Official newsletter of the Principality of Insulae Draconis
AS LIX, Volume 32, Issue 10, October 2024
Table of contents
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The season of war draws to a close, the wheat is harvested and the fruits and nuts hang ripe from the trees. As we all gaze upon our beloved land and marvel at its riches, we consider our strengths and weaknesses and how we may position ourselves so that future generations may continue to enjoy the fruits of our principality and the glorious spectacle that is our society.
We consider that the fullest harvests are reaped in those shires, cantons and hamlets where collective action and spirit are strong. Where wise seneschals and harmonious groups harness the enthusiasm of their members to develop common interests, expertise and share the workload.
We consider it a weakness where the workload depends on only a few strong backs and hearts, or folks labour in isolation. For as all wise persons know even a will of iron may corrode over years of neglect.
To ensure that we have a growing and thriving principality to hand to our successors, it is our intention to work with our seneschals to develop a plan for the next five years to double the participation in the Principality’s activities. Our aim is to commence an organised continuity of growth that we can hand to our successors. This means not only bringing in new people, but supporting the existing and future activities in a manner that will let them thrive.
This means that we will need warriors of all flavours, armourers, marshals, archery marshals, bowyers, fletchers, cooks, brewers and all manner of other artisans.
We must stress here that it is our command that our populace do not to work themselves beyond their capacity and burn themselves out, but work collectively to harness their skills teach newcomers and allow the sum of their efforts to go far beyond what can be achieved alone.
We are early in this path. By the end of our reign this path will have only just begun. We hope you will join us with joyous hearts and open minds and that we all will grow together in numbers and spirit.
Yours in Service
Alexander & Agnes
Principes Insulae Draconis
From the Minister of Arts and Sciences
From the desk of the (Outgoing) MOAS Insulae Draconis:
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING YOUR NEW MOAS ID!
As I look back over the past two years in my term as MOAS of Insulae Draconis I can honestly say that that it has been the most rewarding time that I have I spent in SCA so far.
Each month, I have been amazed, thrilled and on several occasions even startled by your collective creative and inspirational genius. I have constantly been touched by, and have often been privileged to bear witness to your overwhelming kindness and willingness to help one another; to be so welcoming and to accept each other - ‘just as you are’ - which I think in the times that we live in today is so very, very important.
I feel confident that my successor will carry high the burning brightly Candle of this office - and am positive that this office will move from strength to strength under her gentle guidance.
I would like you all then to join with me in giving a very warm and special Insulae Draconis welcome to your new Minister of Arts and Science Officer for Insulae Draconis - The Honorable Lady Órlaith Caomhánach.
And of course I cant resist one final plea – does your Shire have a vacant A&S officer? If not could you spare a couple of hours each quarter to? If so please contact your MOAS ID officer at moas@insulaedraconis.org for more information.
Áfríðr Eiríkrsdóttir (Manda Barrow)
MoAS Insulae Draconis (Retired)
Bystander Intervention Training
By Henric van den Casteele
Noble cousins,
Following the workshop in July, the Insulae Draconis Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) team will run another short “Bystander Intervention” workshop on Zoom to help empower our populace will the tools they need to intervene in harassment and other uncomfortable public interactions, 5-6pm on Saturday 9th November.
Bystander intervention provides different options for defusing and disrupting harmful behaviours, keeping everyone safe without escalating the situation. It is a useful skill to have in all areas of life, and we hope that those not already attending Kingdom University in Gotvik will be able to attend.
Yours in service,
Henric van den Casteele (they/them), on behalf of the Insulae Draconis DEIB team.
The DEIB team works with the Seneschal to increase awareness of relevant issues, promote relevant initiatives, and act as a point of contact for information and advice for relevant matters. They can be reached at accessibility.diversity@insulaedraconis.org.
Lost and Found at Ormthing
By Áfríðr Eiríksdóttir
LOST Bunting belonging to Thamesreach
Can I ask everyone to check their stashes, cupboards and boxes - I am looking to track down the whereabouts of the Thamesreach bunting.
