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Black Quill

Issue 36
July/August/04 AS XXXVIII
Shire of Ravensweir
Quesnel, BC

Pirate Chronicles

By Lord Captain Tityus Corbus Angellus Maelwedd

Greetings unto the populace of Ravensweir... With the formation of the Ship, the One Eyed Crow, I thought it appropriate to share the histories of some of the world's pirates, both famous and lesser-known, but infamous non-the-less. In this edition of the Black Quill, we learn about...

Black Bellamy, whose real name was Samual Bellamy, was one of histories most active pirates. Bellamy was believed to be a young English sailor, travelling to the new world to seek riches. Finding a financial sponser he set out to search for sunken Spanish treasures. Unfortunately Bellamy's expedition failed, and he returned home with no money, and reportedly married.

Soon after, the call of the sea beckoned to Bellamy once more, and he left his family in a town near Cantebury, and joined a ship. As many notorious pirates before him did, Bellamy aquired apprentiship with Benjamin Hornigold. Hornigold was known for his reluctance to attack British vessels, and was generous to his prisoners. Upon Hornigold being deposed by his crew, Bellamy was voted the new captain.

Bellamy proved himself to be a very successful pirate, primarily in the West Indies. He was known to entertain his crewmen with grandiose and satirical orations, of which he considered himself to quite the master. Even though he gave great concern for the well being of his prisoners, placed priority unto his crew, never wanting to evoke sinister feelings, and quell the possibility of mutiny.

Sadly, in April of 1717, Bellamy's ship, the Whydah, was capsized and destroyed, when his fleet was caught in an intense storm off Cape Cod. Only two men escaped the devesations. While one of these men never did anything of historical note, the other, Thomas Davis, made the story of the Whydah a part of the Cape Cod folklore.



A Missive from our Merry Senechal

Investiture has come and past. As autocrat I would like to thank a great many people.

First and foremost, thank you to the Royals and retinue, Principality Officers, who took over and ran things... from MIC, Lists, Rapier, Constable, Herald, Waterbearer and anyone else that I missed. THANK YOU! I would like to say thank you to... Twel & Betha, Mersha, Hugs & Kisses and Isabell for working Constabulary and Gate. Without you a great many people would be walking zombies, thank you for taking on the late hours se we could get some well needed sleep.

Thank you Baroness Amanda and those who taught at the Ithra's that were held. We hope to set up another Ithra session in Oct.

I would like to say THANK YOU to all of Ravensweir for their hard work before, during and after this event. I can honestly say that the whole group pulled together marvelously, from organization, set up, covering the event and take down. The event went off well with only a few glitches, which can be marked to a learning experience. for those newbies who this was their first event, I thank you for the time and effort you put in and look forward to seeing you at out next council. Thank you to Isabeau the Innocent for keeping an eye on our encampment and making sure I sat down, drank water, ate something...chuckle...

A special thank you to HL Sigrid of Arden, worthy Deputy...I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for this event...she is the glue that held things together and sane :) To HL Robert of Arden, nothing can be said but...HUGS!!!!!! We thank you for all that you have done, for the list is long.

To all those who received awards at this event HUZZAH!!! To Lasilana... congrats on your AoA... though it appears that dogs love to eat scrolls...chuckle.

From HL Anthony Hawke... who would like to especially thank all those who worked constabulary and gave him the well-needed time to be with his lady and have some fun.

GATE...the total of people through was 158. We also had media coverage!

Thank you to the Site owners...who had justy purchased the campsite and were greatly surprised to find out what they were in for LOL... we have been told that we are most welcome to come back... and have an honored spot on their events board in the office. I don't think we could have found a more beautiful or perfect spot for this event.

Thank you to all those who travelled from afar, I hope you enjoyed yourself and had a safe and uneventful trip home. We hope to see you again.

If I have missed anyone I apologize. It was to see new faces and reconnect with friends. I hope to see you all again... remember Ravensweir... for it is a good place to play :)

In Merry Service
HL Cerridwen Maelwedd
exhausted autcrat

Sigrid's Sentiments--HL Sigrid Arden

From Act 5, Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespear. My favorite scene, my favorite play. Pray forgive my bold, italics and fonts for emphasis, but I wanted to share a little of what I get out of it.

