Barony of Unser Hafen

Unser Hafen
Vert, a portcullis Or within a laurel wreath argent, all within a bordure embattled Or.
Information
Founded: AS 25 In Kingdom: Outlands Baron: Sir Samuel de Grace Baroness: None currently
Modern location
Larimer/Logan/Morgan/Weld County, CO, USA

Location

The Barony of Unser Hafen is an SCA branch in the Kingdom of the Outlands. It is mundanely Larimer, Logan, Morgan and Weld Counties in Colorado. The seat of the Barony has traditionally been located in Ft. Collins, Colorado, with a majority of the Barons and Baronesses residing within that city; however, Loveland, CO has also held a great deal of the population at times. The third major city in the Barony is Greeley, Colorado in which resides the Canton of Bofharrach.

Groups Within the Barony

As mentioned before, the Canton of Bofharrach is a canton located in Greeley, Colorado. It serves to allow gentles there, made up equally of citizens of Greeley and students at the University of Northern Colorado, to allow locals to gather and hold events and practices. It was founded in the mid 1990s. Its device is: Or, a cow statant sable within a laurel wreath vert, a bordure embattled sable. This was modeled after a cow crossing sign, as Greeley is a major cattle city and Bofharrach itself means 'Gathering place of the Cows.' Never let it be said the founders of Bofharrach lacked a sense of humor.

Colorado State University also has a college associated with it, the College of Rams Keep. This was founded along with the CSU Medieval Society to give students more resources for finding, joining and participating in the Society, as well as allowing us to work more closely and efficiently with the large University to find Halls and practice sites. Its device is in progress, but will likely incorporate a ram; the name and device ideas come from the CSU mascot being a Ram.

History

Unser Hafen was founded in 1990 after several years as a Shire, and several amusing attempts to get other names passed. Unser Hafen means 'Our Port' or 'Our Refuge' in German, though it was originally (according to the Outlands College of Heralds) submitted as 'Uns Haven' (unshaven) due to all the men in the Barony having beards.

The Founding Baron was Sir Kevin MacKinnon, who was also the first knight to reside within the Barony itself; this led to many in the Barony calling him simply 'Sir'. The founding Baroness was Ismenia Joslyn Wyndarneer. Due to Outlands tradition, Sir Kevin and Mistress Ismenia are styled as 'Baron Unser Hafen' and 'Baroness Unser Hafen' for the rest of their lives for their service as founding Baron and Baroness. They also instituted all of the Baronial awards save the Stone Mason, which was instituted during the reign of Sir Alexandyr MacAndrew and THL Mardanah al-Hindyah, and the Corona Graminea (see below).

The Second Baron and Baroness were Sir Titus Claudius Severus (using the title Praetor) and The Honorable Lady Hancarata Aethnen filia Cuneddae (called 'Llamrei', and using the title Cheiftan). The Praetor and Chieftan served for two years and instituted the Corona Graminea, which stands to this day as perhaps the highest honor the Baron and Baroness can give to a fighter. It is chosen by the warriors on the battle field to be given to the fighter who most embodied prowess and chivalry that day, and is a grass crown made with grass from the field of battle. It is modeled after the Roman award of the same name, information of which can be found here [1]. Sir Titus was known for his honor on the field and his love of stories (though his tended to go on and on), and for working with the children of the Barony. Baroness Llamrei is remembered for her fiery temper, her passion and her dedication to the Barony, as well as her prowess and service as Kingdom Earl Marshal.

The third Baron and Baroness were Master Thorfinn Greybeard and Countess Rosalind of Wellmark (though she earned the County later). Master Thorfinn is a gregarious and true Viking, with a love of stories and enriched the Barony with his vim and vigor. Countess Rosalind is a strong willed woman of great grace and presence, who inspired all with her courage, her strength and her regal bearing.

