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This is a history report of Athenaeum, hosted by the Shire of Tor an Riogh on April 19, 2008. It accompanies photos from Mistress Jane Beaumont. Part one of the report includes some missives and notes beginning with the thoughts of the newly elevated Mistress Isabel the Mad. Part two is the event report of Maistir Rory ua Riada. ................................................
Thank you to everyone who has written to offer
me congratulations, especially to my long-time friends and fellow
scribes.
Athenaeum - What a wonderful event. The
classes were enjoyed by all who attended – Thank You teachers to
giving your time to teach! THL Charles (de BonBon) great job
gathering all the great teachers together.
Jennet of Tewkesbury, OL KMoAS --------------------------------------------------------------------------
And if I can piggy-back on the kudos and
thanks... ------------------------------------------------------
Unto the Great and Noble Populace of the
Kingdom of Gleann Abhann, ___________________________________ Isabel, you are my HERO! I have painted MANY of the scroll blanks you designed for our Dream. I cannot speak for anyone else but in my heart I was very happy for your elevation and do believe it was too long in coming. Michael of Lough Gur ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Way to go Isabel. --------------------------------
About time. ........................ Congratulations to Isabel the Mad on her elevation to the Order of the Laurel at Athenaeum this weekend. What a surprise (especially to the Silver Lamp girls who thought she was being added to their order in court). The red rover game following feast to rectify that was amusing. Vivat! Rory ------------------------------------ Baroness Medb ingen ui Mael Anfaid was made a member of the Diamond Chalice. ......................... Hey everybody, We had a great time at the event this weekend. It was nice getting to know some of you a little better & hope to get to know more of you in the future. I thought everything went very smoothly & the feast was fabulous. Marshall was a little worried until they brought the turkeys to the tables, though, lol. He really enjoyed meeting & talking with Melandra and is already composing a song. I am interested in learning about illustrating. I'm an artist, although I've never done that type of art work. With the end of school coming up (and prom, graduation & spring band concert) we don't know which upcoming events we might be able to attend until we check our school schedule. Anyway, we had a blast. See y'all soon. Lynn & Marshall (Sorcha & Seamus) ..............................................
Hey Ya'll, I wanted to thank you guys for
doing such an awesome job with Athenaeum. I am so very happy with
how it turned out, and I think everyone who was there had an awesome
time...Danielle, you did a kick butt job...eveything seemed like it
ran super smoothly and if there were any fires...absolutely no one
noticed!
Athenaeum:
an event in three tracts +Classes, Demonstrations, and Hands-on Learning: if you have something you want to teach or learn contact THL Charles de Bourbon European and Non-European costume tracks +A&S Display for feedback and populace approval. & Laurel and Artisan Social for more information contact Baroness Etheldred nic Eoghain (Dredda) +Tournament hosted by Company of St. Catherine’s please contact Dutchess Mary Grace of Gatlin for more information on this exciting tournament. +Mediterranean feast for 125 by our own Mistress Dametta Mark your calendars now for April 19, 2008 and make your way down to Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica, MS (link to map) and join the Shire of Tor an Riogh for all the fun.
Fees: Dorm Bed: $21 adult - $11 child Tenting: $16 adult - $8 child Daytrip: $16 adult - $8 child Prices until March 26 After March 26 add $3 to fee
Off Board: Subtract $5 Non-member: Add $3 Babe in Arms: free Child <12 years Event Steward: Viscountess Danielle dela Roche - April Edwards Reservations: Mistress Jane Beaumont – Jane Malley
Make checks payable to SCA Inc, DBA Shire of Tor an Riogh Cash only at the door please.
.....................................
Athenaeum April 18-20, 2008 AS XLII Shire of Tor an Riogh Written this 7th day of May A.S. XLIII being 2008 Gregorian by Maistir Rory ua Riada
The Shire of Tor an Riogh held Athenaeum as a new arts and sciences themed event the third weekend of April. The site was the Henry S. Jacobs Camp run by the Union for Reform Judaism: Serving Reform Congregations in North America, in Utica, Mississippi. Viscountess Danielle de la Roche was the event steward, Mistress Dametta of Arundel the event feastcrat, and Mistress Jane Beaumont reservations. Athenaeum was dubbed ‘an event in three tracks’. This year the three tracks were costuming, costume accessories, and performing arts. It may be that the tracks change each year, but they could remain the same. The Honorable Lord Charles de Bourbon was in charge of coordinating the classes.
