<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3199" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Siege of Harlech Castle<BR>April 5,
2008</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>All fighters and combat archers of these Sylvan
Lands are called to the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands to besiege or
defend the Castle! The year is 1404, and a brave English garrison defends
Harlech castle from the assault of Welsh forces led by Owen Glendower.
Owen's victory allowed him to occupy Harlech as his base for the next 5 years,
after which the English re-conquered this Edwardian stronghold. On April
5, 2008, the English shall once again defend Harlech against the Welsh
attackers, and we shall see who triumphs this day.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>For fighters, a two-man spear tournament shall be
held on the drawbridge, as well as a traditional heavy weapons tournament and a
competition to see who can achieve the drawbridge alive through a hail of
arrows. Combat archers will be shooting down from the castle walls upon
the fighters below, and there will also be a formal combat archery
competition. Archers will be positioned along the ramparts, towers, and
windows of the castle. Space will be provided for the populace to watch
the martial activities from the parapets. Safe within the castle walls,
there will be a sewing circle, children's activities, and heraldic consultation
table with internet access.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The site opens, and armour/weapon inspections
begin, at 10 AM. Fighting shall begin at noon. The site closes at 8
PM. This site is a private residence, and parking is limited.
Portions of the castle (including the great hall, but not the parapets) are
handicap-accessible. The site is wet. Please contact the autocrats
with any questions about site restrictions. Photos of the castle may be
seen on the autocrats' website: <A
href="http://www.pitt.edu/~caram/castleindex.htm">http://www.pitt.edu/~caram/castleindex.htm</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>A delicious 14th-century all-day sideboard will be
available for $8 ($4 for children 6-12, free for 5 and under). Dietary
questions may be addressed to the head cook, THL Brandubh o Donnghaile
(donnghaile [at] gmail.com). There is no site fee, and there is no
feast. Since this is a free event, the non-member surcharge does not
apply, though donations are welcome. Please send sideboard reservations to
Master Dani of the Seven Wells at 1767 Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA
15217. Checks should be made payable to "BMDL, SCA, Inc."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Please contact the autocrats, Baroness Ariella of
Thornbury and Baron Byron of Haverford, with any questions (caram [at] pitt.edu
or 724-933-4661 before 10pm). The site address (and autocrat mailing
address) is 755 Stonegate Drive, Wexford, PA 15090.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Directions: Take your best route to
Interstate 79 toward the Pittsburgh area. Take exit 73 (Wexford exit),
which is 20 minutes north of Pittsburgh. If you are coming from the north,
make a left turn off the exit ramp, and go through 2 lights; at the third light,
make a left onto Mingo Road. If you are coming from the south, make a
right turn off the exit ramp from the center lane, and then go through one
light; at the second light, make a left onto Mingo Road. Go 1.1 mile on
Mingo, then make a left turn onto Stonegate Drive. The second house on the
left is the site. Street parking is available, but limited; please park
diagonally.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><BR> </FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>