UNTO THE CORONET OF OERTHA, THE SENESCHAL FOR THE WEST KINGDOM, THE LANDED BARONS AND BARONESSES OF OERTHA, AND THE OFFICERS FOR THE PRINCIPALITY OF OERTHA:

Greetings from the Seneschal for Oertha, Hersker Breock of Whitby

Here follows the report for the year AS 36 – 37, being 2002 C.E. The last year started with Lady Elspeth Bouchannane holding this office. She found it necessary to step down in May due to health concerns. I assumed the office at May Revel held in the Barony of Eskalya on the 11th of May as the interim seneschal. I was warranted for a two-year term at Oertha’s Summer Coronet and Investiture held in the Shire of Selveirgard on the 20th of July. Due to a difference of opinion between myself and Fergus and Margarita, Prince and Princess at the time, Sir Richenza von Schlagen held the office as interim seneschal from October until Oertha’s Winter Coronet, the 18th of January, A.S. 37. I am grateful for the service she provided to the Principality.

Law Change. Fergus and Margarita proclaimed a change to Principality Law changing the wording contained in Article III, Section 10, 11, 12. In short, this law created a new lesser officer, The Clerk of Regalia, formally a deputy of the seneschal’s office. This law was publicly proclaimed at Viking Games held in the Barony of Esaklya on the 10th of August. The law was signed by the Coronet (Fergus and Margarita) and Myself as the Seneschal and was forwarded to the Kingdom Seneschal. Due to an administrative oversight, it was not published in The Page. As such according to Article 1, section 4 it would seem that this proclamation has lapsed and will have to be reaffirmed and published in The Page. The current Cornets, Magnus and Esperanza, have indicated to me privately that they intend to reaffirm this law, but have not done so publicly at this time.

Principality Events

Winter Coronet and Investiture A.S. 36 was held 18th – 20th of January at Meier Lake Conference Center in Selverirgard. This site has been used once before for a Winter Coronet. The event was autocrated by Lord William Kearney and Lady Ruth of Birkenfeld. Mistress Anne of Bradford was feast-o-crat. Sir Patrick Logan fighting for Lady Katla of Bergen won the Coronet Tourney. I do not have exact attendance numbers but it was at least 110. The site for this event has a change of management between the signing of the original contract by Mistress Annora de Montfort of Sprucewood, seneschal at the time, and the event. This lead to some disagreements as to what the Principality owed to Meier Lake as site rental. This was satisfactorily resolved.

Summer Coronet and Investititure A.S. 37 was held on the 20th and 21st of July in the incipient Barony of Selverigard at the Houston Campground. This site has been the home to many Summer Coronet Tourneys. The event was autocrated by Mistress Alicianne of Sprucewood. The budget for the event was as follows: $300 for the site, $200 for extra privies and miscellaneous supplies, and $800 for food ($1500 total). I do not have at hand the gate receipts for this event. Lord Fergus McThomas fighting for Viscountess Margarita de la Calvi won the Coronet Tourney. The event enjoyed unprecedented attendance with 180 signed in at the gate. A very large event by Oerthan standards. The Crowns of both the West and the Outlands were in attendance along with many visitors from at least 2 other Kingdoms.

Winter Coronet and Investiture A.S. 37 was held the 17th of 19th of January at the Eagle River Lions Club in the Canton of Inbhir na Da Abhann, soon to join with Selviergard the form a new 3rd Barony. The event was auto crated by Sir Richenza. As there were no bids for this event at Summer Coronet it became the responsibility of the seneschal and other officers of Oertha. When I had to step aside, Sir Richenza took this responsibility upon herself and did an admirable job. This was a new site to the SCA in Oertha. Viscount Magnus Sigmarsson fighting for Viscountess Esperanza Maria Diago won the Coronet tourney. The event at an estimated attendance of 140 (the waivers and sign in sheets were given to Duchess Megan and the Constable notes were misplaced). The site was budgeted at $1000 (plus $400 refundable deposit) and $1200 for food and supplies. The Gate receipts totaled $2500.

Summer Coronet and Investiture A.S. 38 to be held the 18th to the 20th of July. One bid has been received from a team from the Barony of Winter’s Gate.

Principality Officers

Arts and Sciences: Lady Gwyenth Rhiannon of the Sea served until Winter Coronet A.S. 37. The last report I have from her was dated 17th July as 37. In it she noted that the Baronies of Eskalya and Winter’s Gate and the Canton of St. Boniface, all had active A&S ministers and had received reports from them. Sir Richenza volunteered to take this office at Winter Coronet. From personal observation I do know that Eskalya has had an ongoing A&S heptathlon. Also, Selviergard and Winter’s Gate both seen to hold a monthly A&S class.

Chatelaine: Lady Teresa Roisin held this office until last Summer Coronet. Mistress Flanna Dunwalton stepped up at Summer Coronet. In her report she notes that all Baronial branches have hard-working Chatelaines and deputies. They all have been apparently successful given to number of new faces around the principality.

Chirurgeon: Lady Teresa Roisin held this office until last Summer Coronet. Baron Taran de Montfort took over in August. No reports at this time. I have not heard of any injuries of note at any events.

Constable: Lord Rutger Van Dieveren. He has reports no incidences occurred during the last 6 months. All local groups have constables.

Exchequer: Lady Guiliana Benedetto Falconieri warrant was set to expire at last Summer Coronet, but was extended to give the Principality more time to find a willing and capable replacement. One was found in Lord Zephaniah Ben Ezra in August. He is currently working on the Principality End of Year report due to the Kingdom Exchequer by the 28th of February. As of the 30th of January the Principality has $4,303.23. All local groups have warranted exchequers. The warrant for the Barony of Eskalya’s exchequer expires in April of 2003.
He has received a request to review the books for the Canton of Inbhir na Da Abhann. He is in the process of accomplishing this.

