The Time that Wasn't Like Any Other

In 2020, Ansteorra (along with the rest of the world) was hit by the Covid-19 virus. As a result, the Crown and Seneshal had to make difficult decisions, as guided by the SCA Board of Directors. This page documents the official communications and timeline of The Year That Wasn't Like Any Other.

March

March 9

The SCA Board Of Directors provides guidance on event cancellations.

March 14:

Gulf Wars is cancelled, as much of Ansteorra is in packing mode, is en-route, or for some, already on site.

March 16 Communication from the Seneshal

Greetings Ansteorra from Master Avery Shaw, Kingdom Seneschal,

This is not the message I want to send, but sometimes we have that choice taken away from us.

Yesterday, the Center for Disease Control issued new guidelines regarding gatherings. I have listed the link for this notification below. These guidelines state "for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States." Having talked with The Crown and Heirs and getting their agreement, in order to comply with this request, as Kingdom Seneschal I am cancelling all Kingdom Calendar Events until at least April 30th, 2020. Please note, with the limit being 50 people, this does not include local gatherings such as fighter practices, guild meetings, and such. I am still stating that each group is free to decide what is proper for them regarding smaller gatherings. If your group feels comfortable having a practice or whatever, please do so. Permission is not required to cancel or continue small, local meetings. This cancellation only applies to those events on the Kingdom Calendar. I have contacted the Autocrats and/or Seneschals for each of the events affected, they are aware and have started plans accordingly.

So, a few things. First, yes, this means that Coronation will be postponed. I have sent a letter to the Society Seneschal requesting a variance to allow this, he has already approved several other Kingdom's request for the same, I do not see a problem with this request. The current plan is that we will try to have our first events back the weekend of May 1-3. That will be Namron Beltane and Coastal Grand Baronial. I say plan because this will technically be week 7 of the 8 weeks in the CDC guidelines. We are hoping that things will be good at this point, but please note that we cannot guarantee. The following weekend, May 8-10, 2020, would be the 8th week, currently that is Queen's Champion. Discussing with The Crown and Heirs, the idea as of now is that we will combine events and that weekend will be Coronation, Queen's Champion, and King's Champion. This is a lot, I know, but we have done this before (Kein and Alisha II as well as Romanius and Deanna). With the situation changing as rapidly as it is, again, I cannot guarantee this is what will happen, but this is what we are planning for.

Second, all events that have been cancelled, both The Crown and Heirs have stated that they would be happy for those events to be rescheduled once we are back to normal again. I would ask that we wait a couple of weeks to see where we are before we start that process, but please know, we want these events to happen if possible.

I ask all of you to please be careful. Take care of each other. For now, continue to meet and practice and work and play. As the situation moves forward, I will be actively keeping all posted where we are and how things are progressing. If you have questions, please ask them, either of myself or the regional deputies. I may not have an immediate answer, but will do my best to respond as quickly as possible.

This is not a missive I have ever thought I would have to pen. This is going to be difficult, I know. But we are Ansteorra. All of us. And we are strong. And we will help each other. And we will make this work. We love to use the phrase "Because that's what Heroes do!" and normally, we are referring to the bravery of those who stand in the center of battle and show the Knowne World the glory and prowess that is Ansteorra. But sometimes, the Heroes are the ones who simply make things work. Who check on their brothers and sisters and make sure they are ok. Who can be placed in front of a situation that is beyond reasonable and is not going to be easy or fun...and who straighten their shoulders, set their minds, and who then move forward and MAKE IT WORK. This is such a time.

We are Ansteorra. And we will be stronger than this. I know we will.

In Service to Ansteorra, always,
Master Avery Shaw - MoD, Pel, WSA, Lion
Kingdom Seneschal

March 16, part II Communication from the Seneshal

New CDC guidelines as of today. No gatherings over 10 people for next 14 days. Per this directive, as Kingdom Seneschal, I am cancelling ALL Official SCA activity in person for the next 2 weeks. That is until March 30th. No practices, guilds, meetings. This is per Federal Government guidelines.

