This is the July 2025 issue of Across the Hills, a publication of the Barony of Endless Hills of the Society of Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA, Inc.). Across the Hills is made available from Endless Hills Chronicler- Kelsi Good, Lady Matilda of the Endless Hills, chronicler@endlesshills.aethelmearc.org. It is not a corporate publication of SCA, Inc., and does not delineate SCA, Inc. policies. Opinions are those of the authors and may not reflect or imply the view of Across the Hills or any member of its staff. Content is used with permission. Copyright (c) 2025. Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. For information on reprinting photographs, articles, or artwork from this publication, please contact the chronicler, who will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our contributors
Welcome From The Excellencies of the Hills
To our most beloved Barony of Endless Hills,
We, Baroness Kolfinna Jodisardottir and Baroness Revna Lunaris , send greetings! As we geared up to aid their Majesties in war, we wanted to take a moment and talk about the last two months. It has been a whirlwind of us settling in and getting to know our people better. Since stepping up we held our day of tournaments to determine our 7 pearls champions; it was a beautiful day albeit a bit chilly! We were able to see the amazing talents of our populace and we can’t wait to see more of our artists and fighters do wonderful things at Pennsic. If Our Baronial Champions would like to enter the Baronial tournaments at Pennsic, please let either of us know so we can be there to support you!
We are hoping to have a wonderful display of our people at the Pennsic opening ceremonies procession and would ask for any and all members of the Barony to take the time to join us at 5pm at the A&S tents for a brief Baronial court before the procession.
We are devoted to the service of Barony and the Kingdom in every form possible. We would welcome any and all to come visit us during any event to discuss ideas or suggestions for the Barony! We are also available online and at Baronial practices, as we will both be at Pennsic.
In Service
Baroness Kolfinna & Baroness Revna
Past Court Reports – Melee Madness/Investiture
Baronial Court-The final entry of the Court activities of Their Excellencies, Magge Illfoster and Niccolo dei Gaetani, 7th Baroness and Baron of the Endless Hills, upon the 10th of May AS LX at Melee Madness.
Reported by Master Po Silvertop the Rogue, Zule Pursuivant, and Meisterin Amalie Reinhardt, Fleur d’Aethelmearc Herald.
Their Excellencies welcomed Their Majesties, and the populace, thanking them for joining them on such a fine day. Their Excellencies requested the presence of Dona Kolfinna Jodisardottir and Lady Revna Lunaris and then presented them with rainbow chains of inclusion, celebrating the impending baronial transition and wishing them the best of luck.
Their Excellencies gave leave for Dame Katerina ty Isaf to conduct business – the taking of new protégés: Noble Angharad verch Morgan ap Morgan, Lord Paulo Fabiano Vivaldi and Haku. While Their Excellencies thanked the entire Barony and Kingdom for their support throughout their term, the following gentles were deemed to be of exemplary service and were awarded Silver Raindrops:
- Lady Lilika Rose
- Dona Kolfina Jodisardottir
- Baroness Fiona the Prepared
- Lord Alain Pyatt
- Baron Verdi Stefan Vulfskyn
- Lady Revna Lunaris
- Master Po Silvertop
- Lord Daven MacKeannaugh
- Lady Abigail Greywolf
- Lord Dauidh O’Doolin
- THL Tufa Cognomento Gunthamundis
- Baroness Barbary Rose
- THL Juliana Woolworth
- Dame Katerina Ty Isaf
- Lady Mathilde of the Hills
- Baroness Abby Rose
- Lady Angharad verch Morgan ap Morgan
Their Excellencies thanked their current Champions and requested they remain in Service until the new Baronage had the opportunity to choose new champions. Their Majesties brought forward their Order of the Red Thunderbolt /Baronial Guards, thanking them for their Service and releasing them. As a final act, Their Excellencies accepted the Baronial Herald’s tabard from Master Po Silvertop and retired him from his duties as Voice of the Hills.
With the assistance of Meisterin Amalie, Fleur d’Aethelmearc Herald, Their Excellencies final court was then closed.
