The Reign of Donovan and Megha

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  • Court Summons for East Kingdom Thrown Weapons

    Court Summons for East Kingdom Thrown Weapons

    To our glorious populace of the East Kingdom,

    Colin MacKenzie

    Kusunoki Yoshimoto, known as Yoshi

    Matthias Grunewald

    Nicasia Leontodes

    Rumhann mac Duib Sidhe

    have been compeared, commanded and summoned
    by precepts of Clare Constat, in liege postie, 
    to the Royal Eastern court of  

    Donovan and Meghanta

    At Dragonship Haven/Barony Beyond the Mountain Champions Day Now with Kingdom Thrown Weapons!
    on October 18th in the Barony of Beyond the Mountain.

    To learn more about the East Kingdom Court Summons or to Opt-Out of the summons list should you be scheduled for an award, please visit this blog post.

  • New Minister of the Lists Sought

    New Minister of the Lists Sought

    The following missing was written by Mistress Ellesbeth Donofrey, East Kingdom Minister of the List. Originally published in Pikestaff.

    [Editor’s Note: When applying, please include (at minimum) your modern name, your SCA name, your reasons for applying and your qualifications for the position.]

    Greetings,

    As you may have heard during the last Curia, I will be stepping down. In order to effect a smooth transition, anyone interested in serving as Kingdom Minister of Lists is invited to submit a letter of application by October 30th.

    I would ask that you address it to Their Highnesses (editor note: email trm@eastkingdom.org and trh@eastkingdom.org) and copy both myself and the Kingdom Seneschal.

    Per Kingdom Law the responsibilities of this office are as follows:

    “7. The Kingdom Minister of the Lists:

    a. Maintains accurate records on the armored combat and rapier activities and the authorization status of the armored and rapier combatants of the Kingdom.

    b. At every Royal List / Crown Tournament, coordinates the official record of fighters, assuring that all entrants are authorized. They also prepare, coordinate and maintain the official records of the double elimination tournament and any other tournaments held in the course of the Royal List.

    c. Provides the Earl Marshal, Kingdom Warlord, Kingdom Marshal of Armored Combat, and Kingdom Marshal of Rapier with information necessary for the performance of their duties and receives any assistance necessary for the performance of the Lists Office.

    d. Works with the Kingdom Marshal of Armored Combat and the Kingdom Marshal of Rapier to maintain a list of authorized fighters. This list is made available to all Ministers of the List on a local or regional level, as well as the Earl Marshal and their Deputies. e. Works with the Crown’s Champions of Arms and Rapier Champions to coordinate the tournaments to choose their successors.”

    You can expect to spend approximately 20+ hours a month on average, obviously some months will be heavier than others, for example, leading into Pennsic. You will need to work closely with the Marshalate throughout the year as well as different offices in the Heraldic office for Crown Tournament.

    You will often be called upon for help or to find help for events throughout our Kingdom. You will also have the opportunity to work with a wonderful group of volunteers from our database admin to our MoL’s in training and you’ll have the second-best seat in the house for major tournaments!

    I am happy to discuss things in more depth, feel free to reach out.

    Yours in service,

    Mistress Ellesbeth Donofrey
    EK Minister of Lists

  • Court Summons for the Coronation of Donovan & Meghanta

    Court Summons for the Coronation of Donovan & Meghanta

    To our glorious populace of the East Kingdom,

    Antonio Patrasso

    Ariel Ebon

    Cassandra Grey of Lochleven

    Cassir Ni Deoraine

    Diamond Stone

    Elena de Cosimo

    Engracia de Madrigal

    Fortune Sancte Keyne

    Gavin Kent

    Indrakshi Aani Aravinda

    Irys Tybote

    Julianne le Rat

    Kara Njalsdottir

    Lilias de Cheryngton

    Maximillian Elgin

    Nicol Mac Donnachaidh

    Olalla Tristana

    Rollant de Blois

    Ryan Mac Whyte

    Ryouko’jin Of-The Iron-Skies

    Ulfrik Viglundrson

    Wilhelm Zobel

    Wylet Fraysser

    have been compeared, commanded and summoned
    by precepts of Clare Constat, in liege postie, 
    to the Royal Eastern court of  

    Donovan and Meghanta

    At Coronation of Donovan Shinnock and Chatricam Meghanta
    on October 11th in the Shire of Quintavia.

