Loyalities ?

Someone mentioned me to the other day that I spend a fair amount of time on this blog talking about how much I love Narmon and Northkeep.

Their was nothing pointed or accusitory about the comment, they were just making a note about how many times they recall me saying it on this blog.

Well let me just go ahead and throw this out so their is no confusion on the issue.

Mooneschadowe will always be my home, I started there, learned to fight there, learned to herald there, met my wife there and am raising my son there. My hear will always be in Mooneschadowe, and I love them for it every day.

Northkeep had the good graces to welcome me as a freind when i was an outsider, to give me fellowship, encouragement and support. They called me a friend when I didn't diserve it, and gave me freindhsip that I still treasure. I may never consider myself a true memeber of the barony, but their measure of honor, dignity and chivalry are of a caliber that I will always think of as awe inspiring. They will always have a place in my heart, and will always be thought of as family.

Wisenfeuer was the first local gorup for whoom I stood as a titled bard. Theirs is a people who have seen dark times and bright skies, and are tougher for it in the end. their leadership and their populace are capable of great generosity, and have welcomed me, called me neighbor and friend. They give me council, and ask my thoughts, and we share jokes and revelry on occation. Theirs is a place a comradrly, informality, and fun, but also of honor determination.

Namron, whom I dare say lives up to the spirt of its charge, that i s the spinning tornado. But in the occation chaos that seems to color their barony, I find humor, joy, comradary, and fun. I dont necissarily see them living specifically for the ideals of honor, but rather asking themselves how to have fun while increasing their honor at the same time. An interesting take on the SCA I must admit, but one that I have yet to find fault with. Honor is preserved, and more often than not I see Namron's people laughing longer and harder than most others at life's challanges.

So to those who ask where my heart lies; the answer will be Mooneschadowe.

But I ask you, what law of man or God should compell me to choose between four places such as these? All have welcomed me, and I, by the grace of God am called friend in all of them.

I Love Mooneschadowe, but I also Love Northkeep, and Wisenfeuer and Namron.

And I see no reason to change that.

Lord Ivo Blackhawk
Protege to master Robert Fitzmorgan
Province of Mooneschadowe
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"God Save the King!"

Bad joke, but good "Cant"

Note: "cants" are heraldic Puns.


Overheard at court at at Winterkingdom:

An award has just been give out, and when the baron turned the scroll over to read the name of the painter, he says, "And the artist who painted this wonderful scroll has signed their name in letters than I can not read"

IE, they used Runes, not an unheard of practice.

The herald, Kevin, evidently not one to miss an oportunity... let fly with the following.

"Oh no! they 'runed' it!"

So... while almost all of the audience was groaning and laughing, HL Etienne marching right up to Kevin in front of the whole court, and with a smile on his face and not a word out of his mouth, shook the man's hand heartily, and then turned and sat down.

God, I love Northkeep!


Lord Ivo Blackhawk
Protege to Master Robert Fitzmorgan
Province of Mooneschadowe
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"God save the King!"

News of a Herald

Quick note...

The good lord Kevin Keary, Northkeep's herald, and
long time, stand-alone heraldic brain trust according to some, was one
of the people who welcomed me to the barony when I started attending
regularly and doing some court heraldry.

Well, yesterday at Winterkingdom, Kevin was awarded the Sable Crane for his work not only to the Barony, but for the kingdom.

Well earened and Vivat, Kevin.

Ivo Blackhawk
Protege to Master Robert Fitzmorgan
Province of Mooneschadowe
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"God Save the King!"

Winterkingdom

Sleep is good....

not getting sleep is bad.

Hence why I felt like I had been run over by a heard of horses while at Winterkingdom, I was going on about  five hours of sleep from the night before. And the truth of the mater is that it was my own fault, but still, I really wish I could have had more energy to enjoy the event.

I went there scheduled to teach two classes, and to conduct two round table discussions. The Round tables were successful, and my List heraldry class was good. I only had one person, but that is about as much as I usually get, so I'm not complaining. Site heraldry was a bust, but considering what I was up against, I'm not really that surprised.

