Neoweanglia Theod Hwaet! Neoweanglia Theod and friends celebrated it's May Day festivites this past weekend at the Branga homestead of Othala Acres here in Southwest New Hampshire. In attendence were names both familiar and grand. Lord Neoweanglie himself, Jeffrey Elderman Runokivi, Hlaford Neoweanglie, was there early in the week. Begining Friday eve there was Gerd Etheling, Lord of Axenthof Thiad and the Lady Stacey of Axenthof Thiad. Ermund Ethiling Alderman Lilley, Lord of the Sahsisk Thiod journeyed from Virginia with his man Gebmund Friling Golden. Ealdhand Tomlinson, formerly geneat, now thegn, arrived with his leofman Billiejo and Sydney of Neoweanglia, late in the night Friday. As always, my dear mother and father came up to attend the rite. The pride I feel to have my parents attend fainings and blot is tremendous. Gebeorscipe was held in my famed Ingsleigh Hall that night. The candles lit the hall as the doors kept out the cool damp night. The flame of fellowship heated the hall as much as the singing, beer drinking and smoking of pipes did. I should point out that the 3 princes of their peoples were comfortable drinking scotch of no little worth. Gebeorscipe wound down and ended near to 4:00 in the morning, yet there was no drunkardness or sloppy speach to be found and the joy was glowing. During gebeorscipe, I asked Jeffrey Elderman Runokivi, Hlaford Neoweanglie to hear my oath. Ealdhand Geneat also asked to Lord Neoweanglie to hear his oath. After graciously hearing our oaths, I was raised in arung. Ronald Elderthegn Branga. I am now an Elder Thegn. Ealdhand Geneat was raised in arung to thegn. The web of oaths in Neoweanglia are now mended. Luck flows unfettered for the folk of free Neoweanglia. The late bedtime did not affect the men and women of worth from rising early in the morn, albeit gallons of coffee were consumed. The fast was broken with our chickens eggs, bacon, sausage and Billiejo's scones. Oh those scones! Famous to any who have had the luck to be at Othala Acres when she cooks them! Early was come Saturday morn, Mike Jarl Smith of aff Jera and Lady Cat, bringing their bairns. Included was their newest to be named. Soon came too, Patricia Lafayllve of Two Ravens Kindred and a leading member of the Troth. Rick Oberg, chest like a bear, of Raven Kindred North, graced us with his booming voice and thunderous laughter as well as bringing his son as well. Amanda, Dave, Carla and others soon filled the ranks. Noteably New Anglian weofodthygnen Galina Geneat Krasskova. Decking Ingsleigh Hall with fresh new tables and raising of an Ing Frea God post in the Grove, near the Hall, were the order of business after a lunch of burgers dogs and ribs were had. The Ing Frea God post had been hewn down last Litha and had a face carved on it by Neoweanglia's former lord yet never was it raised. Something stayed our hands. When that luckless man betrayed Neoweanglia and was removed from office then cast from Neoweanglia, we sawed off the carved head. It was then I carved a new one. Fresh and free from the taint of the luckless betrayer of folk. Once Ingsleigh hall was cleaned and decked, once the weofod in the grove was laden with hand craved and painted weohs, hlautbowls and covers, the folk gathered at the enterence of the grove behind Jeffrey Elderman Runokivi, Hlaford Neoweanglie. First in stature and in order behind Lord Neoweanglie, shoulder to shoulder, was Gerd Etheling and Ermund Ethiling. Sith into the grove with singing and fire by Lord Neoweanglie to the pre blazing firepit happened. Bedes to Ing Frea and his sister Freo were recited. Grain was burned to ancestors as folks raised horn and hailed their forebeareres. Folk were aspirged and the contents of the bowl was wassailed at the base of the Ing Frea god post. Then Galina Geneat Krasskova sang to close the rite. Voice clear and true, reflecting the passion and love she bears to our Gods and ways. Song has become Neoweanglian tradition in rites. Immediatly after the May Day faining, Mike Jarl Smith and Lady Cat led the folk into Ingsleigh hall to begin the public naming ceremony of their youngest daughter, Signy Gabrielle. Words were spoken in the joy filled hall by mother and father. Water from Iceland then, with fresh leek, was cast on the bairn while she was named and welcomed into the clan. Now came more fun, unstructured play, as husel was beginning to cook. Tree hew down, with strong arms and sharp axe, limbed and cleared of sticks. Carried it was, to back field and bedecked with ribbons and May wreath topper. In the ground it was raised, once tree now May Pole, the axis between the worlds. Soon after this was had swordplay. Mike Jarl Smith and Ron Elderthegn Branga broke out wooden wasters and gave a show of some battle drills. Ealdhand thegn took part and learned quite quick a move or four with a wooden waster. Scattered about Othala Acres, people enjoyed company and renewed bonds. In Ingsleigh Hall, it is said, runes and fortunes were read. The May Pole was danced and laughter was had, as we wove and weaved amongst the ribbon and pole. Carla Wheeler dear oath cousin of Lily thegnswife Branga, played guitar to keep a beat. Husel of turkey, lasagna, pulled pork, was heaped on the dishes inside. The husel was served, with gentle orders to make merry, I saw bellies full with food and drink. Good cheer was evident. After Husel, quick cake was served, 2 birthdays and a naming cake it was. Small but chocolate, storebought though it was, it served to satisfy sweet tooth. Lastly was symble. Holy man rite. At the high table were the leaders of folk. Jeffrey Elderman Runokivi, Hlaford Neoweanglie in lead spot, Gerd Etheling, Lord of Axenthof Thiad and the Lady Stacey to his right while on left sat Ermund Ethiling Alderman Lilley, Lord of the Sahsisk and then Mike Jarl Smith. Gifts given, songs sung, Gods hailed. Lord Neoweanglie recited his lineage to Woden, showing us his Godsprung nature. A gift of a 3x5 golden boar banner on maroon background, the New Anglian Boar Banner, was gifted to Lord Neoweanglie. Dave Kotsetla Ryan of Neoweanglia was the man who spearheaded the making and purchasing of this gift and I made this clear to all in the Hall. I am happy and proud of his initiative. Symble was closed with eyes still wide awake as those who would left Ingsleigh Hall. The May Fire still burned and was stoked anew, and Patty, Ealdhand thegn and I leapt over it. We sang some more songs and drank some ale while others in the Hall hob nobbed. A night and holytide filled with joy. So it ended, but none were sad. Souls were cheered and warmed. -- Ron Branga Othala Acres Neoweanglia from Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Major John Cartwright entitled "Saxons, Constitutions and a Case of Pious Fraud" : I was glad to find in your book a formal contradition, at length, of the judiciary usurpation of legislative powers; for such the judges have usurped in their repeated decisions, that Christianity is a part of the common law. The proof of the contrary, which you have adduced, is incontrovertible; to wit, that the common law existed while the Anglo-Saxons were yet Pagans, at a time when they had never yet heard the name of Christ pronounced, or knew that such a character had ever existed.