A History of Red Spears by Lord Sampsa Tuuri
Contents
Preface: A letter to Their
Excellencies
Chapter 1 in the beginning....
Chapter 2 from out of the swamp
it came
Chapter 3 the formative years
Chapter 4 The Barony of Red
Spears
Chapter 5 the dark times
Chapter 6 rebirth
Chapter 7 epilogue
Preface: A letter to Their Excellencies
Lord Sampsa Tuuri, send greetings and wishes for long life and Unto Taylor
and Gabrielle, Baron and Baroness Red Spears, do I, prosperity
Knowing of your Excellencies’ interest in tradition
and times past, I have taken this opportunity to write a brief history
of the Barony of Red Spears. It is important that we remind ourselves
of our past lest we doom ourselves to repeat it. Indeed, it is the
doom of men that they forget. Through this accounting I think that you
will find Red Spears has survived because of the great strength and commitment
to the dream that its residents possess.
Where gaps existed in my memory I have relied upon
the minds of others who remember the early days. Sadly, there are
few left who do remember.
Any road, I hope that this humble work will be merely
a start of a greater work, that future gentles will take up the quill when
it is time for this gentle to lay his down.
In service to the dream,
Lord Sampsa Tuuri
Chapter 1 in the beginning....
In October of 1969, one Jehan de la Marche became aware
of the existence of the Society for Creative Anachronism at the second
Tolkien conference/secondary universe conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
It was at this conference that he attended an event sponsored by Cariadoc,
Diana Alene, Abrizhade, Haakon Redbeard, Bran, and Sir Thomas O’Conaire
(a visiting knight from the kingdom of the West). Having found a
group of people that shared his medieval tastes, Jehan joined that night.
Back at Bowling Green State University, where he
was a sophomore, Jehan began to form and organize a local group.
The first meeting was held on January 6, 1970. In attendance at this
meeting was only Jehan himself and one other mildly interested person.
Certainly not the most promising of beginnings and certainly not indicative
of where we are now.
The student newspaper published an article on Jehan
and the SCA, so by the time of the second meeting (January 29) the group
had gained four additional members. By February Jehan was in charge,
at least on paper, of a fully organized SCA group. It is an interesting
side note that the first official leader of the group was Jehan’s father
and not Jehan himself as he was not yet of age.
At the second meeting the name "March of the Marshes" was chosen.
Also, Jehan began work to receive official recognition of the march and
of the SCA in the state of Ohio. By April, the March of the Marshes
had been recognized as an official branch by the society, but state registration
took a bit longer. Also in April Jehan heard from one Jamie Foxx,
who was from the Cleftlands (Cleveland).
The Cleftlands was actually the first SCA group
to be formed in Ohio, followed by the March of the Marshes. It’s
founder, Jamie Foxx, traveled to the capital province to swear fealty to
Cariadoc during Cariadoc’s first reign. But when he had written the
board of directors, he apparently had forgotten to include his return address.
He made his first appearance at an official event in November 1970, when
he was stranded en route with a careful of children and rescued by Andrew
of Seldom Rest.
The initial letter of contact with Jehan was followed by an exchange
of letters that were aimed at straightening out procedural matters.
Jehan had addressed Jamie as "my lord" in the salutation of a follow up
letter, and Jamie assumed that Jehan had acknowledged Jamie as his superior.
Jehan, having gone through proper channels, was the legal representative
of the society in Ohio and finally convinced Jamie of this. In May,
he went to Cleveland and signed a treaty with Jamie, which formed the organizational
basis for the Barony of Middle Marches, with two marches, the Marshes and
the Cleftlands. Jehan was recognized as Baron and seneschal of the
Barony; Jamie became deputy seneschal for the Cleftlands which, at the
time, consisted of himself and a few mildly interested friends.
Jamie was never quite happy with the resolution
of the matter and continued a "frequent and very obscure correspondence"
with Jehan for some time afterwards. Cariadoc later gave Jamie the
title "Margrave of the Cleftlands," an action which generated some controversy
both in the West and the Midrealm; but Jehan, who had styled himself "warden
of the march," noted that SCA titles were not very standard at the time.
