[Nordskogen] Pictures from Gulf Wars XVII and event chronicle (kinda long)

[Shava]

*First off, I do want to make three disclaimers. This past Gulf Wars was my
first trip south for this fine war. Many of my pictures were taken just to
get the feel of the site and a feeling for the event and I did take quite a
few (though not as many as Ursus of Anglesey
http://ursus.smugmug.com/SCA%20photographs takes). Second, I know that I'm
missing pictures from Equestrian, Archery, and Live Weapons but I couldn't
be everywhere. And thirdly, I know that the pictures are very
Northshield-centric and I was a busy paparazzo this event. Then again,
having a Press Pass from Her Most Royal Majesty Eilis made it imperative
that I chronicle Their Royal Majesties first Gulf Wars experience as best as
I was able and they're my kinsman. T**hat all being said, I am blind-copying
all of the Royalty of the Knowne World plus a few others who might be
interested in some of my pictures. Feel free to pass this link on to other
lists and anyone who might be interested in them.

*I have tried to chronicle my week as best as I can through pictures. My
first view of the War was a bit disjointed. First, I got to the site in time
to be whisked away by friends for an overnight trip to New Orleans. So,
barely enough time to check-in, find the cabin, and get the car unloaded
(which they helped with so it took almost no time at all.) I made it back to
site on Monday late afternoon in time for dinner and a bit of time to get a
feel for the site. Unfortunately, I became very ill later that night and
much of Tuesday was a blur of not feeling well and naps. At least I was
feeling better by that evening so I could hear Master Efenwealt
Whystle, Mistress
Adelaide de Beaumont, Sir Kenneth MacQuarrie of Tobermory, Lady Ambra, and
Baron Mateo Montero de Madrid (3 different sets) at the Green Dragon Inn.
What a great night of music!!!

Luckily, I was much better by Wednesday in time for the opening ceremonies.
Part of the best part of that was the wonderful sharing of song between the
retinues of Atlantia, Calontir, Ealdormere, and Northshield (thanks to the
bard of Atlantia whose name I never learned, Dolan from Calontir, Garrett
from Ealdormere and Sveinn from Northshield to leading the songs for their
respective groups). This was going on while the Royalty were getting on
their horses and such (which took a while). I've seen the pictures of
Opening Ceremonies in the past and it always made me wish I was there and
this time I was. The host Kingdoms welcomed everyone and each Kingdom
declared their side with great pomp and ceremony--ending with a circuit of
the field by a riderless horsed barded in mourning to represent our absent
friends. *There is a pretty poor video that I took of HRM Hagan declaring
Northshield's deal with Trimaris that was "struck in ice and snow" at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa_OyqlPWlE (my apologies for the coughing
while I was filming it).* From there, I found myself at the Diamond
Tournament (Each kingdom and principality at Gulf War may send one team
(consisting of a heavy and a light fighter). The rounds will alternate
between heavy and light, with the single member of each team competing per
round. This is a double-elimination tourney; however, a loss for either
member of the team counts as a loss for the team. Therefore, a team can be
eliminated by a single loss from each fighter, or 2 losses from either.)
Northshield fielded Count Kitakaze Tatsu Raito and Don Michael St. Christian
who proved victorious over a tough field--meeting the East Kingdom
combatants in the finals. I understand that this was the sixth Northshield
victory in this tournament in the past seven years. Don Michael was awarded
his third Nordbandr by TRM in Northshield Court on Thursday because he
fought while quite ill. I then wandered over to where the Town Battle was
raging and was able to view it from a wonderful vantage point. How often
does one get to sit down in the shade (in the lee of a castle wall), have a
soft, cool breeze, and be less than ten feet from the action? It was too bad
that Northshield fighters were in the middle of the town but I can hope that
those of the Midrealm and Gleann Abhann forces can appreciate the view that
I had. It was a long day and I can't remember much about what I did after
supper though I think I just sat around the dining hall catching up with old
friends.

