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[[Link title]]<center>[[Image:Shittemwoode.gif]]</center>
{{BranchDevice
| device = [[File:ThornwoldArms.png|300px]]  
| devicecaption= Ermine, a demi-rabbit erect guardant sable grasping in its sinister forepaw a shepherd's crook proper and in its dexter forepaw a laurel wreath, issuant from a base engrailed Or.
| location = Principality of Tir Righ
| modernlocation = Bellingham - Whatcom County, WA
| founded = c. 1976
| badge = [[File:Thornwold Badge cropped.jpg|300px]]
| badgecaption = (Fieldless) A demi-hare maintaining a thorn branch sable.
}}


The '''Shire of Thornwold''' - formerly known as the '''Shire of Shittimwoode''' (Bellingham - Whatcom County, WA) is located in the Principality of [[Tir Righ]]. It is ideally located for an An Tirian branch because of its proximity to several major baronies, such as Lions Gate, Aquaterra, Madrone, and Seagirt, its large population, ease of travel being directly on the I-5 corridor, and access to available land in order to host events.
== General Information ==


; Founded : April 18, 1978 AS 12 by [[Viscount]] [[Edward Zifran of Gendy]]
The Shire of '''Thornwold''' - formerly known as the Shire of '''Shittimwoode''' (Bellingham - Whatcom County, WA) is located in the Principality of [[Tir Righ]]. It is ideally located for an An Tirian branch because of its proximity to several major baronies, such as [[Lions Gate]],[[ Aquaterra]], [[Madrone]], and [[Seagirt]], its large population, ease of travel being directly on the I-5 corridor, and access to available land in order to host events.
 
; Founded : April 18, 1978 AS 12 by [[Viscount]] [[Edward Zifran of Gendy]] (Note:Shire was known to exist in July 1976, but possibly incipient?)


* [http://shittimwoode.tirrigh.org/ Thornwold Website]
* [http://shittimwoode.tirrigh.org/ Thornwold Website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20220307172358/http://thornwold.tirrigh.org/ Archive of old Thornwold website Mar 07 2022]
* Thornwood's premier events are [[Sir Edward's Memorial Tournament]] and [[Warren War]].
* Thornwood's premier events are [[Sir Edward's Memorial Tournament]] and [[Warren War]].
* Changed from Shittimwoode to Thornwold, name selected by [http://shittimwoode.tirrigh.org/namechange1.html final vote] in Dec 2014
* Changed from Shittimwoode to Thornwold, name selected by [http://web.archive.org/web/20211202182553/http://shittimwoode.tirrigh.org/namechange1.html final vote] in Dec 2014
* Once known as ''Fairhaven''.
* Once known as ''Fairhaven'', ''Fairehaven'' or ''Faire Haven''.
* Is currently the oldest shire in [[An Tir]]
* Is currently the oldest shire in [[An Tir]]
* Frequently hosts major Kingdom events, typically every other year
* Frequently hosts major Kingdom events, typically every other year
* A [[A Shittimwoode Story|story of the history]] of the shire.
* See also: The former college of [[Wisdom's Keep]] / College of the Unspeakable Name
== Awards ==
The Shire of Thornwold has four Disorders.  (They can't be Orders; we're not royalty after all).  They are:
'''The Acacia''' for service.  The symbol of the Acacia is currently several Really Ugly Beads.  We picked such a symbol because people who serve don't do it for goodies or pretty stuff; the ugly beads are proof that service is selfless (and Thornwold servants have an excellent sense of humor.)
The second Disorder is '''the Fang''', for martial arts and those who are part of the martial arts (such as marshals).  The Fang is based on the Fierce and Dangerous sable hare of Thornwold (check our banner).  We may be tiny, but we also be feisty!
The third Disorder of Thornwold is '''the Crook''', for arts and sciences.  The crook was chosen because it is both on our banner and because one of the things we do best, as a Shire, is hook people into the passion and joy of creation. 
The fourth Disorder of Thornwold is '''the Leaf''', for children who help  our Shire grow and shine.
--- We also have '''the Golden Acacia''', for long-term in-depth service to the Shire.  There are only three recipients of the Golden Acacia (that I remember).  ---
(from a post by  Mersha Stonegatta, Seneschal, Oct 28 2025)
== History ==
;Jul 17, 1976 / A.S. XI
:Crier (Sep 1976) mentions Shire of Faire Haven was annexed by Lion's Gate
;April 18, 1978 AS XII
:Founded by [[Viscount]] [[Edward Zifran of Gendy]]
;Sep 20, 1980 A.S. XV
:Christening Ceremony and Revel held, announcing name change from Fairehaven to Shittimwoode.