The term ‘massive’ can be used to describe the Henry S. Jacobs Camp. There is the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, Lake Gary, twenty group cabins, four staff cabins, four motels, two conference buildings, an administrative office, an education center connected to the dining hall via a breezeway, the library/program office, Pierce Center, Berman Center, pottery barn, program building, arts and crafts pavilion, and Oolam, along with a chapel, amphitheater, nature area, basketball, tennis, volleyball courts, baseball and soccer fields, archery range and rope course and tower, and a golf driving range and bike trails. Walking is great exercise at this site.
For Athenaeum the group cabins were used as dorm rooms, and motels as private rooms and an open area by Lake Gary for tenting were used by attendees arriving Friday or Saturday and leaving Sunday. The kitchen, dining hall, education center, and dance studio in the library/program office were used for event activities. The Pierce Center with its television was put to use during the evening Saturday by the children following feast. I believe it is the baseball field that was used on Saturday for marshal activities.
Registration and sign-in of attendees was inside the dining hall and overseen by Mistress Jane Beaumont. The event token was a bracelet of beads. Each attendee was able to choose the color bracelet they wished to wear. Handouts of the schedule of the day and class list and locations along with camp maps, cabin assignment sheets, and future event flyers were also at the registration/sign-in table. I am not sure what time the campsite opened Friday, but a lot of people were there by ten-thirty that evening when Hesper and I arrived. The kitchen had been prepared for breakfast by Sefferey of Wessex, one of Mistress Dametta of Arundel’s apprentices. Around midnight Mistress Dametta and her troupe of household volunteers from the Barony of Iron Mountain, including its Baroness, Mistress Margery of Crosgate, and Mistress Dametta’s newly elevated apprentice to the Companion of the Laurel at the Meridian Spring Coronation two weeks before, Mistress Alianore of Iron Mountain, had rolled in and were just unloading the feast supplies.
Maistir Rory, Baroness Medb, Lady Avice, and Hesper attended the event from Ardanroe. While Medb and Avice were staying with Mistress Jane’s household, Hesper and I were in the group cabin with the ladies of Small Gray Bear and the Laurels of Seleone. This weekend was a girl’s weekend for the ladies of Small Gray Bear. Baroness Briana, landed baroness of Small Gray Bear, with Genevote and Gwyneth and Beatrix were away from the men folk and children. Master Finn Normansson and Mistress Isolde were Seleone’s Laurels. The two groups were loosely tied together by association, as Genevote is Mistress Isolde’s apprentice, and by heraldic design, as both Baronies are blue and white (azure and argent). It was a friendly group for Hesper’s fourth event.
Saturday morning brought breakfast in the dining hall. There was sausage, French toast, cheese toast, milk, coffee, bananas cut into halves, and whole apples. Sausage cheese toast sandwiches were delicious!
While the registration/sign-in table was on one side of the dining hall, the other side was set up with two rows of tables for an Arts and Sciences display in the three track categories – costuming, costume accessories, performing arts – for feedback and populace approval. This was coordinated by Baroness Etheldred Nic Eoghainn, known as Dredda. The set up of display items was from eight to ten o’clock Saturday morning. The dining hall also had a stage and it was here that the Laurel/Artisan Social at the conclusion of the Arts and Sciences display hosted by the Companions of the Silver Lamp would be held.
The Arts and Sciences display included instrumentation sheets by Lord Iain O’Donnell of Loch Bais, several outfits by Mistress Alysia, Baroness Rosalind, Grafin Kenna, THL Gwyneth, leather crowns and belts by Baroness Dredda, the Baldwin IV masque and collar of estate worn by King Uther made by Sir Elazar, Mistress Sarah’s loom woven bag and leg wrappings, and so much more. Experienced artisans were asked to bring selections from across their artistic careers so others could see how they have progressed over the years.
The Companions of the Laurel, rather than holding a meeting at Gleann Abhann’s Spring Coronation the previous weekend (note the three weekends – Meridian Coronation, Gleann Abhann Coronation, Athenaeum), held their meeting Saturday morning at Athenaeum. They were in classroom one, which was on the west corridor of the education center. Their meeting was to begin at eight o’clock but was delayed for breakfast.
