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Meet the Guild Mondays

From EastKingdomWiki

East Kingdom Brewer's Guild

  • Official Name of Guild:

The Ancient and Venerable Order of Brewers, Vintners and Meadmakers of the East Kingdom

  • Name of Guildmaster:

Pan (Master) Krzyslaw "Kythe" Szubielka

  • What is the focus or topic of your guild?

We are focused on brewing of both Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from within the SCA period.

  • How is your guild structured?

We have a Ranking system of Member/ Brewer/ Journeyman/ Craftsman/ Master/ Grand Master. Panels are used to obtain the various ranks along with the knowledge required to attain the next ranking

  • How can artisans get involved?

Join us at the variety of Virtual and In-Person get togethers either at other events or our East Kingdom Brewers Guild Collegium held once a year in the spring.

  • Do you have an active website or social media page?

Join us on our FB Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/264027843745989 They can also see our Webpage: https://ekbg.eastkingdom.org/

Brewers' Guild

East Kingdom Assassins Guild

  • Official Name of Guild:

The East Kingdom Royally Chartered Assassins Guild

  • Name of Guildmaster:

The Honorable Lord Weasel

  • What is the focus or topic of your guild?

Nefarious Activities. Specifically, the assassins guilds are designed to be places where those who desire to study criminal activities or play assassin-type games can do so safely and under the watchful eye of those who are loyal to the Crowns and the Society at large. As you may have guessed, there are a number of individuals who like the darker aspects of in-period societies; we can be a host to those type of activities while encouraging Arts and Sciences as well as Service aspects to these individuals to make them more productive and involved.

  • How is your guild structured?

So, we do have a hierarchy. The Grandfather currently operates the guilds and has an undisclosed number of Agents, then Initiates. The Initiates play the games and are required to show some skill, level-headedness, Arts and Sciences, and some service before moving up to Agent (most of the current Agents hold a Grant-Level award or higher because of their involvement with the Society). The Agents are encouraged to start their own households of Initiates to become Grandfathers. The current Grandfather is at the moment the ONLY Grandfather, but we're hoping to change that before we get much older.

  • How can artisans get involved?

We have three Facebook pages currently where I provide an occasional newsletter as well as information as to where we will be. I also teach classes on how to be a safe SCA assassin (including what gifts and largess can be made that reflect such a persona), the history of assassins, the history of poisons, and so on. At Pennsic there is a big interkingdom game between assassins, and this coming year, there will be meetings prior to the beginning of the game so that information can be provided and the groups can meet each other. It is hoped we can have an actual Assassins Event sometime within the next year. When we hear about opportunities to play we let people know we'll be around.

  • Do you have an active website or social media page?

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/855691751121815

Write-up provided by the Deputy Guildmistress for the East Kingdom Royally Chartered Assassins Guild, Rue

East Kingdom College of Performers

  • Official Name of Guild:

The East Kingdom College of Performers

  • Name of Guildmaster/mistress:

Our current Provost is Lady Solveig Bjarnardottir

  • What is the focus or topic of your guild?

Supporting and encouraging performing arts of all kinds, and offering community for Eastern performers. In a previous incarnation, the guild was known as the Royal Eastern College of Bards and had a structure based on the traditional "bardic" arts; since its relaunching in 2012, the College has taken a broader view of performing arts and entertainment in our kingdom -- among our members are magicians, commedia dell'arte actors, and puppeteers as well as storytellers, singers, musicians, poets, etc.

  • How is your guild structured?

The EKCoP officers consist of Provost, Chatelain, Chancellor, and Exchequer, while the Deans of the College help promote types of performing arts in their subject specialties. We do not rank members, but we do offer individual challenges, completion of which is often rewarded with a token or small gift from the person who set forth the challenge.

  • How can artisans get involved?

