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Their Royal Majesties of An Tir
Kingdom of An-Tir
Tiernan Mor Dal Cais and Miranda Faoltiarna
Their Royal Highnesses of An Tir
Central Region The Shire of Dregate
Crown Prince Skeggi Hrafensfuri and Crown Princess Taisiia of Ma Elring
Dregate Shire officers Seneschal: Master Killian Carrick Exchequer: Honorable Lady Runa Knarrarbringa Chatelaine: Lady Teagan McKie Herald: Honorable Lord Ihon McFearn Arts & Sciences: Lady Elfwynn Chronicler, Web Master: Honorable Lord Cerdic Stuart Master of Stables: Honorable Lord Squire Garvin MacBrannon Equestrian: Lady Mondu List: Companion Osogarow Chamberlain: Lord Ihon McFearn Iron Key: Lord Broc Aillig Gold Key: Lady Thorhalla Great Boke: Lady Mellisa MacCampbell Warlord: Honorable Lord Conual the Carrick Chirurgeon: Open Water Bearer: Open
Shire Champions Archery: Lord Latineous Balsamon Arts and Sciences: Honorable Lady Runa Knarrarbringa Bardic: Lady Seraphine Raleigh Equestrian: Lady Nora of Dregate Heavy Armored Combat: Honorable Lord, Squire Tio Rapier: Don Andrew Williams
Shire Defenders Archery: Lord Broc Aillig Bardic: Lord Dalbach MacDara Equestrian (stick): Quinlan McLean Heavy Armored Combat: Honorable Lord, Sir Lochlan MacLean Rapier: LaVern
The Creakings December 2010
Table of Contents Lady Melissa Upcoming Minutes Uppity Women Red Lantern Champions Misc Saturnalia
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This is the December 2010, issue of the Creakings, a publication of the Shire of Dregate of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA, Inc.) The Creakings is available from www.dregate.com. It is not a corporate publication of SCA, Inc., and does not delineate SCA, Inc. policies. Copyright Š 2010 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.
Page 3 I am much saddened to announce that Lady Melissa MacCampbell (Lois Campbell) passed away last night approximately 10:15 PM on December 2nd 2010 after a valiant battle with cancer. She is a founding member of the Shire of Dregate, longstanding keeper of the Dregate Grate Boke and financial committee member. She is a past Red Lantern autocrat and Revel feastocrat. I will always appreciate her honest and straightforward input into the many discussions and projects that Melissa helped with as well as offering the Campbell residence for many meetings over the years. It is this steadfast support – the wind in the sails- that is more important in reaching a goal, than the person steering the ship. Melissa has more than earned her well deserved rest. Lois has donated her remains to research on her rare form of cancer. A wake will be held sometime in February. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to the Campbell family. Killian Carrick
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Upcoming Events
December
Champions and yule feast Lions Gate Baronial Banquet
December 04 December 04
Vulcanfeldt Lions Gate
January 07-09 January 28-30
Adiantum Aquaterra
Winter defenders tourney
February 26-27
Lions Gate
March Tir Righ Investiture Kingdom Arts & Science Grimwith Guardian Feast
March 04-06 March 11-13 March 19
January An Tir 12th Night Ursalmas
February
Would you like to make an announcement? Send it to dregate@yahoo.com The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.
