Herne the Hunter, Seashire, 15th December 2007
A few Nuts went to this annual fun event. Every year we, the fighters, get to fight in a different, fun, and sometime exhausting tournament. This year was no exception; it had all these attributes, and then some.
Basically we had to earn jewels by winning 3 bouts with opponents of the same, or higher jewel ranking as you. We all started with a piece of Coral and then we had to make our way to Diamond, which was the seventh rank. A fighter could reach the Diamond level with 18 fights, BUTa fighter could not refuse a challenge from a lower ranking opponent, which translated in a no point fight if the winner had the higher rank.
The Ladies Estela and Cristiana did some socialising. Sileas and Leodolph roamed the room and took pictures, and I mean lots of pictures. Sileas also took many tournament videos which many of them will be on the Ruantallan Fight LJ page.

December 2007
I know I said I would try not to let the website go for so long with out updates, but lets just say that lots happened in the last few months.
The first thing that I will say is Estela and I, were not invested as the B&B of the Barony. I will leave it at that.
We had a few events that we as a house traveled to. Summers End in YYG, the BIA in Distant Shore where the Baronial Rattan Championship Tournament was held. Congratulations to our new Champion, Sir Gareth. Lord Nicolas passed the regalia to his Knight. Good job to Nick for a job well done and a good tournament.
A few weekends ago Estela and I accompanied by BigDamnJohn and Freya went to (Albany NY) to watch the crown tournament, were we saw some really good fighting and our new prince Sir Konrad defeat Sir Thorson in a gruelling best 2 of 3 match. BigDamnJohn had his fun that day and fought any and all who came his way. He had his armour on as soon as we got there around noon and took it of after dark. Our trip there and back was uneventful. We did however suffer one casualty; we lost a cooler, which contained a jar of pickled herring, a pack of smoked salmon and an ice pack. Oh well it would not be a road trip with out some kind of oops.

Stay tune for some major updates on the projects pages.

Editorial Note:William has been off travelling the Northern, Inland seas these past few months. Now he is back if for only a short while, before he goes far to the North, where the Great White Bear hunts.

04 June 2007
For the last month after the 25th anniversary of Seashire, I have been travelling the inner seas of this vast land. Now I am back for a little while before I have to leave again to explore the great North.
Now to what as happened in the last few weeks.
The Baronial Election results have been announced. The populace of Ruantallan made their decision and Their Majesties gave it their approval. So the next Baron and Baronne of Ruantallan will be Lord William and Lady Estela. Their investiture in their new position will be at War Camp this year. We hope to see you there.
In other news, Ladies Cristiana, Sileas, Estela, m’lady Danielle and Lord William went to Distant Shores to see the Baronial Rapier Championship. Lord Guthfrith held an excellent and as usual entertaining tournament, which included a fishing expedition. This determined the next rapier defender and champion for the Barony. The new Defender of Ruantallan is Lord Barnabus and the New Baronial Champion is Meistr Gruffyd. Congratulations to both.

Lets Play catch-up again. May 2007.
I wish to apologise for not keeping this page as updated as I should. I just want to start by welcoming two new members to the Inn. M’lady Danielle Rose and m’lord Leidolph joined the Golden Oak Inn on the 22nd of February.
Then some of us went to the Swishy Pokey, Hokey pokey event where we witnessed a fun, fencing tournament and did some dancing.
Then there was the Seashire 25th anniversary. William came back from the Inland seas to participate in the rattan tournament. He was one of six fighters that were eligible for the title of Seashire Rattan Champion. In the end it was He and Lady Cornelia who had to fight it out for the title. William won the bouts and the Championship. Now the Seashire Shield and Axe is back on the wall of the Golden Oak Inn.

