In the heart’s abyss where shadows dwell, Amidst the veils of selfish yearning, A soul ascends, its tale compelling, In selflessness, its virtues swell.
Through realms of doubt and worldly spell, A journey vast, its essence burning, In light of love, its manifested yearning,
To serve, to give, its purpose well.
In Tessa’s work, where idle hands quell, And all sing out in realms discerning, The altruistic soul finds grace, returning,
To realms where selfishness expel.
In charitable, true greatness lies, Beyond the self, where spirit flies, In service to the greater good,
A journey marked by all she stood.
Thus, let us strive, like Tessa’s work, To rise above those who tend to lurk, And in philanthropic ways, find our truest light, Guiding us through the darkest night.
Thus Royals Tindal and Emerson, noble hands do we, Raise Tessa Martini D’Agonstino up with glee To the ranks of Pelican we grant At the Great Northeastern War XXX VI, now and forever we chant
A member of the flock, never diminished or title scant.
Based off Dante’s Divine Comedy, 14th Century Italy
Calligraphy and illumination by Nataliia Anastasiia Evgenova Sviatoslavina
Based -VERY closely on Chaucers 2nd speech from “A Knights Tale”
Video courtesy of Arlyanna van Wyck
Your Majesties, Your Highness, And everybody else here NOT sitting on a cushion:
Today, today, you find yourselves equals.
For you are all equally blessed.
For I have the pride, the privilege, nay, the pleasure Of introducing to you a woman about to be elevated, sired by generations of Pelicans before her, A woman who can trace her lineage back to before the founding of the Society! Or, at least, to Master Harold.
I first met her atop the snow capped lands of Stonemarche, Palio if you will, Working her hands in soil, mud, sweat and blood Never asking for help, asking only for forgiveness that her flesh and bones could not labor beyond the bounds of human endurance.
Next, she amazed me still further at Harper’s When she saved a lame duckFrom the would-be demolishment of a multi-remove feast. Bashing away forks, knives, spoons all utensils with her bare hands This duck? It may have been her own
At Birka, she spent a day sitting still, never moving an inch, or clattering an item Just to better understand what stillness felt like.
And so, without further gilding the lily, And with no more ado,
I give to you the Seeker of Service, The Ambassador of Aide , The Matron of Maintenance The One — The Only — Tessa Martini D’agnostino!
Mighty King Tindall and King Consort Emerson demand all in attendance to lend their ears!
On the swan-roads and fields of glory the bladesong of Desimir is spun from wind to earthen warrior . Shield-breaker, helm-seeker, Desimir is the storm’s fury and the sea’s embrace. He is iron-borne, unwavering in prowess and conviction against all odds. With a spear-gripped stance and raven’s flight, he honors ancestors in the clash of metal and breath. In the heat of combat, he forges his saga, wielding this ancient dance of steel. With each thrust, he carves the runes of victory upon the battleground, where the echo of each who had trodden before resound. Rapier, silver gleaning, rests upon his neck today. Wars of the Great North Eastern land marked in the annals AS LIX.
Calligraphy and Illumination/Cutwork by Ciaran Ua Meic Thire
In the 14+ years I have been playing in the SCA, I have yet to miss a GNEW.
This year was emotionally tough to get motivated for. Had I not had prior commitments, I had thought about skipping. It has nothing to do with the event itself as it is a wonderful event. It had nothing to do with the offerings or the people. It was simply “It’s hot, I’m tired and I don’t wanna”.
The weather until the day before had predicted rain. LOTS of rain. If you are not from New England, a lesson you should know is that, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes”.
So, I waited. The weather cleared for the entire weekend and that was grand.
Wolfgang, Child and I arrived on site about 3 hours later than I had planned, which worked out with the weather (heat).
We set up camp, but I was already full of anxiety. There were some things in my personal life plaguing me, but I won’t get into them here, plus the anxiety of teaching a new class, running an ensemble with very litter external direction from the coordinators and a performing a boast which I had written for a dear friend.
Thursday evening, we sat in camp and wandered about to see friends. Much of my memories for the evening was a blur, but I suspect it was due to my busy day ahead of me on Friday.
Friday am came too quickly and it was rehearsal time. 9:00 am is not my favorite, but it’s when we were all available. The rehearsal was for playing in the Deed of Arms. If you read my blog last year, we did the same thing.
This year we played an assortment of Duets and Trios from the Rosenbeck books (1 and 2) and some other gems I grabbed off the internet. All of the pieces we played would have been heard in the 14th century (So, 13th and 14th century pieces).
