Hwæt!

Litha 2005 Abannan

Be it known that, beginning June 21, 2005 of the Common Era, the tribes
gathered to mark the turning of the sun at Litha, at midsummer, and to pay
homage to their patron gods, their ancestors and heroes, and be in
fellowship with one another. Gathered together at Eþelæcres, in the
Monadnock Region of New Hampshire, were the Théodish princes, lords,
ladies, thegns, and freefolk of the Normannii, the Néoweanglie, the
Frisians, and the Mercians. Also in attendance were the good folk of Raven
Heart Kindred, Ulfar aff Jera Thjod, and friends.

On Friday evening the 24th, a Théodish peerage gathered in geborscipe at
Ingsleigh Hall, at Eþelæcres, quite likely the first true and purposeful
mead hall raised by heathen hands in over a thousand years, and certainly
the first in New England. At the head table were seated Dan Eorl Halloran,
Æþeling Lord of New Normandy, Brian Hláford Smith, Lord New Anglia, the
Landlord Ron Thegn Branga, Gerd Hera Groenewold, Eþeling Lord of New
Friesland, and Teresa Hláfdige Canote, Lady of Mercinga. At the side
benches were seated the loyal thegns and thygens of New Normandy and New
Anglia, and their genéats. Pipes and ale and mead and laughter and songs
were shared amongst the peerage. The rest of the evening was spent in
right good fellowship by the peerage among and with the rest of the folk.

On the morrow, preparations were made for the Litha Blót. Two Théods would
each offer a swine up to their patron gods. For the Normans, they would
offer their sacrifice to Wóden and Tíw. The New Anglians would offer
theirs to their beloved Ingui Fréa. No thralls were chosen for swineherds,
but only Théodsmen of good gefrain. For the Normans there were Lou Thain
Sancio, William Thain McNamara, and Micha Karlen Owens. For New Anglia,
the swineherds were Ron Thegn Branga and his man, Ealdhand Genéat
Tomlinson. The swine were watered, protected from the sun, fed, and bathed
by the
swineherds, all in the manner befitting their gentled condition as
blót-beasts. Ale and apples were offered. The blóteres were Dan Eorl for
New Normandy, and Brian Hláford for the New Anglia. Swineherds for the
blót were Lou Thain Sancio and William Thain McNamara for New Normandy,
and Ron Thegn Branga and Ealdhand Genéat for the New Anglia. Just before
noon, the swineherds carried the swine to the frithgeard, and held them
there.

With Sunna at her highest point of the day, the frithgeard was hallowed
with fire and the Wéonde song, sung beautifully by the clear-voiced Brian
Hláford. The folk filed in and gathered at the east end of the frithgeard.
With the folk gathered, the swine readied and secured, the blóteres
dedicated the swine to their respective patron gods, and bent to their
purpose simultaneously, and the swine were dispatched to those gods. Lily
Thegnswif caught the blót for the New Anglia, while Kasidy Thain caught
the blót for New Normandy.

Jefferey Thegn Runoviki, Heah Blótere Háligwearstówes, did asperge the
folk with the blót of the swine, the Micelgeteld of New Normandy and
Ingsleigh Hall of New Anglia. Blót was also placed on the gods pole, with
proper words. The pole was carved by Brian Hláford. The land wights of
Eþelæcres were rightly given their share of the blót.

The folk dispersed to find lunch, such as was masterfully prepared by
grillmaster Bill Líesing Costlow and his wife Noemi. Grilling in the
unrelenting heat of Litha 2005, for sixty and more hungry folk, was no
mean task. The blóteres and swineherds remained with the swine, cleaned
them, and prepared the flesh for butchering. The butchering of both swine
was accomplished by the experienced hand of Brian Hláford. A fire was
built, for the purpose of immolating the swine offal, and this was done.
This fire would also take the post-húsel remainder of the flesh and bones,
sent to the gods as was right and meet to do. Of the flesh of the swine a
broth was made. This was prepared by BillieJo Léofman, and
Brian Hláford. BillieJo Léofman further prepared the whole of the húsel
feast, with the assistance of but two thralls, and mostly single-handedly!
With fifty-two folk at húsel, this was no mean feat!