    To learn more about the East Kingdom Court Summons or to Opt-Out of the summons list should you be scheduled for an award, please visit this blog post.

  • Court Summons Process & Opt-Out List

    Court Summons Process & Opt-Out List

    Greetings East,

    Their Royal Highnesses Donovan and Meghanta will be continuing the tradition of Court Summons leading up to each Royal Progress event they’ll be at. 

    The goal of the Court Summons is two-fold:

    1. Give folks who prefer to know when they’re going to be called into a court a heads-up, so they’re not surprised in the moment
    2. Let friends, family, and loved ones know they’ll be called into court

    Of course, not everyone wishes to be on the summons. Therefore Their Highnesses will also be continuing to let the citizens of the East Kingdom opt-out of these summons.

    To opt-out of Court Summons, please fill out this form. 

    You may opt-out at any point by filling out the above form, regardless of the time of year. If you filled out a form for Their Royal Majesties Ryouko’jin and Indrakshi, your name is already on the opt-out list. If you’re unsure, it does not hurt to fill out the form again.

    If, for any reason, you wish your name to be taken off the opt-out summons list, please contact the East Kingdom Scheduler’s office.

    We also highly encourage folks to list their Court Summons preference in their EK Wiki, regardless if they want to be on the public summons or left off.  

    If the Schedulers don’t have confirmation that a person wants to be left off the summons, they will be added to the summons. So, please make your preference known and easily found.

    The first Court Summons for Their Highnesses’ Coronation will be coming out soon, so please fill out the Opt-Out form by Wednesday, October 1st if you can. Again, you can opt-out of the list at any time, however.

    Thank you and keep an eye out for Their Highnesses’ first summons, coming soon!

  • Fall Crown Letters of Intent: Now Open!

    Fall Crown Letters of Intent: Now Open!

    It’s that time of year again! Soon Donovan & Meghanta will be crowned king and queen of the East, and shortly thereafter, they’ll be searching for heirs.

    If you are interested in reigning and serving the East in this capacity, Baron Thomas of Effingham, the Seneschal of the East, is now collecting Letters of Intent. You may fill that out via the Seneschal website.

    Note: Pairs intending to fight for each other must each fill out the form as a combatant.

    Letters of Intent must be received no later than 11:59pm Eastern on October 2, 2025.

    For eligibility requirements, please review East Kingdom Law Section II.C. (https://www.eastkingdom.org/offices/law-policy/)

    Eastern Fall Crown Tournament will be held in the Barony of Carolingia on November 1, 2025.

    Format & Conventions

    Fall Crown will be fought under armored/rattan rules and conventions.

    Details on the tournament format are below.  Please direct any questions to Donovan and Meghanta.

    1) Round Robin:  Probably four pools, subject to change based on number of entrants or other concerns.  Bring your best, single pass, refight doubles until clean.  If necessary, ties will be resolved first by comparing who beat who in the pool, with fight-offs as needed.

    2) Sweet 16:  Double elimination tree.  Bring your best, single pass, refight doubles until clean.

    3) Semi-finals:  Winner’s list vs loser’s list.  Winner needs one victory to advance to the finals, loser needs two.  Bring your best.

    4) Finals.  These will be best 4 of 7.  The first pass will be greatsword, subsequent passes will be rotating non-repeating weapon forms.  The loser of the previous pass chooses the form for the next pass. 

    If the combatants reach a 3-3 tie, the combatants will each bring their best form for the final pass. 

    Note: If you are planning on choosing a particularly specific weapon form (Dane axe, 6′ spears, something that nobody has thought of) consider bringing a matched set to ensure that your opponent will be able to meet you.

  • The Consort’s Favor

    The Consort’s Favor

    The following is a missive from TRH’s Favor Coordinators, Bella di Sicilia, Armiger and Baroness Aislinn Chiabach

    Greetings to the Blue Tyger Populace! As the reign is about to begin, We are pleased to announce Her Highness Chatricam Meghanta’s favor design.

    This Reign’s favor features the Devanagari character ‘म’ and a blue accompanying diacritic stylized as a mushroom on a pale yellow background.  Together, these characters form ‘म् ,’ the first syllabic letter of Her Royal Highness’s name.

