Genevieve's Journeys

Greetings fellow pilgrims, from Genevieve la flechiere,
I bring report of our recent journeys to visit the shrine of St. Swithun in that ancient city of Winchester, to the south and west of our royal borough of Thamesreach.

This was the largest pilgrimage yet from Winchester's Hospital of St. Cross, with over 80 pilgrims, including their Majesties Thorvaldr II and Fiona II and her Highness AEringunnr of Insulae Draconis and their servants and followers.

Many had also journeyed from neighbouring Islands, including Ireland and the Isle of Jersey. For those newest to this venue, the site was a wonder and a pleasure to behold, and their fresh eyes brought its joys back to many more experienced hands.

Many guests erected their pavilions within the enclosure of the hospital, possibly as many as 10, to provide themselves with shelter while taking advantage of the brothers' suppport.

On Friday evening we gathered to stitch our satchels and scrips and while Master Chaucer's work was brought out, we had far greater entertainment from Master Leonardo da Vinci's opinions on the matter of kitchens and foods, brought by  HLady Aryanhwy. The evening was also the setting for their Majesties to call Lady Melisende to her vigil to join the Order of the Laurel.

We had a wet but joyful journey from the Hospital of St Cross to Winchester Cathedral, to visit the holy shrine. I travelled with Don Emrys, visiting from the Crescent Isles, and ladies Katherine of Glastonbury and her sister Lilith, who each claimed to be on pilgimage in search of their wits, which had gone missing somehow.

Sadly, on this journey I was taken in by a man claiming to be a prosperous merchant, who sold my fellows and me pieces of the true cross, endorsed by the Bishop of Winchester, and even a knucklebone of the blessed St. Werbergh; it only later occurred to me that of course, when her coffin was opened she was found intact and undecayed, so how did her knucklebone escape?

However, we bought it out of compassion for the poor woman who had begged bread from us for her starving brood, that she might resell it to feed them, so our purchase was well intended and may yet inspire faith.

Thus I had little to offer the woman who was attempting to preserve her virtue while begging funds to return to Bruges, though others in my party were more generous.

Upon our return, we celebrated our journeys with an armoured combat tourney, and some dancing in the enclosure.

At the evening's court, there was much to celebrate for the shire of Thamesreach: Her highnesse AEringunnr saw fit to name Lady Constanza and Lord Guy both to the Order of Ffraid, as well as Lord Asbiorn inn verski (who I think is only on long-term loan to Harpplestaneshire in the lands of the Scots).

From the hands of Thorvaldr II and Fiona II, Lady Tamara of Thamesreach received her award of arms.

In addition, Lord Theodoric received his PCS, with a token made by Master Robert, and Lord Thomas Flamanc was presented with a magnificent charter awarding him the Dragon's Bowle. This is a rare honour, as it is not given frequently, to those who inspire others with their presentation and pursuit of authenticity.

And of course, Lady Melisende FitzWalter was elevated to the companionship of the Laurel - an account of this event is available at SCAtoday.net: http://www.scatoday.net/node/15672

The fine feast in the evening was punctuated by presentations - to those who had excelled in the challenge during the pilgrimage itself (the overall winner was Her Highness, followed by milady Annora Cavel, attending her first event), and an account of the fellowship of members of the Popular Company of Sojourners, who gathered at a great fair in Atlantia last year, to fight together and compete in other challenges, told by Master Robert. Countess Judith led some in dancing, while others were happy to keep each other company in the hall and through the hospital.

The Sunday morning's cleanup was brisk and thorough, with most encampments struck and en route by midmorning, and my own party's pavilino struck by an hour past noon. Happily the day was bold and bright and warm, and dried the canvas and wood quickly for packing.

One great pleasure of the event was seeing so many children in attendance, with fully a dozen children from a keeping company over the event (though at times it seems twice that number!). While the event includes no 'children's activities', this did not stop the kids from entertaining themslves on the pilgrimage, testing each other with boffer swords, and helping in the kitchen and at table.

Once more, Mistress Ariel, Lord Raphe and Lady Caitlin the cook have run a successful pilgrimage, managing growing numbers and the suprises of the early English summer weather gracefully. My thanks for their continuing efforts to make us welcome at this beautiful site.

Your servant. Genevieve la flechiere

Mostly-dried-out pilgrim