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 started with us, email our newcomers’ officer. You can find links to our Facebook group, mailing list, and local sub-chapters at “Getting Involved.”
Attached below is the December 1 issue of the E-Horse, Østgarðr’s quarterly newsletter.
You can subscribe to receive future copies of the newsletter by sending a blank email to e-horse+subscribe@ostgardr.eastkingdom.org or via Google Groups.
Back in 2018, the Crown Province assembled a bunch of materials documenting its fifty years of history as part of the East Kingdom’s anniversary event.
These items were displayed at the event, and have been brought out a couple of times since then, but we neglected to make them available more widely, and are now attempting to correct that oversight.
The most comprehensive document of the Province’s history is “The Annals of The Crown Province of Østgarðr,” a document originally prepared by Richard the Poor of Ely, who for many years was Østgarðr’s official Historian.
As part of the preparations for the East Kingdom Fifty Year event, I revised and extended that document, adding bits of history found in the public record or contributed by the populace.
The results were printed up as a hardback book, the contents of which you can view below.
If you have interesting stories from Østgarðr’s past to share with us, please let us know!
November 2020 Minutes • Østgarðr Commons
The November commons meeting was held November 20. Here are the minutes as recorded by Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin and edited by Alienor Salton. The officers’ reports are attached at the end.
Our faithful Chancellor of Minors (Director of Youth Activities), Arnora Ketilsdottir, is stepping down at the end of her term, December 31, 2020. Three candidates for the open position have thrown their hats into the ring. Here are their letters of intent, volunteering for the position and outlining their qualifications and intentions for the role.
I, Kunigunde Wedemann, am officially submitting myself as a candidate for the position of Chancellor of Minors of the Crown Province of Østgarðr.
Although a relatively new member to the Society, having only joined two years ago, I have already been active through my past offices as Deputy Chronicler of the Canton of Northpass, the Webminister of the Canton of Northpass, and am currently the webminister for the East Kingdom Youth Combat website.
I am already warranted as a Chancellor of Minors at large since a year ago, having decided there was need of such a person in the northern reaches of the Province after attending an event where there were children but nothing much for them to do. At that event, I was working on some illuminations for the A&S display, and a group of children decided to join me because they needed something to do. Two of the kids were my own, so I was already accustomed to sharing my art materials with them. It worked out really well, but I wanted to be more official and safe about it, so I had myself warranted for the position.
Prior to the Covid shut-down, I had been planning, along with some other youth officers, a doll garb making activity that was going to be held at the April 2020 Coronation, but that has been put on hold until some future event.
In my mundane life, I have experience working with young people through my current position as an assistant scoutmaster for a Scouts BSA all-girl troop in both an in-person and virtual setting. This past summer, I worked with young people at a socially-distanced nature day camp, running several nature related art projects.
As Chancellor of Minors, I intend to help plan and coordinate youth activities at various events within the province. Ideally, I would like there to be some kind of activities for young people at every event, with the exception of those events that are geared towards adults. That way, children will want to return to events with their parents and this is a good thing for the future of the Society.
I, Lord Oliver deBainbrig, do hereby nominate myself for the position of Ostgardr’s Chancellor of Minors.
I have served as CoM for four years now, from canton events to kingdom events. My record is clean and my most recent background check is good until 7/31/22.
YIS,
Oliver deBainbrig
Lady Pia Maletesta di Rimini brings greetings and this missive to the most proud Province of Ostgardr.
It is with great honor that I request the consideration of an office with in your borders.
My travels have taken me outside of my beloved Ostgsrdr and it’s not a place where I might serve. I wish to serve the great lands which the Khan now holds secure.
About me:
I started this journey many years ago in the great Iron Forest where the Crown Province was our Protector. Borders changed yet I remained.
Within the East – I have held the office of
Deputy Chancellor Minor (current)
Chancellor of the University (4 yrs)
Deputy Youth Clerk (8 years)
Arts & Science Officer (4 yrs-Rusted Woodlands)
Herald (4 yrs-Rusted Woodlands)
Director Emeritas -Known World Choir (at Pennsic)
Started the Children’s Choir & Youth Choir at Pennsic.
Teacher of dozens of classes in the Youth Track at Pennsic & multiple events over the past 10 years.
Member of the Presidents Council to Children & Family – (SCA Board President -across Kingdoms)
Licensed Teacher in NYS
In addition -I have been the Autocratic for
Coronation (Kelson)
Bardic Championships (2)
EKU (12)
Crown Tourney (2)
Local Events (6)
On staff for local events- dozens of them through my SCA involvement.
I have been working on a “Youth University” type of even for over a year however due to our current worldwide crisis…….
The EK Youth Office has prepared “You Tube “.Videos, activities and online classes to keep our children as active as possible. We are currently working on the legal guidelines of this with the Board.
Consideration – I am not local to the boroughs. I currently reside in Nyack-Rockland County. Attending virtual is possible. However physical attendance is limited for me until the threat of CV-19 has left us.
