Tag: Award

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Silver Crescent words for Cedric of the Floppy Hat

By Solveig Bjarnardottir MKA Lauren Haywood

Were he to keep a lower profile, he might
Have lived quite unknown in the East Kingdom the rest his life.
The list fields he prowled most every day,
Crossing swords with joy and never delay.
His clothes, most oft his vest and his stripes,
Though his hat alone would identify and suffice
Then, mostly alone save for only a few
To whom he had confided his whole story true.
One afternoon he turned up at the court
And offered his services at their report
To fetch and to carry—any kind of work
No task to small, no trial would shirk
And, to cut short a tale already long,
He strove to study and train and belong
To the rapier marshallate where by and by
He was a cunning fellow who kept a sharp eye
On every fencer and event support staff.
(Which is no small feat alone and by half.)
As Atlas was strong and wise as an ox,
As Apollo was swift and wily as a fox,
With all of these qualities alone, he was good
At teaching and training, as any with such skill should.
He took time to do any job he was asked.
Filling each duty, request, or each task
Helper, mentor, and friend were the names that they called him,
The very notion of abandoning those in need appalled him.
Few folk of the kingdoms were, as all would support,
Were half so beloved as he in the court.
So gentle was his manner, and seen by the crown,
That all of the East Kingdom rang with renown.
So great grew his reputation in time
Both for his helpfulness and service in prime
So for nine years he led life in this way
Through trials and struggles and joys he did stay
And did his job so well, both in peace and in war
That there was no man whom the East valued more.
So we grant Cedric of the Floppyhat, crescents of silver
To show our thanks, we now deliver
Counsels Tindal and Albrecht do bestow in Ethereal Court
This day and forever shall this honor shall be cavort.

Scoll by the incredibly talented Tiffan Fairamay

Check out her other incredible works! https://thornandthread.wordpress.com/

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Words for Simona Bat Leon, Silver Crescent

Words by Lady Solveig Bjarnardottir (Based on Psalm 31)

A woman of noble character has been found!
She is worth far more than rubies, she is the diamond of our kingdom.
She lacks nothing of value.
She brings good all the days of her life.
She works with eager hands and brings service to all.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her company and good deeds.
She gets up while it is still night;
she provides for the kingdom
She considers a task and performs it;
She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that the Barony lamps do not go out at night.
She opens her arms to the poor of spirit
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in black and hold.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She does not eat the bread of idleness.
Many women do noble things,
but she surpasses them all
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but this woman is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the East Kingdom Gates

And so, by our hands, do we, Emperor Brennan and Empress Caoilfhionn , see fit to induct, Simona Bat Leon , into the order of the silver crescent. In Addition we grant her arms Per pale azure and argent vetu, a mullet of six points between three bees, all counterchanged, at Falling Leaves, in the Barony of Carolingia, As 53.

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12th Night 2018

We brought it home. Back to Maine that is. There is a long history of 12th night in the southern region of the EK. I’m so glad we did because I don’t think I would have been able to go had it been anywhere else. I knew there was something going on when my Knight and my former teacher had reached out to me a few hours apart and asked me if I was attending. To me, at the time, it felt like this would be a good way to have another opportunity to perform so I thought nothing of it.

When the performance sign up sheet went up, I made sure to put my name up. It was a good opportunity to perhaps perform for the royals, but to continue the new pieces of repertoire I had added to my Bard book.

It was weird not truly working at an event. I didn’t have much of an agenda sans shmoozing and celebrating my friends. I had been feeling ill most of the day and off. A few nights of not sleeping, real life work stress can do that to you. The performance must go on. I brought my handy dandy “NOTEBOOK” (In the voice of Steve from Blues clues) and took a corner.  After I had picked the order of my set and let the music flow, all I could think of was how live this church was. It was beautiful physically, but the way the sound echoed and reverberated lit my soul a glow. The pain and discomfort which filled my body, radiated away.

This is why I sing. Music heals the body and soul.

30 minutes of solid music flew by. More shmoozing. Time for court! I had friends which I had been keeping their awards secret from for months. I waited anxiously to see each of their faces as they were called up. Then, without truly knowing what to expect, my name was called.

26196289_10156229057349928_7727426280074677949_n.jpg

Here. Here I was surrounded by a family of those who’s art was on fire with their souls. A community of which I could now call myself a member of .  Brothers are sisters. The icing on the cake was that my scroll, stunning as always, was done by people who I look up to and call friends. Who offer advice Freely so that I may better my art.

26169153_10101324775117069_3828309388891427686_n.jpgThe scroll illumination and Calligraphy done by Mistress Mickel, the guilding by Master Max and the words done by Lord Nichol.

A small aside. The other items pictured were also a very moving part of my day. The red favor was from the Queen, the black was a site token, the sword representing a friend who was recently, too soon and far too young. The bracelet from Mistress Aneleda who to this day supports and believes me in even when I lose all hope in myself. I am grateful for all.

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The Great Northeastern War

War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

Except pillaging afterwards! And bling!

This is my goof off year at GNE {NEVER GNEW!!!!} It was hot, I didn’t fight, and I definitely went swimming. I was in charge of a thing, Oh Odin, Oh Thor, aw hell!

Guess my ideas about Partying and shopping have to be curtailed a bit, because my home away from home this event would be: Gate!

I had organized over 80 volunteers to fill 40 different shifts give or take. When I wasn’t at Gate, I spent my time perusing merchants. I’m not really sure I slept the entire event. Because after all, what better way to spend GNE, right? After all, I was showing my Malagentian pride and getting my shopping war points, since I wasn’t fighting…

PARTY!! SHOPPING!! WOOT!

What does a true Viking do, but hang out with the likes of Thunder? The real challenge is walking home when you’re done. Especially if they’ve laid out the glow-sticks… My companion and I were heading back to our campsite, when we heard music coming from the Endeweardian encampment. Who else could it have been, but Aneleda Falconbridge?

Like a sailor to their siren, I slunk into their encampment, thankfully missing all the tent ropes. At one point, Aneleda Falconbridge, Jean de la Montagne, Master Lucienne, and Mistress Dreda had decided to perform one of my favorite quartets: Ave Verum Corpus by William Byrd. However, they seemed to be struggling in spots. I knew this piece like the back of my hand, even in my cups, as it had been my final in my conducting class in college. At one point, Aneleda asked the audience if anyone knew how to conduct, because she decided they clearly needed a conductor. I raised my hand sheepishly, not knowing what I was getting myself into. I was handed a copy of the score, made a few quick notes to jog my hazy memory, and quickly analyzed the situation.

Once I figured out where the hiccups were occurring, the derailed train was now back on track. What had been a struggle was now performed with ease, and we made it to the end as a team. At that point, the group started to dissipate, after all, it was 2am. Before leaving, the quartet approached me, and asked when we could do this again. I was star-struck, having four talented performers ask lowly little me, who didn’t even have her AoA when we could make sweet, beautiful music again.

#SpoilerAlert   I got my AoA the next day!

 

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