Sententiae Viceregalis

Prima Epistula, Nov AS XLI

by Alexandre Lerot d’Avigne and Eularia Trewe,
Viceroy and Vicereine of Østgarðr

Greetings to the people of the Crown Province of Østgarðr from Alexandre and Eularia, Viceroy and Vicereine of Østgarðr. First we wish to express Our thanks to everyone who was involved in Our investiture at John Barleycorn this year, and with the event in general. We are pleased and honoured to be Viceregents of a group so rich in history, talent, skill and knowledge as Østgarðr. We shall serve the Province to the best of Our ability.

However, a group as large and diverse as Østgarðr requires a great many people to function effectively. Broadly speaking, there are two sets of people who do the work that keep a local group such as this one strong: the Officers and the Event Staff, who are sometimes the same people. We shall talk about Events and Event Staff in an upcoming epistle, writing about the officers now.

The Crown Province is required by East Kingdom Law to have the following officers:

1. Seneschal
2. Herald
3. Knight Marshal
4. Chancellor of the Exchequer
5. Chronicler
6. Minister of Arts and Sciences
7. Minister of Lists
8. Chatelaine

The Cantons must have:

1. Seneschal
2. Chancellor of the Exchequer
3. Herald and/or Knight Marshal and/or Minister of Arts and Sciences

Serving as an officer is a good way to get more involved in the SCA, in this great hobby which exists only because those involved give of their time, energy and talents to make it exist. Each of the officers listed above, at both the Cantonal and Provincial level, may and should have deputies. Deputies help their principal, learn the duties of their principal and sometimes take on specific duties as their own bailiwick. The main requirements to be an officer are an interest in the job and in helping the group, and the willingness to do the work. On-the-job training is available for deputies!

We urge any and all of you, new to the SCA or long-time member, to consider serving your Province or, where applicable, your Canton as an Officer. Speak to the Officers and find out what they do and if they’d like a deputy. Get involved behind the scenes and help keep the Province strong.

Baron Alexandre		Baroness Eularia
Viceroy of Østgarðr		Vicereine of Østgarðr

June 28, 2006: Their Majesties announced the results of the Viceregal Succession Poll: Alexandre and Eularia will be the next Viceroy and Vicereine of Østgarðr, to be invested at Barleycorn on September 9.

Vivant! to the new Viceregency. Vivant! to the outgoing Viceregency, taking a well-deserved retirement from the position after c. 25 years. Vivant! to the other candidates, Andrea MacIntyre, Renier Verplanck, and Aurora ffolks; all the candidates ran courteous, thoughtful campaigns and brought good ideas to our attention.

• March 26, 2006: A series of “Meet the Candidate” nights has been scheduled for various evenings in March and April, in various locations around Østgarðr. Citizens of Østgarðr are welcome to come to whichever and as many candidate nights as they wish, to hear the candidates’ views on the important issues and ask the candidates questions.

• Jan. 20, 2006: Since the announcement didn’t get into the December or January Pikestaff, the timetable for Viceregal succession has been pushed back a bit:
  • Feb. 15, due date for self-nominations (send to Their Majesties, Their Highnesses, Kingdom Seneschal, and (as a courtesy) Ian and Katherine.
  • Feb. 15-April 18, “campaign” period. Sir Edward would like to have a “Town Meeting” in each of the eight modern counties that make up Østgarðr. (It was pointed out at Commons that very few Østgarðrians live in Putnam County, and some of them are candidates, so the Westchester and Putnam County meetings may be combined.) You may attend whichever meeting(s) you wish, regardless of where you live.
  • April 18, Polls are mailed to all paid members of the SCA, 14 years or older, living in the official boundaries of Østgarðr. If you want to be polled, make sure your membership is paid by the end of March.
  • May 18, polling closes, and the ballots are counted.
  • Late May or early June, Their Majesties announce their choice for Viceroy and/or Vicereine of Østgarðr, informed and advised (but not bound) by the poll results.
  • September 9, investiture at Barleycorn.