Lady Kateryn Draper

Gwyntarian Winter Revel

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:34:50 GMT

Saturday, December 19th, 1:00 - 10:00 p.m. at the Fred Fuller Park Shelterhouse in Kent.

497 Middlebury Road
Kent, Ohio 44240

Come celebrate the start of winter with Gwyntarian.
Dress in garb, bring feast gear (including candles) and a dish to share, according to the first letter of your SCA first name:

A-E Beverages (note: this is a dry site)
F-J Bread
K-O Vegetarian or side dish
P-T Fruits or vegetables
U-Z Desserts

Meat dishes will be provided.

Schedule (subject to change)

1:00 - 5:00 side board
1:00 - 3:00 table games
2:00 - 3:00 active games
3:00 - 4:00 Caroling
4:00 - 5:00 Dancing
6:00 - 9:00 Feast - Please bring a song or story to share. See me the day of the event if you wish to perform during feast.
9ish - 10:00 Hanging out.

There will also be a silent auction.

Hope to see you there.

Bardic madness

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:59:11 GMT

Bardic madness was fun. I recited a poem, "The Story of Macha," for the period challenge; told a story, "Alvild and Alf," for the Warrior Women challenge; and sang a song, "Byrd one brere," for the love and madness challenge. There were patrons for each challenge, and one of them handed out these really cool home made pater nosters.

There are YouTube videos up of some of the performances, although none of me.

I have mixed feelings about "Alvild and Alf." On the one hand, it's a really cool period story about a female pirate. On the other hand, I hate the ending. Prince Alf goes to defeat the pirates only to discover that the pirate captain is his long-lost fiance. He offers her the choice between execution or marriage; she chooses marriage.

There were two other disquieting tales at Bardic madness. One was a traditional Norse tale about a smith who gets revenge by, among other things, raping the daughter of his enemy. The other was an Irish myth in which Cathbad holds Nessa at swordpoint and says, "Marry me or die." (Nessa and Cathbad are the parents of Conchobur, king of Ulster.)

I have never felt comfortable changing the ending of "Alvild and Alf," since ultimately it's not my story. But what do we do with period stories that have a misogynistic streak? Do we not tell them? Do we alter them? Do we tell them in a way that problematizes them? Or do we tell them as is?

Thoughts?

Heraldry

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:30:13 GMT

So I was explaining to the local herald on Thursday why I've never submitted the device I created way back when I was 23 or so.

Me: I can't draw.
Elizabeth: *tries to tell me I can*
Me: *Attempts to draw device on napkin. Draws rough outline of shield, chevron, annulets. Then draws three oil lamps.*
Elizabeth: *in reassuring voice* Those are nice ducks!
Me: *sigh*

Kent State Folk Festival

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:38:53 GMT

There will be free concerts this Friday and free workshops this Saturday in Kent. For more information see

http://www.kentstatefolkfestival.org/

Storytelling and Ohio Valley Filk Festival

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:56:27 GMT

I was sorry to miss the Comfort Zone Bardic event, but had a great time last weekend.

Storytelling went very well. I told nine ghost stories, ranging from an ancient Irish tale (the "Adventure of Nera") to a ghostly poem. I'll be telling one of the stories ("The Shoemaker from Constantinople") Friday at Gwyntarian Dance Night and Halloween Revel. I was paid by the bookstore owner and made decent money in tips. The turnout was perfect - the room was full without being crowded. I actually frightened several people with my stories. One woman came up afterwords and wanted to know my performance schedule, which was really flattering, but I demonstrated my non-professional background by not having a webpage or Myspace with that information. I did tell her that I would most likely be performing at the OSU Medieval Faire in May. Afterwards, the bookstore owner asked me to come back in the spring.

OVFF was fun, if not period. ;-) (Although Heather Dale was one of the performers up for a Pegasus this year...) My favorite song was "Gabriel Gray's Song," about Sylar from Heroes. And I got to recite "Castle in the Clouds" from Les Miserables as a rap.

If any of you get a chance to go to OVFF next year, I highly recommend it.

Storytelling in Columbus

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:03:43 GMT

Next Saturday, Oct. 24 from 3:00 - 4:00, I will be telling ghost stories at Fly By Night bookstore in Columbus.

http://www.flybynightbookstore.com/announce.php

The rest of the weekend I'll be volunteering at Ohio Valley Filk Festival.

