THE SHADOW KNOWS

THE SHADOW KNOWS
Newsletter of the Shire of the Shadowlands
Capital of Ansteorra
AS L (March 2016)
The Crown of Ansteorra, Their Stellar Majesties
King Creppin L'Ostriche
and
Queen Toryn Sevenstitches
crown@ansteorra.org
Their Stellar Highnesses
Prince Gabriel of Maccuswell
and
Princess Sonja Ryzaja
coronet@ansteorra.org
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News this Month
Thrown weapons practice has arrived in the Shadowlands! Come out to archery on Sundays to chuck
some sharp pointy objects. Charter painting has also returned to the calendar.
War College
Many rejoice-worthy news items came back from Ravensfort in February. HL Dianna received a Sable
Sparrow, and was also granted Ravensfort’s Feather of Honor. HL Mirabelis won Royal Lancer
(aboard the quickfooted gentlehorse Blast). Also, Nicholas and Mistress Kaitlyn were authorized as
thrown weapons marshals. The weather was lovely and a good time was had.
Bruise Bash!
Show off your war wounds! The Shadow Knows will be hosting a showcase of everyone’s favorite
trophies of war: bruises. Participants will need to submit a picture, a brief description of the painful
event, and a photo release form (easy PDF form available). Whether you died gloriously in battle or
just stubbed your toe on the way out of camp, I will await your submissions with suppressed
villainous chuckles. Eligible bruises will be acquired during the days Gulf War is open, but need not
be received in combat. (I will take pity on those of us moping at home. You may send in your bruises
as well.) Awards will be given to the Best Bruise and the Most Spectacularly Acquired Bruise. There
could be prizes. This office makes no guarantees, but it could happen.
Shire Goes To: Gulf Wars!
Activities in the Shire:
Populace
1st Tues 7 PM
Rm 1003, Emerging Technologies
Building – TAMU
seneschal@shadowlands.ansteorra.org
Movie & Project Night
3rd Tues 7:30 PM
Nina & Demere's House
Archery
Sun 11:30 AM & Thurs 11:30 AM
Austin’s Colony Park
nina@oakenstaff.org
shadowlands.archery@gmail.com
Thrown Weapons
Sun 11:30 AM
Austin’s Colony Park
Chivalric
Sun 3 PM
Simpson Drill Field –
TAMU
sir.rhodri@gmail.com
Rapier
Wed 7:30 PM
Bee Creek Park
Shadowlands.archery@gmail.com
Brewing
Next meeting: Mar 5, 12 PM
Nicholas Wolf's House
Jessie.m.chadwick@gmail.com
Special Event: Glass and Fire!
staltus@gmail.com
Charter Painting
Dance
Next meeting: Mar 4, 7 PM 4th Tues 6:30 PM
Sam & Ashley’s House
Ringer Library – 1818 Harvey
Mitchell Parkway S
mistresskaitlyn@gmail.com
Bead making from 11-5 at Nina and Demere’s, April 2
For the most current information, check the Shire calendar at:
http://shadowlands.ansteorra.org/index.php#calendar
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Wordfame
In this space, we record the common chivalry of our shire: aid rendered, advice given, or burdens lifted. Your
chronicler tries to get around, but she is possessed of only two ears, and one of those is slightly deaf. If
someone is deserving of thanks, even if you are not the one who was helped, let me know!
Wordfame to HL Dianna for making a whole stack of impossibly adorable late-period garb
for Kyria Anna’s daughter Angie.
Wordfame to Nicholas Wolf for getting thrown weapons going. Much fun has been had
already.
For all of those persons who participate and help to make all the activities of the shire happen — especially
those who are not mentioned often enough — THANK YOU!