The fourth Baron and Baroness were Baron Tuman Elnikov and Baroness Rashiqah Amatulbarri bint Azhar al-Kahirawayyiah , who served with dignity and grace after Thorfinn and Rosalind. Baron Tuman was known as a fierce and hardy fighter, leading the troops to battle and victory many times at Estrella, and Mistress Rashiqah was an artisan of great renown in the Barony and the Kingdom.

The Fifth Baron and Baroness were Baron Sir Deotrich Hiltipard and Baroness Mistress Leonora Kateryn de Provence. Both of these good gentles are now double peers, though at the time of their reign only Sir Deotrich was, holding a Knighthood for Prowess and a Pelican for his service previously as Kingdom Seneschal of Calontir and many others. Mistress Leonora at the time was a Pelican for her years of service, and has since been elevated as a Laurel for her work in period herbalism and herbal remedies as well as brewing--her 'Booboo Balm' and 'Weekend Warrior' creams are renowned in the Kingdom for their curative effects and all natural homegrown ingredients, as is her Mead. Sir Deotrich is one of the most gracious and honorable fighters on any field he is on, and Mistress Leonora one of the most honorable and able herbalists and brewers the Kingdom can offer.

The Sixth Baron and Baroness were Sir Alexandyr MacAndrew and THLady Mardanah al-Hindiyyah. Her Ladyship Mardanah is renowned as a belly and tribal dancer, fostering a love of Middle Eastern dancing through the Barony and the Kingdom; she was one of the main proponents behind Unser Hafen's yearly 'Winter Oasis' event, which focuses on Middle Eastern culture and dance, and draws attendance from across the Kingdom. Sir Alexandyr is renowned as one of the fastest men on the field, able to run backwards faster than most men can run forwards; he is also known as the Children's Baron, for his fostering of children's activities and foam weapon combat throughout the Barony, as well as his general attentiveness to their needs and dedication to making sure they had fun.

The Seventh and Current Baron of Unser Hafen is Sir Samuel de Grace, who has journeyed through the Outlands, the East Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom and Drachenwald due to his travels in the mundane military. A stalwart and honorable fighter, during his tenure he has also finished an armoring shop which he has opened to all in the Barony to come and create works in metal and leather; in addition to being a fighter he is a extremely talented archer, consistently shooting in the top of the Barony and in previous times in the top of the IKAC scoring. A left handed fighter, he has worked hard with the numerous other left handed fighters in the Barony , sharing his knowledge. He stepped down at Estrella War 2008.

At Estrella War 2008 Sir Deotrich Hiltipard and Mistress Leonora Kateryn de Provence stepped up as Vicar and Vicaress of Unser Hafen, with the intention of serving from that event through the Baronial Polling in March 2008 and stepping down at the Baronial Investiture in April 2008.

The Eighth Baronage (8th Baron and 7th Baroness) were selected in March 2008; the polling was between Lord Saito Takauji and Baroness Agnes de Lanvallei, Sir Kevin Mackinnon and Mistress Roslyn von Hohenzollern, and Lord William DeKari and Countess Rosalind of Wellmark Keep. Countess Rosalind and Lord William were selected, and invested on April 19th at the Danse Mystere event.

Court

Baron: None. Sir Deotrich and Mistress Leonora serving as 2nd Vicar and Vicaress of Unser Hafen.

Defender(Heavy Fighting Champion): Lord Dagorix Nantonignos

Protector (Rapier Champion): Lord Arion de Hawke

Warden (Archery Champion): Lord Garin

Equestrian Champion: Lady Ceciela O'Conner

A&S Champion: Lady Rivkah Cantor

Pencerdd Bard of Unser Hafen (Bardic Champion): Lady Rivkah Cantor

Court Herald: Lord Felix

Culture

The Barony of Unser Hafen is the furthest northern Barony of the Kingdom of the Outlands; the only groups in the kingdom further north are the Shire of Windkeep, the Shire of Duchaidh Benaird and the Shire of Plattefordham. It has long considered itself the vanguard of the north, and reflected this with its choice of the Portcullis for its symbol.

