Combined Chronicles and Conversations about
Bordermarch Autumn Melees (B.A.M.!!!)
The Crusades
Nov 17-18-19-20, 2005
authored by:
Armand De Lacy
Ericus Silverhand
Santiago of Green Mountain
Tessa of the Gardens
[Santiago]:
My good Lady Elizabeth and I are
still applauding Autumn Melees 2005. What a wonderful turn out we had despite
the hurricanes and their disruption of people's lives everywhere. Our autocrat
and event coordinators did an outstanding job of pulling things together and
dealing with the unexpected problems brought on by the hurricanes.
This year I once again had the
pleasure of being the manboy at Thy Hammered Biscuit. From my station at the
washbasin I could observe a cooking class, an archery contest, a forging
demonstration, courtly graces class, dancing lessons taking place, children
making herbed butter and other hand crafts, and a whole market full of vendors
hawking their wares to travelers from distant lands. I could hear the cracking,
thwacking sounds of battle. There was something happening everywhere one looked
or listened. The air was clear but crisp and many strangers would ask to share
our fire for a moment. We would swap tall tales, share some refreshment and
warmth then they would depart no longer strangers but friends.
My Lady and I missed so much yet
observed more than ever at this event. The friendships made at Autumn Melees are
not something we carry in our pocket only to be shown off a few times a year;
they are new friendships we cherish and nurture and speak often of with pride.
[Ericus]
For those of you who missed it, the weather was great. The fighting was great. The classes went well. We had over 400 people through the gate. Oh, yeah... our Baron was elevated to the White Scarf Circle. (He is now "His Excellency Don Armand, Baron of Bordermarch")
[Tessa] Yaeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
Ummmm, was that my outside voice? :) :) :) :) :) :)
Wise Crown!
Go, White Scarves!!!!!!!!!
Go, White Scarves!!!!!!!!!
Many other wonderful recognitions occurred as well, including, count them --18-- e-i-g-h-t-e-e-n "Shakey Knees" First Battlefield
Kills! The most in recent years! In keeping with the time honored tradition of the court hearing how and where and to whom the
kill happened, these individuals were charged by Their Excellencies Armand and Caitrin, for the sake of brevity at court, to tell
Their Majesties Jason or Saereid about their kills; yet for further breviry at court, these individuals were charged by His Majesty
Jason to, at a later time, proclaim the details of their battlefield kills to His Highness and Heir, Prince Mahdi.
More than a DOZEN person's were participating in their "First Event" to be introduced to life and court in the Current Middle Ages.
A great honor was the Naming as a Shepherd of Bordermarch: Baroness Valencia de Granada
Recognized with the Order of the Silent Trumpet of Bordermarch: Lord Amber-Gate Zane ap Simonn
Given a Thistle / Research: Lady Isabella d' Rodrigue
The Kingdom's newest Laurel who chose to have his elevation at Bordermarch is the Barony's dear friend and Equestrian Champion,
Master Alexis le Bouch! The elevation creates Alexis as only the sixth Triple Peer in the Kingdom; others being Sigmund, Jan, Inmann,
Simonn, Pendarin, and now Alexis.
Fan-*tas*tic Weather, including meteorites arching in the clear sky!
Quite a show! Thanks be.
Merchants were friendly, positive, and made some nice deals. Setting the Village closer to the front gate seemed to have worked out
fine except for the distande from court. The eateries were varied and had plenty of good food, into the late hours. So much so that
the Sunday Breakdown Crew Breakfast had left-over eggs, sauwages, and sweet breads to share with anyone else, includng coffee
and cooler drinks from a household and mea pies given by our neighbor Greywood's booth.
Pre-BAM Preparations, despite being in the wake of Hurricane Rita:
[Armand, Tessa]
October 22-24: This past weekend was a productive one for clearing part of site after Hurricane Rita, whether folks could be
present one day or two, due to many hands being on site to chainsaw some of the downed trees near the castle, clear the debris
and haul it to Mike's edge of the woods, gird up the ancient oak at the bridge (It's "V" is split to the ground, but roots are
undisturbed, and we are trying to save it), rake, clear and refurbish some of the garden spots, and inspect the new iron sally
port doors.
Those present included first timers to the castle, the delightful Daniel and his lady formerly of Meridies and now from ElfSea
who were Wow-ed by the castle; our nobles Armand and Caitrin with Kristen; Eric Greyfox; Adolf and Stephanie camped to
stay all weekend (It is Adolf who built the sally gate frames); AaRon and Kemela; Phocas, daughter Lyllianne; Christopher,
Deb and another lady from Dam B who came out for their first time; Malcomb who brought his barrell grill so we could make
supper for all; Todd, Melissa; Ericus who climbed the giant oak tree at the bridge, and, hearing creeeeaks, decided to
dismount; Amy of Kirbyville; and Simonn and Tessa bringing Sterling's trailer to haul the debris. Cammie, Ophelia and
Angelique brought welcomed hands as well. Nor can we forget "George" who was master-hauler. Due to many stacking wood
in neat piles around the campsites, those attending Autumn Melees will have firewood for their camps.
On a sad note:
The massive Oak that is a treasure to Borderkeep, may be lost. It is a split that runs deep. Efforts were put forth to save her.
Cable was wrapped around the "Y" to hold. Next weekend we need to tighten it some more. Drilling and putting some all-thread
with vertical supports are another option. We also need to paint two blocks in Borderkeep... 'Defenders of the Coast' and Rosenfeld'
need to be honored. Along with Wiesenfeuer, these groups have given much.
Much debris remains to be cleared. Another work weekend shall take place next weekend, Oct 29-30. If you can attend for a few
hours or all day or a couple of days, every hand is appreciated.
It is this same type of determination and working together back at home that is diggin out, cutting in, getting things packed for
storage, or refurbishing our home places after the storm. A day at site was a welcomed deviation from the toils of properties and
goods at our houses. While no one lives *at* the BorderKeep, it is in many of our hearts, to a degree, "home." We want to make it
possible for many to play there. The people of Bordermarch once again step up in a pinch to make life better for others.
Last modified March 8, 2006