I am grateful for Ameline (Center) and Richard (Right) for their willingness to play and be flexible… and meeting me at 9am for rehearsal.
After we finished up, I was off to teach my brand new class, “16th Century Vocal Technique and Pedagogy”.
The class was attending by a few people, but their varying levels of background gave me a good sense of what was working and if anything had areas of opportunity for growth. I focus on a very niche topic and I am always concerned that there will be no interest in it. I am excited to present this class at Pennsic. This will be 1 of 2 class offerings that I will be bringing to Pennsic.
From there, I hid back in my tent until it was just time to change for the Deed. Part of the Deed was not only playing 14th century music, but also dressing. Apparently, my performers and I chose an unofficial uniform. GREEN FOR DAYS!
The Deed itself was wonderful to watch and each of my instrumentalists were a delight. Not pictured is our wonderful bagpipe player.
The rest of the evening was spent socializing and prepping for the next day.
The next AM, the true reason I was excited to be at GNEW were my friends, Tessa, was about to be elevated to the Order of the Pelican, Cedric to the Order of Defense and Matt to the Order of the Pelican.
Tessa is my deputy for Harper’s retreat 2024 (COME! IT WILL BE A GREAT TIME). I had been told about her elevation and was asked to boast/herald her in. Who was I to refuse this great honor to celebrate my friend. She and I were doing a site walk and had stayed behind to do some follow-up discussion from the site-walk. I had a stroke of genius… or perhaps just a stroke, but I figured out how I was going to get what she wanted for a boast (Mind you, she has no peer, no ICOP…just friends desperately trying to not ruin the secret).
“Hey Tessa… I’ve got a friend down in Atlantia who’s going to be elevated to Laurel in September. They’ve got a 14th century Italian Persona and they -love music/performing arts. Any idea what they might like for a boast?”
“Solveig, you should do it based on Chaucer from “”A knights tale””. His speeches are *chefs kiss*”.
There… that is what I was going to do. I watched all of the speeches and settled on his 2nd speech. Separate post coming with the boast and information.
After she was taken to Vigil (and I had shot a little archery with Wolfgang) I went to go visit my friend, Tessa. (I did not visit the other two as Cedric lives 2 miles from me and had a mile long list of visitors and Matt also had a mile long list of visitors.) I went in by myself (though, I typically take Wolfgang in with me, I wanted this to be a private moment between us.
I’m not a peer, but I always try to bring some words of wisdom and support to candidates I am talking to. I never rehearse anything and only speak from the heart. It is, however, my goal to make them cry. Cry from being touched, from feels… whatever.
Anyways, I walked in. I shared with Tessa that information. I shared with her that I did the wordsmithing on her scroll (But would not share it at that time) and also that I was who was going to be boasting her in. I gently reminded her of our last Harper’s walkthrough. I explained I wanted to share her boast with her now as she would likely be too wrapped up in emotions to be able to hear the boast (Despite my crystal clear diction and projection ^_~). As I started to read it to her, her face lit up.
“You bitch!” said in the most loving way possible.
We laughed for the last few minutes and I left her with a hug.
From there I ran off to go to practice read through the scrolls at court. Audrye runs a tight and well oiled machine and I am always thankful to work under her. I read scrolls and found out I got to spend some delightful time sitting with Wolfgang and Erik (We share a Peer…actually all 3 of us do but anyways).
It was time for the Silver Wheels to be called up. I knew 5/6 of the recipients. I…. made a medallion for each of them. I care for them all and they have all touched me in different ways that this was just something small I wanted to do for them. I suspect many may be passed down or given away, but I wanted them to feel cared for in the moment.
I had not realized that there was only 1 recipient that I didn’t know. I wish I had so I could have gifted her one as well. The schtick of this court became “Is there a medallion?” “Yes, your majesty” *Hustles up to the front of court* “Is there a legacy?” “Nope…. I made it” and some form of variation for each of the 5 I made.
Finally, it was time for the boast. An adult beverage consumed before hand to “Take the edge off” and then here we go!
This was my first truly “Heroic” style boast. I was trying to channel Paul Bettany but still make it my own.
I could not do a better set of timing because I had a parade of folks behind me, but I still tried to do my best. I feel like I at least nailed the timing for the finish.
I heard some snickers, I saw folks reacting in pictures. I watched the video that Arlyanna van Wyck had taken (Thank you as always, Arlyanna for all your hard work and the gift you give to the kingdom with your videography. You capture so many memories).