Benedick: Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while?
Beatrice: Yea, and I will weep a while longer.
Bene: I will not desire that.
Beat: You have no reason, I do it freely.
Bene: Surely, I do believe your fair cousin is wronged.
Beat: Ah, how much might the man deserve of me that would right her.
Bene: Is ther any way to show such friendship?
Beat: A very even way, but no such friend.
Bene: May a man do it?
Beat: It is a man's office, but not yours.
Bene: I do love nothing in the world so well as you; is that not strange?
Beat: As strange as the things I know not. It were as possible for me to say, I loved nothing as so well as you; but believe me not; and yet I lie not; I confess nothing, nor do I deny nothing: -- I am sorry for my cousin.
Bene: By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me.
Beat: Do not swear by it and eat it.
Bene: I will swear by it, that you love me; and I will make him eat it, that says, I love you not.
Beat: Will you not eat your work?
Bene: With no sauce that can be devised to it; I protest, I love thee.
Beat: They then, God forgive me!
Bene: What offense, sweet Beatrice?
Beat: You have stayed me in a happy hour; I was about to protest - I loved you.
Bene: And do it with all thy heart.
Beat: I love you with all my heart that none of it is left to protest.
Bene: Come, bid me do anything for thee.
Beat: KILL CLAUDIO
Bene: Ha, not for the wide world.
Beat: You kill me to deny it: farewell.
Bene: Tarry, sweet Beatrice.
Beat: I am gone, though I am here'--there is no love in you;--nay, I pray you let me go.
Bene: Beatrice--
Beat: In faith, I will go.
Bene: We'll be friends first.
Beat: You dare easier to be friends with me, than fight with mine enemy.
Bene: Is Claudio thine enemy?
Beat: Is he no approved in the height a villian, the hath slandered, scorned, dishonored my kinswoman? - O, that I were a man! What! Bear her in hand until they come to take hands; and then with public accusation, uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour -

O GOD, THAT I WERE A MAN! I WOULD EAT HIS HEART IN THE MARKETPLACE.

Bene: Hear me Beatrice;-
Beat: Talk with a man out a window! - a proper saying!
Bene: Nay but, Beatrice;-
Beat: Sweet Hero!

She is wronged

she is slandered,
she is undone

Bene: Beat--
Beat: Princes, and counties! Surely, a princely testimony! A goodly count! Count Confect; a sweet gallant surely! O that I were a man for his sake! But manhood is melted into courtesies, valour into complement, and men are only turned into tongue and trim ones too: he is now as valiant as Hercules, that only tells a lie and swears it -- I cannot be a man with wishing, therefore I will die a woman with griefing.
Bene: Tarry, good Beatrice: by this hand, I love thee.
Beat: Use it for my love some other way that swearing by it.
Bene: Think you in your soul the count Claudio hath wronged Hero?
Beat: Yea, as sure as I have a thought, or a soul.
Bene: Enough! - I am engaged - I will challenge him; I will kiss your hand, and so leave you. By this hand, Claudio shall render me a dear account; and as you hear of me, so think of me. Go, comfort your cousin: I must say, she is dead; and so, farewell.

Musings be Cerriwed

Chivalry Wherefore Art Thou???? or Why do we play in the SCA???
Ahhh yes, mundanity. Rush and run, try to make ends meet. We all know the drill. There was once upon a time a gentler time... or was there? The world had always had it's violence, rudeness and plain discourtesy. Upon sitting trapped in a Dr's office, a prisoner to his schedule (who has not experienced this...chuckle) I found myself reading an article about how society seems to be becoming a ruder more discourteous place to live. One of the things that was attributed to the cause of this... is the computer. How many of you have ecperienced flaming, discourtesy, brashness and out and out perversions on this wonderful golem? Tis easy to be such a person when you do not actually have to face the one your inflicting this on. I have seen an increase in nastiness and out and out insanity of meanness of late, in my own life and in others that I care deeply for and people that I barely know. No matter what the cause, it is a disturbing trend.

We who play in the SCA, why do we do so? Is it pure escapism that we seek, the good times and party till you puke, the romance of eras gone by, a family atmosphere??? The SCA's beginnings in time, started out as a gathering of university students and has grown worldwide. Is it based on the values of courtesy and chivalry. Of late I see less and less of this. We who reside in a little shire, what can we do about this? In the big picture we can do but little... On the whole though, we can but present an example of what things can be. Keep our encampments clean, offer help when needed, greet others with a cheery g'day m'lord, m'lady whether you know them or not. A good gentle struggling under a heavy load, just setting up at an event, work needing to be done.... offer some of your time. Think about what you can do to present an example that others will wish toi follow.

Big or small... it does not matter; we can do what we can. I have found a great heart in this place. We as a whole support eachother like family. I have found that SCA family can be even greater than your mundane family. We can all choose where we play and whom we play with... I have chosen.. Ravensweir. This is my home and I would see us to be an example, we do what we can when we can, stand behind eachother in good and bad times. Cry & laugh when one of ours is recognized in court, Stand firm when it is a small star shining in Tir Righ. I am very proud of this shire and all of you who work so hard to make it our home. Oh yes.. and let's not forget to have fun.. and be silly.
As a great man said.... "If you're not having fun... why do it?" (Baron Gerhard Kendall)

From the Usless Trivia Files.....

