Far Isles

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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 Previously there had been no serving Knights -- those raised to this rank have, each and every one, withdrawn from the Isles.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.