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The Crown Province of Østgarðr is the greater New York City chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a not-for-profit educational and social organization dedicated to re-creating aspects of medieval and Renaissance culture. You can read more about the SCA at “About Us.” If you have any questions or want to get involved, email our newcomers’ officer. You can find links to our Facebook group, mailing list, and local sub-chapters at “Getting Involved.”

Posting of the Proposed Charter Revisions

Let it be known that there are proposed changes to the Charter of Ostgardr!

Comments should be directed to our Seneschal, reachable via email at
Seneschal @ostgardr.eastkingdom.org

The section of the charter dealing with commons meetings has not been amended to reflect the changes that were introduced during the Covid shutdown; at first we thought those changes would be temporary, but we’ve found they suit us, and we should formalize them. 

— Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin, February 2024

Charter Amendment: Commons Meetings

  1. COMMONS MEETINGS — CURRENT TEXT
    1. Commons Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of each calendar month.
      1. A Commons Meeting may be rescheduled by the Seneschal if needed to avoid conflict with holidays or other activities.
      2. The Commons Meeting for a given month may be canceled by the Seneschal due to officer availability or other issues, as long as at least one meeting is held in every calendar quarter.
    2. Commons Meetings will rotate through various locations from month to month, and should include sites in each Canton and in the non-Canton areas of the Province on a regular basis to facilitate attendance by the Populace from all parts of the Province.

COMMONS MEETINGS — PROPOSED REPLACEMENT

  1. Commons Meetings are scheduled for a weeknight during a given week of each calendar month.
    1. The Seneschal may change which day of the week and which week of the month is designated for Commons Meetings so as to suit the needs of the Officers’ Council.
    2. A Commons Meeting may be rescheduled by the Seneschal if needed to avoid conflict with holidays or other activities.
    3. The Commons Meeting for a given month may be canceled by the Seneschal due to officer availability or other issues, as long as at least one meeting is held in every calendar quarter.
  2. Commons Meetings will be held remotely, through a conference-call or video-conferencing service, to facilitate participation by the Populace.

    Saturday Solar – Prepare for Camping with Northpass

     
    Medieval House Book of Wolfegg Castle c. 1480 Source

    Prepare, Repair and Air Out all your summer camping gear at the Tavern!

    Simon the Tanner and his beloved wife Berthe are inviting folks to their home in South Salem, NY
    (address provided upon RSVP) on Saturday, June 22, 2024 for an afternoon of leather crafting,
    sewing, socializing, and sharing refreshments to get ready for this summer’s camping season. Garb
    is welcome and recommended.
    • Simon will provide attendees with leather pouch-making supplies and guide folks in
    creating leather pouches and bags.
    • Gareth will be advising on the creation of firestarting kits.
    • There will be a couple of firepits available for those who would like to try out new or old
    recipes over an open fire.
    • There is plenty of space if you want to try setting up your tent (to check for wear and tear)
    • There will be sewing supplies for those who wish to make repairs to their garb
    • And there will be music and refreshments in the Tavern.

    RSVP at 247839 @ members.eastkingdom.org

    A message from our Vicerines – Pennsic LI camping and pre-registration

    Astrological chart and Zeus c. 1543-1544 Source

    Pennsic countdown is on!! We’re not panicking…much…

    If you would like to camp with Ostgardr, register as soon as possible. Please remember to choose Ostgardr as your Landgroup so we have space in camp for you.

    If you are not currently a resident of Ostgardr and would like to camp with us, please contact Angelica and me before registering.

    viceregents@ostgardr.eastkingdom.org

    Here are some important dates to remember:

    Registration Ends (Online – Paid) June 14, 2024 11:59pm EDT

    Registration Ends (Online – Unpaid) July 4, 2024 11:59pm EDT

    Pennsic Starts on Friday, July 26, 2024, 9:00am; camping opens after Land Grab is completed (ironing out of camp boundaries, usually done by Saturday)

    We will schedule a Pennsic meeting in the next few weeks to discuss camping in Ostgardr and address any questions or concerns.

    We are looking forward to seeing all of you at Pennsic 51!

    Angelica and Sofya

    Pennsic Pre-Registration Link

    Fencing & Fighter Practice, Tuesdays in Brooklyn

    Join the NYC chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism for our weekly outdoor practice, held on Tuesdays (weather permitting) in Brooklyn’s McCarren Park.

    • Do you want to learn to fight like the knights of the middle ages? Our armored combat practice is a full contact sport, using heavy wooden weapons made from rattan with metal and leather armor for protection.
    • Do you want to learn fine control of the blade like the duelists of the renaissance? Our historical fencing practice is a limited-contact sport, using light metal swords with protective gear and fencing masks.

    We meet by the third ballfield in McCarren Park near the middle entrance from Driggs Avenue, as shown in the maps on our Directions to McCarren Park Practice page.

    Fencing generally begins around 7:30 and armored combat around 8:00; if you’re fighting, please show up ahead of time to get armored up.

    Newcomers are welcome! Come by to observe a session and start learning the rules, and we can make arrangements to provide free loaner equipment at subsequent sessions until you have your own gear.

    Sessions may be canceled for inclement weather or due to conflict with other events, so to be sure that practice is being held in a particular week, either join our Facebook group, or email our Armored Combat Marshal or our Fencing Marshal for confirmation.

    Archery Practice, Sundays on Staten Island

    Want to learn how to shoot a longbow like one of Robin Hood’s merry men or Genghis Khan’s horseback legions? Join the New York City chapter of the SCA for our weekly archery practice, held on Staten Island most Sunday afternoons, weather and schedules permitting.

    Our Captain of Archers, Suuder Saran, will lead a practice session for both newcomers and experienced archers. If you have your own equipment, please bring it; a limited amount of loaner equipment will also be available for use.

    Practice begins at 11 AM and will continue for between one and four hours depending on turnout and interest.

    We practice at a public range in the city park at 1 Eton Place on Staten Island; check the Directions to Willowbrook Archery Range page for more information about how to find us.

    The SCA focuses on traditional archery using wooden arrows and non-compound bows, but this range does allow modern archery equipment.

    Sessions may be canceled for inclement weather or due to conflict with other events, so to be sure that practice is being held in a particular week, either join our Facebook group, or email our Captain of Archers for confirmation.

    Farmingdale Demo, Saturday June 1

    See the past come alive in the present! Join the Canton of Lions End on Saturday, June 1 for an all-day showcase of medieval arts, crafts, and combat in Farmingdale, Long Island. (Rain date June 8th.)

    Farmingdale Village is excited to host us as part of their craft fair on Main Street, offering the Village Green as our stage to demonstrate our talents to the local community.

    • Fighters and fencers are encouraged to demonstrate their prowess and showcase their impressive armor.
    • Artisans of all kinds are urged to exhibit their creations and offer hands-on experiences for all.
    • Musicians, bards and dancers are welcome to perform in the Green’s large gazebo-style bandstand.

    See the event announcement on the East Kingdom website for more details, including directions to the event and information for participants.

    A&S Solar, Saturday, June 29

    Alchemist Heating a Pot, by David Teniers the Younger c. 1610 – 1690 (Source)

    Have a historical art project you need help with? Want some company for crafting? Need some help finishing garb for Pennsic? Then join us in Marine Park, Brooklyn on Saturday, June 29 from 1:00 to 5:00 for an afternoon of creativity and conviviality.

    RSVP by email to 252706@members.eastkingdom.org to receive the street address and to let us know you’re coming. Closest public transport is the B31 and B100 busses.

    There will be food and snacks available during the solar. If you have any allergies, please let us know when you RSVP.