Note: these were not at the event and have been on a little sojourn for a while.
If you have any news at all please contact myself or Oriane d’Avallon
MOAS Bunting
Muchly missed and last seen decorating the A&S space under the great awning in the court yard at Caldicot Coronent.
Blue and white alternate bunting. The blue triangles have a single candle design on them
Please contact me (Áfríðr) if you have my little cherubs. Amnesty assured.
Found
Good news… I now have a new hat…. unless of course, it is claimed.
A lovely steel grey colour with decorative trim. It was returned to me in my box of flags.
Please contact me if you are missing this lovely head wear to arrange safe return.
Many thanks
YIS
Áfríðr Eiríksdóttir
Contact email: archery dot pontalarch@gmail dot com
The Writ and Record
By Nicholas de Estlecce
I haven’t had much time for new research this month, so I thought I’d go through some heraldic registrations I’ve done in recent years.
The Company of the Dawne
The device for the Company had already been designed, and the name in widespread use during the Covid years, but it required registration, which is a little more tricky. The initial thought would be to name it after one of the private mercenary companies that operated in Europe during our period, especially within Italy. One of the more famous of these is ‘The White Company of the Hawk’ (Compagnia Bianca del Falco), led by the Englishman John Hawkwood. This was also known as the ‘The English Company’, and earlier ‘The Great Company of English and Germans’ under its first commander, Albert Sterz.
The problem is that these patterns don’t match the use of a concept like The Dawn Company. You certainly don’t find words like dawn used in the same ways as adjectives such as white. In modern English, however, you might translate something on the lines of ‘The Company of the Dawn’ as ‘The Dawn Company’. So let’s try that.
Dawn in Italian translates to Alba, so we’d be looking for a name like ‘Compagnia dell’ Alba’. Alba is the name of a town, and a surname (although my knowledge of Italian records wasn’t good enough to document it to period). However, in both cases you would have ‘The Company of Alba’ (‘Compagnia di Alba’), rather than using the nickname of ‘the Dawn’, analogous to the ‘the Hawk’. So we leave my limited abilities in Italian.
In an English context, what about private military companies? As far as I could see they were all named for people, so again not ‘of the’, and nothing based on more nebulous concepts such as the dawn. Names in period tend to be associated with definitive places or people, rather than generic concepts, which is far more common in modern naming. There are exceptions, usually associated
with religious virtues, or otherwise with heraldic imagery, but heraldry is limited to identifiable things.
However, there is one way to get to a ‘Company of the’ in English, and that is with the crews of ships, using its name. This pattern is evident in documents such as HCA 30/840/30, from 1636, in the UK National Archives: “John Holt, Andrew Davys, Edward Burges, Briant Middleton, Thomas Smyth, Edward Dale, James Lucy, Thomas Shotten, Edmond Weekes, Emanuel Rogers, Josias Wilkinson, James Symes, John Clarke, Roger Russell, John Jones, Phillip Pritchards, Thomas Ayres and Constantine Woodroff, company of the White Lion of which Thomas Middleton was the master”. It’s also a pattern that the College of Heralds recognizes for registration. So we have the pattern, and the problem changes to documenting a ship called the Dawn.
To this end, I went through a number of the SC8 records ay the UK National Archives, as well as some other directly transcribed catalogue entries. The SC8 series have the advantage of being freely available as digital images, so you can see what is actually written, albeit often in Norman French. The extracted names can be found here. (which is based on just a sample, and hence far from comprehensive). This shows the development of the three main patterns: saints, places and people, the latter as full, first or surnames. But no concepts in the way we would think of them.
The most promising avenue, would be personal names. It’s probably rarer not to be able to document something in the English naming pool than to be able to. For example, Darth Vader is a plausible English name using period naming patterns, although, to my knowledge, no actual individual ever bore it.
