We found this one buried in somebody's old paperwork. Perhaps among the first Ironmongers! It looks to have been mimeographed.

SHIRE OF IRON BOG SENESCHALE.....Gabriella Maddelena d'Annunzio (Karen Scattergood 854-8227) MARSHALL.....Alanric of Gloucester (Jay Weatherbee 854-8227) ARTS & SCIENCES..... Eloraca Cenida Esttagendar (Carole Breakstone 858-2199) HERALD..... Gerald Taylor 848-7291

SUBSCRIPTIONS... The first three issues of the IRONMONGER (June, July, August) will be FREE! After this free introductory offer expires, subscriptions will cost $1.50 for six months. Complimentary subscriptions are available to seneschals for an exchange of newsletters. Those wishing to subscribe or exchange publications should write to: K.D. Scattergood, 469 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108. [note from present editor - what is the likelihood that the editor for 1983 lived on the SAME STREET AS I DO two blocks away?] Back to Top

BOG NOTES... COMMONS On June 25 (SAT.) we will hold a Commons and Birthday Bogbash for Evans of Iron Bog. This will be held at the WCCC (railroad station) on Lynne Avenue in West Collingswood (same site as the April 30 Commons) from 2-9 or 10pm. -Fighter practice will be held at approximately two o'clock. -Various arts/sciences demos are a possibility. (Anyone having a particular art or sciences that they wish to work on or something that would like to demonstrate please contact Eloraca or Gabriella.) -A pot luck feast will be held. -Cost: $2.00 to cover expenses ($1.00 if you bring food to share.) PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PAY YOUR SENESCHALE IN ADVANCE: JOINT EVENT We are currently investigating the possibility of holding a joint event with our eastern neighbors - The Shire of Barren Sands. Anyone who has any suggestions, comments, or general thoughts (on site, theme, date, whatever) contact Gabriella. ARTICLES FOR IRONMONGER We would definitely welcome contributions from readers. Please send articles, accounts of events, general information, poetry, etc. to the Ironmonger. Let's not make one or two Boggers responsible for writing every issue. Back to Top

RETROSPECTIVES... Our first non-event/commons, held on April 30, was a success! Although we worried that there would be major problems, everything went smoothly. Alaric held fighter practice in teh early afternoon to work with Iron Bog's stalwart fighters. (Evans found out why old hockey gloves, although legal, may not be adequate protection for fingers.) Our allies from Carillon were represented and Pog O'Mahon fascinated everyone with a demonstration of how to construct various types of chainmail. Dinner was pot luck with delicious contributions by Marlene, Karidwen, Eloraca, and Gabriella. After dinner and business (upcoming events and a call to take up arms against Ostgardr for their appalling lack of chivalry toward a certain "lady" of Carillon.) we danced, sang and conducted the obligatory evil politics. James caused much comment when he arrived fashionably late with an attractive blonde on each arm! Gabriella especially appreciated clean-up efforts by Marlene and Alan who took over scullery duty. By popular demand, we will be holding our second commons on June 25. HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE THERE! (If you plan to attend, please see Gabriella and contribute your $1 or $2 before June 21. See BOG NOTES for additional information.) Back to Top

BREWING... Those who are interested in the fine art of brewing mead, beer and other alcohol-containing delights should contact James of Iron Bog (Jim Clancy 848-4114). James plans to start brewing quite soon and would appreciate help. Back to Top

PLAYS... The Iron Bog Repertory Company needs people who wish to read plays and eventually produce plays for entertainment at events. If you are interested in getting together to read various period plays or are willing to act or to help with plays, contact Eloraca (Carole Breakstone 858-2199.) Back to Top

GAMES... Back when Rome was in all its glory and the legions marched forth across the land, there was boredom. Guards would stand at their posts for hours on end just staring at each other. Then they invented Rota, (the latin word for wheel,) the predecessor of modern tic-tac-toe. A grid (fig.I) is scratched or chalked on the ground and each of the two players alternately places three stones on any point where two ore more lines intersect. If, when all teh stones have been placed there is no winner, players alternate moving stones to adjacent points until one player has all three points on a line. Later, in England, the game became more complex and Mill was invented. The grid (fig. II) is retangular instead of round and consists of many more points on which to lay stones. Each side starts, not with three, but with seven pieces and the three in a row can be on any three points on a line. When a player gets three in a row, a piece is removed from the opponent's side. This continues until a player has only two pieces left. Keridwen of Pine Serpent's March. Back to Top