Being a true recounting of the Court of Kolfinna Jodisardottir and Revna Lunaris, Baronesses of the Hills that are Endless, upon Their Investiture, May 10th AS LX at Melee Madness within the Barony of the Endless Hills.
As transcribed by Master Po Silvertop the Rogue, Zule Pursuivant, with the assistance of Meisterin Amalie Reinhardt, Fleur d’Aethelmearc Herald.
Having requested Meisterin Amalie open Baronial court, Master Po was summoned from his long retirement and asked about his willingness to return to Service as Voice of the Hills. The Order of the Red Thunderbolt was invited forward and requested to resume duty as Baronial Guard. Their Excellencies called for and emplaced Their Baronial Retainers. Their Excellencies thanked Their current Champions and discussed the competitions at the upcoming Day of Champions.
Master Po fulfilled long standing baronial tradition with a reading on “Barons and Baronesses” from ‘The Book of Weird’. Court was then suspended.
Upon resumption of Court later that afternoon…
Their Excellencies gave a gift of jewelry to Her Majesty. Master Bob spoke upon the subject of traveling as part of the Endless Hills. Master Perote was invited forward to discuss the evening’s feast and his delight and pride in being a long standing part of the history of the Endless Hills. For her timely assistance, rescuing Their Excellencies in Their time of need, Their Excellencies chose to award her Ladyship Eleanor of Walden with the first Baronial Raindrop of Their reign.
Their Excellencies brought forward the event Autocrats: Baroness Magge and THL Tufa to thank the event staff and speak of the day’s activities. They in turn invited the day’s marshals (Sir Gwydion and Lord Daven) to discuss the combat.
Their Excellencies demanded the presence of Lady Willow de na coillte, and after she was fetched into court Their Excellencies did remind her of all she had done in recent years to assist local populace members. Unwilling to listen to her protests of innocence, they created her a member of the Order of the Zule. Unwilling to allow Lord Oengus Baroid to escape a similar fate and pointing out his share of the helpful efforts, Lord Oengus was also forcibly added to the roster of the Order of the Zule.
Their Excellencies invited Breyhers Muirgheal Inghean Dubhghaill-Green before them and spoke of her long history of friendship and service and thus inducted her into the Baronial Order of the Green Zule. Lærifaðir Jǫrundr hinn Rotinn was next invited into court, and for his hospitality and generosity and efforts over the years was also inducted into the Green Zule.
Their Excellencies then thanked Their Majesties, the event staff and all who attended for being part of the wonderful day. Having concluded all baronial business, the court of Their Excellencies was then closed.
Kingdom Notable Awards for our Barony Members
Melee Madness & Baronial Investiture May 10th AS 60 (2025)
- Eleanor of Endless Hills. Noting her service and general helpfulness despite her age, inducted into the Order of the Silver Buccle.
- THL Magge Illfoster recognized her service as a former Baroness of Endless Hills and made her a Baroness of the Court.
- THL Nicolo dei Gaetani recognized his service as a former Baron of Endless Hills, and made him a Baron of the Court.
- THL Salvador Moro de Medici, winner of the Heavy Weapons tournament of the day, if he was still willing to stand as Heavy Weapons Champion. Upon Salvadore’s affirmation, Their Majesties invested him in the role.
- Their Majesties then called for Kass of the Endless Hills and Awarded him Arms.
- Their Majesties sought out Lady Matilda of Endless Hills, and being impressed by her service, inducted her into the Order of the Keystone.
- Their Majesties then had words with Hakon Runolfsson, particularly about his growing prowess on the field. For that, they inducted him into the Order of the Golden Alce.
- Lady Birna Hakadottir, and spoke of her growing research into naalbinding and other arts. They then invited into their court the Order of the Fleur d’Æthelmearc present in order to welcome Birna into that order.
- Youth Heavy Weapons tournament- Demetri named Division 2 Champion
Prep for Pennsic – Advice from Our Captain of Rapier
Summer and War is upon us!
