Wintering
Every winter from approximately Dec 15 to Jan 31st. squires and handmaidens travel as a group (with chaperones) to spend the month with the squires and handmaidens from another location in their home castle. This means that every other year each squire and handmaiden either traveling to someone else's castle or playing host to visitors coming to their castle. This allows the young people to make strong connections up and down the frontier but also to become familiar with each group's specific situation and to get ideas from other Centurion strongholds on how to improve their own stronghold. Travelling for a week in the winter there and then another week coming back helps to give experience in field operations to the young people as well as teaching them perseverance and "toughness" in the face of the difficult weather. A special celebration of the Christmas week with the guests is an important part of Wintering. Squires and handmaidens draw lots each year to see who gets to go and who gets to stay (if one draws the lot to stay or to go for three consecutive years, the next year they are required to do the opposite of what they have been doing).
History
It has been going on for over a hundred years among Centurion castles. It started out as a special way to celebrate Christmas but is now done because of the many training, networking, and relationship benefits that it teaches the squires and handmaidens.
Execution
On December 1st, all squires and handmaidens between the ages of 13 and 19 draws lots to see who will go and who will stay. The lots are set up to be drawn by age so that it is half of the 13's , half of the 14's, etc. who are chosen to go so that there is a good mix of experienced travelers and newbies. Those who are chosen to go begin making their preparations to travel (packing food, clothing, gear, etc.) while those who are staying begin making preparations for the guests and the Christmas celebrations. Chaperones are chosen from among the knights and shieldmaidens on a rotating basis.
Components and tools
A bowl with dark and light colored stones to draw from. Drawing a dark stone means that you are selected to go, drawing a light one means that you are selected to stay.
Participants
Adult chaperones and a mix of squires and handmaidens drawn by lot.
Observance
Every winter. Drawing of the lots is Dec 1st, travel begins on Dec 15 (depending upon weather) and they return on Jan 31st.
Primary Related Location
Related Ethnicities
Comments