Winternights 2003 Aet Bannung

The cold November wind blew a biting chill across the land, while the meadhall tables were set. The phone rang and the calls came in, one by one their journeys began. From far and wide they came to the Shire of Niagara. Their Gods to fain this Holy Winternights tide, as they have before, the Normannii Folk assembled in this hall. From the Trækro Mark to the South and York Shire in the East, the Normans came to set their doom in the well. With Frigga’s Day upon us, we sat in maethel and strengthened the bonds between us. Sunna crossed the sky and was long out of sight and Mani rode high above, when we set ourselves to rest for the day that followed.

Morning came and the folk assembled: Lords, Ladies, Thanes and Churls; Warriors, Scops, Smiths and Halijathanes; Normans, Goodfolk and Dreng alike. Discussions of various topics and amusements were had by all. Until once again Sunna’s chariot was visible no more. The Hernboda called and the Halijafolk waited. The tribe gathered and the Gods received their due. Dan Heras, Lady Cynthia, Micha Karlen and Kass Kottaren led the tribe together in our Winternights Blot. With Ale and Apples, the Alfar and Disir were greeted and thanked.

As the folk grew hungry the call was answered, in Niagara’s own Norman style. A diner from scratch made by the hands of Micha Karlen of beef stew and apple pies to take care of our sweet tooth.

The tables were cleared and high Symble convened. The Gods were yelped beoted, and ancestors and heroes boasted. Lord Dan, never failing, showed his generosity again, with gifts abundant and thanks for all. Laughter and merriment filled the hall, while gielps and boasts, of Norman size, were made. To ensure it is heard and never forgotten, let it be known what promises where made: that Conn Skalk, by Disting 2004, shall compose and sing his own song to the Gods, having already composed his Caedmon’s Hymn and scored Alefric Thane Winland’s version, and Dan Hera’s Lament of Donner, and having mastered the Sutton Hoo lyre. To protect the luck of the hall, a shild was placed if he should fail the task. He must write an accompanying piece for the penny whistle and teach someone to play it along with him at Midsummer 2004.

The time had come, as it did for us all, that a man was freed and an oath was to be heard. Conn Skalk knelt, looked to Lord Dan and swore his oath. As Lord Dan sat and listened, he heard those words. He placed his sword on Conn’s neck and returned his vow. Who knelt down a thrall, stood up a freedman, Conn Gebur.

Symble was closed and the hall released, but the night was not over. In the Niagara tradition, we invaded the local taverns and celebrated some more. With pool, darts, drinks and the mysterious Buffalo Wings that were all gone until Lord Dan wanted some, we all but welcomed Sunna’s Day.
We gathered once more, before it was time to leave. Thing-tide was held and the thews were discussed. With the business at hand completed, farewells were said.

Till Yule Tide , Godsward us all.

Normannii a on Ecnesse!
Kevin Sergens,
Heoh Sheriff, Normannii Thiud aet Reik

Addendum:

IN regards to gifts given during symble, some were weapons and require the traditional lucky pennies to be exchanged:

• Conn Gebur – 2¢ to Lord Dan for the practice sword
• Eric Minton - 2¢ to Lord Dan for the Dagger
• Each Dreng (Bill, Glenn and Steve) - 2¢ each to Lord Dan for the daggers
• Pogo - 2¢ to Lord Dan for the

Thing Tide Notes:

• Dues are becoming an issue. IF you can’t pay them, contact Your lord, the Sheriff or the Pursewarden.
• If you are forgetting them, then we can setup a PayPal system to either Click to pay or autopay.
• Also, a Web Interface will be worked on to allow you to pay “Easily”
• The above internal Web pages will also include internal documents and Aet Bannungs
• At each event, the Sheriff will provide the Arrung aet Orders to the Ale Keepers to avoid confusion on the order of Symble.
• As an incorporated Church we need to file certain paper work each year. We also need to maintain a “Board of Directors” which consists of the Tribal Lord and the Witan.
• A Legal Charter will also need to be drawn up by the Witan to be submitted to the State, so as to allow Land Trusts and other fiscal benefits to be leveraged.
• Web Site work continues, specificly on the Online Store. This will also include Books as well as items. Remember, just because one person is making something, does not you can’t!!
• General Thiubok: Witan is Reviewing it, and we will be working with publishers for Print on Demand (lots of 100 or so) and selling via Web Site and such.
• Anglo-Saxon Ealdriht : We have received and accepted an offer of freondscipe. This is to also begin the sharing of Guilds. In this same friendship, The Ealdriht as accepted the Affirmation of Thew as drafted by Lord Dan.
   
• YULE - YULE – YULE – YULE
• We will be in the same cabins as last year ( Hearst )
• The Food menu shall be left to the Women folk to handle with the provision of a more traditionally NORMAN menu.
• Classes/WorkShops :
  • Lou Thane – some Martial Class
  • Dan Heras – Academic Studies – Wyrd and Causality
  • Cynthia and Micha – A craft class to be determined.
• Fiscal Issues: Need receipts from last Yule to estimate the Gas Costs and other consumables.  In regards to food, each rooftree will be given a meal to provide and it will be your responsibility to purchase the needed item for that meal.
• Paper Plates, cups and other such items that are used will be provided by the Tribe, and replaced as used by the tribe.
• Need to get a Head count, and evaluate the Layout of the Halls, How much space is there vs. needed for Sleeping as well as feast/symble. Do we need tables and chairs in addition to what the cabins provide?
• PETS – Pets are primarily allowed only unto the Peers, however exceptions can be made with the provision that they are behaved, limited in quantity, and permission must be specifically received for each pet via posting to the Thiud List, with Lord Dan reserving the right to allow or disallow at his own whim.