Do you have an active website or social media page? Our website (https://ekcp.eastkingdom.org/) is a work in progress -- in the meantime, please visit us on Facebook at <https://www.facebook.com/groups/517427118297889>, and sign up for our mailing list via Google Groups <https://groups.google.com/u/2/a/ekcp.eastkingdom.org/g/ekcp-discussion>.

  • When is your next in-person guild activity?

The EKCoP will have a strong presence (including a silent auction!) at the Bardic Champions event Feb. 4 in Hartshorn-dale, followed by our annual Challenge Assembly (date TBA shortly). Our chatelain, Lord Drustan of Stonebridges, also runs regular workshops/bardic circles online on the third Thursday of every month at 7pm. Third Thursdays have been running continuously since 2018, and our next Third Thursday will take place on December 15th.

Write-up provided by Baroness Sabine de Kerbriant

East Kingdom College of Performers

Keepers of Athena's Thimble

  • Official Name of Guild:

Keepers of Athena's Thimble is our official name, but we are usually just referred to as "Athena's Thimble", "the Thimble"

  • Name of Guildmistress:

Dame Elizabet Marshall

  • What is the focus or topic of your guild?

Embroidery. More specifically, the study, teaching and encouragement of embroidery, focusing on pre 17th century (by modern, Eurocentric reckoning) the world over.

We are a Royal Guild, organized and recognized as such on January 12, ASXIX (1985 CE); the petition was renewed on our 20th and 30th anniversaries. The Consort is our patron and in thanks we give a gift to the consort each reign, made by one or more of our members.

  • How is your guild structured?

Do you have a rankings system? Hold panels? We have 12 broad categories of embroidery: Applique, Blackwork/Monochrome, Canvas work, Couching and Laid work, Counted Thread, Free, Lacis, Metal thread, Needlelace, Openwork, Padded work, and Smocking/Pleated work. We hold periodic panels where embroidery is Ooohed and Ahhhed over. Panels are run by Senior Members with 2 additional members of Journeyman rank or higher. Upon paneling, the embroidery is noted as showing Working Knowledge, Competency, Period Competency or Expert level work. Panels are announced ahead of time and open forum, and those not on the official panel are encouraged to contribute. Period Competency may be sought at a regular panel with advance planning/advance notice given to the senior member in charge. Expert is a whole special thing requiring lots of planning for the panel. There are only a handful of people who have gone through this process, though we have two in the "working" stage now.

There are also five ranks, depending on the number of panels: Apprentices - anyone with an interest in the needle arts; Journeyman has paneled in at least four categories and received competence in two; Craftsman has paneled in at least eight categories, with competence in four; Artisan has paneled all 12 categories with competency in eight. The top is "Needlemistress" or "Needlemaster" - having paneled in all twelve categories; at least four expert and four competency.

Senior members are members who are Craftsman or higher and satisfy a number of other criteria. This is not a "rank,” it is a job. Senior Members run our panels. They can offer a panel to events, and event stewards can (and are encouraged to) reach out to see if we can staff a panel at an event. Most panels are held at events. We also hold Solars either with or without a panel where there is room at an event and a member interested in setting it up.

  • How can artisans get involved?

We have two questions: Are you interested in embroidery - either doing it or supporting it? Do you want to be a member? If yes to both, congratulations, you are a member! Members who have paneled at least one are listed on our Members page which is a spreadsheet of the members and which levels they have in each of the twelve categories. We have a web page: thimble.eastkingdom.org, we're on FaceBook and there is an Email list. Those interested in the Guild are encouraged to sign up for one or both. FaceBook is more chatty, but all announcements are on both FaceBook and the Email.

  • Do you have an active website or social media page?

We have an active Facebook group, which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1644568609131404

We also have our own website, as mentioned above: thimble.eastkingdom.org

Keepers of Athena's Thimble

East Kingdom Royal Forester's Guild

  • Official Name of Guild:

The East Kingdom Royal Foresters Guild

  • Name of Guildmaster/mistress:

Vindiorix Ordovix

  • What is the focus or topic of your guild?

