Get your own Free Home PageTRIBAL REVELRIES IV COMMENTARY
This was a somewhat frightening "initiation" to the seneschalate. I had the keys for the site turned over to me, as well as the job of autocrat. I was fairly ill informed of what was to take place at TR IV, and attribute the event's great success to Lords Garth Elander and Parthalon MacKeon, Lady Siubhan Catriona Guinne, and Morganna Rhodes. I had never autocratted an event, nor had I ever been at one as seneschal. Our attendance was a mere 74, but we received many compliments and many asked if this was an annual event. I answered "Yes", and they said they'd be sure to schedule it for their next-year's event list. Many peers were in attendance, and a lady bearing a striking resemblance to the Queen Herself was there. Queen Brayden did appear for the feast, and the look-alike was nowhere to be found after this. What follows, are some event details as I saw them.
I arrived on site at 10:00 A.M. on the 27th and conducted a pre-event inspection of the condition of the buildings, should questions arise about damage caused by our group. I then set up my personal site and waited for others to appear. Lady Siubhan arrived around noon to start with feast decorations, and Dorenn MacTigue arrived shortly after with more decor. Siubhan's first task was the delivering of materials. Dorenn made cattail garlands which nearly encompassed the feast hall. My main concern was to find out what exactly was to be the itinerary. I waited for others in-the-know to arrive, and after all those people were spoken to, I determined that TR IV was going to be many mini-events conducted by a group of co-autocrats.
Guests started arriving around 3:00 so the event had officially started. Morganna managed the troll booth exquisitely, and seemed to know exactly how and what to do for all arriving guests. She performed the sign-in, money taking, cabin assignments, and general question and answers. (She made all the site tokens in advance, as well.) Morganna ran troll all night, with Lord Grieggor as an on-and-off relief. Count Sir Conn regaled incoming anachronists with his song and drum playing. I spotted the Queen look-alike, but in a moment, she had vanished. The evening went smoothly. I retired for the night at around 11:30.
I awoke the next morn' at near 7:00, and pondered how I might stage the "heated argument" with Lord Lycurgus de Lock, which would implicate me as a suspect for his "assassination". He had partied late Friday night, so when I finally spotted him at around 10:30, I jumped his case about acting irresponsibly, carousing the night away and sleeping in late, when he should have been out serving his populace and taking care of matters as a warranted seneschal should. I said 'You're the warranted seneschal here, and must be available to your people for those little things that come up, and not in bed trying to nurse the hangover left by the previous night's total lack of responsibility.' I said also, that just because he held the warrant, it was no excuse for getting away with ill behavior. I said that all unacceptable behavior in MY stronghold would be dealt with most harshly, and he could be expected to be made an example of. Apparently, the argument was convincing, as Lycurgus was approached by many of his friends inquiring about any problems he might be having. One coronet, who shall be nameless, asked if he needed any 'brass' assistance. This coronet approached me later in the day, wearing his "official" headgear and asked about the morning's incident. I had seen him many times during the day, before and after our talk, without his coronet. He asked if Lycurgus hadn't been performing his duties as he should. I replied that I believed we had our problems under control, and that our differences would be kept between Lycurgus and myself. He then asked my name, which I gave without hesitation. I then went directly to Lycurgus and asked if he'd been riling the masses and he said that he indeed had been doing so. I said that when I am seneschal, misbehavior like this would be dealt with most harshly. The coronet was within earshot. He started to figure things out. I noted that he was looking at the mystery clue-sheet, and I spied a smile of enlightenment come across his face.
Lord Garth conducted the fighting which consisted of a bear-pit tourney, a mean-mother tourney, and he had a woods battle planned but the heat cancelled it. While the fighting went on, I ran my games of Log Battle and Normanslayer. I got only two participants but they claimed to have had great fun. They continued with Log Battle for many rounds more than the 2 out of 3 which was planned.
The heated fighters were nearly to the pool for a cool-off when the storm hit. Great thunder and vicious bolts of lightening accompanied the nearly 1" of rain which fell in a short hour. The pool was closed, but we all got cold and wet anyway. During the rain, I caught Lycurgus at the great hall, or maybe he caught me. He was all excited when he explained to me that lots of people thought our little argument that morning was real. Knights, Counts and Barons were all wondering what was going on in Lost Forest which may have caused such a stir. We were convincing. The sky cleared and the pool re-opened around 4:30.