Shadowlands’ Officers & What They Do
Seneschal: Honorable Lady Isabelot di Firenze
[Modern name: Anna Lichorad]
The Seneschal acts as the local business manager for the group, helps facilitate answers to SCA questions, schedules Shire activities, and
helps keep the group on course. Contact at: seneschal@shadowlands.ansteorra.org
Honorable Lady Isabelot di Firenze is 13th century French lady from Burgundy. Her father died with no male heirs but was
enlightened and left his lands to his only daughter to manage. She enjoys cooking, managing the household accounts, dance and
shooting archery.
Knight Marshal: OPEN
Acting or contact: Sir Rhodri ap Gwythyr
[Modern name: Paul Foster]
The Knight Marshal is in charge of the Chivalric activities for the shire. This includes heavy fighting, armor, developing safe habits
while fighting, and learning about chivalry (which is after all, one of the major reasons why anyone would choose to join our society).
Sir Rhodri ap Gwythyr is an old Welsh Knight who has been in the SCA many years, done many brave deeds, and is a reliable source of
answers if you are interested in Chivalry!
Rapier Marshal: Lord Steven Paul Blakely (Staltus)
[Modern name: Steve Herring]
The Rapier Marshal over-sees all aspects of Rapier fighting. This includes helping each participant develop or acquire his or her own
gear (he also carries the loaner gear to practices for new participants). The Rapier Marshal’s job is also to ensure that fighters obey the
safety rules of the Kingdom and are not presenting a danger to themselves or others. In light of that, go to
http://rapier.ansteorra.org and read the current Rapier Rules for Ansteorra. It is CRUCIAL that all the fighters make themselves
intimately familiar with these rules. Fun must be done safely as possible! Contact at: Staltus@gmail.com
Lord Steven Paul Blakely, also called STALTUS, is an edgy blade, certainly sharp enough for the task of teaching the safe handling of
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pointy objects; Lord Steven instructs all comers in the duck and thrust of rapier fighting. He is the proud holder of the Sable Thistle for
Juggling, Sable Talon, and winner of Queens Rapier. Enjoy learning from this fine swordsman!
Herald: Gaius Artorius Germanus
Heralds make announcements and help members work out their names and devices. They will suggest sources for documenting your
chosen name to period and also help you fill out the applications to register those names and devices.
Contact at:
herald@shadowlands.ansteorra.org
Gaius Artorius Germanus is a 2nd century Roman legionary. He stationed in Britain. Artorius enjoys bardic, archery, heavy fighting
and heraldry.
Historian: Honorable Lord Paedric O’Mullan
[Modern name: Pat Mullins]
The historian keeps track of the old tales of past members, adventures and misadventures of the populace of the Shire of the
Shadowlands. He keeps documents, photos and other items of interest so they can be placed on display to illustrate the long and
honorable history of this Shire. Contact at: shadowlandshistorian@yahoo.com or 979-575-0670
Honorable Lord Pædric O’Mullan is a late Elizabethan street performer and sometime Shakespearean actor. He has, in the past, been a
jester, but now he’s unemployed, so he is nobody’s fool. He usually wears some combination of red, blue, and/or yellow, the colors of
his arms. Pædric is Historian for the Shire of the Shadowlands and holder of a Star of Merit. His interests include (but are not limited to)
Bardic (performance arts), Heraldry, calligraphy and illumination, pewter casting and drumming.
Archery Marshal: Mistress Kaitlyn McKenna
[Modern name: Robbin Foster]
The Archery Marshal supervises the safety of all official shire archery activities, as well as helping new archers get started with archery.
Marshal training is currently happening. If you are interested in target archery or combat archery, please contact
shadowlands.archery@gmail.com. Loaner gear is available at practice.
Mistress (or Baroness) Kaitlyn McKenna is a 15th Century Burgundian lady trapped in marriage with an old Welsh knight. She is
recognized in the Arts and Sciences by the Order of Laurel and in many officer positions, but especially as an Exchequer, by the Order
of the Pelican. Her interests include costuming, weaving, fiber arts, dance, archery, and anything to do with the 15th century. Kaitlyn is
a master instigator, inspiring and helping others to achieve their own goals. Look for a friendly lady with very nice garb. Kaitlyn
McKenna participates in target and combat archery. She can help you make bow strings, bolts, arrows, leather chivalric armor,
and general leather working.