I have been awarded the Silver Crescent (2005), The Manuch(2006) & Troubedor(2010) and received my AOA in 2012). (Please note that Dates are Appriximate)
I am the Clienté to my Patron Mistress Sol La Cantor OL.
It is my goal for our children to keep a safe & healthy environment! I would act as another set of eyes to assure that the children of the Province are having fun in the safest of settings. – Confirming membership & Background checks, and that the supervisory rules are being kept. Consult with the Youth Clerk for status for Marshall’s & other people who will be working with our children.
Thank you for your consideration
In service,
Pia Maletesta
(FKA Erlandr Skald di Norlandi)
In recent commons meetings, we’ve discussed moving the time of our monthly Commons meeting away from the third Friday, in order to be more inclusive and because we are no longer meeting in-person.
If you would like to provide input on when the new schedule we choose should be, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/zr5np2mAGzpXzBBF7
Please join the provincial officers council and the populace of Østgarðr at our regularly scheduled 3rd Friday of the month social gathering and business meeting. Call begins at 7:30pm, meeting convenes at 8pm. Mistress Medhbh inghean Uí Cheallaigh, East Kingdom Seneschal, will be joining us for a brief question and answer session at the start of the meeting (8pm).
After the Q&A, we will review letters of intent for the 10 officer positions whose term expires at the end of the year. If you are interested in volunteering to serve the province in any of these capacities, please visit our website to review the role descriptions and officer responsibilities of these 10 offices. http://ostgardr.eastkingdom.org/provincial-service-opportunities/
To add items to the agenda, please email seneschal@ostgardr.eastkingdom.org
Join the meeting via Meet: https://meet.google.com/nhu-qsgk-zziOr dial in (audio only): (US) +1 402-364-0138 PIN: 616 864 602#
All are welcome!
Officers, please submit your reports for commons to the officers list [Ostgardr-officers@ostgardr.eastkingdom.org], preferably by Wednesday evening. Thank you!
A message from the event stewards of the Feast of Three Princes:
This past Sunday evening, we had the privilege to steward The Feast of the Three Princes, a virtual event. While virtual events are not new, this was the first time Østgarðr attempted a virtual feast. It could not have happened without the contributions of many, many people.
We thank Noble Anne of Østgarðr, who was the rock this event was built on. Their efforts in arranging for use of the East Kingdom Zoom, building the event website, processing pre-registration and coordinating all the technical aspects of the event literally made this event possible. We would also like to thank the Honorable Lord Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin, for his assistance with the website, event graphics, and for knowing just about any process of procedure that came up.
We would not have had a feast without food. We thank the cooks, Baroness Zoe Mikra of Calontir, Lord Edwin Latorre and Fruha Arnbjorg Nilsdottir, for their efforts in preparing three tasty menu options for our event attendees and for making themselves available to answer any questions regarding the preparation of those menus.
The bardic arts played a key role in creating the ambiance of an SCA feast hall. We would like to thank Sayyida Laila al-Sanna’ al-Andalusiyya, for coordinating the bardic competition and running the open bardic for the event. We also thank ÌÞròttamaðr Grimm the Skald and Lord Drake Oranwood for helping judge the competition, and Lord Brandr Aronsson for creating the prizes.
To make a Zoom conference come alive as a feast hall takes skill. We would also thank Catelin Straquhin, Armiger for bringing flair and wit to the hall as our MC for the evening and Drotin Ragnarr Blaskegg, for his work behind the scenes as stage manager and Zoom support.
Letting the populace know of our virtual feast was a challenge in these times. We heartily thank Il-Khatun Lada Monguligin for planning, creating and posting the promotional materials for the event, and Biocunta Culann mac Cianain for creating the event’s commemorative postcard.
We would also like to thank, the Il-Khan and Il-Khatune of Østgarðr for being our hosts, the Østgarðr seneschal, Hlæfdige Alienor Salton for her continuous support and counsel, and the Three Princes, for letting us hold a party in honor of their friendship.
The East Kingdom web team was gracious enough to allow use of the kingdom Zoom account for the event. We thank Baron Symon of Barnesdale and the honorable Herr Matthias von Würzburg for their support in this endeavor.
Lastly, we thank all the bards, cooks and attendees who took the time to don garb, set a fine table and help us recreate a little bit of the dream in these challenging times.
In service,
The Event Stewards, Perez ben Meir Gershon Effendi and the honorable Lord Friderich Grimme
A message from our seneschal:
The following provincial officers are serving terms that end Dec. 31st, 2020.
Exchequer
Chatelaine
Minister of Arts & Sciences
Knight Marshal
Minister of Lists
Chronicler
Chamberlain
Archery Marshal
Youth Combat Marshal
Chancellor Minor
Would you like to volunteer for any of these offices? I am calling for nominations from the populace from anyone who would like to serve in any of these positions. Role descriptions are below. If you are interested in any of the positions, I urge you to check out the relevant website for the position. None of these positions are term-limited, so the incumbents are also welcome to run again.