Stellanordica Herald: Lady Claire Elena of Strathclyde. Lengthy reports were received from her both at last Summer’s Coronet and this Winter’s Coronet. She has received reports from all branch heralds. She notes that Vesper has requested her to start an email list for communication amongst Oertha’s heralds. She plans to start on this project soon. She also notes she is seeking a deputy.

List: Lord Christopher the Cheesemaker took this office over from Lord Allen MacGregor at last Summer Coronet. I will get from him the number of entrants in last Summer and the just past Winter Coronets and amended this report at a later date.

Web-Minister: Master Khervon Oktavii Tikhikovich. He replaced Lord Allan McGregor at last Summer Coronet. Was the previous deputy, and was running the day-to-day functions, as well as the Oerthan Website prior to being officially named as the Principality Officer. He reports that the Principality site has been accessed over 1,500 during the last reign. Since 1997 the site has been accessed over 9,500 times. Master Khervon is researching a proposal by Lord Thorgrim Hauksson, web-minister for Selviergard that a single server host all the Oerthan Web-sites.

Knight Marshal: This is quite the tangles web, so please try to keep. Sir Patrick Logan at the start of the year held this office. When he won Coronet, Master Tancred de Fraser, who is also the Rapier Marshal, was asked to the interim Knight Marshal. At Summer Coronet, Sir Patrick took the office up again after he stepped down from the Oerthan Throne only to suffer from a massive case of burn out and drop out of sight. Taran de Montfort was in line to take over this office at the past Winter Coronet. Due to his mundane life he ask Sir Georg of Glaciers Edge for help. Sir Georg was acceptable to all involved and once again will hold this office. He notes that despite the lack of leadership from the Principality, that the local marshals have been doing a great job. There have been no reports of injuries or of safety issues. Master Tancred reports that the rapier activities in the Principality have not experienced any injuries or safety issues.

Regalia: Currently vacant ? The last coronet named Viscountess Esperanza after the previously mentioned law change. Lady Elspeth Bouchannane held this position previously as a deputy of the Seneschals office. The last inventory I have dates from February of last year and was conducted by Lady Elspeth (acting as Principality Seneschal) and the Coronet (Patrick and Katla). I had the impression from Margarita that she and Esperanza conducted one this past summer. I have had several request from members of the Principality voicing their concerns as to the state of the Regalia. I hope to have another inventory completed within the next month in accordance with Principality law.

Stellanordica Scribe: Lady Helena Ochastka replaced Mistress Anne of Bradford at Summer Coronet. Talented, turns out some beautiful work.

Chronicler: Lady Angustias McKeown took this office over at last Summer’s Coronet. Stepped down this past Winter. Previous Chronicler dismissed by Kingdom Chronicler. Last Guardian published Winter AS 36.

Local Groups

Barony of Eskalya: Seneschal: Lady Bainca Rose Byrnes, warrant expires in February of 2003. Lady Lurana has been given a three-month trail warrant. The Barony conducted polling for a new Baron and Baroness: three couples were interested in this office. Master Bjarni and Mistress Annora were chosen. End of Year report submitted to Kingdom on the 1st of January 2003.

Incipient Barony of Selviergard (comprised of the former Shire of Selviergard and the former Canton of Inbhir na Da Abhann): Has had 3 people in the office of seneschal. Fergus McThomas held this office until he won last Summer Coronet. Lord Zephaniah, the Seneschal for the Canton, became acting seneschal to be replaced by Mistress Alicianne last fall. I have only a report for December and July of last year. I do not know if an End of Year report was sent to the Kingdom Seneschal, I have not received one. Mistress Alicianne notes in the December report that they are working on the paperwork needed for the BOD meeting to gain full Baronial recognition. Also that the account from both the Canton and the Shire have been combined into one account. Polling was conducted this past summer, with Viscount Fergus and Viscountess Margarita chosen to be the 1st Baron and Baroness of Selviergard. The two groups formed a Curia Council to guide the formation of the new barony.

Barony of Winter’s Gate: Seneschal: Lady Magdalena Ochastka. Warrant extended for 1 more year. Two separate polls for new Baronial leadership were conducted, with Mistress Morgana and Master Khevron chosen. End of Year report submitted to Kingdom on 1 January 2003.

College of St. Boniface: Seneschal Aislinn de Juatt, replaced Lady Emelisse de Loupey. Reports to Winter’s Gate.

Canton of Ynys Taltraeth: Seneschal: Master Khevron Oktavli Tikhikovich Vorotnikov. Warrant expires in January of 2004. Last report December of 2002. I have not received an End of Year report. I do not know if one was received by Kingdom. Probable the most isolated SCA branch in the Know World (defiantly the only one North of the Artic Circle). Alive due to Master Khevron’s tireless efforts.

Interested area of Ravens keep / Ravensfjord (once know as Grey Cliffs): A group of half a dozen people, very motivated to form an official SCA branch. Sir Richenza serves as the official liaison between them and the Kingdom Seneschal. Their events will alternate being sponsored by the Principality and the Barony of Eskalya.

As I noted in the Purgatorio report, Oertha’s various groups suffer from an overdose of sibling rivalry. With the potential for factional politics and idle gossip, this does not help, but there is hope. With the influx of new people and the potential formation of new groups, I am hopeful that Oertha as a whole will be energized.

Yours in service to the Kingdom of the West, The Principality of Oertha and the Society at large,
Breock of Whitby, OP

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