Baronial Newsletter March 2025

What EXACTLY does an Autocrat do?
by Genefe Wolfelin
March 17, 2025

Greeting Medieval Readers,

If you have never been to an SCA event, you might not know that all of our events are organized by amazing volunteers called Autocrats or Event Stewards. They make sure we all have what we need to have our fun! It is one of the best ways to get more involved in your local group AND begin to make contacts across the Kingdom of Atlantia.

Your own Best Barony is currently looking for Autocrats for our Baronial Birthday event (September 13th, 2025) AND for Holiday Faire, which is generally held in November the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Our new Seneschal, Lady Jenefer, recently offered her thoughts on what it means to be a successful Autocrat. She remains an amazing resource for anyone considering taking on this vital role.

Foundations of Event Stewarding (1)-1 Download
March Baronial Business Meeting
by Genefe Wolfelin
March 11, 2025
Officers in attendance:
- Baron – Dunstan Stonehill
- Baroness – Cynthia Anne of Silver Lakes
- Seneschal – Jenefer de Winter
- Depuyt Senchal – Thorgrimr Kraka
- Exchequer -Ceridywn ferch Rhys ap Michael
- Chronicler – Genefe Wölfelin
- Knights Marshal – James of Carinthia
- Minister of Arts & Science – Arielle de Pontoise
- Deputy MoAS – Rita Die Perle Von Der Wetterau
- Webminister – Richard Wymarc
- Deputy Webminister – Gaius Marius Valerius
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm

From their Excellencies:

Hello from Their Excellencies! We went to KASF and that was wonderful. It was a very fun day. The Poetry Smackdown was a success. Hooray for Master Hagar who will be running the Poetry Smackdown next year! Her Excellency also had the chance to give her input in the new position of Kingdom Scientist. Stierbach was well-represented!

Thank you so much for teaching an autocrat class this past week Lady Jenefer. You is a great resource for all things autocrat-ing.

Curia updates: There is now a Yew Bow Treaty. This level of achievement will now be recognized across Kingdom boundaries. We now have a society level officer opening for a DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) officer. We also have an opening at the Kingdom level! If you are interested in this position – keep an eye out for those announcements on the Kingdom Facebook page AND in our Kingdom newsletter.

Officer Reports:

Seneschal: Lady Jenefer is officially our new Seneschal! Going forward, she wants to make sure that we have an open line of communication with Baronial officers and our populace. Please feel free to reach out to her with any concerns through the Seneschal email listed on our website.

Officers: Make sure you are up to date with your first quarter reports!

QuarterMaster: No new updates BUT if anyone needs anything before Defending the Gate, this weekend is the time to get it. Please co-ordinate with Magnus if you have any needs.

Exchequer: Monthly update will be coming!

Chatelaine: Vacant

Knights Marshall: James is looking for a replacement!

Minister of the list: No report.

MOAS: We had a great ZOOM meeting this past week for Lady Jenefer’s class. Our next meeting will be at the church with Her Excellency. We are up to date with all kingdom reports!

Lady Arielle will also be heading out on her own vacation soon!

Just a reminder the in person classes are generally held at Bethel Lutheran Church (room B7) 8712 Plantation Ln, Manassas, VA 20110.

New Herald: We are up to date with everything for Kingdom. Nothing new to report!

Chronicler: The blog has been updated this month! The backlog was sent to Kingdom Chronicler (which has switched over to a new person). Genefe will continue to follow up with Kingdom! Please send Genefe content for the blog (mpruitt085@gmail.com).

WebMinister: Nothing new to report. The website is still up and running! This month’s newsletter will be compiled over this next week. Master Richard will also get rolling on an “Officers Only” email group.

Old Business:

We had thought to review bids for Baronial Birthday but we would like to wait an additional month for anyone who would like to submit a bid for the event.

New Business:

A motion was put forward by Mistress Genefe to purchase 18 white table clothes as baronial property in an amount not to exceed $150. A vote was held of all paid members present. 12 members in favor and no one opposed. The motion carries.

