Author: Audrye Beneyt

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COVID From the EK Seneschal News

New Kingdom-wide Variance Effective 11/11/2022

The following variance has been approved by the Society Seneschal, to go in to effect immediately: 

Indoor Masking for all persons age 2 and over will be required at all official SCA Activities (events, practices, meetings, etc) in the United States portion of the East Kingdom, under the following condition: 

When the county where the activity is located reaches a status of HIGH on the CDC Community Levels map found here: 

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&list_select_county=all_counties&data-type=CommunityLevels&null=CommunityLevels

This is determined by the data on the Thursday just prior to the activity. 

If state or local regulations are more restrictive, those measures are to be followed.

For the Canadian provinces in Tir Mara, provincial and local guidance will be followed.

This variance is in effect immediately and will end on March 1, 2023.  

Examples:

An official practice will be held on January 3, 2023 in Springfield, MA.  If, on the Thursday prior, December 29, 2022, the Community Level in Hampden County, MA is listed as HIGH according to the map above, then masks will be required at the practice on January 3, 2023.  

An event will be held in Bangor, ME on January 21, 2023.  On the Thursday prior, January 19, 2023, the Community Level in Penobscot County, ME is listed as LOW according to the map above. As such, masks will not be required. 

An event will be held in Montreal, Quebec on February 4, 2023.  On January 12, 2023, the local government issued a mask mandate requiring indoor masking due to an increase in cases.  Masks will be required at the event on February 4, 2023.

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Uncategorized

A Kingdom, A Seneschal and a Pandemic

Greetings to the Tyger Populace, 

So many things have happened in the last two months that I’m not entirely sure where to begin.  Please hold tight, and come along for a little ride with me.  

 Let me start by recognizing we are a mighty and ferocious Kingdom, which is built upon a love for this hobby, a care for each other, and knowing when standing up is the right thing to do. 

When I made the decision to drop the mask mandate on October 1, 2022, I heard cries of outrage and cries of joy.  They varied from whispers to downright screams.  I heard each and every one. I felt all of them, and the turmoil it put on the Kingdom and its people was hard.  

When I stepped into this role back in April, I didn’t know quite how hard it would be to experience all of that first hand. Even having stood next to Medhbh for pretty much her entire time as Seneschal, I couldn’t anticipate how it would feel to stand in those shoes. If you were to ask any of my predecessors, they would tell you the same, I am absolutely sure of it.

All that is to say, I’m sorry. I am sorry that people felt (and still feel) stressed. I am sorry that people did not feel heard, and did not feel wanted. I am sorry to those who do not feel safe enough to share their thoughts. I firmly believe it is important to recognize when we have made a mistake which impacts so many others. I believe apologizing is important. I believe doing both of those things publicly when it is called for, is absolutely necessary. 

I want to acknowledge that, regardless of where a person stands on the topic, they are important. I repeat, each and every one of you is important. You are important to me, to the Crown, to the Kingdom. 

With that said, over the next day I will be releasing some information which I hope will help us all move forward as a Kingdom. I hope it will help us begin to walk towards each other again, instead of creating division. I hope we are able to find places to meet in the middle, where all feel safe, heard, and wanted.

I ask that you please be patient with me as I get this information out in a way which is clear, concise and easy to follow so it is done once without the need to retract, rephrase or explain in other ways.

With my love, and in service to the Kingdom of the East,

Audrye, KSen

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From the EK Seneschal

Weekly Update – October 17, 2022

Good afternoon to the Tyger Populace!

I’m going to attempt to start doing a “weekly newsletter” of sorts to let you know what kinds of things are going on, and where I/We stand on certain situations. I’m hoping for weekly, but the reality is, it might be a bi-weekly update. It will cover things like the current state of the Kingdom, COVID, what events I’ll be attending, and other things as needed.

You’ll be able to find it here on the Seneschal’s Website, but it will also be cross-posted to the EK-Announce Lists as well Facebook/Discord.

State of the Kingdom

As one might imagine, the populace is a bit animated with the lifting of COVID restrictions in a rapid fashion. The voices are being heard in my office from both sides of the fence. This has caused a bit of delayed response, unfortunately, because it is important that I be able to read through all of the responses. While I may not always respond to every single one, they are being heard.

The other side effect to the email-chaos, is that some emails have slipped through the cracks and into a filter that should not have been the case! I’m pretty tech savvy, but even I get caught up sometimes! If you have not heard from me inside of a week regarding something, please resend the original email to me so I can review it.

Generally speaking, though, the events I have attended all seem to be in good spirits and people are happy to be together more regularly. It’s important to take care of ourselves and be cognizant of our own health as we continue to move forward. I would ask all local groups to continue to encourage spaces where all members of the populace can attend, whether they be in-person, online meetings, or a combination of both.

COVID Restrictions

And that brings me to the hot-topic directly. I have heard many voices both for and against the lifting of restrictions.

