A Market Day at Birka XXXI

Baron Olaf of Trollheimfjord, the first Autocrat of BirkaPicture by Countess Arastorm the Golden

January 24 – 26, 2020Barony of Stonemarche

Event Staff

Autocrat: Mistress Fia Kareman

Deputy Autocrats: Lady Tomyris of StonemarcheLord Cedric of the Floppy Hay

Merchant Coordinator: Lady Tegwen ferch Cydifor ap Bleddyd

Deputy Merchant Coordinators: Lady Kris SpinsterBritte of Ardubrath

Gate / Exchequer: Lady Fionnghulla inghen Mhic Cealleigh

Deputy Gate / Exchequer: Lord Cynric the DabblerMistress Aine CallaghanLady Shyvan FloydGillianne de Solis

Royalty Liaison: Baron Keziah Planchet

Deputy: THL Alexandra of Silverwood

Security: Lady Kate the Wicked

Deputy for Martial Activities: Lady Tomyris of Stonemarche

Heavy List MIC: Lord Eben Hardrada

Fencing MIC: Lord Trian O’Bruadair

Youth MIC: Lord Yfir Donalsson

Mistress of the List: Lady Simona bat Leon

A&S Coordinator: Lady Ástríðr Sægeirsdottir

Fashion Show: Baroness Bianca Angussola

Meetings & Class Coordinator: THL Alexandra of Silverwood

Middle Eastern Activities and Hafla: Lady ErzulieLady Serene Brilliant

Youth and Family Activities: Lady Agnes Marie de CalaisTHL Lady of Malagentia

Gold Key: Lady Aelfthryth the Cat

Herald: Lady Edgithe Hlammandi

Newcomer / Info Point: Lady Anjuli Foljambe

Birka Ball: Lord Ruadh Cruidh MacFrode~~ Sir Robin’s Minstrals

Bardic Circle: Lady Sólveig Bjarnardóttir

Webmaster: Lord Gerhardt von Hohensee

Welcome to A Market Day at Birka and the Current Middle Ages!

A Market Day at Birka is sponsored by the Barony of Stonemarche, the New Hampshire chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (“SCA”), a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the historical study of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

The historical inspiration for this event is the town of Birka, which flourished in Sweden on Björkö Island in Lake Mälar during the 9th and 10th centuries. During its heyday it was a great trading center for the Vikings and travelers from the Nordic world, and goods could be purchased there from throughout Europe as well as much of Asia. It was also the location of the first Christian congregation in Sweden, founded in 831 by St. Ansgar, where Christians and pagans lived side by side in peace. Birka and the nearby town of Hovgården were added to the World Heritage List in 1993 as well preserved examples of the Vikings’ trading networks during the two centuries (700-900) when they expanded economically and politically in Europe. Birka is one of the most complete and untouched Viking Age trading sites from this period. We celebrate the heritage of Birka today in an SCA context with our own market day. Enjoy!

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Theme of the Event

In Birka, there have been discoveries of runes, many of which derive from the Elder Futhark. This was used for writing Proto-Norse and consists of 24 runes that often are arranged in three groups of eight. The earliest known sequential listing of the full set of 24 runes dates to approximately AD 400 and is found in Sweden.

In searching for a theme for Birka XXXI, I decided to look at the fourth rune in the series, Ansuz (sometimes referred to as Oss or Os).

As with most ancient symbols, it has a variety of meanings, but it is closely associated with forms and means of communication. I also found several sources that used the same words to describe it - which resonated with me. So this rune and these words are my

theme:

Harmony, Wisdom, Love

East Kingdom Royalty

Queen Margarita de’ Siena

Heir Sovereign Magnus TindalHeir Consort Alberic von Rostock

Visiting Royalty(in order of the founding of the Kingdom)

Kingdom of Aethelmearc

King Timothy of ArindaleQueen Gabrielle van Nijenrode

Kingdom of Ealdomere

Prince Amelius Claudius Rattanicus Princess Isabel Atwyll

Kingdom of Acre

King DouglasQueen Marina

Greetings from the Baroness and Baron

Unto the Barony of Stonemarche and friends thereof do Baroness Deirdre and Baron Keziah send Greetings!

Welcome to the Market Day at Birka XXXI. For us, Birka is a testament to how little things grow to be big. Here in Stonemarche, we work throughout the year to prep, plan and put on this 2000+ person event. We hope everyone has a warm day of shopping, participating with the martial activities, and as many of the other activities that your weekend can hold.

We are pleased to welcome Her Royal Majesty Margarita, Their Highnesses, as well as the many visiting royals from distant kingdoms.  Summons for our baronial court will be posted on site as well as online. We would like to remind everyone that if you compete in any of the tournaments, the fashion show, or the A&S populace vote, that the winners will be announced at the Stonemarche Baronial Court.