Exchequer: Lady Morina O'Donovan
[Modern name: Renee Bolduk]
The Exchequer is treasurer and keeps the ledger of expenses up-to-date and in agreement with the bank statements, sends reports
monthly, quarterly, and yearly to the Regional Exchequer, runs all financial committee meetings(typically after Populace meetings), and
maintains an up-to-date inventory list including that which is available for loan. To borrow inventory (usually armor or garb) for an
event, contact the Hospitaler and then the Exchequer to sign it out. Contact at: treasurer@shadowlands.ansteorra.org
Lady Morina O'Donovan is an Irish woman from the mid-14th century. She enjoys music, dance, cooking, garbing, and various other
fibers arts. She also has a strong interest in Japanese arts, particularly early period.
Hospitaler: Lady Livia Collari
[Modern name: Calee McCallum]
The hospitaler is the keeper of the loaner garb and general go-to person for getting started. They greet newcomers and help them
become oriented to and involved in the present middle ages. The Hospitaler helps them to check out loaner items. Contact at:
shadowlands.hospitaler@gmail.com or seneschal@shadowlands.ansteorra.org
Livia Collari has a small son and an interest in the education of young people and the welcoming of newcomers to the Shadowlands.
She enjoys archery, sewing, and Bardic. She is Italian.
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Webminister: Mistress Nina of the Lost Caverns
[Modern name: Kim Schreuders]
The Webminister manages the Shire’s web presence, including the website at: http://shadowlands.ansteorra.org and the Yahoo Group
at: http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/shadowlandssca. If you have any problems or suggestions relating to either of these tools, please
let me know. Contact at: vs.shadowlands@gmail.com
Mistress Nina of the Lost Caverns is an indeterminate (vaguely 5th century) Gaul with a much later period name. The Gauls were the
“barbarians” that the Romans tried to bring into their fold, with only marginal success, as they slowly migrated west across most of
Europe. Nina has interest in many, many aspects of the SCA with an especially strong interest in weaving and other historic
technologies, history of the SCA and administering the SCA so that everyone can have fun. Mistress Nina hosts the Movie and Project
Night on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Chronicler: Lady Miriel
[Modern name: Kelsey McCleskey]
Produces a newsletter each month to be handed out at the Populace meetings. Everyone is welcome to contribute to make our
newsletter wonderful. Contact at: chronicler@shadowlands.ansteorra.org
Lady Miriel likes to spin. Her hands are always busy as a good woman's ought to be. In a crowd she stands out for her lap is full of
wool and yarn, and her face wears a smile as bright as the white feathers of a dove fluttering in a sunlit morning.
SCA Student officers and advisors at TX A&M
TAMU Advisor: Sir Rhodri ap Gwythyr
[Modern name: Paul Foster]
The TAMU advisor is a member of the staff at TX A&M and makes possible the existence of this group on campus. Without this
person, the local student body might never know the fun that can be had through the SCA.
Contact at: sir.rhodri@gmail.com
Sir (or Baron) Rhodri ap Gwythyr is an old Welsh Knight who has been in the SCA many years, done many brave deeds, and is a
reliable source of answers if you are interested in Chivalry! He is also a Knight, Pelican, Baron, and Lion.
TAMU Back-up Advisor: HL Nicholas Demere of the Oaken Staff
[Modern name: Paul Schreuders]
Contact at: paul.schreuders@tamu.edu
TH Lord Nicholas Demere of the Oaken Staff is an Anglo-Saxon living in Britain, just after the Battle of Hastings. Though his name is
now Nicholas, this was due to an accident with a Herald and a time machine, and so he usually just goes by "Demere." Ask him for the
story sometime. Demere also does lampworking, a medieval method of making glass beads and other small glass objects.
