Belting Lady Tanneke: Making a Ceremony that Fits

“Begin as you mean to go on.”
— Traditional proverb

At this year’s Mag Mor Cattle Raids, I’ll be taking Lady Tanneke Groenlaken as my second apprentice. I’m honored—and nervous! I want to share how this all came together. This is especially for those of you curious about how belting ceremonies work (or don’t) in Calontir.

If you’re new to the idea, apprentice ceremonies vary wildly across the SCA. Some are solemn and high persona. Others are casual or made up on the spot. You can go fully formal with scrolls and speeches, or just say “Wanna?” and belt someone on a picnic bench.

A Little About Lady Tanneke

Tanneke has been active in the SCA since her college days. She moved to Lonely Tower after participating in events all over the Known World. She brings a broad and thoughtful perspective to our group—and a strong sense of what she wants to learn. Her focus is late 16th-century women’s costuming and accessories, but she’s curious about all sorts of things. She researches deeply, thinks clearly, and when she said she wanted the household to meet weekly, I happily agreed. We now meet at a coffee shop that’s halfway between our houses. It is conveniently close to two of Omaha’s main thoroughfares. (Bonus: good coffee.)

Calontir and Ceremonies

Here in Calontir, we are not shy about ceremony. If it happens twice, we’ll write a formal ritual for it. But oddly enough, there’s no standard apprentice ceremony. So what do you do?

Well, you make one up. Together.

Tanneke, being a self-starter, took the text of Astrid’s belting ceremony and gave it her own twist. She’s adding a signed formal contract (which Astrid will callig—because of course she will). From a creative Astrid idea, she also wants to have Astrid’s famously long green belt cut in half. Each of them will then wear one part. It is a lovely symbol of their bond and shared path.

The Basics Still Matter

Before you begin a ceremony like this, there are some key questions to sort out:

• Is the apprentice releasing any prior obligations or relationships?
• Do both people agree on what the relationship will look like?
• And the big one: Will the apprentice feel truly bound by the commitment they’re making?

If the answer is yes, the rest is just how much pageantry you want to add.

There are plenty of ceremony templates out there if you want a “tried and true” format. You can tweak the details and use that as a jumping-off point. But we wanted to build something that felt meaningful and personal.

Setting the Stage… Even If There Isn’t One

Now, let’s talk location. Cattle Raids is held on a modern county fairgrounds. It’s functional. That’s about all I can say. Other than a few scattered trees, there’s nothing remotely medieval or romantic. And naturally, the only shady area will be claimed by fighters. Because of course it will.

So, we’re creating ambiance the best way we know how—through people and presence. The ceremony will take place near the fighting field. Her Excellency Kathleen, Baroness of Lonely Tower, has kindly agreed to “approve” the relationship on behalf of the Kingdom. Tanneke’s friends from outside Calontir will be invited. And, I’ll ask the site herald to make an announcement so folks can find us.

My Nerves, Her Moment

The ceremony will only take about ten minutes. I’ll lead it. (I’m already anxious about that) I don’t do well with impromptu speeches, so we’ll have simple, prepared lines to read. Short and heartfelt.

Tanneke will stand, not kneel. I will take Astrid’s belt and cut it in half. Tanneke will hold her hands in a prayer position, and I’ll wrap her part of the green belt around them. The gesture speaks both to her faith and our commitment to each other, but also to her apprentice sister. I will promise to guide her as best I can—and if I can’t, to help her find someone who can. In turn, she’ll promise to Calontir, our Kingdom, where her deeper journey in the arts continues.

Along with the belt cutting, Tanneke wants a formal contract made and signed. And it’s really cool, because Astrid loves to create works that are mostly calligraphy. To be period, she will create two on opposite ends of one page which will be cut in half.

I will end with this:

“If you see Tanneke doing something beneficial or beautiful, give her the praise and credit she deserves. Any failures she may make are my error, for I have not taught her well.”

And just like that, she’ll be my apprentice—and Astrid’s sister.

Closing Thoughts

This relationship isn’t about titles or rank. It’s about learning and exploring deeply together. That green belt is a symbol of curiosity, commitment, and shared growth. I just want to make sure this moment is as meaningful and memorable as Tanneke deserves. If I get the words wrong? Oh, well. Mistakes are period.

Wish us luck.

Trimaris Apprenticesing https://youtu.be/7LtkAPkuVoE?si=QOVMSsFXyoqFJLbq