Æthelmearc A&S News

Policies of the Kingdom Minister of Arts and Sciences

A&S Office of Historical Combat Martial Public Proposal

Online A&S Minister Report Form

5 November '10

Note: Duchess Willow posted the following to the Ansteorra List. This was then shared by Master Liam St. Liam of the East and is presented here as part of the ongoing discussions that have been taking place as to the nature of what is is that we do and where our organization is going.

We are coming into a New Age. The BOD and the main officers in our Kingdoms are trying to get Grants to fund us. To get Grants we need to look like we are really serious in studying History.

I do think we are making a mistake. We need to look like we are really interested in learning and teaching and experiencing history. Which is what we have claimed to be. I think people would be more impressed with us if we could show people learning about medieval environments and then doing our best to recreate them.

Groups like the mountaineers and the Civil War people usually have areas similar to Carodocs Enchanted kingdom where everything is a proper as you can make it. Than there are other area at the events where learning and doing demos.

Educators and people giving grants away will be more impressed by seeing many people learning and doing.

But if we are going to do that we need to have more medieval and Renianssance theme things at our events.

We need to go back to heardry and Courts that reflect historical protocol. It doesn't matter how good your armor is if a Tournment doesn't look like anything that was done in period. If we have list fields and a sturture of officers that look like they are out of King Rene's book on tournments people will be more and willing to overlook a few pieces of duck tape.

If we have a calendar in our local groups which show people learning about the Medieval and Reinssance periods and we are putting out How tos and useful articles on our Web sites we will impress people with belief in learning.

Also if we are having regular classes on what is period and teaching our people what to do that would impress everyone. I know that edicators are impressed by someone showing armor at a demo and bragging on how he made it and how now he knows more and what he would do to change it.

Our greatest strength is we like to learn and do and we can make people excited about a life long love of learning.

I don't think we should make it law but I do think we should stress the whole concept in our value system.

28 September '10

A&S Challenge From the Shire of Sunderoak

Greetings from THLady Katla, Arts and Sciences officer for the Shire of Sunderoak,

Pray hear my words and know them to be true. From the largest baronies to the smallest canton, the Kingdom of AEthelmearc has the most talented artisans in the knowne world! The Shire of Sunderoak would like to challenge all groups, all artisans, of all levels to enter Ice Dragon!

Here is your chance to show and share your art with others. Are you new to the SCA? Great! Please come and share with us what has inspired your love of an art or a science! Have you been a member for (mumble, mumble) years? Try something new! Something old! Show us what you’ve got! No art is too grand or too modest to take part in this grand display of artistic endeavor.

Are you afraid of competition, not sure how to get started or what to prepare for? There is ample help to make entering Ice Dragon not so scary. Visit the Kingdom A&S website, http://www.aeans.org/, and the Ice Dragon website, for information on entering, documentation, research and more!

How does this challenge work? Unlike Ice Dragon this is not open to individual’s only official SCA groups. It will also not be judged on scores. The winning group will be the one with the most participation. If your shire has 5 members and all 5 enter – you have 100% participation, if you have 100 members and only five enter…….well, you won’t win the competition, but there are no real losers in this endeavor either.

Besides bragging rights - what do you get if your group rises to the top? The members of the Shire of Sunderoak have “agreed” to toil and sweat whilst they make a heraldic silk banner for the winning barony, shire or canton. To sweeten the pot, there has also been an anonymous $50 donation to fund a post competition celebration.

I have seen much skill among the artisans of this Great Kingdom and know there are many more with hidden talents – please join us and share with us the wonders of your knowledge and skill! Let us help inspire each other to greater levels!

Consider the gauntlet thrown; I look forward to seeing you at Ice Dragon!
Katla

27 July '10

Calling all MoAS and all Aethelmearc Artisans

Known World Ministers of Arts and Sciences

Greetings to all Aethelmearc Artisans and Aethelmearc Ministers of Arts and Sciences from Elisabeth Johanna von der Flossenburg, Kingdom Minister of Arts and Sciences.

On Wednesday of War Week, August 11, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. the Society Minister of Arts and Sciences is inviting the Known World Ministers of Arts and Sciences to a meeting hosted at Aethelmearc Royal. Once again that will give all of us a chance to show off the talents of our Aethelmearc Artisans. Like in previous years you, the artisans are invited to attend and bring something you are working on. Let's make this our own Aethelmearc Artisan Row and show the Known World what Aethelmearc Artisans are working on!

