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 2: Spring |
| Updated: Feb 9, 2003 |
This page is Part 2 – Spring. See Part 1 – Winter for the introduction.
March 23, class night – The History of the South Downs
(according to Duke John the Mad Celt)
* Cathal fighting! * Gilrae with hair! * Svelte Sven (before carbohydrates)!
Origins of the Barony
Sven (later to be Sir Sven of Vandelaven) and Gilrae (later to be Sir Gilrae of Moorburn) were roommates and met John (later to be Duke John of Ean Airgead) at Georgia State.
{I later learned from Gilrae that Sven had heard about the SCA from Hank Reinhardt – now of Museum Replicas fame. This was probably around 1971-1972.}
John: "We had no idea what we were doing."
What was South Downs before it was a Barony?
John: "We didn't know."
Early officers: Gilrae was marshal, Patrick of Isstarr was herald.
{According to the kingdom rolls, Sven was invested as Founding Territorial Baron on 12 January 1974. Galan took over as herald sometime during that month, likely at the event. Patrick became the Regional "Fire" herald and later Principality herald in September 1975. There were a total of 16 different group heralds or "pursuivants" during 1972-2002. Me, I was a deputy from about '93-'95, then the group herald from '95-'99.}
Atenveldt
At one time, the only group in the Southeast was in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Once a year, for a while, about 20 people would go down to Baton Rouge for a get-together. About six months later, they'd come up to Atlanta.
At the time the Board of Directors put the SE with the East Kingdom. Sven had contacted the East Kingdom and got a "oh, how quaint" impression from them. So, he wrote the Board – and they put the Southeast with Atenveldt.
According to John, Atenveldt at the time covered more area than any kingdom on earth that ever existed. All the kings came from Phoenix, Arizona. There were a few requirements for the Kingdom of Atenveldt. Attend Crown List and the two Coronations – all in Phoenix, Arizona.
Gilrae and Sven called over to the Aten king, Robert Roundpounder. "There's this person here we'd like to knight..." and thus Francois Duvant was knighted soon after.
Red Tower
Does the RED TOWER have and deep meaning and significance? No. Patrick was taking ceramics in college and red was the only color they had. He donated the Tower to the Barony.
{In time, the Tower grew to not only be the "prize" of the tournament, but also the event itself. In the past, the tourney winner took the Tower home and guarded it for the year – and got some prize(s). In more recent years, the winner symbolically guards the Tower, but gets other prizes as well.}
At early tournaments, the winning warlord and his guests would sit at high table.
Early South Downs fighting events had 50-70 people attending. The first one held at Hard Labor Creek which may have been Red Tower III had about 100.
Color origins
RED RAVEN: John and Sven couldn't think of anything better than a raven, despite it being an "ill omen." They chose red to go with the Red Tower.
BARONIAL DEVICE: It's black on the right, blue on the left. Why? Sven fought right-handed and had black on his shield, Gilrae fought left-handed and had blue on his shield.
Name origins
THE BARONY -- What's medieval for hills? Downs. That sounds kind of depressing. Well, how about "South Downs" until we think of something better?
THE KINGDOM -- How about the Kingdom of the South? There's already East, West and Middle... Too plain. How about "Redlands!" – you know, the red clay... Nope, too close to "Rednecks". "Alderlanden"? Indifference. Reportedly, Rondallynn asked aloud, "What's Latin for south?" She looked it up. Meridies. Hmmmm!
Fighting
Even then, Fighter Practice was on Sundays.
Sven had the first real helm in Meridies. It was made from an Italian army helmet. Master AEdward reportedly owns a videotape of now-Duke Orlando fighting in a multicolor bodysuit with two sticks. No one got hurt. John said, "The more you put on, the harder people hit."
Begging
Someone known as Sheldon the Peasant(?) probably ate better than anyone else – he went around begging for scraps of food and followed Gilrae around. Duke Orlando later played a beggar on occasion that may have been based on Sheldon.
Where did they go?
Patrick of Isstarr went to Memphis, TN. {Founding Baron of Grey Niche, 1977.}
Eric of Telemark and Brigit of Loch Ri went to Knoxville, TN – and helped form Thor's
Mountain.
April 6, Spring Court
Mistress Christianna went to the demo in Camden Tor. She entered one ticket each for the four raffle prizes. Knowing that Master Cathal has a knack for winning raffle prizes, she entered his name on each one. He won twice. The prizes were tunics. She brought one back and presented it to him. He generously donated it to Gold Key.
Lord Theodoric became Baronial Scapegoat. Duke John added, "At the next Court, we might have a new one, perhaps someone who giggles," indicating Lady Marion.
Lady Isabeau is engaged to Sir Bryce. {She later changed names to Isabel, then Isabetta.}
Master William was asked to bear royal gifts to Coronation since neither Duke John nor Mistress Christianna could go. Sir John of Sherwood made two large chests (his and hers) for TRM Gareth and Juliana – each with their heraldic arms on the top.
Lady Kytte passed the Hospitaller's office to Friar Stephen.
Next class: hat-making by Lady Janessia, 4/13. {She did well.}
June 1, business meeting
6/25, Demo in Helen, GA? {Didn't happen.}
6/29, Fifth Wednesday, gaming night.
7/3, local fighter tourney.
{This was for the newer fighters to get tourney experience.}
The motto contest will continue until 7/6.
7/15-17, Demo at DragonCon.
7/22, Demo at Georgia Word Congress Center.
November, Flying Dragon event. Feast to be done by Baroness Kate.
June 4
The Cabal Mohr event had good classes. Lady Eadwyn did a class on the history of beads. Mistress Morgan ran dancing in the evening. {I'm pretty sure Master Cathal also taught a class about heraldic flags and banners.}
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Original page posted: December 26, 2002. Last
tweaked: July 1, 2006.
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