Royal Huntsman Tourney (Archery Champion)

HL Fearghus MacKenna, Ansteorran Kingdom Missile Marshal, has announced that the Royal Huntsman Tourney for Their Majesties Aaron and Vanessa will be held on Sunday, February 3, 2008, at Twin Lakes YMCA, in the Barony of Bryn Gwlad. Let us show our support for our new Crown and vie for this great honor.

Chivalric contests

The Chivalric fighting in Candlemas will be in three parts of about two hours each.

The first part will be a cross between a bearpit and Swiss five list with early period weapon styles—bring gauntlets if you have them. Loaner weapons will be available for any unusual styles.

The second part will be an Ogre Ball between the Saxons and the Danes.

The third part will be a Feast Hall melee. Any mock food item, furniture, or tableware that is chivalric combat-safe will be allowed. So far we have tankards, wine bottles, a suckling pig and other... surprises. Imagination is encouraged. The melee will begin with escalating toasts between Alfred and Guthrum.

Bardic competition

The competition for the Baronial Titled Bard will begin about 2:00 (or at the leisure of the Baron/Baroness). Entrants will be judged using the Ansteorran Bardic judging sheet. Documentation is highly encouraged. Two pieces in different styles will be required; one must match the event theme of Alfred the Great. Please be prepared to perform one piece in court for our new Baron and Baroness. For more information, contact the current Titled Bard of Bryn Gwlad, Lady Vyvyanne, or the event steward, Mistress Gwyneth Blackrose.

Youth activities

There will be an unthemed Arts & Sciences competition for Bryn Gwlad for our youth 12 years of age and younger, sponsored by Lord Vilhiálmr vetr. This competition doesn't have a theme. Entrants can make toys or games, garb, decorations, camping gear... anything that strikes their fancy. They do have to submit documentation with their entries—at a minimum, a completed copy of the form at http://b-b-fam.home.texas.net/ASform/. Entrants will be expected to display their entries by 11am and will need to gather their entries by 3pm. Each participant will be assigned a three-foot-square section of table as display area. Those requiring floor space or more table space should make prior arrangements with the Candlemas A&S Deputy, Lady Pamphilene of Mistra. Youth classes will also be held.

Silent auction

There will be a silent auction of many SCA items; the proceeds will be used to further the activities of Bryn Gwlad's Baronial Guard. There will be a sword and dagger set in the auction, so be sure to check it out. The auction will open about 9:00 and close by 3:30, so be prepared to pick up your items before afternoon court. We will also accept donations of items to include in the auction if you wish to donate them early in the day.

All items will have a buy-it-now price as well as a minimum bid requested. So, bring your checkbooks and your cash!

Arts & Sciences

There will be a Static Arts Competition to choose the next Titled Artisan of Bryn Gwlad. Set-up will begin at 9:00am. For this competition, at least minimal documentation is required and more extensive documentation is recommended. The Ansteorran DRAFT IN PROGRESS Static Arts Judging Form in PDF format (rev. 2007) found at http://moas.ansteorra.org will be used for the competition. Each person may have one entry. While more objects may be included in the display, only one will be officially judged. All items being judged should have been completed within the past three years. Artisans are encouraged to enter items that are appropriate to the theme, which is Alfred the Great (early period Viking/Saxon), but it is not required. There will be no separate themed competition. Judging will be done by former Bryn Gwlad A&S champions and by acknowledged experts in the particular field of entry. Therefore, it is requested that competition entrants inform the Candlemas A&S deputy, Lady Pamphilene of Mistra, by January 26, 2008 of the general type of item to be judged.

In addition, all artisans are encouraged to display their hard work in our Arts & Sciences Exhibition. Set-up will begin at 9:00am. No documentation is required for the exhibition, and there is no limitation on completion date. Works in progress are especially welcomed.

Food drive

As we celebrate Candlemas, let us take time to remember those less fortunate. During the Candlemas festival, the Barony of Bryn Gwlad will be accepting canned food donations on behalf of the Capital Area Food Bank.

Most requested items:

• Canned meats like tuna, stew, and chili (pop-tops preferred)
• Canned green beans, canned corn and other canned vegetables
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Pinto beans
• Rice
• Healthy cereal
• Peanut butter
• Baby food & baby formula

The Capital Area Food Bank barrel will be located next to gate as you enter the site.