Afternoon of Fun

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:57:35 GMT

Afternoon of Fun was, as usual, fun. An entirely outdoor event, I've never attended when it wasn't either raining or snowing (raining yesterday), but that's just part of its charm. I discovered my black hooded cloak works very well at holding off the rain, but stained the sleeves of my white chemise. Site tokens were monkey paws - I was very careful not to make a wish while wearing mine.

There is an annual ghost story competition, and this year I won. Most period ghost, vampire, and werewolf stories are actually quite boring for modern audiences. They go something like this: "Creepy thing appears. We all get scared. A priest prays. Creepy thing goes away." But the week before the event, I found "The shoemaker of Constantinople," a wonderfully complex twelfth century tale about obsession, necrophilia, disembodied heads, unstoppable villains, and courageous princesses. It's actually a cautionary tale about a type of shoes, but I left that part out.

I almost didn't go because of the rain, but it was worth getting wet. Hey, the weather was period.

Time-traveller's guide to the 14th century

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:31:32 GMT

I want this book.

http://www.medievalists.net/2009/09/08/interview-with-ian-mortimer/

Proposal

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:04:22 GMT

As demo coordinator for my local chapter of the SCA, I receive a fair amount of private correspondence. The request I received the Friday before Art in the Park, however, was a bit unusual.

A member of the shire told me that he had received a request from the mother of a girl whose boyfriend wanted to propose. The girl in question had a passion for the Middle Ages, and her boyfriend thought our demo, which they were planning to attend, would be the perfect backdrop.

So last Sunday, during the SCA's second performance slot, I began my traditional spiel ("We are the Society for Creative Anachronism, a non-profit, educational etc. etc.") and then went on to explain that we reenact activities of the Middle Ages such as (blah, blah, blah) marriage, (blah, blah, blah), and that "Our first performance will be by Michael so-and-so." The girlfriend said, "What have you gotten yourself into?" When Michael came onto the list field/stage, Zaliha said, "Wait, he's not properly dressed," and ran out to garb him. Once appropriately attired, Michael called his girlfriend up, got down on one knee, pulled out the ring, and proposed. The girlfriend said yes, and as I saw them hand in hand an hour later, I suspect she meant it. ;-)

It was fun arranging that. And ven if they don't join the SCA (and I did make sure they got fliers), that's one couple who will always remember the Society for Creative Anachronism.

medieval quiz

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:26:10 GMT

http://historymedren.about.com/library/quiz/vquizzes/blglosquiz1.htm

I only got 6 out of 10 right.

Melee at Roswell

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:37:05 GMT

At the bardic circle on Saturday, I nailed "Byrd one Brere" for the first time - not an easy song to sing for someone without any musical background.

Of course, I completely blanked on the last verse of "The Kelpie," a song I've been singing for years. So it all balances out.

Return of the Dragon

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 03:58:48 GMT

The dragon was sighted in Kent on Thursday evening, the day after the mill caught fire. Could they be related? If so, what will it mean for the Middle Kingdom Dragon Protection Act?

Tie-dyed veils

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:14:37 GMT

Help! Most of my sca headcoverings have gotten wet and been accidentally tie-dyed in a tragic closet/air-conditioning accident. (Word to the wise - don't store cloth in a paper bag on a closet floor that houses the air-conditioning unit.) I think I can handle the cotton, but I have no idea what to do with my silk or gold veil, or a polyester scarf. Are stain removered safe on them? How do you wash a silk veil? I'm guessing washing machine is the wrong answer.

Thanks.

persona question

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:51:33 GMT

For Scadians: what does having a persona mean to you? How important is your persona in your SCA life?

Emergency Bardic Alarm System

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:47:35 GMT

WARNING: A dragon has been sighted flying over Kent shortly past Vespers. This could well be the same dragon spotted in the Barony of the Cleftlands last month. All persons in eastern portion of the Northern Oaken Region are advised to keep livestock and small children indoors until the warning expires at Matins.

Any person sighting the dragon is enjoined neither to shoot nor to stab nor in any other way injure it, as dragons, being an endangered species, are protected in the Middle Kingdom. Instead, if you find yourself facing the dragon, try singing a lullaby to put it to sleep, and then quietly back away.

