An Abanning in the Normannii Thiud Aet Reik
Winternights 2007
Hwaet! The Folk of the Normannii Reik gathered the weekend of October 22-24
in York Shire, at the home of William Thain and Lady Diane McNamara in Port
Jervis, New York. There was food and drink aplenty, and a symbel hall tent
decorated with the tribal tapestries covered most of the backyard of the
homestead.
The many young cnihts went busily about their arts and crafts culminating in
their “shot” at an effigy-piñata handmade by William Cniht. When all was said
and done all the children partook of the prizes and candy secreted inside the
Winternight-effigy.
The Vetrarblot rite was held in ritual drama style, conducted by Dan Eorl,
with the assistance of young William Cniht McNamara; but without need for
bifurcation as the grounds were full of over two score of Normans proper. The
McNamara family Horg had been transformed for the occasion, being two tiered and
made of bluestone, and the firebowl being set on a stone patio, surrounded by
river rocks. A waterfall-fountain made by Catie Ceorl was set upon the horg,
calming the holy-stead with the sound of running water. The schedule was
deliberately kept loose, with the intention of allowing much free time for the
strengthening and building of bonds between tribesmen.
The feast was impressive, the food plentiful and well liked, not to mention
for perhaps the first time ever served ON TIME! This was the first gathering
that was not on Normannii Standard Time.
Symbel was held (again, on time), and there was much merriment and toasting,
boasting, and yielping. Some notable happenings were:
- The Witan, 2/3 of which had met in the course of the day, judged the bells
set upon Joe Freedman to be met, and he was granted leave to swear a hold when
he was ready. He took that hold in the third Round to Dan Eorl O’Halloran.
- Mike
formerly skalk was freed as well, Dan citing the Witan’s insistence that he was
ready and had more than met the qualifications for freedom, and he shall swear
Hold within a year and a day.
- William Thain also did boast in hall to offer his
home again for next years Winternights gathering.
- Brian Thain’s shild gifts to Lord Dan were presented to the folk: a
tremendous harp with Taplow styled mounts on its surface decorated and
gilded, a knotwork circlet, and tapestry banners. As these scyld were
overwhelmingly approved of, he was formally recognized as Out of the Woods, and
cudthen Dan’s thegn, Brian Gneat Smith, under bells.
- Another thrall went upon
the block, Michael William Carter, recently returned from Iraq, who was sold to
Lou Thain for a thruppence in private sale.
All in all, another fulfilling, energizing gathering of the Normannii Thiud
Aet Reik.
William Thain
Normannii Thiud Aet Reik
Normannii A On Ecnesse
By Order Of Dan Eorl O’Halloran, Aetheling Lord of the Normannii Thiud Aet
Reik:
The following refscirs shall be empanelled effective immediately:
- The Norman Witas Gedryth shall be reconstituted; the post of High Wita shall
be held by Daniel Heros Flores, who remains the Ætheling's Orletta and our
Jutish Fosterling, the post of Wita shall be held by Conn Gneat Hanson, and Lou
Thain Sancio shall sit as Draught Wita.
- Conn Gneat Hanson shall remain the Drottin of the Reik's Vanic cultus. He is
likewise reappointed Interim Reik's Scop.
- 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.
- William Thain McNamara shall be set as High Steward of the Reik and Sheriff
of York Shire.
- Mike Thegn Hauk shall act as Reik's High Sheriff and Bob Sergens Hamlin shall
sit as under-Sheriff of the Reik and shall be acting under-Sherriff of
Niagara
Shire.
- Joe Kottar Bloch shall act as Reik's Webmaster and shall be assisted by Dave
Fedtha Curtis in all avenues of cyber-development.
- Kass Thygen shall remain as Reik's Ambihtsþyle and the Under-sheriff of
Lyfsflekk Ward.
- Lavrans Karl, shall act as under-sheriff of Markland Ward, and will remain
Reik's Wordsmith coordinating the Theod Bookhoarde projects with the Webmaster.
- Adam Fedtha Callahan and Joseph Kottar Bloch shall be set as under-sheriffs of
Gers Ey Ward and shall be jointly responsible for the development of activity
in New Jersey.
- Lady Cynthia Ni Halloran shall act as Reik’s Pursewarden.
William Thain
Normannii Thiud Aet Reik
Normannii A On Ecnesse