Examples of such ships include:
the barke berrye
the Buysse of Briele
the Godeyere of Newcastle
the Minnikin / the Mynykyn
Dawn is a modern first name, but I couldn’t document that to period. I was also somewhat surprised to only find Dawn as a surname a couple of times. However, the variant Dawne was far more common. I usually use parish records as my first stop for finding names; they are after all intended to be lists of every person who was born (given baptism was ubiquitous), married and died (given
that burial was essential), and for those interested in the details:
Wootton Wawen, Warwickshire:
Marriage 1646 Julij: 26 Rob[er]tus Salt & Johanna dawne
Shustoke, Warwickshire:
1563: John dawne the sonne of Johne dawne was baptized ye xxv day of Aprell
Tamworth, Staffordshire:
October 1566: 17 were M[arried]: Andrew Cowp & Ales Dawne.
Tenterden, Kent:
January 1580: Josephe Dawne bur[ie]d y 18th of Janua[ry]
Hence, using a ship named for someone in the Dawne family, we end up with the registered name of ‘The Company of the Dawne’.
This doesn’t reflect the actual purpose of Insulae Draconis’s Dawn Company, but does reflect a common SCA practice of a new guild, institution or group being named first and registered later. Unfortunately, many of the naming patterns that tend to be imagined as period in sound and construction tend to actually originate in the pages of fantasy novels, rather than in medieval practice. This
leads to quite a lot of registrations in which established names have to be retrospectively engineered to fit a period pattern, in order that they can pass College of Heralds standards.
This isn’t arbitrary, but a reflection of those researching names wanting to apply the same standards of period practice as any of those who research, for example, cloth, clothes or cooking, and much as a cook would encourage you to use and adapt period recipes, I encourage you to check period naming patterns before the fact.
The Armourers Guild
I was consulted on the name and armoury of this new guild at its inception, which meant I was able to follow period patterns from the start. From a College of Heralds point of view, this guild was generic enough that it didn’t need a name registration, and any arms could be registered to the Armourer’s Guild of Drachenwald.
Having said that, however, the guild still needed a decent name for its charter. In actual fact, I had difficulty in tracking down many examples of such guilds across Europe, which may just reflect the esoteric nature of the search and perhaps a lack of online translations. However, being English myself, as was the founder, the most obvious example to follow was that of the guild in the City of London. This still exists, now combined with the Brazier’s Guild, a merger which happened in 1707, and pops up as a sponsor of events at the Materials Science Department of Cambridge University from time to time. The Armourers Guild of the City of London was founded in 1322, and received a Royal Charter in 1453, which refers to the Brothers and Sisters of the Fraternity or Guild of St. George, of the Mystery of the Armourers of the City of London.
I retained the essential pattern, but made some of the terminology more neutral, whilst using period wording, and replaced the English patron saint of St. George, with Albion, who in many ways occupies the same position for Drachenwald. Thus, it became The fellowship of the guild of Albion of the Mystery of the Armourers of the Kingdom of Drachenwald.
Next came the business of registering the guild arms. In SCA terms, this had to be a badge registered to Drachenwald, as the SCA has the slightly odd notion that people and groups can only register one device, but numerous badges. I’ll forego my usual exposition on this approach.
In looking to follow period inspiration, there was obviously the London guild arms. I tried to find some other European examples, but the only one I could turn up was the Florentine ‘Arte dei Corazzai e Spadai’
The combined arms of the Armourers and Braziers Guild of the City of London (modern rendition in colour)
The armes of all the cheife corporatons [sic] of England, 1596 English (LUNA: Folger Digital Image Collection, STC 26018)
Arte dei Corazzai e Spadai’ (modern rendition)
It’s worth noting in passing that the London guild’s arms exceed the SCA general limit for complexity, and provides a period example for documenting an exception. With 7 charges (chief, chevron, swords, gauntlet, helms, roundel and cross) and 4 colours (Or, argent, sable and gules), it comes in with a complexity count of 11, with the default limit being 8.
I took both as examples for possible arms, and myself and the founder decided upon the London derived example, perhaps biased as we’re both culturally English. Like the name, the emblem of St. George was replaced with Albion. However, one of the key features of Albion, is that they are black., which wouldn’t work on the black chief. As such, I decided to move the charges off the chief on to the field itself, which also required the helms to become a colour. Following the style and palette of the original, they also became black. It wasn’t the motivation, but this change also has the effect of reducing the complexity as measured in SCA terms, by removing the chief, roundel and cross, and the tincture gules, although adding a dragon, giving a new count of 8.
