There will be no SCA functions at the Thoreau Center on Nov. 27, December 18, or December 25.

From Tsire Tuzevo, Dance Coordinator:

We have a new dance site! It's FREE! It's GREAT! And, it's at the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4504 Ashworth in West Des Moines.

For all interested in smithing:
Hans has some very excellent resources and information on the practical art of smithing. He may be contacted by e-mail at schlosser@netins.net.

[picture] "Silent Night" by Sadhbh Bheansidhe

Olde Fart's Soapbox #53: Secrets of Successful Fighting, Part I

Now that I am getting old and slow, I would like to pass on my wisdom that has been beaten into me from many years of fighting in the SCA. Now before you question my wisdom, remember I have won many tournaments including Valor and Guardian of Valor. The problem with passing on my wisdom is that I am not a Peer. So I am forced to throw my accumulated knowledge out into the four winds in the hopes that someone may pick them up.

Lesson One. Learn to take advantage of your size and build. Roger the Dwarf does. So does Cormac O'Sullivan. Reach can be negated by quickness. Strength can be undone by endurance. A supposed disability can be an advantage. I am mostly blind. Which means I don't fall for those little wrist fakes; I can't see them. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Better yet, know your opponent's strengths and weaknesses.

Lesson Two. Winning is first surviving. Learn defense. Learn defense to the point you don't have to think about it. Learn it to the point your shield or sword moves by itself. This is best done by going out in a fighter practice without an offensive weapon, and take on anyone.

Lesson Three. Play with your tools. Learn the various aspects of each weapon. Its advantages and disadvantages. The speed of a bastard sword. The power of a mace. The psychological impact of a greatsword. You don't put a thrusting tip on a sword to use it; you put it on to threaten to use it. The best way to defeat a two-weapon fighter is to go out with a shorter weapon and stick it in between his weapons right into his chest and face.

Lesson Four. Get crazy. Forget the inner child; find your inner homicidal maniac. Aggression is a good thing, harness the energy. Learn the true meaning of the word "berserk." Attitude will take you far. You don't have to stay between the lines, but do try to stay within the list field.

Lesson Five. Have fun. Don't take this thing too seriously. It's not life and death. The balance of the universe is not being decided here. This is an escape from our mundane jobs. It's a stress release, nothing more, nothing less.

"I'm here to have fun. If I win, well, that's all the more fun I'm going to have." - Viscount Sir Ternon de Carleone

"If you can't win, die loudly and leave a pretty corpse." - Baron Sir William Coeur du Boeuf

"Anything will burn if you put a gallon of gas on it." - Baron Richard de Montmorency

"Daddy's home!" - Lord Onami Ryome's battle cry

"Spoon!" - The Tick

Caoimhin McKee

From the Web Minister

Default URLs will be created on the Kingdom server for all local groups, officers and chartered guilds. These pages will use a silent, instant redirect to the actual site of the pages. Groups are encouraged to use these URLs in any printed materials, search engines or online directories.

Our new permanent address is: http://calontir.sca.org/coeur-dennui

The actual physical address of https://www.angelfire.com/ia2/barony/ stills works, but this way the default URL can be put on business cards, fliers, etc., without worrying that the address will become out of date if the site gets moved to a new location.

This is a great innovation!

In service to the dream,
Azalais d'Avallon
Web Minister

Greetings & Salutations ...to the Artisans and craftspeople of the Barony.

Queen's Prize Tourney is fast approaching. I would like to see our barony send many entries to this traditional event. Our barony is home to the countess who began the Queen's Prize Tourney. If you are a GOA or Peer in the Arts or Sciences, please help us to make her proud of that legacy. If you are not able to sponsor anyone, seek these people out.

For those who are new, Queen's Prize Tourney was founded by Grafina Iliya. It is designed to be a place for new and less experienced artisans and craftspeople to get feedback on their entries from experts in the field. This is not a traditional A&S competition. Everyone gets a prize, everyone learns, and everyone is there to support the arts and sciences.

I would also like to remind people that dance has moved to a new location. See page 1 of this month's issue.

