This is a sketchy look at the modern year 1994
in the Barony of the South Downs
(the SCA group based in Atlanta, Georgia).
 |
The Year 1994, part 1: Winter |
| Updated: Feb 9, 2003 |
I was the baronial historian at the time. The following February, I collected my meager collection of notes into a text file for my own amusement. The comments in {brackets} are both from that time and more recently.
I first posted this page in December 2002. Looking back, I marvel at how much the song (melody, harmony, tempo, dissonance, and flubs) remains the same...
In 1994 and until the Investiture of Karl von Kruk in November 1995, the Baron of the South Downs was Duke John of Ean Airgead, KSCA ... known throughout the kingdom as The Mad Celt.
Yule Revel
Due to nasty weather, the tourney became a cup-throwing contest between the two combatants who showed up. Second Place: Adriano du Cabochon. First Place: Robert Greenheart.
Mistress Gilraen turned the seneschallate over to Christianna and gave a gift to Theodoric. The gift was a small cloth head – with a resemblance to Duke John! – for use in Blood of Heroes (a heavy combat game). Last year, Theodoric, after being chided for not using a "real dog's head" in the game said to her "so make us one!" – so she did.
Father Christmas (portrayed by Theodoric) made an appearance and gave out stuffed red towers and decorated folly-bell baldrics to the children.
The Choristers Guild performed a selection of (mostly) German Christmas carols – and Rikk Starhurler was lulled almost to slumber during one of the lullabies.
Bronwen led Sol Haven's "Not Necessarily Bards" in a song and dance titled, "Start Fightin' in the List" (styled after: "Puttin' On the Ritz").
Flossie (see index page) sang and danced to "Wreck the Halls" (styled after "Deck the Halls")... which had a pillage and plunder motif.
Midwinter A+S
During Court, Bronwen read a scroll with many a porcine reference and gave Duke John a piggy doll which she said was a new member in the Barony looking to be a squire. His Grace "demonstrated" that the young porker was LEFT-handed and passed the prospective squire over to His Majesty Boru. He accepted it graciously and added that there was now "yet another ham in the Barony of the South Downs."
"Officers Meeting and Heavy Debate", March 17
Attendance: about 35. Representatives present from Sol Haven, Owl's Nest, Cabal
Mohr.
{Both Owl's Nest and Sol Haven are former Cantons of the Barony.}
Offices
Tournaments need organization. Max taking over Marshal's office at Red Tower.
Chirurgeon are NOT required at events or in groups, but having them is a good idea and encouraged.
The Minister of Children does NOT run a Day Care service.
Kytte to pass Chatelaine's office to Friar Stephen at Spring Court (April 6).
Aine to pass A+S office to Michaeline at Artisans.
Christianna's deputies: Christina, Cathal. (Seneschallate)
Adrian's deputy: Deirdre. (Provost)
Quartermaster, deputy of Constable. Maintains a catalog of baronial property by item type; the person who signs out an item is responsible for it – banners, cookware, palanquin, signs, etc.
The Barony
Baronial Courts will be held at Midwinter A+S, Artisans Event, and Red Tower.
Duke John: Court should mix business and fun.
Keeping lines of communication open helps the barony.
The answer to baronial apathy – more fun.
South Downs has an estimated 275 members, including its two cantons.
{Of varying levels of participation and activity.}
Concerns
Lady Rayne, on how to generate more interest: have more people involved in doing things, especially at events.
Reasons for lack of attendance: fear of meeting area, cold reception, ennui.
Advice: encourage everyone, especially officers, to talk to new folks.
Cute idea for more fun: "Cocktails before business meeting!"
Rayne: have a newcomers meeting before the regular meeting.
{This was tried, but it fizzled due to lack of interest.}
What happened to the "newcomer's household"? - "It has
been discussed."
{Part of the idea was for newcomers to have someone to sit with during the day, but especially
at feast. Silver Keep Under the Mountain (SKUM), started forming later in the year. It brought
together a few 20-somethings of varied SCA experience. Most of the members still play, but the
household cohesion was gone in a few years.}
Ideas
Give our class schedules to provost/seneschal of surrounding groups.
Exchange newsletters with surrounding groups.
Recruitment: demos, flyers, demo VIDEOS.
{Places to advertise I added as an afterthought at the time ... also WGTV
Channel 8's Community Calendar, Atlanta Newspapers, Cherry Blossom Festival, Emory University,
Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw College, Gwinnett Tech., Oglethorpe University, bookstores
(especially Oxford -- which is gone now *sigh*), hobby shops such as The War Room...}
Idea from Lady Katerina Buonarotti {later K. Hereksdottir}: '95 medieval Olympics; athletics, pageantry, and don't forget the children... {The Red Tower in '96 had a similar theme. By no coincidence Atlanta also hosted the Summer Olympics that year.}
Consortium of the Southern Marches (CSM). Part of the origins was from Sir Michael Bohun having a quarterly regional fighter practice. SD should give more active support.
Camden Tor wants to sing – can someone take music to their demo?
{Christianna went, took care of it. Haven't heard of any musical activity
down there, though.}
Max: CSM does a low-cost get-together, the last one was at Lake Tobesofkee {same site as Fool's War events of the time, just outside Macon}, $5 admission and had 125 people.
Boffer/boffle weapons – more scheduled stuff? {This was YEARS before Youth Combat.}
Heraldic Jeopardy at an event? {I don't think this ever happened. It was a Fifth Wednesday sort of thing... must have been in '93. I remember that Christianna ran the game, Aeruin and two other heralds were the contestants.}
Upcoming events
{This section has been rearranged from the actual discussion order to chronological order.}
6/4, RUM collegium at Villa Rica hosted by Cabal Mohr. Could have equestrian activities, lots of other activities scheduled, classes to start at 10 am.
6/18, Legends (Sol Haven) – El Cid Spanish/Moorish theme; lots of activities planned, site has cabins.
9/24, Red Tower at Saddle Rock
10/22, combat/equestrian event (Cabal Mohr), new site
11/19, Flying Dragon Tourney
March '95, event to be hosted by Owl's Nest
"Shire" of Sol Haven??
Waiting until Pennsic to decide. No dissenting votes in the canton, but they don't want to rush things.
Your feedback is most welcome!
My nifty email form stopped working ... but you can still send me email if you would like to.
Original page posted: December 26, 2002. Last
tweaked: July 1, 2006.
The address for this page is [ www.therotunda.net/barony/year1994a.html
]
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