Some local groups have requested variances to the policies regarding indoor masking for events and local gatherings. Generally speaking, I have been granting them. In full transparency, I am not granting any variances regarding the vaccination/negative COVID tests as the Policy as written (and kept by the Board of Directors) is no longer effective as an actual measure of safety. I’ll leave that conversation for in person discussions, and am happy to have that.

I am currently working on a variance request to Society which, if successful, I believe will make much of the populace feel better, and provide a measure of control at a local level. It is presently being drafted and I’ll be sending it off to the Society Seneschal for review by the end of the week.

Thank you to all those who have shared their opinions, both for and against, the restrictions. And an extra thank you to all who have reached out to share words of support for the role and me personally while this is all going on. It has meant the world to me to see a message or an email pop in saying that they care and hope I am weathering all of this okay.

In closing, I really appreciate the effort and care the populace puts in to this Kingdom. Whether as a regular attendee of gatherings in person or virtual, a volunteer, a member of landed nobility, or the Crown, the passion of people in this Kingdom are what drew me to this role as Seneschal and will continue to drive my work here.

Thank you all for everything you do, and I hope to see you soon. The events I’ll be at are shared at the bottom of this note!

In Service,
Audrye

Upcoming Events

You’ll be able to find me at the following events:

October 29, 2022 – Crown Tournament of Mohammad and Corotica

November 12, 2022 – St. Eligius Arts & Sciences

November 18, 2022 – 100 Minutes War

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Crown Tournament List News

Fall Crown Tournament Entrants Announced

Greetings to the Tyger Populace!

At the request of Sultan Mohammad and Brenhines Corotica, valiant and wise rulers of the East, do I announce the entrants into Their Crown Tournament to be held on October 29, 2022 in the Province of Malagentia.

Event Listing: https://www.eastkingdom.org/event-details/?eid=4064

Tournament Format: https://seneschal.eastkingdom.org/crown-tournament-format/

Their Majesties would remind all entrants that both Combatant and Consort must present themselves before the Tyger Thrones on the day of Their Tournament. Should either not be present, the pair will be removed from the tournament.

For the glory and honor, and the service to the East Kingdom, the entrants to the List are as follows:

Sir Vissevald Selkirksson, fighting for Countess Mara Tudora Kolarova
Brennan mac Fearghus, Dux, fighting for Caoilfhionn inghean Fhaolain, Dux
Sir Arturus of Aranmore, fighting for Maîtresse Ellice de Valles
Jarl Valgard Stonecleaver, fighting for Lady Gracia Vasquez de Trillo
Baron Wulfhere of Stonemarche, fighting for Viscountess Gwenllian Rhiannon of Dragonkeep
The Honorable Lord Sigurdr Berserker, fighting for Mistress Eleanore MacCarthaigh
Master Karl Meerstappa, fighting for Mistress Anne of Framlingham
Lord Thorbjorn thorfinnsson, fighting for Syr Osgkar of the Wood
Syr Angus Gove MacKinon, fighting for Mistress Ciara MacRobie
Lord Wilhelm Van Hammaburc, fighting for Sir Edward Macgyver dos Scorpus
Sir Zhigmun’ Czypsser, fighting for Mistress Leda Zipyos
Sir Angus McHaley, fighting for Mistress Tadea Isabetta di Bruno
Master Aethelhawk Keyfinder, fighting for Baroness Siubhan Wallace
Master Tiberius Iulius Rufus Primus, fighting for Lord Vopiscus Rufius Donatus
Lady Leurona Winterborne, fighting for Sir Ketilfastr Thorkilson
Doyen Richard Crowe, fighting for Lady Ameria Brown
Sir Vlad Iliescu, fighting for Mistress Molly Schofield
Master Giles William Trout called Billyfish, fighting for Baroness Mægwynn filia Brun
Baroness Juliana de Essex, fighting for Sir Euric Germanicus
Doctorae Pandarus and Baroness Timeria Sthenone called Timbrien, fighting for each other
Sir Duarcain MacWard, fighting for Maestra Cathain Reiter
Sir Galbraith MacGowan, fighting for The Honorable Syrine Al-Sakina Bint Houriya
Lord Thomas De Winterwade, fighting for Lady Sara of Stonley
The Honorable Lord Finan mac Bressail, fighting for The Honorable Lady Alys Treeby
The Honorable Lord Matthew MacGyver and Baroness Lillian Stanhope, fighting for each other
The Honorable Lord Titus Claudius Silvanus, fighting for Lady Anna Serena
Lord Damhan MacRonain, fighting for The Honorable Lady Agnes Marie De Calais
The Honorable Lord Volmar Sollons, fighting for Baroness Iulia Baebiana
The Honorable Lord Corwin Blackthorn, fighting for Lady Ada Wright
Baron Fearghus Mac Cailin, fighting for Baroness Catriona bean mhic Cailin
The Honorable Lord Marcus Atilius Pansa, fighting for Lady Artemisius Octavia Pansa
Baron Pádraig Ó Brádaig called Samson, fighting for Lady Martha bean ui Bhradaigh
Sayyid Kiril Al-Ghadab Hallamet, fighting for Baroness Aïcha Al-Khayr bint Qamar
Baron Vladimir Bathory, fighting for Lady Andrea Noelle Bathory
Lord Albrecht Ostergaard, fighting for Baronessa Daniela Rosa da Venezia
Sayyid Rafi al-qasid, fighting for Shiklah al-zarqa
Lord Thorfin Jarnison, fighting for Lord Bjorn Fairhair
Louis of Clan MacWard, fighting for Aureliana Laskarina

In Service to the Crown and Kingdom,
Magistra Audrye Beneyt
East Kingdom Seneschal

Categories
Crown Tournament List News

Crown Tournament Format

This is a copy of the Crown Tournament Format from Count Wilhelm, Kingdom Marshal of Armored Combat.

