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Westermark Madness and Darkwood Archery Tourney:
DarkMark Madness and Salamander Shoot! July 8-10, 2005
We hosted our neighbors of Darkwood in Half Moon Bay for a weekend event due to their site being plagued with Salamanders!
This year's Madness theme was "Driving Your Mother to Madness" which included many traditional Madness events.
The Barony of Darkwood and their Excellencies graciously shared their pavilion due to concerns of providing enough
camping space for all attending. The event was also honored by Her Highness, The Princess of the Mists, Hannah!
Court was fun, which included Lady Alys' bardic presentation of the courtship of Baron Martin and Baroness Chiara.
The song was quite hilarious, so much so that Lady Alys was forced to stop several times to allow Baron Martin to
breathe, he was laughing so hard!
Here are Lady Alys' words both on the event and the song:
"Schtick doesn't always hurt! ... I screwed my courage up and performed the song I wrote for Martin and Chiara. I'd
gotten up to do an announcement for our event (Esfenn) in 3 weeks, then mentioned that it was Chiara's birthday next week,
but I had promised not to embarrass her by singing Happy Birthday. However, I made no such promises about singing
anything else. :->"
And yes, Martin's reactions were priceless ... I had to keep stopping to see if he was still breathing. :-> And it
was amazing how many people had never heard of the Cholo Baron ... we need to get some pictures of that outfit on the history
site."
The Ballad of Baron Martin
by Lady Alys Sheffield
There once was a Baron they called Martin Gray
Whose brave deeds are often remembered today
He reigned o'er a tree-filled and mountainous land
But always alone, no one with him to stand.
This bachelor baron he ruled without mate
And many a maid tried to alter that state
And though he might dally, his heart he denied
He knew who he wanted to be by his side
Y'see, Martin had chanced to meet a fine lady
But she lived in Anjou across the far sea
And her hand was promised; her heart not her own
So sadly he left her and stayed on his throne
He thought of her often and heaved many sighs
He wore dark spectacles to shade his eyes
And though there were some who might think him a rake
He served well his Honor, for Chivalry's sake
As Baron, his Westermark's coffers grew large
And so to pay taxes, they travelled by barge
they honored their King and their Queen somberly
And no-one expected what next they would see
When granted permission The Mists to address
he flung off his cloak and revealed his noblesse
A dazzling doublet that outshown the moon
And his codpiece with dingleballs made the knights swoon
To Farin and Ascelin, who ruled the Mists' land
Martin presented some gifts rare and grand:
a red, spicy sauce with a thin odd-shaped bread
"It comes from a land called 'Mehiko,'" he said.
"'Chor Highnesses" he crowed, and watched them both cringe
Then he bowed, and he doffed his straw hat trimmed with fringe
His duties fulfilled, he reliquished his place
And took up his sword and a commonor's space
Now meanwhile, in Anjou, his Chiara did dwell
She'd heard of his exploits, some brave and some, well...
But she had her duties to her hearth and home
Was bound to her land and unable to roam
And so it did happen, her Lord went to War
He didn't return, and her heart it was sore
And then she remembered that first smitten glance,
When that same Baron Martin first asked her to dance
And so Chiara journeyed to see a dear friend
Who lived near the Westermark lands in the 'fenn
They knew only shopping would make her feel right
And so, they dressed up, and they went to 12th Night
While browsing through trinkets the lady did see
Her dashing young Baron in his finery
Though many a year had passed since they'd last met
They each shared a longing they could not forget
To those who might think True Love's path doth run smooth
For Chiara and Martin, quite false this would prove
"But True Love must triumph," they both often said
And so their friends watched as they joyfully wed
When Martin was called by those Westermark lands
to take his old Coronet into his hands
with a glad heart he returned to his past
his Baroness Chiara beside him at last
The Archery events were well attended and many travelled far to come and shoot!
Madness Fighting Scenarios were enjoyed by two fighters this year, Lord Angino and Viscount Sir Geoffrey Scott.
