Marcy Wilfon and Jeff Jones invite you to celebrate with them as they exchange their vows of marriage in an Early Middle Ages wedding Saturday, September 30, 2000 10 a.m. Camp Sunnyside, 401 NE 66th, DSM, IA

If you're going to Pennsic, please fill out this fun report for us to include in upcoming issues:
My Pennsic Report (or What I Did On My Summer Vacation)
I finally got to Pennsic after:
My first night at Pennsic I didn't get a lot of sleep because:
At my most memorable battle, I:
My favorite Pennsic treat was:
At the Swimming Hole, I was surprised by:
The shopping opportunities I couldn't miss were:
The funniest thing I saw was:
All my other nights at Pennsic I didn't get a lot of sleep because:
Next time I'll remember to:
The perfect Pennsic moment was:
I finally made it home after:

Olde Fart's Soapbox #50

The Sensitive Guys Cometh

People who join the SCA tend to be rather intelligent and creative (the "C" in SCA). So it is no surprise that whenever a small group of Scadians get together, new ideas tend to pop up.

One interesting evening, Maxmilliano, Mistress Leosech McLeod, my lady, and I were gathered at Baron Richard and Baroness Katherine's abode getting in some quality gossip and general end-of-the-earth type planning. We menfolk were discussing fighting, cars, and other manly pursuits, when one of the womenfolk spoke up and called us "insensitive" for our topics of discussion.

Baron Richard retorted, "I have taken sensitivity classes at work; I am sensitive as HELL." Max and I both came back with our own affirmations of sensitivity when I added, "Yeah, we even belong to a club. It's called The Sensitive Guys Martial Arts and Gun Club. Yeah. That's it." We all had a good laugh at that and then forgot about it and went on to other topics for discussion. Or so I thought.

A couple weeks later, Max showed up at a meeting with a big grin and a box under his arm. Out of the box came fluorescent pink hats with "Sensitive Guys Martial Arts and Gun Club" emblazoned across the front, complete with logo. We decided to have an organizational meeting of the new "club."

We decided on titles for each of us: High Mucky-muck, Grand Poobah, and the Wookiee. (In all corporate indecisions, the Wookiee always wins.) We decided on a club motto: "We shoot straight, we hit hard, and....we listen."

Over the years, various items have been made: hats, bumper stickers, polo shirts, 15th century Armet helmets. The hats have been the most popular, especially in the West Coast and in Texas and New York. Some of the more famous people with Sensitive Guy hats are Danny Glover, Rush Limbaugh, and Ted Nugent. There have been attempts at a Sensitive Guys web site. There is even a manual somewhere on how to be a Sensitive Guy. Someday we may get organized enough to make this thing into a real organization.

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

"It's too bad that all the people who know how to run the government are busy driving taxicabs and cutting hair." - George Burns

"Learn to take your work seriously and not yourself seriously." - Clint Eastwood

"Nobody rides alone. It's the code of the west." - Andy Devine

"God save me from my friends - I can protect myself from my enemies." - Marshall de Villars

Caoimhin McKee

Odds and Ends

Announcing the birth of Carl Arthur Wagner, son of Mistress Tegan and Sir Gillian de Raveley, Sunday, July 23. Gillian says, "I've promised to teach him how to fight, but only after he's old enough to understand the concepts of chivalry and honor. Kim's promised to let me do that, but only after I've mastered the concepts of changing diapers, quieting the baby, changing diapers, feeding the baby, changing the diapers, putting the baby to bed, etc. (you get the idea). Good wishes, prayers, hand-me-down baby clothes and large sums of cash would be gratefully accepted with enthusiasm." Congratulate them at: gillian@tss.net

On a sad note: Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Maxmilliano de Corsair with the recent death of his mother.

Borders Books is looking for storytellers to perform/read at their store. They are offering $50 gift certificates in exchange! Call Gale Brubaker at 223-3873.

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

Hampton Court in England has had many ghost sightings since Queen Victoria opened it to the public in 1870. The most famous ghost is said to be 20-year-old Catherine Howard (Henry VIII's wife #5 and the second to be executed). She tried to escape Hampton Court before going to the Tower in 1542.

