Greetings Noble Friends All!

Castlemere was honored to help administer this Summer’s Kingdom ArtSci/TDU.  More than that, it was a joy.  I hope everyone enjoyed themselves, and we look forward to doing it again soon!

With the storms in the area blowing in, and a packed docket for court, I kept my thanks brief yesterday. Today, I’d like to take this opportunity to elaborate, now that everyone is safe and home and dry.

First and foremost, I’d like to thank Sir Cadywd, without whom, the day would have been spent in the often-taxing heat of the summer at another site. First on deck and last off, the image of selfless service and open humility, Sir Cadywd is the spirit of Trimarian generosity, and for that he is to be commended.

Thanks also to his Grace, Duke Martin, who met with the school and helped procure the site.  Also to his Grace Duke Gunnar, who had the inspired idea to combine Summer ArtSci with a Summer TDU (In The AC!).  Great fun!

To Honorable Lady Bryndis (TDU Dean), along with all Heavy, Rapier, Combat Archery, and Youth instructors who administrated and taught Trimaris Duke University.

Thanks to Countess Dulcia, and her staff: Mistress Ceridwen, (soon to be) Mistress Madhavi, Mistress Meghan, Mistress Alysoun, Mistress Ilene, Honorable Lady Amalthea, Lady Angeline, Lady Alianore, and Lady Aibhilin - for orchestrating ArtSci, and to all of the judges and artisans who participated. Thanks also to Don Cullen (Class Dean) and the many teachers who volunteered for the ArtSci University classes. 

Congradulations to the awardees of ArtSci:

Patron of the Arts - Barony of Darkwater
Champion of the Arts - Aibhilin inghean Daibhidh
Populace Acclaims - Isabeall Sibilli di Lucca & Johann von Ledden
Rose Acclaim - Seikka Heikkinen
Coronet's Acclaim - Thora Oakenhair
Crowns's Acclaim - Johann von Ledden
Laurels' Acclaims - Arianne de Chateaumichel & Jutte Haberlein
Non Pariels - Aibhilin inghean Daibhidh, Melissent Jaquelinne la
Chanteresse & Aedan O'Diomasaigh

Thanks to ALL ArtSci entrants for you creative efforts:

Entrants:Adelina Belet, Alysoun Jeunterre, Franca Donato, Isabella Sigilli di Lucca, Jingridh Paedhersdotter, Ristard mac Iomhair, Signy
Ottarsdottir, Vistillia Messalina Puhcheria, Thora Oakenhair, Alane of Starhaven, Gavine Amrestrang, Melissent Jaquelinne la Chanteresse,
Aedan O'Diomasaigh, Aibhilin inghean Daibhidh, Alianore de Clare, Finnguala inghean Alusdair, Joi de la Mare, Jutte Haberlein, Mould de
Cheder, Seikka Heikkinen, Maria de Andalusia, Arianne deChateaumichel, Johann von Ledden, Anne of Blackthorn, Roger St. John,
and Morgana Firch Rys of Glasatonbury.

To Honorable Lady Kateryna for running registration AND teaching a newcomers class. Also to Everyone who volunteered for Gate, as it was the only all day-outdoor duty (including but not limited to Lady Martine, Lady Eliza, young Deborah, Patricia, and many more).  We appreciate your time and efforts on behalf of the event. 

To the Kingdom Exchequer deputies who guided us and spent their afternoon helping us close out. 

To Lady Crasanthum for painstakingly making all the beautiful tokens for the event (she cast them all!). Also to Countess Cheric and Dutchess Rachel for donating to the cause and covering some of the materials fee.

Also to Baroness Jana, Crash space admin for the event; I for one was grateful for you hospitality. 

Thanks especially to the kitchen crew, Baroness Kenet and Lady Jaquline (Kay) who spent their day preparing, serving, and cleaning up after lunch. I can never have too many of the meat or spinach rolls they make and there was plenty left over for some afternoon snacks. Also to Chris, who made a mid morning run at the last second to ensure we were well taken care of. And to all who helped serve Lunch.

Thanks to Lady Carolina and m’lady Fiona, whose helium hands granted us youth activities for the event. Also to Maria and Mistress Maeva who provided much of the supplies for youth activities. And to any who volunteered to support youth activities at the event. 

Thanks to the autocrat staff who helped to set up and breakdown the site. The speed in which this was accomplished was a dream:  Duke Gunnar, Countess Dulcia, Sir Cadwyd, HL Bryndis, Lord Maldune, Lord Ian, Lord Fasti, Lord Takeo, m'lord Alby, m’lady Katerina (Claw), m’lady Hiedi, and all the noble citizens of Trimaris who lent a helping hand. 

Also, special thanks to Hiedi’s two children: young Debora (13) and Josaiya (15), who spent most of their day volunteering, setting up, breaking down, or go-for-ing for the staff.  It is inspiring to see such service in our youth, and grants us a glimpse of the glorious honor our next generation has and will exhibit.  As a lifer in the SCA, having attended my first event in the womb, this warms my heart greatly to see. 

Especially, I am proud to be a member of such a fine and generous Shire.  There was not one Castlemerian, present at the event, who did not volunteer or offer significant service toward the event’s success.  I am truly blessed to be apart of such a hard working group of people.  As friend, citizen, and Seneschal, I am moved by your efforts yesterday.  Many hands make light work, my friends, and Glory Awaits, indeed.

And lastly, thanks unto their Royal Majesties, Highnesses, and the Baronies who attended the event.  So much of the dream lives on in all you do to serve the realm and recognize your people.  We are all grateful for your support and patronage and look forward to hosting you again in the future.

One note, I did also want to take a moment to apologize to those merchants I missed prior to the event.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to allow merchanting.  As the autocrat at a new event site, I did not consider this until far too late to add it to the event flyer and did not think to put it on the website.  This was my ignorance, as I believed merchants were required to pre-register, and it was my intent to personally speak with any who contacted me.  This was obviously not the case, and I assure you I will take greater care in the future to avoid repeating this discourtesy.  To any I may have inconvenienced for lack of proper communication, I am grieved by my oversight and offer you my heartfelt apologies.  I assure you (lessons learned) that I will take greater care in the future that any foreseeable change to the status quo finds you properly informed via the event website, if not the event flyer.  It is my hope that despite the mix up, you were able to enjoy the rest of your event. 

Many thanks to everyone who had a hand in making this aspiration a reality! To any I may have missed, know your efforts served to better the day for all of your fellow Trimarians.  I thank you for your sacrifices and efforts on behalf of this event and our quixotic Kingdom of Trimaris.

In Service,

~Am ;)

HL Ambra Michelli
Seneschal of the Shire of Castlemere
seneschal(at)castlemere.org
www.castlemere.org
Vivant Trimaris!

For questions or concerns, contact us today!
Please note that this summer semester of the Trimaris Duke University is just that (the summer semester).
The Fall semester at our traditional site/cost, offering Equestrian & more will resume as in years past prior to Martinmas Moot.