Registered device (as a badge) of the Armourers Guild of Drachenwald.
Whilst the registered example uses great helms, the submission explicitly requested they be blazoned as just helms. This allows people to adapt the helms to their personas’ place and time as an artistic detail, although there’s no getting away from the fact that the overall design will remain late period, English guild style.
For those interested in the minutiae of the SCA heraldic rules, there are a couple of potential problems with the device, although they would in practice be negated by the fact that it is based on a period example, and such examples will always trup existing rules. The first is often referred to as the Unity of Orientation rule, wherein charges must be aligned together. However, the
decision directly addressed this, stating “This badge does not have a Unity of Orientation issue under SENA A2D2c; that section explicitly only applies to charges that have comparable orientations, which swords (long charges) and gauntlets (compact orientable charges) do not.”
The second issue comes down to the statement that ‘A single charge group may only have one tertiary charge group on it.’, the assertion being that the swords and gauny gauntlet could not be described together as a single group. It’s a shame the decision didn’t comment on this. However, one commenter had a look for the patterns of two charge groups in the 1550-1555 Insignia Anglica [BSB Cod.icon. 291], which doesn’t actually include the livery companies, and found examples of the form:
‘an A between two B’ (pretty common)
‘in cross an A between four B’
‘in saltire an A between four B’
So, whilst under the current rules, tertiary charge groups (charges on charges) nominally have to be a single charge group, it is clear that what might be called simple tertiary charge group patterns also existed, at least in late-period heraldry, and hence can be used in submissions, although you would currently need to send in supporting documentation.
A Feast of Flags
By Áfríðr Eiríksdóttir
A Feast of Flags, Flags, more Flags and of course - Bunting
Ormþing LIX - Couronne de Caldicot was held at Caldicot Castle August 2024. It was to be a moving and memorable event by all those who
attended.
Caldicot Castle has a fascinating and rich history. It is thought that a timber motte and bailey was built sometime in the first quarter of the 12th Century by the Sheriff of Gloucester, Walter Fitz Roger. Its full story can be read at Medieval Heritage. And my goodness, it has to be said that even the remaining standing stones make a huge impression upon visitors today.
As Scandians from across the Principality gathered together - the joy that is uniquely ours - when, for the first time, we saw our flags and bunting fluttering from the stone walls in the warm sunshine. There is nothing quite like the sight and so without further preamble I would like to share with you all just a few of the photos I took (very) early on Sunday morning, as I sat waiting for the Castle Staff to come on duty so that I could retrieve the Prince and Princess Badges from the main Feasting Hall.
Gonfalons Galore
Insulae Draconis Gonfalon along with, I think - the Drachenwald dragon shield, hanging on the Square Tower. To give you some idea of scale, the Insulae Draconis Gonfalon is 15 FOOT (4.57 meters) long and 5 FEET (1.52 meters) wide. Basking in the warm sunshine early on Sunday morning.
My grateful thanks to Flintheath - for the loan of their precious heraldry.
The Pont Alarch Gonfalon stirring in the gentle breeze… I think you will agree… A GLORIOUS sight to behold.
Thank you to Pont Alarch for the loan of their Gonfalon
SCA Heraldry - how many do you recognise?
A smaller Insulae Draconis heraldic flag - made in wool on display. I was rather worried about this treasure getting wet if it rained. Happily the weather remained remarkably clement throughout the whole event.
Many thanks to Flintheath for the loan of this amazing piece of artwork.
A few personal heraldry and shire flags to brighten up the castle wall…
Perhaps some shields on the motte might look amazing next time around?
A Fine Display of Bunting
An early Sunday morning addition to the festival of flags… this amazing bunting looked stunning. Perhaps next year there definitely ought to be a shout out for more bunting… lots more bunting… Many many thanks to Lady Amy Osgoldcross for her creative vision and patience in crafting this fabulous display.