From our website "Formed in the East Kingdom, the Royal Foresters are based on the medieval foresters that protected the forests of medieval England from outlaws and poachers. Medieval foresters organized themselves into courts named after the forest in which they worked. For SCA purposes we are organized as an Arts and Sciences guild that studies outdoor living, survival, and camping.

The Royal Foresters are recruiting people who are interested in camping, pavilioning, outdoor living, and survival in period fashion, as well as journeys over land, and by inland waterways in period fashion. It is the purpose of foresters to research, recreate, educate, and demonstrate historical tools, methods, equipment, and techniques for living, camping, traveling, and cooking in the wilderness. While the guild is based on the Royal Foresters of medieval England, our members are welcome to portray any persona within the SCA timeframe. We encourage our members to explore forester A&S skills appropriate for their persona."

  • How is your guild structured? Do you have a rankings system?

The Foresters Guild is organized into local foresters (chapters), each with its own keeper. The Guild has a simple ranking system (novice, underforester, forester, master forester). Members achieve rank by demonstrating specific forester skills, such as period fire making and cooking. The Guild also has three Orders of High Merit. The Woodwards are recognized for their A&S and service. The Regarders are recognized for their martial prowess. The Rangers are recognized for their wilderness living skills.

  • How can artisans get involved? Do you have an active website or social media page?

Website: East Kingdom Royal Foresters – A wilderness living guild. Facebook: East Kingdom Royal Foresters | Facebook.

East Kingdom Foresters Guild

Worshipful Company of Narrowworkers

  • Official Name of Guild:

Worshipful Company of Narrowworkers

  • Name of Guildmaster/mistress:

Baroness Mari Clock van Hoorne

  • What is the focus or topic of your guild?

Cord and trim using period methods like tablet weaving, fingerloop, lucet, whipcord, kumihimo, inkle weaving, rigid heddle weaving, netting, knotting, etc.

  • How is your guild structured?

We have no rankings or official structure. At times I like to request volunteers of the group to make cording for award medallions that are given by The Crown. Also, our members are often able and willing to provide trims and other such items when necessary (for Royal clothing or gifts, things like that).

  • How can artisans get involved? Do you have an active website or social media page?

This is not the EK Specific page but it is a Facebook group for Narrow workers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1821906048086539 There is also a Google group that doesn't have a lot of activity. https://groups.google.com/g/eastkingdomnarrowworkguild

Worshipful Company of Narrowworkers

Arachne's Web

  • Official Name of Guild:

Arachne’s Web of the East Kingdom

  • Name of Guildmistress:

Mistress Barbeta Kyrkeland, O.L.

  • What is the focus or topic of your guild?

We are the guild for makers of all forms of lace. This includes lace made by needle and thread, lace made by bobbins and thread, and lace made by woven or knitted thread

  • How is your guild structured? Do you have a rankings system? Hold panels?

There is a Guildmistress to oversee the guild. We are in the process of recruiting Northern, Central, and Southern Deputy Guildmistresses to assist in their respective districts.

We do have a ranking system: - Apprentice – anyone can join as an apprentice with an interest in making lace - Lacemaker – using either a breadth or depth option, submit 3 pieces of lace for evaluation - Lacemistress (Master) – using either breadth or depth option, produce 4 additional pieces of lace, 2 of which are excellent. Includes teaching and judging.

We do hold panels, although this hasn’t happened for a couple of years

  • How can artisans get involved?

Contact the Guild via email (although this isn’t the best way) info@arachnesweb.eastkingdom.org or attend a panel or guild meeting.

  • Do you have an active website or social media page?

Yes – this is the best way to contact us. https://www.facebook.com/groups/388942254465405

Arachne's Web Lace Guild

East Kingdom Blacksmiths Guild

  • Official Name of Guild:

East kingdom Blacksmiths Guild

  • Name of Guildmaster/mistress:

Lord Brandr Aronsson

  • What is the focus or topic of your guild?