This is changing quickly, I am sorry for the short notice. But til Monday, March 30, please limit official functions to online communication only.

Please feel free to forward as appropriate.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Avery
Kingdom Seneschal

March 26 Communication from the Seneshal

Greetings Ansteorra,

I hope all are well and finding ways to deal with our mutual isolation. Thank you to all who have been helping put out content for people to enjoy and to all the groups having virtual meetings. Connection is still needs, glad to see folks doing so.

Originally, we had announced that all SCA Official activities would not happen in Ansteorra until March 30. Given that the situation is what it is, and mostly that it is so fluid and not predictable, I, in agreement with the Crown, am going to change that statement to not include an end date. For now, we will continue the "no official activities" for as long as needed. We will wait and see how things are looking, we will comply with government directives. I will make sure to update as we move forward. Let me know if you have questions.

We are still planning on Coronation to happen, along with Queen's Champion and King's Champion, on May 9th. We have been given permission by Society to hold a Virtual Event for Coronation, if needed. This permission also includes the ability of the Crown to give awards at that time, up to and including Peerages. Hopefully, we will not have to do that, but it is good to already have permission if needed.

Take care of each other, stay safe. We are Ansteorra, we are stronger than anything this situation can throw at us. We will rise again.

Avery
Kingdom Seneschal

March 27:

Hellsgate - Commander's Crucible is cancelled.
Wiesenfeuer holds its first virtual officer's meeting.

April

April 3:

The Norman Medieval Faire demo and Elfsea Defender is cancelled.

April 6:

Wiesenfeuer holds its first virtual populace meeting.

April 11:

Spring Coronation is Postponed, with no firm date set at that time.

April 16: Communication from Her Majesty

Greetings Ansteorra, His Majesty and I will be holding virtual courts on April 25th and May 2nd. We were greatly sadden by the cancelling of Gulf Wars, Hellsgate, and Elfsea events and have many members of the populace that were going to be honored with awards and elevations to Peerages that we are organizing these virtual events plus our step down and Coronation of TRH on May 9th. Stay tune for more information from Kinddom Seneschal with help from Kingdom Webminister and Social Media Deputy. Thank you, you three and your team for your help.

EXTRA/SPOILER ALERT We will also be OFFICIALLY announcing HE Sarra Asshton of York for elevation to the Pelican, which was supposed to happen at Gulf Wars and has been added to the Gazette.

We very much hope that you and yours are safe during these sad and frustrating times. I see many posts that show you are a caring and wonderful Kingdom. I encourage everyone to reach out to each other with a kind word or funny pic. The ones I have received have got me through some difficult hours. Thank you.

Your in Service,
Cristyana and Sven III
Queen and King of Ansteorra
The BEST of Kingdoms

April 16:

The Shire of Graywood holds The Pandemic E-Vent

April 17:

Squires, Cadets and Arcarius, and Wiesenfeuer Baronial is cancelled.

April 18:

A virtual Test Court is held. Some past business is addressed: Dane of Ironlance - a Sable Falcon granted by Lochlan. (Charter painted in 2011 by Devin); Margaret Knott - an Award of Arms from Lochlan & Gwen. (Charter painted in 2017 by Rayne of Stargate); Yamamoto Kagekatsu - an Award of ARms from Lochlan & Gwen (Charter by Ayesha de Warwicke of Namron); Jerik Slayer - Sable Thistle in Bagpiping from Miguel & Conal (Charter by Emma Farewyl). And from the current reign: the first ever current award given electronically, Christiana del Norte - Sable Thistle of Calligraphy.

The same day, the first ever Online Pelican Circle is held, reportedly with over 60 participants.

April 24

• Glaslyn's Defender of the Flame is cancelled.

April 25

A Virtual Court is held, and broadcast to the kingdom via Facebook Live, through the technical assistance of the Kingdom Webminister. During this court, Livia da Nicolosi (Laurel), Zahira de la Sara (Pelican), and Sarra Asshton of York (Pelican) are elevated to the Peerage.