The two Ohio groups were to be the weakest
of the early kingdom groups. Cleftlands became weakened by internal
fighting, and there were times when the Middle Marches seemed in fear of
extinction.
Chapter 2 from out of the swamp it came
or
"But father, I want to sing!"
In 1971 (A.S. V), Andrew of Seldom Rest ventured
forth to Toledo, Ohio. During the year following this trek a small
group of people joined the society. Among this group was Wilhem the
Frank, Sigurd Lokisson, Ranulf of Wolfshaven, and Rinaldo of Blackhaven.
If the stories hold true, Wilhelm the Frank was seneschal at this time,
all under the careful guidance and ministration of Andrew of Seldom Rest.
According to Ranulf of Wolfshaven, Andrew had the tendency of arriving
at one's door just as dinner was starting to inform you that you would
be attending an event over the weekend, willing or no.
Several possible names for the group were
taken into consideration but Hrothgar’s Fjord was chosen. the records
show that at the time the group was so small that those who wanted
to pursue the martial arts were sent to Bowling Green to train with Jehan
de la Marshe. however, a fighting group was pulled together for Pennsic
1 and the stories tell that they made a good showing of themselves
The formative years, as was the case for the
Cleftlands and March of the Marshes, were a very tenuous time. Extinction
threatened the group on occasion. During this time a story is told
that one James Fitzgibbons single handily kept the group alive, at least
on paper. It is said that for a time he filed all the reports himself,
forging names and signatures so to convince the powers that be of the society
that Hrothgar’s Fjord was an active group. On the other hand, it
is also said that he would not let anyone to actually hold the offices.
Chapter 3 the formative years
or
"Can they do that?"
For the years of ‘73-78, the records are unclear
as to the size of the population of Hrothgar’s Fjord. Something happened
because only a few years later a new group formed under the name of March
of the Crossing of Red Spears. It is written that the group membership
had expanded to approximately 30 people. Even at this time, the group’s
taste for controversy was being cultivated as they championed many new
ideas in the society, such as the training of women to be fighters and
the granting of group offices to women. These roles are taken for
granted today but they were highly contested in the early times.
Sometime in the early ‘80s the population
shrank to a handful of people and the meetings were held at one of the
member’s house. Wilhelm the frank was once again seneschal for the
group. Members included Godfrey thacker of northumberland and odelot
falkenjaeger. The group, although small, was dedicated to bringing
in new members. Around the spring of 86, the group (now known as
the March of the Crossing of Red Spears) decided to hold a demonstration
at the University of Toledo. It was then that I, lord Sampsa Tuuri,
converted to the ways of the society. Although at that time I was
known as Edwin of Glastonbury, a Benedictine monk whose only interests
were the pursuit of knowledge and the pursuit of drink.
Later in the same year a small event was held
at a local campground that attracted some dignitaries such as Sir Dag (before
he was ever king) and Duke Sir Eliahu.
The next few years were ones of relative inactivity
although the group itself began to grow. Several good gentles entered
onto the scene, many of which were from the earlier times when the society
was young and just getting started; gentles such as Jehan de la Marshe,
Ranulf of Wolfshaven, Rinaldo of Blackhaven, Sandor the hunter, Vasili
iz natemnashoi Dollina, and Seraphina Aglaia. Meetings were held
on a weekly basis at St. Michael’s Church in Oregon, Ohio. This was
due to the fact that Vasili was in mundane life a priest and was able to
secure the hall at no cost to the group. This group of people was
a vital source of energy and talent for the growth of the group.
The March of the Crossing of Red Spears was beginning to grow. What
was needed was an event where the group could show what it could do.
What better way than to host a crown tourney?
It was approximately May of 88 that the March of the Crossing
of Red Spears hosted the Midrealm crown tournament. At that time
such events were not as large as they are today but the number of gentles
in attendance was around 300. The most memorable occurrence at the
event happened during court. Vasili, who at that time was Dragon
Herald, was heralding court. All was well until Vasili announced
Corwyn, who was king, as "Corwyn, queen by right of arms." Corwyn,
however, was a merciful and compassionate king and allowed Vasili to keep
his head. Overall, the event was a successful one and Red Spears
began to set its sights on bigger and greater things.
