An Abanning in the Normannii Thiud Aet Reik

Sumarrmál 2006

On the weekend of May 5-7, 2006 Trækro Mark of the Normannii Thiud hosted the Reik's Sumarrmál celebration; the holytide was held at the homestead of Lou Thain Sancio and his wife Ramona in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Over 44 Folk attended the 3-day event. The assembled guests were a mixed bag of Normannii, Goodfolk, Friends, and even a busload of folk from Lysflekk Ward in Maryland, brought in by Kasidy Thygen Lutz, via the Norse Witch.

Friday, upon the arrival of Dan Eorl O'Halloran, Normandy's Lord, and many of the Normannii Folk in the afternoon, the Mead-Tent was raised. Afterwards those there assembled for dinner and merriment, which lasted late into the evening.

Deep in the evening Friday night Conn Gneat Hanson lead a closed Walpurgis Rite. The centerpiece of the ritual was the presentation of a Freya Weoh crafted specifically for the Normannii by our own Gary Churl Delorea. During this ritual Conn Thane lit the Mayday Needfire which burned continuously throughout the entire weekend and set up a private Freya Stallir for the Folk to adore and make offerings at their own convenience.

Saturday came and in the morning Bob Aescman Hamlin conducted a class on sword and shield fighting as well as spear technique. Throughout the day Bob Churl remained available to lend his considerable experience and expertise to the folk interested in this subject.

The remainder of the Folk arrived for Saturday's lunch, the traditional 6 foot subs. Lunch was followed by a Mayday Drama where the Winter King was cast out and Summer King was welcomed in. The Summer King then chose Emily Cniht as the new May Queen who was crowned to the delight of all. The Folk, accompanied by traditional characters, then processed around the property to the Needfire where the Winter King was burned in effigy. As a note to human rights activists the Winter King (played ably by Gary "Crash" Delorea) was not permanently injured in the process.

All hail the Queen of the May!

The Sigrblót followed at dusk; and this year's Sigrblót consisted of the Normannii first gathering in a private ceremony to prepare the sacrifice of a battle worthy spear for the Folk to offer up to Father Tiw for victory in the upcoming year. Once the sacrifice was prepared Dan Lord presented the sacrifice to the whole Folk and led them to Trækro's natural stone Vé for the actual Sigrblót.

Veizla (ritual feast) was formally called at the Mead-Tent and consisted of Texas style Barbeque Pork and chicken prepared with Lou Thane's secret recipe spice rub and a variety of side dishes and salads. Dessert featured a custom made full sheet cake supplies by Kasidy Thane decorated with the Normannii motto.

Normannii Sumbel was convened in the Mead Tent before midnight, under the supervision of Lady Cynthia, Ramona Thainswif, and Kasidy Thygen. The Hall was adorned with the tapestries and banners of our elder kin, and meadsel hallowed by Dan Lord and Landlord Lou Thane. As expected, Sumbel was a grand and moving event, full of weal and wyrd. At the start of the Third Round, seven of the assembled guests presented themselves to the gathered Folk for entrance into Skalkdom. This thrall-sale was an unprecedented one in size in the Theodish Community, and a boost in real membership for the Normandy Theod that speaks volumes of the hard work all members of the Reik have been putting forth this season since Yule. New Normandy is very proud to be growing with local Folk on a continued level, as this crop of thralls were gleaned from the York Shire, Traeko Mark, and Lysflekk Ward.

Third round of Sumbel was highlighted by giving of gifts, mighty boasts, and good cheer. Landlord Lou Thane boasted his taking of his sister's niece, Emily Cniht (our weekend's most able May Queen) into fosterage so as to guide her into her understanding of the Gods and the ways of our ancestors. Lou Thane then raised his man Bob Aescman in rank to Fedtha. Generosity was abound in Hall, as prior to becoming Normannii Skalk Lou Thane's blood brother Joe Skalk Bloch donated $100 to the Normannii land fund. Also of note is the great generosity of Mike and Danielle of Hallowed Hall Kindred who gifted Dan Lord and Lou Thane and their Ladies Cynthia and Ramona greatly. Not to be outdone the Eorl of Normandy, Dan Lord, gifted the Hall with his usual generosity; the centerpiece of his gifting being a complete matched set of the Noroena Society's “Anglo Saxon Classics� Memorial Edition number 189 of 700 published in 1907 to the Traeko Mark, and a complete Theodish Library to the Lysflekk Ward.

Special thanks go to Ramona Thainswif for her continued support of the Normannii Reik and her skill as a most exceptional hostess for this event. Once again she opened her home and heart to the Folk and friends of the Normannii Thiud.

Godssward us all, glaed Sumarrmá!

Lou Thain Sancio,

Sheriff of Trækro Mark