All persons who spot the dragon are encouraged to tell the nearest bard or herald, so the warning can be spread.

In service,

EBAS

Bardic event this weekend

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:21:30 GMT

There is a cool bardic event this weekend in Northeast Ohio:

http://www.eastwatch.org/bardicroundhouse/brh2home.htm

I'll be teaching on class on medieval performers.

An amazing event

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:46:38 GMT

A goodly number of people from the Oaken Region had gathered in the Barony of Cleftlands for an annual celebration of summer. Little did we suspect what was in store.

For as evening approached, we saw in the sky what appeared to be a parti-colored cloud. As it came closer, we could hear and see flames from beneath it. Was it a dragon? I've told many tales of them, but never dreamed they could be real. The dragon, if that's what it was, appeared to be nothing more than a giant head. Attached to this head was a small wicker basket, large enough to hold a man.

When the creature alighted upon the very field on which a tourney had been held earlier that day, a man oddly dressed emerged from the basket. He must be a powerful wizard indeed to have harnessed the power of a dragon! He looked about in a bemused manner, as startled by us as we were by him.

I did not have the opportunity to speak with the wizard, for I and many other adults were occupied with keeping the fascinated children from getting too close. For aught we know, dragons eat children. But I later heard from those who did speak to him that he did not know where he was. The wizard rides the winds where they take him. Stranger still, he did not seem to know when he was. He inquired as to the year, and when asked which year he thought it was, he replied, "Um, 1588?" This is the year of our Lord thirteen hundred and seventy two! Either his brains had become addled in the sky or he had travelled through time itself, as it is said the Sidhe can! (With a wizard, both explanations are equally possible.)

The giant parti-colored head began to wobble drunkenly, and the wizard and marshalls shouted for all of us to get back. Suddenly, the dragon was on its side. The assembled throng looked about uneasily. What was happening?

A goodly number of the populace rushed the fallen beast. Surprised that so many would disobey the lawful order of a marshall, I ran forward as well, to learn what had caused such a thing. (It was my duty as a bard to discover the truth of the matter, so I could later report on it.) The marshalls were crying out, "The wizard needs our help to subdue the dragon! Everyone, grab hold!" So we formed a line the length of the field and grasped the dragon, which now resembled a gigantic snake to rival the Lambton Wyrm. The wizard ran an iron ring along the length of the creature, causing the air inside its skin to vanish. (So iron works on dragons as well as fairies? Good to know.) He then produced a magic bag, into which he stuffed the now-empty dragonskin, bidding us jump away as the bag reached us lest we be caught up in it ourselves. None of us were so captured (as far as I know), and the bag that contained that giant beast fit inside the basket.

During the excitement, a coach carrying the wizard's companions - who were as oddly dressed as he was (the woman wore trousers!) - arrived. Basket, bag, and dragon were all loaded into the coach. I didn't see the horses, but I assume they were taken away a safe distance while we were subduing the dragon.

It was truly an amazing event, and one which I shall not soon forget.

OSU Medieval and Renaissance faire

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:58:40 GMT

Are any of you going to the OSU Medieval and Renaissance faire next Saturday, May 2? If so, you can hear me tell stories at 2:00 and 5:00 by the Maypole.

Top 10 historical events from Medieval and Renaissance Spain

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:06:58 GMT

600 - Spania is predominantly a Visigoth kingdom, Latin-speaking, and Catholic. Minorities include Basques, Jews, and descendants from Celtiberians and Romans.

711 - Muslim conquest of the Iberian peninsula. Al-Andalus is now predominantly Muslim, Arabic-speaking, and a cultural mix of Arab and Berber. The tiny kingdom of Asturias in the north is Visigoth and Catholic.

11th - 12th centuries - The peninsula is divided into many small kingdoms and city-states, both Muslim and Catholic. Numerous Romance languages (Castillian, Portuguese, Gallego, Catalan, etc.) replace Latin, but Arabic is still widely spoken.

12th - 13th centuries - Two separate Berber invasions from Africa unite the smaller Muslim kingdoms under one rule. Catholic kingdoms begin to merge. The northern half of the peninsula is Catholic, the southern half is Muslim.