Classes were held in four locations – three being in the education center – classroom one on the west corridor, classroom two on the east corridor, hall two being the main room of the education center – and one being the dance studio located in the library/program office. Classes went from nine o’clock in the morning to five o’clock in the afternoon with a break for lunch. While twenty-four classes had been scheduled, three in the morning were canceled due to last minute instructor conflicts. However one of the canceled classes, Beginning Recorder Playing, was re-offered by a different instructor, Lady Melandra of the Woods, who had five students.
The canceled classes and their instructors were Naalbinding Accessories/THL Margot du Bois, Beginning Recorder Playing/Rikhardr inn Vegandi Svansson, and Interpretive Gwazee Dance/Lady Heylen Tabiti.
The morning classes held were Overview of Greco-Roman Costume for Women/THL Brigida Ingvarsdottir, Basic Houpelande Patterns 101 – for Men and Women/THL Charles de Bourbon, Tips for Entering A&S/Lady Avice of York, Overview of Japanese Costume/Lady Ashikaga Shimafuri, Women’s Dress in Florence from 1540 to 1560/Lady Aleissia Wallace, Cartridge Pleating for Dummies/THL Charles de Bourbon, Beginning Andalusian Dance/Mistress Isolde die Grau, and an Overview of Burgundian Costume/Mistress Marion Leoncina da Susa. All of these classes were one hour in length except for Tips for Entering A&S, which was two hours long.
It is possible that all of the afternoon classes were held; however, I do not know what Duchess Heather of Tyson looks like, so do not know if she actually was at the event. Her class, Beginning Fighters Costume for the Field, may or may not have been held. The other afternoon classes were Building Corsets/Mistress Isolde die Grau, the Evolution of Theatrical Stock Characters Past to Present/Mistress Serita Vashti al-Coya, Court Dance 101/Mistress Julian Rhys, Ottoman Patterns for Men and Women: Undershirt, Pants, Caftans/Baroness Rosalind Mihrimah, An Overview of Counted Thread Embroidery Styles/Countess Kenna nic Ahern von Zeimer, Three 16th Century Italian Dances: Quick, Fun and Flirty/Mistress Julian Rhys, Hat-making/Mistress Alysia Gabrielle de Fougeres, Making a Period Hakama/Lady Ashikaga Shimafuri, Male Persian Dress 13th-16th Centuries/Baroness Genevote de la Fleche (originally to be co-taught with THL Mahsheed Leily as an Overview of Persian Costume), Persian/Mongol Boots/Lord Motan the Mongol, Fools Clothing, Fools on Stage, and Fooling in Early to Mid-Sixteenth Century England, Germany, and the Low Countries/Netherland/Lady Amelia van Hemmeson, and Making a Cotehardie/Duchess Mary-Grace of Gatland. All of these classes were one hour in length except for Building Corsets and Ottoman Patterns for Men and Women, which were two hours long.
The Tournament Company of St. Katherine held a morning tournament. Sir Drogo was the marshal, Baroness Isabella D’Arques the list minister, and Lord Iain O’Donnell the herald. Duchess Mary-Grace oversaw the Tournament Company. Fitting the theme of Greece via Athenaeum, there would be a grand procession of goddess to witness a speed-tourney in the morning from which they would choose a team of champions that best represented their chosen virtue to Champion them in a grand melee tournament. Armor inspection was to start at nine o’clock with the tournament beginning at nine-thirty.
The goddesses and their chosen virtues were: Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, charity and upright behavior (seeking Chivalrous fighters), Hebe, the goddess of youth (seeking New Fighters), Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty (seeking those who go above and beyond to honor their consorts), Athena, the goddess of braveness in battle, (seeking Ferocity on the field), Persephone, goddess of the underworld (seeking those who Die Gloriously), Maia, earth goddess who is only accessible to women (seeking Female Warriors), Hera, frequently seen pictured with Peacocks (seeking those who take great pride in their kit and attire on the field), Artemis, the goddess of the hunt (seeking those fighters who excel in a variety of weapons forms). It was hoped that they could find teams of five so that there could be forty fighters in this tournament. Each goddess would be providing a prize from which the teams in order of their accumulated points will be able to choose their prizes. The ladies portraying the seven goddesses were Queen Onora, Duchess Mary-Grace, Baroness Morgana, Mistress Marion, Countess Lailiane, Countess Kenna, and Baroness Briana. The winner of the tournament was The Honorable Lord Ashikaga Hiromoto.
