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, formerly at a 12th century castle (now a Youth Hostel) on the border of Wales.

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 steel. Combat archery is not recognised, but the Society supports a thriving corps of target archers.

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 County (formerly a shire) of Forest Hall

the manor of Tintagel, a subgroup 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. Previously there had been no serving Knights -- those raised to this rank have, each and every one, withdrawn from the Isles. Recently, however, three knights have been created - Sir Tristram Langswerd, Sir Igor Ross, and Sir Nii Cantrell, Earl of Forest Hall.

[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 (January 2009) The Princess of Camcairndyrth Passed Beyond in the summer of 2007; her successor, installed at Twelfth Night 2009, is Thane Astrid Stormtongue, a well-respected and long-standing citizen of the Isles. The throne is presently occupied by Queen Ceris, in succession to King Guy (after a mundane election campaign). She has declared her son to be her heir, and in light of his minority, a Council of Regents has been established.

Update (April 2013) Queen Ceris was successful in a closely-fought election, and retains the throne; her marriage (to the supposed son of Mad Queen Michelle) is the subject of some speculation; Sir Tristram has withdrawn from the Isles, citing exhaustion -- several fighters are vying for the honour of knighthood. And the adverse weather caused the cancellation at very short notice of the Twelfth Night Revel this year, with roads blocked wth snow.