Any birthday past 30 is a bit of a gamble, so why not celebrate our good fortune! Come join Nottinghill Coill as we celebrate our 34th year as a Barony!
Each attendee will receive a bag of tokens upon signing in at gate. Tokens can
be used for entry into various tournaments and competitions around the event. They can also be used at one of the gambling tables featuring period (or period inspired) games. Tokens can also be won by impressing the Baron (for shows of excellence) or the Baroness (for shows of
courtesy).
Whoever has the most tokens at the end of the event, WINS!
Date: Friday, February 20, 2015 - Sunday, February 22, 2015
Location: Camp Sandy Ridge; 3681 Girl Scout Road; Bennettsville, SC 29512
Event registration is available through our reservationist and will soon be available through ACCEPS. Feast registration will only be available through ACCEPS.
After you register, you can sign up for cabin space (if you’ve selected to stay for camping) on our website.
Event Website https://sites.google.com/site/ncbb34/home
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/273233222800616/
Martial Activities
There will be ample opportunities for martial activities at our birthday celebration. Entry into the various tournaments will require set numbers of tokens and the winners of the tournaments will receive a payout in tokens. Everything is a gamble!
Marshal-in-Charge: Count Randal Sinclair Hawkins
Combat
The thrill of combat lives in the Society!
One of the most well-known and widely-enjoyed activities in the SCA is armored
combat. Our warriors participate in tournaments for individuals and teams,
tactical
melees involving dozens of combatants, and even large-scale wars with thousands of participants! Unlike reenactments of battles from history, our combat activities are not choreographed and the outcome is entirely based on the skill and training of the combatants involved.
Combat in the Society is based on a system of honor and chivalry. Because the combat is full speed and not choreographed, the combatants themselves determine if the attacks they receive were successful based on the angle, location, and force of the strike. Safety officers, known as marshals, are always on hand to ensure that the combat is performed safely and to ensure that all equipment used meets established safety standards.
Heavy Marshal: Lord Carrick Mac Manus
Rapier & Cut-n-Thrust
The clash of blades and the cavalier flair live on in the SCA!
Rapier combat in the Society attempts to recreate styles of sword fighting from
the later part of the Middle Ages, often based on manuals and theories of combat that have survived to this day. Rapier combat uses a foundation of style and finesse that has since evolved into the modern sport of fencing. Unlike the modern sport, our combat uses a wide variety of weapons and body protection and our combat takes place with freedom of movement in any direction. Rapier combat can be found in both tournaments of individual and team combatants and in larger melees and wars!
Like armored combat, rapier combat in the Society is based on a system of honor
and chivalry. Because the combat is full speed and not choreographed, the combatants themselves determine if the attacks they receive were successful based on the angle, location, and force of the strike. Safety officers, known as marshals, are always on hand to ensure that the combat is performed safely and to ensure that all equipment used meets established safety
standards.
RapierMarshal:Mistress Etain of Sutherlan
TargetArchery
One of the most important skills throughout the timeframe that we recreate,
archery was used for hunting, practice, and especially war. Archery played an
important role in many a battle and many cultures depended upon their innovative and skilled archers for defense as well as a means of conquest.
In order to be as true to times as possible we try to use materials and methods
available to period archers. This includes a focus on natural materials such as
wood and feathers in our bows and arrows. Some modern types of equipment like
compound bows, are not allowed in our archery activities to keep the playing
field more level and medieval.
In addition to the traditional target archery competitions where points are scored by shooting at a bullseye, the competitions for target archery are often designed to mimic situations faced by medieval archers. These might include 3-D or 2-D animal targets set at unknown ranges to demonstrate hunting prowess.
Alternatively, a set of targets might be made to represent the slots on a fortress, the objective being to try to shoot the “archers” within the walls of a fortification under siege. Novelty targets will sometimes be encountered; blow out a candle with an arrow without hitting the candle itself, hit your target paddle to trip a swinging bar to block your opponent’s paddle from falling before they can shoot it, or get the best poker hand by skill or luck.
Archery Marshal: Lord Alwin ofNottinghill Coill
Thrown Weapons
In addition to the target competition found in archery, we also recreate additional target weapons styles. At many Society events, you can find opportunities to try throwing common medieval weapons such as axes, knives, and spears, all in a safe, monitored environment.
Arts & Sciences Activities
Arts & Sciences are at the heart of our Society and Nottinghill Coill has a plentitude of artisans! We would like to invite all attendees to the event to come and view what our artists have to display and teach. Individuals interested in showing their arts & sciences can participate
in competitions, open display, bardic circles and dancing! There will also be class space available for teachers.
