Beltane Games

Well, for an event that is effectively billed as a kick back and relax weekend, I must say that Namron’s Beltane this year was very productive, both personally and heraldically.

As it turned out, my wife and child decided to stay at home this weekend (that was mostly due to mundane stresses and my wife deciding that it she needed a stay-at-home rest). So the total trip down consisted of myself and Master Robert Fitzmorgan and his Lady Katrine. The three of us have been friends for a long time, so I was really glad to have the chance to spend some time with them.

I offered to site herald, and as much as I intended to help Wolfgang with the task, between the event’s legendarily loose schedule, Wolfgang’s random hobbies and my own, Site heraldry was a little more ad-hoc that I think either of us was hoping for. But by all accounts it was fun for all, and aside from two relatively quick courts, the weekend was one long party.

A few items of note that I think are worth mentioning here.

First, I spoke with a good friend from the fiting circles, Lord Ashikaga (or however you spell it). We talked at length on a lot of stuff Friday night, but something specific came up that we both latched onto. In short, I floated the idea of doing the Stillwater MS walk in full armor, and Ashikaga was all about that. So, later on in the year, I’m thinking this brainstorm might become a reality.

Then, I wound up in a conversation with Robert, Katrine, and His Excellency Ian from Northkeep. I think we gabbed for close to two hours, and we had a good time just catching up with each other. Something Ian said that’s important here is that he pointed out that while I am welcome to Herald a Northkeep populace meeting, Courts at events are strictly reserved for Northkeep’s local heralds. I couldn’t agree more, and as my stated goal is to increase heraldry in the north, one way to read that is to say that I am working towards putting myself out of a job.

Honestly, I appreciate Ian’s candor and directness on the topic. The truth be told, I would love to herald a Northkeep court at an event, but I can only imagine the (well deserved) upheaval that that would elicit from Northkeep. I’m thinking that Talbot, with a little 10 minute run-through, will probably be more than able to handle the next populace meeting for them. This is, of course assuming that Kevin doesn’t want to do it.

Ian told me that he had gotten some comments about letting someone not from Northkeep herald their populace meetings. But to this he replies “and we just happen to have some positions open for local court heralds if you would like to learn how to do it for yourself.”

I’m not entirely sure if Talbot was the product of one of these conversations, but even if it were the case, I am a strong proponent of local pride, and wouldn’t fault him (or anyone) for the concern.

Honestly, with Talbot stepping up as a local court herald, Kevin on the mend, and me really starting to dig in hard with book heraldry, I can see the possibility of me paring back my involvement with Northkeep’s courts. Mind you, I’ll still go to their meetings, partly for the Blackfeather news, and partly because they are my good friends. But still, I had an objective, and I think that Talbot represents the first major success on that list.

And if you’re reading this, Talbot, no pressure….

A good portion of the event was spent in conversations with friends and some people I hadn’t met before. For me, it was a good chance to do some self evaluating and reexamine my goals and objectives. Both personally, heraldically and in the SCA as a whole.

I’m still really looking forward to teaching my classes at King’s college and Ansteorrian heraldic and Scribal Symposium. Hopefully I can get some more people to travel down with me to both… Gas prices are getting to be a real pain in the butt. (for the sake of history I point out that yesterday [Sunday, May 4^th, 2008], a gallon of regular unleaded was supposed to be going for something in the $3.39 department.)

In other news, A good Friend of mine, Lady Adalia VonderBerg was awarded the Iris of Merit for her work that includes championship level bardcraft.

Other awards were given out, but you can shoot me, I didn’t take notes. I needed a break as much as my wife, I just needed it at Beltane.

Lord Ivo Blackhawk
Province of Mooneschadowe
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"God Save the King!"