Lady Katherine had some ideas for updating the Pennsic encampment. These include replacing one of the water heaters, the power for the lights, a 10×20 pop-up for the kitchen and pantry as well as mud abatement (outdoor mats/ roll up wood walkways). A motion was put forward for $1200 to cover the cost of these supplies and materials. 12 members in favor and no one opposed. The motion carries.

Closing thoughts from our Seneschall:

We are looking for an event steward for Baronial Birthday. We are accepting bids at the APRIL business meeting. We are also looking for an autocrat for Holiday Faire next November. Our new Seneschal Lady Jenefer is an excellent resource for anyone who would like to learn more about autocrating. We will also accept bids for Holiday Faire in April as well!

Closing Remarks from their Excellencies

From His Excellency: Defending the Gate is coming up March 29th! We are desperately looking for volunteers for this event including help with directing parking, people to help with troll, people to help with set-up, and people to help with tear down. All hands on deck Stierbach! Set-up is planned for Friday 3/28 starting from 3-7pm.

We will have at least two different Bardic circles, archery, thrown weapons, and a bunch of other things. Please help! Send a message to Baron Dunstan if that is you!!!

Thanks for being the BEST BARONY EVER! We are looking forward to the beginning of the Spring Event season! Right after Defending the Gate will be Coronation and a new Crown Tourney. Their Excellencies advise you to hold on to your hats.

PLEASE SUBMIT REWARD RECOMMENDATIONS! We accept emails, messages, and award recommendations through the esp. The esp is really the best way to get us info but we will take what we can get! We can also take your recommendations for KINGDOM LEVEL AWARDS. Send us stuff and tell us all the great things that are going on! Thank you to those who are sending us messages 🙂

Meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm
Meet our Newest KINGDOM Notable!
by Genefe Wolfelin
March 10, 2025

“Roman glass objects have been recovered across the Roman Empire in domestic, industrial and funerary contexts. Glass was used primarily for the production of vessels, although mosaic tiles and window glass were also produced.” -Wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_glass

Greetings Medieval Readers,

Yours Truly had the absolute privilege this past weekend to advise Thier Majesties in choosing a new Kingdom Notable. For the first time, our kingdom by the sea has an official representative of the Sciences!

Traditionally grouped under the “Arts and Sciences”, the scientists of Atlantia may have felt overlooked in recent years. Our gracious monarchs sought to right that wrong and selected Lord Alan MacFarlane as Royal Scientist. Lord Alan presented a fascinating project to members of the Laurels at the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Festival.

Lord Alan, a metal worker by trade, examined examples of “Roman” glass using X-rays and high-resolution imaging to determine if these pieces were authentic. Lord Alan’s research into what he should expect to find and the results of what he did find led to the conclusion that some of the glass pieces were indeed authentic while others were not. Lord Alan then created a beautiful wire-wrapped necklace showcasing the truly authentic pieces and presented this work of art along with a summary of his process. This author was truly enchanted with the way Lord Alan explained the process and tools in a way that was accessible to those of us unfamiliar with the sciences.

Lord Alan is also a very involved member of the Alchemist’s Guild of Atlantia, who maintains a presence on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/301366645994806/)

Officers

Baron and Baroness of Stierbach:

Seneschal:

Chancellor of the Exchequer:

Knight’s Marshal:

Herald:

Chronicler:

Minister of Arts & Sciences:

Minister of the Lists:

Chatelain:

Youth Officer:

Youth Officer
Vacant
mom@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org

Webminister:

Meetings, Practices, and Workshops

Meetings:

Baronial Business Meeting:
Meets: Second Tuesday of the month. Starts at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Online
Contact the seneschal@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org for more information.
ALL Are Welcome!

Newcomers Meetings:
New to the Barony? We have some meetings and activities to help introduce you to the SCA.
Contact chatelaine@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org for more information.

