Aet Bannung: Eostere 2003

Again we find ourselves in Niagara; the Eostere Fires burn brightly to whisk away the cold of winter and Sunna waxes even in her stead. The Normannii tribe gathered again and the folk were met in maethel and moot. The folk started arriving at the Owens home in Niagara Falls, NY on Thursday. With an expedition to a local tavern, merriment was had by all.

Frigga’s Day came, and we had many discussions on several heathen topics. The Vanic arm of the Halijathane Guild held a moonlight faining in private at the eve-tide, to prepare for the day rite.

Together, Dan Lord, Micha Karlen, Kas Kottaren and Amanda Skalk performed the wefod-work and lead our tribe in an Eostere faining on Saturday morning. The traditional offerings of mead and eggs were made, and we honored our Gods and the wights of the land. After the rite was concluded, we returned to the hall for breakfast, followed by a blacksmithing workshop lead by Kevin Sergens, where all involved took turns at the forge, testing and improving their craftsmanship.

Evening came, and a great feast was presented. The folk pulled together and after the feast we convened to handle some business; finding lords for lordless wretches. Recently the Witas Gedryth approved the petitions of four goodfolk to enter the Thiud, and so they were put on the block and sold into skalkdom. The bidding was entertaining and at times, even a bit competitive: Blake Skalk was sold to Micha Karlen for 3 lucky pennies; Amanda Skalk was sold to Lou Thane, also for 3 pennies, Conn Skalk was sold to Kas Kottaren for 5 pennies. Finally, Dave Skalk was sold for 3 Lucky pennies, by private sale granted as a boon to William Thane, by Lord Dan. In exchange for this boon, William Thane paid Dan Lord 5 lucky pennies, and the prize Lord Dan granted William at Yule 2002 for his victory in a Chess match between William and Bill Dreng; namely 3 Lucky pennies and an artifact of our ancestors.

Sumble was then held, and the hall was full. Beots, Gielps and Brags where spoken and we placed our deeds and words into the well. Inspiration was flowing through the hall, and many beots were spoken and sung alike, gifts where exchanged and the bonds of our tribe where strengthened for it. The call for Scot and Lot to fund a Norman Great Hall was also discussed. Lord Dan had previously promised an initiatory pledge of $1000, followed by the Owens’ donation of $400, Lou Thane and William Thane both offered $225 each, and Bill Dreng and Glenn Dreng gifted $100 and $50 respectively. Lord Dan then re-affirmed his offer of the final $500 to complete the $2500 needed to purchase the tent.

Alas, Sunday was here, and it was time for farewells. Thing was held and several pieces of business were discussed. Among them were:

• Treasure’s Report: $1564 in the Coffers, counting $630 for the Great Hall that has been collected.
• Web Site: Is now live, and the Webmaster will begin the Search engine submissions and advertisements, as well as develop a Chapman’s page and Who’s Who page.
• Skalk School: “Owners Guide” was presented to the Skalks and their owners by Lou Thane, William Thane are also working on the School Booklets.
• Shire Moots and Maethels: We need to continue to strengthen our bonds and gather as often as possible. Each Shire’s Sheriff shall work on getting their respective Shires together.
• Tribal Attendance at the East Coast Althing : First Weekend in September 2003.
• Gathering Scutage: When a Tribal gathering is held, scutage shall be collected and will have a base point of $15/person and $25/Rooftree. The tribal coffers will receive either $5 or 15%, whichever is greater of these gate fees.