Who likes giving toys to kids at this time of year? Why, we all do! The good Kingdom of Ealdormere is full of some of the most charitable souls I know, always willing to pitch in with their time and resources to help each other out and – at this time of year – to hit each other with sticks and give toys to kids. The annual Wassail! event hosts our own Toys For Tots tournament, has much sharing of arts and crafts, and and is generally a very nice day with my fellow historically-inclined pals in Shakespeare, Ontario (Yes, Autojack, there is a Shakespeare, Ontario). You get to look at pics now!

Where there’s Scadians, there’s vendors. Sparrowhawk Leather continues to sell great leather mugs and the like; mine continues to serve me well.

I’m constantly amazed at the artistry in this kingdom. Every award is a beautifully hand-illuminated and calligraph’d (no idea if that’s a word, but I’m saying it is), and I was lucky enough to get a few moments watching a Laurel in the art of Calligraphy doing his thing, while apparently also catching tiny pixies with his off-hand.

Pal Calis found himself protege’d to His Excellency Lord Percival, as he continues to serve the kingdom.

You know it was hella for realsies because the King and Queen showed up to witness.

Master of Defense -and- kumihimo afficionado. So she’ll stab you, and then braid you a nice bandage for the wound. Considerate!

Vapers have dramatically changed over the years.

I could see from our lofty perch that there was stabbery going on…

When you’re known as the Evil Baron Toymaker, it’s important to reinforce the image by stabbing people.

No, no, Baron, you stab him! Not the other way around! You’ll get no respect at the next Evil Baron’s meeting.

The fighters swear they weren’t playing hopscotch. No, really.

Pairings were determined by rolling the dice. It was like bingo, with potential bruising!

Standing in line, trading recipes, talking about the new season of Gilmore Girls… the usual stuff.

Are you ready for some FULL… CONTACT…

… HUGGING ??!!??!???!?

“I have the stick. You *WILL* respect the hat.”

I took this pic of His Highness Quilliam mainly because that wolf chain’s pretty bloody awesome. Strictly speaking, Ealdormere is one of the Northern kingdoms… at the Spring Coronation I guess that makes him the King in the North? And the Wolf is heavily featured in Ealdormerean heraldry… Oh my glob, we’re ruled by Starks…

Duke Roak and Duchess Kaylah graced me with their smiles. Get it? Graced? ‘Cos they’re a Duke and Duchess!? HAH! I’m hilarious…

I wasn’t downstairs when this took place, and I know I’m going to mess some of this up and I apologize to the nobles involved… One of the most significant events in anyone’s SCA experience – indeed, the pinnacle for many – is being elevated to the peerage. Most commonly this would be as a Knight, Laurel or Pelican. It’s the result of years of effort, participation, sacrifice, mastering various skills, etc. You don’t get to just do it either – someone has to beg the boon of the Crown, you have to sit in vigil, there’s a lot of ceremony and significance, and you will thereafter be held to a high standard and expected to set an example for everyone else in everything you do. It’s not to be undertaken lightly, and especially not this one.

In Ealdormere’s past there was a beloved Knight by the name of Sarnac. I’m afraid I know very little about this noble, other than what I’ve seen in how his memory is honoured. Sir Sarnac had squired Kellen of Trinovantia Nova before his passing, and at Wassail Duke Roak begged the crown on behalf of Sarnac, to put Lord Kellen on vigil to be elevated to Knighthood. Normally this boon would be begged by a squire’s knight, but as the Knight who had originally squired Sarnac, Roak stood in his place. Sir Trumbrand, who had been Sarnac’s squire brother, seconded the request. Finally, Sir Kasimir of Skargard, who had been Kellen’s squire brother under Sarnac, also supported the request.

To add weight and significance, Kellen was presented with the Knight’s Chain that had belonged to Sir Sarnac by Sir Kasimir, and the book that Sarnac himself had used when he went on vigil before entering the peerage by Sarnac’s wife Jolecia, to record the words of wisdom given him by the others of the realm as he himself is elevated.

I know this doesn’t mean a lot to the tabletop gamers who are reading all of this, but it’s mark of the history and legacy of one that has passed. Respect is earned and paid, and all it all it’s a very special thing.

Why is Lord Jurgen looking so damn smug?

Because he knows he’s delicious.

Wait… there’s crowns behind me??

Prince of the Realm does not automatically make you King of the Gamblers.

Halkatla concentrated very hard on her calligraphy. We’re in agreement, S’s are bastards.

A beautiful card case, complete with cards, was one of the prizes awarded at Wassail. I made the cord! #Contributed

I swear to God, this wasn’t posed. Cesare just picked some point in the middle distance to look at all dreamily.

Their Excellencies Ramshaven did honour to Duchess Dagmar as they presented her with a baronial award, but getting down from their own thrones in deference to her title. They honoured her with a guidon, and they honoured her with their actions.

One of the best parts of processing into court is getting to hold a tall thing.

Wait… Prince Quilliam looks suspiciously like the late King Quilliam… what madness is this?!?

Anne Cook was dragged from her natural habitat, the kitchen, and granted an Award of Arms. She’s a Lady now!

Her Majesty made a point of introducing our newest Lady to the kingdom. Having received my own Award of Arms earlier this year, I can speak personally to how special a moment it is to receive an Award of Arms. It’s good times.

Calis received his too! Now he’s all Lord Calis and stuff… and also, in recognition of his continued service to the kingdom, the award of the Maiden’s Heart. It was a big day for him.

Pal Merewen got called up too! Wait… is Grimroth napping back there?

Nope, wide awake.

I mentioned the beautiful calligraphy and illumination that goes into Ealdormere’s scrolls earlier, so I tried to snap pics when I could. Scarlet Banners are awarded in recognition of martial prowess. Get good enough at thwackery, stabbery, twangery or thwockery and you too can earn one of these personalized works of art!

The scrolls are often worked on by paired calligraphers and illuminators, and will frequently bear the badge of the award being granted – note the badge in the middle on the left, the red wavy line flanked by two wolves – the Scarlet Banner.

Calis’ Award of Arms bears his personal heraldic device as well as the badge of the Maiden’s Heart. Yes, he was back behind the bar when I took the pic. That’s where he can often be found, providing libations to the populace. Good lad.

Scroll illumination is frequently inspired by or copied from actual historical pieces, and many artists use historically accurate pigments where possible as well. Gold leaf is totally a thing.

And of course there were selfies.

He looks so thrilled…

Hi Lady Meredyth!

Whassup, Thorunn!

Meuric’s head is better protected from the sun than mine. Maybe I need to start dressing Persian.

He might be a Lord now, but I’m still eating his damn pretzels.

And then I went home and introduced Travis to Blood Bowl. Because yes.

It’s likely going to be a few months before I can get to another SCA event, but Wassail was a wonderful way to spend a December Saturday in the Kingdom of Ealdormere. Huzzah!