans for new fortress

Stories of maelstroms survived

Realm prepared for a new calm

O Matsunaga

Storm bringer in war’s fury

For kingship, well worn.

Headband bright like Rising Sun

And high honors earned granted.

By these words did Duncan Rex and Ylva Regina recognize Matsunaga Kagetori as a Count, and endow

him with such rights and obligations accompanying such elevation, including a coronet of gold

embattled. Done on the ninth day of July in the Land of the Ring of Red Boars, in the fifty first year of the

Society

From the artist:   Scroll written in the Japanese form of 10 Tankas; A 57577 syllable arrangement. The scroll itself is done with Sumi-e (black ink brush, and the painting depicts Fujin, the Japanese wind god, and Matsunaga fighting while His Excellency is protecting beloved Calontir behind him. The scroll text is in English, scribed in Japanese letter characters. It is written in the “kanji” form (vertical columns/right to left) over Suminagashi (floating ink or marbled) paper. The Silk horizontal scroll frame is by Blue Heron Arts and mounting was done by the scribe.

County Scroll for Elena Moreno del Mar

Posted by

County Scroll for Her Excellency Elena Moreno del Mar

Text by Mistress Ishmala bint Yuhannah , Calligraphy and Illumination by Her Excellency Neathery of Safita

 

Scroll by Baroness Neathery of Safita, text by Mistress Ishmala bint Yuhannah

Scroll by Baroness Neathery of Safita, text by Mistress Ishmala bint Yuhannah

 

Right trusty and well-beloved we greet you well.  It hath pleased the goodness of Almighty God of his

infinite mercy and grace to deliver unto this glorious kingdom this great lady called Elena Moreno del

Mar.  By the prowess and might of Matsunaga Kagetora she was made his consort and brought great joy

and comfort to all the good and loving subjects of the realm.  This singular rose has mighty thorns and

shielded her people on campaign when the winds turned tempest, she gave wise council to all, and kept

her head at all times.

It is our great pleasure and inward desire that you continue to give comfort and consolation to our

people.  We therefore by this letter advise you that you are made a countess of our realm and are given

lands equal to our esteem for you.  We bequeath you the Wardenry of Royal Forests near the Crystal

Mines where you may build a home with no less than four chimneys and may hunt and hawk at your

pleasure.

We undoubtedly desire that you continue to give laud and praise to all subjects of our heart regardless of

rank, and pray for the good health, prosperity, and continual preservation of our realm.

Given under our signet in the Barony of Coeur d’Ennui this 9th day of July, in the 50th year of our Society.

Logan, King

Ylva, Queen

Iren Fera Scroll for Elizabeth Darnley

Posted by

Iren Fera Scroll for Mistress Elizabeth Darnley

Text by Master Andrixos Seljukroctonis, Calligraphy and Illumination by Mistress Fionnuala inghean Fhearghuis, Paper by Master Mikhail Nikolaevich Kramolnikov

 

Iren Fera scroll for Elizabeth Darnley

Iren Fera scroll for Elizabeth Darnley

 

In foreign lands had
We Our kin and birth,
But Fortune steered
Our steps and made them roam.
No safer place for those who walk the earth,
By Calon love We made this land Our home.
To praise one who likewise is is right and fit.
Deep moved are We by deeds of valor seen.
All Calontir, pray heed this Royal Writ
Of Garick King, and Yas’min, His fair Queen.
Whenever Falcon Host seeks warlike strife
Within its ranks Bess Darnley makes her stand.
With fame’d shield she guards companions’ life.
That she join Iren Fera We command.
Cut jesses loose as Falcon flies to war
And calls again for Bess from Northern Shore.

Garick Rex         Yasamin Khanumshah