Throughout the day, many would-be suspects in Lycurgus's assassination staged arguments, and it all came to a head during feast. I went to where Lycurgus was sitting and leaned down to him, merely telling him that I was being seen near his food shortly before his death. I left, and he shouted angrily, that our differences were far from over. I told him to drop it, as things were being handled. Lots of people looked worried at our comments toward each other. As last year, things in the kitchen were well under control, so I got my hands into the dishwater and washed pans and serving trays. Also relating to TR IV's mystery was Friday night's hand-fasting of Black Corwin MacCamie and Branwyn Meiglin, the theft of the Archery Purse, my seneschalate and SLF's re-birth, the theft of Count Sir Conn's coronet, and Lycurgus's hidden desire to leave the seneschalate. At the start of feast, I presented a bauble to the winners of the Ognyengames. Since there were only two participants, I presented two baubles, the first choice going to the winner. The winner chose the turtle skull necklace, leaving the wooden sword for the second place participant. It wasn't a bad sword. It even looked like steel at a glance. Later Lycurgus, followed by Bartolomeo de la Rovere, got up from his table, stormed into the kitchen and unknown to the feast guests, on to the basement to await his demise. Later, Lord Greiggor of Greyhaven, our constable, made an announcement to those feasting that there had been a most foul deed committed. Lycurgus had been murdered. The announcement was met with wild applause and loud cheering. The kitchen started laughing at this response, and up from the basement came Lycurgus's escort, Bartolomeo. He reported that the victim heard the laughter and clapping and almost came back to life to see about the commotion. Then accusations started flying about the feast hall. I was called from the dishwater to face the constable's questioning. It was said that I'd been seen arguing with Lycurgus earlier in the day. Alaric "Ferret" Stormbrand said that he personalty witnessed me "yelling" at Lycurgus. I said I was not yelling and stood nothing to gain by Lycurgus's assassination, as my assuming the Lost Forest seneschalate was well under way. Lycurgus's standing in my way was my supposed motive. I asked Alaric to repeat what I was alleged to have yelled at Lycurgus. Lady Juelda jumped in and said that she knew I wouldn't raise my voice in anger. Alaric couldn't come up with what I said, so the finger was pointed at him. His motive was jealousy of Lycurgus's position and popularity with the ladies and with others in authority. Alaric once basked in the light of his brother and former Lost Forest seneschal, Lord Caistrin Stormbrand (now Richard of Caistrin?, of Three Rivers). The finger of accusation was pointed in many directions. At the end of the feast, the thefts had been resolved, and our constable's deputies dragged in a struggling Lycurgus who had faked his death to get out of Lost Forest's seneschalate. So much was given away at feast, that the planned bardic competition fell through.
All participant sleuths in the mystery were to present their stories of how they related the clues to the evidence at the bardic competition Saturday night. The closest story was to win a brass mug. None revealed their stories. I departed site at around 10:00 p.m. to arrive Sunday morn' for clean-up at 10:00 a.m.
When I arrived Sunday, the dining hall and kitchen were almost completed, so I and a party of 4 others went about cleaning all the other buildings. We must have done a fine job, as the Park Superintendent had no write-ups against us, and offered us the site for the same weekend next year. The keys were turned over and the site was again in the hands of the State by 2:00 p.m. All signs were taken down by 3:00. I look forward to Tribal Revelries V. I am hoping we can negotiate with Carlsby so we can use the weekend before Labor Day once again.
I am now returning a call to Duncan MacIntyre. He wanted to know if we could support a demo for CMSU on the 13th or 14th. I said I'd have no problem with it if it were to be scheduled for the evening. He said that he thought that's what they wanted. I told him that I'd see what Eastheart support I could find. Lord Wulfgar says he might be able to help out on the 13th. Duncan also expressed an interest in getting more information on illumination. I shall be bringing it to the first meeting of the Medieval Appreciation Society for CMSU.