Good evening, Endless Hills! The Kingdom’s fields are once again striding full of meleeing rapier fighters battling under the summer sun. With the joys of melee also comes the risk for the unprepared. Heat, humidity and increased exertion for long periods can catch even the seasoned fighter at the beginning of the summer. The key is to prepare ahead of time and take precautions as needed.
- Drinking water and electrolytes prior to exerting is key to preventing heat stroke. To start exercise adequately hydrated, the American Council on Exercise suggests:
- a. 17 to 20 ounces of water a few hours prior to exercise
- b. 8 ounces of water 20 to 30 minutes before exercise or during your warm-up c. 4 to 8 ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes during exercise. (High-intensity exercise in the heat might require the higher end of that spectrum — 8 ounces every 15 minutes)
- In addition to dehydration, sunburn is another risk we face. Keeping sunscreen in your kit for the field is an ideal way to be prepared. Getting one that is meant for travel and keeping it in a ziplock or other such container will keep it from adding too much extra bulk or mess to the gear.
- a. The American skin cancer council recommends reapplying every 2 hours while outdoors.
- It’s also very easy to forget to eat while dealing with the heat. Making sure to eat appropriately for your body’s needs before, during and after will keep you in fighter condition. Knowing your body and keeping snacks you might need in your kit will prevent you from losing time on the field to searching for food breaks.
- Finally, our gear is going to take a major beating during the numerous events being held out in all sorts of weather. It’s best to keep a blade repair kit and small sewing kit with your gear to hopefully ward off having to sit on the sidelines if gear has a failure. Ideally, blades should be cleaned and either waxed or oiled prior to taking out to the event to prevent rust. Taking the time before going to an event to sand any burs out will speed the inspection time and get you out on the field quicker. Double checking armor bits and doing repairs at home will prevent sitting on the sidelines.
Preparing and planning keeps our melee marshals from having to do paperwork so drink your water, know your body, and keep your gear in condition!
Please consider submitting an award recommendation for our Barony!
A listing of all baronial awards and their descriptions can be found HERE.
The recommendation form can be found HERE.
Any questions can be brought to the Heralds attention at: herald@endlesshills.aethelmearc.org.
Closing Chronicler Remarks
Greetings Endless Hills from your chronicler Lady Matilda! The countdown to Pennsic is almost up, and Scadians will be making the trek home. Pennsic 52 is here. So shine up your blades, tape up your weapons, and knock the arrows strong. A note I’d like to take a second on is, we are all in this together!
If someone is in need of a ride to Pennsic and offering gas money, offer to drive them. If someone looks exhausted to the point of dehydration, fan them and hand them some water. Offer some sunscreen to people that are surrounding you. You might be young, you might make questionable decisions, and you will most likely fall down if you’re not paying attention to the ground below. Therefore stick to the people close to you. Ask friends at your local practice how they are doing. Walking around on the Pennsic grounds, hold out a helping hand. You never know who you will meet throughout the day.
The impact you could make on an individual by just smiling is huge.
The SCA is an amazing community that started in 1966 in Berkeley California. The whole idea is to spread the medieval charm for many years to come!
Baronial Meetings & Practices
- Rapier Practice
- Every Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m.
- Ovation Playhouse, 75 Stark St, Hudson PA 18705, 2nd floor
- Cooks Guild
- Every other Monday evening at 5:30 p.m.
- Locations will be announced on the baronial Facebook group for each meeting
- Medieval Club
- Practice Times will be announced on Facebook
- Johnson College Gym, 3427 N Main Ave, Scranton PA 18508
- Barony Meeting
- 3rd Sunday of each month, 7 p.m.
If you have anything you would like to share with the rest of the Barony, please forward it to me at chronicler@endlesshills.aethelmearc.org. Any articles, poems, thoughts, feelings, projects are welcomed! Fellow members of the barony who are receiving an award, please forward to me! Your input is always appreciated and will be added. Any critiques and/or suggestions are also appreciated. Please send to the baronial chronicler email at chronicler@endlesshills.aethelmearc.org. Thanks! Notes- A.B. XXVII meaning “Anno baronia, 27” – Endless Hills turns 27 in the year 2025.