Unto the amazing populace of the East Kingdom do I, your friendly neighborhood Wilhelm, send greetings!

The following is the format for the upcoming crown tourney of Mohammad and Corotica.

  • To start, there will be four Round Robin buckets with the best four from each list advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.
  • The Sweet Sixteen will be broken down to two groups of eight for another Round Robin!
  • The two with the best records from each group will advance to the final four.
  • The final four will process into the list and be presented to their Majesties
  • From there, the final four will then have a four person Round Robin with the top two advancing to the finals.
  • All ties at the end of the round robins will fight a single fight with the winner advancing
  • The Finals will be best out of seven, matched weapon forms (the weapons themselves need not match) no previous wounds retained.
  • Round 1: Spear.
  • Round 2: Loser from round one picks the next weapon form and so on.
  • No individual combatant may pick the same form twice, however the same form may be chosen by both combatants.
  • If we reach round seven, it will be bring your best form

I am going to repeat this until you hear it in your sleep. Check your armor and weapons prior to leaving for the event. Make sure your armor is in good repair and your weapons all meet parameters as everything will be inspected thoroughly. Bring tools for repairs that may happen while there as that is the worst way to be knocked out of a tourney.

Fight hard, fight honorably, and do honor unto to the one who inspires you that day.

In Service,

Wilhelm

En Francais

Au merveilleux Peuple du Royaume de l’Est, moi, votre dévoué serviteur Wilhelm, vous salue !

Ce qui suit est le format que prendra le prochain tournoi de la Couronne de Leurs Altesses Royales, Mohammad et Corotica.

  • Pour débuter, il y aura 4 groupes de tournois à la ronde ou les quatre meilleurs de chaque lice se qualifieront pour la ronde suivante.
  • Les seize finalistes seront séparées en deux groupes de huit pour un second tournoi à la ronde.
  • Les deux meilleurs des deux groupes passeront à la finale des quatre.
  • Les quatre finalistes défileront dans la lice pour être présentés à Leurs Majestés.
  • Les quatre finalistes procéderont à un tournoi à la ronde ou les deux meilleurs se retrouveront en finale.
  • Toute égalité à la fin du tournoi à la ronde sera résolue par un combat singulier.
  • La finale sera un quatre de sept ou les armes seront prédéterminées.
  • Premier combat; La Lance.
  • Second combat et suivant; le perdant du premier combat choisit l’arme du prochain combat et ainsi de suite.
  • Un combattant ne peut choisir deux fois la même forme. Cependant, la même forme peut être choisie par chacun des combattants.
  • Si nous devons en arriver à un ultime septième combat, les combattants pourront choisir leurs armes de prédilection.

Je ne répéterai jamais assez souvent : vérifiez votre armure et vos armes avant de quitter pour l’événement. Assurez-vous que votre armure est en bon état et que vos armes répondent toutes aux paramètres, car tout sera inspecté à fond. Apportez des outils pour les réparations qui peuvent survenir pendant le tournoi, car c’est la pire des façons d’être éliminé d’un tournoi.

Combattez férocement, combattez loyalement et honorez celui ou celle qui vous inspirera tout au long du tournoi.

Au Service,

Wilhelm

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Uncategorized

Communication Regarding Civility and the COVID Discussions

Good afternoon, Tyger Populace, 

I wanted to reach out briefly to let you all know that I am here and reading email.  However, I am trying to get some clarification from “above” regarding some specifics to the change in policies and precautions surrounding COVIDSafe and masking. I need some further guidance before I can commit to anything at this time. 

I would ask you all to also understand that while I make these decisions in consultation with the Crown, and they have supported them, ultimately the decision is mine to make. Their Majesties and Their Highnesses, while supporting the decision, did not make the final call. Please consider that when you are sharing your concerns. 

As a reminder, courtesy and respect is paramount even when you don’t agree with each other or the decisions that have been made.  I have heard some unsettling rumors regarding people’s lives and occupations being threatened by others.  This comes from both sides of the debate.  If I am able to track down the sources, conversations will be had and repercussions possible. 

This conversation is not easy. These decisions are not easy. I ask that you consider that when you are engaging in discussion and remember to keep to civility.  

Thank you all for your patience while I work through it all. 

Be kind to each other. 

In Service, 
Magistra Audrye Beneyt
East Kingdom Seneschal