Tir Righ Dragons Laire Grimwith
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Dregate General Meeting Minutes Meeting called to order at 1:50 Present: Dalbach, Conuil, Lochlan, Kit, Aelfwynn, Thorhalla, Broc, Mondu, Tegan, Joe, Kayla, Killian, Rhiannon Seneschal report: received the Exchequer report in. Received many officer reports. Seneschal report due today. Not rerunning. Crown bids? Exchequer: Checkbook balance $1151.13 Herald: Nothing much to report. Working with some of the people in the shire about devices. Iron Key: Almost a full suit of armor. Fighter Practice in Virginia Granger this winter Lady Olivia will be letting us in. Hour of Anarchy Results Seneschal Master Killian Exchequer HL Runa Herald open Gold Key Lady Thorhalla Chataline Lady Teagan Iron Key Lord Broc, Sir Lochlan asked Tegan to see if Tio would be deputy Marshall (Heavy) HL Garvin Chronicler/Web Chronicler HL Cerdic A&S Lady Aelfwynn Equestrian Lady Mondu Lists Companion Oso Rapier Lord Dalbah Archery HL Conuil Old business; Discussion continues regarding barony Will be another discussion in December at Cranehaven’s Yule Feast. Most are still on board with the combination to create the barony. New Business: Red Lantern Date set for Feb. 5th, Master Killian is Autocrat. Lachlan acting as Royal Liaison. Location to be Tonasket Cultural Center. People in attendance in agreement to put in a bid for May
Crown 2011, but as many of the people with Crown experience were not in attendance more input will be sought during the next meeting. Calendar; General meeting scheduled for Dec. 12th. 2pm @ Rm 301 at WVC. Meeting adjourned 3:20PM
Vulkenfeldt Champion Tourney I wish to congratulate Sir Ulfgar on his recent victory at Vulkenfeldt's champions tourney this weekend, he fought with great honor and valor. Also, representing Dregate were, Sir Lachlan, HL Squire Tio, HL Squire Garvin, and Squire Fitzroy. There was 16 fighters signed into list and the format was double elimination round robin style, which accounted for a lot of fighting, nearly equal to Ursalmas. There were many big name fighters in attendance as well as a few of newbies. A great Huzza to the Baron of Vulkenfeldt and thanks to HRH Skeggasaurus Rex on a great tournament. Long live the King and Queen of An Tir!!! -Squire Tio
Dregate.com
The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
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Uppity Women of Medieval Times By Vicki Leon www.vickileon.com
Katharina Johans & Alewives Whether you called them typelers, gannokers, hostelers, tapsters, or just plain alewives, women dominated the bed-and-brew field in medieval times. From making it to selling it, beer was a female-dominated occupation, and long had been. Brewmasters like Lisebette de Hond, a prosperous citizen of Ghent, Belgium, appear often in the municipal records. This lady came from a beermaking dynasty, married a brewster, made beer herself after he died, trained workers, and later rented out her brewery when she wanted to sit back and sip in the late 1300s. Another bold brewster and innkeeper named Katharina Johans juggled a variety of jobs. In the Germany of her day, inns served as much more than places for food, drink, and lodging. Innkeepers acted as information centers and mediators, provided entertainment and medical services, arranged credit for their customers, and even served as pawnbrokers. Obviously that system broke down on occasion. Katharina had to get ugly with one of her regulars, writing him nasty letters to pay up his bar tab. Although this plucky alewife was within her rights, Mr. Accounts Way Overdue was a local figure and took the matter to the Erfurt city council-whereupon poor Katherina had to apologize to him at a council meet-
www.dregate.com ing. (It's not recorded when-or whether-she got her money.) Vikings loved ale as much as the English; women as well as men were judged on their ability to down huge quantities of the stuff. English alewives were often immortalized in print and portrait. During the time of Henry VIII, a pub at Leatherhead run by Eleanor Rummynge became the favorite watering place for John Skeleton, poet laureate of England and Henry's first tutor. A thirsty man with a cruelly, witty pen, John caricatured the owner's unforgettable mug and wrote a ditty about her, called "The Tunning of Eleanor Rummynge." Incidentally, it was in Eleanor's time that the beer versus ale controversy began. While monkeying around with new brewing technology in their monasteries, European monks had discovered that adding a plant called "hops" to ale balanced the sweetness of the drink; even more important, the hops kept the beer from spoiling so quickly. Before long, Eleanor could pull her customers a draft of beer or ale. Ale, how-ever, remained the traditionally English drink of choice. And Eleanor's rated among the best. As the oftenquoted line from poet Skeleton's ditty said, "When Skeleton wore the laurel crown, my ale beat the alewives down."
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www.dregate.com 2006 2000
Festival of the Red Lantern Shire of Dregate February 5th, 2011 The year of the rabbit is upon us, the 14th celebration of the Red Lantern Feast in Dregate. Our cooks are well known throughout the inlands and the HL Conuil the Carrick is cooking this year. Please join us for an evening of feasting and entertainment.