Ruantallan Baronial Investiture Anniversary, Seashire, 14th October 2006.
After days of preparation and a day o pre-cooking, Estela was ready. So we thought. We had a miss-hap with the oven so this caused Estela to adapt, improvise and conquer. She and her Kitchen team worked hard to make it right again. And right it was. I will come back to the Feast later on.
My purpose in life for this event was to organise the Tournament to determine the next Baronial Rattan Champion. We had 11 participants for this Tournament, of which two pulled out due to the plague. So at around 1215 the procession to introduce the fighter to their Excellencies began. All nine entries were put in order of precedence and marched up with their inspirations as they where introduced by Mestres Lyanna of Kernough.
Well most fighters had their inspiration present.
After the procession we proceeded outside to conduct the tournament. It was a round robin in which the fighters had to rotate through their authorised weapon forms for each bout. After the 36 bouts my MOLs Mistress Isobel Mobray and Lady Rebekah of Newcastle and I looked at the results and we had our 4 finalists. They were Lord Seamus Tableburner, Lord Guthfrith Yrlingson, Lord Wilim Penbras ap Gurgeneu and Lord Nicholas of Losthaven. So we had another Round robin and with two wins each it was Seamus and Nic that went to the finals. After a two out three final it was Lord Nicholas of Losthaven who stood victorious. Congratulation Nicholas.
After the Tournament it was time for Dance. For what I could see many people enjoyed it and were having fun. Then it was time for court. The Baron gave us is words of Wisdom and then I gave Lord Nicholas his stuff back, several Archers were recognised.
Then it was time for feast. WOW I will not go through the whole menu, but just tell you what my favourite items were. First there were the Mushrooms and the Olive spread and the herbed Cream cheese. Then was the Onion pie, lentils and salad. Then was the Lasagna, honeyed vegetable and the Beef ah the beef and then was Deserts well I guess I went through the menu after all.
I thought It was an very good event

Saints and Serpents, Distant Shores, 11th March 2006
The Next Event was just last weekend. It was in Distant Shores. The event was named Saints and Serpents. In the attendance for the Inn was Estela, Cristiana, Nick, Tableburner, Lumiere, and me, William. There was lots of activities for all who attended, big or small.
There was an A&S display/competition for the young ones. We were witness to some amazing entries. One of the entries got all of the judges in Awe. It was a tunic made buy a 6 ½ year old little girl, Aeodan of clan Red Bear is her name.
There was also a rattan tournament for the bigger folks. Nicolas volunteered to be the marshal in charge. Each fighter had to be herald into the list by a small. Seamus had a double herald. He was called in the list by the twins Amber & Ashley. I had the pleasure of being called in by the lovely Aeodan. Yes the same as above. She obviously did a good job since I was able to win this tournament.
During the feast there was a story telling competition. It was Lady Ninae "it was my good linen" who won this contest, with a story about how Seamus got the name Tableburner.
Oh I did not mention who won the A&S competition, well it should be evident to all, it was Aeodan of clan Red Bear, with her tunic that would inspire any Laurel.
The feast was very good.
Another good event

IDDBIA, IDD (Montreal), 4th March 2006
Ok, it as been a while well sorry about that I hope to be a little more proactive in the future.
Anyway. What happened since 12th Night? A few events here and there and lots of practices. Oh and lots of work at the Shoe.
Let begin with the first events. At the beginning of March, Estela, Sileas, Branwen, Cristiana, Evangeline, Lumiere and yours truly went to Ile du Dragon Dormant for their first Baronial Investiture anniversary. We loaded two wagons.
The first one left on Wednesday, it was driven by Cristiana, who was accompanied by Branwen and Evangeline. They got caught in a snow storm, which delayed them drastically but made it safely. The second wagon driven by William, left on Thursday at the crack of the Sparrows fart. Aboard were Estela, Sileas, and another non-Scadian. We did not encounter any weather related problem and made it to IDD in just under 12 hours. That is including the pit stops.
Friday evening we all went to one of our favourite Italian restaurant and ate like there was no tomorrow. Well not really but our stomach might of thought so.
The event was very nice we were able to spend some time with our Sister Baroness Valeria and Baron Pellandres. We also witnessed, a former Ruantallanted, Lord Tarius win the Baronial Rapier Championship. The food was Oh my god awesome.
On Sunday we left to come back home. At 07:00 ET we left the house went downtown IDD (Montreal) to pick up our forth, and we were on the road for another 12 hours ish.
It was a good trip