Lord Angino was treated to 100% attention by the West Kingdom's Energizer Wabbit, Sir Geoffrey. The Ladies in
attendance had much fun in plotting scenarios and generally failing in wearing Sir Geoffrey out.
The Thug of the Westermark was awarded to Sir Geoffrey Scott, who is currently the Southern Shore's Warlord *and*
Esfen's First sword. The Shepard of the Westermark was awarded to Lord Angino, and it's a good thing too considering
what Sir Geoffrey was doing to the sheep (-shock-, -gasp-, -horror-), hence him being quite the sort for Westermark's Thug!
The Pie-the-Baron was also quite memorable which included Baron Corwyn's wind-up and pitch which successfully hit
Baron Martin, the splatter zone of which also hit two brave children watching.
There was dancing, singing, arrows flying, die rolling and many wonderful things!
The Autocrat: Master George of Berwick.
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Westermark Madness Photos:
More photos on the History of the Kingdom of the West Website.
The View:
Casino:
Fighting and Fighting Field:
Court:
Westermark Contest Winners:
Thug:
Shepherd:
Numenorian Brick Toss and Pie the Baron!
Video's and Event Copy Courtesy of the College of St. Katherine. A humorous review of Madness with photos, Corwyn's Numenorian Brick Toss movie, and the infamous Pie-the-Baron movie!
Here's another video of Corwyn's Brick Toss by Acelin!Numenorian Brick Toss Video -- Baron Corwyn
The Target: 
Set Up/Take Down:
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Westermark's "Tiki Taxes" -- October Crown, October 1, 2005
Text Coming Soon!
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Tiki Taxes Photos:
A photo from the History of the Kingdom of the West Website.
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Westermark - Darkwood Late Season War in Half Moon Bay:
The "Butt Wars"!, October 29, 2005
On an amazingly beautiful Saturday in Half Moon Bay, Westermark and Darkwood met on the field for "A Late Season War,"
to settle a dispute about which Barony has the best tushies! The event was also graced by Their Highnesses Prince Dmitriy and
Princess Hannah! Many war scenarios were held, a tournament, arts competitions, and archery!
Darkwood and Westermark fielded equal forces and took a war point each and a free company of mercenaries which included
Duke Thorfinn and Prince Dimitri took a war point as well! All had great fun over field and bale, including one combat archer
(huzzah!)! The war chest was gleefully shared by all! Baron Eric awarded special gauntlets for two individuals who displayed
the most enthusiasm on the field. Westermark's Muireen was awarded a set and Darkwood's Daniel, of the amazing blue eyes
(it was his first war)!
Arts scenarios included:
Best Tight Pants: Male: Baron Eric, Baron Martin, and Vincent. Female: Iduna and Muireen. Child: Aidan.
Judging was most difficult! It was agreed that selecting was far too difficult and simply enjoyed the view!
Best Excuse: (but, I caaaan't... ) Went to Baroness Chiara with "but I caaaan't fight, my armor doesn't fit!"
Archery: The Butt archery was a novelty shoot - non IKAC. Archers shot at wreaths, a wand and a most amazing novelty target
(hopefully pictures will be submitted as description would not do it justice!). Results pending.
The Auction included the items pictured below, Angino's hand-made pens, and a lantern pole.
Autocrats:Aelf of Kings Crossing (Westermark) and Na'arah bat Avraham (Darkwood).
Butt Wars Photos:
If you'd like to submit photos of this event, please contact the Webminister.
The Butts!
The War!
The Fun!
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March Crown, March 24-26, 2006
Marsh Drown Curse Returns!
'way up in Cynagua they held Crown,
Intrepid Westermarkers did come to ground.
Amazing space, near the Eric, no less!
So Westermark setup to camp and find their rest.
Alas in the night the weather unloaded, and
in early morn, Westermark flooded!
Poor Westermark,
Oh Westermark
No Forests... ah, no forests!
Ohhhh Westermarrrrkkk, Your Marshessssss!