A team led by Richard Wiseman, a lecturer in psychological phenomena at the University of Hertfordshire, is using thermal imaging equipment and devices for measuring gravity to check for scientific explanations for cold spots around the building. Tourists are also being interviewed about their experiences. (I've had to go around scaffolding and renovation work in Great Britain, but I never encountered Ghostbusters. - Sadhbh)

On the Web

Unicorn Tapestries
http://www.bigchalk.com/newsletter/W-08010001

Unicorns
http://www.bigchalk.com/newsletter/W-08010002

Bayeux Tapestry The tapestry was created to commemorate the Battle of Hastings in 1077 AD. View it in its entirety online.
http://www.bigchalk.com/newsletter/W-08010003

Treasurer's Report

The 2nd quarter report and the event report for Performing Arts Day are finished. If anyone wishes to see either report, they need but ask for a copy.

The Barony brought in approximately $325 with the photo booth at the Salisbury Faire, and the Salisbury House gifted us $600. We paid Mairin approximately $100 for the dinner that we received $15 in donations from the populace for. So, after giving the Canton of Axed Root $300, that means the Salisbury Faire brought in approximately $540.

Performing Arts Day brought in a profit of about $150 (unless someone has yet to turn in receipts).

In Service to the Barony, Edward Blythe of Nottinghamshire, Treasurer

Greetings from the Baronial Knights Marshal

I would like to remind all that we will be moving back to the Camp Dodge armory in late September. Until then, we are still at Lion's Park in Urbandale.

In service, Thomas FitzRodrick

Heralds Point

Here are some web sites I have found helpful in doing name research. If you want to use an online site as documentation, you need to have three things: the "address," a print copy of the first page showing where they got the information, and a copy of the "page" that has the information you want.

If you have any questions, my e-mail is

In Service, Jacqueline de Meux, Cabochard Herald

A Brief Introduction to Medieval Bynames
http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/arval/bynames/

Academy of St. Gabriel
http://www.s-gabriel.org/docs/

Medieval Names Archive
http://www.panix.com/~mittle/names/

Aryanhwy's Name Articles
http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~sfriedemann/names.htm

Russian Naming Practices
http://www.sca.org/heraldry/paul/zgrammar.html

Chatelaine's Chat by Anna der Standauf von Wiesenfels

We had six new people at A&S in June. We are looking forward to getting to know them better and to help them to become part of our extended family.

Here are a few terms that might be a little confusing to our new members.

When I think of the word mundane, I think of boring, commonplace, and uninteresting. In SCA, mundane means "year 2000 everyday." Mundane clothing is what we usually wear at home and work. Our mundane jobs are what we do to earn a living.

Garb is what we wear when we are dressed up in a medieval mode. The mundane world considers this clothing as costumes.

Period, as in "that is (or isn't) in period," is the historical era used by SCA for our activities which would be found or done between the years 600 to 1600ish.

I hope this clears up any confusion people new to our society may have. If you have any suggestions for Chatelaine's Chat, please let me know.

The Barony has an e-mail list through Egroups. To join, simply go to: http://www.egroups.com/group/BaronyOfCoeurDEnnui and click the subscribe button. This will be convenient for those whose e-mail programs don't handle large group sends well. Individuals may also change their e-mail addresses anytime.

This is an announcement-only list. Anyone can make an announcement, such as meeting reminders, notices of upcoming events, fabric sales, or yard sales.

In Service to the Dream, Azalais d'Avallon, Webmaster

Greetings from the Seneschal of Coeur d'Ennui

I wish to extend thanks to everyone for their efforts at the Calontir Performing Arts Day event. My personal commitments impeded my attending, which saddens me, as I have wanted to re-learn the little I know about Middle Eastern dance.

As fall approaches, the affairs of the Barony remain in good order. I make note to extend public thanks to Albrecht who has agreed to be our new demo coordinator. In this office I offer thanks also to Renjiro for his past efforts in behalf of the Barony. As the officers convened, it was decided that the honorarium from Salisbury Faire be split with our Canton of Axed Root, without whose help the event would not have been nearly as wonderful. The officers also decided to tithe back a sum to the Salisbury House Foundation.

In Service, Brihtwynn, Seneschal

Blacksmithing Classes from Hansulrich von der Langenwald

I would like to remind everyone of the blacksmithing class opportunities available. The classes will be at Hansulrich's new shop in Leon, IA. This is about a one-hour drive south of Des Moines on I-35. The site is a farm, and plenty of crash space is available.