Lunch was a fundraiser held by Maison des Animaux. For a mere $3 a gentle could get one hot dog with bun, chips, chili, a box of raisin, two cookies or a piece of cake, and lemonade or water. For a mere $4 a gentle could get two hot dogs instead of one hot dog. There was also peanut butter and jelly for those who were not hot dog fans. The funds raised were to help with land work at the household’s encampment at Gulf Wars. The cake was German chocolate with coconut pecan frosting made (baked) and brought by Rory. Many household members brought cookies. Viscountess Danielle was in charge of the fundraiser and Mistress Gabrielle and THL Genevote took care of the change and money. The lunch fundraiser ran from eleven-thirty to one-thirty.
At four o’clock the Laurel/Artisan Social was held in the dining hall. The social began with a Question and Answer forum arranged in the style used for the Knights at last year’s Knights Academy. The Laurels sat on the edge of the stage while the populace sat in chairs. Questions had been gathered beforehand and were asked, though time did not permit all of the questions to be asked. Both Dredda and Rosalind took notes to post questions and answers at a later time (perhaps as part of the A&S online newsletter). The Companions of the Silver Lamp provided refreshments and the artisans displaying their works were able to meet with the Laurels after the Q&A forum concluded. The display items were picked up at the conclusion of the social, so that the dining hall could be prepared for feast.
The court of Their Royal Majesties William and Onora was held at six o’clock at the outdoor chapel overlooking Lake Gary, referred to as the amphitheater. Mistress Marion Leoncina de Susa was the court herald. Lannon of Loch Maben was a guard bearing a spear, while Ashikaga Hiromoto carried the sword of state. Queen Onora thanked everyone for coming to the event and the great classes and weather. Those wishing to swear fealty to the Crown of Gleann Abhann were asked to come forth. Mistress Eilidh and Master Rory were the ones touching the sword of state from which all others touched. After the Oath of Fealty, Cohair O’Dunn was summoned. He was referred to as the guy in the sassy blue short leather boots. King William announced that during the tournament today the following had been announced, but now was the time for the reading. And so Cohair O’Dunn was officially read into the Order of the Sable Banner and received a scroll and regalia.
Mary-Grace of Gatland was then summoned. For her artistry she received the Order of the Silver Ram. Charles de Bourbon was then summoned. His Majesty apologized to Charles for being the unfortunate recipient of turfing during Gulf Wars. Turfing was explained as tackling and running away laughing maniacally. Her Majesty was blamed as the source – something about alcohol. However for his work hosting the ladies lunch and tea at Gulf Wars, Charles received the Sovereigns Letter of Endorsement. Medb ingen ui Mael Anfaid was summoned. For her service to the Kingdom and on the recommendation of others she was inducted into the Order of the Diamond Chalice. The Companions of the Order were called forth and gave her welcoming hugs.
Sister Isabel the Mad, for she wore a nun’s habit at the event, was then summoned. She was escorted by Master Morgan of Osprey, Baron of Seleone. King William showed her scroll work and art work for which she has been known and commented that at past Gulf Wars she was described as “Scribes Point”. There was an Order that wished her to join them. At this point the Companions of the Silver Lamp all stood thinking they were about to be called forth to welcome her. However, to the surprise of everyone, the Order of the Laurel was summoned. The eight members of the Laurel present processed forth to the exclamations of joy from the populace. These were Mistress Arielle de Brabazon, to whom Isabel was apprenticed, Mistress Vashti, Mistress Marion, Mistress Jennet of Tewkesbury, Mistress Isolde, Master Finn, Mistress Julian, and Mistress Alysia. Not present at court was Mistress Dametta, in the kitchen as feastcrat. Mistress Arielle asked that the Peers speak for Isabel. Mistress Jennet spoke as the Laurel for she does calligraphy and illumination, the arts for which Isabel was now being recognized. Sir Leto Darkhorse followed by Syr Loric Silvestris spoke as the Knights; Leto also expounding upon Isabel’s scroll work which he also does. Master Morgan spoke as the Pelican and the service Isabel has done for years and support she has given others.