Workshops:

Upcoming A&S Classes

19 September: A&S Class: Painting Parasols II
Parasol comes from the Latin “para-“, to shield or protect, and “sol” which means “sun.” The parasol is generally smaller than the umbrella in size and considered meant to protect skin from the sun.
The activity will be held on September 19, 2024, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at
Bethel Lutheran Church (room B7)
8712 Plantation Ln, Manassas, VA 20110

3 October: A&S ZOOM Class: Making Goat Cheese
(by Lady Vincetta De of Greyhold, Kingdom of the Outland)
The activity will be held on October 03, 2024, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

23 October: A&S Class: Burgundian dress making.
(by Rignach Argyll) European fashion north of the Alps was dominated by the glittering court of the Duchy of Burgundy, especially under the fashion-conscious power-broker Philip the Good (ruled 1419–1469). Having added Holland and Flanders to their dominion, the Dukes of Burgundy had access to the latest fabrics of Italy and the East and to English wool exports through the great trading cities of Bruges and Antwerp.
Burgundian dress is a type of loose court outer gown with fitted sleeves which overlap the palms of a wearer.
The activity will be held on October 24, 2024, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at
Bethel Lutheran Church (room B7)
8712 Plantation Ln, Manassas, VA 20110

November and December:
https://stierbach.atlantia.sca.org/2024/09/17/as-classes-for-november-and-december/

Practices:

Baronial fighter Practice:
Meets: Every Wednesday, weather allowing, 6:30-9:00
Location: 26 Richland Rd. Fredericksburg, VA, 22406
Please contact knight-marshal@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org for more information on heavy weapons and fencing practices.

Fencing Practice:
Meets: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 8-10 pm
Now that school is back in session, the rapier practice held in Fredericksburg will be moving back to the auxiliary gym at the University of Mary Washington. Starting on September 3, we will be meeting from 8-10 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I know it’s quite late for many people, but we would love to see you there!
As always, no experience is required to attend! We love teaching newcomers and there is plenty of loaner equipment.

Stierbach Equestrian Practice Schedule
The 2024 dates are: 3/17, 5/19, 7/14, 9/22 and 11/03
Location: 4603 James Madison Hwy, Haymarket, VA 20169
Brief Description:
Join us at James Long park in Haymarket VA for our first Northern Cavalry Practice! Set up from 10am to 11 am, and riding and/or driving from 11am to about 1pm. After we pack up the equipment, we’ll share snacks and fellowship from 1pm to 2pm.

Archery Practice – Grimmsfield
Suspended Until Spring

Baronial Calendar

This is The Bull, a publication of the Barony of Stierbach of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. The Bull is available from the Chronicler (Editor), chronicler@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org. Subscriptions are free as all publications are available electronically. This newsletter is not a corporate publication of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and does not delineate SCA policies. (c) Copyright 2023, Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. For information on reprinting letters and artwork from this publication, please contact the Barony of Stierbach Chronicler, who will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our contributors

Baroness Ceridwen ferch Rhys ap Michael, OP MKA Lisa Mitchell exchequer@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org
Deputy Exchequer: Vacant
Steward: Vacant steward@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org
Quarter Master Lord Magnus Dunbar steward@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org

Lord James of Carinthia Benjamin Zupan marshal@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org
Deputy Marshal: Vacant
Rapier Marshal: Vacant
Archery Marshal: Vacant archery-marshal@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org
Deputy Archery Marshal: Vacant

Dunstan Stonehill, Baron MKA Don Sutton baron@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org
Cynthia Anne of Silver Lakes, Baroness MKA Cynthia Sutton (208) 283-8428 (text preferred) baroness@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org
Head Retainer: retainer@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org

Lady Jenefer De Winter MKA Jen Rose seneschal@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org
Deputy Seneschal:

Mistress Genefe Wolfelin mpruitt085@gmail.com chronicler@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org
Deputy Chronicler VACANT chronicler@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org

Lady Arielle de Pontoise MKA Natalie Baird moas@stierbach.atlantia.sca.org
Deputy Minister of Arts and Sciences Lady Rita Die Perle Von Der Wetterau MKA Rita McDowell