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We have some great news for several of our Shire....

1/21/2016

The latest LoAR letter is out with some fantastic news for several of you:

Ástríðr Meistriksdóttir. Name.

Hainrich Wächter. Device. Per pale argent and sable, a boar rampant maintaining a lantern gules and on a chief embattled azure three lanterns argent.

Matthias Vandor. Device. Quarterly per pale embattled gules and Or, a pithon displayed sable and in chief two mullets counterchanged.

Ris i Bretlandi. Name.Submitted as Rhys hinn Bretlandi, the name was changed in kingdom with the submitter's permission to Rhys i Bretlandi to match the documentation that could be found: names from the English/Welsh and Scandinavian naming groups can only be combined prior to 1100 under Appendix C of SENA. Rhys is found only after the 12th century, with the form Ris found in documents from the 8th century to the end of the 12th century. Therefore, the submitted spelling of the given name cannot be combined with the Scandinavian byname. We have changed the given name to the earlier form Ris with the submitter's permission to register this name.

Congratulations everyone!!! Wear them with pride.

~Maddelena 'Raven' de Ricci

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Updates....

8/31/2015

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We have some updates on recent submissions. The following submissions have moved up to Laurel level:

Ástríðr Meistriksdóttir - New Name

Hainrich Wächter - Resub Device

Matthias Vandor - Resub Device

Rhys i Bretlandi - New Name

The SCA College of Arms has broken down the submissions process and general time frames for each level:

http://heraldry.sca.org/submissions_process.html

No decision is final until it is published in a LoAR.

Congratulations on your submission advancements. May the fates continue to be kind.

~Maddelena 'Raven' de Ricci

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Submission news....

6/7/2015

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The latest LoAR hit my inbox a couple of hours ago with some great news of an acceptance:

Violet Tailyeour: Device. Purpure, a sea-goat and on a chief argent a thistle between two cinquefoils purpure.

Congratulations Violet!!! Use it with pride.

~Maddelena 'Raven' de Ricci

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100 Royal Crowns from Around the World....

5/27/2015

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Mads Phikamphon contacted me in regards to an article that she wrote about royal crowns in history. I thought that you guys might be interested in it and wanted to share it for your viewing pleasure. She wrote up this lovely intro to her article for you guys:

When we think of royal crowns, most of us think of the kind of crowns that we see in movies. But crowns can actually look very different depending on when they were made and where they are from in the world. To help us recognize the difference between the many different crowns, Axentric.Com made this graphic with 100 of the most interesting royal crowns from the last 3,500 years.

The first crowns were used in ancient Egypt, but we can also find crowns from ancient cultures in South America and parts of Asia. These cultures had no contact with each other, so it probably says a lot about human nature that so many different cultures all choose to use crowns as symbols of royal status and authority.

One might think that it's only the crowns from centuries ago that look different depending on where they are from, but even today it's easy to tell if a crown isn't from one of the monarchies in Europe. The modern crowns from Africa look very different from the modern crowns from Europe and so does the modern crows from Asia.

It's also important to note that even though the tradition of royal crowns is thousands of years old, it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. As you can see in the graphic on the site, the latest crown is only a few years old (2011).

~Mads Phikamphon

This is the link to the actual article with the amazing chart of crowns. The image itself is simply too amazing to fit onto this blog properly, so go check it out for yourself. Thanks for sharing your article with us, Mads. You did a great job with it.

http://www.axentric.com/en-uk/top-100-royal-crowns-and-crown-jewels-ever/

~ Maddelena 'Raven' de Ricci

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Good news everyone....

4/9/2015

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Cicilia Violi - Badge (Fieldless): An orange slipped and leaved bendwise sinister inverted proper within and conjoined to a mascle argent.

Wolfgang Bobbert - Name and Device: This name combines a German given name and Dutch byname. This is an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C of SENA. Vert, a willow tree eradicated and on a chief argent two mullets voided and interlaced sable.

