Mar. 14-25 activities

Fencing Practice and Arts and Science night Tuesday, March 14th, from 6:30 to 9 pm

Illini Union Second Floor Ballroom 1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL).

  • Novices are welcome! Loaner equipment will be provided for newcomers. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).
  • All those not interested in fencing are welcome to bring a craft to take part in, share your knowledge and socialize with friends.

Archery Practice – Sunday, March 19th, 3:00-5:00 pm

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

  • Archers of any experience level (including first-timers) are welcome! 45-pound draw weight maximum for bows. Loaner equipment will be available for those who have none. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).

Better War Through Archery- Saturday, March 25th, 8:00 am-9:00 pm

Hendricks County 4-H Fair (1900 E Main St, Danville, IN 46122)

$20/adult ($15/member) and $5/child 6-12

  • Join the Barony of Sternfeld for a day of archery, thrown weapons, feasting, A&S classes, and more!
  • For more information, please see their website below. 

Mar. 7-25 activities

Fencing Practice and Arts and Science night Tuesday, March 7th, from 6:30 to 9 pm

Illini Union Second Floor Ballroom 1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL).

  • Novices are welcome! Loaner equipment will be provided for newcomers. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).
  • All those not interested in fencing are welcome to bring a craft to take part in, share your knowledge and socialize with friends.

Better War Through Archery- Saturday, March 25th, 8:00 am-9:00 pm

Hendricks County 4-H Fair (1900 E Main St, Danville, IN 46122)

$20/adult ($15/member) and $5/child 6-12

  • Join the Barony of Sternfeld for a day of archery, thrown weapons, feasting, A&S classes, and more!
  • For more information, please see their website below. 

Upcoming events

Here are some upcoming events in the region that members of our community are planning on day-tripping to and might be able to fit some people in their cars to go to as well.

Chieftains: Travel in the Year 1000- Saturday, February 25th, 7:30-~5:00 pm

3770 McKelvey Rd, Bridgeton, MO 63044 (Arlington United Methodist Church)

Adult: $25

Adult Member Discount: $20

Under 18: FREE

Credit cards will be accepted at the gate!

Imagine exploring the expanses of the known world as Europe knew it in the year 1000 AD. The geopolitical map of that era is more similar to our own than many realize. Join us as we explore the known world as it existed at the start of the Late Middle Ages**. Enjoy traveling with us and enjoy the activities of the day.

There will be fighting with both Steel and Rattan, and as is our tradition highlighted by the Chieftains Tourney to determine who will hold the Chieftains Mace for another year. Though there will be no feast, there will be a groaning board included in the registration fee, from 11 am until court, stocked with foods located you might run across in your travels. And if you need a break from the crowds the site’s Sanctuary will be available as a quiet space, until it opens up for Court. The Church is dry but after the lists are fought and until Court, you can join Corbyn, our host, at his home on-site to share libations.

There will be classes on Slab Pottery Construction, Mesoamerican Cooking, Construction of the Moy Gown, Beginning European Dance

https://b3r.calontir.org/events/chieftains2023/

Midlands Village Green – Saturday, March 4, 9:00-6:00 pm

815 S 2nd St, Springfield, IL 62704-2601 (The Cathedral Church of St Paul)

This day will be a relaxed project day based on the craftsperson’s green concept, so like an A&S fair but with no judging, just work on your passions, show them off, talk to others, learn new things, and socialize! We have multiple rooms on-site to put people so we’re using the following categories* to group Artisans –

~Fiber

~Cooking

~Woodworking

~Calligraphy/illumination

~Metal

~Bardic – performing

~Historical combat (classes) 

Preregistration is required but free.

Jan. 24 – Feb. 5 Activities

Fencing Practice and Arts and Science night Tuesday, January 24th, from 6:30 to 9 pm

Illini Union Room 314 B 1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL).

  • Novices are welcome! Loaner equipment will be provided for newcomers. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).
  • All those not interested in fencing are welcome to bring a craft to take part in, share your knowledge and socialize with friends.

Festival of Maidens 2023 Saturday, January 28th from 8 AM to 9 PM

Illini Union building (1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL).

  • This is our local group’s biggest event of the year, The event will include fencing tournaments, heavy combat tournaments, arts and science classes such as illumination, calligraphy, embroidery, knitting, sewing, and a medieval instrument petting zoo.
  • If you can, there are slots open for volunteers to help set up, take down, and run tables, parking, and royal retaining. If you have any questions about these volunteer responsibilities, feel free to reach out, and I can better describe them. Any help would be appreciated, as events like this are made possible through help from the community.
  • For more information, see below.