== Recent and Upcoming Events ==
;Feb 23, 1981 A.S. XV
:Arms (Ermine, a demi-rabbit erect guardant sable grasping in its sinister forepaw a shepherd's crook proper and in its dexter forepaw a laurel wreath, issuant from a base engrailed Or.) pass.
 
;Dec 2014 A.S. XLIX
: Final vote selects new name of Thornwold.
 
;April 04, 2016 A.S. L
:Letter of Acceptance and Returns (LoAR) confirms name change from Shittimwood to Thornwold.
 
== Regularly Held Events ==
 
* Sir Edward's Memorial Tournament
 
 
== Past Events ==
* '''May AS XVI'''
** [https://history.westkingdom.org/events/event.php?event_code=7029&sca_year=16 Ithra: Calligraphy & Illumination], from the ''History of the Kingdom of the West''.
* '''May AS XVI'''
** [https://history.westkingdom.org/events/event.php?event_code=7027&sca_year=16 Viscount Edward's Tourney & Renaissance Fairehaven], from the ''History of the Kingdom of the West''.
* '''September AS XL'''
* '''September AS XL'''
** Medieval Village Ithra II
** Medieval Village Ithra II
Line 34: Line 90:
* '''November AS XXXVIII'''
* '''November AS XXXVIII'''
** Tir Righ Investiture
** Tir Righ Investiture
==History==
Lord Wade inquired:
"Well I know that someone can elucidate, but if I am not mistaken
Shittemwoode is the home of the Royal Hunting preserve where the bunnies
make their home and you need Royal permission to hunt them. Probably Sir
Eddy has something to do with it..."<br><br>
And Her Ladyship Hélène de Navarre answered:<br><br>
I consulted with the The History of the Shire of Shittimwoode, written by
Meresigha Stonegatta, Megan Althea and others during the early 1990s, as
well as my own murky memory to answer your question (at length).
As for the Royal Permission to "Hunt" in the Preserve--yes, there are rules
(and history) to playing that "game".
Once upon a time (as all great tails...I mean...tales begin), the Shire was
almost entirely comprised of Ladies.  The King decided that it was good
"hunting ground" for single men, but selfishly wanted to keep it all to
Himself, and thus became the Royal Hunting Preserve.
In order to gain Royal Approval to hunt his "game", one must first pay a
fee...a Poaching Fee.  The fee for one man to hunt in the Preserve was:  One
Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies, One Pan of Rice Krispy Squares, or a small Box
of Legos.
(The King liked Legos.  The King's Word is Law.  Who can argue with that?)
The ladies would gather to test the cookies or treats to make sure that his
tithe was acceptable before bestowing upon him a favor to wear to indicate
that he has paid his tax and has the right to poach on the Ladies of the
Shire.  Once annually, a portion of the taxes would be given to His Majesty
(a fresh batch of cookies or treats; not the old, stale ones) at Twelfth
Night.
Some time later, the Shire grew and it was no longer just single women
living in the bounds of the Preserve.  The Queen said that now that single
men were starting to settle in the lands of Shittimwoode (the married men
were now called "Game Wardens") it was *unfair* that only the King collected
taxes, so she levied her own Poaching Fee.
For WOMEN to hunt the single men of Shittimwoode, the women must pay with
either a cheesecake or two strands of beads.  The single men, in turn, would
test the cheesecake before bestowing a favor for her to proudly display.
Mistress Megan Althea was, and continues to be, the facilitator of this
Game, being one of the matriarchs of the Shire.  You can refer questions to
her if you require a Poaching License or would like more details on the
history.
We now turn to the History of Sir Edward....
Once upon a time , there was a young Knight of Lions Gate by the name of
Edward Ziffran, the Bastard of Gendy, who moved (with his Green Tennis
Shoes) to the Shire of Fairehaven in about AS XI (1977).  Edward decided
that Fairehaven was a rather mundane name, being also the name of the south
side of Bellingham, and needed to be replaced by a branch name that "no one
would EVER forget."  He consulted a very reliable and period and
documentable source...the Holy Bible.
Yes, indeed.
In Exodus 25:10, he found that the ark of the Tabernacle was commanded to be
built of acacia wood (2 1/2 cubits by 1 1/2 cubits by 1 1/2
cubits...approximately 45" long, 27" high and 27" deep, covered in pure
gold, etc., etc.).  In the version of the Bible that he was using, the word
"acacia" is written as "Shittimwoode"; that is, the wood of the Shittah
tree.
Eddie says, "No one will EVER be able to forget that!"
It was submitted.
And passed.
A few years later we hear that Lord Laurel, chief Herald of the SCA, used