Congratulations!!! You guys are now official.

~Maddelena 'Raven' de Ricci

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Meridian Awards....

3/4/2015

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It has been requested from the Beacon Herald of Meridies, that we should teach our groups about our Kingdom awards. Our very own shire member, Rhys í Bretlandi , was the starting point for said request. He posted a while back about membership requirements for different awards, so I will summarize as best I can from the original source listed at the end of this post. The original source has more detailed information for each award, I'm just doing a basic run down.

Awards are pretty much given by the pleasure of the crown. We write letters, they read them, and based on what we write in about a person and their awesomeness, they may decide to give them an award. Some orders and awards have more folks involved in this decision, but generally, that's how it works. If you write a person in for an award that they already have or may not quite be ready for, the crown may look into another similar award that would be more appropriate. Many awards come in tiers.

For example: You think that somebody would make an amazing Laurel, and the powers that be do not think that they are quite ready (but still very much on that path), they may decide to look more at the Order of the Velvet Owl if they are not already in that Order.
You might also write somebody in for an award of arms not knowing that they already have one. You wrote about how awesome they are and how much they do for others. The powers that be may decide to look at a higher service award instead, as they already have the mentioned award.

If you wish to write to the crown about an award for anybody, you can fill out this handy form:
http://kingdom.meridies.org/olawards/
If it is for someone within the Shire, Raven is the keeper of the Shire Roster (at least at the time of this post) and will happily share it with you. The Meet the Populace page is also a great source of information for current Shire members.

Armigerous Awards:
(Awards that DO require membership)

"Meridies kingdom law states that anyone receiving an award which carries armigerous status (an Award, Grant, or Patent of Arms), or being invested as a territorial Baron or Baroness, is required to be a paid member of the Society in good standing. "

Patents of Arms: This is awarded to those that are elevated to a level of Peer (Knights, Laurels, Pelicans, etc.). However, this does not apply to departing royalty.

Grants of Arms: This award is considered to be of special dignity and is not lightly given. It is awarded to those of outstanding achievement to the Kingdom.

Awards of Arms: This is kind of your first 'big deal' level award. You are granted certain privileges and can now start wearing some nifty headgear.

Order of the Bough, Meridies: This is given to those who have served the kingdom well and faithfully, above and beyond normal expectations, and who have consistently displayed courtesy and chivalry in an exemplary manner.

Order of the Velvet Owl: This is given to those who have shown outstanding skill and accomplishment in the arts and sciences, who have imparted those skills to the populace of Meridies by regular teaching and sharing of ability in their particular specialty, and who have consistently displayed courtesy and chivalry in an exemplary manner.

Order of the Scarlet Star: This is given to those who have served the kingdom well and faithfully, above and beyond normal expectations, by consistently and successfully administrating a number of Society events and/or feasts.

"Members of the above orders take precedence over simple Grants of Arms due to the service of the members of the order. Previously, the Bough, the Velvet Owl, and the Scarlet Star conveyed Grants of Arms to their recipients. The Crown still has the option of giving Grants of Arms to new members of these orders."

Order of the Sable Sword: This is given to those who have served the kingdom with longtime excellence, quality, and chivalry in the fulfillment of duties of a martial nature, and have shown outstanding skill and accomplishment in the Martial Arts, have imparted those skills to the populace of Meridies by regular teaching and sharing of ability in their particular specialty, and have distinguished themselves in war, on tournament fields, and in the training of new fighters.

Order of the Legio Ursi: Also referred to as the Legion of the Bear. Given to those who have exemplified and furthered the art of soldiering, who have shown outstanding skill upon the field of war, who have imparted those skills to others by teaching and training, who consistently display leadership, courtesy and chivalry, in an exemplary manner, above and beyond normal expectations.

Order of the Split Arrow: This is given to those who have served Meridies with longtime excellence, quality and chivalry in either combat or target archery.

