Bjorn's Ceilidh
Nov. 12th, 2006 10:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
helwenWe got off to a little bit of a slow start in the morning, but got the event in good time. Thankfully we got in before the parade route was completely shut off, because the alternate route had a crane in the middle of it. A number of later-arriving folks had quite a challenge, but I think everyone was pretty determined. Gorgeous church -- Gothic Revival. High, barrel-vaulted ceilings, stain glass windows (the Roman armor was really something!), a choir gate, gilt sunblazes behind a couple of the larger figures, mosaic floors... I meant to bring the camera, but it got left behind at the last moment. I could have taken a couple dozen pictures, easily. Ah well. Perhaps they'll have another event there.
It was mostly a chatting event, although there were the games. Lady Emma (our seneschal) and I took part in the ladies division of the arm wrestling, and her lord Robert was in the lords division. He placed second, Emma won for the ladies. I won a couple of bouts, but Diana the baker and Emma were too much for me, altho' I kept the baker at bay for some time! It was a fun little diversion.
Their majesties opened court after lunch, both looking quite wonderful in their Russian clothing. I waited patiently, but was glad when we finally got to go up near the end of all the courts to see her majesty's dress -- wow! Beautifully embroidered and beaded. She looked really great in it, plus it looks like it's comfortable too.
Lucia and Balthasar were invited into court, gave their fealty and took their places. They held their last court, taking some officers' oaths, giving thanks and recognition to a number of folks. Tom and Fiona (former b&b of Berg, before Kai and Michalene) went into their court to present a gift of a framed photograph to them -- they'd started Snowberg together -- the photo was from Snowberg's first year at Pennsic. B gave his OTC medallion to Angus. He also spoke heartfelt words regarding Wulf Darkstalker. Both were grateful and happy for their time as baron and baroness of Concordia, and L gave a beautiful and gracious speech, not only of thanks but of strong encouragement to the populace to continue in their support of the new baron and baroness, that their excellencies might know of how special their barony is.
Then TRM held the investiture ceremony, with both sets of barons & baronesses receiving much acclaim. Laurencia got her extra surprise, when her court doc was read... I'd found out her new name and device were in process and contactedfosveny to see if they'd passed yet. He contacted Laurel, and received confirmation and permission for me to use them, as the court would be happening at about the same time as the letters would be going out. So there was the news, read in court :D
Angus & Laurencia then held their court. I couldn't hear everything, but I assume that officer oaths were taken. More baronial awards were given out, and also prizes for the various games from earlier in the day. Some of the attending landed barons & baronesses came up to give gifts. We went up with a gift, and also to affirm our commitment to continuing our groups' partnership in Snowberg.
Oaths of fealty were taken by TRM, from some landed barons & baronesses, from Sir G fitzG, and a number of other peers.
Many AoAs were given out to many worthies.
Wulf D was given his court barony posthumously, as one gentle lady said, not because he had died, but because of how he had lived. I didn't know him, but on reading the bio they had for him in the event program, I know he is and will continue to be greatly missed. He was a stalwart of the group since its days as a shire, active for a quarter of a century. He died just 8 days short of his 48th year.
There was one Silver Crescent given out, to Mistress Eleanore MacCarthaigh, Bergental's new scribal guild head. She was formerly the MoL, then trained her successor before stepping down from that office. One of the things that makes her service special is her constant encouragement of others to step up and try out new roles, and her willingness to teach whatever she knows on any given subject, be it in the arts or how to run a kitchen or event. Bergental has benefitted greatly from her presence, as have many other groups whose events she's attended (usually with fellow helpers in tow!). She's been a great team builder, and has tackled her new role with the same energy as for any other project she's taken on.
It was a very satisfactory 'gotcha', I have to say. The order was called into court first, and we got the 'there's someone missing from your order' speech from his majesty (I like that one). Then they called out her name, and we all hear "Huh? What?!". She came into court, questioning the sanity of various folks. His majesty asked if she were questioning his judgement, and she said of course not your majesty, just some of the folks in the order. He was amused, but did gently remind her that TRM were also members of the order :) She received a lovely court doc, with delicate acanthus leaves and a sleeping white stag with gold antlers in base (she has a white stag on her arms). We all gave her hugs then, and when that was done, she went back to her seat -- without her scroll! His majesty met her part way as she scurried back up to get it. A true sign of how genuinely surprised she had been to be inducted into the order.
After court, the silent auction finished up, people did various preparatory things, then dinner was begun. For those who have never been to Bjorn's Ceilidh, it's done a bit differently than other events. After everyone has had a bit to eat, the baron stands and asks everyone to put out their candles, as a symbol of the old year passing. Then he and the baroness light two candles, and carry the light of the new year to all the tables. When the toasts are made, the first toast is made by the eldest Concordian present, to the memory of those friends and family who are no longer with us. After this important toast is done, then the rest of the toasts are carried out as per the usual Eastern tradition.
Brigit and Pagan sat at table withfizw and I, and also Lord Telgar and Lady Ignatia, who was one of the event stewards. It was a pleasure getting to know some new folks, as well as spending time with old friends. Also chatted with a lady Irene, who is quite busy learning and making things and teaching them to others, such as such as making lampwork beads. She also spent time with our new boy, Magnus, discussing his concerns with his current project, an experiment with tabletweaving and sprang (more on that at Yule). And Lysabet and Jolanna wanted to let me know that she was working on some scroll blanks for Bergental. I should write her to let her know that if she has questions on any of the processes, she should ask, and can send images to me of the works in progress for comment and advice.
