Return to list of all Blackfox awards
Greetings –
Once again, I am pleased to present the winners and complete list of nominees for the Master William Blackfox Awards. Each year, Kingdom Chroniclers nominate worthy newsletters in their kingdoms for these awards, and send review copies to the Society Chronicler. Being able to select the winners of these awards is one of things I most look forward to as Society Chronicler, but in some ways I dread the dilemma I know I will face as I sort through so many excellent nominees. This year, for the first time, I have selected a winner and a “commended” entry in most categories in order to be able to recognize twice as many nominees.
As with last year, I was very impressed by the caliber of nominees in all categories. Running a newsletter at the local, baronial, or even principality level offers special challenges to the Chronicler: keeping up on news, encouraging members to submit content, funding, and production issues. Producing a good newsletter takes a significant time commitment and sensitivity to deadlines, and the workload never really lightens—as soon as you finish an issue, you start thinking about the next one. All the nominees should be proud of their accomplishments.
Nicolaa de Bracton
Society Chronicler
Best Overall Newsletter
The newsletter which best meets the needs of the local group or guild for which it is published. It should accurately reflect the status of the group and be a valuable tool for growth and promotion of SCA goals and ideals. Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.
The winner: Moose Call, Barony of Arn Hold [Artemisia], Lady Dainya of Moon Hill, Chronicler
Commended: The Seraph, Barony of Angels [Caid], Lady Elspeth Colquhoun, Chronicler
The remaining nominees:
- Æthelmearc
- Full Tilt, Barony of Delftwood, Helene al-Zarqa, Chronicler.
- Ansteorra
- The Trumpeter, Barony of Bordermarch, Lord Phocas of Bordermarch, Chronicler.
- Artemisia
- Questing Quill, Barony of Loch Salann, Lady Valentina la Marcheancle, Chronicler.
- Moose Call, Barony of Arn Hold, Lady Dainya of Moon Hill, Chronicler.
- An Tir
- The Avantgarde, Principality of Avacal, THL Manyra, Chronicler.
- Scribal Scribbles, Shire of Cae Mor, THL Tadgg h-us Faelan and THL Li Ban ingen Echtigeirn, Chroniclers.
- The Northern Sentinel, Principality of Tir Righ, Baronossa Theocharista Diaconia, Chronicler.
- Atlantia
- The Bull, Barony of Stierbach, Lady Aine Sindradottir, Chronicler.
- The Yeoman, Barony of Bright Hills, Lady Szilagy Margit, Chronicler.
- Dredgings, Barony of Lochmere, Lady Margery Winterbourne, Chronicler.
- Caid
- The Seraph, Barony of Angels, Lady Elspeth Colquhoun, Chronicler
- Calontir
- The Clarion, Barony of Forgotten Sea, THL Johanne of Fisher Gate, Chronicler
- Drachenwald
- Storm Tidings, Shire of Adamastor, Master Guntram von Wolkenstein, Chronicler.
- Silversparren, Principality of Nordmark, Lady Uvhild Ingesdotter Skragge, Chronicler.
- East Kingdom
- Quid Nunc, Barony of Ruatallan, Lord Wynfrid aet Hutadune, Chronicler.
- The Moonstone, Province of Malagentia, Lord Maxton Gunn, Chronicler.
- Meridies
- Tal Mere Tidings, Shire of Talmere, Lady Vyvienne Westlake, Chronicler.
- Middle Kingdom
- The Sternfeld Star, Barony of Sternfeld, THL Liesl von Metten, Chronicler.
- Northshield
- Castel Rouge Chronicle, Barony of Castel Rouge, Lord Osric of Fayrehope, Chronicler.
- Song of the Tower, Barony of Caer Anterth Mawr, Dame Idonia Tayt, Chronicler.
- West
- The Scramasaex, Shire of Ravenshore, Bantiarna Raghnailt Suird Coluimcille, Chronicler.
- The Darkwood Drum, Barony of Darkwood, Lady Caterina di Guglielmo, Chronicler.
Best Layout and Design
For the best-looking newsletter. Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.
The winner: The Gryphon’s Tale, Barony of Flaming Gryphon, Alexander Kyppyn Kirkcaldy, Chronicler, Middle Kingdom.
Commended: Silversparren, Principality of Nordmark (Drachenwald), Lady Uvhild Ingesdotter Skragge, Chronicler
The remaining nominees:
- Æthelmearc
- Fewmet, Barony of Thescorre, Lord Eldjarn of Thescorre, Chronicler
- Ansteorra
- Elfesea Tidings, Barony of Elfsea, Don Valentyn Drake, Chronicler.