1300 - There are five kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsula: Granada, Portugal, Castilla-Leon, Aragon, and Navarre. Only Granada is Muslim and Arabic-speaking; the rest are Catholic and speak Romance languages.

1469 - Isabel, heir to Castilla-Leon, and Fernando, king of Aragon and Navarre, wed, uniting most of Catholic Iberia under one rule.

1478 - Creation of the Spanish Inquisition.

1492 - Conquest of Granada by Isabel and Fernando, ending Muslim rule on the Iberian Peninsula.
Voyage of Columbus, which will eventually bring to Europe the knowledge of two previously unknown continents.
Castillian (Spanish) is the official language of Isabel and Fernando's reign.

1517 - Carlos I (Charles V), Holy Roman Emperor, becomes king of Spain. Spain is now the most powerful Empire in the world. Under Carlos I, the Aztec and Incan Empires will be conquered.

1588 - King Felipe II of Spain, the son of Carlos I and widower of Queen Mary I of England, launches the Armada against England. Its defeat signals the downfall of Spain as the most powerful country in the world.

Dance master/mistress for Masque

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:52:14 GMT

Help! Does anyone know of someone who can teach dance at Masque of Courtly Love on Feb. 21?

http://www.alderford.org/events/masque2009

The dance mistresses for Alderford and Gwyntarian are not available.

Thanks.

Medieval profession quiz stolen from ns_kuhimo

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:39:35 GMT

You Are an Astrologer

You tend to be a fanciful, spiritual person with many interesting theories.

You are always trying to figure out how all the pieces of the world are connected.

You have a knack for predicting the future and reading people.

In modern times, you would make a good self help guru or a director of a non profit.

What's Your Medieval Profession?

Season's Greetings

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:01:41 GMT

Happy Twelfth Night, everyone!

moving help

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:33:51 GMT

I am looking for help in my move from Dover to Kent. Here are the stages; help with any or all will be greatly appreciated:

1) Kent - I need to get a futon and dresser; I also need to buy curtain rods and put up curtains. Help might include a vehicle large enough to transport a futon and help assembling said futon, and help setting up curtain rods. I'm also looking into having a futon delivered, and can set up curtain rods on my own. It just might make things easier with someone else. Tentative date - Dec. 6

2) Columbus to Kent - moving stuff in my storage unit; helping me to pack my car; driving to Kent with a packed vehicle; unloading my car and maybe someone else's in Kent. The part I'll need the most help with is moving furniture out of the way to get to boxes in my storage unit in Columbus. Tentative date - Dec. 14

3) Dover to Kent - My vehicle and one other moving my things from Dover to Kent. I believe I have this covered, but having a back-up plan couldn't hurt. Tentative dates - Dec. 15 - 20.

Tentative dates mean that I'm open to people saying "I could help you with that on X date instead." The Kent stuff can happen any time around my work schedule; the Columbus to Kent move could happen on either Saturday or Sunday on the 1st or 2nd weekends of the month.

Of course, I will feed any helpers, reimburse drivers for gas, and offer crash space in Kent (on the floor amid boxes). You would also have my eternal gratitude.

Taken from loadhan

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 02:33:54 GMT

Here are the rules:

1. Comment on this post

2. I will give you a letter

3. Think of 5 fictional characters and post their names and your comments on these characters in your LJ.

My letter was "T":

1. Thomas the Rhymer - a legendary minstrel reknowned for his honesty who is said to have met the Queen of Elfland. I know this ballad by heart.

2. Titania - Queen of the fairies in Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream." She deserved better than a husband as manipulative as Oberon.

3. Titus Andronicus - the title character of the most violent Shakespeare play. For all that he's the hero, he is not a nice guy.

4. Taliesin - the title character from The Book of Taliesin. Said to be the greatest of Welsh bards, he's also rather arrogant.

5. Sir Tristram - from Le Morte d'Arthur, among others. I always felt bad for him; growing up with the name "Sorrowful Birth" must really have sucked.

Red Dragon Bardic Competition

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:45:34 GMT

On October 11, Tirnewydd will be hosting Red Dragon: http://reddragon.ws/

This event will also feature the return of the Red Dragon Bardic Competition (run by yours truly.) The themes are "red" or "dragon" in any bardic medium.

Feel free to enter, or, if you are so inclined, to help me judge. :-)