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:
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 Duchy of Wraithwood (which is Forest Hall enlarged)
- 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") -- was a Shire, presently a County
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 Previously there had been no serving Knights -- those raised to this rank have, each and every one, withdrawn from the Isles. At one time, three knights existed side by side - Sir Tristram Langswerd, Sir Igor Ross, and Sir Nii Cantrell, formerly Earl of Forest Hall, now Duke of Wraithwood, but now only the Earl remains.
[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 (November 2017) 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 was, until recently, occupied by Queen Ceris, in succession to King Guy. Her successor, (after a mundane election campaign), is Robert; to be crowned in about 6 months' time, he will come complete with Consort and Crown Prince.
