[MR] WoW Heraldic Procession

[Gise]

 Since the Merry Rose is so quiet with so many of our friends at Pensic, I thought I'd take some time to chat up our own little war ... War of the Wings ... and to pump up some anticipation for the Heraldic Procession and Declaration of Allegiance there.



The Procession brings representatives from each group that wishes to process before Their Majesties Atlantia to declare their fighting intentions for the event ... which side will their artisans, populace and warriors support. This has been done on the battlefield or the ceremonial field beside the castle in the past. This year it will move to the new battlefield out by the woods so there is more space for processors to gather, for viewers to see and take pictures and for the horses to blow us away.

We encourage Heraldry in the form of banners, pennons, tabbards, ... barded dogs and cats and a goat once, I think ... We like to see groups in coordinated color garb ... there have been chariots in the past, accompanying musicians ... defecting drummers, singing choruses and really cute children ... We challenge you to make it grand and memorable ... and really earn that War Point for the Heraldic Procession. Ladies of the Rose will determine who makes the most impressive display so make it good! 

Each Branch (barony, canton, shire, college, official branches of the SCA) marches in the Procession and ends up before Their Majesties with a brief time to make a declaration of their indignation, their excitement and their intentions...schtick, fun and upbeat.

Households, Ships and other Unofficial Groups will march as well but they only march, they do not get time before Their Majesties for schtick. They can do whatever they want as they process across the battlefield, but they won't get time to stand and hold forth this year. That was done only last year and we're going back to the way it's been all years before that as a time and fairness consideration.

The groups will have about 20 minutes to get to the battlefield from the time they are called (more about that below) From the step off ~on~ the battlefield, the Procession should not take more than 30 minutes.

Ok, so here is how I hope it will go ... 

At about 9:30 Saturday morning (if I have my way) there will be drummers and musicians placed across the grounds playing a call to arms type cadence for about 5 minutes.

When the music ends, Heralds around the site will make a coordinated call for the Groups to attend Their Majesties on the Battlefield.

 

 At that time each group will step out from their encampments and head to the battlefield. Any herald (or musician) who has helped with the call to the camp can join their group at this time and serve them for the rest of the Procession.

As they arrive, I will (with the help of some clever folks with heraldic banners) place each group in the Order of the March along King St near the entrance to the lower end of the battlefield.

At 10 am, with Their Majesties' permission, the first group (one of the principals) will step off onto the battlefield and approach the Royal Pavilion, there to address Their Majesties, bring grievances to Them and ask for solace and justice. After the Principals have addressed the Crown, each branch, in order of precedence, will step onto the field, do whatever schtick they have as they walk, address the Crown to declare their intentions of support and then walk to the appropriate side of the field to show their support for one set of baronies or the other.

Households, ships and other non-official groups will follow the Branches. They will have only the time they walk to perform their schtick and will walk to the appropriate side of the field. 

At the end of the Procession it will be wholly evident where the early strength is for the Principal Baronies ... not to mention it will be a pretty awesome thing to witness, take part in and record. 

I hope groups really get excited about this. It's something EVERYONE can take part in ... a War Point EVERYONE can help earn.

Any musicians or heralds or Willing hands who want to help make this happen, please contact me OFF LIST at Gisela DOT vomKreuzbach AT gmail DOT com

Have a great weekend and see you in just NINE WEEKS!!!! That's all! ... =o)

~gise