Order of the Meridian Blade: This is given to those who have served Meridies with longtime excellence, quality, leadership, courtesy, and chivalry in the pursuit of the art of the rapier.

Order of the Argent Comet: This is given by the Crown to those who have demonstrated outstanding service to a shire, college, or other group not directly administered by a barony.

"Territorial Barons and Baronesses, as representatives of the Crown, have the right to bestow the service order specific to their baronies. These baronial orders may carry with them an Award of Arms, at the discretion of the Baron and Baroness, and with the Crown's permission."

I will not go into the listing of these baronial awards, but they may be found on the source link listed at the end of this post.

Non-Armigerous Awards:
(Awards that do NOT require membership.)

The following awards carry no arms or precedence.

Order of the Rose: This is presented, at the pleasure of the Crown, to past consorts of the kingdom.

Order of Meridian Majesty: This is given by the consort to those who have personally served her/him well, truly, and faithfully.

Sovereign's Pleasure: This is given by the sovereign to those who have personally served him/her well, truly, and faithfully.

Order of the Meridian Cross: This is given to those who show promise and skill in the arts and sciences.

Order of the Argent Lily: This is given to those exemplifying courtliness (refinement and elegance). No more than one male and one female may be selected during any reign; the Crown need not select anyone if no suitable candidates are found.

Order of the Argent Shield: This is given to fighters who have distinguished themselves in war, on the tournament field, and in the training of new fighters.

Order of the Meridian Broken Bow: This is given to archers who have displayed courteous and chivalrous conduct and have distinguished themselves in the field of archery.

Order of the Weapons Master: This is given to those who show great skill in the use of real weaponry, primarily throwing axe, knife, spear, and bow. The order has the right to govern itself and to define the standard of its various rankings up to the rank of Weapons Master.

Order of the Argent Lance of Meridies: This is given to those equestrians who have displayed courteous and chivalrous conduct, and who have distinguished themselves in the field of equestrian sciences.

Order of the Argent Rapier: This is given to those who have distinguished themselves with the rapier in war, on the tournament field, and in the training of new rapierists.

Order of the Cygnet: This is given to children for courtly behavior and honorable service rendered.

Order of the Rising Swan: This is given to subjects of Meridies, age 17 and under, to recognize outstanding service and achievement above and beyond that recognized by the Order of the Cygnet.

Order of the Cygnet's Nest: This is given to those who have worked tirelessly on the behalf of children.

Order of the Guiding Hand, Meridies: This is given to those who have served the kingdom well and faithfully by giving encouragement and assistance to newcomers and any in need.

Order of the Chalice: Members are elected by virtue of their valor, grace, and service to the kingdom.

Order of the Athanor: Members are elected by virtue of their contributions to historical study in the Society. Election of members rests with the Crown, with the advice of the scholars of the order.

Order of Compostella (Pilgrim's Order): This is given to those who travel greatly in the service of the Crown and the kingdom.

Order of the Broken Brank: This is given to those who have enriched the kingdom greatly through their service to the Chirurgeon's office.

Order of the Burning Trumpet: This is given to those who have enriched the kingdom greatly through their service in the Herald's office.

Order of the Sable Quill: This is given only once per reign, to those who have shown exemplary merit and skill in the authorship, publication and dissemination of articles of scholarly interest to the Society, the kingdom and its members.

Award of the Crown's Favor: This is given to territorial groups or households in the kingdom who have either served the kingdom directly or set worthy examples of behavior.

Order of the Duvant Cross: This is given for exceptional skill, courtesy and honor on the field of Youth Combat.

Order of the Argent Slipper: This is given to those who have greatly enriched the Kingdom by the instruction of its populace in the art of European or Middle Eastern dance.

Companionate of the Bard: This is given to those who have served the kingdom in the capacity of Kingdom Bard.

Companionate of the Poet Laureate: This is given to those who have served the kingdom and Crown as Poet Laureate of Meridies.

Companionate of the Meridian King's Champion: This is given to those who have served the kingdom in the capacity of King's Champion.