All Aethelmearc Ministers of Arts and Sciences are invited to attend this meeting and represent Aethelmearc.

I hope to see many of you there and remain
In Service
Elisabeth.

25 May '10

Challenge by Renata l'rouge, known by most as the posh rot

Harvest Raid

Unto the the Sylvan Kingdom of Aethelmearc, do I, Lady Renata l'rouge, send most fond greetings. This challenge is heartfelt. I seem to be sending myself on crusade.

On October 28, 2000, I lost someone very close to my heart, my partner, Kris, when he was killed in an alcohol related automobile accident. His death was the catalyst behind me becoming the person that I am today. I did not have time to say goodbye, and I have carried that weight on my shoulders for almost ten years.

Island Park, here in Wellsville, is going through renovations over the next two years. They are putting landscaping boulders around the parking areas and for around $200, you can have the stones memorialized with a plaque. The moment I saw this, I felt I should sponsor a boulder, so that Kris would have a stone that couldn't be taken away or destroyed. The symbolism of the stone has meaning to me, as .

Kris was my rock; and in many ways, his ghost still is. He was the only person to tell me ten years ago, that I was worth something. After he died, I worked hard to overcome where I was in life, and to get to where I am today. At first, it was small steps, I got my driver's license, enrolled in college...and then there were major challenges, like getting over my addictions...I have one last major challenge to overcome, and that is my physical disability.

I have been wanting to get back into armor...I liked it when I was starting to fight a few years back. I have this hare-brained idea that, if I start going back to fight practices and get into shape, I could try and complete a fight challenge at Harvest Raid, to raise the money for this stone, as well as helping me to jump my last major hurdle... However, I haven't really done much more than whack at shields and learn to duck.

I contacted Syr Finn and asked his guidance and advice. He encouraged me to take up this quest, and offered to stand-in for me if my body will not let me finish. His offer is most generous, and solidifies the great respect that I have for him. I have no way to express my gratitude except, perhaps, by working hard these next few months so that I might be worthy enough not to need a stand-in.

I am issuing a challenge to the fighters of the realm, to meet me in the listfield. I initially intended ask that they donate any amount that they feel is worthy, however, as I have planned this challenge, a benefactor approached me last night and handed me $200. The monetary goal is met. Instead, I simply as that each fighter who takes up my challenge, vow to tell their loved ones how much they mean to the fighter. Not a day has gone by, since Kris's death, that I haven't deeply wished that I could tell him one last time how much he meant to me...

There are a few fighters who I would personally like to ask to come into the list-those who have inspired me throughout the years in various ways. Many I've spoken to throughout the last week, via email and in person. The responses have been overwhelming and at times, the gratitude that I feel runs so deep that words fail. Assuming that I receive official approval and that this quest becomes reality, I am asking the heavy fighters of the realm to meet my challenge, to stand across the list from me and in doing so, to stand *with* me.

I have no way of conveying the enormous gratitude that I feel for all of the support, encouragement and strength that the members of this society have shown me. I am proud to be a SCAdian...my admiration for you all runs deep.

Knowing that the stone is now a reality, I can focus on my fighting, to make that a reality, as well. I have tokens that I am giving, as thank yous and invitations...they are purple stones. As I hand them out, one by one, I feel the weight of my hurdles lifting. I am not a heavy fighter, but I *am* a fighter...

I hope to see you all this fall, where I vow to put my heart and soul into standing tall in the list. I encourage anyone who picks up the gauntlet, to view our fight as a venue for overcoming their own hurdles, as well.

I remain in humble admiration,
Renata l'rouge, known by most as the posh rot

NOTE: We will update once we know Renata has received approval from Heronter

5 December 09

Masked Ball A&S Competition

A unique A&S competition awaits those of you attending Rhydderich Hael's Masked Ball!

The themes for the A&S competitions at Masked Ball will be Masks & Memorials.

The first A&S competition is all about Best Mask. Wear your most stunning mask for the ball to impress the judges and populace! The mask need not be of your own creation, we want to see your inspiration. As masks seek to hide your identity, so memorials reveal.

The second A&S competition is a theme of Memorial Objects to be judged by a populace bean count. Memorials can be objects such as reliquaries, poetry, song, paintings, needlework or other objects.

Documentation is not necessary but encouraged. Competition run by: Mistress Francesca Giovanna Della Rovere