    Her Highness encourages diversity in design and any decorative medium is welcome. Let your imagination reign!

    The favor coordinators want to make this process as easy for the populace as possible. At any Royal Progress Event there will be a box outside of the Royal Room labeled ‘ROYAL FAVORS.’

    Please place the favors there along with a brief note including your SCAdian name and Barony or Shire.  Mailing delivery or other in-person arrangements are also options.

    We encourage the populace to use our Google Form to notify the favor coordinators when dropping off favors and to schedule the pick-up of kits. Please follow the form link, or see Their Highnesses’ website page, for the particulars.  We look forward to seeing your creations!

    Yours in Service,

    Bella and Aislinn

    Favor Coordinators

  • Virtual Order Meetings Set for September

    Virtual Order Meetings Set for September

    The following is a missive from TRH’s Chief of Staff, Kurfurst Matthias Grunwald

    Greetings Esteemed Members of the Orders, 

    Their Highness Donovan Shinnock and Chatricam Meghanta would request the virtual presence of the East Kingdom polling orders to discuss some business that is not candidate related. 

    The agenda for the meetings will be similar for all orders to cover basic topics but have a bit of specific information for each set of meetings usually towards the end of the meeting. 

    Since this is not candidate focused, to respect everyone’s time, their Highnesses will be combining the meetings for most orders as follows. Each meeting room will open approximately 15 mins early to let people join the waiting room. 

    Service (Silver Crescent and Pelicans)
    Tuesday, September 9th | 7:45pm meeting live, 8:00pm meeting start
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88447876013?pwd=InU1byb3Rb9sz3FKL8d0Xmpo0sZIXs.1

    Arts (Maunche and Laurels) 
    Tuesday, September 9th | 8:45pm meeting live, 9:00pm meeting start
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83829937739?pwd=FCrVRPZ7ct2Mf1LUoU7sTQeMnt81QN.1

    Rapier (Golden Rapier and Masters of Defense)
    Wednesday, September 10th | 7:45pm meeting live, 8:00pm meeting start
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84140784247?pwd=wSSbwUZDaJIOGYodiQLCA8BQuLrnee.1

    Rattan (Tygers Combattant and Chivalry)
    Wednesday, September 10th | 8:45pm meeting live, 9:00pm meeting start
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82932811237?pwd=nbXAL1v2Zg9WrePIDWs63r583AJDwz.1

    Sagittarius 
    Tuesday, September 23rd | 7:45pm meeting live, 8:00pm meeting start
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84181678371?pwd=R6RjlmZ50D8rGqiKmUVet3O6FimTmO.1

    Golden Mantle
    Tuesday, September 23rd | 8:45pm meeting live, 9:00pm meeting start
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87593125007?pwd=G4aDHo2HyuCCoLwHBcUlmDghTVmHkB.1

    Order of the Mark
    Wednesday, September 24th | 7:45pm meeting live, 8:00pm meeting start
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87948308879?pwd=U5dKatFZW91dTnaV8jod7GaQjDErLZ.1

    Golden Lance
    Wednesday, September 24th | 8:45pm meeting live, 9:00pm meeting start
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89697416155?pwd=XIF4WcIOT6gVW0wovkgZpcU3gFgLzc.1

    Thank you for your time.

    Kurfurst Matthias Grunwald
    TRH Chief of Staff 

  • Largesse Request & Guidelines for Donovan & Meghanta

    Largesse Request & Guidelines for Donovan & Meghanta

    The following is a missive from TRH’s Largess Coordinator, Mistress Medhbh inghean Uí Cheallaigh

    The Crown depends on largesse for the many gifts distributed during a reign, from Newcomer Cups to gifts for East Kingdom Territorial Coronets to Royal Gift Exchanges with other Kingdoms. We welcome largesse from across the Kingdom; while gifts are often hand-made by the gentles of the Kingdom, that’s not necessarily a requirement.

    As you consider largesse, please keep diversity and inclusivity in mind. Items with a rainbow colorway are particularly welcome.

    In keeping with the reign’s theme of East & West, award medallions will be strung on red cords. In India, a red knotted string or thread worn on the body symbolizes the power to create unity, to honor siblinghood, and to protect or guard the wearer from evil. Their Highnesses would like to have red cords of cotton or hemp made for all court given award medallions to invoke this tradition. The cords should be suitably thin & long enough to string medallions – please make sure the red is colorfast!