Thursday included the Ansteorran Rose Tournament, the Bridge Battle,
Northshield Court, and the Black & Gold Party outside the Northshield Royal
Cabin. The Ansteorran Rose Tournament (a competition of skill that was
conducted before an audience of the Royal Ladies assembled at Gulf Wars.
Each Lady of the Rose may sponsor two entrants, [but only one of them may be
of 'officer rank' {White Scarf or equivalent}]). I ended up staying for the
whole tournament since Dona Margalit, fighting for HRM Mary and Lord
Ambrose, fighting for the Queen Mum, Countess Bridei, made it to the eight
round in a very talented field of combatants. The finals were between Don
Sylvain of Trimaris, Dona Eledor (please excuse my spelling) of AEthelmaerc,
and Don Aeron Harper of Ansteorra (who is going to school in Northshield)
with Don Sylvain winning for the third time (I was told). I wandered over to
the Bridge Battle for a while and again had a wonderful vantage point to see
some action. From there, I made it back to the Northshield Royal Cabin in
time for our Kingdom's Court where many were honoured (already chronicled by
our Clerk of Precedence, Viscountess Astrid). That evening, Sir Duncan
"Fathmbjorn" MacPherson, Mistress Seonaid ingen Domnaill, and Lord Karl von
Frettchenburg led a team that put together a Black & Gold party outside our
cabin. They served drinks that were black...or gold. ;-)

Friday dawned a bit gray and cool but the sun was soon to come out on a very
bright day indeed. This day saw the Armoured Champion's Tournament that
included teams of 15 from the hosting kingdoms (10 of their own plus 5 from
their allies) and included our own Duke Siegfried von Kulmbach who proved
victorious in his bout. This was followed by our own history-making
moment--the vigiling of THL Roisin ingen Aillel for the Order of Chivalry
(as we well know, she will be elevated at TRM Hagan & Eilis' last court at
Coronation on April 19 and will be the 27th female member of the Order in
its history). There are many pictures of the vigiling among my photos and I
know that Duke Siegfried will be posting a video of it when he can get it
edited. The afternoon brought me to the ravine for the first time so that I
could witness the Rapier Ravine Battle--Northshield's force, led by Don
Mateo Montero de Madrid, was 30 strong and included HRM Hagan, Duke
Siegfried, Cout Ratio, and quite a few others that left their heavy armour
behind and donned lighter stuff to join our strong contingent of fencers.
That evening, THL Roisin sat vigil in the royal compound and was visited by
many including Kings, Princes, Dukes, and many, many other well-wishers.

Saturday found me sitting in camp whining a little as I said "but I don't
want to go home" to which my lord-husband, Giles, replied "not you, too!" It
wasn't the weather, not really, though it was nice to enjoy an early spring.
It was the friends, old and new, all of the activities, and just a nice
feeling of comfort that this year's Gulf Wars brought me. I spent some of
the day wandering around, just enjoying the feeling, packing, albeit
reluctantly, and then wandering over to the camps of Clan Gambit (where HE
Alice of Kent was staying) and the Barony of Seleone (Gulfport/Biloxi area).
Alice had traveled down with Giles and I and we needed to pick her up. But
what we knew and she didn't was that she was to be honoured in Seleone's
Baronial Court that afternoon. We dragged our feet long enough to get her to
court, presided over by Thegn Morgan of Osperey, and it was fun to witness a
foreign Baronial Court. The last two pieces of business were to make HE
Alice and her late husband, HE Antonio di Casa d'Aqua called "Price",
honorary citizens of the Barony. Vivant to Alice and Price!! Vivant to Thegn
Morgan and the Barony of Seleone who have adopted two of ours. Finally,
after all of that, we collected Alice's things, went back to our cabin to
load the car, shower, and hit the road for home. The trip home was almost
uneventful -- but Giles got the same stomach ailment that I did later that
night after we'd found an inn to stay in on the road. Finally, we found our
way home on Sunday, leaving Gulf Wars and spring behind but bringing back
many good memories.
*
*My view of the event can be found at:
http://nsgallery.melm.org/main.php?g2_itemId=89420 (for those not familiar
with the Unofficial Northshield Gallery, you do have to register on the site
to view the pictures but I can assure you that only two people have access
to the email address [I'm one of them] and there will be no spam associated
with registering).

As always, for my  pictures, feel free to leave comments and help me label
the   pictures   , use any picture for SCA purposes, ask me to delete
something if you don't like it via private message, or share with your
friends and family. If you want larger files than are posted for your own
use, let me know and I'll send them to you. Also, please pass on the link to
other lists if you wish. For the pictures that others have taken, please
contact them directly for permissions and such.

Pax-
Shava
-- 
I remain, in service to the Northshield, our Society, and most of all, to
the populace~~

justShava(R)
Elashava bas Riva, CL, CP,
13th Viscountess of Northshield,
Baroness of the Court of Edmund III and Kateryn III
(mka Sue Gilbert) 3314 Ridgeway Ave. Madison, WI 53704 phone: 608.244.2845;
cell 608.213.1107