[MR] Fwd: Aethelmearc Event Announcement

[Andrea Davis]

Please feel free to post to any list that you think may be
interested....fighters and combat archers, this event is for you....
Thank you!
Fiona


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Thus follows the announcement:

The Siege of Harlech Castle
April 5, 2008

All fighters and combat archers of these Sylvan Lands are called to the
Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands to besiege or defend the Castle!  The
year is 1404, and a brave English garrison defends Harlech castle from the
assault of Welsh forces led by Owen Glendower.  Owen's victory allowed him
to occupy Harlech as his base for the next 5 years, after which the English
re-conquered this Edwardian stronghold.  On April 5, 2008, the English shall
once again defend Harlech against the Welsh attackers, and we shall see who
triumphs this day.

For fighters, a two-man spear tournament shall be held on the drawbridge, as
well as a traditional heavy weapons tournament and a competition to see who
can achieve the drawbridge alive through a hail of arrows.  Combat archers
will be shooting down from the castle walls upon the fighters below, and
there will also be a formal combat archery competition.  Archers will be
positioned along the ramparts, towers, and windows of the castle.  Space
will be provided for the populace to watch the martial activities from the
parapets.  Safe within the castle walls, there will be a sewing circle,
children's activities, and heraldic consultation table with internet access.

The site opens, and armour/weapon inspections begin, at 10 AM.  Fighting
shall begin at noon.  The site closes at 8 PM.  This site is a private
residence, and parking is limited.  Portions of the castle (including the
great hall, but not the parapets) are handicap-accessible.  The site is
wet.  Please contact the autocrats with any questions about site
restrictions.  Photos of the castle may be seen on the autocrats' website:
http://www.pitt.edu/~caram/castleindex.htm

A delicious 14th-century all-day sideboard will be available for $8 ($4 for
children 6-12, free for 5 and under).  Dietary questions may be addressed to
the head cook, THL Brandubh o Donnghaile, mka Ben Cogan (donnghaile [at]
gmail.com).  There is no site fee, and there is no feast.  Since this is a
free event, the non-member surcharge does not apply, though donations are
welcome.  Please send sideboard reservations to Master Dani of the Seven
Wells (mka Dani Zweig) at 1767 Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.  Checks
should be made payable to "BMDL, SCA, Inc."

Please contact the autocrats, Baroness Ariella of Thornbury and Baron Byron
of Haverford (Cara McCandless and Char Branstetter), with any questions
(caram [at] pitt.edu or 724-933-4661 before 10pm).  The site address (and
autocrat mailing address) is 755 Stonegate Drive, Wexford, PA 15090.
America's Best Inn, 107 VIP Drive, Wexford PA 15090 has a reserved block of
rooms (doubles, each with 2 beds) for a group rate of $61.20 if we fill the
block of 10 by March 15th, or for $65.90 per room per night if we don't.
They are reserved for April 4th and 5th. Call 724-935-1000 for reservations
and questions.  The motel is approx. 1.4 miles from the site and is just off
the I-79 Wexford exit.

Directions:  Take your best route to Interstate 79 toward the Pittsburgh
area.  Take exit 73 (Wexford exit), which is 20 minutes north of
Pittsburgh.  If you are coming from the north, make a left turn off the exit
ramp, and go through 2 lights; at the third light, make a left onto Mingo
Road.  If you are coming from the south, make a right turn off the exit ramp
from the center lane, and then go through one light; at the second light,
make a left onto Mingo Road.  Go 1.1 mile on Mingo, then make a left turn
onto Stonegate Drive.  The second house on the left is the site.  Street
parking is available, but limited; please park diagonally.

In Service,
Byron and Ariella