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Seating is limited to 100! We are taking pre-paid reservations. We also have limited crash space. For reservations or crash space contact Oso Ujin (Kim Jacobs) odredful@hotmail.com (509) 486-1021 mail to: 106 Locust St. Tonasket WA 98855 Autocrat: Killian Carrick (Kelly Cariker) PO Box 61, Omak, WA. 509-422-5101 cariker@gmail.com
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Early reservation discount ends January 26, 2011! Site Info: Community Cultural Center, 411 Western Ave, Tonasket, WA 98855. The site is discreet. The site opens at 5 pm; feast will begin at 6 pm. Site closes no later than midnight. The site fee for pre-registered gentles will be $12 for adults ($5 NMS), $5 for youth 7-14, 6 and under are free; Family cap of $30. After January 26th or if you arrive without a reservation the fee is $15 for adults ($5 NMS), $7 for youth 7-14, 6 and under are free. Make checks payable to SCA, Inc, Shire of Dregate. In February snow will most likely be on the ground, for those that would like to make hotel accommodation here is recommended hotels within 30 miles of the site.
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Okanogan Inn & Suites - 509-422-6431 Omak Inn - 509-826-3822 Rodeway Inn & Suites - 509-826-0400 Best Western Peppertree Omak Inn - 509-422-2088 Site Info: Cultural Community Center 411 Western Ave.Tonasket, WA 98855 Directions to Site: Make your best route to Tonasket WA. The Cultural Community Center is in Tonasket (North Central Washington), two hours north of Wenatchee and one half hour south of Osoyoos, BC, on Highway 97. From the main street (Whitcomb Ave) turn West onto 4th Street. Go one block then turn Left onto Western Ave. The Cultural Center will be on the left one half block.
For all the latest information and schedules visit:
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www.dregate.com The Shire of Dregate Champions
Lord Latinius Balsamon Archery Champion
HL Runa Knarrarbringa Arts and Sciences Champion
Lady Nora of Dregate Equestrian Champion
Lady Seraphine Raleigh Bardic Champion
Honorable Lord Tio Heavy Armored Combat Champion
Don Andrew Williams Rapier Champion
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Tudor Christmas The first record of a turkey being brought to Europe was in 1519. It was to be many years before this bird had reason to fear the Festive season. For the rich, the traditional meat on Christmas Day remained swan, goose etc as in a Medieval Christmas feast. In fact, in 1588, Elizabeth I ordered that everybody should have goose for their Xmas dinner as it was the first meal she had after the victory of the Spanish Armada and she believed that this gesture would be a fitting tribute to the English sailors who fought off the Spanish. However, it is not known how many of the poor of the land could carry out this order as goose remained an expensive luxury - though Christmas was seen as a special celebration. Peacocks were also on the menu for the rich. However, it became a Xmas tradition to skin the bird first, then cook it and then place the roast bird back into its skin as a main table presentation. Therefore, on the table would be what would appear to be a stuffed and feathered peacock, when, in fact, it had been thoroughly cooked !! This practice had also taken place in some Medieval households. The homes of the wealthy also used to cook a wild boar on Xmas Day and its head was used as a dinner table decoration. However, cooking made the head's fur go pale and so it was covered in soot and pig's grease to make the cooked head looked more natural. Christmas puddings were made of meat, oatmeal and spices. However, cooking this combination meant that if would fall to bits once it was ready to serve. The Tudors got over this by wrapping the mixture in the gut of a pig and cooking it in a sausage shape. It was then served by slices being carved from it and being served.......with the boar's head !! It was also the fashion in Tudor times for mince pies to be shaped like a crib. The rule of Oliver Cromwell in the midC17th ended this practice as it was seen as bordering on blasphemy. With all this eating taking place, it would be difficult to imagine anyone in Tudor times wanting to do anything energetic at all. In this sense, Henry VIII helped them as