A touch of Latine...(use at your own risk)



Crown Inscriptions

Inside the Royal crowns of Caid are inscribed the words, You rule because they believe". What a fitting sentiment! Now, one wonders, what might be fitting for the inscriptions inside the crowns from the other SCA kingdoms and principalities?

Any Kingdom: "I fought in Crown Tourney, and all I got was this stupid crown!"
Any Kingdom: "Next time, fall down!"
Kingdom of the West: "Today, the West, tomorrow the Known World!"
Principalty of Avacal: "I never wanted to be a Prince(ss). I wanted to be a lumberjack!"
Kingdom of An Tir: "This is your crown. It's worn on your head. Pointy ends up. Take your helm off, first."
Kingdom of Ansteorra: "Y'all rule nicely, now!"
Midrealm: "At least I get to go to Pensic."
Kingdom of the East: "The King's word is a fine damn suggestion!"
Kingdom of Atlantia: "At least we keep Trimaris from smashing into Eastrealm."
Kingdom of Ealdormere: "BOD? What BOD?" (Ealdormere is the first fully Canadian Kingdom; the BOD's rulings have very little "force-in-law"
Kingdom of Drachenwald: "Ich bin eine Berliner."
Kingdom of Atenveldt: "The SUN is NOT your friend, and DON'T drink the water."
Kingdom of Atenveldt: "Stay in the shade or they'll melt."
Kimgdom of Trimaris: "Equipped with a flotation device in case of swamp landing."
Kingdom of Drachenwald: "Don't let the REAL monarchs know!" (In 5 differant languages)
Kingdom of An Tir: "Vacancy. Inquire within."
Principality of Lachac: "Court first-Sheep later."
Principality of the Mists: "Flip switch at read to activate fog lights."
Kingdom of Atlantia: "If found, return to Michael of Bedford." (Michael of Bedford was the first King of Atlantia and has reigned seven times.)
Kingdom of An Tir: "On load from Sir Barak."
Kingdom of the East: "COFFEE FIRST"
If the Rivers Region in An Tir becomes a Principality: "All Wet"
And of course.....
Principality of Tir Righ: "Take off, eh?"

Superstitions -- part 1

Itching or Tingling
The idea that any are sudden and unexplained sensation in the human body had ominous significance was one very common, and st still survives in the well-known supersititions about itchingm tingling, or burning in the face, hands and feet. Such sensations are supposed to foretell a coming eventm or to warm a person concerned of some unseen happening connected with himself.

Right Ear:
Someone is not speaking well of you.
Left Ear:
Your lover or a loved one is thinking of you.
Right Palm:
If the palm of your right hand itches, money is coming to you.
Left Palm:L
Money will have to be paid out by you! Rub your palms on wood for good luck in both cases.
Feet:
If the underpart of the foot itches, you will soon treat on strange grounds.
Nose:
A itching nose means you will be kissed, cursed, or vexed, run against a gatepost, or shake hands with a fool.
Ringing in Ears
As soon as the ringing occurs you must ask someone else for a number and the count the letters of the alphabet until you arrive at the given number. The corresponding letter will then be the first letter if the name of the person one can expect to marry.

Ringing in the ears was called "New Bells", and the appropriate letter could also apply to someone thinking or talking about you.

Eyelashes
If an eyelash fall out, put it on the back of the hand, make a wish and throw it over you shoulder. If it flies off the hand the wish will be granted.

The basis of such wishful bklowing was once again the devil, who, occupying this normal positition begind the left shoulder, presumably made a buisness of collecting human eyelashes.

Peasants Revolt

Shire of Ravensweir (Quesnel BC)
September 10-12

Autocrat - Cordeliya Morrighan Bloodwyn Maelwedd
email foxfire_50@hotmail.com
250-992-7936
Site Location - 3895 Blueridge Road Quesnel BC (down Barkerville Highway, just past theh big yellow sign for Blueridge Nursery, on the right - if you get to Cottonwood House you've gone to far.!)

Site fee - child 0-6 FREE, youth 7-19 $2, adult $5, NO NMS!

Rapier Championship - all within 5 hours drive are welcome to attend/compete - from Kamloops (Shire of Ramsgaard) up to Smithers (Shire of Tir Bannog) and everyone in between.
Co-coordinator to be announced ASAP.

No Heavy Fighting this event (sorry folks!)

"Wet" Site

Potluck on Saturday Night at the Arden Pavilion

Possible Ithra classes - TBA

HL Sigris Arden threatens engagement festivities and hijinks for Cordeliya and Corbus...(Lord help us.....*s*)

Any questions? Feel free to contact Mr(the Autocrat).....that's what I'm here for!
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