Ah, winter! That special time of year when you hunker down inside your castle and wait with baited breath for the return of warm weather. I say baited breath because, after months without any significant exposure to fresh air, that's what everything begins to smell like - bait!
As the months drag on in near perpetual darkness (not unlike the centuries of the Dark Ages) I begin to get a bit itchy for some outdoor activity. However, since I enjoy cold, ice and snow about as much as pestilence and plague, I know I have weeks yet to wait. (Damn that groundhog, anyway!) So, what is a poor footman to do?
Oh, I've tried all the usual things. First I tore apart my armor. I wasn't all that difficult, actually. Being a realatively new fighter, everyone is better than I am. It's like having a walking pell that they can bash with impunity. Yeah, the sword and board move, but that just makes it interesting. That being the case, my spiffy brigandine coat of plate ended the season looking like a bag of rags and leather scraps. Come to think of it, I often felt like a bag of rags and leather scraps! (But I digress). Rebuilding takes time and money, both of which are in short supply. But it fills the gap while I wait.
Since I'm rebuilding armor, why not upgrade. Brigandine 2.0! I decided to add chain maille. Looks pretty simple. All you need is some 14 guage wire, a pair of side cutters, a pair of pliers and a metal rod. Piece of cake.
Allow me to digress once more. Ignorance truly is bliss. There is nothing so magical, so peaceful and so inspiring as those moments between deciding to do something you have never done before and the cold reality of finding out what is really involved. Try it sometime. But take my advice. Prolong the planning stage as long as possible. The world is ripe with possibility and nothing is beyond your scope. Don't worry, reality will bring you back to earth with the finality of a battle axe soon enough.
Chain maille. After the battle axe fell I changed my plan a bit. I haven't given up on the idea. But I am going cheaper and easier. Thank God for Ebay. There is no shame in pre-cut maille links. Now to enjoy the blissful moments between getting them and actually trying to make something.
Still the days drag by. The weather is beginning to warm a bit, but I'm not quite ready to attempt fighter practice. Remember, my armor is still in pieces. Not to mention the ice still on much of the ground. Though that could make an interesting new piece of practice equipment - a sliding pell! Anyway, on to other plans.
Last season I wowwed the crowds with my very own ballista. Months of research. Weeks of planning. Days of building and rebuilding. Finally what started out as a mangonel morphed into a very respectable ballista. The mangonel is still there, on the back burner. But the ballista was a treat. I even won a siege engine competition with it. Ah, glory. But, then, disaster. A demo day from Hel. The ballista suffered catastrophic failure just being put together. I ended the day drawing and firing by hand while worthy others helped by holding it in place. Our siege crew was a sight to see. Still, it has now provided me with something to fill the empty hours. As if I have any empty hours.
I ordered a new crank and trigger for the machine. Built of metal, welded for strength, and designed to prevent such failure in the future. I will also provide future entertainment by allowing somethin else - equally critical - to fail just when I need it most. But that is for next winter. I now have only to wait for the parts to plan and dream.
Speaking of dreams. There is an old saying that everything looks like a nail to man with a hammer. Well, lately, everything looks like a fighter, or a battle sight. Plans for my mangonel drift lazily through my mind, accompanied by thoughts on various projectiles (stones, tennis balls, the neighbors' cat, hmmmm?). Waiting, waiting, waiting.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Looking into the furture?
Hello everyone,
It has been awhile and I'm sorry for this. Been busy with my "job" as well as other things SCA related.
We have decided on a date for our first event, May 30th, 2009. It is unnamed at this time. I believe it is going to be three days stating on Friday and ending on Sunday. A page has been set up for it on our main site for www.Drachenfeld.org .
If you have any ideas for this event let us know.... at drachenfeld@gmail.com
If you are interested in the Coronation of Tianna and Timmur, our current King and Queen, here you go.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EgNthW346w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYaq09iqgZM
God Bless all here.... Lady Enneleyn Lilje
It has been awhile and I'm sorry for this. Been busy with my "job" as well as other things SCA related.
We have decided on a date for our first event, May 30th, 2009. It is unnamed at this time. I believe it is going to be three days stating on Friday and ending on Sunday. A page has been set up for it on our main site for www.Drachenfeld.org .
