Coronet Tourney 1

An Tir’s First Coronet Tourney

Prince Frederic of the West Tower and Princess Anne of the White Tower, first Prince and Princess of An Tir. August 25, 1973 at the Fallshire Renaissance Faire.

Held on 25 August 1973 at the Fallshire Renaissance Faire site, Fall City, WA.
Prince Frederick of the West Tower with Princess Anne of the White Tower.

The Fallshire Renaissance Faire

The Fallshire Renaissance Faire was a Renaissance Faire in the Pacific Northwest held at the Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater, just outside 36800 SE David Powell Rd, Fall City, WA 98024.

The first annual fair was held in 1972. In 1973 it ran three weekends: August 18-19, August 25-26 and September 1-2-3.

“A selection of the finest craftsmen and talented performers in the costumes of the period will gather for the three weekends. The Voice of the Turtle, the Cornish Consort, Balidi Middle Eastern Dance Troupe, the Seattle Madrigal Singers and the Goode Company Consort” were scheduled to perform. “It is supported by the Society of Creative Anachronism, Inc., a Medieval and Renaissance research group.”¹

Event Announcement

The Fallshire Renaissance Faire will be held at the Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater-just outside Fall City. Dates are Augusts 18&19, 25&26, September 1,2&3. August 25 is the date for our first Coronet Tourney. We will be working this event-Society official- within the framework of the Faire. More details next month. Early worriers may call Robert of Winchester.²

At the beginning of August, the name for the newly chartered Principality was still under debate.

The Crier in the August 1973 issue called the group the “Principality of the North” and announced “The first Coronet tourney is to take place on the 25th of August at the Fallshire Renaissance Faire.”

SCA members were encouraged to contact Gernot of Gallimaufry “for information and passes - which are vital.”

Of the Tourney, the Grand Procession begins at noon 25 August (Royalty has been invited) challenges and melees begin after court and end at 2:30. Coronet List matches begin shortly thereafter, Hopefully the Coronation and /final Court will take place at 6:00. For information: Robert of Winchester.³

Voice of the Turtle at the Fallshire Renaissance Faire in August 1973.

Even the local newspapers took note. The Daily Herald from nearby Everett covered the Faire the weekend before the Coronet Tourney.

“Next weekend, the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., a Medieval and Renaissance research group, will hold its Crown Tournament in competition for the title of Prince of Nordheim.

“The Principality of Nordheim includes the states of Washington (Barony of Madrone), Oregon (Barony of Three Mountains), Montana (Montfort), Idaho, Alaska and Western Canada.

“The tournament is based on Medieval field combat, using wooden broadswords and maces, heavy steel helmets, shields and armor. The sport will be less gentle, though equally gentlemanly, as Twealzie-whopping, and it is slated to be filmed as a feature for a nationally-syndicated adventure show.”⁴

The Naming of An Tir

The Crier also announced that all principality officers should be present for an important meeting to be held at 8:00pm on August 24th. Given that oral tradition says the name “An Tir” was chosen at the event, it is likely the name was a critical part of the important meeting on August 24, 1973.

“I remember there was a lot of discussion on what to call the Principality by the time we got there, with no solution in sight. I remember standing in the green green green grass at the site as the discussion continued. I said, “Why not call the Principality by the word common to several of the suggested names, that being ‘Tir’”. They responded with “An Tir.” – Henrik of Havn [King at the event]⁶

“I remember this a bit differently than Henrik. The name was decided by 5 of us at the Tourney, myself, Robert of Winchester and 3 others whose names I don't recall. All heralds of An Tir. I don't remember Henrik being in at this meeting. The 5 of us talked about the name and came up with An Tir. I had already designed the new Arms for the Principality and that was accepted at this meeting also. I came in second to Sir Fredrick of the West Tower in the lists. This may be due to old age.” – Jerald of Galloway.⁶

According to an email dated April 22, 2025 from Theodulf of Borogrove, he mentions “Deirdre’s original proposal was a much longer Gaelic phrase that included ‘An Tir’ and that became the reluctant compromise.”