I spoke with Manfred last night, and he explained to me that he was getting frustrated with Lost Forest politics and lack of activity. The main areas he touched on were our Archer Marshal's feasting with those who were making a "political statement" against SLF, and our lack of fighter practices. He was to the point that he was talking about withdrawing from SLF. I suggested that he try talking with Lord Garth to see if he might be able to set up a schedule, and that if Garth's other activities precluded his spending time with fighting, that he might take up the slack.
15 Sep: The demo was held for CMSU at 7:00 on the 13th of September. Lord Manfred and Duncan autocratted and performed the combat, along with Lord Parthalon. Black Corwyn did the heralding of the fighting. We picked up 8 new sign-ups to SLF.
20 Sep: I attended the 18 Sep session of the Renaissance Festival. I performed chainmail, simple jewelry making, and a tiny spot of wood carving. The most enjoyable time was spent playing rounds of Rose, and Frere Jacques on recorder with a lady who's name escapes me. I taught her a song I learned from the Troviers issue of the Complete Anachronist. Morganna made a visit and told of how she had sent her report of TR IV off. I requested a copy of all her financial records and inventory of Stronghold assets, and she assured me that it is already underway.
27 Sep: Summer Tea Party II of 24 September, was effectively rained out. There were, however, some SLFers who decided to come over anyway. These were, in order of appearance, Black Corwin MacCamie, Duncan MacIntyre, "Trevor Payne", Duncan MacOwen, Wulfgar and Brecanni. We discussed our fighter practice situation, archer marshal warranting and reporting procedures, heraldry for the new "Trevor Payne" and Scottish household. I showed off swords and chainmail to the new members present. Brecanni inquired of my projects, and all I had to show her was some new chainmail and jewelry I had made.
28 Sep: Last night I spoke with my castellan, Lord Parthalon. He wishes to re-activate the sewing group by conducting a class for the new-comers on basic, inexpensive garb making. I felt the idea was great. He told me of 6 new members expressing interest at the Renaissance Festival. I mentioned to him, the up-coming census, and to start gathering information on subscriptions, fighter/archer authorizations, and interest areas. Since I had called him long-distance, I suggested we continue our discussion at the officer's meeting on Sunday, 3 October. Yesterday, I also received a report from our archer marshal, Talone d'Avalon. It consisted of a newsletter describing his new program, the schedule of practices and list of archery suppliers and he attached a short note asking me for information on warranting. I told him in a letter, he should contact our knight marshal for local coordination, and to write to the archer-general for information on reporting, warranting, and authorizations. I offered all the information I had, which is found in the Seneschal's Handbook, and in my Marshal's Handbook. I told him also, of two alternate sites at which he may hold practices. These are at Lord Wulfgar's field, and at my small range. At this time, I feel pretty good about Lost Forest.
Yesterday, I dropped by Lord Lycurgus' home to pick up the sole bit of recorded information he had. It was in the form of his July report.
I sent in my first report, with proof of membership, and should shortly be included on the seneschal roster for the kingdom.
Today, 4 October, I mailed off my first report as seneschal at a cost of $2.13. I included with the report, SLF1, SLF2, a copy of the 3 October Seneschal's News, and other assorted bits of printed matter. I hope my first report meets with His Grace's approval.
8 Oct: Yesterday, I submitted a short recruiting article to the Missouri Warrior. I hope to see it in print on the 15th or 22nd of October. Carlsby's seneschal called me last night and said that Mad Dogs & Englishmen was a permanent event like Valor and Lilies, and that the weekend before Labor Day Weekend was always reserved for them. She said that she would talk to their populace and see if they might be able to find another date. I am to hear back by the first of November. If, in fact, Mad Dogs is a permanent event, why were we allowed to hold TR IV on the weekend we got? I hope we don't lose our site over a scheduling disagreement.
13 Oct: Yesterday, I ran into Lord Ferogain, Lady Molly, Leandrea, Miguel, and Dorenn, at the Great-Merchant Samuel Walton's shop. We all exchanged greetings, updated one another on what's been happening, and discussed the possibility of their hosting a feast event. They learned a great deal at a seminar, on what was done at a medieval feast and want to put it into practice. I hope a disagreement isn't in the making, as they wish to make the feast an arts and sciences competition/display. Ly Molly has yet to recognize Lady Breccani as Minister of Arts and Sciences. They said they'd get back with me when they determined a site and time. I mentioned the 4-Seasons demo for the 12th of Nov, and at least Ferogain sounded interested.
