Clyde's Travels - Winter Market: An Artisan's Life

White County Fair & Fairgrounds
Sparta, TN
Hosted by the Barony of Glaedenfeld
December 14, 2024

On a blustery December day, in the winter of Anno Societatis fifty-nine, merchants and artisans from throughout the Kingdom of Meridies did gather for a faire in a valley south of the Shire of Easaraigh. The faire, known as Winter Market, was hosted by the Barony of Glaedenfeld, located in the fertile northwest of Meridies.

Photo Credit Ellen Delacey

My wife, Ellen, and I attended the event along with several others from our home Shire of Easaraigh. The event was in our backyard, after all. The site, the White County Ag Building in Sparta, TN, has become a mainstay for SCA events in our region, used many times by our shire in recent years. This year's event was big, in attendance and activities, with over 200 in attendance for the one day celebration. 

 

Photo Credit Ellen Delacey

Winter Market's primary draw has been its wide range of merchants. In addition to that this year, there was a new spectacle called ‘An Artisan’s Life’. The Barony also held tournaments for their Rapier and Armored combat champions.

Photo Credit Ellen Delacey

There were around 20 merchants, I think, and an equal number of artisans demonstrating their art.

Photo Credit Ellen Delacey

‘An Artisan’s Life’ was an effort to have artisans from varied disciplines setup demonstrations of their craft. The demonstrations ran all day. The range of displays was extremely broad from bronze-age to early renaissance and covered cultures from across the known world. Many, many very knowledgeable and enthusiastic people shared their passions with the attendees. It was a one of the best A&S oriented activities I have witnessed. Not just a simple class structure, this was a practical archeological exercise. It was a joy to behold, both demonstrator and spectator found value. It was hands on, tactile, and immersive. Something like this could and should catch on. In short, it was 'cool' (old norse, circa 900).

Photo Credit Ellen Delacey

There was a lunch. Again, I missed it because of fighting. Shame on me. Im told it was very good. Sir Griffin headed up the effort. Ah well..

There was a rapier and armored combat tournament for Baronial Champion for the Barony of Glaedenfeld. Duke Timothy’s squire, Jurgen der Vielfrass, was the winner of the rapier tournament. 

Photo Credit Culom of Gyver

For the armored tournament, there was some.. er.. hijinks at play. A couple of weeks prior to the event, Sir Haldr Thorsson made an announcement to encourage armored combatants from the area to come and participate in the tournament. It seems that the renowned knight has had the good fortune of being the Baronial Champion for the Barony of Glaedenfeld for quite a long time. I’m not sure anyone can remember when he wasn’t the champion. At least, no one maintaining the oral histories of the area can recall any name other than Haldr being champion of the Barony. Well, with that in mind, the participants of the list took it upon themselves to ensure that the name of ‘Haldr’ would continue on as the champion of the Barony. How did this occur, you may be wondering. Quite simply actually. When all of the combatants signed up for the list, they used variations of the name ‘Haldr’ as their nom de guerre for the tournament. The end result was we had a list of ‘Haldrs’ competing to be Baronial Champion and guaranteeing that the name of ‘Haldr’ would continue on and carry forward in the role. In the armored tournament, we had Smalldr, Talldr, Y’alldr, Cuphaldr, Thomas Haldrsson, “The Real Haldr”, Just Haldr, Don Haldr, Count Haldr, Xaldr and Meistr Haldr. The victory went to Duke Timothy under the guise of Duke Talldr. And thus, we, the armored community, ensured the legacy of the name of Haldr as Baronial Champion for the Barony of Glaedenfeld. Good times.

Photo Credit Ellen Delacey

Their Majesties and Heirs were in attendance. AoA’s where presented to Nobunaga and Boethius Blackheart from our area. Sindri Bynarrsson, from Easaraigh,  was presented with a well-deserved Meridian Cross. Several others were presented and recognized for achievement in court by Thier Majesties and Their Excellencies Glaedenfeld. We also witnessed the spectacle of the elevation of Xanthe Yfantes to Pelican at the close of court. It was a big day for everyone and a ton of fun was had.