12th Night, Seashire, 7th January 2006
Several members of the Golden Oak Inn were at 12th Night event this year. As per usual it was our annual house gift exchange. Some gifts were given and some due to distance will be distributed on Santa’s second pass.
This event included the baronial bardic championship and the baronial A&S championship. This year’s Bardic champion is Lord Ragnar.
Only two participants entered the A&S competition but the entries were outstanding. The judges of this competition had such a hard time to decide a winner they brought in Lady Estela to give her evaluation. Once she was done we still had a tie, so it was decided to have co-champions this year.
Congratulation to Lord Gilbert the Short and to Anneke of Flekkeroy
The event was lots of fun. There were many activities and games to keep all attending busy and entertained. The feast was excellent, well done to Lady Julia.
After feast many folks took part in the dances, to help the settling of the excellent food.

A Nice Visit – November 2005
After leaving the cabins the members of the Golden Oak Inn all went in Direction of Seashire, where most of the House reside. We had the pleasure of receiving the Baron and Baroness of Iles du Dragon Dorman. Well Valeria is after all a member of our fine group.
On Monday we took them to the Victorian Christmas at the Citadel and then got home to get ready for a house supper. On the menu was Chicken Parmesan with the choices of two sauces over pasta. And after that we had a desert that Val prepared. Oh so Sweet.
Another thing happened that night we gave a little something to Seamus to celebrate his becoming a squire to Sir Mohammad. He received a book titled “I wish I could be a Knight”.
We were also celebrating the AoA received by Giovanni and the Maunche that finally caught up to Katherine.
It was an evening full of good discussions, jokes, fun all due to the excellent company that was present.

Martinmas Comes Late This Year and Northern Shores A&S and Rattan Championship –
26th Nov 2005
We were all looking forward to this event because almost all of the Household would be there.
Well here we are again loading the wagons once more, to go to another event. This time we were going to the Canton of Distant Shore. Wait, it was at the same site as the BIA event. The only difference was, this time the packing was much easier. I only had to pack the wagon once.
We left on Friday to go to our cabins, which were very near to the event site. We got there around 8:30pm where we met with Baroness Valeria, Baron Pellandres and Anoriel. Also living with us was Baron Henzo, Sir Mohammad, Tigger, Marek and Cristina of Dragon lily.
The cabins were amazing; Golden Oak had two, tree bedroom cabins to lodge 15 people. On Saturday we supplied a Scrambble eggs and bacon breakfast, and on Sunday we had French toast and bacon. Of course it came with ample supplies of TH coffee and or juice.
At this event there were two major competitions to determine Northern Shores Champions. The A&S championship had many entries, but the overall best project was a creation of Lady Isobel Mowbray. Congratulations to the New Northern Shores A&S Champion.
The other Competition was The N.S. Rattan Championship. This year we had 18 entries in the tournament. The men of the Golden Oak Inn took part in this event, even though we did not proceed to the final rounds we all did ok. In the end it was H.L. Yesungge Altan against Sir Mohammad Sevim Uglu Gowan Uglu.
It was Sir Mo who after a best of five dominated the field and is our new N.S. Rattan Champion.

On another note but no less important our Lady Katherine Finally received her award of high merit. Yes she was at an event that coincided with the royalty schedule and received her Maunche.
Also Giovanni can now be called Lord Giovanni, his travelling schedule also finally intercepted the royal schedule.
Oh and one more tid bit of info. Almost immediately after the tournament Sir Mo called everyone’s attentions the centre of the fighting list, where he called Seamus to kneel before him. Sir Mo asked Tableburner if he had an answer for him. The response from the Pathfinder was “yes I have the answer”. After a pause Sir Mo ask the question again and Fluffy answered yes. Shortly after that Duck Hunter was given a RED belt. Then the List Lifter swore fealty to his knight.
Congrats the Lord Seamus Tableburner squire to Sir Mohammad Sevim Uglu Gowan Uglu.