- An Tir
- The Flames of the Dragon, Barony of Dragon’s Laire, Mistress Gwenllyn Potter, Chronicler.
- The Toad, Shire of Eisenmarche, Lady Kaos Tendeath, Chronicler.
- The Glaucus, Barony of Seagirt, Master Uilliam mac Aillen vhic Seamus, Chronicler.
- Artemisia
- Bronzehelm Watch, Shire of Bronzehelm, Lord Thomas of Thebes, Chronicler.
- Moose Call, Barony of Arn Hold, Lady Auraelia di Medici, Chronicler, Kingdom of Artemisia.
- Atlantia
- The Bull, Barony of Stierbach, Lady Aine Sindradottir, Chronicler.
- Dredgings, Barony of Lochmere, Lady Margery Winterbourne, Chronicler.
- Calontir
- The Barge, Barony Three Rivers, Lord Cathus the Curious, Chronicler.
- Drachenwald
- Storm Tidings, Shire of Adamastor, Lady Cassandra Tantifer, Chronicler.
- Silversparren, Principality of Nordmark, Lady Uvhild Ingesdotter Skragge, Chronicler.
- East Kingdom
- The Hartshorn-dale Herald, Shire of Hartshorn-dale, Lady Katherine Turcher, Chronicler.
- Meridies:
- Ardanrunes, Shire of Ardanroe, Lady Dana Quarrier, Chronicler.
- Middle Kingdom
- The Gryphon’s Tale, Barony of Flaming Gryphon, Alexander Kyppyn Kirkcaldy, Chronicler.
- West
- The Mermaid’s Tale, Barony of Tarnmist, Lady Anne Brynley, Chronicler.
Best Art
For artwork on the cover or interior of the newsletter. Awarded to the newsletter and the artist. I have chosen to recognize one color and one black-and-white entry.
The winners:
Cover Art – Color (Decorative Calligraphy with Illuminated border)Mistress Bryn de Luna, Mistress Carolyne de lat Point, Lord Edward MacGyver, Lady Mickel von Salm, Ariel of Caer Myrddin, and Master Saint Robert Whitecombe of Brandywine, The Moonstone, Province of Malagentia, East Kingdom
Cover Art – Black and White (five individual covers, but especially the knight on the February, 2005 cover)Lord Raymond von dem Löwengrab, The Darkwood Drum, Barony of Darkwood, West Kingdom
The remaining nominees:
- Æthelmearc
- Cover Art (Unicorn and Fairy), S. Lovechild, The Althing (January 2005), Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands.
- Ansteorra
- Cover Art (Fighters and Gallery), THL Isaac Bane, The Flamebearer (August 2004), Barony of Wiesenfeuer
- An Tir
- Cover Art (Unicorn and Calligraphy), Vareda von Rosenwald, Mountain’s Call (June 2004), Shire of Fire Mountain Keep.
- Cover Art (Maypole), Vareda von Rosenwald, Mountain’s Call (May 2004), Shire of Fire Mountain Keep
- Artemisia
- Cover Art (Two-stick Fighter), THL Raven MacLeod, Questing Quill (July, 2004), Barony of Loch Salann.
- Cover Art (Two fighters), Justin Kay, Hearthtales (October, 2004), Shire of Twae Linnes.
- Calontir
- Cover Art (Block Print), Lady Natalya Alekseya Vasilova, The Runestaffe (July, 2004), Barony of Mag Mor.
- Middle Kingdom
- Cover Art (Viking Embroidery), Sarah of Stormvale. The Storm Warning (January 2005), Shire of Stormvale.
- Meridies
- Cover Art (Jousting Knight with Crest), Lord Byron Delancey. The Bayou Tapestry (December 2004), Barony of Axemoor.
Best Special Issue
For Arts & Sciences issues, or other limited-focus issues of a geographic group (Canton, Shire, Barony, etc.). Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.
The winner: Country Contentments in Two Bookes, The Althing, Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands [Æthelmearc]. Vrouwe Odriana vander Brugghe, Chronicler.
Commended: October AS 39 issue, Storm Tidings, Shire of Adamastor [Drachenwald]. Lady Cassandra Tantifer, Chronicler.
The remaining nominees:
- East Kingdom
- Special event issue, The Moonstone. Province of Malagentia, Lord Maxton Gunn, Chronicler.