Between 7 and 8 PM, the buffet table was set, and the sheriffs of New
Normandy and New Anglia began to seat the húsel guests, in accordance with
Théodish thew. The torch lit Norman Micelgeteld was a wonder to behold in
these times, hung with the banners of Théods, thegns, and freemen, as of
old.

At the head table were seated Dan Eorl Halloran, Æþeling Lord of New
Normandy on the high seat, next to Cynthia Hláfdige, his wife. To their
right were Brian Hláford Smith, Lord New Anglia, and his great Thegn and
dryhtelder, Ron Branga. By the landlord’s side was the Lady of Eþelacres,
Lily Thegnswif Branga. To their left, were the great Gerd Hera Groenewold,
Eþeling Lord of New Friesland, and Stacey Hláfdige Wilber. Next to the
Frisian’s great lady, was Teresa Hláfdige Canote, Lady Mercinga. The head
table was served by thralls, and once all of the head table was served,
the rest of the folk processed, at the direction of the two sheriffs, to
the buffet table. When húsel was done, the folk
dispersed, to prepare and dress for symbel. High Sumbel was hosted by New
Normandy, in their Micelgeteld. The son of Kevin Sergens Owens, Gaelen
Cnit Owens, called the folk to symbel with a clear blowing of the horn.
The Norman sergens called the folk into the Great Hall in accordance with
Théodish thew, and the seating arrangements were the same as they were for
húsel.

As the folk filed into the Great Hall, each was greeted in kind by the
gracious Dan Eorl Halloran. Once all were seated, the New Norman Æþeling
welcomed the folk, and reminded all gathered of the import of High Symbel.
In accordance with thew, the gods were invited and toasted, and the
rounds commenced. The first round was dedicated to the gods. The second
round was dedicated to heroes and ancestors. After a brief recess, a third
round was commenced. During the third round there was much gifting. Oaths
were heard, and oaths were bought. A beautiful song was gifted to Dan Eorl
by his scóp, Conn Genéat. Jefferey Thegn Runoviki, purchased the hold oath
of Galina Cotsetlen Krasskova, from Brian Hláford of New Anglia, taking
her under his strong wing. Compensation came in the form of a specially
commissioned drinking horn of great artifice and unsurpassed beauty. Brian
Hláford, Lord New Anglia, heard the plight of Bill Líesing Costlow, and
raised him as his Genéat and Húscarl, taking the man to himself in a
commitatus hold oath.


During Symbel, Dan Æþeling and his wife, Cynthia Hláfdige, were gifted
greatly with the birth of three puppies, born to their precious Great
Danes, Dasher and Daisy. With the night having gone long, the call was
made to ceorls and goodfolk who would yet lend tongue to the proceedings.
Once all had spoken who wanted to, the unforgettable Litha Symbel of 2005,
was adjourned.

On Sunnesdaeg, Galina Cotsetlen Krasskova was showing off her hard-won
diploma, presented by Jefferey Thegn Runoviki, deeming her a fully
ordained Wéofodthygen in the Théodish tradition. She was thoroughly
tested on that weekend and not found wanting. Dave Líesing Ryan’s plight
was heard and his manceps oath accepted by Ron Thegn Branga. Dave Ryan was
raised up Dave Gebur Ryan, and gifted a hand sickle by the one who now
holds his oath, signifying connections to the land that are important to
each man. In the afternoon, the tents started coming down, including the
Norman Micelgeteld. The exodus homeward had begun for many, some at
daybreak, and the rest throughout the course of the day.


The Litha Gathering of 2005, at Eþelæcres, in the Monadnock region of New
Hampshire, will long be remembered, and not in the least way for its
blistering heat. And so also will the folk that lent their hands to the
work, and their words to Holy Symbel. Friends were able to renew their
bonds, and those who may have only known others by n
ame or gefrain before, are friends now –
all e
agerly await the next time they can be in each other’s company. This
is sooth. I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears. May
Ingui Fréa ward as Wær hears.

Ealdhand Genéat Tomlinson, Scírgerefa Néoweanglie, Ron Thegn Branga, his
Genéat
Isenwyrhta
Thaes Smithageard
Norfolcscir
Néoweanglia
Reik-Normannii