Companionate of the Meridian Queen's Champion: This is given to those who have served the kingdom in the capacity of Queen's Champion.

Companionate of the Queen's Yeoman: This is given to those who have served the kingdom in the capacity of Queen's Yeoman. Election into this order rests solely with Her Majesty, and is given to those who have shown outstanding archery skill in winning the Queen's Yeoman Archery Competition.

Companionate of the King's Lancer: This is given to those who have served the Kingdom in the capacity of King's Lancer. The King's Lancer leads and organizes the Royal Horse Guard. Election into this order rests solely with His Majesty and is given to those who have shown outstanding horsemanship in winning the King's Lancer Equestrian Tournament.

Companionate of the Meridian Queen's Rapier Champion: This is given to those who have served the Kingdom in the capacity of Queen's Champion. Election into this order rests solely with Her Majesty, and is given to those who have shown outstanding archery skill in winning the Queen's Rapier Champion Competition.

Augmentation of Arms: Three mullets argent, one and two may be placed (where appropriate) upon the arms of any individual or group recognized for exceptional service to the kingdom of a nature not normally recognized through Society awards, such as actions of a particularly honorable or charitable nature. Those Augmentations bestowed prior to May 2001 may take the form: Three mullets argent, fesswise.

Please note that the cool stuff that you get to wear once you get one of these awards may come with some regulations. Please see Directions for Regalia for more information (or if you want to make some to help out your kingdom for when they give out these awards....they have to get them from somewhere, right?):
http://bagatelle.meridies.org/regalia/directions-for-regalia/

Mistress Jessa d'Avondale created the original source of this information in the link below:
http://www.sca.org/awards/merid.html

Links to similar pages for other kingdoms may be found in the link below:
http://sca.org/awards/

~Maddelena 'Raven' de Ricci

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More good news....

2/15/2015

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The latest LoAR letter arrived with some great news.

Laurencia inghean Uí Nualláin: Name and device have both been passed!!!

LoAR: Purpure, an oak tree eradicated and in chief two lilies, a bordure argent.

"Submitted as Laurencia inghean Uí Nualláin. This name combines an English given name and Gaelic byname. This is an acceptable lingual mix under Appendix C of SENA."

~Maddelena 'Raven' de Ricci

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Submission update....

1/28/2015

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We have another submission move up to Laurel level:

Violet Tailyeour - Device Resubmission

The SCA College of Arms has broken down the submissions process and general time frames for each level:

http://heraldry.sca.org/submissions_process.html

No decision is final until it is published in a LoAR.

Congratulations to Violet on her submission advancement. May the fates continue to be kind.

~Maddelena 'Raven' de Ricci

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Congratulations are in order....

12/13/2014

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I just received the new LoAR letter and congratulations are in order:

Hainrich Wächter - Name

LoAR: "The submitter has permission to conflict with the registered name Heinreich Wächter. Both syllables in the given name have been changed (something like "Hane" vs. "Hine" and "rick" vs. "rike"). Therefore, the names are sufficiently different in sound and appearance to be registered with this permission."

Thanks to both Hainrich and his 'cousin' for being patient with me while I tracked and worked out my first permission of conflict.

~Maddelena 'Raven' de Ricci

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How will you make the SCA better?

12/3/2014

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This is not a herald themed blog, but I feel that it is important just the same.

I've seen a lot of negativity towards the SCA community online lately. New people are feeling pushed away before they even get a chance to really try it out. These people speak of snobbery and elitism when they are asked why they are leaving so soon. This is a very sad thing to see, and I've seen it far too often for my liking within the SCA groups. I've also recently seen a post by a gentleman trying to build a source for how YOU can make the SCA better. I love this idea. Think back to when you were a scared little SCA baby. You got dropped into your first event and scrambled to figure out what to do. Some of us had the advantage of friends and/or family that helped to guide us into this world, but many discover it all by themselves and have to maneuver this journey solo. I speak mainly for those that travel the way of the lone wolf, but also think that this applies to anybody that is new to this community....or any community really.