the name of our Fair Shire as an example of what NOT to name a branch, as is
told to Megan Althea by Edward the Stuffy in 1984, while Megan was
Seneschale of Shittimwoode.  (Apparently, Edward the Stuffy was trying to
get the Shire to consider changing the name, but Megan was thrilled at the
news that we were rather notorious, and Edward the Stuffy thought she had
completely lost it.)**
In June of AS XV (1980) the blazon was submitted.  It was a small Bunny with
fangs, symbolic of helplessness, but defensible...or something.  Admittedly,
considering the times, there was some Monty Python influence ("What, behind
the rabbit?").  The Ermine background--which looks like raindrops--is the
same as Viscount Sir Edward's.  The Shepherd's crook may symbolize leading
to knowledge or through dangerous times (or perhaps past the vicious
rabbit?).  Rising from a gold lake--more water (no, it's not urine).
Possibly indicating that we live in a wet shire...or we're all wet.
Designed by Constantine Alexius Palaeologus.
In February AS XV (1981) the blazon for Shittimwoode passes.
That Spring is held the second Sir Edward's Tournament, at which Lady Sir
Bolverk wins--she is now a Knight of Lions Gate--and is given the title of
"Miss Shittim", a title that is proudly passed down to all Shittimwoode
Champions.
It was a few years later, at Twelfth Night, AS XXIII (1987), we were
accidently gifted to the West.  Apparently, there was some confusion over
what the "Royal Hunting Preserve" was; I think the current King (Arthur?
Loki?) thought it was a dessert that the Shire of Shittimwoode had come to
present to Their Majesties of An Tir.  His Majesty was in a generous mood,
and thus wanted to give him the whole "preserve."  The ladies of the Shire
thrice protested (in perfect unison) "But, Your Majesty...!" and were told
"Go down to the end of the table and speak to your new Soverign!"
And so they did.
And the King of the West sat back in his chair and said, greedily, "What did
I get?"
"Um..." mumbled the ladies, "You got the Shire of Shittimwoode..."
"The Shire of Shittimwoode?"  He mused.  "Claims to lands in An Tir...."
(rubbing his chin, thoughtfully)
"And we have a Yeoman of Lions Gate...." Added one of the ladies.
"A Yeoman of Lions Gate, eh?  Claims to lands in Lions Gate..."
"And we have a Knight of Madrone!"  Added another of the ladies.
"Claims to lands in Madrone!"
Suddenly the King of the West stood noisily, gripping his mug, raising it
high in the air and shouted, "A Toast!" and a hush fell on the room.  "A
toast to his Majesty, the King of An Tir, for giving me LANDS in An Tir!"
A hush in the room suddenly became dead silence.
"What?" booms the King of An Tir, "I didn't give you lands in An Tir!  I
gave you the Hunting Preserve!"
"But Your Majesty...." wailed the ladies of Shittimwoode, still in perfect
unison, "We ARE the Hunting Preserve!"
"Oh."  He sat and thought.  "I'll...uh...I'll kill him.  Yeah, I'll kill
him!  WAR!  Yeah, I'll have a WAR!"
And thus, the Kingdom of An Tir went to War in July of AS XXIV to win back
the Royal Hunting Preserve.
Unfortunately, no one kept score, and thus, no winner was declared, and
Shittimwoode remained part of the West.
The next year, they fought over who won the year before, but there was no
final court, and thus the winner was not announced.
This went on for several more years until the story of the Shire of
Shittimwoode was almost forgotten.
Almost.
In the Spring of AS XXX, Hwolf Einarsson won the Throne on An Tir, and
having been a Champion of Shittimwoode before (proudly bearing the title of
"Miss Shittim"), was determined to regain His territory.  King Hwolf
recounted to me how he won it back at another An Tir - West War.
King Hwolf met with His Majesty of the West at a river bank--one-on-one--and
addressed His Majesty, "I want my Shire back!"
"What?"  The West King asked.
"I said, 'I want my Shire back!'"
"What Shire?"  He asked, "What are you talking about?"
"The Shire your predecessors stole from my predecessors!  The Shire of
Shittimwoode!"
"The Shire of What?"  He laughed.
They fought in the wet, sloppy sand of the river's edge, sinking ever deeper
but not landing a good blow as the soft sand did not allow for a powerful
swing.  Finally, King Hwolf sank deep enough into the soft sand until he
touched a rock, threw a good snap, and won us back!
I hope you have enjoyed this retelling of Shittimwoode's tales.
In Service,<br>
The Honorable Lady Helene de Navarre<br>
Shittimwoode, GAc, Ac, BC<br>
Principality of Tir Righ, Order of the Red Flame<br>
Kingdom of An Tir, GdS<br>
Chancellor, Borderlands Campus<br>
Apprentice to Ariel de Courtenay, OL<br>