In service,
Murdoch

Treasurer's Report

As the harvest is come to a close and we begin to celebrate the Yule season, I have no fear that our coffers will run dry. A detailed report of the financial status of our fine barony is available for your perusal by request.

In service,
Edward Blythe of Nottinghamshire, Treasurer

Greetings from the Baronial Knights Marshal

Just a quick note to let everyone know that there will be no fighter practice November 21st due to Thanksgiving.

In service,
Thomas FitzRodrick

From the Seneschal's Pen
Lady Brihtwynn, Seneschal

At the last Court I made two mistakes that I must correct. First, I erroneously announced Baronial A&S Championship for Yule Court. It will not be at Yule but at Salisbury Faire as it was this last year. The only excuse for this error was the continued absence of my brain, which all will be happy to know has been found (Ceanntigern was hiding it from me)!

The other mistake involves an apology. Baronial Art and Science Competition is under the auspices of the Minister of Arts and Sciences. By making such an announcement without first discussing it with him, I feel I overstepped my office and intruded, however unintentionally, in his territory. So to Lord Murdoch I extend my sincerest apologies. I also apologize to Lady Jaquemette for nearly depriving her of her full term as our reigning champion.

Court Notes compiled by James the Musician

Lord Murdoch sent around a list asking for people's interests, skills, awards, etc., with an eye to seeking people who might conduct an A&S night. (His Excellency suggested that it would be useful for generating a new Baronial Order of Precedence.)

Lord Edward announced that the third quarter report is finished, and copies are available upon request. The September event went well, and we made money. Three people have expressed an interest in becoming Deputy Treasurer; Lord Edward will teach a class on being Treasurer at CalonCon, and he highly recommends it to those interested. If you're interested in becoming Treasurer, be sure to tell THE BARONAGE and the Seneschal.

Fighter Practice is at 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays at Camp Dodge. The current Knights Marshal will step down at Yule Court; if you wish to assume the office, inquire with the Baronage. (You must be warranted for the position.)

Anyone wishing to become Herald, please see Lady Jacqueline.

Lady Tsire encouraged people also to come to dance practice! New FREE site! See page 1.

Axed Root: Sins & Virtues event in March, and VEISHEA next year; Lady Genevieve was warranted for the position of Knights Marshal; a new fighter, Andrew Bearclaws, was recently authorized.

Lady Brihtwynn reminded the populace that Her Excellency will be inducted into the Order of the Pelican at Twelfth Night, (your presence would be greatly appreciated). Also, thanks again to all who assisted at the wedding!

Herald's Point

Greetings, one and all! I have been to Calon Con to meet with the new Gold Falcon, Master Mikhail Nikolaevich. He brings news of the Archive Project. For those of you who don't know, about 17% of the Calontir heraldic archives were lost due to misfortune. As of this time, due to the efforts of many fine people, it now is down to 2% not replaced or redrawn (yet). We in Coeur d'Ennui should be at 100% due to the work of Mistress Jocelyn du Biers. She went through the baronial files and found every person's files that the archive project asked about. Madoc Arundel, the previous Gold Falcon, said that the response from all the groups about the whole project was amazing.

A short review on submission practices (by request of the current Saker Herald in charge of submissions).

1) It is now $10 per element to submit. This went up a while ago, and it seems some people have not heard about it yet.

2) Use Crayola Classic Markers to color devices. Uniformity of color is needed to scan at the Knowne World level. Please do not use washable ones.

3) If you document your name off a website, we need more than just the URL. Please ask me if you need to know exactly what is needed; there has been a change from last year.

Thank you,
Jacqueline de Meux
Cabochard Herald

A Series of Recipes by Kateryn de Develyn

Capon With Herbs (Chappons, veel, aux Herbes) - The Viander of Taillevent
1 quart water
4 chicken breasts
1 slice fresh side bacon
1 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped sage
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 pinch saffron
5 thin slices ginger

Place all these ingredients into the pot and set it to boil for approximately 1 hour. Then serve forth.

