Maelgwn's Clanne Preachain Links

I wanted to make a small dedication page for my old SCA clan, Clanne Preachain (Clan of the Crow), an early period Celts group. I say "old" because it's been quite a few years since I've been able to see any of them IRL. We are separated physically by many states and many miles, as the crow flies. Preachain is home to some of the most beautiful and talented people you are ever likely to meet, and the amount of ancient historical knowledge and collection of crafty skills shared among them is pretty staggering to boot. So, if you ever find yourself near the bogs of western Pennsylvania on a warm evening in early August, just follow the sound of the drums down The Hill to the tall, winged gate by the water for a horn full of dark ale and some pleasant merriment.


Below are links to the blog/crafty sites of some of the other Preachain-ys. I'll be adding to the list as I learn of more sites online. We have three amazingly knowledgeable and wonderful bards (that I know of - there may be more now). Two have blog sites, Etaine and Linea, and I've listed them below. Anubh does not currently have anything online, but she will let me know when she's bitten by the writing bug again. :) Anubh is also the one who gifted me my Celtic name, a thing which I still feel deeply honored by. Stilicho (Steve Corn), a very talented metalsmith/weaponsmith now turned toymaker, has a link below, as does Hagen (Steven Levenhagen), another talented metal sculptor and weaponsmith. There is also a link below to one of our Celtic sister clans - Craobh Dearg - with a reprint of the origin story of Preachain's Women in White.

Blood Oath


There's a clan of bold temper. They're wild-eyed and clever.
Their war-yell a death knell for many a foe.
The Morrigan's hammer, their song joyful clamor.
Their oath-bound to the sword-ground to keep a grim oath.

Now the Seanachie's spoken of a time long-forgotten,
When word-sign was tongue-plied by beast as by man.
When the corn that they'd hoped on lay blighted and broken,
And the Crow King on coal wing came swift to their clan.

Preachain! Preachain! For clan and for kinsmen!
Preachain! Preachain! To battle we go!
Preachain! Preachain! For spears colored crimson!
Preachain! Preachain! It's blood for the oath.

Now we'll no corn be takin' if to join in oath makin'.
You sword-swear no word-snare is set for the crow.
It's battle we're needing, on flesh and blood feeding,
And the red-gold to the sword-bold and their kinsmen will flow.

In these words was wisdom. They bound themselves in them.
Turn a crow-sign o'er the war-line in token of faith.
They armed and took hire, employed sword and fire.
Took war-gear, gained word-fear, and swept all away.

Preachain! Preachain! For clan and for kinsmen!
Preachain! Preachain! To battle we go!
Preachain! Preachain! For spears colored crimson!
Preachain! Preachain! It's blood for the oath.

From that time to this time, as spoken in fair-rhyme,
Preachain and the crow-band keep unbroken oath.
If you've stomach for warring, then heed well my warning,
To the sword-bold give the war-gold or your flesh to the crow!

There's a clan of bold temper. They're wild-eyed and clever.
Their war-yell a death knell for many a foe.
The Morrigan's hammer, their song joyful clamor.
Their oath-bound to the sword-ground to keep a grim oath.


- words and music by Conn MacNeill

"LAGER AND BLOOD !!!"