Birka is a special sort of event for many reasons; but what stands out is the vast amount of people in a contained space with some parts being open to the public.  With that special setting, come different rules than your average event. Site tokens must be worn at all times as proof of signing the liability waiver. In the past, people have at times treated this like it was an unnecessary nuisance, when in fact, it is very necessary. The special site tokens at Birka are one of our favorite parts of this historic event!

We would like to encourage the populace, and especially the peerage, to assist security and staff by courteously helping friends remember their tokens when hopping onto elevators, leaving the site, and entering the Marketplace.

Together, we are better. Together, we can make any modern place the gathering of a Society we can be proud of.Together we are the East!

Yours in Service,Deirdre and Keziah

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Message from the Autocrat

Welcome to the glorious lands of Stonemarche, where all may enjoy the beauty of the mountains, the tang of salt air at the ocean, as well as our many wondrous lakes, rivers and babbling brooks. It is my fervent hope that the only weather you experience this weekend is the biting cold that is normally found this far north in the month of January, and any snow and storms have held off and not waylaid any plans.

I wish to extend my personal thanks to each and every person who has volunteered for Birka, from my Staff who have gone above and beyond, to the person who volunteers because hands are needed during take down. It couldn’t be done without all of you.

Yours in Service, Mistress Fia Kareman, OP

We are honored and humbled by your presence, and can only hope that you will be pleased by your time in our fair land.

Master Schedule of Events

Friday, January 24:

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Gate is Open (Stark)

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Heralds and Information Point are Open (Webster)

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Newcomers Table is Open (hallway outside of Stark)

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Merchants are Open (Expo Center)

5:00 pm – 11:00 pm Hospitality Areas are Open (Armory, Ballroom, Penstock)

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Meetings (See separate schedule on page 9)

7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Cash Bar is Open (outside of Ballroom)

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm Discussion Salon / Open Forum

8:45 pm – 10:45 pm Casual Hafla (Pierce)

Saturday, January 28:8:00 am – 4:00 pm Gate is Open (Stark)

9:00 am – 6:00 pm Merchants are Open (Expo Center)Please note that the Merchants are open during the Courts

9:00 am – 11:00 am Heavy List: Tournament Inspections & Authorizations (Ballroom)

9:00 am – 11:00 am Fencing: Tournament Inspections & Authorizations (Armory)

9:00 am – 3:00 pm Hospitality Area is Open (Penstock)

9:00 am – 3:30 pm Heralds Point & Information Point is Open (Webster)

9:00 am – 3:30 pm Arts & Sciences is Open (Dartmouth)(See note on page 9 for A&S Contest information)

9:00 am – 5:00 pm Newcomers Table is Open (hallway outside of Stark)

9:00 am – 5:00 pm Family Area is Open (Far end of Mezzanine by Hawthorne)

9:00 am – 10:00 pm Gold Key Open (Webster)

9:30 am – 10:00 am Youth Combat: Inspections & Authorizations (Armory)

10:00 am Royal Court – Morning (Armory)

10:00 am – 12:00 pm Youth Combat: Open List & Training (Armory)

9:00 am – 5:00 pm Meetings (See separate schedule on page 9)

9:00 am – 5:00 pm Youth & Family Activities (See separate schedule on page 11)

Master Schedule of Events

Saturday, January 25: (continued)10:00 am – 5:00 pm Middle Eastern Activities (See separate schedule on page 10)

11:00 am “Welcome Tour for Newcomers to SCA and/or Birka,” presented by Baron Keziah and Baroness Deirdre (Newcomers Table)

11:00 am – 2:00 pm Heavy List Tournament (Ballroom)

11:00 am – 2:00 pm Fencing Tournament (Armory)

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Youth Combat: Birka Tournament (Armory)

3:00 pm Newcomers Tour (Newcomers Table)

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Fashion Show (Armory)

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Stonemarche Baronial Court (Armory)

5:00 pm Royal Court – Evening (Ballroom)

5:00 pm – 11:00 pm Cash Bar is Open (outside of Ballroom)

5:00 pm – 11:00 pm Hospitality Area is Open (Armory)

8:00 pm – 11:00 pm Bardic Circle (Stark)

8:00 pm – 11:00 pm Ball (Ball)

8:30 pm – 11:00 pm Hafla (Pierce and area outside of Pierce)

Sunday, January 26:9:00 am East Kingdom Curia (Stark) Note: All questions regarding Curia

should be directed to the EK Seneschal.

9:00 am – 2:00 pm Gate is Open (hallway outside of Stark)

9:00 am – 3:00 pm Merchants are Open (Expo Center)

10:00 am – 12:00 pm Meetings (See separate schedule on page 9)

Event Closes at 3:00 pm

Hospitality Areas

This year we are introducing several rooms as “Hospitality Areas,” which will have tables, chairs and everyone will be able to use them to meet with friends, take a break, or just sit down for a spell. The Hospitality Area in Penstock will also have a charging station for those not staying at the hotel.

