The White Rose  Dec. 2000

   Let it be known that upon the weekend of November 11th and 12th, the Crown War was waged in the Kingdom of York. HRM Sir Raffe Cunningham and HRM Dame Brejenne Cunningham have decided to step down from the throne. The only ones to step up to the challenges of the monarchy were Sir Elric Meladius and Baroness Squire Skye O'Malley Meladius.

   So since it was to be a friendly war, a "scenario" was set up. There was civil unrest in the kingdom and four generals came forward to the fight for the throne. One, of course, was HRM Raffe, with Sir Hawthorne de Talley Rand Perigard as his general, protecting his crown. Both Sir Elric and Sir Gavin McAllister wished to united the kingdom. The last general was Sir Alaric Thorne who was unhappy with the speed of his rise in the kingdom.

   On Saturday the Archery tournament was held, as usual, behind the homestead of Sir Nikademis Fiend. The weather was warm but breezy and we had to fight for seating with the ants of the realm. Sir Wright Brentwood brought out an addition to the kingdom, a glorious watch tower which was admired by all, especially the younger members of our populace.

   Only three general arrived for archery, so combatants were divided into three teams, by choosing colored stones. Let it be known that Sir Elric's troop was known as the women's team by some odd twist of fate. The other armies belonged to HRM Sir Raffe and, in Sir Gavon.

   The battle was broken into two parts - shooting from the tower and shooting the apple off of Sir William "The Gumby" Tell. Competition was close, but was won by the last arrow shot by Sire Killian Oaksblood was he managed to nick the apple and won the battle for Sir Gavon.

   Sir Wright was not as fortunate in his own pursuits. After being slaughtered by Page Illara Lylwelyn the month before, he had a score to settle with her on the archery field. But alas, Page Illara could not be beaten. In fact, she received the highest score for the day, receiving nine points overall and managed spear the apple completely through the center. Huzzah Page Illara!! And there's always next month, Sir Wright. A regular list was run upon this day and it was won by Sir Elric.

   Proceeding the event, some of our members move on to Dryher Park to camp out for the night before the monthly event the next day. Without revealing any of the sordid details of these wild and crazy people, let it be known that a good time was had by all and it is encouraged that more members camp out at future events.

   The next morning, while sore heads were nursed, the populace arrived for the day. Unfortunately, HRM Raffe was not feeling well enough to attend the war, (not related to the events of the night before). He was sorely missed by everyone.

   HRM Dame Brejenne called the populace to attention for opening court. Sir Wright announced that he was forming a new house and Sir Alaric announced there would be a new barony. They would be formally introduced to the populace at a later date. Sir Alaric also announced that he had enough points for knighthood.

   Lastly he spoke upon the Faire in Ft. Meyers which is to be held January 6th and 7th. It is extremely important to know that 40 bodies are needed for our appearance at this Faire. The payments we shall receive from this will fill the coffers considerably. Camping will be allowed off site and hotels will also be chosen. The period of the Faire will be 1066 and our own Sir Alaric will play William "The Conqueror". Other roles may be filled by any who are interested.

   It was announced that a Collegium will be held during lunch break at the December event on "Period Time Keeping." All who wish to attend can meet in the pavilion.

   Birthdays were announce! Best Wishes to our November babies! On a sad note Zabrina DeVine told the populace that a member of our realm, Gygantus, was in the hospital after a setback from recovery from back surgery. Our thoughts and best wishes went out to him.

   Finally opening court was closed. And war commenced. Armies were chosen in a similar fashion as the day before.

   The first battle was the Field, fought with steel. Kreig Zepherlyst was the Champion winning the point for Sir Alaric. The second steel event was Crossroads which was won by the same champion and general. Sir Elric was announce Champion of Steel, capturing a point for himself. Then we moved to Ren and to the Greek bridge, in which Squire Robin secured a point for Sir Gavin. A three men Hill was the second Ren scenario in which yet again Kreig won a point for Sir Alaric. The Champion of Ren was Sir Alaric. Finally we moved to Shinai. Sir Alaric snagged both the Impress and the 2-tier Greek Bridge. In the final Field battle in shinai, Sir Hawthrone managed win with a great strategy of double cross.

   Afterwards, a regular list was run. The winners were: Ren: Sire Romulus Lox, J. Ren: Kerian Gordon, Shinai: Finnian McLeod, and Steel: Sir Elric.

