bordermarch AUTUMN MELEES &

25th anniversary

November 16-17, 2002

Combined Chronicle by People of Bordermarch

Continuing the Silver Anniversary celebration year of Bordermarch as a Barony, their Excellencies Armand and Caitrin, Baron and Baroness of Bordermarch, have said, “The gates are always open" It was evident that much camaraderie and elbow grease had pre-dated the Melees weekend because upon arrival at the castle campground driveway, each of the near 400 entrants faced a huge freestanding simulated rock wall gate from which flew kingdom war banners of Ansteorra, Trimaris, and Meridies, lit by torches blazing fifteen feet off the ground. Along the length of the driveway, multiple Ansteorran and Bordermarch pennants, and tapestry hangings from the neighboring Loch Sollier, consistently unfurled colors in the breeze. Such a sight at the open-gate, in addition to the friendliness of Their Excellencies' welcoming words, left attendees knowing Bordermarch is a place to have fun together.

Weapons inspections began at the castle in early light, revealing in the mist, additional constructions for battle scenarios:  the crooked bridge and the alleyway. On the castle grounds in the opening court of Their Majesties Ansteorra, Patrick V and Julia V, and Their Excellencies of Bordermarch, Armand and Caitrin, in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses of Ansteorra, Prince Miguel and Princess Conal, welcome was made unto Their Majesties Meridies, Their Majesties Trimaris, Their Highnesses Glenn Abhann and other dignitaries who were anticipating the day's Gulf War Planning Meeting for 2003. Announcements were made by the event steward, Lady Selina of the Wood; the melees designer, Count Simonn of Amber Isle; rapier scenarios information, Lady Maise MacCrimmon; regional Minister of Children officer, Lady Isabella, introducing a Symposium; and a "bouquet" of Ladies of the Rose sponsoring their "Equestrian Defender of the Rose" tourney in conjunction with the King's Lancer tourney and the Bordermarch Equestrian Silver Champion competition all happening this same day.

Sir Alexis, Kingdom Minister of the Horse, had designed two parallel simultaneous courses with quintaines, bridge crossings, hay bale targets, pig/wolf stabbings, beheading the enemies, and message retrievals all being equal, except a solitary crown in the middle of the two courses, to be grabbed by only one rider. More experienced and novice riders rode their mounts with skill, flair, determination, patience and some entertaining good humor. There were 16 entrants who shared some half-dozen mounts colorfully draped in bardings. With Her Majesty Julia and Her Highness Conal and the visiting Roses, Companions of the Rose order, including Countess Margaret, Countess Gladwyn, Countess Allyson, Countess Sara and Countess Tessa, gave each rider ribbons in the name of absent Roses so that all Roses were giving support to the Equestrian Defender tourney. The Rose winner was determined by their observation. It was announced that they will make public their favorite's name at Steppes 12th Night where their Equestrian Defender will be presented a medallion.

Dusk and evening court came before the King's Lancer and Baronial Equestrian finished; it was necessary for equestrians to continue by the following sunrise. With accumulated winning points, Sir Alexis gained the King's Lancer title as well as the Equestrian Silver Champion of Bordermarch.

His Grace Duke Kein, General of the Ansteorran Armies, had been requesting battle scenarios to hewn Ansteorra's skills for Gulf War. The scenarios designed by Count Simonn for battlefield, castle, the new crooked bridge, and the new alley, prompted the commanders to think rapidly while 42 fighters in the Coastal Army (Bordermarch, Stargate, Loch, Greywood and Meridies) faced 48 of the World (Bryn Gwlad, Bjornsborg, Ravensfort, and others). Lord Eadric Anstepa, Lord Ian Moore and Lord Blayre Foxcroft oversaw combat archery. Rapier combatants and chivalric combatants alternately attacked and defended the castle.

A" Museum of Bordermarch" covering 25 years of baronial history displayed relic weaponry, photo memory books, sketch art by Honorable Lord William Blackfox, scrolls, and portraits of each period of landed baron and baroness or vicar and vicaress. Scrapbooks showed earliest stages of construction of the landscape timber Borderkeep at Claibourne-- the first castle in Ansteorra in the 1980's--and of the current castle at Jones Country now painted to resemble stone construction. Notes from college demos, preserved news clippings about civic involvement and magazine articles about the local SCA were dated as far back as shire days in 1976. Merchants galore set up their shops beside the entrance driveway. In seasons of heavy profit or light income, merchants enjoy their trips to Bordermarch.