To promote the craft of Blacksmithing within the East Kingdom and to educate the populace about the craft as well. The guild is also a place for like minded individuals to come together to discuss and learn the craft.

  • How is your guild structured? Do you have a rankings system? Hold panels?

The Guild is structured through five skill levels: Member, Journeyman, Craftsman, Master Craftsman and Grand Master. Levels are attained through paneling various skill level projects that are then judged and rated. However, you can be a basic member of the Guild without participating in the paneling system.

  • How can artisans get involved? Do you have an active website or social media page?

Joining the guild is easy. Just go to the Website and join the email list: blacksmith.eastkingdom.org. We also have an active Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ekblacksmiths/

East Kingdom Blacksmiths Guild

East Kingdom Soothersayers' Guild

  • Official Name of Guild:

East Kingdom Soothsayers’ Guild

  • Name of Guildmistress:

Hlafdige Arastorm the Golden

  • What is the focus or topic of your guild?

The Soothsayers' Guild was chartered as a Kingdom Guild in A. S. XII and encompasses a variety of disciplines in the field of divination and prophecy. Among the most popular categories with SCA members are topics such as astrology, numerology, palmistry, and much more. We explore how these practices were done in period.

  • How is your guild structured? Do you have a rankings system?

The Soothsayers' Guild is an organization composed of the Guildmistress or Guildmaster, Seers/Seeresses, Journeymen, and Apprentices. Descriptions of these ranks can be found on our website.

  • How can artisans get involved?

Anyone who expresses interest in period soothsaying can join as an apprentice.

  • Do you have an active website or social media page?

Our website is http://www.soothsayersguild.org/. Our facebook page, however, is more active: https://www.facebook.com/groups/104839360122701/

Company of the Sable Domino: East Kingdom Courtesans

  • Official Name of Guild:

Company of the Sable Domino - the East Kingdom Courtesans

  • Name of Guildmistresses:

Fortune St Keyne and Biance Anguissola

  • What is the focus or topic of your guild?

We are the East Kingdom Guild associated with the Known World Courtesans (KWC) which is an interkingdom group.

Our goal is to teach and spread the beautiful skills of the courtesan such as the arts of poetry, dance, oration, and diplomacy throughout these Eastern lands. The guild is for sex worker personas, and those interested in all the "naughty bits" of history. We have members of all genders and orientations.

Much like the KWC, we support each other in our research. Yes, we play together, like holding salons, parties, and escort our patrons to social events or sponsoring fighters in tournaments. But we are also very passionate about both our DEI advocacy and research into various topics. We help each other with academic resources, A&S projects, sewing clothing, and teach classes while creating open and welcoming spaces.

For instance, Fortune runs a weekly book club on Wednesdays which has, since 2020, read over 10 different books focused on sex and sexuality in history from all cultures around the world. They just finished The Shape of Sex: Nonbinary Gender from Genesis to the Renaissance by Leah DeVun.

We emphasize togetherness and support for each other because we do not stand alone, no matter where in the world we are.

More information on the The Knowne World Courtesans can be found in the Facebook page and on https://knowneworldcourtesans.org/welcome/faq/#who-are-we

As they state on the website, the KWC are a free confederation of SCAdians who have sex worker personas from all areas and time periods. It’s important to state right up front that we do not have sex for money. Like the SCA tradition of glorifying the warrior, and their skills and exploits without real warfare, we in the Knowne World Courtesans celebrate the lives of sex workers without breaking real world laws.

  • How is your guild structured?

We are extremely loosely structured, the original mission of the KWC was more of a sex worker persona support group, and we carry on that mission.

It can be a difficult path to tread, but whitewashing our history of the "naughty bits" and the parts that may make us uncomfortable doesn't serve our understanding of the past or allow us to fully understand both our history and our present.

  • How can artisans get involved?

We have a Facebook group, and members are known by their red veils and gold stag heraldry. (A stag in heraldry is known as a hart, so it is a pun) Visit one of our salons or classes and learn more about us.

Company of the Sable Domino