Aet Bannung: Yule 2004

The wheel of the Year has turned full circle again. As the year was waning and with our ancestral mothers watching, the Normannii folk assembled once more, at the Ten Mile River Reservation, in Narrowsburg, New York, the weekend of 17 – 19 December, 2004. The first evening was given over to informal talks and socializing. Later in the night the Fyrhring conducted its sacral rites and tested one who wished to join its ranks. Daniel Thane Flores underwent his Normannii Gedryth Ordeal. Having succeeded, Daniel took his place among the Normannii Fierdstemn. Deep in the Midnight the Vanic folk conducted their rites attendant to the season and to quite some success it seems.

Come Saturday discussions and workshops were held. Lord Brian Smith of Anglia lead a discussion on the history of Yule, the Weihnachten and Wild Hunt; Lou Thane Held a workshop on Western Martial Arts and Wrestling techniques, and Conn Kottar shared his thoughts on meditation techniques. Lord Dan lead a roundtable on the evolving Theodish community and its interaction with the Asatru folk. After game time at tables, draughts, and tafl, we all feasted in Norman style. As the sun set, our Matron, Lady Cynthia, and Halijathygen, Micha Karlen, led us in a Mother’s Night rite to gather and protect the folk.

Afterwards, the Hyrnboda called the folk together to the sound of his horn and High Symble began. In the usual fashion, three rounds were had by all, for our Gods, our ancestors and heroes, and finally beots and geilps of all kinds. With Yule being a season of gifting, our symble was filled with the exchange of gifts, and the bonds of frith were stronger for it! Our Hall was also graced by the presence of Gerd Atheling of Frisia and his lovely wife, Lady Stacy and by Brian Lord of Anglia.

There was much of Symble to be told. With Boasts, and yelps, Oaths and deeds, I shall list them here to be heard by all:

• Daniel Thane was Heighted Daniel Ord-thain
• Tim Skalk, Lou Thane’s skalk was freed, and must swear a hold to the lord of his choosing within a year and a day.
• Lou Thane delivered to Lord Dan a rescued set of books from his blood brother Joe.
• Dave Freedman swore his hold to Lou Thane upon his knee at Hall.
• Aldis Skalk completed her boast to author several poems for Lord Dan
• Galina Ceorl of Anglia boasted to have her newest book published by Yule 2005, should she fail a shild has been set of publishing her book, as well as creating 9 beots in Old English and proper meter
• Micha Karlen decided upon a boon previously granted to her by Dan Lord to be a Recording of his singing the Lament of Donner
• Dave GoodFolk boasted to have completed at least 300 pages of his book by Yule 2005, since his has no hold in hall, his warrant Conn Kottar stood behind him and promised a shild to protect the hall of composing a tune on the Obligations of Hall
• Gary (goodfolk) sold into thrall, with a heated auction he was sold to Dan Ord Thane for 5¢
• Dan Lord boasted his assistance to Gerd Lord and the Frisians in any way that they had need in the year to come, and Gerd accepted

Symble then ended, and the hall was released, our women folk blotted the mead and a new day hurried upon us.

Sunna’s day was here, and it was time to leave, but first to business of the Normannii. Thing was assembled and thews reviewed. Several items were covered:

• Midsummer plans need to begin, Normannii needs to get a solid Midsummer Blot as well as yule.
• Harrows Moot is approaching, see the http://Normannii.org/news.htm page for details
• Lord Dan set his reeves and let them be known through out the Reik:

• Steward: Lou Thain
• Gedryth Sigewita: Daniel Ord Thain
• Wita : Lou Thane
• Draught Wita: Micha Karlen
• Heoh Sheriff: Kevin Sergens
• Aethling’s Yeoman: Micha Karlen
• Pursewarden: Micha Karlen
• Ambihtsþyle : Kass Thygen
• Scop: Conn Kottar

Thus the final accounting for the Normannii Yuletide 2004.