Far Isles

The Far Isles Medieval Society is a historical re-enactment society based in the UK, covering the period 500 to 1600 AD, that is from the Dark Ages to shortly before the English Civil War. The society is in its 25th year and, although it was initially a part of the US-based Society for Creative Anachronism, it has been independent for most of that period. Most of the membership is based around the South-East of England, but with other members elsewhere in the country. Revels are held around the country, most being one-day events. The highlight of the year is the Foundation and Independence Revel, held annually over a weekend in October.

This description was based on the content of the society's webpage:

http://www.farisles.org.uk

The Far Isles has been, variously, a shire under the SCA East Kingdom, a Free Barony under its own Baroness, ((almost) a Celtic gynarchy), a Principality under a Princess, and then a Prince-Archbishop, and finally a Kingdom. Its population work in a wide variety of Arts and Sciences, as well as taking part in tourneys, formerly using rattan, presently live steel.

Currently the Isles are composed of

• a Principality (formerly Duchy), Camcairndryth, containing

the Duchy (formerly County) of Camber's Well

the village of Strongoak

the (semi-moribund) manor of Tintagel

the County (formerly a shire) of Forest Hall

the manor of Bourneville

the hamlet of Muchmead

the (also much reduced) village of Chadwell

• a Province, the Grym, containing

the Shire of Blackwater

the Hundred of Stoke

• and the Freemark ("A Free Mark for Free Men")

There are also non-landed nobility (indeed, the majority of the Far Isles nobility are non-landed) extending from two Princesses downward to Barons. Currently there are no serving Knights -- those raised to this rank have, each and every one, withdrawn from the Isles.

[Local note: To avoid misunderstandings, in the Far Isles, Duchies are obtained by election and royal appointment, and no office is obtained through combat (although Kingdom and regional Champions are recognised)]

Update (October 2007) The Princess of Camcairndyrth Passed Beyond this summer; a new Princess may be raised from the populace later this year. There is also a rumour that the King may be dead -- the Princess Coneybury, his 'sister', is investigating.