Site page

Class schedule

Tournament Schedule

Merchant list

Midlands Regional Archery Practice Sunday, January 29th, from 9 AM to Noon

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

  • Archers of any experience level (including first-timers) are welcome! Loaner equipment will be available for those who have none. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).
  • This event is currently tentatively scheduled for the Sunday after Maidens. (provided we get approval to have the Stock Pavilion for that date.) So pack your bows when packing for Maidens! 
  • There will most likely be archers from across Illinois and the greater midwest in attendance to offer their tips and help coach newer archers.

The first Regularly scheduled Archery Practice of the Semester Sunday, February 5th, from 3 PM to 5 PM.

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

  • Archers of any experience level (including first-timers) are welcome! 45-pound draw weight maximum for bows. Loaner equipment will be available for those who have none. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).

Activities Jan 17 – Feb. 5

First Fencing Practice and Arts and Science night of the Semester Tuesday, January 17th, from 6:30 to 9 pm

Illini Union Room 314 B 1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL).

  • Novices are welcome! Loaner equipment will be provided for newcomers. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).
  • All those not interested in fencing are welcome to bring a craft to take part in, share your knowledge and socialize with friends. 

Festival of Maidens 2023 Saturday, January 28th from 8 AM to 9 PM

Illini Union building (1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL).

  • This is our local group’s biggest event of the year, so I wanted to give as much advanced notice as possible now that we have confirmation of space, tournaments, and classes.
  • The event will include fencing tournaments, heavy combat tournaments, arts and science classes such as illumination, calligraphy, embroidery, knitting, sewing, and a medieval instrument petting zoo. More information, including the class and tournament schedule, is on the linked website.
  • If you can, there are slots open for volunteers to help set up, take down, and run tables, parking, and royal retaining. If you have any questions about these volunteer responsibilities, feel free to reach out, and I can better describe them. Any help would be appreciated, as events like this are made possible through help from the community.

Midlands Regional Archery Practice CONFIRMED Sunday, January 29th, from 9 AM to Noon

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

  • Archers of any experience level (including first-timers) are welcome! 45-pound draw weight maximum for bows. Loaner equipment will be available for those who have none. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).
  • This event is currently tentatively scheduled for the Sunday after Maidens. (provided we get approval to have the Stock Pavilion for that date.) So pack your bows when packing for Maidens! 
  • There will most likely be archers from across Illinois and the greater midwest in attendance to offer their tips and help coach newer archers.

First Regularly scheduled Archery Practice of the Semester Sunday, February 5th, from 3 PM to 5 PM

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

  • Archers of any experience level (including first-timers) are welcome! 45-pound draw weight maximum for bows. Loaner equipment will be available for those who have none. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).

Dec. 17-18 Activities

Craft day Saturday, December 17th, from Noon to 6 PM

Kari and Anne’s house (910 W Healey St, Champaign, IL 61821-3929, United States)

  • Avoid the madding consumer crowds at the stores and spend the afternoon making gifts instead! We’ll have a “bead buffet” for making jewelry or sequined ornaments, stuffing for aromatherapy rice pillows, leather (and a few mugs) for making mug covers or other small leather items, catnip for fur-baby toys, and maybe a few other extra supplies for making stuff!
    You might want to bring your own jewelry findings and/or fabric for the pillows/cat toys in case we don’t have what you’re looking for. We also have our kitchen in case anyone feels inspired to make some edible holiday treats, and there may be some mulled beverage to imbibe!

Archery Practice Sunday, December 18th, from 3 PM to 5 PM

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

  • Archers of any experience level (including first-timers) are welcome! 45-pound draw weight maximum for bows. Loaner equipment will be available for those who have none. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).

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Fencing Practice and Arts and Science night Tuesday, November 15th, from 6:30 PM to 9 PM

Illini Union Ballroom (1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL).

  • Novices are welcome! Loaner equipment will be provided for newcomers. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).
  • All those not interested in fencing are welcome to bring a craft to take part in, share your knowledge and socialize with friends. 
  • Since it went so well last week, We will be bringing back the drop spindles for everyone to use this week as Lauren and Sammie teach how to spin wool into yarn.

Archery Practice Sunday, November 20th, from 3 PM to 5 PM

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

  • Archers of any experience level (including first-timers) are welcome! 45-pound draw weight maximum for bows. Loaner equipment will be available for those who have none. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).
  • This will be the last practice before the archery championship in December, so be sure to show up so you can bring your best then.

December Moot and Caer Gwyn Archery Championship Sunday, December 4th from 3 PM to 5 PM

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

  • This is a semi-annual meeting among the local group to share arts and science projects, discuss plans for upcoming events, have a potluck, and hold our group archery championships.
  • Even though this is the group championship, archers of any experience level (including first-timers) are welcome! 45-pound draw weight maximum for bows. Loaner equipment will be available for those who have none. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).