Nominations and candidate statements will be accepted until Nov. 19th (the day before Nov. Commons). Please email them to seneschal@ostgardr.eastkingdom.org
Candidate statements should include your eligibility for the position (SCA membership, any required authorizations), relevant experience, and your goals for your service in the position — what you would like to make of the office.
If we have more than one candidate for any position, we will hold elections for those offices. Voting will be open to all paid members ages 14+ residing in the province, and will run until Dec. 17th. Results will be announced at the Dec. 18th Commons [social].
Provincial Officer Responsibilities for the positions now open for nominations:
All Provincial Officers are expected to:
• Fulfill the responsibilities of their specific office as described in Kingdom law and policy or as specified herein.
• Promptly report to their supervising Kingdom officers as required (except for those offices which do not have a kingdom reporting requirement).
• Maintain an active paid membership in the Society.
• Send a brief report to the Officers’ Council every month.
• Participate in at least half of the monthly Provincial commons meetings, either attending in person or by phone/video conference when available.
• Safely maintain any regalia of the office issued to them, as well as any Provincial assets which are entrusted to their safekeeping.
Exchequer
The exchequer tracks our financial records, maintains the provincial bank account, and submits reports to the kingdom exchequerate. Being able to use spreadsheet applications is a necessary skillset for this office. Past holders of the office are available to provide training. Reports to the kingdom four times per year. Kingdom policies are posted at exchequer.eastkingdom.org.
Chatelaine
To be a successful chatelaine, you have to like talking to people, both newcomers and people who have been playing for a while. You are the bridge between the modern world and the SCA. You tell people what we do, you find out what people are interested in, and you hook them up with other people who share their interests. We have a large collection of Gold Key (loaner garb) in the province, which you are responsible for circulating and maintaining. You also provide contact information and flyers suitable for distribution at demos. Being responsive to email is an important facet of this job. Reports to the kingdom four times per year on newcomer contacts and new members. Kingdom policies are posted at chatelaine.eastkingdom.org.
Minister of Arts & Sciences
The job of an MoAS is to encourage and promote Arts & Sciences within the group, and to submit quarterly reports on A&S activities engaged in by the group. You do not have to be a skilled practitioner for this job. What matters is that you are interested in what other people are doing, and can encourage them to teach, to display, and perhaps to compete. Finding out who is doing what, and putting them together with other people who want to learn how to do what they are doing, is a core skill for this position. Think of the role as a booking agent for the arts and sciences in the Province — organizing the people and places needed for local A&S activities to take place. Reports to the kingdom two times per year. Kingdom policies are posted at moas.eastkingdom.org.
Chronicler
The chronicler’s job is to produce a newsletter useful to the group on a regular schedule, at least quarterly. The newsletter may be electronic, and may be emailed to a subscription list and/or published on the group website (our webminister can assist with the publication thereof). Courtesy copies must be shared with the Kingdom Chronicler, current royalty, seneschal, historian and archivist. A paper copy must be printed and kept with our provincial archives, retained by our historian. Reports to the kingdom annually in December. Kingdom policies are posted at chronicler.eastkingdom.org.
Knight Marshal
Armored combat marshals must know and understand the rules of the lists and the conventions of combat, so that they can inspect armor and weapons, authorize fighters, and oversee combat. You don’t have to be a fighter to become authorized as a marshal, but it helps. Reports to the kingdom four times per year. Kingdom policies are posted at marshal.eastkingdom.org.
Minister of Lists
The Minister of Lists supports combat by assisting marshals in running tournaments and keeping track of authorizations. The primary skill required for this position is dealing with paperwork. Standard forms are available to help organize elimination brackets and round-robins. This can easily come with on the job training as there are some really great MoLs to learn from locally in the Southern Region. Reports to the kingdom annually in March. Kingdom policies are posted at mol.eastkingdom.org.
Youth Marshal
Supervises youth combat activity in the Province. Should be a warranted youth marshal, and therefore must know and understand the rules of youth combat, to inspect armor and weapons, authorize fighters, and oversee combat. All warranted youth marshals must be background checked by the Society. Reports to the kingdom four times per year. Kingdom policies are posted at youthfighters.eastkingdom.org.
Chancellor Minor
Supervises youth activities in the Province. All warranted youth officers must be background checked by the Society. Reports to the kingdom four times per year. Kingdom policies are posted at chancellorminor.eastkingdom.org.
Chamberlain
Our chamberlain keeps an inventory of provincially-owned assets, and maintains a storage space containing it. They also coordinate transporting said stuff to and from events and demos as needed. No kingdom reporting requirement.
Captain of Archers
Supervises target archery activity in the Province. Reports to the kingdom two times per year. Kingdom policies are posted at archery.eastkingdom.org.
The October commons meeting was held October 16th. Here are the minutes/notes as recorded by Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin, edited by Alienor Salton. The officers’ reports are attached at the end.
We’re hosting a virtual feast to celebrate Three Princes Day! Find out more about cooking, bardic, preregistration (and what Three Princes Day is) at https://ostgardr.eastkingdom.org/three-princes/
