Celebrating 34 Years!
In the fall of the year Anno Societas XXIV (also known as 1989), a group of people in the Barony of Stonemarche decided to hold an event in January, make it all about shopping and give it a Viking theme. Now it has been said that wiser individuals questioned whether it was a good idea to try and hold an event in the North in the middle of Winter, but the populace of Stonemarche was undeterred. With the blessing of then Baron Harold and Baroness Megan, the first A Market Day at Birka was held with great success.
A Market Day at Birka is one of the largest events in the SCA, averaging 1,500 – 2,000 attendees for the last several years. The Event is spoken of throughout the Knowne World for the quality and quantity of its Merchants, being called “Little Pennsic” by many. Gentles come great distances to participate in Tournaments both Heavy List and Fencing, order meetings, or attend one of the legendary Courts, which can run for hours.
As with any event, each year an Autocrat has been named to manage all the details that go into this massive undertaking (see list below). Each of the Past Autocrats has put their heart and soul into this Event, leaving their own mark, sometimes several times over. They have tried new things, implemented their own ideas or resurrected old ones, instituting change to make the Event as grand as it can be, while still holding onto the ideals and bedrock of the people of Stonemarche and our Granite State. The people of Stonemarche wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Autocrats who have come before and those who will come in the future.
Finally, we thank you for attending Birka, for helping us make this great Event happen year after year. We are honored that you have chosen to spend time in our fair Barony, and we invite you to join in our celebration!
Baron Olaf of Trollheimfjord, the first Autocrat of Birka
Picture by Countess Arastorm the Golden
History of Birka Autocrats
We would like to recognize the past Autocrats of this fair event:
| I | 1/6/90 | Baron Olaf of Trollheimsfjord | St. Stanislaus Hall, Nashua |
| II | 1/19/91 | Baron Olaf of Trollheimsfjord | St. Stanislaus Hall, Nashua |
| III | 1/25/92 | Mistress Deirdre dePlanchet & Lord Tamooj of Aldea | St. Stanislaus Hall, Nashua |
| IV | 1/23/93 | Mistress Aine Callaghan | St. Stanislaus Hall, Nashua |
| V | 1/15/94 | Lady Anna Dmitriova Belokon | Salem High School, Salem |
| VI | 1/21/95 | Master Ian Gunn | Portsmouth High School, Portsmouth |
| VII | 2/10/96 | Maestro Dorio of the Oaks | MUB, UNH, Durham |
| VIII | 2/1/97 | Maestro Dorio of the Oaks | MUB, UNH, Durham |
| IX | 2/21/98 | Lady Ghazalah al-Badriyyah | Concord High School, Concord |
| X | 1/23/99 | Mistress A’isha bint Jamil & Lady Ghazalah al-Badriyyah | Rockingham Park, Salem |
| XI | 2/5/00 | Mistress A’isha bint Jamil | Rockingham Park, Salem |
| XII | 2/3/01 | Lord Nyvan Fiach | Rockingham Park, Salem |
| XIII | 2/2/02 | Lord Nyvan Fiach | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XIV | 2/1/03 | Lord Nyvan Fiach | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XV | 2004 | Master Ian Gunn | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XVI | 2005 | Master Ian Gunn | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XVII | 1/27 – 1/28/06 | Master Ian Gunn | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XVIII | 1/26 – 1/27/07 | Baroness Sibilla d’Angers | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XIX | 2008 | Lady Batujin Nason | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XX | 1/30 – 1/31/09 | Lady Batujin Nason | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXI | 1/29 – 1/30/10 | Baron Bilgisayar al Hisoon | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXII | 1/28 – 1/29/11 | TH Lord William RavenHair | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXIII | 1/27 – 1/28/12 | TH Lord William RavenHair | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXIV | 1/25 – 1/26/13 | Mistress Fia Kareman | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXV | 1/24 – 1/25/14 | Mistress Fia Kareman | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXVI | 1/23 – 1/24/15 | TH Lord William RavenHair | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXVII | 1/29 – 1/30/16 | Pan Kythe Szubielka | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXVIII | 1/27 – 1/28/17 | Mistress Fia Kareman | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXIX | 1/26 / 1/27/18 | TH Lady Alexandra of Silverwood | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXX | 1/25 – 1/27/19 | TH Lady Tomyris of Stonemarche | Radisson Hotel, Manchester |
| XXXI | 1/24 – 1/26/20 | Mistress Fia Kareman | DoubleTree Hotel, Manchester |
| XXXII | 1/27 – 1/29/23 | Mistress Fia Kareman | DoubleTree Hotel, Manchester |
| XXXIII | 1/26 – 1/28/24 | TH Lady Fionnghualla inghen Mich Cealleigh & Lady Tessa Martini d’Agostino | DoubleTree Hotel, Manchester |