TAMU Student President/Seneschal: Andrew of the Shadowlands
[Modern name: Andrew Graf]
The TAMU SCA President is in charge of getting rooms for the SCA to use on campus. The President is a contact person for students
and the other student officers. This is an important position and looks good on a resume! Contact at:
Andrew is a student in the Entomology department. He participates in rapier and archery.
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TAMU Student Treasurer: Jeffery of the Shadowlands
[Modern name: Jeffery Demievilla]
The TAMU SCA Treasurer is in charge of handling the money for the on campus group. It is an essential office and looks good on a
resume! Contact at: Jeffrey.Demieville@gmail.com
Jeffery is a 3rd year Agricultural/Biological Engineering student.
Jeffery of the Shadowlands is interested in 12th century Scandinavia, archery, leatherworking, and the making of chainmaille.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS
From the Historian:
In Febrary many from the Shadowlands did attend War College in Raven’s fort. It was there
that HL Mirabelis Genevah Zabeneh did win the Royal Lancer competition. And that same
day did Lady Dianna Blakely receive a Ravens Feather and a Sable Sparrow.
In service,
Paedric
From the Mininster of Arts and Sciences:
Bardic guild was once again cancelled for lack of a place to meet. Dance guild met with 5
dancers in attendance. A charter guild started with about 10 people attending. Brewing guild
met and bottled the dark cherry stout beer with 5 in attendance.
HL Mirabelis taught a class in beginner drumming at Bonwicke's Artisan event.
Jeffrey Demieville built a loom and taught himself tablet weaving. Nicholas Wolf made
tunics for himself and his kids. Noah of the Shadowlands and Sir Rhodri made youth kidney
belts. And Lady Miriel, well, you know…
In service,
Paedric
From the Herald:
Worked on Jesse’s name (Nicholas Wolf), Guillaume’s last name (Le Chacal), and re-found
Lord Stephen Blakley’s lost name submission. Re-submitted his device.
From the Chronicler:
This month’s Shadow is rather sparse. As I am not going to War, I can’t blame it on that, but
I’ve been a bit ill. Ah well. Onward we go.
Yours in service,
Miriel
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This Month In History: March
March 1
On this day...
In 1360 Chaucer ransomed from his French captors
In 1555 Nostradamus publishes his prophecies, entitled "Centuries"
March 2
On this day...
In 1160 Excommunication of Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor
In 1492 Ferdinand V, King of Spain, banishes 800,000 Jews
In 1585 Sir Francis Drake sails for the West Indies as a Privateer
March 4
On this day...
In 1493 Columbus returns to Lisbon, Portugal
In 1519 Cortez lands in Mexico
March 6
Happy Birthday to... In 1475 Michelangelo
March 7
On this day... In 0161 Death of Antonius Pius, Emperor of Rome
March 10
On this day... In 1302 Dante threatened with burning should he return to Florence
March 11
On this day... In 1302 Marriage of Romeo to Juliet
March 13
On this day... In 1462 Printing of the Gutenberg Bible
March 15
On this day... In 0459 Death of Atilla, the Hun
March 17
Happy Birthday to... In 1473 James I, King of Scotland
On this day...
In 0461 Death of St. Patrick
In 1328 Treaty of Edinburgh: Scots independence recognized
March 18
On this day… In 1584 Death of Ivan IV, "the Terrible," Czar of Russia
March 20
Happy Birthday to... In 0043 Ovid (BCE)
On this day...
In 1239 Yet another excommunication of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
In 1345 A triple conjunction of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in the 40th degree of Aquarius occurring on this day is
(later) given as the reason for the Black Death
March 21
Happy Birthday to... In 1274 Robert I, "the Bruce," King of Scotland
March 24
On this day...
