Gratitude and Requests

Needs for the Reign:

Immediate Need: Groups to assemble stacks of 20 tabards. This project only involves assembling the tabards and they will then be sent for printing. Please contact Baroness Ceolwen for more information.

Important ongoing need: Mugs/Cups for Newcomers. Please contact Wu or Xanthippe to donate.

Important ongoing need: Toys for the Children's Toy Run. Please contact Wu or Xanthippe to donate.

Important ongoing need: Volunteers for Local Point of Contact (also called Chamberlain for the Day) and Retainers

(Originally posted to Facebook)

I can't not do one last thank you post- skip if you're tired of reflective royal thank yous 🙂

As we step down, the thank you list is epic. We recognized many in court but want to make sure that Xippi, Juliet, Wu, Tom, Tomas, Ceolwen and the whole guard and each person who retained, made a scroll, organized a court, planned something special know that we are thankful for your gifts of time and service to us and Northshield.

Coronation day is always exciting and busy and fun - thank you to the Regalia Minister who helped make a smooth transition and the event staff who made sure we all had what we needed, including all the extra chairs for a packed court.

As we said, there is a lot we will miss but we are happy to see Isabella and Yngvar on the throne and know they will do great things. We support them fully and look forward to their reign. We are back to being "just" a duke and duchess and we are energized for all that comes next.

Long Live Northshield!

College by Kate Luthner, photo credits Various Contributors

Photo credit: Kate Luthner

(Originally posted to Facebook)

Our last (non coronation) Event is now complete. The War of the Roses (aka Gimli) was generously, gloriously, and genuinely hosted by the Barony of Castle Rouge and we thank them for the time and effort to create this most special event.

Thank you to the autocrat and staff who secured the site, cabins, shade, and access to the beach that makes this 3 day event a small world of its own.

Thank you to the feast steward who made such a tasty feast that I can't pick a favorite (although we did cheer for the sorbet) and we were full for days

Thank you to Robin for your 11pm special event, it was unforgettable

Thank you to the archery team for all the shoots over the two days including the famous water duel.

And Thank you to the many teachers who hosted a non stop, come and go style craft time in the hall

We met more wonderful people; transplants to make welcome and quite a few newcomers, and, spent time with old friends talking, fighting, and "doing Science!"

Special extra thanks to those who facilitated our American dollar-bucks, and, not sure if this is a "thank you" but, we have a new Canadian candy addiction from the fabulous welcome bag.

To anyone wondering if it is 'worth the drive' we submit that it most definitely is.

PS. We hope their Excellencies made up and the war is over - who won by the way?

CAT event! (originally posted to Facebook)

Thank you for such a perfect day of archery and thrown weapons. The creative shoots and throwing, great weather, lunch, and relaxing socializing were exactly what we needed. Thank you to the autocrat and staff and everyone who helped make the day welcoming to the most senior archer and those who picked up a bow that day.

Photo credit: Jeffrey Peterson

Pennsic Thank You The Third (originally posted to Facebook)

This happened at Pennsic but is technically not a 'Pennsic Thing". We have FRESH griffon tabards (or cape if you are creative)! It was a group effort, including the Stallari who approved the expense, however, Baroness Ceolwen ingen Adaim took this project (on TOP of the others) and ran with it. She had helpers (who I will ask her to tag since I know I don't know everyone who pitched in on this) THANK YOU to you all, we looked great at Pennsic 50 and it was a joy to give tabards to all our new members and I look forward to seeing these around for the next 10 years.

The first batch was given out at pennsic but there are more in process to give to any who need them. And by "any" we mean anyone who would like to wear one - non combatants, and, every field; if you would like to show some griffon pride we will tabard you.

While these were Kingdom funded, the Kingdom won't say no to donations if you are able (info on how in the first comments)

Ceolwen is also looking for help completing the work in process. All of them are cut and printed but need their edging sewn on. If your group is looking for a service project, this is an easy one~

Pennsic Thank You part 2; sewing addition (originally posted to Facebook)

There were many hands that went into creating our look for Pennsic and I was proud to name our fine artisan the many, many, many times we were complimented.

Baroness Ceolwen ingen Adaim, has masterminded and personally created the majority of our look this reign. She made our Opening Ceremonies garb including 3 hoods for the kids to update their coronation garb and protect them from the Pennsic sun.

She also created a dream dress of mine; a blue dress with white roses, worn to the Rose Tournament. Thank you Ceolwen, for making Northsield shine.