Deonna,shalmestere, and John E provided music during the day, including processional music for TRM, B and L, and A and L. They also performed some lovely music during the feast. We had a couple of chances to chat with them about music, and fitzw will be looking for some new music, now that we have the info on it from shalmestere. When we get it, it will probably have to be for NS/BB, because I don't know that we can learn it quickly enough for Yule -- depends on how quickly we can get it to start practicing, I suppose. It was Deonna's birthday yesterday, so we had some fun singing the birthday round to her.
Concordia has a lot of wonderful people, and it was a very pleasant way to spend a day.
It was mostly a chatting event, although there were the games. Lady Emma (our seneschal) and I took part in the ladies division of the arm wrestling, and her lord Robert was in the lords division. He placed second, Emma won for the ladies. I won a couple of bouts, but Diana the baker and Emma were too much for me, altho' I kept the baker at bay for some time! It was a fun little diversion.
Their majesties opened court after lunch, both looking quite wonderful in their Russian clothing. I waited patiently, but was glad when we finally got to go up near the end of all the courts to see her majesty's dress -- wow! Beautifully embroidered and beaded. She looked really great in it, plus it looks like it's comfortable too.
Lucia and Balthasar were invited into court, gave their fealty and took their places. They held their last court, taking some officers' oaths, giving thanks and recognition to a number of folks. Tom and Fiona (former b&b of Berg, before Kai and Michalene) went into their court to present a gift of a framed photograph to them -- they'd started Snowberg together -- the photo was from Snowberg's first year at Pennsic. B gave his OTC medallion to Angus. He also spoke heartfelt words regarding Wulf Darkstalker. Both were grateful and happy for their time as baron and baroness of Concordia, and L gave a beautiful and gracious speech, not only of thanks but of strong encouragement to the populace to continue in their support of the new baron and baroness, that their excellencies might know of how special their barony is.
Then TRM held the investiture ceremony, with both sets of barons & baronesses receiving much acclaim. Laurencia got her extra surprise, when her court doc was read... I'd found out her new name and device were in process and contacted
fosveny to see if they'd passed yet. He contacted Laurel, and received confirmation and permission for me to use them, as the court would be happening at about the same time as the letters would be going out. So there was the news, read in court :DAngus & Laurencia then held their court. I couldn't hear everything, but I assume that officer oaths were taken. More baronial awards were given out, and also prizes for the various games from earlier in the day. Some of the attending landed barons & baronesses came up to give gifts. We went up with a gift, and also to affirm our commitment to continuing our groups' partnership in Snowberg.
Oaths of fealty were taken by TRM, from some landed barons & baronesses, from Sir G fitzG, and a number of other peers.
Many AoAs were given out to many worthies.
Wulf D was given his court barony posthumously, as one gentle lady said, not because he had died, but because of how he had lived. I didn't know him, but on reading the bio they had for him in the event program, I know he is and will continue to be greatly missed. He was a stalwart of the group since its days as a shire, active for a quarter of a century. He died just 8 days short of his 48th year.
There was one Silver Crescent given out, to Mistress Eleanore MacCarthaigh, Bergental's new scribal guild head. She was formerly the MoL, then trained her successor before stepping down from that office. One of the things that makes her service special is her constant encouragement of others to step up and try out new roles, and her willingness to teach whatever she knows on any given subject, be it in the arts or how to run a kitchen or event. Bergental has benefitted greatly from her presence, as have many other groups whose events she's attended (usually with fellow helpers in tow!). She's been a great team builder, and has tackled her new role with the same energy as for any other project she's taken on.
It was a very satisfactory 'gotcha', I have to say. The order was called into court first, and we got the 'there's someone missing from your order' speech from his majesty (I like that one). Then they called out her name, and we all hear "Huh? What?!". She came into court, questioning the sanity of various folks. His majesty asked if she were questioning his judgement, and she said of course not your majesty, just some of the folks in the order. He was amused, but did gently remind her that TRM were also members of the order :) She received a lovely court doc, with delicate acanthus leaves and a sleeping white stag with gold antlers in base (she has a white stag on her arms). We all gave her hugs then, and when that was done, she went back to her seat -- without her scroll! His majesty met her part way as she scurried back up to get it. A true sign of how genuinely surprised she had been to be inducted into the order.
After court, the silent auction finished up, people did various preparatory things, then dinner was begun. For those who have never been to Bjorn's Ceilidh, it's done a bit differently than other events. After everyone has had a bit to eat, the baron stands and asks everyone to put out their candles, as a symbol of the old year passing. Then he and the baroness light two candles, and carry the light of the new year to all the tables. When the toasts are made, the first toast is made by the eldest Concordian present, to the memory of those friends and family who are no longer with us. After this important toast is done, then the rest of the toasts are carried out as per the usual Eastern tradition.
Brigit and Pagan sat at table with
fizw and I, and also Lord Telgar and Lady Ignatia, who was one of the event stewards. It was a pleasure getting to know some new folks, as well as spending time with old friends. Also chatted with a lady Irene, who is quite busy learning and making things and teaching them to others, such as such as making lampwork beads. She also spent time with our new boy, Magnus, discussing his concerns with his current project, an experiment with tabletweaving and sprang (more on that at Yule). And Lysabet and Jolanna wanted to let me know that she was working on some scroll blanks for Bergental. I should write her to let her know that if she has questions on any of the processes, she should ask, and can send images to me of the works in progress for comment and advice. Deonna,
shalmestere, and John E provided music during the day, including processional music for TRM, B and L, and A and L. They also performed some lovely music during the feast. We had a couple of chances to chat with them about music, and fitzw will be looking for some new music, now that we have the info on it from shalmestere. When we get it, it will probably have to be for NS/BB, because I don't know that we can learn it quickly enough for Yule -- depends on how quickly we can get it to start practicing, I suppose. It was Deonna's birthday yesterday, so we had some fun singing the birthday round to her.Concordia has a lot of wonderful people, and it was a very pleasant way to spend a day.