The Baronial Investiture Anniversary – Oct 15th 2005
We loaded up the chariot for the drive to the event. Just to let you know that I was in fighting mode.
I loaded the armour bag the little bags of garb and the cameras, then walked in the house to notice that the feast chest was not loaded yet. Get out of the house and off-load the trunk. This time I doing it right I put the chest in then Sileas’ bead kit then the armour bag and all the little bags of garb and the cameras, then walked in the house. At that point all we have to wait for is for Lady Katherine to arrive and put her stuff in the trunk.
NOT
The phone ring and it was Lady Cristiana, she ask if we can go a fetch the tool box full of knifes, ok was Estela’s response. So we got the tool box back home. I then proceeded in off-loading the trunk again. Keeping only the chest and bead kit in it, then put the Knife box in the trunk then the armour bag and all the little bags of garb and the cameras, then walked in the house. At that point I notice Katherine arriving but all is good. She packed small.
The four of us left for the two hour journey to the event site. Once we got there we met up with Lady Branwen and Dimitrios, Lord Nicholas, Lady Niniae and Thane, and Lady Cristiana was waiting for her knives. As soon as my fearless Elantra was once again off-loaded I got dressed in armour, got inspected and waited for the tournament to begin.
There were nine participants including, Lord Nicholas, Lord Seamus and yours truly, of the Golden Oak Inn.
The way the tournament went. If a combatant was authorized in all four weapons form, they would all go in the hat and your opponent would pick to determine which form you would fight with.
I had the first fight and it happen to be against Honourable Lordship Yesungge Altan. I pick Great sword for him and he pick sword and shield for me. After the Salut to the Crown , the Coronet and to my lovely Inspiration Lady Estela du Frayse the first Lay-on of the tournament was shouted. I defeated my Honorable opponent.
After the round robin we had a tie Honourable Lordship Yesungge Altan and I both had 7 wins and 1 loss, so we had to fight in a best of 5 using all weapons form. The first bought was with sword and shield I won that one. The second was two weapons, Honourable Lordship Yesungge won that one. Then came Great sword followed by polearm I won both of those.
I would like to thank Lord Barnabus who ran the tournament and especially to all the participants who fought really well the calibre was up a notch or two. I would also like to thank everyone who were line marshal, water bearer.
Get ready for next year.

House Feast – 10 September 2005
We had another gathering of most of the house, to another great supper. This time it was a pot-luck format, everyone brought food to share with all others.
We started off with a Sweet potato and carrot soup made by Cristiana. After that it was a dig in the Seamus’ ribs, Demitrios and Branwen’s Ham, Nick and Ninia’s coleslaw, Sileas’ bread, Estela’s chicken, corn bread and pickles. To finish it all up Estela made a Bocanegra and Katherine brought in a Birthday cake, combine with the perfect vanilla ice cream, well my mouth is watering again.
It dawned on us last night that it was in September ish 2002 that the Golden Oak Inn was created. At that point we only had three members. Now we have 10 plus one very active mascot, Lumiere.
Happy Anniversary Golden Oak Inn.

Cyberspace - 06 September 2005
On this day A.S. XL the Golden Oak Inn website changed its looks. This was done due to the hard work of Lady Estela and a friend named Andrew. She and Andrew took some of my Ideas and worked several hours, and I mean several hoursssssss, and created what we have right now.
Also on this day we switched of to a new server. The new server is owned and operated by Don Cosmano.

