Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Greetings to the Populace of the Barony of Nottinghill Coill, from Baroness Ariel Benne Douw

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Hawkwood Baronial Birthday on the weekend of May 11, 2013. What wonderful neighbors We have!  To start with, I arrived at the site Friday evening and immediately, I had several good gentles from Hawkwood, including Her Excellency Hawkwood, Baroness Deirdre, to help me unload and tote my (considerable) accoutrements down the hill, through the mud to my cabin.  Did I mention wonderful neighbors?!?

On Saturday, many of the good folk from Notthinghill Coill (and at lease one that we have adopted - you know who you are!) arrived and I had very much help all day!  Thank you to Lord Savage, Our Baronial Equestrian Champion, who took it upon himself to be My main retainer for the day. Many thanks go around to all who helped me set up and tear down the pavilions and all the things that went under the pavilion. Many thanks to Lady Marie-Helene for providing the lion's share of the food - all of it hand made from scratch and all of it wonderful! More thanks go to Lord Wilhelm for helping Hawkwood by being the heavy marshal for the event and to Dame Morwenna for being the Chirurgeon In Charge for the day (as usual!). Once again, the Great Barony of Nottinghill Coill showed great service, courtesy, and honor!

During the day, I attempted something I had not tried before.  I threw axes at a large chunk of wood.  OK, I found out I have NO talent in thrown weapons.  But, young Brenden, son of Lord Carrick, also attempted thrown weapons for the first time and although he didn't win anything he showed great talent to the point that the winner of the thrown weapons tourney passed his prize to Brenden to encourage his continued practice in thrown weapons.  Brenden also has significant archery talent as evidenced by his winning the Youth Archery Tournament! Congratulations young Brenden!

In the evening, we were served a wonderful feast followed by lots of fun! There was the traditional "full contact musical chairs" played to live bagpipe music by Her Excellency, Deirdre.  It was very much fun to watch and His Majesty had lots of fun participating! Then there was the Kilted Sumo Wrestling. I haven't laughed so hard in a very long time!  His Majesty also was an active and entertaining participant in this! There was also dancing and much other amusement.

I had a wonderful time during the entire weekend.  I am sorry that His Excellency, Baron Takeda, was not able to attend.  I know that he would have also had a wonderful time and been proud of the Nottinghill Coill populace at this event.  I look forward to visiting Our neighboring Cousins in the future.

In Service to Our Dream!
Ariel Benne Douw
Baroness, Nottinghill Coill

Konnichiwa to the Populace of Nottinghill Coill, from Baron Takeda Yoshinaka

I wish to express my pride and admiration for the Gentles of this Barony. I'm sure that Ariel feels the same also. At Hidden Mountain Baronial Birthday this Barony made a great showing of Service,
Courtesy and Honor. Many Gentles worked as staff for this event. Lady Magdalen, Lord Draco, Lord Darius, Lord Elphin and Dame Morwenna and many more Gentles I'm sure.
 
The hospitality table under the Baronial Pavilion overflowed with food. Much thanks to all
those who assisted with this, especially Baroness Delia, Lord Axum, Lady Iollan and many, many more.
 
The Thrown Weapons tourney was won by Lord Carrick and the Rapier Tourney was won by
Lord Tyies. The new Hidden Mountain Rapier Champion is Lord Admiral Brendan O'Caiside (aka Dude). 
 
Thanks also to each and every single Gentle that attended and made this event special.
 
Last, but certainly not least, Baroness Ariel. For the garb, the hauling of pavilions and equipment,
and support and service to the Barony, and me, thank you.

The Camaraderie and Friendship that was displayed by you all is what brought the feelings of pride
and admiration to me. Words fail me how to fully express what I feel, except to say, Thank You!
 
As Always I remain....

in Service to the Dream,
Takeda Yoshinaka
Baron, Nottinghill Coill

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Konnichiwa & Greetings to the Populace

We wish to thank the Autocrat, Staff and Populace for making Our Baronial Birthday & Investiture so wonderful! We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of goodwill and support shown to Us. Even though the weather was less than perfect, the day was magical all because of the special people We call Friends.

The following is a tentative schedule of Events that We will be attending over the next two months.
In March, Baroness Ariel will be attending Gulf Wars XXII (March 5-17), Lumberton, MS.


In April,  We both plan to attend Spring Coronation (April 5-7), Barony of Marinus, Spring Grove, Va, and Fools War XXIV(April 11-14)., Quest for the Holy Grail, in The Shire of Tir Briste, Meridies,
Macon Ga.


If any Gentles are planning to attend any of the Events listed please contact us so that we can coordinate camping/traveling together. Contact us at either: gillasd@bellsouth.net   OR  barontakeda@yahoo.com

We look forward to serving the Kingdom and Our Barony in the years to come. As always We remain.....

In Service to the Dream,
Takeda & Ariel
Baron & Baroness of Nottinghill Coill

Monday, February 25, 2013

Greetings to the Most Wonderful Barony in the Known World!


It has been our great honor and pleasure to serve as your Baron and Baroness for these past three years.  It has been very rewarding in so many ways, and we can only hope that our efforts have in some way enhanced the joy of the Dream for some of this amazing populace. 

Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported us on this journey.  We hope that you will give our successors the same love and assistance, and we will continue to see our Barony shine.


Yours in Service,

Geldamar and Etain

Sunday, February 24, 2013

In Loving Memory of Our Ves’tacha Phral, Kazimir the Gypcian

Kazimir was a man of many passions.

Many passions.

In fact, it would seem that Kazimir’s passions may have been key in starting that last war we had, thus angering Their Royal Majesties to the point of executing him at Nottinghill Coill’s Baronial Birthday.

As his cousin Delia the Flammable so eloquently said, “Yeah, things got a little out of hand.”

He leaves behind a bereaved Kumpania Painted Wheel, his sisters Dulcinaya and Tsigane, his (at least one) son Kazimir the Third  and many grief-stricken cousins.


“Let’s all have a sniffle,
Let’s have a bloody good cry,
And always remember the longer you live,
The sooner you bloody well die.”