We ask that you respect these areas are open for everyone by not taking them over for your meeting or household and leaving them cleaner than you found them. All rules that apply for the rest of the Event apply here as well. As with everything in the SCA, please be courteous to all. 😊

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Tokens

In 1871, a horde of jewelry and clothing accessories were found under a boulder in Vårby, Huddinge (parish) in Sweden. This horde became known as the "The Golden Hoarde", because of the amount of gold and gold plated silver that was found. One of the extraordinary artifacts found were these 19 belt fittings, which is the inspiration for this year's event token. http://mis.historiska.se/mis/sok/fid.asp?fid=106690

The extant artifacts were made of gold-plated silver. The one that you are wearing is made of cast pewter. Carved soap stone was used to create our original masters. These were then molded in silicone, to be cast using a centrifugal spin-casting process. 

Please give huge thanks to Lady Ástríðr Sægeirsdottir, who spearheaded the project to carve the soap stone, learn the machine and create 2,200 tokens for Birka. She (and we) are grateful for the assistance of: Lord Alric the Younger, Master Steffen of Silverforge, Aegir the Lucky, Caitríona of Stonemarche and Brian Woodswalker.

Additionally, there are about 40 individuals who are wearing necklaces that incorporate the medallion, a Viking medallion and several beads. These are the staff of Birka, the Baron and Baroness of Stonemarche, or Royalty. Each of the necklaces were handmade by Mistress Fia Kareman.

Every individual who is wearing a necklace has put in great amounts of time to make this event happen. So if you see someone wearing one of the necklaces, shake their hand, thank them, or simply give them a smile.

Meetings

Friday, January 24:Frost: (Mezzanine)

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Women and Fighting Panel Discussion

8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Tyger’s Cub Meeting

Saturday, January 28:Frost: (Mezzanine)

9:00 am – 10:00 am Narrow Workers Meeting

10:00 am – 11:00 am Arachne’s Web Meeting

11:00 pm – 12:00 pm Athena’s Thimble Meeting

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Thrown Weapons Meeting

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Scribes Meeting

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Ladies of the Rose Meeting

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Unbelted Meeting Meeting

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Heavy List Marshals Meeting

Sunday, January 26:Frost: (Mezzanine)

10:00 am – 11:00 am East Kingdom Moneyers Guild

11:00 am – 12:00 pm Soothsayer’s Guild Meeting

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A&S Contest

The Barony of Stonemarche's Arts & Sciences Champion, Baroness Runtilla Fausta, is hosting a contest in conjuction with the Arts & Science's display. If you are interested in participating in this contest, all you need to do is let the A&S Volunteers know. They will give the entrant a cup to put with their display. Voting will happen between 12:00 & 3:00, with the winner of the contest announced at Stonemarche Baronial Court at 4:00.

Please note that participation in this contest is completely optional. If you have any questions, please contact Baroness Fausta or Lady Ástríðr Sægeorsdottir.

Middle Eastern Activities

Friday, January 24: 8:45 pm - 10:45 pm Casual Hafla in "Birkastan" (Pierce) All

musicians are welcome to sit in. Everyone welcome and encouraged to participate in the open dance!

 

Saturday, January 25: (All Classes & Performances in Pierce)

 11:00 am - 11:45 am Drum Class with Rich Parker and

Penny Messier. Learn to drum to two famous Middle Eastern Dance songs; Azziza and Ya Ain Mulayatain/Shashkin. With breaks and rhythm changes these songs are challenging and exciting and will be played at our open music jams. Musicians that know the songs are welcome to join (will have cd accompaniment otherwise.) Percussion instruments of all kinds welcome.

12:00 pm - 12:45 pm Music Mapping with Lady Leyli. We’ll explore the structure of a belly dance standard, identifying phrases, themes, and repeating elements and discuss how to use this in your dance. Great for dancers ready to start crafting their own performances, improvised or choreographed, but open to all. There will be some movement, but this is mostly a listening and talking workshop. Please bring a pen or pencil.

1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Mezmerizing Hands and Arms with Zabel. Come play with hand and arm patters

layered with feeling, texture and emotion that will add an extra layer of intrigue to your dancing.

1:45 pm - 2:30 pm Middle Eastern Live Music Performances: Shae Rossi, Zabel and the ZaBellies, Eve Tribal Bellydance, Ankara Rose World Dance, Esther Rahel, PSYbel Tribal, Nasreen and Debbani Dawn

2:45 pm - 3:30 pm  Midlife and Beyond—How to dance like your in your 20's but aren’t! with

Zsuzsy. Practical applications of common dance patterns for those with physical challenges due to age/ medical issues/body dysfunction. A overview of dance moves and how to do them despite having limitations. A basic dance will be taught to incorporate each dancers abilities. Bring your work out clothing, hip scarf and water.