It wasn’t perfect, but it was perfect for the moment. I, as a performer, am mostly content with it, but the fact that it did make my friend’s day, is all that mattered.
My heart is full and I feel somewhat revitalized. I am still taking the rest of the summer easy as I have responsibilities at Pennsic and Harper’s and in October, my royals step up and I work more for my Largesse coordination.
Please check out the boast video and the scroll words when you get the chance.
GNEW has been one of 2 events I have never missed since I started in the SCA in 2010. It has seen me at my worst and it has seen me at my best. This year I was in charge of running -all- performance related items as well as had separately been in charge of all performances for “The Deed of Arms”.
The weather was not anticipated to behave and it was also looking to be excruciatingly hot. I had apprehension about attending, but I know I had duties to complete. I had recruited a deputy to help alleviate some of my commitments as well as additional help for one of the classes I was running, but life happened.
Thursday, Wolfgang, Smöl and I arrived on site to realize we had forgotten some things, so off to ye olde Walmart I went. Upon return, I started with a rehearsal for the Deed of Arms. For anyone who doesn’t know, The Deed of Arms is a 14th century immersion battle scenario, inclusive of a gallery. One of my vocalists had dropped last minute and another did not make it back to site. I had created a contingency plan to make this all work. I was lucky that we worked through several quirks of the music and was able to create a more comfortable situation for each of the performers. The music was all 14th century homophonic or polyphonic and to a level that individuals who were not deeply immersed in music could manage in a short period of time. For vocalists we did “Miri it is”, “Sumer is icumen in”, “Dona Nobis Pacem” and “Ecco la Primavera”. Our Bagpipist played “Douce Dame Jolie”, “Stella Splendens” and “Quant je sui mis au retour” and our poet did a 3 minute poem”. In addition, Aalina sang ” Ego Humilitas” from Ordo Virtutum by Hildegard von Bingen and ” Ut Queant Laxis”, an 11th century Gregorian chant. However, I only rehearsed with the vocalist ensemble.
To help my vocalists prepare, I created learning tracks for each of the songs and voice parts.:
Friday am started with a youth Bardic circle. I only had 2 youth who showed up, but heck did they sing their little hearts out about unicorns everywhere and pandas everywhere.
Rehearsal 2 and I found out that my 4th vocalist who was supposed to double the bottom of Ecco with me was in a car accident and would not be attending for the rest of the day so PLAN B.
A short break and then off to teach my rounds class. I had a women come who asked if she could just listen. I coaxed her to sing with us anyways and she was a very welcome addition. All of my attendees did a wonderful job. One of them was BRAND NEW to the SCA and I got to listen to his beautiful voice as well.
The Deed of Arms came and my amazing vocalists joined me (Plus my student who was fighting in the Deed) and a resounding applause. It seemed we were well received. More planning for next year to see if we can obtain a larger ensemble and more music can be made.
Saturday and back at it. I was not really anticipating anyone would show up to my recorder jam. This was a class to be a supportive measure for newer recorder players and a way to give out resources so they could obtain free music and also music transcribed by other scadians. Much to my surprise, I had 3 attendees. We worked through one of the Carmina Buranas from Al Cofrin’s books. We have varying level of skills in the group but great attitude. This is what we accomplished:
I ran off to Tiffan’s vigil to present them with a Taranus wheel I had made them but forgot to take a picture. Whoops. Oh well.
Then after I ran an adults Bardic Circle in the Barn. This was unusual. We typically imagine Bardic during the night. We wanted to try to create an accessible bardic space. If you think about those who cannot camp, those who have difficulty seeing in the dark, dealing with flickering lights and those with families, bardic at night can be difficult. We had about 10 of us over 2 hours but everyone got several turns, new friends made and all in all a delight!
Over both days I also organized having a puppet show for the youth each day.
Finally! Reprive! I get to sit for court. I knew many people receiving well deserved awards. Little did I know, one of those people would be me. We were getting towards the end of court and the smöl was still there despite me having offered to let him head back to camp. 4 hours for a 10 year old is ROUGH. I was so proud of him that he sat with us. Then, I had lost attention for a breif moment as a friend was asking about Bardic for the night. I had to sadly admit we were heading home because of the weather when my husband started pulling me up to the Dias. My name was called. Why? I missed who was up there. What did I do?