    Here are some general guidelines for largesse:

    • Newcomer Cups should be made of a durable material (wood, metal, hefty ceramic) and not obviously modern in shape or decoration
    • Goblets for Baronial or Royal gift exchange should be matched pairs, of any material, and not obviously modern in shape or decoration
    • Jewelry (rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, hair/beard accessories, veil pins, brooches, etc.)
    • Small blank books
    • Small leather items (belt frogs to hold cups, bookmarks, hair accessories, pouches, etc.)
    • Cords (all materials, lengths, & colors)
    • Unscented consumable items like candles, soap, lotion

    Please note the following for any food or scented items like soap or candles:

    • Items should be in sealed packaging with contents labeled
    • Please avoid very strong amounts of scent in any one item

    Please contact Mistress Medhbh inghean Uí Cheallaigh if you have questions or to arrange largesse hand-off.

  • Toy Chest Vision Statement and Donations Guidelines

    Toy Chest Vision Statement and Donations Guidelines

    The following is a missive from TRH’s Toy Box Coordinator, Lady Deirdre Grenewode.

    The East Kingdom toy chest is a wonderful tradition that serves many purposes. We think it would be useful to state what we see as the function of the toy chest so that it is clear how it affects the donation guidelines. 

    The toy chest is a way to interest and involve the youth in the proceedings of court. It also helps the youth feel like they have a place in, and a connection to, the SCA. Finally, the toy chest helps to provide entertainment for the youth during court. 

    There are no guidelines as to who can participate in the toy chest as that is up to the individual and their adult(s) to determine when they have outgrown the activity. Generally speaking, youth who are in the age range to be considered for a Tyger’s Cub and younger are the main participants. This means the chest needs to have a variety of items in it that appeal to children from babes in arms to young teenagers. 

    Here are the guidelines for donations to the East Kingdom Royal Toy Box

    • Donations should have at least 6 of the item being donated
    • Donations should be connected to the SCA in some way
    • Donations should not be messy 
    • Donations should not be loud (please no bells)
    • Donations should be for varied age ranges and interests. 
    • No religious or holiday items
    • No donations that include dowels under ¼ inch diameter (Youth have been know to break thinner ones and start fights with the broken sticks)
    • Donations do not have to be toys. Games, books, and accessories are all excellent items
    • Donations need to fit in the box
    • Any toy that was gotten from a past toybox and is no longer wanted may be returned to the toybox coordinator as long as it doesn’t violate any of the above guidelines except for quantity of item
    • Please attach your contact info to any donated items (if you are comfortable with that), so the recipient may express gratitude directly to you.
    • If you are not sure about an item, ask!
  • Award Recommendation & Polling Scheduling for Donovan & Meghanta’s Reign

    Award Recommendation & Polling Scheduling for Donovan & Meghanta’s Reign

    Greetings!

    Their Highnesses Donovan and Meghanta would like to announce to the East Kingdom populace Their plans for award pollings.

    Barring the need for a drastic change in plans, there will be three polls sent out for the upcoming reign. The final dates that recommendations will be accepted for each are:

    • August 15th
    • October 3rd
    • December 5th

    The first two polls will remain open for three weeks, but the last polling will be open for only two weeks.

    Please send in recommendations!

    The East Kingdom Wiki has a great resource on Recommending Someone for an Award. You can find a full list of awards and honors granted by the East Kingdom crowns on the EK Wiki, as well.

    Of note, because recommendations for the first poll will not close until after we return from Pennsic, please keep that in mind while sitting around the campfire in the evenings and trading stories with each other about the achievements of those in the East. Remember those names, and write them in!

    While Their Highnesses recognize that this schedule may lead to larger polls, the struggle to balance the number of polls against the number of candidates on each poll is never-ending, and Their hope is that this schedule will allow for a reasonable balance between the two as well as to allow Their Highness’ eventual heirs to conduct polls of their own.

    Their Highnesses thank the East Kingdom populace for their thoughtfulness when recommending people for awards, and They look forward to recognizing all the amazing achievements in the Kingdom during their Winter Reign.