If you have any ideas for this event let us know.... at drachenfeld@gmail.com
If you are interested in the Coronation of Tianna and Timmur, our current King and Queen, here you go.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EgNthW346w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYaq09iqgZM
God Bless all here.... Lady Enneleyn Lilje
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Sidney Sunrise Festival
We were honored to be asked to attend this event and represent the Society. It was held on the 12th of this month to half way decent weather. We all enjoyed ourselves and (we hope) that we showed alot of people that we were here to stay in Eastern Montana. Midrivers cable was also there and they filmed a small interview with M'lady Sophia, the Wanderer and they also taped Gaius Scorpianus Romanus and Grigori Ivanson taking hits from each other.
I sent an e-mail to Midrivers and they were kind enough to tell me that the footage will be aired on July 23rd started at 4pm and will be repeated several times until 4pm on July 24th (the next day). You can see the footage on your local Midrivers Cable channel 62.
I will be recording this so if you can't view Midrivers Cable or plain just don't have it. Let me know and I'll se what I can do.
God Bless all here... Lady Enneleyn Lilje
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wow (April and May)...
Wow...so much has happened in the last several months where do I begin?
Let us take it month by month....
April
On April 11th, Milady Sophia and myself headed off to the "Crown Tournament" that was held at Sentinel's Keep in Missoula, Mt. The Incipeint Shire of Drachenfeld was reconized and we came to be. Milady Sophia and myself were called in front of King Reinmar and Queen Albreda for this. We presented them with a gift from all of us here in Drachenfeld. Upon our leaving the King gave me a hug and told me they would be seeing us soon.
May
Right after the Crown Tournament, I decided to join Milady Elispeth and her daughter on a trip to South Dakota for an event, "Quest for Camalot" which would held in Nemo, S.D. We had come to find out that Queen Albreda's father was living in Mile City, MT. which was right down the road from us. On May 14th, the King and his lovely Queen joined us here in Glendive for a picnic dinner and a fighter's practice. I would like to believe Scorpainous and Arbon (a friend of ours from Northshield) gave the King a run for his money, but I am known to be wrong too.
After our meal and some good fighting, we held a small court. Our weaver, Milady Elispeth recieved her "Award of Arms" making her our first Lady of our new shire. It was truely an enjoyable evening and I can hope it was for our honoured guests.
Early on the next day we set out to "Quest". It was an enjoyable three days (I least I was trying to enjoy it...I was feeling a little under the weather). On Friday night, Lady Elispeth and myself enjoyed a wonderful visit with our King and Queen (yup...they were there too) and we would like to thank them for their hospitality for the wonderful evening.
On Saurday both the Royalties of Northshield and Artemisia held court. Arbon was reconized for her fighting at our fighter's practice. To tell you the truth, I was so proud of her. Oh...I recieved my "Award of Arms". Not really sure if I deserve it, but they thought I did and I guess that is what matters.
It was then I decided to attend "Uprising", but we will leave that for another post.
God Bless all here.... Lady Enneleyn Lilje
Let us take it month by month....
April
On April 11th, Milady Sophia and myself headed off to the "Crown Tournament" that was held at Sentinel's Keep in Missoula, Mt. The Incipeint Shire of Drachenfeld was reconized and we came to be. Milady Sophia and myself were called in front of King Reinmar and Queen Albreda for this. We presented them with a gift from all of us here in Drachenfeld. Upon our leaving the King gave me a hug and told me they would be seeing us soon.
Right after the Crown Tournament, I decided to join Milady Elispeth and her daughter on a trip to South Dakota for an event, "Quest for Camalot" which would held in Nemo, S.D. We had come to find out that Queen Albreda's father was living in Mile City, MT. which was right down the road from us. On May 14th, the King and his lovely Queen joined us here in Glendive for a picnic dinner and a fighter's practice. I would like to believe Scorpainous and Arbon (a friend of ours from Northshield) gave the King a run for his money, but I am known to be wrong too.
After our meal and some good fighting, we held a small court. Our weaver, Milady Elispeth recieved her "Award of Arms" making her our first Lady of our new shire. It was truely an enjoyable evening and I can hope it was for our honoured guests.