I'm sure Ceolwen reading this is right now saying "But the Stamping made the look and I didn't do the stamping!!!" Thank you for that transition, because I also want to thank Ceolwen asking

Mistress Tatiana Marana Melville to enhance so many of our garments with gorgeous stamping.

Mistress Tatiana is the best I've seen (and we have now seen a lot) at stamping and we were stopped in the street to be examined by laurels from other Kingdoms. She added stamped trim to the Opening Ceremonies garments (even the hoods). She did a flawless job adding roses to the dress of my dreams. She also created a surprise Houpe for Lars that he instantly wore at WW (as pictured) but it was also his go-to favorite at pennsic.

Not a garment but absolutely a constant feather in our cap is the war banner created by Duchess Luce Tolle. Everyone knew where Northshield was, and, giving away segments of the banner was some of the most magical moments of the event. Thank you for creating this for us and please know it lives on in the hands of many.

Last but not least a thank you to Honorable Lady Constanza de Sevilla and her brilliant gold and pearl work on "The Sleeve". The only problem is Lars does not have anything to match but that was perfect for Closing Ceremonies where he attended in armor as Pennsic was officially closed and peace declared.

Wearing the work of many lets us feel how we are supported, and, that Northshield is always with us.

Honorable mention to Baroness Sorcha Bhuidhe who did the hand sewing on many of the pieces and for her support of Ceolwen on this gigantic project and to the many unseen helpers because none of us do this alone..

*photo credit on the majority to Jeffrey Peterson

Photo credit: Jeffrey Peterson

August 16th, 2023 (originally posted to Facebook)

How to fit Pennsic into one* thank you post?

Thank You to the staff of this 11,000+ person event, many of whom come from Northshield

Thank You to all those who retained or ran the backstage logistics for us, sharing a portion of your vacation to make sure our Kingdom stood proudly among our peers.

Thank You to the group who look around and see what needs to be done and then does it, from camp planning to watering fighters to checking on each other.

Thank You to those that officially represented the Kingdom in Arts, processions, battle and tournament fields, and our glorious heir who did the Crown and Kingdom proud

Thank You to all who volunteered as individuals to herald, watch, gate, inspections, marshall, and so many more places. Everywhere we went we saw Northshield.

We are proud of every aspect of our time at Pennsic, we over delivered in nearly every way possible.

It is great to be Northshield

Special extra thanks to all those who captured the event in pictures and please post your album links to the Kingdom Facebook group.

ps. *I can't fit it all the thanks into one post - expect more

July 19th, 2023 (originally posted to Facebook)

WW Thank you!

This is the biggest event and the list is larger than normal. Thank you to the Event Staff that work on this year round and Straw Boss that organizes so much of the set up, running, and take down. Thank you to the teams that ran Rapier, Rattan, Equestrian, Thrown Weapons, Archery, Authentic Camp, the Class schedule (that is verging on a University), the Smith row, the Merchant area, Land, Gate, the Harp, the Tourchlight, the camp wide party, the heralds and marshalls and everyone who did what needed to be done because they saw it needed to be done.

Thank you to all our foreign guests; TRM Midrelm and a fine selection of their kingdom as well as cousins from Calontir and Avacal and beyond and a personal thanks to all who helped facilitate our day by retaining or last minute sewing. I think it was one of our best and we are proud to be the crown for such an outstanding Kingdom.

July 10th, 2023 (originally posted to Facebook)

After a week 'off' we headed up to Canada to catch the 'better late than never' Thatsa Mare. Thank you to the event steward who picked this up last minute to keep the event running. We had a wonderful time, met new friends, re connected with others, was there for 2 new authorizations and paid tribute to a bardic founding member recently passed. Thank you also to all who helped with border crossing advice, it was a very easy trip and we encourage everyone to go next time.

June 26th, 2023 (originally posted to Facebook)

I had a great time learning more about how the heralds of the society get things done, and, always love more scribal inspiration. Thank you to the staff and everyone who made this day possible and accommodated all our foreign visitors so well. To any foreign visitors reading this; it was a pleasure to host you and come back any time (but we don't recommend February)

Special thank you to the rare manuscript collection presentation from the college, that alone was worth the trip. Highlights in the photo below and if you want more we have many many more.

photo credit: Kate Luthner

June 13th, 2023 (originally posted to Facebook)

Thank you time for Skirmish at the Border -

Part of the 'more melee' whim of our former, current and (probably) future Kings; Thank you to the event staff for pulling this together so quickly. It replaces an event we loved where we could meet our Midrealm cousins on the field and share the best of both Kingdoms. Thanks to those from the Mid, especially Ravenslake, for making it an extra special event. Looking forward to Pennsic and future years of interkingdom cooperation and comradery!