Prince and Princess Badges
Insulae Draconis Prince and Princess Badge’s - completed just in time for the Coronet! These were on display in the main
Feasting Hall of the Castle.
Lots and lots of sewing - and even more painting than I expected. They both took me around four months to complete… the
full (dramatic) saga / (tall tale) of woe, disasters and heroics surrounding the creation of these Badges will have to wait until
next time.
A Token of Thanks and Appreciation
I would like to thank everyone who helped me by providing flags - your generosity knows no bounds - and of which I had an abundance - so apologies if your flag was not on display this time around. Do not fear - there is of course always next year.
My undying thanks, appreciation and heartfelt thanks goes to my helpers and support / encouragement team members for their extraordinary efforts and indeed anyone who helped with hanging, arranging, and making sure everything was safe and ready in time. There were several moments when my heart was in my mouth as I watched anxiously when you were scrambling around castle the high places.
As a memento, I presented each with a homemade but beautifully crafted, tiny viking shield painted in my own red and white heraldic colours. I hopefully, managed to gift everyone who stepped up.. but if I missed, and you would like to claim your trophy - please do contact me.
And finally, my very very grateful thanks to Lady Hannah, my Set Dresser Deputy for completing the take down on the Monday - thus allowing me to travel home on Sunday in the heated seat comfort of the car - rather than battle across country on the train.
The castle, I think you all will agree, looked absolutely amazing - and its all thanks to each of you.
Áfríðr Eiríksdóttir
Set Dresser @ Ormþing LIX - Couronne de Caldicot
Archery Lesson 2: Bow Poundage
By Pól ó Briain
The bows’ poundage in simple terms is how hard (measured in pounds weight of force) the bow is to draw (pull) back. All we want to concern ourselves with when starting out is that the bow is not too hard to draw. If it is, you are at risk of an injury.
Most bows will have their poundage marked on them which make look something like this 20lbs @28”. This means it take 20lbs of force to pull the string back to 28inches (distance from the bow and not from your brace height) which is a good weight for a youth. 23lbs would be a good weight of a bow for late teenagers and 25lbs would be good for an adult. These are all beginner weights for learning archery on and you may find that you quickly move to a heavier poundage bow. Remember, more poundage does not always mean better. How to test if a bow is to heavy poundage for you.
Take your place on the line.
Draw the String back ½ of the way and then ‘come down’* again. Should you feel comfortable with that move onto next step, if not, STOP.
Draw the String back ¾ of the way and then ‘come down’ again. Should you feel comfortable with that move onto next step, if not, STOP.
Draw the String back to full draw of the way and then ‘come down’ again.
If you are comfortable with the bow at full draw, then the bow is fine for you. Never pick bow that that you can barely pull to full draw. You may be able to shoot 3 or 4 arrows, but you won’t be able to safely shoot 30 or 60 arrows without injuring yourself.
Please note that extra care should be taken with children with the bow poundage. Too heavy a draw weight for children can easily damage young bones and joints. As a good guide for children, find out their draw length in inches and then ¾ of that number should be the correct maximum poundage for them. This is only a guide and not a hard and fast rule. If they find the bow too hard to draw use a lighter bow.
*’Come Down’, mean that archer should slowly relax the string to its starting position without letting go of the string or shooting an arrow.
Events
These are the upcoming events in Insulae Draconis.
To submit an event for inclusion, use the form on the Drachenwald website,
https://drachenwald.sca.org/events/calendar-add/.
You don't need to provide all information right away; a minimal entry is enough at first.
The day after you submit an event, you'll receive an email with a link to edit your entry.
Changes will be reflected on the Principality website within a few minutes, and in editions
of the Baelfyr that are published before the event takes place. (If you're unable to find that
link, contact webminister@drachenwald.sca.org
for help.)
To keep entries consistent between the calendars, The Baelfyr no longer accepts event submissions
by email.
