Ermine Cross
E King County, WA
[Note: this event has already taken place]
From The Madrone Leaf, December 2011 (A.S. XLV) Issue
Ermine Cross Bardic April 28, A.S. 46 (2012), Canton of Porte de l’Eau
Anne Rose Smythe headed up an energetic bardic event with performances both fun and
intense, a delicious bake sale and wonderful Roman feast.
There were five competitors in a round robin tournament for the Ermine Cross Bardic Championship: HL Ismenia Wystan, Sir Heilyn de Highwater, HL Ruadhan O Fearain, Master Owen the Merry, and Lord Ranulf Mirthe. The competition ended in a tie between Owen and Fearain who then proceeded to a best of three final after a rest during which the esteemed judges each performed.
Every performance was engaging and entertaining; the level of competition was high. Owen won with a lively story about a boy and his horse and a knight. Please see the photo gallery later in this issue for pictures from the event.
Baron Cire and Baroness Elisabeth held court with HL Ismenia acting as herald. Newcomers to the Barony given tokens of welcome included Muirgean of the Highlands, Aoife, and Xavier the Sinister. Anne Rose Smythe, Event Steward, was given a token of appreciation for her work. Master Edward the Stuffy stood and gave a memorial speech regarding Master Donn an Bronach, who had recently passed away and was a founding member of the Barony of Madrone and the Culinary Guild (please see separate article below). The Culinary Guild presented a delicious feast of Roman food including fired dates, a harmless salad, gustum, salacaccabia, seasoned mushrooms, apricot minutial, squash Alexandrine, bread, marinated cucumbers, and must cakes.
Their Excellencies commended the outgoing Bardic Champion of Madrone, Lord Ranulf Mirthe, for his exemplary service during his tenure including organizing and providing live music at every event including providing bardic performance at other groups’ events. Ranulf returned the regalia and was given a token of appreciation and three cheers. Cire and Elisabeth then called on Sir Heilyn of Highwater to step forward and assume the office of Bardic Champion of Madrone and invested him with the regalia: badge of office, cloak and satchel. Heilyn’s pig story was cited as being especially influential in their decision.
Lady Ysolt Tayler of Windhill was invited into court to be recognized with a Sveti Madrone for her excellence in the culinary arts. Baroness Aleksandra Lavrovna received a token of appreciation by Baron Cire and Baroness Elisabeth for many reasons: hard work, attention to detail, and work with people. “Thank you for being Seneschal and, please, don’t stop! Thank you!”
After the event, Bergdis, Culinary Guild head, especially thanked the people who helped with dish-washing and packing at Ermine Cross: Rowenna, Landin, Nidda, Caius Foxcote, Ismenia, Karrel, and Xavier the Sinister.
Autocrat: Anne Rose Smythe
Let it be known that The Canton of Porte de L’Eau invites Bards and those who would witness feats of grand entertainment to attend the Ermine Cross Bardic tournament. Come those that will, to seek the mantle of victory and test your wits against the talented Bards that would join you in the tournament! Come those that will, and witness a Bardic tournament to be filled with joyful moments you won’t want to miss! View last year’s winning performance (Judeo-Spanish Hokie Pokie by Master Leith)
Activities
Ermine Cross Bardic Tournament (details below)
Barony of Madrone Bardic Championship (details below)
Sew What (bring a project to share/work on – throughout the Day)
Bake Sale (details below)
Evening Dinner (Reservations Required – details below)
Schedule
9:30 Gates open
10:30 Competitors Meeting
11:00 Tournament Begins
1:00 Lunch (Not served – please make plans)
2:00 Tournament Resumes
5:30 Court
6:00 Dinner
Site Fees
Adults $10
Youth (ages 5-16) $7
Children (4 and under) Free
Non-Member $5
Dinner $5
Make Checks payable to: – SCA Inc. – Canton of Porte de L’Eau
Tournament/Championship Format
The Ermine Cross tournament will be elimination style (double eliminations if we have 10 or less contestants). The Madrone Bardic Champion Competition will be conducted as part of the Ermine Cross Tournament with those who wish to be considered for the honor to serve as Champion announcing their intent before the competinion begins. For questions about tournament format please contact Julian Sinclair at jasongreco63@gmail.com
Pre-Register to compete in Ermine Cross ( e-mail) – Please include your SCA name and Mundane Name
Send a Leter of Intent for the Madrone Baronial Championship to their Excellencies, Cire and Elisabeth, Baron and Baroness of Madrone.
Dinner (Reservations Required)
A delectable Roman dinner from Apicius will be prepared by the Madrone Culinary Guild. Send dietary considerations or questions to HL Genevieve Marie Etiennette de Montagne (Kitchen Head)
Menu
Apricot Minutial (apricot pork)
Seasoned Mushrooms
A Harmless Salad
Squash Alexandrine
Focaccia
Fried Dates
To make reservations for dinner (deadline – April 22nd):
1. E-Mail the reservation name (SCA and Mundane) and number in your party to Erminecross@purpleandor.org
2. Make Checks payable to: – SCA Inc. – Canton of Porte de L’Eau ($5 per person)
3 Send checks by April 22nd to:
Rebecca Henry
PO Box 665
Duvall, WA 98019
Note: Reservations will not be considered confirmed until payment has been received. Contact Erminecross@purpleandor.org to confirm your reservation.
Bake Sale
(proceeds to benefit the Canton)
The Canton is hosting a bake sale with single serve sweet delights. To pledge donations to the sale please contact Anne Rose at annerosesmythe@gmail.com . An advance donation pledge is not required but appreciated. Baroness Bergdis Thorgrimsdotter also offers Heraldic single serve pies (pre-order prior to April 22nd vie e-mail)
Site Info:
Name: Lake Washington United Methodist Church
7525 132nd Ave NE
Kirkland, WA 98033
Directions to Site:
Take I-405 to Exit 18 in Kirkland (this is two exits north of SR-520).
Follow the ramp for SR-908 East toward Redmond.
After merging onto SR-908 (NE 85th St), go about 1 mile to the traffic light at 132nd Ave NE.
Turn right onto 132nd Ave NE, and go about 1/2 mile.
The site will be on your right − look for the little green ENTER signs.
The Canton will be hosting a Heraldry and Textile project night on August 22, 2017 at the Kingsgate Library (12315 NE 143rd Street, Kirkland WA 98034 ) from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. So, bring your project, your questions and your self and a friend too.
Eve-eve Holiday Social
Once, a long time ago, the 
a non-profit historical re-creation society with branches located in all regions of the United States and in many countries worldwide.