What would YOU do to make the SCA better? How would you help new folks get into this hobby? What helped you the most when you got started? Who took your hand and guided you to your now favorite thing in the society?

Personally, I'm always down for questions. I may not know that much about that particular topic, but I will track down somebody else that does if I can't help you myself. (I think that this is why I enjoy working demos.) We all get wrapped up in projects, but please don't ever brush somebody off if they are interested in what you are doing. You were that person once upon a time. If you had simply been brushed off without a thought, would you be where you are with it today? If you see somebody quietly watching with interest while you work on a project, TALK to them. I know that many of us are not super outgoing, but look for a bit of your baby SCA self in that timid person that doesn't want to bother you with questions. Break the tension and put a crack in that wall.

As much as I'm down with answering questions, I'm just as much into ASKING them. Yes, you might be shy and not want to 'bother' anybody, but most of us love our niche in this hobby and LOVE to see others have an interest in it as well. Ask a question and you might start a new friendship. Not sure where to start? Look around. See some garb that you think is aces? Go ask them about it. What time/location is that from? Is that silk? Where on earth did you begin with making that? See somebody working on a project at an event? Ask them what they are working on. Whatever pops into your head about it. Yes, a few folks might be short with you and brush you off, but you know what, most of them will jump at the chance to talk about it. Many of us work really hard on our personas and garb. We're proud of them and they become almost like our children. We WANT to talk about them. "I saw this painting from __________ and fell in love with it. I tracked down...." Really, most of us will tell you anything you want to know about it. Not sure what all of those fancy hats that you're seeing around mean or what you call the person wearing them? Nudge somebody and ask. They may even have a trick to help you remember what is what. For example I remember that the King and Queen are called Majesty as they tend to have an 'M' on their crowns. Granted this only works for certain areas that are lucky enough to start with an M and actually use them on their crowns, but it helped me and others that I have shared it with. If you find yourself walking past the archery range and think it looks like fun, go over and watch for a bit. Chances are good that a question will pop into your head sooner or later and you can start up a conversation about it. They will gladly show you the ropes and sometimes have loaner stuff so you can try it out yourself. Watch the fighters for a bit. If you think it might be something that you want to give a shot, ask a fighter. They have to come off of the field and get water sooner or later....give them a chance to breath so they won't throw up or die from fighting so hard, but they love it. They'll talk about it. A thirst for knowledge is an amazing thing and it should be nurtured and encouraged.

If you find that you are unsure as to what to do with yourself at an event, take a class. Have yet to find something in the SCA that you really like to do aside from run around in fun clothes? Grab your schedule and see what's going on. I took a few years off from the SCA due to real life being crazy. When I returned, I decided to jump back in with both feet. I didn't really have 'a thing'. I sewed a bit and watch the fighters and just kind of hung out.....and that is just fine, but I wanted to find something that was MY thing. I wanted to see if I could find something to do while I watched our brave fighters smack each other around with sticks or when I was getting wiggly from sitting for too long. I took ANY class that I could get to. It may not have had any interest to me whatsoever, but I would give it a shot. Who knows, one of those classes might just be my new thing that I love. You never know if you never give it a shot. I tried a few things that I absolutely hated. Some I liked, but was horrid at. But you know what? Who cares. You gave them a chance and nobody says you have to be good at something to enjoy it. Some stuff I absolutely loved and wasn't half bad at. Those things, those very things that you would have never known that you loved to do, are the reasons you make that leap. Don't be afraid of it. The water might be cold, but the swim will be glorious. ;)

~Maddelena 'Raven' de Ricci

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Hello!!! I'm Maddelena de Ricci, but you can call me Raven. I'm the groups local herald and still very much 'green', but am always trying to better my skills. Still trying to get my footing, but always up for questions. If I don't know the answer, I will hunt it down for you.

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