In 1208 The Pope places England under Interdict
In 1603 Death of Elizabeth I, Queen of England
March 25
On this day... In 1584 First American colonists set sail from England
March 26
On this day... In 1199 Richard I, "Lionheart," wounded by a crossbow at Chalus
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March 28
Happy Birthday to... In 1483 Raphael
On this day... In 1380 Gunpowder first used in Europe, by the Venetians against the Genoese
Calendar of Events
(from the Ansterorran calendar)
March 2016 (AS L)
4-6
11-13
•
•
18-20
•
25-27
•
Out of Kingdom: Gulf War XXV - Kingdom of Gleann Abhann
( Mississippi, Louisiana, S.Arkansas, Memphis) RP, HP
Out of Kingdom: Gulf War XXV - Kingdom of Gleann Abhann
( Mississippi, Louisiana, S.Arkansas, Memphis) RP, HP
April 2016 (AS L)
1-3
8-10
15-17
22-24
29-1
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Elfsea Defender - Elfsea (Ft. Worth, TX) RP, PC *PED*
Coronation & King's Champion – Elfsea (Ft. Worth, TX) - TBD RP
Stargate Spring Event - Stargate (Houston, TX) *PED*
Wiesenfeuer Baronial - Wiesenfeuer (Oklahoma City, OK) *PED*
Glaslyn Defender of the Flame - Glaslyn (Denton, TX) *PED*
Floralibus Bellum and Guardian of the Gauntlet – Bjornsborg (San Antonio,
TX)
Beltane - Namron (Norman, OK)
May 2016 (AS LI)
6-8
13-15
20-22
27-29
•
•
•
•
•
•
Loch Soilleir Spring Event - Loch Soilleir (Clear Lake, TX) *PED*
Rapiers and Romance - Brad Leah (Wichita Falls, TX)
Queen's Champion – Dragonsfire Tor (Stephenville, TX) QP
Guardian of the Tor - Dragonsfire Tor (Stephenville, TX) *PED*
•
•
•
•
Stargate
Spring Event
April 16
Happy New
Year SCA!
May 1
King's College
June 11
SCA 50th Year
Celebration
June 17-27
Castellan - Northkeep (Tulsa, OK) *PED*
Steppes Warlord - Steppes (Dallas, TX) *PED*
June 2016 (AS LI)
3-5
10-12
17-19
24-26
Gulf Wars XXV
March 11-28
King's College - Namron (Norman, OK)
Out of Kingdom: 50th Year Celebration - Kingdom of the Middle - US
Out of Kingdom: 50th Year Celebration - Kingdom of the Middle - US
(Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky) (17th-27th)
July 2016 (AS LI)
1-3
8-10
15-17
22-24
29-31
•
•
•
•
•
Kingdom Fiber Arts College – Eldern Hills (Lawton, OK)
Crown Tournament – Bjornsborg (San Antonio, TX)
Roundtable – TBD
Out of Kingdom: Pennsic XLV – Kingdom of Aethelmearc
August 2016 (AS LI)
5-7
12-14
19-21
26-28
•
•
•
•
Out of Kingdom: Pennsic XLV – Kingdom of Aethelmearc
Out of Kingdom: Pennsic XLV – Kingdom of Aethelmearc
Steppes Artisan – Steppes (Dallas, TX)
Glaslyn Artisan – Glaslyn (Denton, TX)
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SHIRE GOES TO! Is an event where the shire pavilions and other equipment and
multiple persons from the shire will be attending. If you need a ride or help with garb
contact the Hospitaler.
Thanks and Credits
Shadowlands Badge, Shadowlands Arms, Knotwork Badge, and “shadow wars” images by HL Pædric OMullan (William P. Mullins)
– all rights reserved. “Welcome to War!” by Kyria Anna Maleine – all rights reserved. All items used with permission from the
original creators.
Fine Print
This is The Shadow Knows, a publication of the Shire of the Shadowlands of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA). The Shadow Knows is
available from Kelsey McCleskey, 58 Red Sable Drive, Spring, TX 77380, or online at http://shadowlands.ansteorra.org/. It is not a corporate
publication of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA) and does not delineate SCA policies.
Copyright © 2016 Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. For information on reprinting articles, photographs, and artwork from this publication,
please contact the editor, who will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our contributors.
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