- Meridies
- Guidelines and Procedures Issue, A Sealion’s Tale, Barony of Seleone, THL Cat Griffon, Chronicler.
- Northshield
- Baronial Directory, Song of the Tower. Barony of Caer Anterth Mawn, Dame Idonia Tayt, Chronicler.
Best Special Interest Newsletter
This category recognizes guild newsletters, research newsletters, and Arts & Science focus newsletters (such as lace-making). Awarded to the newsletter and the Chronicler.
The winner: Ars Caidis (Arts and Sciences Newsletter of Caid), Duchess Natalya de Foix, Editor
Commended: Pigments of Your Imagination (Æthelmearc Scribal Newsletter). THL Alienora Russeal, Editor
The remaining nominees:
- Meridies
- Seasons (A&S newsletter). THL Theodosia Ouranos of Constantinople, Editor.
Best Regular Feature
For those cartoons, articles, and columns which appear regularly in the particular newsletter. Awarded to the creator or feature writer and the newsletter.
The winner: Ask Bart, Lord Bartholomew Marchant of Studley Green, Gyldenholt Press, Barony of Gyldenholt [Caid]
Commended: Notes from the Kitchener, various authors including Mistress Meredydd ferch Owain ap Elesig and Baroness Gillian Warrender, The Barge, Barony of Three Rivers [Calontir]
The remaining nominees:
- Ansteorra
- Da’ud Bob Goes to the Movies, Master Da’ud, The SteppesLetter, Barony of the Steppes.
- An Tir
- Natal’ia’s Notions, Lady Natal’ia Vokovicha, The Portcullis, Shire of Cold Keep.
- Artemisia
- Cormac’s Corner, Lord Cormac mac Taran, The Dragon’s Eye, Shire of Stan Wyrm.
- This Month in Loch Salann History, Meistres Rhonwen y Llysiwyddes, Questing Quill, Barony of Loch Salann.
- Atlantia
- Artist Corner, Lord Johanne Wagner, Raven’s Cry, Stronghold of Raven’s Cove.
- Who’s on Guard Duty? Lady Elizabeth of Hadley Hall, The Gatehouse, Incipient Canton of Sudentor.
- Drachenwald
- Crossword Puzzle, Lord Jean-Loup, Estevana, The Baelfyr, Principality of Insulae Draconis
- East Kingdom
- Gossip, Lady Svea the Short-sighted, Sandpaper, Shire of Barren Sands.
- Medieval Happenings in the Mundane World, Lady Maeve of Abbeydorney, Thereby Hangs a Tale, Canton of Lions End.
- Meridies
- Above the Salt, Mistress Bronwen o Gydweli, The Equinox, Shire of Sol Haven.
- Middle Kingdom
- Chivalric Virtues, Various Authors, Sternfeld Star, Barony of Sternfeld.
- Northshield
- The View from the Watchtower, Lord Papa Stefano D’Amato, The Mewsletter, Shire of Falcon’s Keep.
Best Article
Recognizes the author of an outstanding article. Awarded to the writer and the newsletter.
The winner: “Elizabethan Ordinary Beer,” Baron Rian Gortyroyan, Full Tilt, Barony of Delftwood [Æthelmearc].
Commended: “The Spanish-Dutch War,” Jan van Seist, Storm Tidings, Shire of Adamastor, [Drachenwald].
The remaining nominees:
- Ansteorra
- “The Musician: European Wind Instruments: Brass”, Master Rumil Fletcher, The Flamebearer, Barony of Wiesenfeuer.
- An Tir
- “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? How to Host Royalty at Your Event”, Mistress Olivia Visconti, Scribal Scribbles, Shire of Cae Mor.
- Atlantia
- “Quilt History,” Lady Sarah Davies, Aire Currents, Canton of Aire Faucon.
- “I Volunteered for What?!! Or How to be the Head Cook for an Event,” Lord Otto von Schwyz, Aire Currents, Canton of Aire Faucon.
- Artemisia
- “Rules Governing Monastic Libraries,” Trystan of Anglesey, The Gryphon’s Roar, Shire of Gryphon’s Lair.
- “A Selection of Dental Hygiene and Mouthwash Products from a Variety of Medieval and Renaissance Sources,” Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, The Gryphon’s Roar, Shire of Gryphon’s Lair.
- Caid
- “Causes of the Hussite Rebellion of the 15th Century”, Lord Alexandre Alfonso de Almeida, Runestone, Barony of Western Seas.