(borrowed from www.historylearningsite.uk) in 1541, he had a law introduced (the Unlawful Games Act) which banned all sports on Christmas Day except archery. All dangerous sports were banned but archery was seen as essential to maintaining the country's military strength. This was later joined by "leaping and vaulting" which kept young men fit and strong. In 1551 a law was passed by Edward VI that everybody had to walk to church on Christmas Day when they attended a church service. Technically this is still the law today though it is difficult to imagine anyone getting into trouble for using their car etc. In the mid-1550's a law was also passed by the church that banned all pictures of the baby Jesus having a bath. It had been a tradition for years for artists to paint Jesus having his first bath but the church stated that Jesus was so pure that he did not need a bath - hence it was illegal to paint a picture of Jesus being bathed by Mary and Joseph. Legends abound about Christmas. One involves where and when candles were first associated with Christmas. One of the more popular stories concerns the great Protestant leader Martin Luther. It is said that on a journey home in the winter of 1522, he was struck by the beauty of the stars shining through the fir trees that were common where he lived in north Germany. He cut off the top of one of the smaller trees and took it home. Once indoors the beauty disappeared as the stars were not there. To impress his children, he put small candles on the ends of the branches to resemble stars - hence candles at Christmas which were eventually to be replaced with Christmas tree lights. Even so, the modern Christmas tree lights are meant to represent the stars seen by Martin Luther as he journeyed home that winter's night. But Tudor England was still many years away from Christmas cards, Christmas turkey, Christmas crackers, Father Christmas in his red costume and even the common use of Christmas trees. In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
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www.dregate.com Roman December Holidays: Saturnalia—By Julilla Sempronia
Religious observances, feasting, gifts, gambling, school holidays. These activities sound a lot like modern Christmas, but they’re attached to one of ancient Rome’s most popular religious festivals: Saturnalia. “It is now the month of December, when the greatest part of the city is in a bustle. Loose reins are given to public dissipation; everywhere you may hear the sound of great preparations, as if there were some real difference between the days devoted to Saturn and those for transacting business... Were you here, I would willingly confer with you as to the plan of our conduct; whether we should eve in our usual way, or, to avoid singularity, both take a better supper and throw off the toga. (Seneca, Epistles 18, 1-2 CE) Saturnalia honours Saturnus, the very ancient Roman god of seeds and sowing. His festival originally was set for December 17 (a time, according to Columella, when farmers are through with their fall planting), but by Cicero’s time, the festival had grown to a week in length. “The “whole mob has let itself go in pleasures,” complains Seneca, tired, perhaps, of the incessant shouts of “Io Saturnalia!” (roughly, “hurrah for Saturnalia!”). The emperors Augustus and Caligula attempted to shorten the festivities, in part to limit the amount of time that civil courts were closed, but attempts to limit the celebrations were met with revolts by the citizens. The holiday itself was marked with religious observances: the bonds that bound the feast of Saturn’s statue were untied and a lectisternium, or dining couch, was set out in front of His temple where a public banquet took place (established, writes Livy, in 217 BCE to raise citizen morale after a devastat-
ing defeat handed to Rome by Carthage. A Saturnalicius princeps, or “prince of Saturnalia” was elected to serve as master of ceremonies. Private parties took place as well: Roman men threw off the heavy and cumbersome toga to don the synthesis, a loose dining garment, and all donned the felt pileus cap, sign of a freed slave. Public gambling was permitted, and slaves were exempted from punishment and were even served by their masters at feast. Small gifts were exchanged, including wax tapers, small sigillata (pottery) figurines and other small gifts. Generally, there were two types of gifts exchanged: xenia, which were sent to recipients’ homes, and apophoreta, which were small favours exchanged at dinner. The poet Martial writes extensively of the presents given during the holiday. Many of his epigrams read like gift tags, such as this one for a lamp with openings for several wicks: “Although I illumine whole banquets with my light, and have so many necks, I am called but one lamp.” (Martial, Epigrams 14:41) For most Romans, it was unimaginable to contemplate that Saturnalia would someday cease to exist. Statius wrote in the latter part of the first century "For how many years shall this festival abide! Never shall age destroy so holy a day! While the hills of Latium remain and father Tiber, while thy Rome stands and the Capitol thou hast restored to the world, it shall continue" (Silvae, I.6.98). The Roman writer Ambrosius Theodosius Macrobius wrote his Saturnalia in the early fifth century CE, however, by the middle of the fifth century, the celebrations had been absorbed into the Christian holiday of Christmas, though the spirit of Saturnalia marks that holiday to this day.