Officinam Armourum II
Hosted by Depedene under Wychwood
Begins: Friday, 1 November 2024 Ends: Sunday, 3 November 2024
Activities: A&S
As the warriors of the land return from their summer campaigns and start writing exaggerated stories. Her highness and I count the cost of the campaigns vs the loot gained. We are well pleased with the balance of payments. As all folk know the best time to invest is when you have cash available. So rejoice! To help all warriors prepare for the coming year, Derlington Princips of Insulae Draconis, is opening the Royal workshop to those who wish to make and repair their own armour and assist in the production of loaner gear. This is an in person event dedicated to the manufacture of armour for armoured combat. All welcome as there will be adhoc teaching and assistance provided as well as good food, good company and a lot of armour made. Bring sensible clothes and be prepared for physical activity! You will be hosted by Prince Derlington and his lady, numbers are limited by workshop safety and house capacity.
Site information: numbers are limited to 6 for tools, space and workshop safety You will be hosted by Prince and Lady Derlington. The event is free, however donations for food and materials will be gratefully received.
Begins: Friday, 15 November 2024 Ends: Sunday, 17 November 2024
Activities: Heavy Fighting, Feast or Potluck, Camping
This edition of the Hastiludes is exceptionally held outside of Britannia, the usual duration and accommodations proposed have been expanded to accommodate our foreign visitors! A large heated hall is available to us to fight, eat and sleep in, with large kitchen and showers.
The program is yet to be clearly defined, but only one activity is on the schedule: armoured combat. Training, pick-ups, talks and lessons. Fear missing out on other activities? Don’t, none other are planned. The site is available to us from Friday evening to Sunday, with all main activities taking place on Saturday, with room on Sunday morning for those asking for more. We are expecting a few Scandinavian visitors, who sprouted the seed of this edition at Double Wars this year, this is an ideal occasion to meet them on the field!
Who is it for? Anyone interested in armoured combat regardless of experience or anyone willing to help with the organization.
But how do I get there? Fear not, once you reach the Island, a train line will get you a mere 5 minutes walk away from the site. We also have roomy cars that can accommodate you, your armour and take you there and back.
But where do we stay? The site has a large heated hall with an additional fireplace, sofas, mattresses and we will bring more furniture to accommodate everyone. All you will need is your sleeping bag… and earplugs.
But what do we eat? The hall being free from only 20h30 on Friday, a Traveler’s Fare will be organized. From Saturday breakfast to Sunday lunch, should you choose to opt in, your meals will be prepared by our local event cooks! Please book a meal plan ticket for each person opting in.
It would suit me if I could arrive a day before or leave a day after, do I have to pay for a hotel? Very unlikely, some of us are more than happy to house our faraway visitors, subject to room availability and individual arrangements.
If you have any other questions, please reach Etienne the Younger on Discord or Facebook, alternatively, send an email to etiennesu@gmail.com
Site address: Jim Kirwan Scout Hall, Clara, County Offaly, Ireland
Reservation: Payment through our online payment system preferred: https://fienta.com/hastiludes-hibernia
Cost: 20€ full event 32€ for non SCA members + optional 10€ for all meals per person
Payment: Payments can be made on site, Foreign guests can pay at the door https://fienta.com/hastiludes-hibernia
Site information: Good size heated hall with professional kitchen, bathrooms, showers, sofas, mattresses, fireplace, large field of grass, parking and a small outbuilding suitable for discussion between a few people.
Activities: Heavy Fighting, Fencing, Archery, A&S, Feast or Potluck
Please join us for Flintmoot in Flintheath! An afternoon of A&S projects ongoing in the Hall, along with bardic and cooking. Outside, enjoy rapier, rattan, and archery practice.
Saturday 16 November 2024 from 12 noon to six o’clock (at 4pm, we’ll sit down for a discussion about Flintheath business and planning)
Location, Waterbeach Tillage Hall, CB25 9NJ
If you have not done so already, please submit your membership info in order to be covered by insurance for this event: https://sites.google.com/insulaedraconis.org/sca-uk-cic-insurancedatabase/home
Site address: Waterbeach Tillage Hall, CB25 9NJ
Event steward: Eularia Trewe
Reservation: As per our insurers, membership status is required to attend. If you have not done so already, please submit your membership info by Tuesday, 12 November at 6pm in order to be covered by insurance: https://sites.google.com/insulaedraconis.org/sca-uk-cic-insurancedatabase/home
Cost: Attendance is free - donations appreciated.
