Royal Progress:  

It is January 6, 1066. Edward the Confessor, The King of England since 1042, has just died. AND HE HAS NO HEIR. Duke William of Normandy has sworn that Edward promised the crown to him, as Edward had spent most of his childhood in Normandy in exile from Cnut, the Viking king who defeated his father and married his mother. However, in Edward’s last moments, he gave his blessing to the Witan (English councilmen to the king, literally “wise men”) to select Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, as the new King of England.

Meanwhile, Tostig Godwinson, deposed Earl of Northumbria and brother of Harold, has sworn revenge on his brother for being the one who deposed him for levying high taxes on his people. Tostig traveled to Norway and struck an alliance with King Harald Hardrada, whom he convinced to invade England to once again rule as a Viking king and restore Tostig as the Earl of Northumbria.

This would set in motion events that would change our world forever. England would have a new society unlike which it has never seen before. The Viking Era in England, which began in 793 C.E. at a raid of the Lindisfarne Abbey, would come to an abrupt and bloody end. Englishmen who were once considered freemen would find themselves subjugated to their new Norman overlords. The language you are currently reading would not look the way that it does if 1066 ended differently.

At this year’s St. Swithin’s Bog Three Day Event, we will celebrate this monumental year with Heavy Weapons, Rapier, Youth Fighting, Thrown Weapons and Archery, many of which will have a Saxon/Viking/Norman flavor! The heavy weapon fighting will use the three major battles in that year (The Battle of Fulford, the Battle of Stamford Bridge, and the Battle of Hastings) as inspiration for the scenarios. The Battle of Stamford Bridge (famous for the lone Viking who defended a bridge against dozens of Saxons) will be our feature tournament, where the bravest of warriors will have their chance to see how long they can last on the bridge against the other fighters! Fighters are encouraged but not required to use Conquest-era weapons and armor. The archery field will include special targets with a Norman and Saxon theme.

The feast will be made with mostly period materials, but will be sure not to disappoint our modern palettes! The hall will be adorned with images of The Bayeux Tapestry, a Norman work of art that depicts the invasion and defeat of Harold from William’s perspective. Historical poster boards will be displayed in the hall as well, to provide basic information on what life was like in England in 1066. The theme for the Iron Scribe will follow the event theme, so better brush up on your early medieval history! Brewers will be encouraged to brew typical libations of the era, including mead and ale.

LOCATION:
Our site is the New Germany Grove Hall, 1635 New Germany Road, Summerhill, PA 15958. Site will open on Friday, July 12th at 5:00pm and close Sunday, July 14th at 12:00pm. There is space for camping. No shower facilities are available, but please feel free to bring your own amenities. The site is discreetly wet and above ground fires are permitted. Service animals only please. Adult Event Registration is $25.00 per adult, Adult Member Discount Event Registration is $15.00 per adult member. Children ages 17 and under are free. Saturday breakfast and lunch sideboard are included with your event registration.

Hours for Troll:
Friday 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Saturday 9:00am to 2:00pm

EVENT FEES:
Adult Non-Member Registration: $25.00
Adult Member Registration: $15.00
Child: FREE 17 and under
Feast Fee for ages 6 and over: $10.00

FEAST:
A delicious feast on all three days will be prepared by Lady Eudoxia Antonina mka Katie Brown Gaudreau (email: ktggaudreau@gmail.com). Dietary/allergy concerns may be sent to that email. Included in the site fee will be Friday dinner sideboard, a breakfast and lunch on Saturday as well as leftovers for Breakfast on Sunday.

Saturday feast will be limited to 64 gentles. Feast is $10 per person, children 5 and under are free.

RESERVATIONS:
Reservations can be made with our Reservations Clerk, Lady Niamh Bean Bhrain O’Labhradha mka Diana Lowry, 3735 Baytree Street Pittsburgh Pa 15214 (email: dclsw05@gmail.com). The only good reservation is a paid reservation. Make checks payable to SCA-PA, Inc. Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog.

AUTOCRATS:
Other questions regarding the event may be directed to the event Autocrats: Lady Eliza Allison mka Liza Allison (email: liza.allison@gmail.com) and Lord Eadmund æt Eoforwicscire mka Nicky Allison (email: nicky.allison@gmail.com) 3497 Orchard Ave., Finleyville, PA 15332, 412-758-7144.

ROYALTY LIAISON:
Dame Ursula of Rouen mka Danielle Duvall (email: ursula.of.rouen@gmail.com)

DIRECTIONS:

From the West: Make your way to US-22E/William Penn Hwy via the exit on the left toward Murrysville (56.5 mi). Take the ramp toward Ebensburg (0.4 mi). Turn slightly right onto W High St/US-219 BR (0.5 mi). Turn Right onto New Germany Rd/ PA-160. Continue to follow New Germany Rd (5.3 mi.). The New Germany Grove is on the Right.

From the South: Make your best way to US-219 N. Take the exit toward New Germany (0.3 mi). Turn Right onto Tower Rd (0.3 mi). Turn left onto New Germany Rd-(0.3 mi). New Germany Grove is on the Left.

From the East: Make your best way to US-22W/William Penn Hwy. Take Exit 28 toward Ebensburg/Hollidaysburg. Take the exit toward Loretto (0.4 mi). Merge onto Admiral Peary Hwy (0.1 mi). Admiral Peary Hwy becomes Rowena Dr (0.5 mi). Rowena Dr becomes E. High St (0.6 mi). Turn slightly left onto W. High St/US-219 BR (0.3 mi). Turn left onto New Germany Rd/PA-160. Continue to follow the New Germany Rd (5.3 mi). New Germany Grove is on the Right.

From the North: Make your best way to US-422 E. Take the US-422 E Exit toward Indiana. Turn slight right onto US-422/Indiana Rd/Benjamin Franklin Hwy. Continue to follow Benjamin Franklin Hwy (50.5 mi). Turn right onto W High St/US-219 BR (0.3 mi). Turn left onto New Germany Rd/PA160. Continue to follow New Germany Rd (5.3 mi). New Germany Grove is on the Right.