by Paul Wickenden of Thanet, published in the February 2008 Skein
Back in the Winter of AS XVII, when we had to walk to events (uphill both ways!)…err, well, maybe not, but it was a different age! The rather new-ish Principality of Calontir was making rumblings about wanting to become a full-fledged kingdom (although old timers sagely opined that there would never be more than nine kingdoms in the Known World). Here in the region of Northshield, any thought of becoming a Principality was far off.
In that year, the Barony of Jararvellir was just over ten years old, having celebrated its Decennial at Olin Park the previous Mayday. In those days, event announcements and local news were disseminated in a regional newsletter (the Northwatch) which contained the happenings of any group in the region that wished to contribute. Not every group did so, but Nordskogen and Jararvellir usually filled a page with officer listings, local event announcements, and news. Nordskogen called their page the “Nordskogen Snowdrifts” while Jararvellir had the “Jararvellir Jarns.”
The idea of having a Jararvellir newsletter in its own right was hardly a new idea, but it was not common back in those days. Contributing to a regional newsletter was a bit more communal than having a dedicated newsletter for locals only. Nordskogen also experimented with the idea of having its own newsletter, but both groups continued to support the region. Even after the Skein took off, local Jara news continued to appear in the Northwatch.
The first issue appeared in March AS XVII (1983) with the following notice:
Emperors and Kings, Dukes, and Marquises, Counts, Knights, and townsfolk, and all people who wish to know the various occurances [sic] within this Barony of Jararvellir, the rendered accountings of those who serve in high office, the undertakings of the several guilds, and the freely expounded opinion of the gentles who dwell hither, take this letter and have it read to you. Here you will find all the great wonders and curiosities of the Viking city on the Jahara, and its environs, and of no other territories (well, perhaps occaisonally [sic], in passing). Our letter will relate them plainly in due order, as accounted by those who have seen them with their own eyes (or wrought them with their own hands), people of credit and veracity. We will set down things seen as seen, things heard as heard, opinion as opinion (and signed) so that our letter may be accurate and free from any fabrication. And all who read the letter or hear it may do so with confidence because it contains nothing but the truth. I would have you know that this letter is, and shall be, called THE SKEIN Wherein Are Wound Jararvellir Jarns, being the official publication of happenings of and in the Barony of Jararvellir.
THE SKEIN shall be assembled, published and posted by the Chronicler of this Barony, monthly. During its first six months it shall be subscribed entirely by his Worship, the Vicar [Peregen – ed.] (from his privy purse) and House Athelas as service to the Barony and shall be sent, at no charge, one copy to each ADDRESS in the most recent Baronial Directory. Beginning with the third issue, by which time costs should have been ascertained, solicitation of individual subscriptions will be forthcoming to make THE SKEIN self-supporting. It is proves not to be of sufficient value to the local populace by the end of the six-month introductory period, it will be allowed to lapse (with refund of collected monies, of course).
During the next year, not all went according to plan. The initial 11×17” format proved too cumbersome to assemble (keep in mind that, in the pre-word processor age, everything had to be re-typed) and it was quickly replaced with a 8.5 x 11” format which allowed officers to contribute entire pages that they typed (or wrote in long-hand) and were simply inserted into the newsletter. The first editor (Renard des Terres Hautes) was quickly succeeded by Madeleine du Pres de la Fontaine (she was living on Fontaine Circle in those days). And the original plan to make the Skein completely self-supporting within six months was scaled back. It was not until March AS XVIII (1984) that subscriptions became formally required ($6 for mailed issues, $1.50 for pick-up at the Stock Pavilion). However, even then, Madeleine expressed concern that the Skein might have to cease publication from lack of interest.
[Credits: My thanks to Mistress Josceline Levesque for lending me copies of the Northwatch from this era and helping me connect the dots. I was not a witness to these events, but was serving as Chronicler in the East in those days, so remember not-so-fondly the days of cut-and-paste local newsletters. My apologies to those who were here if I got my facts wrong.]