Apparently, it was time to join the order of the Silver crescent. This is an award for your dedicated service to the kingdom. I do what I do because I love this game, the people, events happening and I can’t watch things burn. To hear I was receiving an award for it blew my mind.
Here is the scroll I received:
Now you all know this bard and their song. While hours do go by, I’ll keep you apprised. For the deeds of Solveig should be heard ‘cross the East. Let all hear my words about the service and fight. Let’s sing the bard’s song.
Chatelaines are all work and play, welcome us home. Newcomers will always know her name. But the bards’ service will remain. Her hard work will set the stage where performers play. Their fame lives on due to her service strong.
There’s only one song left to be sung. Tale of a brave bard called before the throne. Now the Order gathers to welcome them near. No one need ask you how they serve the Kingdom. We’ll tell their story.
So is the fame sung of our bard, one Solveig Bjarnardottir, by Ardri Brennan and Ardrígain Caoilfhionn, who proclaim her inclusion into the ranks of the Order of the Silver Crescent. Their words are received by beloved populace and joyous companions alike upon the field of the Great Northeastern War this fifteenth day of July, AS LVIII (58).
Scroll by THL Lily Aubrey, Words by THL Eleanor Grey
Beyond that there was one more item. The medallion I received belong to my mentor, my Pelican, Rowen Cloteworthy. This was his. My first and only legacy piece.
As a bard, this is the best gift you can receive. There is a story. A story is how someone lives forever. Thank you, Jedi, for this most precious gift. The cord, also beautifully and lovingly crafted by the amazing Astridr Saegersdottir. I feel truly loved.
I often find that GNE has been my event home since I started playing in 2010, but it wasn’t my first even. It is always one that has resonated with me as a war… a true immersion event for me.
This year was no different. I got to get my hands dirty with Bardic from helping to arrange the Bardic space, advertising and even performing myself.
I spent the weeks prior to GNE helping Gregor set up the Bardic space and quire Bardic Talent. I’ll admit, however, I was a bit preoccupied with my own agenda. This was my boyfriend’s first event and I wanted it to be as magical for him as it was for me.
Friday I spent fencing and showing my boyfriend around the range and doing a little bit of shopping. Saturday, I made sure I was there for the other performers as well. Prior to my own performance, a friend of mine was having a difficult time building up her own confidence. I spent time prior to making sure she knew people would be there and the massive amount of skill she possessed. I even requested she sing a song specifically for me.
When it was time to perform, I took the stage. This would be a casual performance. I really feel it’s important to read your venue. I chose not to sing the songs that made me feel like a million bucks, but ones that my audience would enjoy. This concert was not for me. It was for the audience.
The Friday prior, my good friend, now Mistress Christiana Crane had been sent to vigil. I feel like I only truly have one gift I can give and so this is what I made for her.
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.
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.
The 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.
When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie!
It was time for me to get off my throne and I don’t mean the porcelain kind. I had the honor of running and judging this years Provincial Bard competition for Malagentia. From the few years I have been entering competitions for Bardic, I learned what I wanted and didn’t want in a local competition. I had been working to build a bardic community wherever I go because my heart aches when I hear people say, “I’m not good enough… I can’t follow HER…. Bardic is hard. This does not make a safe environment for performers. It’s hard enough to get up in front of folks, especially when you never did it professionally or even semi professionally.
This year I made a rubric. It included the following categories:
Were you prepared?
Did you perform well?
Can you be heard?
How well did you know your piece?
Did you fit the theme?
Did the audience enjoy your piece?
Did you provide documentation?
How detailed was your documentation?
I also had a theme “Home is where the hearth is”. I figured it would be a nice and creative way to see how the competitors would deal with it. Also, how they would introduce their pieces and explain how their piece fit into the theme. In addition, the competitors would perform 2 pieces in contrasting styles, 1 piece must be period and documentation is required. This would tie into the SCA as but leave enough leniency that it would be fun.
Before the performances began, our Senechal (Who was one of the 3 additional judges I had asked to help with the judging) interjected for a moment. I couldn’t imagine what she needed to announce, but who was I to say no to this amazing lady. I was bestowed the very first provincial honor for Arts and Sciences for my work in the Bardic field. I was surprised and honored to receive… well, this honor! It was only the very first because I needed to leave early to head to a wedding so I was not able to attend the closing ceremonies where it should have been awarded.