Unser Hafen has had a very do it yourself attitude for most of its existence, owing to the gap between itself and the major population centers in the Kingdom; the people are used to doing things their own way, in their own style. They are proud of their works and proud of their Kingdom, and especially proud to wear their Baronial colors, as this also means they wear the Kingdom colors of Green and Yellow. Like the rest of the Kingdom every year Unser Hafen gears up to send a strong contingent of Heavy Fighters, Archers, Fencers and Artisans to Estrella War, the largest war it participates in. Every year Unser Hafen also hosts its own 'skirmish', Glory War, which is held in conjunction with Windkeep in Buford, Wyoming and features a variety of tournaments and melee scenarios, as well as the northern semi-finals for the Kingdom Bardic Champion position: The Windhover Bard.

Unser Hafen has been seen as somewhat insular in years past, something the Barony has worked hard to change, with frequent travels and the forging of close ties with other groups. The Barony is very close to the Shire of Windkeep due to years of working together and the occasional moving of members and families from one group to the other; it is also very close to the Barony of Caer Galen, its nearest neighbors to the south.

Awards

The following are the chartered orders of the barony. Until 2006 they carried an Award of Arms, but were changed to being non-armigerous during the reign of Alexandyr and Mardanah, 6th Baron and Baroness of Unser Hafen.

Builders of the Portcullis is the award given for arts and sciences. Its' badge is : (Fieldless) A portcullis vert debruised by a candle in its holder Or

Golden Columbine of Unser Hafen is the award given for persona development. Its' badge is : (Fieldless) On a portcullis vert a columbine flower contourny Or

Golden Ring of Unser Hafen is the Baronial service award. Its' badge is: (Fieldless) A portcullis vert debruised by an annulet Or

Keepers of the Portcullis of Unser Hafen is the Baronial award for excellence in Heavy or Light Fighting, and Combat or Target Archery. Its' badge is: (Fieldless) A portcullis vert debruised by a pair of spears in saltire Or

Prima Lux of Unser Hafen is the award given to outstanding gentles under the age of 16, in all fields. Its' badge is: (Fieldless) A portcullis vert bearing a torch enflamed Or

Salt Bearer of Unser Hafen is given for exceptional work with newcomers and in the field of hospitality. Its' badge is: (Fieldless) On a portcullis vert a covered saltcellar Or

Stone Mason of Unser Hafen is the newest award, created by Their Excellencies Alexandyr and Mardanah, to be given to those gentles who exemplify the spirit of the SCA in their words, deeds and bearing. It is the Baronial counterpart to the Outlands' Walker of the Way, one of the highest honors a Crown can bestow. Its' badge is in progress.

The following are awards that are either non-ordered/non-chartered, or for some other reason lie outside the normal award structure of the Barony. In the case of the two awards given in Bofharrach, they are not official awards.

The Corona Graminea of Unser Hafen was instituted by Baron Titus and Baroness Llamrei during their reign. It is awarded by the jurisdiction of the Baron and Baroness only after speaking with the fighters who fought on the field at Estrella, and is given in their will and their name. It is given to the fighter who exemplified the spirit and prowess of chivalry on the field that year, and is considered by many to be one of the highest honors they can receive. It has no badge, but is represented by a crown made of grass from the field of combat. It theoretically can be given to someone more than once, but thus far never has been. Currently there is a discussion in the Barony as to whether or not the award can be given to combat archers or fencers.

The Green Man of Bofharrach is an award given through discussion between the Seneschal of Bofharrach and the Baron and Baroness of Unser Hafen to a gentle who has contributed greatly to the governance, administration or atmosphere of the Canton regularly and consistently, and represents a heart felt thanks for it. Its symbol is that of the Green Man of Celtic mythology, who was a God of giving and replenishing.

The Cattle Guard of Bofharrach is an unofficial fighting order given to members of Bofharrach who have been to a war and own their own equipment. While unofficial and named after a farming tool to keep cows from straying, it is nonetheless considered an honor to be inducted and to wear it.

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