THE UMBRIAN MUG - February 1998

This is the inaugural edition of the reborn Umbrian Mug, your source of information for the Duchy of Umbria. This free newsletter is the OFFICIAL newsletter of the Duchy, and is approved and supported by the Duke, Sir Iain Duncan Mackintosh.

I am your humble editor, Sire Squire James the Red, and I do hope that you enjoy this newsletter, and gain much useful knowledge from it. If at anytime you have suggestions for improvement or would like other topics to be covered, please let me know at once! I can be reached via regular mail, E-mail, or just come up to me at any fighter practice or tourney. My contact information is at the end of the newsletter, along with all other Duchy contacts. I am, and will always be, receptive to constructive criticism; on the other hand, DESTRUCTIVE criticism will be met with my blade! Be forewarned!

This newsletter will highlight positive information concerning Ducal events and matters, such as "Tourney Reports," and the "Three Huzzahs To..." section.

Any submissions of information for inclusion into the Umbrian Mug must be submitted prior to the last weekend of the month. It is my intention to publish this newsletter in two phases: first, handouts will be available at the first fighter practice of the month; and second, mailings to those members of the Duchy who haven't picked-up a copy will be sent. The mailings will be kept to a minimum, to conserve Duchy funds for other matters. If you know of a Duchy member who isn't getting the Umbrian Mug via mail or by picking up a copy personally at Fighter Practice, please let me know so that I can rectify that situation.

And without further ado, behold, I present to you for your enjoyment the January 1998 edition of the Umbrian Mug!

Tourney Report!

Originally scheduled for the 10th, the Ducal Tourney was delayed to the 24th due to Mother Nature's intervention. But on the 24th, Mother Nature blessed us with a fine, warm day, and what a Tourney we had!

Approximately 35 members of the Duchy and many onlookers were witness to a fine Tourney, presided over by His Grace, the Duke Sir Iain Duncan Mackintosh. Sir Fredrick von Burg was the Crown Marshall, and ran 3 fine Combat Lists: Sergeant's Shinai, Knight's Renn, and Knight's Steel. These Lists were run using Round Robin Scoring.

The Sergeant's List was made up of 4 fine participants. All four of these participants, Michael Sinestro, Waylan of Winchester, MacGregor, and Kurt, all participated in their first Ducal Tourney. After many arduous battles, MacGregor took his first Tourney Win, defeating Michael Sinestro in the final round.

The Knights Renn List was held with 7 combatants, ranging in experience from new joins to Second-Level Knights. The List was long, and many battles were fought with a wide array of armament: rapiers, main gauche, a saber (nicely curved!), and a buckler. One interesting note: as combat was progressing, several of the combatants were able to participate in the arts, both with entries and judging. This did cause some minor delays, but all in all, things went smoothly.

Smoothly for most that is. Just ask Sir Tremain, the Second-Level Knight, who found himself in an uncomfortable spot: fighting the final match against Sire Squire James the Red. This match was special, because if Sir Tremain won, he was clearly the victor; but if he lost, he had to fight James the Red AGAIN in a Sudden Death match.

The Gods and Goddesses of Adria smiled upon James the Red, who promptly trounced Sir Tremain, forcing the sudden death match, which was won with much flair and style by James! The win was James' first against a Second-Level Knight. (Editor's note: I look forward to more matches like this in the near future!) In Knight's Steel, Duke Sir Iain Duncan Mackintosh, Squire William Lunari Le Yu, Lord Sir Cedrik, and Sir Duriel Caliban von Hansard fought long battles in full armor. Sir Caliban ultimately won, going undefeated against all 3 of his opponents.

I am happy to report that there was no weapon or armor breakage.

Of course, while all this combat was taking place, the Artisans of the Duchy were participating in the Arts Tourney. There were 7 fine entries, ranging from baked bread, to crafted clothing, and even a bardic. The Arts Tourney was run by Countess Dame Delia, who also won with her fine entry of homemade bread.

{Editor's note: Anytime Dame Delia offers this bread, I wholeheartedly recommend you partake immediately!} Again, I must point out that 2 of the 7 Arts entries were submitted by combatants. (Squire William Lunari Le Yu, and Sir Duriel Caliban von Hansard) We rejoice that so many are participating, in both Combat and the Arts.

Opening and Closing court brought much information concerning upcoming events, and saw new members added to several households, as well as the formation of House Duir.