Photo Credit Ellen Delacey

In the lead up to this event, I almost talked myself out of bringing my armor. I am sure I would have enjoyed my day just as much (so much to do at this event!). But, I found a nagging voice in the back of my mind urging me to bring kit. I have discovered that I have a new point of pressure that I will need to balance and temper. Since being elevated to Pelican, I have been adamant that my squire’s path will not be changed or allowed to languish in disuse. This voice comes from that idea I think. When I was debating the idea of not fighting at the event, I found that I had a strong urge telling me I had to be in kit to avoid the perception that because I am a Pelican now, I don’t care about fighting anymore. As silly as that may seem, now more than ever I feel a need to demonstratively prove my value as an armored combatant. To prove, that I am not just a Pelican. It’s a strange sensation and I almost feel guilty for it. I don’t like the feeling, but it’s there none-the-less. I do not want to rest on the bestowed peerage I have received. Finding even footing with being a Pelican and still treading my squire's path is wierd. It's something to figure out and wrap thoughts around how this all work's now. I guess this will be my inner demon for a bit. I was told in my vigil many times to expect changes. So far, the biggest changes seem to be in my thoughts and how I perceive my the world around me. I know I am not the first to fall into this train of thinking. That, at least, provides some solace. If other's have managed, so will I.

The end of the day was finalized with many hands of the attendees helping to load out and close down the event. Eventually, light dimmed to a cool winter evening on the plateau.

Farewell friends and safe journey to thee.

By my hand, this 14th day of December, Anno Societatis LIX being 2024 Gregorian, I am,

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana, OP
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
SCA, Inc

#mysca

 

#sca

 

#meridies

 

#glaedenfeld

Clyde's Travels - Magna Faire 2024

Camp Meadowbrook
Cullman, AL
Hosted by the Barony of Iron Mountain
December 7, 2024

In the veiled, becalmed morning that bespoke of Skadi’s cold embrace, I made my way to the southern passes, out onto the rolling hills that lie below the Cumbrian plateau of northern Meridies. The highways were clear as I made my way listening to a bard’s tale concerning the 2nd book of the Bobiverse. The lands of Iron Mountain would be my destination and the fierce, hardy folk that make their home there would be my host for their annual Magna Faire, a holiday oriented event with A&S competitions, tournaments and merriment.

I made good time and arrived to the site, Camp Meadowbrook, just as activities were gearing up for the day's festivities. The camp, near Cullman, AL, is a renovated site that had suffered through severe storm damage several years ago. The current iteration of the camp is a modern conference center type of facility with wide open spaces and meeting areas inside and out for attendees to use. The Barony of Iron Mountain was using the camp again after many years and is hoping to use it more in the future.

Camp Meadowbrook

I spent most of my time at the tourney field. I state this only to say that I missed most of the Arts and Sciences displays and classes that were held. I did catch glimpses of Sir Erik Martel’s diadems and tools display as well as Lady Ingridr Thorvaldsdottir’s paintings. Amazing skill on display in both. They both scored high in judging. There were several other entries and displays that I did not see unfortunately. At Magna Faire, there are two arts and sciences challenges. The Magna Faire open and a Kingdom Regional Faire are both offered for A&S entries. Entrants can have their submissions entered in one or both faires.  The Magna Faire allows entrants to judge each other's work to determine the winner of each category and overall faire champion. The regional faire is judged by Order of the Laurel peers and scored on the entry's merit alone. I believe scores were announced for 5 or 6 entries from the Kingdom Regional faire.  Dame Karis Pursey was the Magna Faire champion, but I did not get to see the winning entry to my chagrin. She did win several categories that were announced in court that afternoon to a raucus applause.

