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).
Ealdormere enjoys the reputation of having an unusually strong sense of "national identity" within the SCA, possibly stemming from its difficult birth and the deliberate efforts of its artisans and poets.
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 Barony of Septentria and its Canton Skraeling Althing (both now baronies) are founded.
The Ban on Regions
The Ban on Regions, also known as King Alen's Ban or Alen's Proscription, was an edict published in the April A.S. XX edition of the Pale forbidding the use of local "regional" organizations beyond those Shires and Baronies recognized by the Crown. Combined with a change in Middle Kingdom law raising the requirements for becoming a Principality, the Ban was punitive measure attempting the halt the growth of "regionalism" in the Midrealm. Directed specifically against Ealdormere, the Ban had a great impact on Ealdormeran culture and history.
More information at the "Ban on Regions"
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. Although SCAdians from the Ontario baronies had fought together since at least Pennsic VII this was the first time Ealdormere sent an army to Pennsic under its own banner.
In A.S. XXX there was controversy over the Midrealm Crown banishing two senior peers of Ealdormere. As the debate continued separatist opinion in Ealdormere grew to the point that during the reign of Prince Mordain and Princess Aelflaeda, their Seneschal Sir Menken formed the Laws Committee in February, with the aim of becoming a Kingdom. The following year, during the reign of Princess Elisabeth and Prince Menken, a poll was held to determine if the populace of the Principality were supportive of the proposed advancement to Kingdom status - the result was overwhelmingly in favour. At the same time, at Their Highnesses' request, a referendum of the populace was held to determine if Rapier Combat would be allowed in the new Kingdom of Ealdormere. Although hotly debated at the time, the issue was decided in favour of allowing Rapier Combat to continue. It took nearly another year for Ealdormere's application to advance to Kingdom status to be approved by the Board of Directors, in Janaury AS XXXII.
Kingdom
Ealdormere became the the sixteenth Kingdom of the Known World in October, A.S. XXXIII 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.
In A.S. XL, King Aaron issued a request at his coronation directed specifically at the Fighting Households of Ealdormere, encouraging them to make and wear tabards bearing the Kingdom's arms in time for the Pennsic War. Previous to this request, these Households had worn their own arms, often to the exclusion of all others. His Majesty explained the request as an effort to promote Ealdormere's arms and reputation to the rest of the Known World. Time will tell how well this request is honoured.
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 (folded) (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 Aaron and Queen Rustique.
A complete listing of the rulers of Ealdormere is the Line of the North, composed 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
- Snowed Inn
- 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 Dandelion Festival
- The Lady Mary Memorial Tournament
- Ragnarok
- Pikeman's Pleasure
- Murder Melee in the Meadow
- The War of the Trillium (also called 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 the Ealdormere Events Calendar
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 the Ealdormere Awards Page
Links
Ealdormere Historical Information
Tworavens.org: Photos of Ealdormere & Ealdormereans
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