   Before closing court Kreig was knight by soon to be HRM Sir Elric Meladius and was bestowed upon him the symbols that are appropriate to that of a knight of this realm. Sir Elric announce that he was no long a Corsair, but was joining The Mercs. A Gauntlet was run against Sir Elric and let it be known that the sparks were literally flying one this one. It was agreed upon that he was worthy of the title of Merc.

   In closing court, it was announce the war point in Arts & Sciences was a tie between Nest Lylwelyn, who won a tourney win and Masterwork for a child tunic; and Etaine Lylwelyn with a tourney win and a Masterwork for a cloak. So let it be known that the friendly crown war was won by Alaric. Huzzah! We were reminded that starting next month we would be following the guidelines of the new combat manual.

   The long day drew to a close and as we set our sights on the travel home, we looked forward to the Coronation and feast for HRM Sir Elric Meladius and HRM Squire Skye O'Malley Meladius that would occur at the next event.

   Chronicler"s note: To prepare us for the upcoming Faire in Ft. Meyers, here is a little background of the storyline we will be following.

   The date 1066 sticks in many-a-mind from far off school days. But what actually happened that fateful year? What occurred was that England took its first steps into the Middle Ages by being conquered by William "The Conqueror", the Duke of Normandy.

   The event to ignited this was the death of EnglandÍs current monarch, King Edward "The Confessor". Edward passed away on January 5, after suffering many months with what was then called a malady of the brain, now it would be considered a series of cerebral hemorrhages.

   Since Edward had no children and there were no close relatives, the council of royal advisors, the Witan, unanimously selected Harold Godwinson. Harold was Edward's brother-in-law, Edward had married Harold's sister Edith, and the son of Earl Godwin, the man whom perhaps controlled Edward and through him, the country itself.

   After Harold was crowned, two challengers surfaced ready to fight for the throne. One was, of course, William. The other was Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway. Hardrada entered the race by default. Harold's brother Tostig went to the King of Norway looking for assistance to claim the crown for himself, and instead it was turned around so that Tostig would help Hardrada claim it for Norway.

   It is interesting to note that that in the middle of April a "long-tail star" appeared in the sky. It is now known to have been Haley's Comet making its 76-year cycle. But during 1066 it was read as a sign of impending warning of doom for Harold.

   That omen came true. Hardrada's forces struck first, arriving in the north and making its way towards the city of York, defeating the English troops and taking the city. After hearing of this, Harold quickly sent reinforcements and surprised Hardrada's men on September 25th, two days before William's army set from the shores of Normandy. The fierce battle occurred at Stamford Bridge. In hand to hand combat both the King of Norway and Tostig were killed and devastated, the Vikings fled back home.

   On September 27, William "The Conqueror" arrived on the shores of Peversey. Originally known as William "The Bastard", he was born in 1027 as the illegitimate son of the Duke of Normandy and the daughter of a tanner of the town of Falaise. After his father death, William received the title of Duke of Normandy at the age of seven. William justified his claim to England through bloodlines and insisted that Edward, through Harold himself, anointed William as the successor to the throne.

   Upon reaching English soil, William marched his army towards Hastings. The route was long and the four villages in their paths felt the brute force of the Normans. They arrived in Hastings at the turn of the month. Messages were exchanged between Harold and William by monks. When Harold hear WilliamÍs reply, he announced "We march to battle."

   The Battle at Hastings occurred on October 14. Without playing out the scene of the battle, the English held firm against the Normans for most of the day but eventually their line gave way and the battle was lost to William. King Harold lost his life in that battle, first being shot in the eye with and arrow and finally brutally hacked down by William and his closest men themselves.

   William I, was crowned on Christmas Day of that year and died in 1087. He left behind many things from his reign, including his "Laws" and the Doomsday Book.

   Here is set down what William, as king of England, established in consultation with his magnates after the conquest of England:

   1. First that above all things he wishes one God to be revered throughout his whole realm, one faith in Christ to be kept ever inviolate, and peace and security to be preserved between English and Normans.

   2. We decree also that every freeman shall affirm by oath and compact that he will be loyal to king William both within and without England, that he will preserve with him his lands and honor with all fidelity and defend him against his enemies.

   3. I will, moreover, that all the men I have brought with me, or who have come after me, shall be protected by my peace and shall dwell in quiet. And if any one of them shall be slain, let the lord of his murderer seize him within five days, if he can; but if he cannot, let him pay me 46 marks of silver so long as his substance avails. And when his substance is exhausted, let the whole hundred in which the murder took place pay what remains in common.