Site information: Tillage Hall is a spacious and light community building overlooking the beautiful recreation grounds in Waterbeach. Inside There is a brand new kitchen (fitted in Spring 2021) with a large central island and deep serving hatch, opening out onto the hall and providing plenty of worktop space. The kitchen is well equipped with a fridge, oven and microwave with plenty of crockery available for teas and coffees.
There are 9 tables and approximately 60 chairs available for your use stored in a cupboard off the main hall. The hall floor area measures 9.4 x 9.4 meters and has a high vaulted ceiling with velux roof windows. There are three toilets available, including disabled and baby change. Free Wifi available. Tillage Hall has a disabled toilet and entrance and fire exit doors suitable for wheelchair users. Parking The car park is shared with the recreation ground and can get busy on football fixture days (typically Saturday mornings).
Public transit Walking distance from the Waterbeach train station Nearest bus stop PR5 Park & Ride at Recreation Ground
Begins: Friday, 6 December 2024 Ends: Sunday, 8 December 2024
Activities: Fencing, Dancing, A&S, Feast or Potluck
This is Flintheaths’s annual Yule Ball, held on the first full weekend of December at Buckden Towers in Cambridgeshire, England. The site is period with a Tudor gategouse and tower, and older chapels. The site used to be a waystop for the Bishop’s of Lincoln between their see and London, and was also the penultimate residence of Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife.
THis year’s Holly Monarch will be decided by a rapier tournament, after which there will be other rapier activities.
Feast will be at lunchtime, based on the theme of street food, probably followed by court.
Aftewards will be a A&S show and tell and the ball will start the revelries for the rest of the day and night.
Site address: Buckden Towers, High Street, Buckden, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 5TA, UK
Event steward: Nicholas de Estleche dictus le Tardif
(nmfa@cantab.net)
Reservation: The link to the reservation form can be found on the website when it becomes live.
Cost: Standard Event Fee: £50 Non-member surcharge: £9 If you wish to skip feast: -£10
Bunk: £20 Bed in the Victorian House: £50
Payment: Payment information will be provided after registration, Foreign guests can pay at the door, but must confirm with a copy of their travel details. With exceptions, payment if required to confirm your booking.
Site information: The site is period with a Tudor gatehouse and tower, and older chapels. The site also includes a modern Roman Catholic church which encompasses the chapels, and is a run by the Roman Catholic Church with regular Masses, so please be respectful. Attendees are welcome to attend the services. The Church of England parish church is literally the other side of a wall from the tower, but requires a walk around the block to reach.
There is also a Victorian era house and extensive grounds. All the buildings have modern amenities, althoug wifi is patchy.
There are 40 bunks and 4 single corner rooms in the tower. The house holds 28 or 29 beds, depending on how tall you are. The gate house holds 3 available apartments with 12 beds. There is further accomodation at two local inns within easy walking distance, although a little more pricey.
Being a period site, mobility access is not universal. Access to the tower is via 5 stepsm and the higher f;oors where the bunks are located are accessed by a refurished, but substantial circular staircase.
All areas of the Victorain House on the ground floor can be access without steps, although not always by the most direct, or entirely indoor, route. The house contains the only fully accessible bedroom with two single beds and an en suite bathroom. There are further bedrooms accessible via a wide and shallow staircase with substantial bannisters.
Outdoor lighting is limited and the lighting in the house bedrooms is not bright.
Begins: Friday, 10 January 2025 Ends: Sunday, 12 January 2025
Activities: Heavy Fighting, Fencing, Archery, Dancing, A&S, Feast or Potluck, Royalty present
The Barony of Eplaheimr is proud to welcome all throughout the Kingdom to witness the glorious succession of the Dragon Thrones and the Crowning of the true heirs of Drachenwald. Come one and all to this joyful celebration!
