Baronial Curia Meeting Minutes

March 19, 2000 (A.S. XXXIV)

The following notice is to advise the populace of Ruantallan that local Canton and Port Officials, along with Their Excellencies Andrew and Lyanna, met at Smouldering Hearth in the Canton of Seashire on March 19, A.S.XXXIV for a regular quarterly meeting of the Baronial Curia. Meeting time: 2:15-4:30pm.

Those in attendance included:

Baron Andrew of York
Baroness Lyanna of Kerneough
Lord Wynfrith of Huntandune, Seneschal
Lord Brion MacEideard of Westmoor, Icicle Pursuivant [Herald]
Lord Caelain O Moray, Knight Marshal and Minister of Lists
Lord Theotime de Poitiers, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Lady Deirdre du Champignon, Minister of Arts and Sciences
Constance of White Birch, Chatelaine
Lady Elise ferch Morgan ap Owen, outgoing Chronicler
Lady Sorcha inghean Murchadha, Web Minister
Lord Ivan the Hermit, Company Captain of Archers
Lady Edwenna of Raveneherst, Seneschal for the Canton of Distant Shore
Lord Derfel Malory, deputy representative for the Port of Lympha Profunda

A. Officer reports:

a) Icicle Pursuivant [Herald]
Lord Brion reported that no new name or device submissions were submitted during the previous quarter. In this regard, he advised that each element of any submissions to Laurel now cost $10.00 in U.S. funds. He also encouraged anyone who is considering having a name or device registered should contact one of the warranted Heralds in the Barony for help or advice regarding the submission process.

b) Knight Marshal/Minister of Lists
Lord Caelain advised that fight practice has been taking place at the Port of Lympha Profunda (drill shed, Stadacona) and that the Canton of Mycghalh now has a Knight Marshal (Lord Seumas Camshronach an Lochabair). According to Lord Caelain, currently no new marshals will be warranted until a new Kingdom Earl Marshal takes over from Duke Sir Gregor von Heisler.

c) Chancellor of the Exchequer
Lord Theotime reported that the current bank balance for the Baronial funds stand at $681.93. He advised that the majority of these funds were allocated on the short term to cover upcoming event expenses, etc. Discussion also ensued on past efforts to earmark funds for specific purposes such as the travel fund, pavilion fund, etc. In this regard, Lord Theotime plans to review the financial records of the Barony in an effort to determine the status of the various funds.

d) Chronicler
Lady Elise advised the curia that she would be able to publish one final issue of Quid Nunc before the new Chronicler takes over the job. There was some discussion on the funding required to produce this final issue and it was generally felt that it should be done as economically as possible.

e) Minister of Arts and Sciences
Lady Dierdra outlined the various activities taking place throughout the Barony. The Canton of Seashire and outlying areas have been particularly busy with regular practices by the Cantreff Singers and several projects are on the go by the Company of Artisans (formerly the local chapter of the Guilded Pearl). The Company of Artisans, under the direction of Lady Katheryne Thompson of Melton-Mowbray, are also holding regular monthly Arts & Sciences classes. Lady Elise also advised that the Dabbler's Guild is busy with banner making and is working on an on-line medieval readers list. There have been a couple of officer changes as well - Lady Elise has resigned as the A&S Minister for the Port of Lympha Profunda and Lord Riobard McSeosemh O Padraig has taken over the position of A&S Minister in Distant Shore.

f) Company Captain of Archers
Lord Ivan reported that archery practice has been largely on hold during the winter months [ed. rumour has it that Connor McRandall of Ratscombe has been sneaking in a little late winter practice at Witches Oak...something about broken arrows?]. Lord Ivan reminded everyone that archery marshal reports are due at the end of March and that Royal Round scores can now be submitted to the East Kingdom scorekeeper by email.

g) Chatelaine
Constance advised the curia that she has been focusing attention on attracting new people into the organization. She reported that the recent demo in Wolfsgate (Welcome Back Wolfsgate event) was a great success and several new people have been attending the S&B gatherings at Gower Castle in the west borough (Truro area) of Distant Shore. Constance also advised that she was in the process of gathering together the Baronial Gold Key (loaner garb).

h) Web Minister
Lady Sorcha discussed Ruantallan's new web site and advised everyone that she has received a lot of compliments and positive feedback regarding the changes that have been made. She also reported that plans were in the works to expand the site to include a page for articles and another for members pictures and devices. Lady Sorcha is also looking for input on other ideas as well.

B. Canton reports
Only one Canton report was available for presentation at the meeting. In this regard, Lady Edwenna reported that the Canton of Distant Shore continued to be quite active with things going on in both boroughs (Truro and New Glasgow). She advised that the Canton of Distant Shore was continuing to hold regular monthly populace meetings which alternate between the two boroughs. Constance of White Birch and Lord Perceval Gower, Esq. are also continuing to hold regular S&B and armouring sessions at Gower Castle.