   4. And let every Frenchman who, in the time of king Edward, my kinsman, was a sharer in the customs of the English, pay what they call "scot and lot", according to the laws of the English. This decree was ordained in the city of Gloucester.

5. We forbid also that any live cattle shall be brought or sold for money except within cities, and this shall be done before three faithful witnesses; nor even anything old without surety and warrant. But if anyone shall do otherwise, let him pay once, and afterwards a second time for a fine.

   6. It was decreed there that if a Frenchman shall charge an Englishman with perjury or murder or theft of homicide or "ran", as the English call open rapine which cannot be denied, the Englishman may defend himself, as he shall prefer, either by the ordeal of hot iron or by wager of battle. But if the Englishman be infirm, let him find another who will take his place. If one of them shall be vanquished, he shall pay a fine of 40 shillings to the king. If an Englishman shall charge a Frenchman and be unwilling to prove his accusation wither by ordeal or by wager of battle, I will, nevertheless, that the Frenchman shall acquit himself by a valid oath.

   7. This I also command and will, that all shall have and hold the law of the king Edward in respect of their lands and all their possessions, with the addition of those decrees I have ordained for the welfare of the English people.

   8. Every man who wishes to be considered a freeman shall be in pledge so that his surety shall hold him and hand him over to justice if he shall offend in any way. And if any such shall escape, let his sureties see to it that they pay forthwith what is charge against him, and let them clear themselves of any complicity in his escape. Let recourse be had to the hundred and shire courts as our predecessors decreed. And those who ought of right to come and are unwilling to appear, shall be summoned once; and if for the second time they refuse to come, one ox shall be taken from them, and they shall be summoned a third time. And if they do not come the third time, a second ox shall be taken from them. But if they not come the fourth summons, the man who is unwilling to come shall forfeit from his goods the amount of the charge against him-- "ceapgeld" as it is called -- and in addition to this a fine to the king.

   9. I prohibit the sale of any man by another outside the country on pain of a fine to be paid in full to me.

   10. I also forbid that anyone shall be slain or hanged for any fault, but let his eyes by put out and let him be castrated. And this command shall not be violated under pain of a fine in full to me.   

(From the Internet Medieval Source Book.)

   As your humble new Chronicler, Bridgett O'Flaherty, I present to you the White Rose as I envision it. It will be a platform in which we, the populace of York, can inform, educate and entertain each other. While the White Rose will continue to be an important medium in which to communicate important and timely information, I hope also to bring to the newsletter a touch of humor and fun in the spirit of "the Game."

   Informing the public will always be an important goal of the White Rose. Inside its pages, you will find, as always, current announcements, minutes from estate meetings and general going onÍs within York and the Empire in general.

   Since we are an educational group, I believe teaching each other what we have learned in our travels should be a be a major issue and will be prominent throughout the issues. For example, in this issue I have include articles that relate to two major events happening, the Coronation and the Renaissance Festival in Ft. Meyers. In future issue I hope to include articles written by members and a Frequently Asked Questions column.

   Along these lines, the White Rose can be used to explain how we feel about things as well as how we do things. I extend an open invitation to anyone who feels the needs to write an editorial or letter to express their feelings. I hope this will not become a rant and rave soapbox but rather an open forum for expressing our beliefs and views.

   Last but certainly not least, I want the White Rose to be fun! In the spirit of the Game I encourage everyone submit not only mundane issues but also in character. I would love to publish Persona announcements, stories of your recent plunderings in distant lands, and Persona society gossip. (I must note here that all stories will be subject to approval in order not to hurt any mundane feelings.) I even plan to include advertisements, both mundane and game, whether they be help wanted, classified, for sale, guild or establishments ads (maybe the Lamb might offer specials, just a suggestion), or the offering of services.

   I would like to apologize in advance for any errors, misspellings (especially of names), or omissions that might occur. I would like to encourage everyone to register their Game name with the Steward for a plan to get a list of everyone's names and titles so that I won't have to chasing around after you at events in order to get your correct name.

   None of this is possible without the support and SUBMISSIONS from you. The newsletter will only be as good as the input it gets. I welcome suggestions and criticism. The White Rose is not the effort or opinions of one person but a compilation of the whole kingdom.