I spoke also with Lord Manfred Eichbaum regarding the office of chronicler. He wondered how to figure out who was subscribing. Apparently, my last issue was the last issue published. My last was in March, and Lady Siubhan took over then. Nothing came out while she had it, and Lord Parthalon said at the last feast that Siubhan thinks she's going to be too busy to be chronicler. I wish she had known this when she took the job in the first place. Manfred says he might stop by on the 20th to get things straightened out.
18 Oct: It is interesting, yet saddening, how our Church has the same sorts of attitudes as does Lost Forest. One lady in our Church parallels a lady in Lost Forest. She presented an idea, and a person voiced a fairly convincing, somewhat opposing view. I say "somewhat" because there was agreement for the most part of what the lady presented. The scenario is as follows: CB wishes to pass on her office. No one volunteers, so she suggests we disband the group. Her frustration is due to lots of good meaning people who seem to be too busy to help out in a manner she expects. Many agree that we talk a good line, but fail when we're asked to perform as we talk. CH and SH say that several members of the class elected not to attend this class meeting and go on to say "We know where their hearts are." Now comes the opposition, or that which was perceived as such. BL, not wishing to see the class collapse, but seeing that there is not enough volunteerism, points out a fault. She says there is no reason to let the class fall apart, since there are a great many who want it to continue. She points out that many who preach volunteerism do not volunteer themselves. She also states that perhaps we ought to examine where OUR hearts are before we become judge of others. She says we ought to be thankful for those who attended, rather than condemn those who didn't. It was pointed out later, that one class member was in attendance for her first time in quite a while. How did she feel to hear others attacking non-attending members? CB took this view as a personal attack on her, not as an attempt to get us ALL to re-consider what we were talking about.
BL stood on quite solid ground as she spoke. She is one of the most volunteering members of the class who is tired of all the talking behind people's backs. PL volunteered for the job of president as his wife, BL, is quite busy the way it is and was unsure of how to address class business in public. It came to light, when BL and PL started getting vast support, that the CLASS did not want to disband as CB was ready to allow. CB left the scene crying and SH is disgusted that others didn't see things as they did. BL went to CB's home later to try to comfort her. The visit went OK.
This all happened in July and the class is still alive and growing. We still perform all the services as before, and better, since when volunteers are at a lack, PL and BL take up the slack. CB left the Church with her family for two months. They returned in mid-October. CB is quite cold toward BL and PL despite the "L's" attempts at friendliness. The rest of CB's family seems to hold no grudge.
This happens in a group which stands for Christian love. The same things happen in our SCA group. One is mad at another because he or she talks to someone one doesn't like, or because another might not quite agree exactly with a view.
I guess to function in a group, we need to have something in common. Belief in Christ or sharing interest in the Middle Ages and chivalry should be enough. I guess it isn't. If we don't share common interests, we invent common enemies. If we dwell on the negative, we'll be negative. If we dwell on the positive, we'll be positive.
Our last feast went great! We had first-time new members quite impressed with us. They wanted to come back, and bring friends as well. We joked, sang, told stories and socialized. I think the business meeting beforehand worked out quite well. We got any potentially negative items out of the way and spent the rest of the evening happy.
My recruiting article made the 15 Oct issue of the paper. It was a bit early. I got one call on Friday from someone I don't know. He asked if Renfest was over, so I told him that this was the last weekend. The article said that Renfest is "all but a memory" for a year. I guess this could imply that is was over. I was careful to say "all but" rather than just "a memory".
