Category: bardic

I’m sitting at my desk and looking at this silver armband that I get to keep for the next year, and there’s this little smile on my face. I’m having a really blessed month.

The Winter Nights bardic tournament is my favorite one-day event that I’ve experienced in the SCA. This was my fourth consecutive time attending. While I have incredible memories of my first time there, this year may have been my favorite–and that was true before I found out I was in a position to win the champion’s armband. I just love this event. It’s a competition, but it’s an incredibly friendly competition. The emphasis is on everyone being able to enjoy performing and seeing others’ performances. It’s a chance for the bards of the East Kingdom to get together and have some extended time to catch up with one another, because this is the one day that’s totally about our thing and nothing else. (The King’s and Queen’s Bardic Championship in the late winter is also focused on bardic, but that spotlight is shared with royalty and kingdom-level glory, and is ultimately about Their Majesties selecting someone to serve them. It’s also a wonderful event, but a very different thing.)

So today was East Kingdom coronation in our second home, Barony of Concordia of the Snows. Their much-loved Majesties Brennan and Caoilfhionn returned to the throne, and there was much rejoicing.

It was a beautiful day. My teacher, Mistress Zsof, had come out from the Midrealm to celebrate our coronation with us (or so I thought).  There was a delicious day board, and at their Majesties’ first court, I got to see my friend Magnus Hvalmagi receive a well-earned writ of elevation to the Order of the Laurel.