June 6th, 2023 (originally posted to Facebook)

Castle Fever Thank you -

This event is often the first real 'outside' event of the season and reminds us that we need to sunblock and hydrate. Thank you to the group for turning up the heat and still running a seamless day with quite a few moving parts including our impromptu early court to recognize Torren Asketill of Rivenwood Tower, who was charictaristically , at troll during court! Thank you to the marshals and MIC's who ran two combat lists and then a combined tournament and a very fun thrown weapons tournament throughout the day.

The dream within a dream was the elevation court of Farolfus Filius Richardi. Thank you to all who put the time and effort to make it magical. Every peerage ceremony is meaningful but not all manage to encapsulate who *this* new peer is. Thank you for allowing us to be part of it. Thanks also to Her Grace Lusche for loaning me the beautiful outfit to match the ceremony period and to all who went outside their typical garb period to create the vision. The moment and the event will be one we remember always.

Photo credit James Littlefield

photo credits Nell the Innocent and Teresa Hebert

May 30th, 2023 (originally posted to Facebook)

There were !!!Three!!! events this weekend! Thank you to all who ran and attended, it is fantastic to have options for our different regions.

We attended Raid the Brewery and the thanks list is long as always; to the teachers and organizers, event steward, the shire who all had a hand in the event, our first time herald and everyone who contributed to the potluck feast and last but not least; the perfect weather that sparkled all day. It was a fun and relaxing event.

May 15th, 2023 (originally posted to Facebook)

Congratulations Northshield! We have heirs! We look forward to working with you.

Thank you to all who helped with crown. The KEM collected a fantastic cadre of marshals to facilitate, the list table handled all the details flawlessly. Every combatant and consort looked marvelous and comported themselves with honor and chivalry.

The event staff were on top of every move of the day. The open field even better then we could have imagined - thank you to all who came ready to fight.

Special thanks to the performers - we asked for music and they went above and beyond with two interludes of the songs of Northshield (complete with song books!) and also a special composition for the winner of crown that I hope we can hear again soon.

The feast was amazing, we are very very impressed by everything but the fish was divine and the swan was as absolutely impressive as it was intended to be. I am so glad feasts and dancing are working their way back into events.

As always, thank you to the herald and signet and scribes. Those that worked behind the scenes and the many hands the set up and took down the day.

Photo by Evelein Jantz

May 1st, 2023 (originally posted to Facebook)

Thank you Provost Challenge XVIII! My pictures could not capture the crystal blue of the sky and river, nor can it truly capture the great time we had. Congrats to the winner of the tournament and thank you to all for a great event.

April 24th, 2023 (originally posted to Facebook)

Thank you to everyone who displayed, competed, judged, and attended. Scott Theisen thank you for all you did to make this day happen from finding the site to helping with my parking anxiety. We wish we could have heard the full story from each display but did not want to interrupt the fantastic team of judges. We are so impressed by all the skill and creativity and deep dive research. Thank you again and can't wait to see what you all do next.

Photo credit: Julia Knapper

Crown Thank You

October 11th, 2022 (originally posted to Facebook)

Thank you to all who made Crown happen, this one complicated by "A Crown in 3 Acts" but each act in each setting was worth it. As his Majesty said, simple feasts are sometimes best. I grew up in the SCA time where we did a potluck feast monthly for our shire and they are some of my best memories. The fighting area was perfect for the day and the court hall was beautiful, I'll be happy to attend future events there.

Thank you to all the combatants and consorts. I love that we are in a Kingdom where I would have been proud for any set of you to sit the throne. I hope to see as grand a list at next crown.

Apologies to anyone we didn't get a chance to talk to or times we were distracted. Focus on the tournament took center stage for us but I look forward to being back in an active Kingdom where we see each other often.

Finally, as many of you know, we are in the last sprint of a marathon mundane project so for the next month we will be less present then a normal reign. Be assured, we are thinking about staff and guards and a few special projects and will be reaching out BUT if you are interested in working with us please message us.

In service - Lars and Mary