Mistress Arielle presented a gold metal laurel circlet to Her Majesty. Both His Majesty and Her Majesty then questioned Isabel. Satisfied with the answers, His Majesty placed the Laurel medallion around her neck. Her Majesty placed the laurel wreath upon her head on top of her nun’s habit. Lady Ashikaga Kimiko, acting as court herald while Mistress Marion was standing with the other Laurels, read the scroll elevating Isabel the Mad to the Order of the Laurel. The members of the Laurel then hugged her. Following the hugs, Mistress Isabel swore fealty upon the sword of state as a Peer of the Realm. There was applause and cheers. THLady Isabel the Mad from Seleone, apprenticed to Mistress Arielle de Brabazon of Grey Niche, became the second Laurel created in the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann.
Baroness Dredda followed by Baroness Rosalind was summoned. They once again issued challenge for Kingdom Arts and Sciences. This year they will enter three pieces. Anyone who enters three pieces and whose cumulative score is greater than their cumulative scores will receive prizes from them; however, THLady Margot du Bois is barred from this challenge. Ashikaga Hiromoto publicly accepted the challenge and issued one to all fighters to enter the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Fair. Gwyneth Caerr followed by issuing challenge of a prize for the best Burgundian entry at Kingdom A&S in September.
Viscountess Danielle, autocrat for the event, was then summoned. She thanked everyone for coming and gave announcements regarding feast and departure times tomorrow. Court was then closed. It was six-forty.
Feast was limited to 125. As of Thursday morning there were already over 100 reservations. The dining hall was pre-set for feast with tablecloths on all of the tables, napkins, scented oils, and table decorations and programs. The cover of the feast program depicted a Greek lady bearing a platter of fruit and another of drink and bore the words “a feast in the tradition of that Prince of Cooks, Maestro Martino de Como, to imitate and honor that of the most excellent and elegant ancients.”
The feast was Mediterranean with three courses; the first from Greece, the second from Rome, and the third from Italy. The Greek course was amnos – lamb, ipnites – bread, yoghurt – cheese with herbs, elies – olives, amanites – grilled mushrooms, and itria – thin sweetmeats made of sesame and honey. The Roman course was bululam cum porris – beef with leeks, carotas – grilled carrots, brassicam – grilled cabbage, and dulciaria – home confections (stuffed dates). The Italian course was turchia – roasted turkey, pomeranciis – orange sauce, pane tritico – wheat bread, butyro – sweetened butter, ravioli – yellow ravioli, and diriola – custard.
A second table, called the banqueting table, was set against the wall where the A&S display had been and was laden with various confettis and vino. This contained many subtleties appearing like ancient Greek artifacts and goodies. Toasts were made to Their Royal Majesties, our new Laurel, and the artisans. The servers were all ladies dressed in Greek outfits. To the high table where Their Royal Majesties sat was presented a conch shell filled with water to wash their hands. THL Charles in Greek outfit was the hall steward and announced each remove. The feastcrat and her kitchen staff were highly applauded at the end of feast.
Mistress Dametta’s kitchen staff included Mistress Alianore of Iron Mountain, Mistress Margery of Crosgate (Baroness of Iron Mountain), Mistress Vashti, Mistress Jennet, THL Enricx, THL Ceridwen, THL Isaac, Baroness Rosalind, Lord Sefferey, and Lady Avice, THL Charles, her husband Searles, and all of the Greek serving ladies. Those attending feast were given small vials of scented oil as a gift from the feastcrat, Mistress Dametta. These were a combination of myrrh and body oil, as a traditional gift in Roman times. The napkins on the tables were also to be kept by those attending feast to commemorate the event. The napkins were white with a gold laurel wreath, a simple of Greece, silkscreened on them.
Hesper and I dined with Jam Recaredez of the Shire of Blackwood and the daughters of Mistress Meaghan and Mistress Eilidh. It was rather fun.
At the conclusion of feast the Companions of the Silver Lamp petitioned the Crown that Mistress Isabel the Mad be inducted into their Order, for they had recommended her joining before the Laurels had. Following a quick game of red rover, and the opening of court, Mistress Isabel was also made a member of the Order of the Silver Lamp.
After feast a hafla was held in the dance studio overseen by Baroness Rosalind. Others played cards, talked, and reveled in the dining hall. In the morning, there was leftover turkey, French toast, sausage, and milk for breakfast as those attending packed and loaded their vehicles to journey home. It had been a very busy and fun event.
Written this 7th day of May A.S. XLIII being 2008 Gregorian by Maistir Rory ua Riada |