It seems likely this discussion about the longer and various shortened Gaelic phrases, all including “An Tir” is what Henrik of Havn referred to when he said they all included “An Tir” and so that became the compromise.

Event Chronicle

“King Henrik [of the West] placed the Coronet upon Sir Frederic’s head to the cheers of those assembled. Sir Frederic’s lady, Anne of the White Tower, was chosen to become An Tir’s First Princess.”

On August 25 their Occidental Majesties, Henrik & Seitse were present to witness Baron Sir Frederic of the West Tower vanquish all others on the field from the Coronet lists and thereby become the First Prince of An Tir. [note: this is the first use in print of the name “An Tir” for this northern region of the Kingdom of thee West] During which ceremony King Henrik placed the Coronet upon Sir Frederic’s head to the cheers of those assembled. Sir Frederic’s lady, Anne of the White Tower, was chosen to become An Tir’s First Princess.⁵

The first known use of An Tir as the name for the principality occurs in ‘’The Crier’’ for September 1973 when it is reported that “Baron Sir Frederic of the West Tower vanquish all others on the field from the coronet lists and thereby became the first Prince of An Tir. During much ceremony, King Henrik placed the coronet upon Sir Frederic’s head to the cheers of those assembled. Sir Frederic’s lady, Anne of the White Tower was chosen to become An Tir’s first Princess.”

At that royal court, ‘’The Page’’ also reported “Their Majesties also presented the Principality Charter.”

Royal Court presented Award of Arms scrolls to Anne of the White Tower, Barbara of Galloway, Maelen of Gamahel and Roger the Goliard. Their Majesties also presented the Principality Charter, so well as the charter for Motley and the Royal Appointment of the voice of the Turtle. Sir Jerald of Galloway was created Principality Herald. Gernot of Galimaufry was given a Grant of Arms and created Principality Seneschal. Awards of Arms were given to Margaret of Ashford, Richard of Ravenwolf, and Robert of Winchester.⁵

Richard of Ravenwolf, one of the competitors in the first coronet tourney.

“I came in second to Sir Fredrick of the West Tower in the lists.” – Jerald of Galloway.⁶

The final round was between Frederick of the West Tower, fighting for Anne of the White Tower; and Steingrim Wulfharesson. Victory went to Frederick and Anne.⁶

“The Principality in the North at the eleventh hour switched ethnoi and named itself An Tir, Gaelic for "The Land." At the First Coronet Tourney of the Principality, held August 25, in the presence of Their Majesties, the Lord Seneschal, the Mistress of Arts, the Baron and Castellan of Madrone, and many other worthies, Sir Frederick of the West Tower, Baron of Three Mountains, won the Coronet of the Principality, and named as Princess his Baroness, Anne of the White Tower. Then fealty was transferred and oathes taken in all possible directions, in an awesome ceremony written by Lady Karina of the Far West. Gernot of Gallimaufry, Seneschal to Madrone, was named Principality Seneschal, and Sir Jerald of Galloway, called the Swordbreaker, was named Herald for the Principality. Lord Gernot received a Grant of Arms, and Awards of Arms were presented to Margaret of Ashford, Mistress of Arts, Richard of Ravenwolf, Master of Sciences, and Robert of Winchester, Pursuivant to Madrone and assistant to Sir Jerald.”⁷

Citations

¹The Daily Herald(Everett, WA) 11 Aug 1973, page 49.
²The Crier July 1973, page 2.
³The Crier August 1973, page 1.
⁴The Daily Herald(Everett, WA) 11 Aug 1973, page 49.
⁵The Crier September 1973, page 1.
⁶”First Coronet Tournament (Principality of An Tir) - August, 1973” from The History of the Kingdom of the West [1]
⁷The Page October, 1973.