Iron Ring

The Iron Ring is a household which re-creates the look and feel of a mercenary unit that would have existed between 1550 and 1600 in northern Italy and southern Germany. The Iron ring was founded in 2004, as the brainchild of Heinrich von Arenburg.

Members of the Iron Ring live primarily in the Portland metro area, in the Barony of Three Mountains and the Shire of Dragon's Mist.

The Iron Ring at An Tir West War 2008.

Mission Statement

As a group dedicated to re-enacting a mercenary unit, the Iron Ring encourages study of armed and armored combat by its members, and seeks to participate in activities including but not limited to SCA armored combat, target archery and “boffer” foam weapon combat.

Members of the Iron Ring are highly encouraged to foster an attitude of cooperation between each other and also members of the re-enactment community at large. We shall lead by positive example and follow by the positive example of others.

== Rules and Regulations ==

The Iron Ring Device- A field, party per pale, vert and sable. A spiked wheel of twelve spokes, or.

The Iron Ring is governed by a charter encompassing its rules and regulations, as ratified by the members of the Iron Ring in 2007. In general, all decisions are made by a simple majority of the officers of the Iron Ring (for matters such as use of funds and member disputes) or by a 3/4 majority of the members of the Iron Ring.

Recruiting

In order to become a member of the Iron Ring, an interested party must secure a member as sponsor and two more members to act as advocates. After being recorded by the Master or Mistress of Recruiting (currently Daesgasage Runne) the new recruit must attend 2 camping events with the Iron Ring and 5 non-camping functions (such as fight practices, workshops, etc.). Once these prerequisites are met, the members take a vote at the next meeting to decide whether to welcome the recruit as a new member, continue as a recruit (in the case that not enough members feel they know the recruit sufficiently), or end their recruitment and affiliation with the Iron Ring.

Gaining Rank or Station

Members may gain rank either when another member steps down or is demoted, or when the ranks of the Iron Ring grow enough to support another Officer. Ranks are not sequential; a member may move from no rank to any ranked position without having to hold any intervening positions. When a rank or station is open, any member may nominate a member to fill that position.

Service to the Community

Iron Ring members are required to devote a portion of their time to performing service at camping events. Volunteer efforts are essential to supporting the ongoing success of the SCA, and the Iron Ring intends to provide a good example to the community at large.

Command Structure

File:SN151663.jpg

Commander Heinrich von Arenburg

The Iron Ring is structured in a military hierarchy.

Officers

Commander Heinrich von Arenburg -Founding Member

Lieutenant Cailin MacGregor -Founding Member

Sergeant Lady Iuliana de la Sara -Founding Member

Sergeant Lord José Cabrera de Castilla -Founding Member

Corporal HL Tristan MacGregor

Corporal Stavis Vladimir Rakhov

Corporal Kodo Yoshio

Corporal Lord Nicolai Rabenis Von Tachov

Stations

Camp Master Lord José Cabrera de Castilla

Chatelaine Stavis Vladimir Rakhov

Master of Arms, Heavy Lord Nicolai Rabenis Von Tachov

Master of Arms, Feather Kodo Yoshio

Mistress of Recruiting Daesgasage Runne

Mistress of Arts and Sciences Lady Slaine inghean ui Maille

Treasurer Cailin MacGregor

Secretary Lady Iuliana de la Sara

===Other Members===

Esclave de Winter

Lady Helena Zancani

Lady Lisette De La Rose

Lord Talieson Teagwas

Clothilde de Mundegumbrie

Ian

Brian

Julie

In Memoriam

Esclave de Winter, Unit Champion

The Iron Ring is currently twenty one members strong.

==Arts and Sciences==

Mistress of Arts and Sciences Lady Slaine inghean ui Maille

Dance

The Iron Ring is blessed to have our very own expert in dance. Lady Slaine inghean ui Maille not only makes us more graceful in our dance but also offers her expertise to anyone who cares to show up each Friday evening at the Three Mountains Dance Practice.

Lace and Needlework

Lady Slaine inghean ui Maille also happens to be extremely gifted in the areas of handmade lace, embroidery and seamstressing. This season the ladies of the Iron Ring will be sporting brand new dresses courtesy of Slaine.

Sculpting

Our very own Daesgasage Runne hand makes beautiful masks, and other works of clay and glaze. Her works grown from inspiration, but she also has been known to make beautiful personal pieces.

Tailoring

Lord José Cabrera de Castilla is our up and coming tailor, specializing in western European mens fashion from 1540-1600. As of July 2008 the Iron Ring has new outfits, with doublets drafted and sewn by José, shirts and pants supplied by Slaine and an enthusiastic team of seamstresses, and chemises and kirtles for the ladies, custom-drafted by Lady Slaine inghean ui Maille and sewn by as many people as could lay hand to fabric.

Woodworking

Corporal Kodo Yoshio has come out of the woodwork (pun intended) with his unbelievably detailed, hand crafted, Japanese flutes. He has crafted small pocket flutes, duel shafted flutes and is rarely seen without his double fluted walking staff. Pictures to come.

Music

We are graced musically with several ladies and gentleman who enjoy singing or playing instruments. Our camp often has a song being sung, hummed, or strummed. We also have the pleasure of being a favorite place for the Biffy Bard to set his hat and entertain.

Millinery

Lord José Cabrera de Castilla and Lady Iuliana de la Sara have, in the last year began to refine their skill at hat making through creation of hats for both unit members, and the outfitting of hats, professionally, for two local high school theatrical productions.

Combat and Archery

The Iron Ring promotes activity in martial prowess, in support of its mission to present the look and feel of a historical mercenary unit.

Corporal Kodo Yoshio

Heavy Fighting

Members of the Iron Ring participate in SCA heavy combat. The Master of Arms for heavy combat is Lord Nicolai Rabenis Von Tachov. His agenda is to get as many Iron Ring members into armor as possible, and to practice regularly and with a variety of opponents. The Iron Ring currently practices at the Dragon's Mist Fight Practice and the Three Mountains Fight Practice, and works with other war groups to schedule and attend war practices as time permits.

As of November 2008, the Iron Ring is capable, at maximum attendance, of fielding 12 heavy fighters, individually or in war formations.

Boffer Combat

The Iron Ring maintains its fighting edge and trains new fighters by engaging in boffer combat. The Master of Arms for feather combat is Kodo Yoshio. Prowess in boffer combat makes the Iron Ring's services accessible to groups at non-sanctioned events that allow this form of combat. It also provides a cheap and easy way to play at combat without having to armor up.

From left to right: Lieutenant Cailin MacGregor, Sergeant José Cabrera de Castilla, Skamps of the River Dragons, Corporal Stavis Vladimir Rakhov

Archery

A number of members of the Iron Ring enjoy target archery. This activity has no particular rank or station associated with it, and is not being performed more than recreationally by some members who own or have access to bows. We hope to soon set up a more regulated archery and crossbow portion of the unit which will practice together for the purposes of recreation and heavy fighting.

==Camping==

The Iron Ring makes camp at a number of events every year. Some of the features of the camp are a growing number of period pavilions, historically-inspired seating and camp elements and a double-door camp entrance lovingly known as the Gate.