Arts & Sciences Coordinator: Seigneur Dreux d'Anjou
Dozen Donation Derby
The theme for this competition is Green and/or Yellow! Your items should be primarily green and/or yellow in order to enter. You may use other colors as accent but the Baronial colors should make up at least 75% of your entry. All entrants must create a half-dozen (6) of the same type of items based on the theme that are suitable for largesse. All entries must be tagged and ready to be gifted the day of the competition. Important information such as allergy warnings should be noted here. Items will not be accepted if they are not
tagged. Items need not be documented. This is not an Arts and Sciences competition. Judging will be done by the 'beads in a cup' method. Members of the
populace are asked to come by and vote for their favorite entry!
You may enter more than once! (Note: Two entries mean 12 items, and so forth.)
The winner of the Dusty Half-Dozen Donation Derby is the gentle with the most tokens in their entry's cup. The winner gets to select one item from each of the other competitors... so 12 entries means the winner gets 11 prizes! The rest of the items entered into the competition will be donated to Their Excellencies, Nottinghill Coill, as Largesse.
Dessert & Dance Revel
After feast on Saturday there will be a Dessert & Dance Revel, led by our own Baron Geldamar le Farceur. While the sweets get you energized, the dancing will keep your feet moving swiftly across the floor!
Baronial Dessert Competition
The theme for this competition is the Barony of Nottinghill Coill! Your items should be representative of the Barony in some way. All entries must include some documentation. Specifically, an entry will not be allowed without a list of ingredients. This is extremely important for dietary concerns. Entries in this competition will be accepted starting at 2:30 PM and last call for submissions will be made 30 minutes before court. Entries
should be able to stay at room temperature through court and feast. You may enter more than once!
Entries are considered donated to the Barony and will be enjoyed during the Dessert & Dancing revel following feast!
There will be at least two winners: one overall winner and one winner from the youth category. Prizes will be provided by Seigneur Dreux d'Anjou, our A&S Coordinator.
Dance Coordinator: Baron Geldamar le Farceur
Open Display
The artisans, scribes, cooks,
scientists, bakers, and other artists of the Barony are encouraged at Baronial Birthday to display what they are working on. Nottinghill Coill takes great pride in the expansive interests and talents of its populace and now is the perfect time to get feedback on your projects and show what you're doing!
Circles
There will be a bardic circle on both Friday and Saturday nights in the breezeway of the Whispering Pines Yellow cabins. Bring your drums, stories and songs and revel with your fellow performers. Do keep in mind that this is February and try to stay warm!
Food
You can't have a birthday without food, especially if you live in Nottinghill Coill. One of our founding principles is "Feed them into submission" and we always win!
Feast by Lady Cerridwen of Killare
Feasting and fun go hand-in-hand here in the Society!
Ever wonder how the Norman Conquerors fed their armies? What the Vikings cooked
when on their raids? Who invented the meat pie...and why? Food history presents a fascinating buffet of popular lore and contradictory facts. Most foods were not invented; they evolved. Here in the SCA we make food history fun and, of course, tasty!
For most SCA cooking, a good rule of thumb is that ingredients that were readily available in Western Europe prior to the 17th century are fair game. Coffee and tea came into play toward the latter part of the period we cover, so don't worry about going without your java, as even we medievalists can't help waking up to the smell of coffee. However, we do explore many different cultures outside of Europe, so don't be surprised to see a feast from India, Africa, even the Far East!
Many events have a feast in the evening. This is a grand meal - in fact, often several meals served one after another - with multiple courses. The epitome of a modern SCA feast is a collection of heavily researched medieval dishes, prepared by a large volunteer cooking staff, served in several courses, to a multitude of diners. At your first feast, we encourage you to try a little bit of everything! You won't be familiar with all the foods there, but you'll be surprised what you find to be a new favorite! Be forewarned, because many feasts have multiple courses, pace yourself! You never want to get to the end of a feast, see something amazing you want to eat, and have no more room for it!
Tentative Menu:
Herbed flat bread with butter, Cabbage soup, Peas pottage, Croustade of chicken, Rice pilaf with spiced carrots, Sun king pork (pork seasoned with orange and lemon juice, cumin, and oregano), Sliced pears in a cinnamon cream sauce.
FEAST REGISTRATION IS ONLY AVAILABLE BY ACCEPS.
Lunch Dayboard by Lady Milicent Shiveley
The lunch dayboard, which is included with your site fee at no additional
cost, will include your option of beef & barley soup or a vegetable
soup
(vegetarian-friendly), breads and fruit. More details on the specific menu will
be made available as those decisions are made. The type of fruit will likely
depend on what is available for a good price at the market.