In terms of heraldry, the event was a dull day. I was asked to heralding twice, and had to decline as I was about to teach a class or run A round table (I promised them I would be there, so they had priority). I felt horrible not being able to help, but what can I do?

But overall, the event was wonderful. Not only did a lot of good people get awards, but the feast was great, and I had the chance to speak with a number of old friends, including some that I hadn't seen in a year or two, and some few ones.

I attended Her Grace Vanessa's "so you want to be King" class. That was a lot of fun, though she picked on me one time. One of her questions to the class was "So, who in here absolutely loves to stand up and speak in public?" Well, the "S" in speak wasn't out of her mouth before her hand was in motion and it landed on my arm soundly. As soon as she finished the question she goes "Be quit, Ivo!" The whole room, including me, was laughing hard at that one. And let me be clear, it was all said in good fun and their are NO hard feelings on that. Vanessa is an inspiration to the north, and if a little humor at my expence is needed to lighten a class up, I will gladly pay the price.

I also had a wonderful chat with her Excelency Deanna della Penna (past queen, if the name dosn't jog your memory). Their wasnt anything teribly substantive spoke of, but it was just a delightful converation, and I am almost always glad to have those.

I must say that it was also wonderful to see Mistriss Catrin again. She has been out of the society for a while now, mostly to health reasons as I understand it, but seems to be in a good positon to return and play again. And I must say, I am verymuch happy to see her out and about again. My early times in the SCA included her being here and there, and telling a funny story, or a  making some friendly comment. her mark wasn't momumental, but it was there, and its good to see her out again.

I think that next year I will likley not be teaching. I spent most of the day going "Wow, I really want to take that class", but I was busy either teaching or watching my son. So, maybe next time I will host a round table or two, and then spend the rest of the day letting somone else do all the work ;)

And who knows, maybe I can get some more court heraldry in, their might be a crown presence next year.

I can hope, can't I?

Lord Ivo Blackhawk
Protege to master Robert Fitzmorgan
Province of Mooneschadowe
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"God Save the King!"

Cool Quote.

So, I am at the home of my Pelican, speaking with him on general business, nothing too dramatic, and the subject comes around to how much my voice carries when I herald, yell, or even talk. At this point, his wife, Lady Katrine chimed in with what she thought was a perfect quote to summarize my vocal projection powers.

"Ivo, your voice not only carries, it tows."
And yeah, that about sums it up.

I wonder what that would sound like in Latin?

Lord Ivo Blackhawk
Protege to Master Robert Fitzmorgan
Province of Mooneschadowe
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"God Save the King!"

GOOD NEWS!

Not that this needs any additional help being broadcast, but I might as well add my voice to the list of people screaming it at the top of their lungs.

At Wiesenfeuer Yule Revel this past weekend, his Majesty announced that her Grace Vanessa de Verona was invited to join the order of the Pelican, making her Peer of the Realm.

Vanessa Accepted and later made it known that she wished to be elevated at 12th Night In January.

Of a small personal note Vanessa was the Royal who presented me with my Crane while I was on the field heralding at Northkeep's Castelan. Vanessa Has been an inspiration to myself and many in the north, expecially since since becoming Queen for the second time.

While not a "close personal friend" my heart leapt for joy at this announcement!

God bless her, and may all the best things come to her.

VIVAT Vanessa!

Lord Ivo Blackhawk
Protege to Master Robert Fitzmorgan
Province of Mooneschadowe
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"God Save the King!"

Hear yea, Hear yea!

Each year, it is the privilege of the Current Senechal of Mooneschadowe to determine the recipient of the award of the Provincial honor of Mooneschaodwe. This award, is traditionally presented to the person who, in the eyes of the seneshal, has best upheld and displayed the honor of the group over the past year's time. While the populace traditionally nominates people, it is ultimately up to the ranking officer of the group to make the final determination for this award.

I am pleased to say that this year the award was given to Lady Liliana Byrns, in recognition for her hard work with the children as MOC over the past year.

Vivat and well earned.

(I'm a herald, telling the world this stuff is part of my job)

Lord Ivo Blackhawk
Protege to Master Robert Fitzmorgan
Province of Mooneschadowe
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"God Save the King!"