It is important to mention that while Red
Spears was growing, so too, was Bowling Green beginning to come alive once
again. The group began to form anew under the direction of Jehan
de la Marshe. While Red Spears had problems with fluxtuating membership,
Bowling Green suffered even more so because they were based on the college
campus so as the student body waxed and waned, so did the group.
They decided to retain their name, "March of the Marshes" and began to
rebuild and regain their status as an official SCA group.
For a time Jehan was the pinnacle of the group. Yet, when
he left the group did not fall apart due to the hard work of many good
gentles. It is also important to note that many Bowling green people
also made it a point to attend Toledo meetings so there was a networking
of sorts going on.
Through this and Red Spears demos, the membership
grew. It was not long before the populace began to yearn for greater
status. They would achieve the status but not without a great cost.
Chapter 4 The Barony of Red Spears
or
"Can they do that?"
The March of the Crossing of Red Spears indeed
had their hearts set on becoming a Barony. We had the populace.
We had the money (some suggested that we buy our own kingdom). So
work was begun on achieving the status of Barony. AS a side note,
in the early days of the Midrealm, all new groups started out as Baronies,
no matter how small.
The most interesting task was the polling
of the populace to find their choice for who would serve as Baron and Baroness.
Much to the credit of the good gentles, politicking did not reach the point
of nausea. After much talk and discussion the choice of the populace
was Vasili and Seraphina. In 89 the March of the Crossing of Red
Spears became the Barony of Red Spears. It was a time of much rejoicing
and celebration.
During this high point the Barony grew even
more. Perhaps the most (in)famous group to appear was the household
of Kassar. They were a people of barbarian persona based upon a series
of fantasy/sci-fi novels, not unlike the tuchux. The head, or ubar,
of the household was Sandor the hunter. While it is true that Sandor
brought about much trouble and controversy, it needs to be mentioned that
there was a time that he made a contribution to the Barony so that whatever
gentles needed to could have funds to get at least a basic membership in
the society. Lord Sandor can still be found milling around but does
not make an appearance at meetings anymore.
Also worth mentioning is the household of
Darkwinds. They were unique in that they were a medieval society
unto themselves but because the leaders were members of SCA, work was done
to make Darkwinds a recognized household in SCA. The leaders included
Rinaldo of Blackhaven, Ranulf of Wolfshaven, James of Colby Green.
The household also elected an archon (a type of king) but the archon had
little actual power. Darkwinds did much to promote the arts and sciences.
Unfortunately, Darkwinds is no more but if you look carefully enough you
may still spot a household badge from time to time.
Lest I forget, there was another group of
people that made an impact upon the Barony of Red Spears during the early
times, Rosablee Sloan. They are a group of performing gypsies that
still exist in some form today. They entertained the Barony at just
about every event that the Barony put on. At one event in particular,
the birthday party of their majesties David and tangwystal, Rosablee Sloan
asked permission of their majesties to travel through the land, being that
they were gypsies and had no home. Her majesty agreed but upon the
condition that they replaced anything they happened to break.
For a time the Barony of Red Spears held a
birthday party for each reign. That meant two kingdom level events
each year. Money at that time was never a big problem. What
was a problem was the politicking and fighting that began to evolve between
the Barony and the March of the Marshes.
Chapter 5 the dark times
or
"I’ve got a bad feeling about this"
As must befall all things, a time of darkness
fell across the Barony of Red Spears. Our enemy was not outside the
Barony, but rather within. The fighting was between the Barony of
Red Spears, which was centered in Toledo, and the March of the Marshes.
Things were getting ugly. There were many reasons as to why the fighting
started but a good portion of it centered around their excellencies Vasili
and Seraphina.
The Toledo group has never had a large fighting
contingent and with Vasili, who at that time did not actively promote or
participate in fighting, as Baron it was perceived by the March of the
Marshes that fighting was being suppressed in the Barony. The March
of the Marshes has always provided the bulk of any fighting force for the
Barony. So naturally they perceived an attack on them. There
were also two gentles actively spreading rumors about how Seraphina did
not want children at the local meetings. Things were getting really
ugly.