Early on the next day we set out to "Quest". It was an enjoyable three days (I least I was trying to enjoy it...I was feeling a little under the weather). On Friday night, Lady Elispeth and myself enjoyed a wonderful visit with our King and Queen (yup...they were there too) and we would like to thank them for their hospitality for the wonderful evening.
On Saurday both the Royalties of Northshield and Artemisia held court. Arbon was reconized for her fighting at our fighter's practice. To tell you the truth, I was so proud of her. Oh...I recieved my "Award of Arms". Not really sure if I deserve it, but they thought I did and I guess that is what matters.
It was then I decided to attend "Uprising", but we will leave that for another post.
God Bless all here.... Lady Enneleyn Lilje
Monday, March 31, 2008
Coming up...
Here is what is coming up for us in Drachenfeld...
On April 11th, I and M'Lady Sophia are going to the Crown Tourney at Sentinel's Keep in Missoula, MT. M'Lady Sophia and myself will be bearing gifts. We have been told our group will be recieving our Inciepent Shire status. It is the beginning of better things to come.
On April 18th, we will be hosting another "Current Projects Night" (I believe) it will be in the basement of the Glendive Library again at 7 pm. Bring your current projects with you and if you would like you can also bring a friend. Not all projects have to be 'Period'. If you want to bring a snack you are also welcome to do so.
On April 25th, is our "Business Meeting" in the basement of the Glendive Library at 6:30 pm. This meeting is open to public and all are encouraged to come. One of the subjects on deck is a "SCA Movie Night". We are looking into using the Rose Theater so that we could possiblly invite the public...as I said, this is still in the planning stages.
God Bless all here.... Enneleyn
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Incipient Shire Recognition
Hello everyone, just thought I would let you know we are set to be recognized for our Incipient Shire status on April 12th in Missoula. Myself and m'Lady Enneleyn will be traveling to Crown tournament in order to receive our recognition and if you would like to join us, please let me know.
Sophia
Sophia
Sunday, March 2, 2008
At the last meeting on Friday...
We had our last business meeting this past Friday....
Some of the things descussed was this up coming events some of us could attend.
The Crown Tourney at Sentinel's Keep (in Missoula, MT.) in April, Quest for Camalot in South Dakota in May and as well as a few others. Some of which, Milady Elspeth will be attending with her woven fabrics. I have been asked to join our Senenescal and our weaver to attend these events with them. I'm honored to be asked be we will see what my work schedule has to say. Most, if not all, of these events are held on the weekends and I work weekends.
One of the subjects decussed was the idea of a movie night (maybe sometime in April). One idea was to apporach the local theater, more to come on this.
We did decide to have a A&S night on March 14th (Friday) from 7pm to 9pm in the basement of the Glendive Library. It is being labeled as "Current Project Night" so those of the shire (or those interested in our shire) can bring your current projects you are working on to the basement of library to show them off, work on them, or ask for advice. I believe there is going to be some 'goodies' for us to munch on.
But for the most part the 'plague' has sped through our shire so the month of February we have all been laying low. I believe it has passed now, for the most part.
God Bless all here.... Enneleyn Lilje
Some of the things descussed was this up coming events some of us could attend.
The Crown Tourney at Sentinel's Keep (in Missoula, MT.) in April, Quest for Camalot in South Dakota in May and as well as a few others. Some of which, Milady Elspeth will be attending with her woven fabrics. I have been asked to join our Senenescal and our weaver to attend these events with them. I'm honored to be asked be we will see what my work schedule has to say. Most, if not all, of these events are held on the weekends and I work weekends.
One of the subjects decussed was the idea of a movie night (maybe sometime in April). One idea was to apporach the local theater, more to come on this.
We did decide to have a A&S night on March 14th (Friday) from 7pm to 9pm in the basement of the Glendive Library. It is being labeled as "Current Project Night" so those of the shire (or those interested in our shire) can bring your current projects you are working on to the basement of library to show them off, work on them, or ask for advice. I believe there is going to be some 'goodies' for us to munch on.
But for the most part the 'plague' has sped through our shire so the month of February we have all been laying low. I believe it has passed now, for the most part.
God Bless all here.... Enneleyn Lilje
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