On to the performances! We had 4 incredible performers. All of them were not only incredible performers in all their own ways, but they were also all skilled in a martial activity as well. There were two heavy combat fighters and 2 fencers. I am proud to say I have fought and fenced with each of them. On top of these skilled performers, we had an exceptional young lady perform to compete for the youth bard. I had decided this year to include this category. I find that we cannot support the arts just as adults, we need to hone their skills at an early age. It’s true what they say, the youth are our future.
The deliberating was difficult. Each was unique and powerful. I was blessed to have the judges I had picked along side me to help me pick. I didn’t want anyone to feel like they weren’t good enough. I had asked each of the judges to talk to all of the individuals privately and provide feedback. I didn’t want critiques, I wanted positive reinforcement. One of the largest lessons I have been learning in life is that you never provide unwarranted feedback or feedback that wasn’t asked for be the individual. I sent my words with the other judges and I also reached out to each of them after to let them know where their strong points were and encouraged them to keep shining like the jewels they are. Though, if someone told me that I’d reply, “ I’m volcanic ash! I don’t shine”
Lord Frederick Vanderveer had approached me once again to open my mouth to make pretty noises. It was time to arrange another concert for GNEW. It was a bit harder to wrangle performers this year due to the fighting schedule and the notoriously long pomp and circumstance of Court.
I had lined up a few new acts for the concert. Something about this year filled me with the anticipation of new and exciting talent.
A few days prior to the concert, I began to receive multiple messages from people who could no longer perform. What started as a venue of 7 performers was now down to 4. This would still work, but we all suddenly had more stage time to fill.
Bardic Grove had been moved to Merchants Row, and the stage was now more intimate. The concert was slated for Friday night so it would not compete with Court (besides, some of us like to go to bed BEFORE the thunder parties are over).
Waiting with me to perform was Lady Nuala McKensie, but my 2 other performers never appeared.
I swore I would still make this work.
Nuala and I would weave between pieces. I also had the genius idea to turn the concert stage into a safe space for newer and less confident performers.
Lord Frederick Vanderveer happened to be in attendance. I asked him if he would grace us with a piece. He gladly accepted and entertained the audience with a beautiful melody. It was really nice to see him perform. He doesn’t often get a venue to perform vocally and sometimes the bard factor can be intimidating.
After that, we also had the joy of being entertained by Lord Greger when he told us a humorous tale of one of his many experiences within the SCA.
To round out the night, we had a young woman with a beautiful voice who had never performed publicly before. It was absolutely lovely to have new blood show such bravery as to perform in front of an audience at our show.
We finished with a group performance of “Life Blood”, which has always been an SCA favorite of mine.
The next day, there were to be several courts held. There was one mid day at which a friend of mine would be receiving an award, so I made sure to be present.
There was a hold with the royalty (not uncommon in these situations). They had called for a bard. Typically, in these circumstances the King’s or Queen’s personal bard would be called to perform, however, neither was present for this event. Being noticed by the King, I was called to perform. I did not have my bard book on me, but without hesitation I began to sing. I few verses later, my services were no longer needed and court resumed.
I had never been called on to perform so suddenly and without preparation. This was a huge honor bestowed upon me by the royalty, and I can only be thankful my performance was not preceded by me losing my lunch all over the court attendees.
Some funds, some funds, my Kingdom for some funds!
It had been 8 years since I had done my last professional recording. I was eager to get my feet wet again. The wish fairy came to my aid via the Tome of Visages carrier pigeon. I received a request from Drake Oranwood. Drake was organizing a fundraiser for the East Kingdom Travel Fund. If one is not familiar, it is very expensive to be King and Queen, and so, we, as loyal citizens, aim to increase the size of their coffers.
We would put together a CD/digital download of East Kingdom anthems.
I was sent a piece by Mistress Aife Ingen Chonchobair in Derthaige called The Eastern Tyger’s Roar. I gave the piece one listen and needed no additional motivation. I learned the piece over the next few days and traveled to the Barony of Endewerde to visit with Mistress Aneleda. She had a sweet, sweet setup (next to her washer, dryer, and ironing board).
Recording started promptly at 10:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, and concluded 11:30 PM. I think I may have done 9 takes in that time, some of which may or may not have been composed entirely of giggles. The finished product was sent via carrier pigeon to Lord Drake and were never heard from again until the time of final production. What can I say? I am my biggest critic.
If you’d care for a listen, and to support the East Kingdom, please follow the link below.
The scroll illumination and Calligraphy done by Mistress Mickel, the guilding by Master Max and the words done by Lord Nichol.
Meddlings of the Minnesinger 