The Northern Watch

The Northern Watch

No. 2 Vol 1 June-July A.S. 42 XLII

Chronicler’s Thoughts and Musings

Calendar Events and Activities

Fun and Games and General Frivolity

A Message from the Seneschal :

Greetings and well met, oh Endewearde! Spring has sprung and Sumer is Icumen in! We've managed to shake off the cloak of winter and are well into the eventing season. Thanks to the efforts of the folk of our shire, our Spring event, Jehan's Fencing and Fighting at the Fort, was a huge success once again. We're now looking ahead to Great North East War, Smithwick's Summer event, and PENNSIC! I think it's going to be a great year.

Endewearde continues to shine. Recently, our good folk traveled to Panteria and made a showing there. Mistress Brita helped Their Royal Majesties by heralding at Court. In addition, young Njall was inducted into the new Order of Gawain, an order established to recognize youth martial activities within the East Kingdom. Vivant to you both!

There has been some discussion in Endewearde of late about our shire advancing in status to Barony. I would urge you all to investigate and consider this action. It takes a significant effort as well as a fair amount of time to make the change. We have, however, been operating for the past three years with all the necessary officers in place to make the change. In addition, we have more than enough active members to meet the minimum criteria of 25.

At our last shire meeting, those assembled spent a great deal of time discussing the matter of changing our branch status. I'm happy to report that there were no outbreaks of violence or emotional demonstrations either for or against the idea!!! In the near future, I plan to call a meeting of the shire officers. The sole purpose of this meeting will be to determine whether or not the minimum 60% of the currently required officers

Decorative bar divider - repeating orange dragon heads

Official disclaimer: This is The Northern Watch, a publication of The Shire of Endewearde, of the East Kingdom, of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA, Inc). The Northern Watch is available from Lyn Hannington-Whittlesey, 2615 Kennebec Road, Newburgh ME 04444. It is not a corporate publication of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and does not delineate SCA Inc. policies. Copyright 2007 Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. For information on reprinting photographs, articles, or artwork from this publication, please contact the Chronicler, who will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our contributors. Graphics were provided by Lord Kyl's Fonts at http://fonts.lordkyl.net/

(Seneschal, Herald, Knights' Marshal or A&S Minister, and Exchequer) will sign the necessary petition to change our status. That petition will then be forwarded to the East Kingdom Seneschal who will work with the Society Seneschal and Board of Directors to affect the change. Part of the process to change our status will include a polling of Endewearde's populace. As you can imagine, the process will take quite some time.

Again, I urge you all to discuss this amongst yourselves. Talk with friends and family who are living in other baronies and ask their opinions. Feel free to post your thoughts and ideas on Endewearde's Yahoo! Group. Find out what you can about this issue and be prepared to make an informed decision if and when the time comes. Also, discuss it with the officers of the shire and let them know your feelings! It'll be the officers who will get the process started. Or not.

Lord Gwillim Kynith

Back

The Arts and Sciences

Cooks Guild news:

The Mustard of Doom

Here is the recipe for the mustard we had at the fort

1/2 lb brown mustard seed ground coarsely
about 2 oz finely ground
4 1/2oz prepared chopped horseradish
1 medium onion ground
chunk o' ginger about the size of an APD for a combat crossbow bolt, amounts to 2-3 Tablespoons chopped (probably)
2 Table spoons sugar
1 Teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2-3 Tablespoons honey
apple cider vinegar

grind the mustard seed
chop onions, horseradish and ginger together in a blender with a little of the vinegar
mix all other ingredients together in a clay or ceramic bowl.
add apple cider vinegar until you reach the desired consistency.

at this point turn and run for the nearest air raid shelter. When you can again stand in the same room as the mustard, attempt to place a damp cloth over it and leave it alone (I stored it in the fridge although I'm don't think it was necessary, in my experience there is next to nothing that can grow in the inhospitable environment that this mustard offers and any thing that can should be welcomed as the next superior life form on this planet.)

The mustard should be edible in about three days and will need more vinegar added to it as it will dry out a little.

For a bit more help here is the recipe that I based mine on from http://www.greydragon.org/library/mustard.html

Good luck and don't say I didn't warn you.
-Gruffydd Abernethy

Leafy Greens & Mutton activities:

Practice, practice, practice!

Upcoming Performances: Aug 29^th 6:00 at the Bangor Public Library Cartoon image of tossed salad in a bowl with salad spoons

To see when the Leafy Greens & Mutton will perform again please go to: http://www.geocities.com/aneleda/

Back

From the Fighting Front

Congratulations to Earl Sir Alaric of the Bangor area on your defeat of Sir Sven in the finals at the April 14^th Crown Tournament in the Kingdom of Drachenwald.

Congratulations to our own Njall for being inducted into the Order of Gawain

Back

Chronicler’s Thoughts and Musings:

(for what they are worth)

Summer and the Middle Ages

Summer seems to finally be here. And that means the Middle Ages and fireworks for me!