There were several classes taught throughout the day. I have provided a list of them here for your reference. Duchess Yasamin, who taught the 'Fancy Pants' class below as given a writ for the Order of the Laurel at court that evening.

List of classes at Magna Faire 2024

I was privileged to take part in a Toys-4-Tots tournament. The entry fee being a toy for donation. I brought several toys as did many others for both the armored and rapier tournaments. Over 200 toys in all from around 35 combatants. Huzzah! 

Duke Garick and Sir Richard in combat during Toys-4-Tots tournament

On the armored tournament field, we only had 9 combatants. The tournament was a double elimination tournament. Each fight was a best two of three passes to determine the victor. I went three rounds before I was out of the list. The two gentles in the final were the two that put me out, Sir Chinua and Duke Garick. All the fighters were very skilled and battled with grace and chivalry. Duke Garick won the day with sword and buckler. The buckler he wielded was a prize he won in a previous Toys-4-Tots tournament, so it has a neat bit of nostalgia and a good memory for him I hope.

Meridian Order of the Blade Invitation Tournament participants

The rapier combatants had 2 tournaments. They had the Toy-4-Tots tournament in parallel with the armored tournament. The Meridian Order of the Blade also held an invitational tournament with 26 combatants participating. Duke Timothy was victorious in both tournaments. His voice could be heard all day to the tune of Malory’s Morte d’Authur. His commentary was much to the enjoyment of all within earshot. He also demonstrated great generosity in court by bestowing the prize he received from the invitational tournament unto the fighter he bested, His Lordship Roy MacLucas.

I was able to sit some brief time in a social vigil setting with Sir Seumas, who would be elevated in court by TRMs Barthelemy and Oda later. Being his third peerage, he was as close as a person can be to a professional at the art of the vigil. The affair was cozy and comfortable with a fire pit and a good assortment of appetizers. The conversation was light hearted with smiles and memories shared. My kind of vigil. He’s a good SCAdian and a good peer in all regards.

Seumas's Vigil

I missed lunch. Because, I was fighting. It’s a dumb fighter thing that I do all the time. Shame on me. So, I cannot comment on the lunch that was served. Luckily I was able to get a bit a sustenance from my haversack and from what was served at Seumas’s vigil.

I closed the day with some entourage time bearing the sword of state in court. Over my time, I have had this honor a few instances now. Generally, the sword is held upright like a standard in procession and in court when standing behind the throne. Other than holding it properly, knowing the queues in court for when it is to be used in the business of the court is important. It can also be a small endurance test to just hold the sword up for the duration of court. The task itself is relatively simple but, it is not ever a burden and one of the most important parts of the grand spectacle of a royal court.

The sword of state is heavy with a history of the hands of all the monarchs to have cleared it from its sheath. It has seen many trials and tribulations, numerous  triumphs and celebrations, oaths sworn beyond counting. The weight of the sword is more than the sum of its making. It is the kingdom in material form. If you should ever be called to bear a sword of state, hold contemplation for those that came before and what that tool represents. Let the words of all those oaths spoken in its company flow through you and lend you strength. To bear a sword of state is not just a trivial function of service, it is an honor to hold dear and a part of the dream we create for our hobby. It is a privilege given to few and a way to pay homage to your sovereigns and to your kingdom. Treat it as thus and the weight of it becomes that of a feather.

Court business closed, I helped with tear down and load out before making my way back north to the lands of Cumbria, high on the northern plateau. My journey carried me home late in the evening, the bard’s voice continuing the Bobiverse tale from earlier in the day. Home, right where I left it, was bright and warm and welcoming. Farewell friends and safe journey unto thee.

By my hand, this 9th day of December, Anno Societatis LIX being 2024 Gregorian, I am,

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana, OP

Warden of the Nothern Plateau

Squire to Earl Benen MacTire

Shire of Easaraigh

Kingdom of Meridies

SCA, Inc