Compost Curye on Inglish
2 lbs. carrots, sliced
1/2 head cabbage, in small pieces
3-4 pears, sliced thin
1 tsp. salt
6 T. vinegar
2 tsp. ginger
few threads saffron
1 bottle (750 ml) white wine
1/2 c. honey
1 T. mustard seed
3/4 c. currants
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 T. each anise seed & fennel seed

Boil the carrots and cabbage for several minutes, then add the pears. Cook until tender; drain well. Lay vegetables and pears in a large, flat, non-metallic dish. Sprinkle on the salt. Let cool, then sprinkle on the vinegar, ginger, and saffron. Cover with a cloth and let stand for several hours or overnight. When ready, mix the vegetables with the currants and the seeds. Place in a sealable container and set aside. In a separate pot, bring the honey, cinnamon, and wine to a boil, skimming off the scum until clear. Remove from heat and pour over the vegetable mixture. Let cool and seal. May be stored for a week or more.

White Leek Bruet (From Du Fait de Cuisine. Translated by Elizabeth Cook)
2 leeks, white part only
1/4 lb. salt pork, sliced thinly
1 c. blanched almonds, ground finely
Good broth (chicken or vegetable is best)
Salt, to taste
1 c. almonds
1 c. water

Slice leeks into rounds. Rinse well to remove silt and sand. Put leeks into a pot. Cover with water. Rinse salt pork well. Add to leeks. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking until leeks are tender and pork is cooked through. Reserving stock, drain leeks. Measure reserved stock and add good broth to make 1 qt. stock. Bring stock to a boil. Turn off heat. Mix almonds with stock. Salt to taste. Separate pork from leeks then using 2 knives finely chop leeks. Mash leeks in a mortar. Stir leeks into broth. (You can eliminate chopping if a food processor is used for this step.) Add leeks to stock and pour over meat. Add almonds and water. Simmer 20 minutes. Pour leek mixture over salt pork.

Book Sources:
Renfrow, Cindy. TAKE A THOUSAND EGGS OR MORE, VOLS 1 & 2. Privately printed.
Redon, Odile; Francoise Sabban; & Silvano Serventi. The Medieval Kitchen: Recipes from France and Italy. Translated by Edward Schneider (c) 1998, ISBN: 0-226-70684-2\ISBN: 0-226-70685-0.
Hieatt, Constance B. and Sharon Butler. PLEYN DELIT. University of Toronto Press, Toronto. 1979.
Hieatt, Constance B. AN ORDINANCE OF POTTAGE. Prospect Books (London) 1988, ISBN 0-907325-38-6.

Internet Sources:
Stefan's Florilegium at: http://www.florilegium.org/
Medieval/Renaissance Food Homepage: http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/food.html

Calendar of Events

December 2: Crown Tournament at Grimfells (Fayetteville, AR)
December 4: A&S Night at Thoreau Center; Boar's Snore deadline!
December 9: Kris Kinder at Forgotten Sea (KC, MO)
December 16: Yule Court at Axed Root (Ames, IA)
December 18: NO Court meeting (will be held at Yule Court, December 16)
January 6: Twelfth Night at Lonely Tower (Omaha, NE)
January 20: Winter War Maneuvers at Mag Mor (Lincoln, NE)

C d'E Vocal Music: Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 10
C d'E Archery Practice: December 11
C d'E Dance Practice: December 11
C d'E Fighter Practice: Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19
C d'E Instrumental Music: Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13

Greetings unto the populace from Albrecht von Salzburg

"Traveler's Trek" hasn't been around for a while, and I thought I'd take this time to recap the different events that I've been to recently.

One of the most memorable events that I was at was Pennsic. Held in August, Pennsic was the first HUGE war I've ever witnessed, and I plan on attending again. The drive was long, but not nearly as long as it was to Estrella (half the distance and driving time)! There was a TON of merchants there, selling EVERYTHING you could ever want within the SCA. There was dancing! Every night! It was amazing to see over 50 people dancing every night. I even danced a few of them myself!