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm ME LIVE MUSIC JAM lead by Hagop Garabedian. All musicians are welcome to sit in. Everyone welcome and encouraged to participate in the open dance! 

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm Middle Eastern Live Music Performances: Cheryl Kalilia Mastika, Thalia Faiella Jemillha, Lady Leyli,Shisheler, Karen Kempskie-aquino (Mavi Mavi), Lady Angelina Rosa Andreini Uskudara, Beladies of Carolingia Troupe

8:30 pm – 10:45 pm Birkastan Hafla (Pierce and outside of Pierce)LIVE MUSIC Hafla lead by Hagop Garabedian All musicians are welcome to sit in. Everyone welcome and encouraged to participate in the open dance! Performances mixed in throughout the night—contact Lady Erzulie for a dance slot.

Youth and Family Activities

Saturday, January 26:

Family Lounge: (near Hawthorne on Mezzanine)

9:00 am - 5:00 pm  A space is being provided for families to get away from the hustle and bustle of the event, meet one another, and enjoy some quiet activities. The same child supervision rules that apply for the rest of Birka will apply in this space as well as the classroom space next to it. Unsupervised children will be asked to locate their adults.

Tween / Teen Area: (past Pierce outside of Expo Center)

9:00 am - 5:00 pm  A space is being provided for tweens and teens to get away from the event, meet one another, and enjoy some quiet activities. A charging station or power strips will be provided. Tweens and Teens who are allowed to “roam” by their parents, are welcome here without supervision. There will not be any staff provided by Stonemarche.

Hawthorne:

For all classes: Gentles under 10 who would like to attend will need direct supervision of an adult or older teen. One adult certified as Chancellor Minor by the SCA will be present from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

10:00 am – 10:30 am Ready for the Ball. Children will design and create a mask, hat, jewelry or crown to wear.

10:30 am - 11:00 am  Bardic Beginnings. A story suitable for ages 6-12 will be shared and children will use story dice to create their own tale as a group. Paper will be available for those who wish to write and share a piece as well or draw a picture about their tale.

11:00 am - 11:30 am  The Great Quest. Undertake a quest for knowledge and come back to receive a token of appreciation and esteem. (This is a scavenger hunt and will require children to leave the room. If under age 10, they need to have a minder or adult with them.)

11:30 am - 12:00 pm  Ready for the Ball (Repeated). Children will design and create a mask, hat, jewelry or crown to wear.

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm The room will be open for children to play games, do some crafts, and play with one another. Specific classes may be organized, and will be posted at the room.

Rules and Logistics

Rules

All participants must:

Wear their site token in an easily visible manner at all times. Your Coronet or “tin hat” is NOT a token. Please be considerate of this rule and those acting as Security.

Wear an attempt at pre-17th century clothing, which is generally referred to as “garb.” If needed, loaner garb is available at the Gold Key outside of the Expo Center. Participants are strongly encouraged to wear garb on Friday and Sunday, and are required to wear garb on Saturday.

Act in a manner consistent with Chivalric ideals and courtesy.

Follow the instructions of the Event staff.

Participants may not:

Wear "Fantasy" outfits (Elven Ears, Fairy wings, Steampunk, etc.).

Failure to follow any of the Event rules, or the rules of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. may result in expulsion from the site without refund.

Logistics:

Public Spaces: Please be aware that all corridors in the hotel are public areas, and are not limited to Event attendees. You should not leave personal items unattended in these areas. You should also expect to see people who are not part of the event, and are therefore not in garb in these areas.

Parking: To receive the $6 parking rate for the event, you must have a validated parking ticket. If you do not, you are likely to be charged the normal parking rate, which is $10 per day. You can have your ticket validated by the Hotel staff at the Hotel registration counter.

Changing rooms: There are changing areas for both Men and Women, located near the Expo Center. You may leave items in these rooms, but the Event makes no guarantees of their safety. We recommend that you keep your valuables with you at all times.

Food: The Hotel will have two concessions stands set up from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the halls outside the Ballroom and the Expo Center. There are also many local restaurants in the surrounding area.

Children: No minors are allowed onto the site without a parent or guardian unless prior arrangements have been made with the Autocrat. All children under the age of 12 must be supervised by a responsible adult or an older baby sitter arranged by their parents.

Royal Room: If you have a need to get a message to the Royal household or drop something off for Royal Court, the Royal Room is located on Mezzanine. This room is specifically for the Royalty, and is not part of the public event space.

We hope that you have a pleasant time at the event. If you care to give us any feedback after the event, please contact the autocrat at autocrat@birka.org