For the weekend of the Midsummer Gather in Houlton, I literally drove over half the state....or at least it seemed like half the state. My daughter, Rhona, and myself, drove from Newburgh to Old Town to pick up my 10 month old twin grandsons, then continued to Houlton, to visit the Middle Ages for a few hours. While we were there, we visited a Viking longhouse and saw a Viking ship, bartered and traded with a local gypsy woman for some earrings, embroidered a flower, sat on a bed platform in the longhouse next to a warm fire over which a big black kettle hung with something yummy bubbling inside, while the smoke filtered out of the openings in the front and back of the steep pitched roof. Sitting there I could picture what it would have been like for a young mother holding her child while listening to the stories of the elders of the clan, that were likely told around the fire when the Viking society flourished. The smoke from the fire rose up, hanging in the air above our heads, and obscured the banner hanging on the back wall, giving our time there a sense of reality seldom experienced. For the rest of our visit, we drove the twins’ “mini dragon” around the site stopping to watch knights practicing their fighting techniques in the lists and archers practicing their skill with bows, crossbows and arrows. We paused to talk to vendors selling their wares and talked with other women of our ilk, sharing knowledge, stories and advice. And then when we had our fill, we drove back to Old Town, regrettably leaving the Middle Ages behind. We then spent the rest of the day driving down to Bucksport to watch the much awaited fireworks show to celebrate the opening of the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge, of which my husband and son were very much a part. As we watched the many colored lights, hearing the crackling, popping and small explosions, I thought about my day, in awe of the fact that we SCAdians can be both of this modern world and the world of our ancestors, yet of our own making, in such a short span of time.

This is just the beginning for me - this past weekend represents the start of a race that I will run all season, and the loud boom of the salutes in the sky, are very much like the starting gun fire of that race. There are more fireworks shows and medieval stuff happening all summer long.

What fun!

Oh come, Summer, and welcome!

Leofwyn

News from our absent but beloved members:

Hi Leo!

We miss everyone in Endewearde too! I was certainly thinking about everyone while you where at the Fort for Jehan's!

I don't know that I have much to add to the newsletter. If you want, you could say that the journey south went well, and was accomplished with only small difficulties. John is currently working as a dragon-driver (taxi). I am busy trying to help my mother-in-law with cleaning, dog care, yard work and pool cleaning duties. I have been in contact with the local SCAdians, and am looking forward to attending events here again. Unfortunately, we won't have a chance to do that until Memorial Day weekend, when we will attend the Trimarian Memorial Tourney (which also happens to be the 7th anniversary of our very first event).

Please say Hello to everyone for us! And have some bacon for us!
Hugs!
Anya

To Speak of Kingdoms, Baronies and Shires:

To help us in our discussions regarding the status of our beloved Shire, your Chronicler did some research on how a group like ours becomes a Barony and the responsibilities involved in doing so. Let me present for your edification and discussion the SCA policy on the responsibilities and requirements for advancing to the status of Barony.

(please note that only those passages pertaining to the status of Barony were copied and pasted, hence numbering may appear to be incorrect at times )

Reprinted with the permission from the Society for Creative Anachronism Organizational Handbook, Including the Corpora, the By-Laws, Corporate Policies, and Articles of Incorporation: Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. may photocopy this work in whole or in part for SCA use provided copyright credit is given and no changes are made to the text. The contents of this document will be posted at http://www.sca.org and further reproduction on other Internet sites is expressly forbidden.

Found at: http://www.sca.org/docs/govdocs.pdf

The following is copied and pasted with the understanding that only printed versions of policy are considered official, as quoted to your Chronicler by the SCA Society Webminister, Thomas Dudley. - Leo

Barony: area administered by a Baron and/or Baroness, the ceremonial representative(s) of the Crown

Baronies and Provinces: Baronies and provinces are large branches within and subject to the administration of a kingdom (or principality, if any). They are alike in status and in the ability to administer other branches within their borders, but differ in that baronies possess a Baron and/or Baroness, ceremonial representatives appointed by the Crown, and therefore have the ability to create and administer awards, while provinces do not. A branch or contiguous group of branches may petition for baronial or provincial status at the members’ option, subject to the approval of the Crown and (if applicable) the Coronet, if the resulting entity meets the requirements listed below:

At least 25 members.
A set of officers acceptable to the Crown (and Coronet, if applicable).
A name and device registered with the College of Arms.
Consensus favoring advancement in branch status, and favoring the type of branch (barony or province) specified in the petition. This consensus is determined by kingdom law and custom. If the branch is to be a barony, arrangements shall have been made with the Crown at the time of application for baronial status to select and appoint a Baron and/or Baroness in accordance with kingdom law and custom.

· A strong record of activity in a variety of fields of Society endeavor.

