September AS 10 saw the shire hosting a post-war reconciliation tournament. It was at this tournament that Sylard of Eagleshaven, that notorious mercenary and later a member of the Order of the Laurel, was first seen.

On Friday, June 13, AS 32, House Fettered Fleur was founded. It was joint household of Viscount Menken Brechen and Dame Eleanor Cadfan and was dedicated to the chivalric ideals of hospitality, courtesy and service, as well as the pursuit of excellence in both the martial and peaceful arts.

On the thirteenth day of May, in the thirteenth year of the Society, the northern shires were recognized as a true barony of the Middle Kingdom by King Merowald II and Queen Kirsten II. So thus in our northern lands the number of thirteen is no ill omen but a sign of good fortune.

The name of this new barony was Septentria, which, as Duke Sir Finnvarr later explained, was derived from the Latin septentriones, meaning north, northern region, or north winds. The Barony’s arms featured a bear, representing the northern lands, and three interlaced chevronels in honour of the three founding shires—Eoforwic, Ben Dunfirth and Noerlanda. Gillian d’Uriel—who designed the barony’s arms—then became the first Baroness of Septentria.

In April AS 18 the people of the north held an arts and sciences competition at which many wonderful works were shown. Many awards were granted to recognize the skills of their crafters. Most notable of all was Sylard of Eagleshaven’s induction into the Order of the Laurel for his metalwork.

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

In December AS 10, Sylard of Eagleshaven first set his eyes to the lands to the north of Eoforwic, looking for unused tracts of land suitable for founding a penal colony. Over time Sylard’s collection of outlaws and brigands would grow into a true canton, known as Petrea Thule. Sylard later moved on again, and took up residence in the thistly land of Monadh. 

Petrea Thule would gain renown as the birthplace of royalty and nobility. The canton would produce not one, but two, sets of Septentrian nobility. For Petrea Thule was home at various times to Cordigan d’Arnot and Diane d’Arnot (the second Baron and third Baroness of Septentria), and Ieuan McKellmore and Adrielle Kerrec (the third Baron and the fourth Baroness of Septentria). This is the same Cordigan and Diane that would one day be Prince and Princess of Ealdormere, and Baron and Baroness of Ramshaven. The Norseman, Thorbjorn Osis Brandson, was first seen dwelling in the Thule. Indeed, he and Ragnheithr Thorbjarnarsdottir lived in Petrea Thule during their own reign as Prince and Princess of Ealdormere. Osis would later also reign as King of Ealdormere once it became a kingdom. Adrielle would also later become royalty as she and Sir Nigel MacFarlane would reign twice as king and queen.

For a time Petrea Thule would also be known for its shieldwall. The wall, which included Ieuan, Cordigan and Osis, seemed invincible and often took no casualties. One popular legend tells of future Septentrian Baron Aedan na Kincora leaving the field at Pennsic and watching the wall with the yellow scutums destroy their enemies. When he asked what kingdom was so privileged to have such soldiers on the field he was told that the wall came from his newest canton. “Well,” he said, “I am certainly glad they are on our side.”

AS 14. For a short time the canton of Aron Araf had then existed and in November they held their first event. Sir Hugo held the field for five battles with naught but a dagger and buckler until the mercenary Sylard bested him. Unfortunately, the canton of Aron Araf was cursed, and after many years fell into ruin.


THL Colyne Stewart