April 24th 2005
The Golden Oak Inn expands its land grab, from coast to coast. It was a mixed emotion day. Early Sunday morning our young Lady Mariska left the Barony of Ruantallan enroute for the far away lands of the principality of Tir-Righ. Again from all the other members of the Inn, good luck. Now the Inn has a foothold in Ruantallan, Ile du Dragon dormant and in Tir-Righ.
TOMORROW THE KNOWNE WORLD MUAH HAHAHAhaha….
uh sorry.

April 23rd 2005
Four members of the Golden Oak Inn went to a fun event in the Canton of Distant Shores. The Wedding of Henry IV was the theme of the event. It focused on entertaining children of all ages, with games and A&S for both adults and smalls. The feast, prepared by Da, was really good. Two Ladies of the Golden Oak Inn Bakery are to be thanked and complimented for their contribution to the meal. They make beaucoup amount of delicious bread.
Well done to Selias and Cristiana on a dough well risen.

April 16th 2005
Another test feast, This time we were guinea pigs for the MAYDAY event, which will be on the 7th of May this year. This get together was also an occasion the wish good luck and safe journey to our youngest member, Mariska, who is going back to the West coast, in the Principality of Tir-Righ (BC). We had the pleasure to have Baron Seumas and Baroness Esperanza as supper guest. The food was, Oh my God good. That is just my opinion. If you want to confirm this, just attend the May 7th event (shameless plug).

March 7th 2005
Five members of the Golden Oak Inn made the trip the Ile du Dragon Dormant to See Valeria and Pellandres become Baroness and Baron of the new Barony.  On Wednesday my chariot was loaded and at “the crack of the sparrow fart” we were gone for Ile du Dragon Dormant (IDD) for their Investiture.
On board was Cristiana, Sileas, Estela and of course me. Oh I almost forgot Lumiere. The weather was not to bad and we made it in just over 13 hours.
Upon our arrival at the IDD, Golden Oak Inn, we started to unload the luggage and bring them up to our lodging site. Got key out, unlocked door, opened door, to see construction materials in the entry hall. A vanity was in the living room and a toilet was in the Kitchen. Needless to say those items were not in the bathroom. Someone neglected to mention that the Inn was being renovated.
“Plan B”
We stayed at my sister’s place for the night. Thank you for the short notice lodging. Love you.
The next day we found another place to stay for the remainder three nights. Shortly after our arrival we hooked up with Master Harold and Mistress Aine. We all went to the Swedish place to purchase stuff that will replace what we are leaving in IDD. Just so the chariot stays loaded. That evening we all went for supper at a most excellent Italian restaurant. We got back to the Inn to meet with Valeria, Pellandres and Anoriel. We had a nice visit, with a clothing fitting that made Valeria cry. Everything fit!
Friday we went for our traditional lunch to Schwartz, the best Smoked meat place in the Known World. Then we went to St-Hubert Street for beads. On completion we went for supper and then the pre-rev at the Vieux Dublin.
Saturday, event day. It was one of the most relaxing events we have been in recent years. None of us were retinue or involved with the event.  The first Court of the day was dedicated to the Elevation of  Pellandres and Val to Baron and Baroness. Other then the actual elevation, Pellandres caught every one by surprise when he proposed to Valeria. The new Baroness was all choked-up.  For the rest of the day we kept  an eye on Anoriel, oh and helped the new Baron and Baroness get dress in their new garb that our Household made for this occasion. They both look real good. The event had of everything Fencing, Heavy, A&S, Dancing and a good feast created by Petru.
Prior to the feast we had a short 3-hour court. I said short because the King and Queen made it fun and entertaining. During this court our own Sileas was awarded arms, she is now Lady Sileas Ni Dhomhnaill. Lord Thibeau was brought in to be elevated into the order of the Laurel. Another event was the elevation of Lord Gruffyd the Innocent into the Order of the Pelican. Congratulations to all.
Sunday Travel day.
At around 8 AM we left IDD in the snow. The trek home was long and tiresome but we made it in around 11PM. Over all a very good time, a little stressful in the beginning, but it turned around and it was a very enjoyable week.