Greetings: When browsing some SCA correspondence, I was reminded of something I thought might interest those of you new to our society, particularly those who were at coronet tourney and saw their first peerage ceremony when Viscountess Alicianne was elevated into the Order of the Pelican. The society's roots are diverse, and literary as well as historical. The following quotes were posted by Sir Veniamin, to remind us of just that:
"The old man laid the sword along his lap, and Pippin put his hand to the hilts, and said slowly after Denethor:
'Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor, and to the Lord and Steward of the realm, to speak and to be silent, to do and to let be, to come and to go, in need or plenty, in peace or war, in living or dying, from this hour henceforth, until my lord release me, or death take me, or the world end. So say I, Peregrin son of Paladin of the Shire of the Halflings.'
'And this do I hear, Denethor son of Ecthelion, Lord of Gondor, Steward of the High King, and I will not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given: fealty with love, valour with honour, oath-breaking with vengeance.' Then Pippin received back his sword and put it in its sheath."
--J.R.R. Tolkien, ""The Lord of the Rings"
See you at the Collegium!
Morgana, Baroness Winter's Gate

Weekly Dance Practice is booming, we're typically getting 12-15 people out to dance (though over 20 different people participate)! Varakreivitär Kareina teaches the dances each week, so new people are always welcome. We're still, more often than not, long on Lords and short on Ladies, but it's been great. Come and join us to socialize even if you don't dance. "Geld the Devil" is a real spectator sport! Other dances are "Glory of the West" (in two speeds), "Gathering Peascods", "Easter Thursday", "La Belle Pavane", "Strip the Willow", "Mannschaft Pavane", "Bransle Official", "Earl of Salisbury" (the story one), "Horses Branle", "Heart's Ease", "Washerwoman's Bransle" (if we cannot avoid it), "Jenny Pluck Pears", "Female Sailor", "Irish Circle Dance" (Otherwise called "Irish Aerobics"), "Road to the Isles" (the Scottish Dance) and of course, "Karabushka" !

Please, if you haven't renewed or sent in your membership forms, this is the time to do it! The Principality needs the numbers processed and countable by Beltane, and the paperwork takes several weeks or more to be counted. And remember, only "Sustaining" memberships count toward our numbers. The difference between Associate and Sustaining membership is that Sustaining Members receive newsletters. And this is something you may not have known: The magic minimum number to form a Kingdom is 400, due to the fact that 400 is the number of addresses needed to obtain a bulk mailing permit from the USPS. UAF Student Activities is in fact having their 2nd Annual Renaissance Faire on Saturday, April 12. Details are posted elsewhere in this issue. A great chance to get into garb and show off any learning from Collegium.
Watch for A&E's new -SERIES- called Ivanhoe, starting April 20th of this year. The trailer promises attention to 12th Century details and lots of action and intrigue. Set those VCR's to record!

Find "Flight of the Valkyrie" (SCA poem) by Grimr at Grimr's Grim Grimoire

I would like to request that everyone in the Barony submit to the office of the Chirurgeon any pertinent medical history that they or their family may have. This would include any medications you take on a regular basis, any medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, epilepsy, etc. and any allergies of any kind. I feel the Chirurgeon should have this information prepared and readily available in the event of an emergency. Any information you give will be treated with the confidentiality and respect it deserves. This information will not be distributed to anyone other than the proper medical authorities as needed. No one else will have access to this information. When I step down as Chirurgeon, I will transfer all information to my successor unless you specify otherwise.
Yours in Service, Lord Taran de Montfort

On Friday, February 21, thirteen SCAdians rallied to the Call of the Demo. Kareina, Rutger, Taran, Grimr, Gavin, Briana, Logan, Leif, Ariana, Ronan, Annora, Patrick and April attended the Annual Cub/Boy Scouts Blue and Gold Awards Banquet. The first thing that we did was to make a good impression by helping to tape down the table covers. (We ARE in the SCA, after all. We certainly had duct tape.)
During the feast, the intrepid SCAdians mingled with their hosts, answering all manner of mundane questions. During the handing out of awards to the scouts, we anachronists melted quietly into the shadows. The five fighters, Kareina, Rutger, Taran, Ronan and Grimr, donned their armor in preparation for a demonstration of arms.
The eloquent Annora was mistress of ceremonies. She allowed all SCAdians present to introduce themselves. All were well received by the enthusiastic boys. Grimr, who had already made a favorable impression by wearing an axe at dinner, garnered even more audience approval with his colorful introduction. "I have raided London!" Grimr announced. "I have raided Paris!" (Etc.) "And I LIKED it!" which conclusion brought laughter and cheers from the boys.
It was noted that five of our number: Taran, Gavin, Leif, Grimr and Logan were eagle scouts. Annora cannily put this fact to good use. She asked all SCAdians who had been cub scouts to raise their hands. Six hands went up. The boys roared their approval. Their roars increased in volume as they discovered that many of the fighters had attained the exalted rank of Eagle. When the fighting commenced, the boys cheered even more. Ronan was soon named the "Black Knight" for his armor. The boys likewise dubbed Kareina "Princess Leia". Grimr continued to shamelessly play the crowd, beating his shield before his matches and leading the assembly in chanting: "GRIMR! GRIMR! GRIMR!" Taran's armor was fortunately pronounced "red" by the youthful company. Rutger looked especially spiffy in his medieval pot helm and tabard, not to mention the beard braid. The scouts howled at each fight. Caps were flung ceilingward at each dramatic death. Many fighters even twitched convincingly, which earned much laughter from the audience.
Finally, the finale. All of our intrepid fighters knelt to brave the band of boys, now armed with swords and allowed three shots each. Some boys took a few liberties, but it was all in fun. More dramatic deaths followed as some boys made helm contact. More than a few promising fighters could be seen among the bloodthirsty band.
One boy, having had a turn at all five fighters, (and presumably tapping each on the helm,) was heard to cry, "Now I've killed all of them!"
Needless to say, great fun was had by all. - April MacMorn