Festival of Maidens 2023 Saturday, January 28th from 8 AM to 9 PM

Illini Union (1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL).

  • This is our local group’s biggest event of the year, so I wanted to give as much advanced notice as possible now that we have confirmation of space, tournaments, and classes.
  • The event will include fencing tournaments, heavy combat tournaments, and arts and science classes throughout the day. More information, including the class and tournament schedule, will be coming as those become confirmed.

Nov. 5-6 Activities

All Souls Return to Vanished Wood! Saturday, November 5th, from 9 am to 6 pm

Roselle United Methodist Church 206 Rush St, Roselle IL 60172

This event is coming up this weekend in the Chicago Suburbs, and a few of our members will be in attendance.

Their Excellencies of Ayreton welcome back one and all to Feast, Fight, Lecture, and Learn. Oh, and shop! As was customary on the Manors of old, The Baron and Baroness would, from time to time, offer a feast as a gesture of thanks and goodwill for the efforts of the populace! So too, Our Very Own Baron Gareth and Baroness Hillary invite you to return to Vanished Wood. All Souls will be a free event, including a lunch feast for all until the food runs out! A Baronial Court, followed by a lunch feast, then both heavy and fencing tournaments and all the pick-ups you can handle! There will be the traditional Silent Auction, and classes on diverse topics.

Site opens at 9 AM and closes at Sundown.

Lunch will begin service at Noon and will continue as long as there is food left to serve. PLEASE CONTACT THE FEAST STEWARD IF YOU WOULD LIKE LUNCH SO THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH FOOD!

Menu – Roast Chicken. Vegetable Soup. Pickled Beet Eggs. Hard Cheese. Bread. Fruit. Shortbread. Water. Coffee. Tea.

https://fb.me/e/2OAU5DWvh

Archery Practice Sunday, November 6th, from 3 PM to 5 PM

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

  • Archers of any experience level (including first-timers) are welcome! 45-pound draw weight maximum for bows. Loaner equipment will be available for those who have none. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).

Business MeetingSunday, November 6th, from  5:00-7:00 pm

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

A zoom link option will be posted this week as well

October 25

Fencing Practice and Arts and Science night Tuesday, October 25th, from 6:30 PM- 9:00 PM

Illini Union room 314B (1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL).

  • Be sure to wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and long sleeves.
  • Novices are welcome! Loaner equipment will be provided for newcomers. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).
  • For all those not interested in fencing, all are welcome to bring a craft to take part in, share your knowledge and socialize with friends. 
  • NEW THIS WEEK Lauren Is planning to bring drop spindles for everyone to use this week as she and Sammie teaches how to spin wool into yarn

***

Medieval Music Practices

Unfortunately, Becky will not be able to run music practices for the foreseeable future, so the decision has been made to cancel them for the rest of the semester.

Oct. 11-21 Activities

Fencing Practice and Arts and Science night Tuesday, October 11th, from 6:30 PM to 9 PM

Illini Union Room C (1401 W Green St, Urbana, IL).

  • Novices are welcome! Loaner equipment will be provided for newcomers. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).
  • All those not interested in fencing are welcome to bring a craft to take part in, share your knowledge and socialize with friends. 

Rantoul Public Library Medieval Day Demo Saturday, October 15th, from Noon to 5:00 pm

Rantoul Public Library, 106 W Flessner Ave, Rantoul, IL 61866A few of our local members will be helping out with demos of arts and crafts, costumes, games, and more to get kids interested in learning about medieval history.

Cider-making class Sunday, October 16th,  CANCELLED

Archery Practice Sunday, October 16th, from 3 PM to 5 PM

Stock Pavilion (1402 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana, IL)

  • Archers of any experience level (including first-timers) are welcome! 45-pound draw weight maximum for bows. Loaner equipment will be available for those who have none. Please bring your own water (we are not allowed to share).

Additionally, some of our local members will be attending an overnight weekend event a few hours away. Additionally, our local member, Oswyn, is being recognized for his work in the science of brewing at this event and getting elevated to the Order of the Laurel. For those interested, we can do our best to work out carpooling and coordinating lodging.

Crystal Ball: 37 – La Fete du le Lepain et Leon Site is open FridayOctober 21st 5:00 pm through Sunday October 23rd at Noon

Bond County Christian Service Camp (1119 Missouri Ave, Mulberry Grove, IL 62262)

Join the Barony of Shattered Crystal at the 37th Crystal Ball! Join us for a weekend of skilled combat, delicious feast, and of course, dancing! This event will also include the investiture of Shattered Crystal’s new baron and baroness.