13 Nov. The feast of 7 Nov went well, despite the absence of those recruited from the base bulletin. Many complained that there was not enough activity in Lost Forest. I asked if those concerned over the lack could do something about it. I more or less run the feastmoots, and Talone runs the archery practices. I asked if Duncan had pursued assisting Lord Garth, and he said he hadn't. We discussed Kris Kinder, my table reservation, and how other merchants might go about sharing my table. I re-announced the demo for 12 Nov. Lack of reports from officers, to the seneschal was brought up as well. We did have one new member in our presence. He had received information on our feasts from Ld Chidiock of Forgotten Sea. He came and was even prepared for his first feast by having his own garb. Black Corwin MacCamie won the Bardic Competition at the Renaissance Festival on 9/10 October. Byron James offered crash space for Crown Tourney. Archery Practice is at 4:00 on Sundays except for Feastmoot Sundays. A&S Night is third Thursday night of the month, at Corwin's place. The third Sunday of the month was discussed as a potential social night, rather than to hold A&S night during the week. We plan to start this around January, and for it to be an early afternoon happening, provided we can find a site. Duncan, Manfred and Corwin told of need for newcomer's night. They were tasked with finding location and date for this event, and to coordinate it with the castellan. Manfred announced that submissions for the SCOUT would be due one week prior to the Feastmoot release. Single copies will be $1.00, and Duncan is Manfred's assistant.
Wulfgar noted the new membership waiver. 'Sounds like we're signing an agreement to find no fault with anyone, even if Baron Basher decides to throw a couple blows from behind after a "HOLD" is called. This policy could conceivably discourage many would-be members.
16 Nov. This is my commentary on the 12 Nov Demo at the Four Seasons Residential Care Facility. It was written on 14 Nov and now transcribed to this document. In attendance was Lord Manfred, Lord Parthalon, Falgeon Trae, Duncan MacIntyre, three Mundanians, and myself. I opened with a brief description of the SCA and Lost Forest. I thanked them for allowing us the opportunity to show off what we like to do for fun. I showed some of my crafts, and Falgeon told about other crafts. I, Falgeon, mkaByron and mkaJames told of our personae. I played Greensleeves on the recorder. There was a short pause, then Falgeon spoke of garb, and of how different periods and regions had different clothing yet how similar much of it was. He spoke of cloaks, ornamentation, and court garbs. The fighters were finally ready: Manfred, Duncan and Parthalon. Falgeon heralded and marshalled the fighting. Combat was done on the knees and with short weapons due to the low ceiling. During lulls in the fighting, I played recorder. Falgeon and I spoke bits of trivia on weapons, fighting standards, events, etc. We closed with questions, of which there were only two. "Do you have anything to do with the Renaissance Festival?" and "What do you do other than Middle Ages re-creation?"
Ly Brienne, our ex-exchequer is a resident at this facility. Her diabetes advanced to the point that her foot was amputated. She's taking it quite well, and asked if I would make her a peg for use at SCA events when she's released. I said I'd give it a shot. Ly Brienne seemed pleased to have a visit by so many of us. She requested that I return to teach her some chainmailing. I believe I shall do so. Her father offered me a big bag of copper wire, free for the picking. I think I'll take him up on that as well.
Today, I received a letter from His Grace, Duke Shadan. He answered some of my questions regarding the seneschalate. I can use computer generated forms for award recommendations, which will make making recommending awards quite a bit easier. His Grace says there is not a list of Laurels willing to teach. He says there should be a kingdom Order of the Precedence out soon and that we can find out who the Laurels are from that. They would all be willing to teach.
Yesterday, I received a letter and bit of work from Lord William who is in the homeland of England. He sent an embroidered patch for the Phoenix brothers to ponder. If we like it, he plans to have them made for all of us for Christmas.
Manfred called yesterday and asked if I could send in a letter suggesting him as my replacement chronicler. I said that I hand carried one to the kingdom chronicler at last Caloncon, stating that Ly Siubhan was to be my replacement and that maybe she might write it. He said that the Kingdom Chronicler didn't remember that and that a seneschal's recommendation would be nice anyway. I sent a letter today, to the kingdom chronicler stating that I recommend Manfred for Lost Forest's chronicler position. I apologized for my error in selecting Siubhan earlier this year. I did mention that SLF wasn't completely without a newsletter, as I continued to produce the Advance Scouting News. Tomorrow, I plan to send in a request to the reeve, for TR V to be scheduled for the 27/28 of August of 1994. I cross my fingers and hope this doesn't cause too much trouble.
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