ARMORY... ARMORER'S CORNER... Alanric of Gloucester Everywhere I go, someone inevitably says to me, "That's really nice armor you've got there. Did you make it all yourself?" Well, I wish I did. Like many fighters, however, I lack the facilities and equipment to make good-looking steel armor and so I had my helm, knees, elbows and shoulders made by a professional armorer. Armor isn't cheap. A full suit can cost hundreds of dollars. But you needn't go for plate armor from head to foot. Piece by piece the cost of armor is not too bad. A pair of elbows go for about $15.00, about the same as new hockey elbow pads and MUCH safer (and better looking). Helms start at $25.00. Of course, fancy or custom work costs more. Below is a listing of the armorers I have heard of. Robert de la Mante made my armor; his work is essentially museum quality, but he has quite a waiting list. Everyone's prices are pretty close. ROBERT DE LA MANTE (armor) c/o Robert MacPherson 218 Eddy St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607)277-0253 catalogue- .75¢ FALCON ARMS (authentic weaponry) 12315 S. 9th E. Draper, Utah 84020 (801)571-0252 SIR SVEN'S ARMORY (Armor) c/o David Mathews 2002 Rhett Dr. Kennesaw, GA 30144 WILLIAM OF THE BLACK FLETCH (long bows and other archery equipment) c/o William Cisek 20 Paul Braun Court Milford, Conn. 06460 PITTZBURKE PLATE (armor) c/o Jeffrey Hayes 1410 Page St. Pittsburgh, PA 15233 (412)323-8969 GET'EM ON THE FIELD ARMORY (helms) (fast service) 5828 E. 34th St. Tuscon, AZ 85711 (602)757-9862 Back to Top

FIGHTER PRACTICE... Looks like Monday or Sunday nights or sometime Saturday seems best for most people. Talk to me. I can be reached at (609)854-8227, after 6, Wednesday or Thursday. If you want to learn fighting but need equipment, we have an extra helm, weapons and various odds and ends. Bring whatever you have and we'll help you work it up to standard. Sometimes we hold week-end armoring sessions when people want them. Alanric of Gloucester Back to Top

ARCHERY... We are trying to start an archery unit in Iron Bog, but before we can begin we need a place to practice. Anyone having suggestions for a place for archery practice or who is interested in joining an archery unit should contact Keridwen of Pine Serpent's Marsh (Sue Thompson 767-2830). Back to Top

RECIPES... Every month the Ironmonger will try to print some type of recipe for those interested in the culinary arts. Anyone who would like to share recipes should send them to the Ironmonger. LEMON WHYT (rice with almonds) INGREDIENTS 1 lg. lemon 1 C raw rice 2 C water 1/2 tsp salt 1 C fresh peas 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 tbs butter 2/3 C coursely cut almonds 1 C dry white wine 1. Finely grate lemon skin. Cut lemon and thoroughly squeeze juice. 2. Boil water, rice, salt, cinnamin, butter and lemon juice and grated rind. Reduce heat and simmer until fluid is absorbed. 3. Simmer almonds in white wine. 4. Fluff rice and add wined almonds. 5. Stir in fresh peas and simmer 5-7 minutes. If rice starts to stick, add water. 6. The finished rice may be garnished with honey. (cooked frozen or canned peas may be substituted for fresh peas.) Back to Top

EVENTS... Each month we will list upcoming events that are close-by and those which shire members plan to attend. More detailed information is available in PIKESTAFF (official version) or from Gabriella (shire version: who plans to go, cart pools, general unsubstantiated rumor, etc.) Any information we receive will be listed, hopefully in time for you to make plans. JULY 1-4. INTER-KINGDOM PEACE (Bhakail) This camping event will be held at Camp Upland in nearby Pennsylvania. A good practice for the War, it is a popular summer event (ie. make reservations soon.) Some cabins may be available, but the word is that they are going fast. Jaelle Armida is the official person to contact to make reservations (see PIKESTAFF), but you may also contact Gabriella for more specifics. Several Boggers are planning to go. JULY 16. CARILLON- OSTGARDR WAR (Carillon) Carillon will take up arms on Saturday, July 16, to defend a fair "lady" who has been wronged by loutish Ostgardians. Fighters are especially welcome. These "war" events are lots of fun and several shire members are planning to be there. As we are not certain of fees and place at this writing, contact Gabriella if you wish to join the Iron Bog caravan to this event. Back to Top