- “A Life, a Legend, and a Legacy: The Story of Dick Whittington”, THL Aoibheall an Sionnach, The Baronial Banner, Barony of Starkhafn.
- “A Word on Christmas and its Traditions”, THL Jared Alexandre Blaydeux, The Seraph, Barony of Angels.
- Calontir
- “Tinker, Tailor, Author, Spy”, Lord Sean the Traveler, The Aerie, Shire of Cum an Iolar.
- East
- “Preparing for the Growing Season”, Lady Tieca O’Scanlon, Ironstar, Shire of Eisenthal.
- “A Look at Knighthood in the SCA”, The Northern Watch, Shire of Endwearde.
- Meridies
- “Tourney Etiquette for Everyone”, Lady Finna Halfdansdottir, Tal Mere Tidings, Shire of Talmere.
- Northshield
- “The Red Cloak”, THL Toki Magnusson, White Birch, Shire of Rokeclif.
Best Poetry or Short Fiction
Recognizes the author of an outstanding poem or piece of short fiction. Awarded to the writer and the newsletter.
The Winners (tie):
“Oenological Extemporanea“, Baron Alexandre Lerot D’Avigne, Dona Anabel Raquel de Guzaman, Lord Jibril ad-Dekhil, The Cheese Cloth, Canton of the Whyt Whey, [East].
“Let March Unleash His Vernal Sea” (in honor of Queen Levana of Caid), Duke Dietrich von Vogelsang, Gyldenholt Press, Barony of Gyldenholt [Caid].
The remaining nominees:
- Artemisia
- “The Beast,” Lord Darius Coligny, Moose Call, Barony of Arn Hold.
- Caid
- “The Understanding,” Lady Caolifhionn ingen Amhlaoibh, Fist Home Flyer, Barony of Naevehjem.
- “Ballade: In Melancholy’s Bitter Van,” Duke Dietrich von Vogelsang, Gyldenholt Press, Barony of Gyldenholt.
- Calontir
- “Dragons and Butterflies: Can You Guess?” Anonymous, The Tower, Shire of Lost Moor.
- East
- “The Covenant, “Lady Alayne Alexandra Nyvern, Nightwatcher, Collected Tales, Shires of Coill Tuar and Nordenhall.
- “A Knight’s Tale,” Baroness Theocharista Irena Diaconia, Quid Nunc, Barony of Ruantallan.
- Meridies
- “The Citizen,” Lord Gellir Gunnarrsson. The Bayou Tapestry, Barony of Axemoor.
Honorable Mentions:
These are nominations which didn’t fit into the above categories, yet are still deserving of recognition for their exceptional work and/or dedication to producing the best possible newsletter for the local group served.
Middle Kingdom – The Mirror on the Mere, Incipient Canton of Westmere, Rowan of Wind-tree, Chronicler. Some of the finest newsletters I have seen recently have come from incipient groups. These newer groups seem to have embraced the idea of the newsletter and the idea of producing something that will help their groups grow. The Mirror on the Mere is a shining example of this – it shows how inclusive a newsletter can be and how well it can get an entire group to work together.
Calontir – The Runestaff, Barony of Mag Mor, Heraldry Quiz by Lady Mor nighean Dhhuibhgiolla, November, 2004. This quiz includes something to inform and challenge everyone, from newcomer to oldtimer. Presented as letters from the local herald, it made for interesting ready and informed people about heraldry in the SCA.
Drachenwald – Ye Maille and Guardant, Shire of Griffon’s Tor, Lor Alric of Couentreu, Chronicler. The chronicler is notable for his efficiency and consistency of production. The newsletter appears regularly every month, on time, and always contains officers’ letters, at least one article, and event announcements. In many cases the chronicler appears to fill the gaps with his own material in order to maintain the consistent length.
East – Le Chaipitre du Fief, Shire Les Sylves Constelles, Eadaoin ui Brien, Chronicler. Wonderful layout. A little bit of everything for the information and enjoyment of all.The Chanticleer, Barony Beyond the Mountain, Lady Evaine fyrdd Brangwen, Chronicler.A good collection of business, news, and activities.
Ansteorra – The Thorny Truth, Shire of Rosenfeld, Lord Gork Kurganoff, Chronicler. The Shire of Rosenfeld has always done an excellent newsletter. It serves the needs of its populace well.
Æthelmearc – The Sentinel, Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog, Lady Caitilin ni Mhaolconaire, Chronicler. An overall good newsletter with an unusual layout.