Belting Lady Tanneke: Making a Ceremony that Fits
A look at how we created a personal apprentice ceremony at Calontir’s Cattle Raids, blending tradition, symbolism, and friendship.
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Building Strong Bonds: Tips for SCA Apprentice-Peer Dynamics
At this fall’s Cattle Raids, I’ll be taking Lady Tanneke Groenlaken as my second apprentice. She’s from my home barony, which makes things even better. Tanneke loves diving into research and learning new things. HL Astrid is also excited about her joining the household and has already become a good friend to her. Welcoming Tanneke…
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Lilies War: A Journey of Chaos and Joy
Even with several storms, forgoten meds, and unintended dog food, I found joy at the 2025 Lilies War. It was full of surprises, laughter, and perfect moments in all the chaos. Read about the classes, vigils, and a few “oops” moments that made it unforgettable! Packing Adventures (a.k.a. “Why is my hip mad at me?”)…
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New Publication: ‘Histoire du Berry’, by Emmanuel Legeard
A recent study explores the history of the Berry region from Celtic times to the present, focusing primarily on Jean, Duke of Berry (1340–1416). The publication, titled ‘Histoire du Berry’ by Emmanuel Legeard, delves into the significance of this historical figure within the region’s long-term narrative.
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A Hidden Treasure in Calontir: The Calontiri Wiki!
“The palest ink is better than the best memory.”– Chinese proverb, popular long before the 17th century Have you ever wished there was one place to find the who’s who? What about finding out what’s what in the Kingdom of Calontir? Do you want to know how-to-do-it there? Let me introduce you to one of…
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Beginner’s Tips for SCA Gear: Barter, Create or Purchase
New to the SCA? Learn when to make or buy your medieval gear with tips on saving time, money, and stress while building your first kit.
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The Elegance of 16th-Century Sewing Storage
Recently, in an online SCA gifting discussion, period sewing baskets were suggested as an option. And, of course, I had to relate it to what my persona would do. So let’s talk about sewing storage. Not the plastic box kind with snap lids and little compartments we find in craft stores today. I mean the…
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AI in the SCA: Discussing Its Ethics at Lilies War 2025
Curious about AI in the SCA? Join me June 11 at Lilies War for a lively roundtable on the ethics of AI use in research, art, and documentation. No apps required—just your brain, opinions, and a love for the past!
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Celebrating HL Astrid: A Creative Force in Calontir
Meet HL Astrid Esbjornsdottir. She is a beloved Calontir scribe, mentor, and scroll artist with over 40 years of service in the SCA.
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Murphy’s Law for ChatGPT: A Humorous Take
You know how sometimes you do something just for giggles? That was me this week. I was researching something unrelated. Suddenly, a mischievous thought popped into my head: What would Murphy’s Law look like… for ChatGPT? I couldn’t resist. I typed in the prompt and hit enter. And, ChatGPT did not disappoint. Here’s what it…
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A Glimps At My SCA 7 Years Ago
Time really flies in the SCA! I came across this little collection of photos from seven years ago and couldn’t help but smile. Each image brings back memories of the joy. It also reminds me of the creativity and camaraderie that make the SCA so special. Looking back reminds me how far we’ve all come—and…
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Embracing SCA Crafts : Your To-Do List Adventure
Last Saturday’s 2025 Calontir Queen’s Prize Tournament event was a wonderful achievement celebration. It showed how joyful—and exciting—the SCA arts and sciences can be. It always starts the same way. There’s that first spark—an idea, a project, a skill you just can’t wait to try. So you dive in, you buy all the necessary materials…
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Surviving Economic Challenges Again.
When the Great Recession rolled in, event attendance did take a hit. People were laid off. Gas prices skyrocketed. Suddenly, that two-day drive to a Kingdom-level war with a glorious feast did not make the cut. Even camping under the stars was also excluded from the monthly budget. But guess what? The SCA didn’t collapse….
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15th-century Manuscripts and Mischiefs
I’m excited to announce my next blog series because the information I unearthed about Raphael de Mercatellis was so interesting. The series is titled “Manuscripts & Mischief: 15th-Century Bruges’ Most Fascinating People!” We’ll explore the lives of artists, nobles, and book collectors. They turned Bruges into a buzzing hub of creativity and intrigue. From lavish…
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Work in Progress: April Heraldry Shenanigans
For last Saturday’s Crown Tournament, I finally finished the heraldic design with the blue background and three white crescents. It’s a simple design—elegant and clean—but true to form, I tried to make it complicated first. Azumi Nariko’s device isn’t up on the Calontir website yet. So, I tracked it down on the SCA heralds’ OSCAR…
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Calontir Crown Tourney : Where Rattan Rings
Last weekend was Calontir’s Crown Tournament—and what a day! I helped out here and there. I had some great chats with friends, as one does. I even managed to snap a few pictures between all the action. If you’ve never been to a Calontir Crown Tourney, let me describe it for you. The list field…
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Celebrating Pre-17th Century Women: Voices of Resilience
Hey, all. Wrapping up this Women’s History Month series I want to reflect on the remarkable pre-17th century women we’ve explored. From poets to mystics there were so many to choose from. These women carved out a place in history despite the societal constraints of their time. Their stories of resilience, creativity, and courage continue…
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Marguerite Porete: The Bold Mystic of the 13th Century
“Let love guide your path, and all burdens will turn to light.”–Marguerite Porete Hello, history-loving friends! Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Marguerite Porete, a fascinating 13th-century French-speaking mystic. She’s best known for her controversial work The Mirror of Simple Souls. It is one of the earliest examples of mystical literature, focused on agape—or…
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Li Qingzhao: A Woman’s Voice Echoing Through History
“The flowers bloom brightly, and the wine tastes sweet—life’s simple joys.” Li Qingzhao Hey everyone! Today, for Women’s History Month, I’m excited to share the story of Li Qingzhao (1084-c.1155), one of China’s most celebrated poets from the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Not only was she an amazing poet, but she was also skilled in calligraphy…