Establishment and Advancement

1. The Society and Kingdom Seneschals will work together as necessary to process petitions for branch establishment or advancement. Society members who wish to form a branch, advance an existing branch in status, or advance a group of branches in status must first determine whether the area they have in mind is eligible for such treatment. This process shall involve consultation with the Kingdom (and Principality, if any) Seneschal, and with the Seneschals of any nearby branches.

2. The Society permits very broad participation by people who are not members as defined in the By-Laws. However no part of the Society can be required to solicit or heed their views regarding branch status, or any other situation where the opinion of the populace is to be consulted. Law, custom, or actual practice may allow consultation with nonmembers, but it cannot be required.

3. If necessary, the members shall reach a consensus as to a proposed name (and device, where required) and register it with the College of Arms before any petition for recognition can be granted.

4. The members of the proposed branch shall prepare a petition for the proposed action, stating the proportion of their numbers favoring the move, and demonstrating that the requirements are met. The petition shall be submitted as specified by kingdom law and custom. The Kingdom Seneschal shall review the petition to determine whether the proposed branch elevation conforms to Corpora and kingdom law and custom, consulting royalty and other kingdom or principality officers as appropriate for the level of branch under consideration. If the Kingdom Seneschal decides to recommend that the petition should be granted, the action to be taken depends on the level of branch, as follows:

7. Baronies and provinces: The Kingdom Seneschal shall forward the entire petition package, including statements regarding the opinions of the relevant officers and royalty, to the Society Seneschal for review. The Society Seneschal shall determine the acceptability of the petition and either notify the Seneschal that the branch advancement may proceed, or that there are deficiencies which need to be corrected before the petition can be approved. The Society Seneschal will report the change in status to the Board.

9. Appeals: If a petition to change branch status is denied at any stage, the petition will be returned to the originator(s) together with the accumulated recommendations, comments, and reasons for denial. Any denial may be appealed to the next level.

V. TERRITORIAL BARONS AND BARONESSES

A. Appointment and Removal

1. The Crown shall appoint a territorial Baron and/or Baroness according to the laws and customs of the kingdom when a branch is granted baronial status, or whenever a new Baron and/or Baroness is required. The barony‘s opinion on the matter must be requested and received in writing, and the appointments must not be substantively opposed by the populace of the barony. Territorial Barons and Baronesses are officers and must maintain appropriate membership status.

2. The Crown may suspend a territorial Baron and/or Baroness for the duration of a reign, for just cause stated in writing and presented only to the Baron and/or Baroness. Suspension would prohibit the use of the baronial titles and arms, the conduct of baronial courts, and the presentation of baronial awards.

3. The Crown may remove a territorial Baron and/or Baroness for just cause stated in writing and presented only to the Baron and/or Baroness; however, the Crown must request a written opinion from the populace of the barony before taking such action.

B. Responsibilities

1. The basic duties of the Baron and/or Baroness are ceremonial in nature in reflecting the royal presence in the barony. The Crown may assign additional duties and responsibilities, according to the laws and customs of the kingdom.

2. Territorial Barons and/or Baronesses are responsible to the Crown and (if the barony is within a principality) to the Coronet. The Baron and/or Baroness shall work with the baronial officers as circumstances dictate, and shall keep these officers informed as necessary for the efficient performance of their duties and effective liaison within the barony.

3. The privileges, duties, and rights, ceremonial and otherwise, of the office of territorial Baron and/or Baroness are established by the laws and customs of the kingdom, and shall include the right to make such awards as the Crown (or the Coronet, if applicable) shall specifically delegate, and to establish and present non-armigerous awards specific to the barony.

4. A territorial Baron or Baroness may hold any other Society office for which he or she is fitted and qualified, save only those of Baronial Seneschal and Baronial Exchequer, but must not allow the duties and responsibilities of such office and the office of Baron or Baroness to conflict.

NOTE: Another requirement of a Barony is that it would have to have regular newsletters: So this Chronicler will need your help with articles, happenings, and any other information you feel is worthy of the newsletter. Even if you don’t feel that it is newsworthy, send it along and let your Chronicler decide! (that’s kinda my job)

Back

Calendar of upcoming local events and meetings:

During the months of June and July

Repeating activities

Archery Practice & Project night

Every Tuesday at Godric & Margaret’s home in Bangor

5:30 to 8:30 PM

Shop nights

Every Thursday at Vey & Sylvia’s home in Bucksport

6:00 to 9:00 PM

Image of maroon banner flying to leftside with yellow predatory winged creature

Thrown Weapons practice

Friday evenings

Medieval Dance Practice

Pencil drawing of medieval dancers

The group is presently looking for dates and times for practice before GNEW’s New Moone Balle VII…. So far it looks like Wednesday evening, June 27^th from 6:30 to dusk and Friday July 6^th from 6:30 to dusk at the Gazebo in Fairfield. Contact Sara of Stoneleigh for information on the location.

SCA weapons practices

Every Sunday at EMCC Johnston Gymnasium in Bangor, Maine