Mudthaw XLII: Let us go a-Viking!

** MUDTHAW IS AT A NEW LOCATION (AGAIN)**

As winter turns to spring, their Excellencies Orlando and Charis, Baron and Baroness of Settmour Swamp, invite all and sundry to join in celebration of the Thawing of the Mud!

In keeping with the flavor of our new site, our theme will be Viking-era Scandinavian.  Has the ice cleared enough to safely travel the whale-roads? Is the mud thawed enough to plant barley? We hope so, because the site is largely outdoors!  There is a heated hall, but fighting, court, and most activities will be outside. 
*In anticipation of inclement weather, we have added a meadhall:  an additional pavilion with some tables and chairs for our travelers to come in out of the rain. 
*We do encourage you to bring tents, pop-ups, and shelters - there is plenty of space, and we are allowed to stake into the ground.  (No open fires are permitted.)
*Please also bring your favorite outdoor chair, as we have little weatherproof seating outside of picnic tables in the covered pavilion.

There will be no feast this year, but there will be a hearty dayboard provided by Lawrence Vaughan (menu below). 

**Due to inclement weather forecast, archery and thrown weapons have been cancelled.

Site Map:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NAKA8zlHhZ7boig0nqkMgg5SWd8Ot28r/view?usp=share_link

* Schedule *

9am:  Gate opens
10am:  Morning Royal court
11am:  Dayboard opens
11:30am: 
- Armored & Fencing tournaments begin
- Youth combat area open
12:00pm: 
- Youth combat begins
- A&S challenge opens:  What would you take a-viking?
1:00pm:
- Scavenger Hunt begins:  Where did the Vikings go?
2:30pm:
- Baron & Baroness judge the A&S entries (please stay with your entry during this time!)
3:00pm: 
- Gate closes
- Scavenger Hunt ends
3:30pm:  all martial activities end
4pm:  Baronial court
5pm:  Royal court
6:30pm:  Coffee service ends
8:30pm:  Thank you for volunteering for clean-up!

* Martial Activities *
Armored:  The armored combat tournament will be fought in the traditional Mudthaw double elimination format, outdoors on pavement. 

Rapier:  There will also be a double-elimination rapier tournament (outdoor, sheltered, on pavement). 

Youth combat:  Will take place outdoor, under shelter, on pavement.  Armoring-up starts at 11:30; fighting will take place from 12-3.  Kids who have partial sets of armor, or protective padding from other sports, are encouraged to bring what they have and we'll try to fill in the gaps. 

*A&S Display/Challenge:  What would you take a-viking? *
Calling all artisans!  We invite you to display a collection of 1-3 items relating to your first sea-voyage of spring.  Maybe you're going a-viking, maybe to visit relatives in Jorvik, maybe you'll travel the river-roads all the way to great Miklagard.  Come show and tell us all about them!
12:00pm:  Please set up your display at the designated table(s) in the main hall.
2:30pm:  Our Baron & Baroness will choose the winner as much on their tale as their artifacts.  Please stay with your items at this time.

*Scavenger Hunt:  Where did the Vikings go?*
Follow our trail to learn about places the Vikings traveled to and what they sought.  Some stops involve simple activities, others quiz travelers, but all engage the traveler in aspects of the greater Viking world. 
1:00pm:  Grab a site map (available at the Gate) and choose one of 6 destinations.  You do not have to pursue these in any order, but you must finish your journey at destination 7, the Gate.
3:00pm:  The hunt ends.

* Youth Activities *
There is an adorable viking-themed playground, weather permitting.  There is also youth combat and a scavenger hunt, as above.

* Dayboard *

There will be a rolling dayboard from late morning until late afternoon, prepared under the skilful guidance of Lawrence Vaughan. 

11:00am:  Breakfast Course
-Fruit
- Barley porridge
- Skyr (Icelandic yogurt)
- Honey

Second Course (early afternoon)
- Flatkaka með hangikjöti (flatbread with smoked lamb)
- Slid (marinated herring)
- Various cheeses/lavender honey
- Various smoked meats
- Kjötsúpa (Icelandic Lamb Soup)
- Agurkesalat (Cucumber Salad)
- Rødkål (Danish pickled Red Cabbage)
- pickled beets
- Smørrebrød:  open faced sandwichs on dark rye bread
-- lox
-- roast beef
-- picked cucumber/red wine pickled onions (vegetarian)
- Æbleflæsk (Danish Apple Pork) (pork belly, onion apples)

Third Course (pre-court)
- Danish meatballs and gravy
- Flæskesteg (Danish Roast Pork with Crackling)
- Fiskisupa (Icelandic fish soup)
- finger foods from previous course

Beverages
The site does not permit outside alcohol, but is staffing a cash bar during the event.  We ask that you consume prudently.  There is a rough list of the bar choices on the event website.  Our hosts have graciously added mulled wine to their offerings on our behalf.  Coffee and tea (along with water, of course) will be provided for most of the day.

Site Opens: 9:00 am
Site Closes: 9:00 pm