Kingdom of Ealdormere
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 Gules, a trillium flower affronty argent, barbed vert, within a laurel wreath, in chief a coronet argent. | ||||||||
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Encompassing most of the province of Ontario, Canada, Ealdormere became the sixteenth kingdom of the Known World in October, A.S. XXXIII (1998). Before this, from A.S. XXIII (1988) to A.S. XXXIII, Ealdormere was a principality of the Midrealm, encompassing several pre-existing baronies.
Ealdormere's symbols are the Trillium (a three-pointed white flower common to the region) and the wolf. Ealdormereans often use the term "the Northlands" as a synonym for Ealdormere (this is possibly a reference to the Canadian national anthem, or to the local popularity of Norse personas).
By long tradition, Ealdormere often fights alongside the Kingdom of the Middle in the Pennsic War under their own banners.
History
Early Days
In A.S. IX, then-Count Finnvarr de Taahe and others founded the Canton of Eoforwic in Toronto. This was the first SCA group in to be founded in Canada, and grew quickly. In A.S. XII, the Shires of Septentria and Skraeling Althing (both now baronies) are founded.
The Ban on Regions
As recorded in the third and fourth books of the Chronicles of Eoforwic., the creation of Ealdormere as a Crown Principality was a matter of some controversy. In January A.S. XX (1986) the Eoforwic Pursuivant James MacAndrews submitted a proposal to the Dragon Throne, calling for the creation of a regional champion, as the first step towards making Ealdormere a Crown Principality. King Alen Elegil of the Midrealm responded by calling a hurried meeting with his advisors. The so-called Washroom Curia (this Curia was widely rumoured to have been held in a public restroom at an event) resulted in the issuing of the infamous "Ban on Regions". Published in the April A.S. XX edition of the Pale, this edict attempted to halt the effort toward creating local regions within the Midrealm by forbidding the use of local "regional" organizations beyond those Shires and Baronies recognized by the Crown. Combined with a change in Kingdom Law raising the requirements for becoming a Crown Principality dramatically, the practical effect of the Ban was merely to alienate the people of Ealdormere by forbidding even the name "Ealdormere" from open use. The region of Northshield was also affected by the Ban.
Shortly thereafter, James MacAndrews was stripped of the office of Eoforwic Pursuivant by the Dragon Herald; while the reasons given were unrelated to his proposal, in Ealdormere it was widely seen as a punitive act done on the orders of King Alen. Rather than discourage the pro-principality faction, however, these events only strengthened an underground commitment to greater independence from the Midrealm. A number of poems and songs written during and after "the dismal days of silence" illustrate this point, in particular the popular and well-received "Doom of Ealdormere" by Baron Aedan.
While the Principality requirements would be slightly eased by King Alen in A.S. XXI, the Ban itself remained in effect until the 17th Pennsic War in A.S. XXIII (1988). At the War Court, King Corwin of the Middle granted a charter making Ealdormere a Crown Principality.
The effect of the Ban on Regions is still felt in many Ealdormerean traditions today. The King and Queen of Ealdormere are styled "Their Lupine Majesties", a reference to the spirit of the wolf which carried Ealdormere through the years of King Alen's proscription. Musical, poetic and bardic references to the time of the Ban on Regions abound, and Ealdormereans remain fiercely proud and protective of their independence.
This section is based on information in the Chronicles of Eoforwic.
Crown Principality
In A.S. XXVI, the first Army of Ealdormere, under Prince David I and Princess Tangwystl, marched to the Pennsic War alongside the army of Calontir. Ealdormere has sent an army to Pennsic under its own banners every year since.
Kingdom
Ealdormere became a full Kingdom in AS XXXIX with the crowning of King David the Greater, and Queen Elina de Braose. The full lineage of the Kings and Queens of Ealdormere is detailed in the Line of the North.
The rousing ballad Rise by Master Hector of the Black Height is viewed as the unofficial anthem of the Kingdom of Ealdormere.
Groups
- Barony of Septentria homepage (Central Ontario)
- Canton of Ardchreag homepage (Scarborough-Pickering-Ajax-Markham)
- Canton of Caer Draeth homepage (Barrie)
- Canton of Eoforwic homepage (Downtown Toronto)
- Canton of Greenhithe homepage (Proto-Incipient) (Whitby-Oshawa)
- Canton of Monadh homepage (Orangeville)
- Canton of Petrea Thule homepage (Peterborough)
- College of Skeldergate homepage (North York)
- Canton of Swan's Deep homepage (Proto-Incipient) (Midland)
- Canton of Vest Yorvik homepage (Mississauga)
- Barony of Ben Dunfirth homepage (Hamilton and Brant County)
- Canton of Wesbellford (Incipient?) (Brantford)
- Barony of Ramshaven homepage (South Central Ontatrio)
- Canton of Bryniau Tywynnog homepage(Kitchener/Waterloo and Cambridge)
- Canton of Der Welfengau homepage (Guelph)
- Barony of Rising Waters homepage (Niagara Peninsula)
- Barony of Skraeling Althing homepage (Ottawa and Eastern Ontario)
- Canton of Caldrithig homepage (Ottawa)
- Canton of Greyfells homepage (Kingston)
- Canton of Flaming Sky homepage (North Bay)
- Stronghold of Tor Brant (Pembroke and Renfrew County)
- Canton of Offangaard homepage (Grenville and Dundas Counties)
- Shire of Trinovantia Nova homepage (London and Southwestern Ontario)
- Shire of The March of St. Martin homepage (Lambton County)
- Shire of Brennisteinn Vatn (Sudbury)
- Shire of Noergate homepage (Sault Ste. Marie)
- Shire of Bastille du Lac homepage (Incipient) (Trenton)
Rulers
The current rulers of Ealdormere are Their Majesties King Edward I and Queen Rylyn.
A complete listing of the rulers of Ealdormere is the Line of the North, composed and updated twice annually by Master Hector of the Black Height.
Events
A partial list of annual Ealdormere events includes:
- The Twelveth Night revels
- Silk Slippers and Crossed Swords
- Season of the Wolf
- The Winter War tourney
- The Kid in Court children's event
- The St. Maximus' Day market
- The Lord Mayor's Market event
- The Dandilion Festival
- The Lady Mary Memorial Tournament
- Ragnarok
- Pikeman's Pleasure
- Murder Melee in the Meadow
- The Trillium War
- Storming of the Gate
- The Tournament at Baron's Howe
- Barbarians at the Gate
- Feast of the Bear
- Feast of the Hare
A complete listing of events in Ealdormere can be found at http://www.ealdormere.sca.org/calendar.shtml
Awards
The Award of the Maiden's Heart: An award for exemplary service to Ealdormere.
The Award of Orion: An award for achievement in the Arts and Sciences.
The Award of the Scarlet Banner: An award for martial accomplishment.
The Order of the Wain: A grant level award for long-standing service.
The Order of the Crucible: A grant level award for achievement in Arts and Sciences.
The Order of Thorbjorn's Hammer: A grant level award for martial accomplishment.
A complete listing of the awards of Ealdormere can be found at http://www.ealdormere.sca.org/awards.shtml
Links
Ealdormere Historical Information
Tworavens.org Mainly Photos of Ealdormere & Ealdormereians, Photo-History
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