Grim Offensive
Date Annual event, 3 days, usually held in June. Branch Grimwithshire Activities War and camping event, merchants row, dancing, bardic and youth activities. Also featured the Nine Trials of Grimwith.
A letter describing the first shire event, Grim Offensive:
27 June XL/2005
I beg your patience if you receive this on several lists. Please also forgive it’s length, but I have to say this:
Greetings,
On behalf of Grimwithshire I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped make Grimwith’s first official event, Grim Offensive, a huge success.
His Majesty King Skeggi honored us greatly with His presence, the genuine love and affection he showed for his people is awe-inspiring and truly made it all that much more magical. Those who were there know just how greatly His presence contributed to this event. In His wisdom He saw fit to honor several of our members with recognition and The Dream will never fade so long as we have King’s such as he.
Our friendly foes from Dregate came out in force and fought with great valor and honor and truly exemplified the friendliness, helpfulness and enthusiasm that makes the SCA so wonderful. New alliances were forged and friendships made that I hope will only strengthen in the coming years. You may have been our "enemy" for the battles - but you are our friends forever.
Our great sponsors for this event, the Barony of Wealdsmere and their Canton of Silverhart, who once again proved that they are truly dedicated to the success of our new shire. Without your overwhelming support this simply would not have been the great event it was. Unto Their Excellencies Fergus and Renata, and all of the populace of Wealdsmere: I find it hard to choose the words to express my gratitude to you all, "Thank you" just does not seem adequate enough. Your faith, love and encouragement have made this new branch possible - there will never be a way to thank you enough.
Our Patron’s Duke Sir Gunnar and Duchess Gabriell told me they were proud of their shires efforts in this our first event. I can only hope we continue to reflect their greatness as we grow and learn. We have the greatest example to live up to in them. Their love and support makes us want to prove ourselves worthy of their patronage. I hope we can always make them proud to represent us.
Friends joined us from across An Tir, from Blatha an Oir and Vulkanfeldt, Wyewood and Stromgard, from Pendale, Seagirt, Lyonsmarche and Lionsgate, [[Frozen Mountain]] and Ambergard., but from as far away as the Kingdoms of Meridies, Caid, Artemisia and my beloved former home, the Kingdom of the West. The outpouring of support for our tiny shire was just incredible. Reading over the gate sheets and realizing just how many came from so far away brought tears to my eyes. If anyone had told me when this shire idea started 3 years ago that this is where it would be now I would not have believed them. The officers and populace of Grimwith poured their hearts and souls into this event and their efforts paid off greatly.
The credit for this event goes to all of those who did the work.
My magic moment came late Saturday night as I stood in the trees and watched dancers under the pavilion, listened to the sounds of bardic, laughter and song in the flickering lights of so many camps and realized "Wow, this is the SCA I remember and love!" A very humbling experience.
As the autocrat I feel like a dismal failure in my paltry attempts to thank everyone for what they did this past weekend - but all who read these words should know this: The greatness of An Tir is reflected in her peoples, and in my somewhat biased opinion the people of Grimwith and all those who joined us have lived up to the measure of the the great Kingdom of An Tir.
Honorable Lady Arnora Grimsdottir Event Steward Grim Offensive I