Northwoods
From MiddleWiki
| Barony of Northwoods | ||||
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 Azure, a wolf's head couped argent vorant of a sun and in chief a laurel wreath Or. | ||||
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Contents |
About
North Woods (aka Northwoods) is a Barony in the Pentamere Region of the Middle Kingdom. In precedence it is the first Barony of the Kingdom.
North Woods encompasses Gratiot, Clinton, Shiawassee, Eaton, Ingham, and Livingston counties, and Macomb and Oakland counties north of Highway M-59, less that part of Macomb county claimed by the Shire of Altenberg, Michigan.
Heraldry
- Arms/Device - Azure, a wolf's head couped argent vorant of a sun and in chief a laurel wreath Or.
- Badge - Azure, a sun Or within three wolves courant in annulo legs outward argent, a bordure Or.
Territories
Cantons
- Riding of Hawkland Moor,
- Ealdnordwuda,
- WealdLake,
- Fearann na Criche,
- Altenberg (Dormant/Disbanded)
Baronial Lineage
- 2023-Current Gwenllyen the Minstrel and Morgaine NicFhrannsaidh
- 2018-2023 Aindle O Dairmada and Alianor bat Asriel
- 2013-2018 Maximilian der Zauberer and Gwenllyen the Minstrel
- 2008-2013 Odo de Eau and Dulcinea Maria Magdalena von Muhlberg Y Auguilar
- 2000-2007 Ciara McRobbie and Angus Gove MacKinnon[[1]]
- 1996-2000 Radegund von Lutra
- 1970 Signy Dimmridaela (founding, resigned same year)
- 1970-1996 Thorvald inn Grimmi (founding)
Baronial Awards
- The order of the White Wolf (established ?)
- The Northern Star (established 1994)
- for Service (red)
- for Arts and Sciences (yellow)
- for Martial Skill (white)
- The Council of Wolves (established 2014)
- The Order of the Howling Wolf (established 2018)
- The Award of the Shimmering Leaf (established 2018)
- The Award of the Biting Wolf (established 2019)
- The Award of the Barred Owl (established 2019)
- The Award of the Wind Swept Path (established 2019)
- The Award of the Blue Moon (established 2019)
- The Award of the Golden Trope (established 2020)
- The Award of the Golden Pearl (established 2021)
History
The barony of the North Woods is one of the oldest and most important branches in the Middle Kingdom. Founded in 1970 during the 2nd Reign of the Middle Kingdom, the early members were at first unaware of the simultaneous creation of the Province of Tree-Girt-Sea. Many of the early knights, laurels, pelicans, kings and queens came from the North Woods. Baron Sir Thorvald inn Grimmi was the first baron of the branch and of the kingdom, and the only man to win his coronet in a unique tournament. He was the Baron North Woods for over 20 years. Much of the Middle Kingdom's customs of armored combat, dance, cookery and dress were shaped in Northwoods.
The state of Michigan was presumptively the territory of North Woods from its formation. When the Barony of Andelcrag was formed in the middle 1970s, the state was divided down the middle. Most subsequent branches in the state became cantons of one or the other, with the exception of the Shire and later Barony of Cynnabar and the Shire of Stormvale during the 1980s.
The group has a bit of a mania about Coca-Cola, which is referred to as North Woods Brown Ale. A red banner with a wavy white stripe was once given to the North Woods knights by King Dag. Pepsi is consumed at one's peril at a North Woods event!
The branch has several alternate names. The registered name is actually North Woods. North Woods is also known as the Lost Barony, because the original paperwork to form the branch was lost. It was also known as Northwoods, the City of the Singing Lance (a pun on Lansing, the mundane home of the branch) and the City of the Gods, a reference to the early dominance of the barony in the Middle Kingdom.
Baronial Council
Between 1995 and 1996(?), in response to Thorvald being inactive as Baron, the groups of Northwoods convened a Baronial Council to discuss possible options. The results of these meetings lead to a request to the Crown to appoint a Baroness. A charter for the Barony was also drafted. The terms of the charter with respect to the selection of the Baron and Baroness likely had impact on how the Kingdom eventually came to regularly poll for the selection of their Barons and Baronesses, and also the terms they served.
Heraldry History
The name Barony of the North Woods was registered with the SCA College of Heralds in January of 1974.
The heraldic device blazoned "Azure, a wolf's head couped argent vorant of a sun and in chief a laurel wreath Or." was registered in January of 1974.
The badge blazoned "Azure, a sun Or within three wolves courant in annulo legs outward argent, a bordure Or." was registered in October of 2015.
Events
North Woods hosted one of the two Twelfth Night events in the kingdom until the 1990s and the addition of the baronies of Roaring Wastes and Cynnabar. This Pentamere event is now rotated between the three baronies. Andelcrag is not on this rotation as they typically host Val Day event.
Ealdnordwuda is the host for the Barony's seminal events - Twelfth Night and Squire's Revolt. They also host the Pentamere Academy of Defense and the Saltatoris Swingin' Soiree. They are the home canton for the Saltatoris Dance Guild.
The Riding of Hawkland Moor sponsors an annual Wassail [2], the Smurf Shoot and host for the barony the Tyger Hunt [3].
WealdLake is the hosting group of the Midrealm's premier adult/child cooperative event - It Takes My Child to Raze a Village. This event is now replicated annually at Pennsic War and is being recreated in other kingdoms. Wealdlake created the event Herald's Pointe and Scribal Collegium which has been turned over to the Buckler Herald to become a Pentamere Traveling Event. Wealdlake was also the host for the SCA demo visited by ~140,000 people each June - the Medieval Village[4] at the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest and the event Ale to the Victors. Their newest vent is The Grand Tour - a culinary journey highlighting the food from a specific region and timeframe.
Fearann na Criche hosts the quiet and lovely end of summer event The Call of the Waterhorse. With the feel of "old school" SCA events and the beautiful Au Sable River in the background the event features a special story time before feast with an ending that will amaze your eyes and ears.
Altenberg is the newest Canton of Northwoods and hosts the nautical themed Battle of the Inland Seas.
Links
- North Woods Website.
- Northwoods Baronial Charter (revised 2015)