Sire Squire Squire Roawyn O'Riley swore into her house Waylan of Winchester, her brother Collen O'Riley, and Rog'nar Holless. Two other members of the house, Odek Bladestrong and Kailyn Maccabe, were unable to attend the Tourney and ceremony. Roawyn read her finely crafted oath, which made many references to the great oak tree, which is called "Duir" in Gaelic. Lady Francesca (one of Roawyn's 2 Knights) held the Sword as Roawyn administered her oath. We welcome this fine house into the Duchy.

Next, Sire Squire James the Red swore MacGregor into the House of the Emerald Shield. The Bishop of Rome/Ducal Chancellor Sir Fredrick read the oath, as Sire Squire James's Knight, Lady Francesca held the Sword.

Sire Hanzel von Brandenburg then swore 2 new members into his house, the House of the Silver Blade. Scott and E.J. Merrow (Personas TBA later), joined Sire Hanzel's house by swearing the oath which was administered by Sir Fredrick. We welcome all of our new members, and the new House. Huzzah!

And speaking of Huzzahs....

.....MacGregor, for winning the Sergeant's Shinai List, on his first Tourney participation; and for joining the House of the Emerald Shield.

.....Sire Squire James the Red, for winning the Knight's Renn List.

.....Sir Duriel Caliban von Hansard, for winning the Knight's Steel List.

.....Countess Dame Delia, for winning the Arts Tourney, with her fine bread.

.....Sire Squire Squire Roawyn O'Riley, for the formation of House Duir.

.....Scott and E.J. Merrow, for joining the House of the Silver Blade.

.....All of the participants of the Tourney!

Medieval Menagerie, which is run by the Lady Baroness Diana MacDonald Kilshannig Lockerby O.H., and Waldham von Torsvon, is a fine place to purchase almost anything you need for your Medieval- Renaissance experience.

Alpha Far West Bookstore, which is run by Lord Count Roland of the Icelands, is a fine place to purchase incense, Tarot cards, books, and other Medieval and New Age items.

WAR! (Even though not our own!) The Estrella War, which is an SCA event, will be held from the 12th through the 16th of February. There will be members of the Duchy present, with their own encampment. Come out and join us for great times and fighting. Also at Estrella, Medieval Menagerie and Alpha Far West Bookstore will be selling their wares in the Merchants Area. Look for the large green- & white-striped pavilion. Come by, peruse the goodies, and spend some coin! Bottled water will be sold at this booth, at a cost of only $1.25 for a whole liter! (A Great Bargain!)

BISHOP'S WAR! (Our own!) Saturday, the 21st of February, there will be a Bishop's War to determine our second Bishop. Both Baron Sir Angus McAllistar and Sir Duriel Caliban von Hansard have made clear their intentions of holding this office. Participants are invited out to support their choice of Bishop in the war, using their combat and art skills. Scenarios for this war will be revealed on the day of the war.

DUCAL TOURNEY! The February Ducal Tourney will be held on the day after the Bishop's War, Sunday, the 22nd of February. We anticipate a fine showing of combat and arts entries. Come on out, and support the Duchy, the Combatants, and our Artisans.

Clan Gathering will soon be upon us. It is scheduled for the 25th and 26th of April. Camp Verde will be the site for this event, which focuses on Celtic traditions. This event is open to all, with much entertainment and fun for all. There will be a Mundane camping area apart from period encampments, and there will be a prize for the best period encampment!

Tickets for a large 15' round pavilion are on sale now. This is a raffle, with the proceeds going back into the Duchy coffers, to help pay for more large-scale events. There are only 150 tickets in all, and these are only $10.00 each. Tickets will be sold until all tickets are gone, or the time of the drawing, which is at the end of the Clan Gathering event. See Lady Francesca for further information and tickets.

Skye O'Malley, the Ducal Steward, would like the issue of the Site Fee, which was instituted to help raise funds for "Prezzies" for our Tourney winners, to be explained. The Site Fee should be paid by participants of the Tourney who wish to garner Tourney Points. This means all Combatants and Artisans, as well as the Arts Judges and the Combat Marshalls. This fee will be refunded if anyone pays it and does not participate for actual Tourney Points. This fee will be paid to the Ducal Steward after Opening Court; however, in the event of her absence, Sire Squire James the Red will be available to collect the fee.

For March's Mug, click here.

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