The goal of this series of classes is to train a pool of SCA blacksmiths with enough foundation skills to be able to participate in blacksmithing projects at events later on.

Forges and tools

If these classes are held at Hans's shop, there will be two complete forging stations set up permanently indoors with forges, anvils, and tools. But more will be needed since it is not very practical to have more than one person using a fire or anvil. Anyone bringing their own forge and anvil will be greatly appreciated. Also on hand are several working blowers (with their own stands) which can be connected to forges that were so equipped but have lost their blowers.

We will have good blacksmith's coal and materials on site. There will be a fee for the class. Probably around $10-20.

Advanced classes to be scheduled for later this fall

1) Scrollwork and ornamental iron and tool making. This is a more advanced class, and the smiths will need to have their own fire tools, hammers, and have had some experience with blacksmithing. The focus of this class will be on scrollwork and medieval door hardware and possibly animal head work. For more info, go to: http://www.netins.net/showcase/~schlosser/books.htm.

2) Heavy tong making. A one-day course for advanced level smiths. The standard tong used for general blacksmithing work. There are two styles that could be taught here. One, used by smiths with no access to power hammers, involves forging the jaws of a 7/8-inch bar and firewelding handles to the jaws. The second method is much faster for smiths who have power hammers, and jaws and handles are forged from a single bar.

To keep up to date on the blacksmithing class schedule and basic plans and content of the upcoming classes, go to: http://www.netins.net/showcase/~schlosser/

For more info, e-mail Hans at:

Court Notes compiled by James the Musician

C hallenges for Snore articles are solicited - remember, if you don't challenge Her Excellency, she may challenge you. Sadhbh suggested an Anglo-Saxon theme.

T sire: Remember, dance on non-meeting Monday nights. Submit for the Snore! We couldn't put out an issue in July due to lack of material. If you have something to say but don't think you can write well, talk to Tsire.

S eptember A&S will be making sundials with Duncan, and the October A&S will be Yoshi's SCA philosophy night.

M urdoch seeks a deputy to take the Master of A&S position in a year and a half; inquire if interested.

J acqueline could use a deputy, too. If you want to learn about heraldry, ask.

T ariq: Axed Root is doing preliminary planning for a spring event to be held in March 2001, and they are planning for next year's VEISHEA.

T he Axed Root chronicler requested submissions.

B rihtwynn: Yule Court is but a few months away (Dec. 16); we need a site and an autocrat. The site needs space for about a hundred, along with places to cook, fight, and to hang out. As for Yule Court next year, Jester Park will start taking reservations again on January 1, 2001.

E dward: $325 made at the photo booth at Salisbury Faire! Salisbury Faire gave the barony $600. Luther sends his thanks to all for their support. Rainbows of the Desert will be donating a portion of the proceeds of an upcoming recital/workshop to Salisbury in honor of Lenore. There has been some talk of making armbands to wear in memory of Lenore; this is okay by Luther as long as it is an individual activity.

V olunteers are needed for the wedding event (see page 1), especially for troll, feast servers, and friendly native guides for the non-SCA guests. There was incorrect info in the August MEWS but the September one will have correct site directions and contact info. The site opens at 10 a.m. and the wedding will be at 11 a.m. with an informal brunch/reception to follow. Archery is at 3 p.m. and the A&S competition is for wedding gifts of any period, not necessarily 6th Century Saxon/Scots. The feast time may have to be pushed back due to Royal Court. Please submit award recommendations.

Did You Know? by HL Seraphima Iaroslava Suvorova

D id you know that in the Middle Ages there was a strain of the plague that was characterized by violent fits of sneezing with death shortly following (usually within a couple of hours)? During one of the masses, a German bishop exhorted the people to call upon the unfortunate sneezers the blessings of God. Thus "Gesundheit" was born and followed the plague across Europe.

Thanks from Lady Tsire

T hank you to all who helped with Performing Arts Day. You made it a great event.

Tsire Tuzevo

An Image from Our Recent Past [picture]

More Historical Trivia

"Algernon" was not so uncommon a name in the England of Olde. It came from the notable Norman invader William de Percy. He was nicknamed "aux garnons" - French for "with whiskers" - and that wound up as Algernon.