Lady Edwenna reported that there have been several officer changes in the Canton including herself as the new Seneschal replacing Lord Ragnar, Lady Allesandra as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer replacing Lady Edwenna, Lord Riobard taking over the vacant position as Minister of Arts and Sciences, and Torr as the new Web Minister replacing Lord Wynfrith. Preparations are continuing for the Arts and Sciences event on May 6 which will be held in the borough of Truro, and some discussion has taken place regarding tentative plans for a camping event sometime in August at Foxworthy Manor. The local chapter of House Blackwood continues to be active with plans to continue upgrading the camping facilities at Foxworthy Manor, and the new Citizens Guild under the direction of Lady Enna continues to be very busy with several projects either underway or in the works.

C. Event Updates
Julienne de La Rochelle forwarded a report to the Curia on the upcoming Baronial Rapier Championship event (BRC) to be held on April 14 and 15, 2000. Julienne advised that plans for the event were going well with most of the arrangements in hand regarding the event sites, the fencing tourney, and the feast.

D. Old Business
Cheque for Mistress Ygraine of Kellswood: Mistress Ygraine returned the original cheque that was issued to cover travel expenses to Ruantallan for the archery schola last year due to the high cost of cashing the cheque in the U.S. A decision was made by Curia to forward a money order to Mistress Ygraine for $100.00 Canadian in U.S. funds in place of the returned cheque.

E) New Business

a) Advance to Chronicler
Lady Elise advised the Curia that she would need an advance to produce her last issue of Quid Nunc before handing over the job to the new Chronicler. A decision was made to advance $70-80 (as required) to Lady Elise to cover printing and mailing costs for the spring issue.

b) Baronial Fencing Championship event
Following a brief discussion, a decision was made to advance $300.00 to Julienne de La Rochelle to cover expenses for the BRC feast. There was some discussion regarding the arrangements for fencing marshals at the event. It was understood at the meeting that Lord Cosmano and Lord Perceval would be coordinating the marshalling and that other marshals in attendance could be called upon to help as required.

c) King and Queens Archery Tournament
Lady Elise suggested at the meeting that the Barony of Ruantallan should consider putting in a bid for the King and Queens archery tournament in the spring of A.S.XXXV. Further discussion was tabled for the next meeting.

d) Election of new Baronial Chronicler
One candidate put her name in for the vacant position of Baronial Chronicler (Lady Allesandra Francesca de Milano). Following a brief discussion, a vote [by show of hands] to elect Lady Allesandra as the new Baronial Chronicler was taken, and duly elected.

e) Stipends for Their Excellencies
The Curia was advised by Their Excellencies at the last meeting that the annual stipends to help offset expenses for group-related activities was in arrears. Following a general discussion on ideas put forth to look after this debt, a decision was made to commute the amount of the stipends to Their Excellencies by waiving entrance fees to all Baronial events until the full amount owing was covered.

f) Bids for the Baronial Investiture event
The Curia was advised that no bids have been received as yet for the fall Baronial Investiture event. It was agreed that requests for bids should be posted to remind the populace.

g) Marshal of Fence
The subject of needing a Baronial Marshal of Fence [previously called Minister of Fence] for Ruantallan was brought up for discussion. There is considerable difference of opinion on the need for the position and it was agreed to table the discussion for the next meeting. It was also agreed that we should look into the position at Kingdom level to determine what the recommendations are for the position in subgroups.

h) Event and meeting conflicts
The problem of event and meeting conflicts and how to deal with them was brought up for discussion. This has generally not been a significant problem in the past, particularly for large events; however, there has been a number of conflicts where two or more small gatherings and various meetings have been scheduled at the same time. It was generally felt by the Curia that with the number of groups now in the Barony some conflicts would be unavoidable. It was also recognized that it was essential to have good communication between the different groups, and in this regard a suggestion was made that if there was any doubt about a particular date for an event then the Baronial Seneschal should be contacted. In this regard, Lord Wynfrith volunteered to maintain an event calendar for the larger gatherings [this would include the Barony of Ruantallan in particular, plus other significant events in other parts of the Northern Region].

Some discussion also ensued regarding the advance booking of Baronial Curia meetings. Recognizing the importance of these meetings, it was suggested that these meetings be booked at least a year in advance subject to last minute changes. These tentative dates would be advertised in the local newsletters and on the local web sites.

i) Local customs and policies
A long standing plan to adopt a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Barony was brought up for discussion. It was generally recognized that having set procedures for taking care of Baronial business was essential. This in essence would codify local customs and policies that have become accepted practice within the Barony over the years. Following a general discussion, a decision was made to form a committee to review local customs and policies within the Barony and to make recommendations to Curia for the adoption of a set of Standard Operating Procedures. In this regard, a committee was established consisting of His Excellency Baron Andrew, Lord Caelain and Lord Wynfrith.

j) Pomp and ceremony at events
The last item of business discussed at the meeting was the need for more pomp and ceremony at events. Following a brief discussion, it was duly noted that various efforts in recent months have been focused on improving heraldic displays, etc.

F. Next meeting
Sunday, June 11 (location to be decided).

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