Nollaig na mBan is the Irish name for 12th night - it means ‘Women’s Christmas’. We will also be celebrating the women in our Kingdom and in history over the weekend.
Cost: Petersburg Centre Adult full event, all food - €65 Adult Daytrip/offsite, all food - €50 Adult Daytrip/offsite, no Feast - €40 Child age 6 to 12, full event - €47 Child age 6 to 12, daytrip/offsite, all food - €30 Child age 6 to 12, daytrip/offsite, no feast - €25 Child age 5 and under, using bed - €16 (cost) Child age 5 and under daytrip/offsite – Free . Petersburg House Adult full event, all food - €85 Adult Daytrip/offsite, all food - €50 Adult Daytrip/offsite, no Feast - €40 Child age 6 to 12, full event - €65 Child age 6 to 12, daytrip/offsite, all food - €30 Child age 6 to 12, daytrip/offsite, no feast - €25 Child age 5 and under, using bed - €42 (cost) Child age 5 and under daytrip/offsite – Free
Minors between the ages of 13 and 18 will be priced as adults. Any non-members will be charge €5 extra per day
Payment: Payments can be made on site Main payment portal will be online through Fienta. Booking is expected to open at the start of August
Site information: Site is divided into the Centre - with larger bunk dormitories and shared bathrooms, and the House with small ensuite bunk rooms. The site provides sheets and pillows/cases, but no bedding.
Begins: Friday, 28 February 2025 Ends: Sunday, 2 March 2025
Activities: A&S, Feast or Potluck, Cooking
Join us for a weekend of classes on cookery and food!
We’re currently open to class proposals - if there’s something you would like to teach, submit a proposal via this link: https://forms.gle/kwKGFrUCRXWeaAYd6
Class proposal deadline: 15 December 2024
Site address: Silverwood Scout Camp, Silkstone, Barnsley S75 4LB
Reservation: Event registration will be available from 15 November 2024
Cost: £65 - full weekend £60 - day trip Concessions are available - please contact the event team
Payment: Payment information will be provided after registration, Foreign guests can pay at the door Children are welcome at this event. If you plan to bring children, please contact the event team to discuss registration and payments.
Site information: http://www.silverwoodcamp.org.uk/
Begins: Friday, 14 March 2025 Ends: Sunday, 16 March 2025
Activities: A&S, Feast or Potluck
Come join the people of Glen Rathlin and the rest of Lough Devnaree for a weekend of learning
Site address: Crawfordsburn scout camp
Event steward: Caitriona of the Ravens
Reservation:
Bookings will be by Fienta
Site information: Crawfordsburn scout camp
Flaming Arrow
Hosted by Glen Rathlin
Begins: Friday, 2 May 2025 Ends: Sunday, 4 May 2025
Activities: Archery, Feast or Potluck
Another weekend of archery, food and good company
Event steward: Caitriona of the Ravens
St Bede's Fair ~ Flintheath's Anniversary
Hosted by Flintheath
Begins: Friday, 23 May 2025 Ends: Monday, 26 May 2025
Activities: Heavy Fighting, Fencing, Archery, Dancing, A&S, Feast or Potluck, Camping, Sewing, Equestrian
SAVE THE DATE! Flintheath invites you to join us again at Manor Farm for St Bede’s Fair to celebrate the Shire’s 40th anniversary!
Event steward: The Noble Renart
Strawberry Raid IV
Hosted by Dun in Mara
Begins: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 Ends: Monday, 2 June 2025
Activities: Heavy Fighting, Fencing, Archery, Dancing, A&S, Camping, Sewing
The Shire of Dun In Mara welcomes you to Strawberry Raid IV, six days of camping around the beautifully restored 15th-16th century tower house of Sigginstown Castle, in the beautiful sunny South-East of Ireland.
We will enjoy a range of activities from the arts, crafts and camp cookery to the martial pursuits of armoured combat, fencing and archery. Beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome across the board