Of course, there was fighting! Never before have I seen over 2000 fighters on one field. I was totally amazed at the splendor! It was truly breathtaking. I could see for several hundred yards in either direction the host of my brothers and sisters at arms, facing a foe of equal might. I felt the surge of adrenaline as the lay-on was called, and the rushed charge of the Calontir Army to meet their Ansteorran brothers in a mighty clash of shields, spears and polearms. It was quite exhilarating.

In September, Tsire and I stepped down as Retinue to their Majesties, Thjo and Yrsa. It was a heart-felt good bye as we were discharged and the new king and queen were elevated and the populace sworn to fealty.

In October, the Shire of La Grande Tente held their annual Harvest Faire with several competitions throughout the day. My personal highlight was seeing Genevieve L'Enfant (Axed Root) become a fully authorized marshal!

If anyone has any questions about where I've gone or about going to future events, please contact me at albrecht_001@hotmail.com . I'll be more than happy to chat with you about future outings to the various regions and groups!

In service and enthusiasm,
Albrecht von Salzburg

My Life in the SCA by Erzebeth

Some of you may have seen me around. I'm the blond girl that has been showing up at random events and activities for almost six months. I realized that I have been really bad about introducing myself when I run into those of you who I haven't met yet. So, "Hi! Nice to meet you."

I learned about the SCA from my sister who has been active in Atenveldt for several years. I liked the idea but never really got into it.

When I moved to Des Moines, two things happened: first, I realized that all the guys who I ran into in bars were there because they were not able to hold a conversation past "Hey, baby! Nice shoes...wanna see my..." (well, you get the picture.)

Secondly, I was missing out on one of my passions: music. I have always wanted to be able to sing in a group that sang fun tunes to crowded rooms of people, so I looked up the SCA group here and I found the vocal music group and gave it a shot.

From there I have become a dance regular and have been to every event that I can squeeze into my schedule. So now my life is better. I get to sing fun medieval music to groups of people wearing chain mail, and the pick up line is closer to something like "Nice boots...wanna see my shield?"

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

Holiday concerts, bazaars and events will keep the next few months filled with activity. In the next Snore, tell us what life would have been like for your persona at this time of the year and include recipes, songs, or hands-on activities.

Nov. 22-26: Festival of Trees, Iowa State Fairgrounds
Nov. 25: Brigit's Fire (Maureen Korte and Sarah Macht), storytelling and harping, 11 a.m., Borders Bookstore. The theme will be Arthurian legends.
Nov. 30-Dec. 31: Holiday Wonderland of Lights, Botanical Center
Dec. 2-3: Drake University Madrigal Dinners
Dec. 2-3: Holiday Celebration, Living History Farms
Dec. 8-10: Holly and Ivy Home Tours at Hoyt Sherman, Terrace Hill and Salisbury House. The Salisbury House's theme is the Swedish Festival of Lights.
Dec. 12: Irish Jam, Java Joe's, 8-11 p.m.
Dec. 15: The Celtic Music Association presents Cherish The Ladies, 8 p.m., Holy Trinity
Dec. 16: New exhibit opens at the State Historical Building. "Our Favorite Things" highlights 100 items from the 20th Century that made a difference in Iowans' lives.

Did You Know?
by HL Seraphima Iaroslava Suvorova

Did you know that the history of "knocking on wood" for luck is a long one? Tree tag is one of the earliest examples of using wood for safety. Many people believe that to knock on wood helps to protect people from the harmful side-effects of boasting.

For the North American Indians and the early Greeks, the oak trees were sought for this tradition. However, the Egyptians used the sycamore, ancient Germans used the ash, and the Dutch specified that the wood (the type not important) must be plain and unadorned.

This superstition has come to us through a variety of means. The North American Indians thought that the oak was stately, strong, and full of numerous powers. The Christian scholars believed that this tradition came from the fact that Christ was crucified on a wooden cross. However, modern scholars believe that this "veneration" of wood was merely a reinforcement of a much older pagan view.

Source: Panati, Charles. Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things. Harper & Rowe, New York. 1987.

Back to On Line Boar's Snore Index