==Notable Residents==
==Notable Residents==
Line 214: Line 101:
*[[Adam Elfchaser]] - [[Pelican]][[Laurel]]
*[[Adam Elfchaser]] - [[Pelican]][[Laurel]]


===Others===
===Populace===
*[[Khaidu Naranaimorin]]
*[[Saikhan Naranaimorin]]
*[[Saikhan Naranaimorin]]
*[[Talia banu-Khabeelah]]
*[[Talia banu-Khabeelah]]
*[[Hjlmr inn Danski]]
*[[Zakkia Amet al Aziz banu Khabeelah]]
*[[Zakkia Amet al Aziz banu Khabeelah]]
*[[Godith d'Arcy of Goosefoot Mead]]
*[[Godith d'Arcy of Goosefoot Mead]]
*[[Ædla de Bothe]]
*[[Ædla de Bothe]]
*[[Robin of Windspur]]
*[[Robin of Windspur]]
*[[Domenico Delvechio]]
*[[Stephania von Graz]]
*[[Jadwiga Radomyskova]]
*[[Jadwiga Radomyskova]]
*[[Mikolaj Radomyski]]
*[[Mikolaj Radomyski]]
Line 231: Line 120:
*[[Adelia Baldrick]]
*[[Adelia Baldrick]]


===Members at Large===
*[[Elewys Cuylter of Finchingefeld]]
*[[Kellach Weyland]]
*[[James Carreg O'Gywen]]
*[[Nettie MacLost]]


[[Category:Branch]]
[[Category:Branch]]

Latest revision as of 11:57, 24 November 2025

Device

Ermine, a demi-rabbit erect guardant sable grasping in its sinister forepaw a shepherd's crook proper and in its dexter forepaw a laurel wreath, issuant from a base engrailed Or.
Information
Location: Principality of Tir Righ
Modern Location: Bellingham - Whatcom County, WA
Date Founded: c. 1976
Populace Badge

(Fieldless) A demi-hare maintaining a thorn branch sable.


General Information

The Shire of Thornwold - formerly known as the Shire of Shittimwoode (Bellingham - Whatcom County, WA) is located in the Principality of Tir Righ. It is ideally located for an An Tirian branch because of its proximity to several major baronies, such as Lions Gate,Aquaterra, Madrone, and Seagirt, its large population, ease of travel being directly on the I-5 corridor, and access to available land in order to host events.

Founded
April 18, 1978 AS 12 by Viscount Edward Zifran of Gendy (Note:Shire was known to exist in July 1976, but possibly incipient?)

Awards

The Shire of Thornwold has four Disorders. (They can't be Orders; we're not royalty after all). They are:

The Acacia for service. The symbol of the Acacia is currently several Really Ugly Beads. We picked such a symbol because people who serve don't do it for goodies or pretty stuff; the ugly beads are proof that service is selfless (and Thornwold servants have an excellent sense of humor.)

The second Disorder is the Fang, for martial arts and those who are part of the martial arts (such as marshals). The Fang is based on the Fierce and Dangerous sable hare of Thornwold (check our banner). We may be tiny, but we also be feisty!

The third Disorder of Thornwold is the Crook, for arts and sciences. The crook was chosen because it is both on our banner and because one of the things we do best, as a Shire, is hook people into the passion and joy of creation.

The fourth Disorder of Thornwold is the Leaf, for children who help our Shire grow and shine.

--- We also have the Golden Acacia, for long-term in-depth service to the Shire. There are only three recipients of the Golden Acacia (that I remember). ---

(from a post by Mersha Stonegatta, Seneschal, Oct 28 2025)

History

Jul 17, 1976 / A.S. XI
Crier (Sep 1976) mentions Shire of Faire Haven was annexed by Lion's Gate
April 18, 1978 AS XII
Founded by Viscount Edward Zifran of Gendy
Sep 20, 1980 A.S. XV
Christening Ceremony and Revel held, announcing name change from Fairehaven to Shittimwoode.
Feb 23, 1981 A.S. XV
Arms (Ermine, a demi-rabbit erect guardant sable grasping in its sinister forepaw a shepherd's crook proper and in its dexter forepaw a laurel wreath, issuant from a base engrailed Or.) pass.
Dec 2014 A.S. XLIX
Final vote selects new name of Thornwold.
April 04, 2016 A.S. L
Letter of Acceptance and Returns (LoAR) confirms name change from Shittimwood to Thornwold.

Regularly Held Events

  • Sir Edward's Memorial Tournament


Past Events

Notable Residents

Royalty

Peers

Populace

Members at Large

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