Baroness Tea by Lord Axum O’Neal
Baroness Ariel, as the Queen's representative in the lands, enjoys
chivalry and all things related to courtesy. She will host a tea, prepared by
her retainer, Lord Axum, in the early afternoon on Saturday where she will
invite
those individuals she finds most courteous and chivalrous during the
day.
Baronial Championship Challenges
Traditionally, the Baron and Baroness of Nottinghill Coill select their Baronial Champions at Nottinghill Coill's Baronial Birthday. Each current Baronial Champion may work with Their Excellencies to develop an appropriate Champion's Challenge.
There will also be a change in the lineup. Their Excellencies have decided to retire the position of Equestrian Champion and introduce, for the first time in Nottinghill Coill, the position of Baronial Thrown Weapons Champion! Thrown Weapons is a wonderful discipline that requires no authorizations so anyone can come try out! Their Excellencies ask that individuals interested in this new position, please drop them an email or letter to let them know of the
interest.
Current Champions
Armored Combat: Lord Carrick
Mac Manus
Arts & Sciences: Lord Germanicus Maximus
Cut-n-Thrust: Baron Thorgrimr Inn Kyrri
Lord Savage Blackwolf
Rapier: Lord Marcus Octavius
Target Archery: Lord Alwin of Nottinghill Coill
Thrown Weapons: Never before done in Nottinghill Coill!
Youth Archery: Brendon of Nottinghill Coill
Merchants
Shopping is a very medieval activity, especially among the nobility. For our birthday celebration, we are inviting many different types of merchants to make the selection diverse and fun for all.
Merchant Liaison: Baron Geldemar le Farceur
Youth Activities
The Society has many activities geared not only towards children and youth, but also towards the family as a whole. Many events and gatherings offer children’s activities for a variety of ages where children can learn more about the Middle Ages through lessons, hands-on arts and crafts, and games. Just as the grown-ups get involved in combat activities, in many kingdoms youth combat starts as early as age six. Youth also participate in archery and equestrian activities.
We encourage our youth participants to find ways to engage in service just as the adults do! As the children grow older, they’ll find opportunities to serve in important ways at events, from helping out in the kitchen to heralding on the field.
Games
The history of games goes back to the ancient civilizations, but games really blossomed in the Middle Ages, and they’re some of the favorite activities we do in the Society! At any given event, you are likely to come across people playing simple games using tokens, gems, or even stones from the ground! One of the most prevalent categories of games from the Middle Ages is called “Morris” games. You may have already played Nine Men’s Morris or a variation of it in the past. This game is actually over a thousand years old!
In addition to these simple games, a lot of card and dice games that are still played today were inspired by games from the medieval world. There are medieval equivalents to the modern card games of Poker and Blackjack, as well as assorted trick-taking games reminiscent of Hearts and Bridge. Dice games range from like Gluckhaus where each roll earns or loses you points to complex rolling games based on probabilities like Hazard. While we always simply play for fun, the competitive nature of the average Society participant makes each roll of the dice a spirited moment!
Board games are also a popular pastime in the Society. Chess is the ubiquitous
medieval board game, with dozens of variations played in every corner of the world. There are dozens more different games from simple games like Checkers (Draughts) to more detailed games like Tafl and The Game of the Goose, which formed the basis of many modern games, all of which can be found played at many events in any kingdom.
Available Games (Expect this list to grow!)
Alquerque (also known as Qirkat), Backgammon, Chess, Crowns and Anchors, Fox and Geese, Gala, The Game of the Goose, Glückhaus, Go, Halatafl, Hazard, Marbles, Nine Men's Morris, & Tablero
de Jesus
Newcomer’s Point
Newcomer's Point will be run by our Baronial Chatelaine, Lady Magdalen, and will include the Baronial Golden Key for loaner garb. There will also be a scavenger hunt for newcomer's which can earn tokens for the day's games! Newcomer
Coordinator: Lady Magdalen Woderose Check the website regularly for more updates!
Being a card carrying member of the SCA is always fun. It's even better when you hear stories about people that you have yet to meet. One of the first people I was fortunate to meet was Lord Cian Mac Ceallachain Uí Dubhlaich from Nottinghill Coill. Cian is our current Triton Herald, the head of the Kingdom's College of Heralds that supervises both field and court heraldry, along with making sure names and devices are processed in a timely manner.
To start a new series of articles, I had asked Cian about his SCA career and a few other questions. This month's Persona of the Month goes to Cian!
Sarishan, friends, 
