Once again, the folk of the New Normandy Theod gathered at the home of Lou Thane Sancio and his wife, Lady Ramona in beautiful Pike County, Pennsylvania. The Festival of Summarmal was well attended, having approximately 50 Normans and several Goodfolk. The honor of the role of the May queen was bestowed upon Kahaila Lemos. This year’s May Queen is the child of Tanya Goodfolk Lemos, a close friend of the Sancio family, who was recently married to First Sergeant Troy Miller in a Heathen ceremony by Dan Eorl O’Halloran just two weeks ago. This year’s Queen served beautifully, clad in an embroidered dress made by Kasidy Thygen Lutz, especially for the occasion. She was a vision of the May Queens of old, and received her crown from last year’s Queen young Emily Cniht Lutz. The Mayday procession was carried out in it’s usual theatrical style, complete with Hobbyhorse, Teaser, and fool-King for a Day; the highlight of which is always the good-natured chanting of “Beat Gary” by all of the Norman children. This year, there was the addition of the “Gary the winter king” piñata, filled with sweets and toys for the children of the tribe.
Following the procession, the High tivvering of the Sigirblot was undertaken. The rite, done in the traditional Normannii bifurcated style, had both private devotions for our inangards, and a public rite for goodfolk and guests. The gifts given to the Gods in anticipation of a victorious season for the Normannii consisted of a 5th century Germanic spearhead, reddened by the thanes of the Fyrhring, along with an antique manuscript gothic bible of considerable value from the 16th century- one of several reproductions of the Gothic language. In fact, there were guests there who pleaded with Lord Dan to name a price for the book and not destroy it, but the gifts to the Gods of worth came before all monetary considerations. The blot undertaken at dusk, was well received, and the folk were blessed with aspergillum of mead by Lady Cynthia O’Halloran as Dan Eorl made offerings to the Aes, and particularly our Patron and God of Victory, Tyr.
The highlight of the feast was the over 50 pound Pig provided for the folk for feasting by the Sancio rooftree, coupled with barbecued chicken and a kingly assortment of side dishes. As usual, the legendary hospitality of the Sancio Rooftree left everyone well fed and in most cases a bit tipsy. The ales and mead flowed freely, like the Viking feasts of elder times. Not to mention, homemade sweets of many varieties, including an impressive castle cake provided by Lady Diane McNamara.
High Symbel was held in the great Normannii MeadHeall, which is always a wondrous experience, being designed, decorated and lit much like the mobile halls of our ancestors, creating an atmosphere which can only lend itself to the elderen mindset which helps us to emulate their ways. With tapestries hung on every side, and torches for lighting the feeling of kinship with our past is unmistakable. After the first speech and the opening of Symbel, skalks who had proven their worth were freed, namely Aldis Skalk Schaefer, Denise Skalk Cruci, Adam Skalk Callaghan, and Catie Skalk Reid. This was done so that they could enjoy full speechright in Symbel. There were many worthy and eloquent toasts made to Gods, ancestors, and heroes. At the start of the third round, three of the new Freedmen chose to plight their troth with their chosen lords. Adam Callaghan swore martial hold to Lou Thain, Catie Reid swore civilian hold to William Thain, and Denise Cruci swore civilian hold to Conn Thain. These oaths, having been sworn in Heall and witnessed by tribesman, Gods, and ancestors alike, will surely bring much luck and weal to the folk.
As is his custom, Dan Lord showed his legendary openhandedness, and proved himself a hater of gold, and a Lord unsurpassed in modern times by gifting the entire hall generously. Many worthy gifts were given, and Brags placed in the well by the assemblage. Some of the most notable brags were:
William Thain yielped his building of a bluestone Horg on his land dedicated to our Gods and tribe, and then invited any Norman who wishes to come and worship at it.
Conn Thain Yielped his authoring and translaton into old Danish his own original composition with which he would replace Caedmons heringalaeth in Normannii Ritual. He also delighted the heall by singing it during the opening speeches.
Kendra Gebur Yielped her passing the New York State Bar exam.
Joanna Goodfolk then yielped her graduation from Julliard and the beginning of her professional musical career.
The fourth round of Symbel brought the traditional Normannii Skalk auctions, as three of our Goodfolk had decided to embark upon the journey of becoming that is skalkdom. As Lord Dan put it, the “underground economy” was destroyed by the fast and furious bidding which resulted in some of the highest priced sales ever seen in Normannii history. For such worthless wretches as these:
Mike Skalk Gilmour started the “show” with a bidding war between Dan Lord and William Thain bringing the unbelievable price of 11 lucky pennies. The bidding for the Marine Staff Sergeant had become so heated, that is was finally resolved by Lord Dan “suggesting” that William Thain stand down. “Sold to Dan Lord for 11 pennies!”
Joanna Skalk Farrer then went upon the block, and the bidding war over who was to get the violin lessons and free opera tickets created a three way bidding war between Dan Lord, Lou Thain, and Conn Thain, which finally ended with Lou Thain paying the astounding price of 13 lucky pennies.
Christi skalk Warburton then went on the block, and after a hard fought bidding war, she sold to Bob Sergens Hamlin for 8 lucky pennies.
The Symbel was then closed, and the bowl offered to the Wights. Although it was past 3am, many folk continued the Normannii Tradition of merrymaking and drinking until Sunna again rode across the sky. Overall, a glorious, lucky gathering was had by friends and folk alike.
ALL HAIL THE QUEEN OF THE MAY!
William Thain
Wita, Normannii Thiud Aet Reik