A Westermarker's Report of the Event -- Muirenn
"It was pretty special. It's raining a bit, it's dark, getting a bit chilly, so time for bed, right? There are a few
shallow puddles here and there and it's a bit muddy, but the inside of my pavillion is dry. I crawl in for the
night but can't sleep (I hate the sound of rain) but I try anyway. A few hours later, here comes Angino very
apologetically waking Morgan and I and saying something about the camp being under water. I reach my
hand over the edge of the air mattress and sink my fingers several inches into very cold water. Not the nicest
wake-up call I have ever had. ... The big problem was the logistics of trying to rescue everything from the
swamp that had sprung up around us over the night. Hey, at least we had the distinction of being the only
barony with a moat!"
To The Tune of Edmond Fitzgerald
by Countess Linda
The legend lives on from the Westermark down
Of the event they call March Crown Tourney
And the mud, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of March Crown turn gloomy.
The pavilion was the pride, and was set up aside
of the Royal pavilion and household,
As baronies go it was older then most
But it kept out the rain and the March cold
Now the fire had burned and the tent stakes held firm
And they all crawled to bed for the nighttime
Then later that night when the canvas held tight
And the sound of the rain began falling
The wind in the ropes made a tattletale sound
And the rain began falling in buckets
And every man knew, as the Baron did, too
That the soaked ground would soon become mucky
When midnight it came, brave Angino stood up
And his feet sank into the water
And his thoughts and his fears he let nobody hear
For he had to save both wife and daughters
Then Angino shouted out he had water coming in
And the tents all around them were fillin’
And later that night as the water gained height
Came the wreck of the Westermark pavilion
And Morgan and Muirenn were awakened by that
And they saw all their things water logged
They leaped out of bed with one thought in their heads
We must save the armor and dogs
On the musty wet carpet they saved from the pond
that had formed where the camp stood that evening
they counted the dead and determined that the red
of the carpet was running and bleeding
Does anyone know where the love of God goes
When the cold turns the minutes to hours
The searchers all say they'd have made break of day
If they'd made a small ark from the firewood
The legend lives on from the Westermark on down
Of the event they call Marsh Crown tourney
The wet walls the say
Will be dry someday
When the skies of April turn sunny
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Westermarsh Photos:
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Maker's Faire, San Mateo County Fair Grounds, April 22-23, 2006
Not an SCA event, the Maker's Faire was the first faire specifically geared for "makers". Perfect for the SCA! This faire gives "Makers" a chance to show and demonstrate their work!
Perfect for artisans in the SCA! Ida did the research and contacted the Faire staff and got us demonstration space in one of the many convention rooms. We setup two 10x10 pop-ups with a period pavillion drapped over the top, with the Banner
of the Barony of the Westermark proudly displayed! We had two tables to showcase various items including a TV showing the video "The Dream" running continuously. Various members of the barony (and not) came by to demo their work!
Here were some of the arts and sciences we presented:
Spinning: demonstrated by Lady Cordelia Tosere from the Shire of Crosston who showed up Saturday to set up her wheel and spin. The kids loved it! And Baroness Chiara brought out her drop spindle and did amazing demonstrations of the "drop" part of drop-spinning!
Heraldry/Caligraphy: Westermark's Herald, Acelin Alsop.
Chain Mail: Angino.
Waxed leather armor/plate gauntlets: Muirenn
Period Hats: Aurelia
Fight Demo: Angino, Muirenn, and Sir John Theophilus, marshalled by Baron Martin
Finger Weaving: Elizabeth Fairweather
Baron Martin and Sir John were interviewed by the Tonight Show -- although we're not sure if it actually aired.
It was quite fun for those participating! We met folks who used to play in the SCA and were excited to see us. We met folks of similar interest, spinners from another group visited with our spinners. We added a few new members to the Barony by attending this faire!
If you have interesting tidbits or photos to add, please contact the Webminister!
Maker's Faire Photos:
Our Booth:
Faire Folks Interview and Q&A:
Armor and Armored Fighting:
Visitors at our Booth and Us at Others:
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Click Here: Westermark Previous Events and Photos to go back!
Do you have event information or photos for this year that you would like to contribute?
If you do, please contact the Webminister!
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