Through this time of fighting, the populace
of the Barony were getting a reputation throughout the kingdom of being
experts in Byzantine politics. The Barony was no longer holding birthday
parties for their majesties. At times it seemed that the best thing
for the Barony would be to let it dissolve. Everyone knew that problems
existed in the Barony but no one was forthcoming with viable solutions
to those problems. The Barony did manage to hold together due to
many good gentles who refused to let the dream die out.
Also at this tumultuous time there came a
certain knight upon the scene. One who came back as if from the dead;
Sir Coley Cuthbert. Who better to help bring back a dying Barony?
Chapter 6 rebirth
or
"It's alive, it’s alive!"
Approximately A.S. 27 Sir Coley Cuthbert, along
with his most beautiful wife who was one day destined to become queen,
made his presence known in the Barony of Red Spears. Sir Coley was
no different from the other notables within the Barony in that controversy
came easily for the man. Yet he and his wife Valthjona did much and
are doing much to this day to promote not only the arts and sciences but
the fighting arts as well.
Despite the experience and strength that Coley
and Valthjona brought to the Barony, peace was still a long time in coming.
Relations were starting to settle down with the March of the Marshes but
hard feelings were still rampant. For understandable reasons Vasili
and Seraphina stepped down as Baron and Baroness.
So as to not leave the Barony without a guiding
hand lord Ranulf of Wolfshaven was made Vicar until such a time that the
crown of the middle kingdom thought that the populace of Red Spears was
ready to choose another Baron and Baroness.
In an interesting move, it was decided that the Barony would
no longer be based in Toledo. Rather, the gentles in Toledo formed
a new group under the auspices of the Barony of Red Spears. The name
chosen for the new group was Hrothgar’s Fjord. philip the pilgrim
served as seneschal. For some time the Barony was under great scrutiny
from the crown. So much so that the populace of the Barony was forbidden
to even talk amongst themselves concerning who might be the next Baron
and Baroness; anyone doing so risked banishment. This was a time
for the populace to demonstrate that differences could be set aside so
that the common good might be attained. Two events were held and
both went well. Although at one, duing the reign of Finn and Garlanda,
her majesty had to gather the populace of the Barony together to remind
them of the ban on discussing the new Baron and Baroness "lest the big
thumb of Finn come upon you!"
By the time of the second event, February of A.S. 29, the Barony
was told that they could choose a new Baron and Baroness. Rumors
to this effect had been flying about months before so politicking was already
in progress, albeit at an extremely low level due to the ban. All
members of the Barony were polled and the choice was one William Taylor
the Pure as Baron and Gabrielle Juliana Raron as his Baroness. (Editor's
note: How the procedure for choosing Baron and Baroness actually
works is as follows. A poll of the populace is taken and the information
is passed on to the Crown. The new Baron and Baroness are then chosen
at the will and liesure of the Crown. I have been informed that the
poll was quite close and the Crown made the final descision, as was their
right.)
Only time will tell what kind of Baron and
Baroness Taylor and Gabrielle will make. What changes have been made
so far are impressive. A new group has been formed. Red Spears
is once again able to field able fighters. Baronial championships
are held once a year and they are very well attended. The Barony
has sponsored a major event (Battle of the Inland Sea). The Baron
himself was made a member of the Red Company at Pennsic 25. The tide
has begun to turn for the Barony of Red Spears.
Chapter 7 epilogue
or
"I have fulfilled my vow"
The future of the Barony of Red Spears is bright
indeed. While there are few members who remember some of the earlier
days, the new members more than compensate with their eagerness and commitment
to the dream.
Thus ends this brief history. It is
not meant to be exhaustive by any means and there are more stories that
could be told concerning the birth of the Barony. Yet this work is
a good starting point for those who are new to the Barony.
Before I can stop I yet have one more vow
to fulfill. Whilst I was at Pennsic 25 I met a truly wonderful woman
from Ealdomere. So inspired was I by her grace and beauty that I
vowed to make her a part of the history of Red Spears. I truly hope
to meet her again someday.
Thus do I fulfill my vow to you, Lady Cassandra.
Written by Lord Sampsa Tuuri (Rolf Granlund)
Edited and Webbed by Herr Konrad Mailander (Dale Niederhauser)
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