O ne English Christmas dish consists of suet, flour, sugar, raisins, nuts and spices tied loosely in a cloth and boiled. When done, it's unwrapped, sliced like cake, and topped with cream. Boiling swells the ingredients. When swollen enough to fill the cloth, it's called "plum," an old synonym for "plump." That's the "plum" in plum pudding.

B efore electric lighting, almost every grownup knew that the moon rises about 50 minutes later every night than the night before, but hardly anybody remembers that anymore.

"Taps" dates back to the Thirty Years War, 1618-1648. Not the well-known bugle call. That came along much later. But the name "Taps" to signal the military day's end. At bedtime, the provost visited each military unit to tap the bung into every keg and mark it with chalk. The chalked markings were checked the next day to make sure the keg hadn't been reopened after "taps."

What do you say to the Irish greeting "Top of the morning to you"? "And the rest of the day to yourself."

In early falconry, a man no longer young enough to fly his own bird wound up toting the wooden frame on which live hawks were carried. It was called a "cadge", pronounced "codge." Some but not all word tracers say that's the very first use of "old codger."

Englanders of old thought facial markings on those furry little animals looked like badges of heraldry. So they called said animals "badgers."

A rtists in the Middle Ages painted pictures - friezes - on outside walls between the floor and roof of buildings, and also in those spaces between the levels. Each frieze illustrated some sort of narrative. That's how "story" got to be a word in architecture. Two-story buildings, three-story buildings, so on.

Jack in the Green, Jack of all Trades by Sadhbh "Bheansidhe"

T here seems to be a Farmer's Market in the area every day of the week and lots of garden produce. Do you have any favorite recipes or herbal concoctions to share in the Snore?

Aug. 25-27: The First "White Eagle" 7th Generation Pow Wow, north of Camp Dodge
Aug. 26: Ames Art in the Park, Hilton Coliseum
Sept. 5-10: Riverdance, DM Civic Center
Sept. 9: Children's Folk Fest, Living History Farms
Sept. 10: Ravi and Anoushka Shankar, Sitar music, First Christian Church, DM, 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at the Civic Center or through Ticketmaster
Sept. 12: Irish Jam, Java Joe's, 7:30ish - 11:00ish
Sept. 15: Stars Over Salisbury: An Evening with Gershwin, Salisbury House, Des Moines
Sept. 15-30: The Hobbit, DM Playhouse, 277-6261
Sept. 21-24: International Wolf Center Tour, Ely MN, by Polk County Conservation Board. A few spaces are left. 515-323-5300.
Sept. 23: Goddess Festival 2000, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Margo Frankel Woods and Camp Sunnyside. Call 515-469-6923 for information. www.SistersOfTheGoddess.org
Oct. 7 & 8: Iowa Coursing Association Lure Field Trial - Indianola Balloon Festival Grounds. For more information on dog/sighthound coursing, see Seraphima. 515 727-4434.

Artists and Craftspeople: There is a fun competition coming up in October. Artista Barista, a coffee motif art competition for professional and non-professional artists, sponsored by Dick Blick, the DM Public Schools, Java Joe's, PLDM, the DM Art District and the Dept. of Cultural Affairs. Pick up info at the Artist Emporium or at Dick Blick. Entries can be two or three-dimensional.

If you are in search of herbs or spices, The Atlantean at 315 E. 5th has many hard-to-find ones. Call Barb at 883-1227.

Kansas City Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, KS. Here are the themed weekends. Sept. 2,3,4: Irish Blarney; Sept. 9,10: Vintage Italy; Sept. 16,17: Eastern Escapade; Sept. 23, 24: Scottish Games (Orckes & Trolles will be performing this weekend, so bring your sheep!); Sept.30 & Oct.1: Carnivale de France; Oct. 7,8,9: Spanish Armada; Oct. 14,15: Oktoberfest. Go to www.kcrenfest.com for information.

The Top Ten Vehicles in Calontir

10) Charger: A fine steed for a knight.
9) Grand Marquis: A noble transport.
8) Regal: Fit for a king.
7) Two-door: Blame James the Musician for that one.
6) Excalibur: Difficult to remove from its parking place.
5) Valiant: Chivalry is not dead with this vehicle.
4) Voyager: For sailors of any century.
3) Explorer: For those seeking new trade routes.
2) Cavalier: Slightly past period, but appealing.
1) Caravan: For transporting Zorabb's crew.

"For Lenore" by Sadhbh Bheansidhe [owl picture]

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