During a break in battle, Gulf Wars planners met, followed with joining Their Excellencies Armand and Caitrin's Noble Luncheon presented in Oriental theme. Lord Gerald of Leesville played tunes while origami cranes and flowers swayed in the breeze. Oriental foods had been prepared by Bordermarchers including pork by Lord Robert, egg rolls and rice by milady Candace of Oakcliff; milady Godivah Foxcroft made steamed pork dumplings; Her Excellency Caitrin provided fortune cookies and Lady Apples from China as well as marinated chicken that was cooked at table by Lord Elrique. Almond cookies were provided by Sig. Mea Passavanti.

Observations and benevolence of Their Majesties Patrick V and Julia V did result in awards being announced as the following subjects were called into the Royal presence during morning or evening court:

Her Excellency Caitrin, Baroness of Bordermarch- THISTLE, Garmenting

Morgan Lucktain-                     Award of Arms

Geniva de la Santos-             Award of Arms

Godivah Foxcroft-                   Award of Arms

Christyiona Ni-Richard-           Award of Arms

The day's schedule included a Children's Symposium. There were about thirty children who registered to take part in at least one of the classes or competitions. A Beaumont boy scout group attended with their leader, milord Franques. A group of preteen schoolgirls and boys came from Beaumont with their moms and dads, all well garbed. The barony is always glad to have interested guests.

Mongolian Storytelling Dance was demonstrated to the children by Lady Brylce, visitor to Bordermarch. HL Saundra, Baronial Bard and Kingdom Minister of Children, promoted a Bardic Circle in which a Baronial winner was proclaimed. Instructors from Bordermarch were as follows:

Lord Morgan Lucktain                          Basic Chainmail Making

HE Baroness Valencia de Granada       Basic Calligraphy

HE Countess Tessa of the Gardens       Courtly Graces

HL Ehlene                                            Charter Painting

Lady Maise                                          Basic Dance

In Bardic Circle, the woodwind instrument presentation by young Gabriella de Lacy determined her to be the Youth Bard. In Children's A and S displays, a homemade zucchini bread was the favorite, so the cook, young Bethany, Daughter in the Crystal Skull, was declared to be C A & S champion. Their Excellencies presented bags of goodies to children who gave silver (candy) in tribute of the Baronial Anniversary. Children who participated in the classes received unicorn scrolls from the Baroness. Evening Feast included a traditional leg of lamb with cherry mint sauce for high table, prepared by Lady Quendolyn of the Silent Lake. HL Baroness Amberlea Fairchild sang a reunion song and other bards performed. Their Excellencies of Bjornsborg presented an entertaining metaphor about a Lady and a Sword. Comical instruction in foreign language was provided by Master Modius; Lady Simone sang beautifully; Lord Ian MacCreggor presented a poem about the ugliest woman he knew; and a Gulf War motivational speech was delivered by Sir Kief in a style reminiscent of the epitome of battle warriors, departed Lion of Ansteorra, Sir Riccardo de Pisa.

For the evening feast, German dishes were prepared and overseen by Lady Kathilen Hamilton, Lord Elrique and milady Candace of Oakcliff. Lady Kathilen provided a gingerbread stone castle likeness, complete with kingdom and baronial banners (icing). Much of the feast was prepared fresh on site with helpful kitchen hands that always include Lady Gwen of Lizard Keep.

Brorsuppe- A beef broth and dark rye bread soup

Bread, Sauerbraten mit Kartoffelklossen- Marinated pot-roast with potato dumplings.

Huhnerpalatschinkin- Better received as Chicken wrapped in pancakes, Tangy

Coleslaw, A root Vegetable Medley, Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, and Apple Strudel.

Some of the foods were prepared prior to the event by Lord Elrique and milady Candace. There was also a large birthday cake to honor HE Armand the Baron of Bordermarch. After feast, His Excellency Armand was kidnapped briefly by cutthroats and thieves who took him to a secluded campfire to be entertained in recognition of his 31st Birthday.

A traditional favorite experience for chivalric and rapier combatants who come to Bordermarch Melees is the chance to make their first "battlefield" kill unlike kills in tournament style of one to one fighting. A scroll known as the "Shaky Knees," established long ago by Founding Baroness Tessa, was given to about two dozen fighters, as many first-time battlefield death dealers as could be found and identified. If you are one of these warriors and got overlooked, please notify Her Excellency Caitrin, Baroness of Bordermarch. A scroll acclaiming your "Valor, Prowess, and Shaky Knees" in your "first battlefield kill" will be prepared in your name.

Thus, with one of the largest and most congenial crowds in the history of the barony, did the Autumn Melees pass into Bordermarch history!

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Last modified February 20, 2003