The weekend of October 29, the Normannii Thiud gathered for its Winternights celebration in Troy , New York , at the home of Bob Fedtha Hamlin. Bob and Patti were exemplary in their hospitality, and the Reik is glad for the use of their homestead, a large colonial nestled in a hillside on 5 acres of beautifully wooded land overlooking a lake.
The Normannii folk gathered for the faining and husel, which commenced Saturday at dusk. The holytide-ritual was preceded by a Vanic rite on the eve before, which was presided over by Conn Gneat. The holytide itself was kept as a bifurcated public faining by Dan Eorl, coupled with a closed rite for the Normannii, in ritual drama style with the assistance of Lou Thane, all within earshot of the goodfolk. While the weather had been cold and rainy before the dusk rites, during the faining itself, the weather warmed and the rain was all but gone, whisked away with the winds. To all involved, it was clear that the rite was well received, and the Gods pleased.
The feasthall was well attended, having approximately 30 Normannii folk and numerous other goodfolk and guests, and the atmosphere was one of rowdy merriment with flytting and jibes abundant. The head table held the Reik's paramount lord, Dan Eorl, his Lady Cynthia, our landlord Bob Fedtha and his family, as well as his lord Lou Thane and his lovely wife Ramona. Many great toasts were made, to Gods, heroes, and ancestors, and boasts in hall were equally plentiful. Some highlights:
1. Kasidy Thygen, whose dress and cloak designs are quickly becoming legendary in their reputation for quality and authenticity, offered all Normannii folk a chance to purchase her new cloak design for merely the cost of materials plus $50.00.
2. Conn Thain presented his new composition of a wefodgaldr. He asked to have it replace Caedmon's Hymn as a hallowing hymn, which Dan Lord provisionally approved upon the final presentation of its Old Danish translation.
3. Gary Ceorl Deloria and his make, Cyrille were judged to have met the bells set out by Dan Lord, at Summersmal, and their petition for a theodish wefodung-wrixil was granted.
4. To add to this, Diane Thainwife McNamara announced the intention of the women of the tribe to purchase Cyrille's wedding dress as a gift.
5. Don Murness, having made a petition for skalkdom was placed on the block for auction. The bidding was fast and furious, and Kasidy Thygen paid 5 lucky pennies. Upon this purchase, Kasidy sold her skalk Denise to Lou Thain for the price of three lucky pennies.
6. Bob, landlord of the festivities, was heited on the spot by Lou Thain, and no-one did gainsay this boon; as such he is now to be known in the Reik as Bob SERGENS Hamlin.
All in all, the event was full of mirth and frith, and a spirited good time was had by the folk.
The Petition of Lisa Ornas to enter skalkdom was granted and she shall be sold forthwith.
The Hallows Refscirs are as follows:
The Norman Witas Gedryth shall be reconstituted; the post of High Wita shall be held by Daniel Heros Flores, who remains the AEtheling's Orletta and fosterling, the post of Wita shall be held by William Thain McNamara, and Lou Thain Sancio shall sit as Draught Wita and Reik's Steward this term.
Lou Thain Sancio is re-appointed Sheriff of Traeko Shire, and remains Forstijori of the Fyrhring, the Reik's Dryht and the Warrior's Guild's overlord.
Mike Thegn Hauk shall act as Reik's High Sheriff and coordinate his position with William Thain McNamara who shall oversee that office.
Conn Gneat Hanson shall remain the Drottin of the Reik's Vanic cultus. He is likewise reappointed Reik's Scop.
Bob Sergens Hamlin shall sit as under-Steward of the Reik.
Dave Fedtha Curtis shall act as Reik's webmaster and coordinator of cyber-doings.
Kass Thygen shall remain as Reik's Ambihtsþyle and the Sheriff of Lyfsflekk Ward.
Lavrans Karl, shall act as sheriff of Markland Ward, and will also undertake to become the Reik's Wordsmith and further contemplate printing projects for our Folk.
Micha Karlen Owens, having petitioned for release under the thew of freedom of conscience, has requested release from her hold. After protracted discussion, the following is deemed by the Witas Gedryth and Dan Eorl O'Halloran, as her lord and AEtheling of Normandy:
Micha Owens is herewith set wretched honorably, under the following bells; that she may never raise voice or hand against Normandy or her former lord, lest she be immediately cudthen wolfhead; she shall not hinder or let her husband's hold oath to William Thain lest she be set dishonorable; she shall never seek hold to any other Theodish lord without proper leave of sale, and exchange of manshot on behalf of her former lord, lest she be cudthen outlaw; that she forthwith return all the Reik's property and chattle, and all symbols of her offices or arrungs; in all otherwise Micha Owens shall have and maintain the freedom of the Reik afforded by her husband's gefrain withinall of Normandy.
Accordingly, Kevin Sergens Owens shall forthwith present himself to his lord, William Thain McNamara, no later than Midsummer 2007, and Affirm his Hold, as per the affirmation of hold.
Michael Hauk Thain Rieks High Sheriff