Hartwood

Vert, on a roundel argent within a laurel wreath Or a hart's head erased sable The Shire of Hartwood (Mid to Upper Vancouver Island, B.C.) is located on Insula Magna in the Principality of Tir Righ. There are only two important rules in Hartwood: No setting yourself on fire, and no swimming in armour. You may ignore rule #2 if you break rule #1. Our motto is "One Hartbeat!" History Populace Badge: (Fieldless) A chevron embattled couped per chevron argent and vert Once upon a time, way back in 1989, a group of people plotted and planned and formed the Shire of Hartwood. It was a small shire, but in the fullness of time, it spawned two more groups, Cragmere (Courtenay, Campbell River and area) and Ravensley (Port Alberni). Hartwood has long had ties to the Barony of Seagirt (Victoria and area). Another group with close ties to the Insula Magna (Vancouver Island) groups is the Shire of False Isle (Powell River), which lies across the Strait of Georgia to the north-east of Hartwood (formerly the Shire of Cragmere). In AS 43-44/2009, talk started to turn towards amalgamating the three groups – Hartwood, Cragmere and Ravensley into a barony. There have been many discussions, but in the end, it was decided that Hartwood would make a bid for barony status, with Cragmere and Ravensley joining it under the Hartwood banner. As of May 1st AS45/2011, the Shires of Cragmere, Ravensley and Hartwood are one: The Shire of Hartwood. Notable Residents Hartwood is fortunate to have a smattering of Peers within her lands. These include: Her Grace Tangwystl D'Courci (AKA Tangwystl Tudur), Order of the Rose, Order of the Laurel Mistress Cecille de Beumund, Order of the Laurel Master John MacAndrew, Order of the Pelican Master Stephen of Hunmanby, Order of the Laurel Mistress Alicia le Wilfulle, Order of the Laurel Sir Duncan MacKinnon, Order of Chivalry Master Aleyn Wyckington, Order of the Laurel Mistress Halima al-Rakkasa, Order of the Pelican and of the Laurel (uses title of Mu'allima) Master Nicholas Worthington, Order of the Laurel Mistress Aspasia Bevilacqua, Order of the Laurel For a broader listing of the people of Hartwood, please see Hartwood Populace. Defenders (AKA Champions) Armoured Defender 'Defender of The Hart' Decided at the Summer Defenders event: Azemar de Toulouse, AS XLIX - AS L (2014-2015) Gnaeus 'Attius' Germanus, AS L - AS LI (2015 - 2016) Wulfgar Bradaxe, AS LI - AS LII (2016 - 2017) Wulfgar Bradaxe, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018) Ulf Treteljgar, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019) Wulfgar Bradaxe, AS LIV - AS LV (2019 - 2020) Beorn Bjulfrsson, AS LVII - AS LVIII (2022 - 2023) Beorn Bjulfrsson, AS LVIII - AS LIX (2023 - 2024) Duncan MacKinnon, AS LIX - AS LX (2024 - 2025) CURRENT Archery Defender 'Defender of the Skies' Decided at the Summer Defenders event: Cunegonda van den Bossche, AS XLIX - AS L (2014 - 2015) Elizabeth MacAndrew, AS L - AS LI (2015 - 2016) Melles Aniko, AS LI - AS LII (2016 - 2017) Borgarr Flokason, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018) Theodor of Lionsgate, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019) James Llewellyn ap Gruffydd, AS LIV - AS LV (2019 - 2020) Esa Inghean Alasdair, AS LVII - AS LVIII (2022 - 2023) Borgarr Flokason , AS LVIII - AS LIX (2023 - 2024) William Cain, AS LIX - AS LX (2024 - 2025) CURRENT Bardic Defender 'Bard of the Sea' Decided at the Yule event in November: Guencenedl 'Gwynafel' ben Madudhain, AS XLIX - AS L (2014-2015) Nichola inghean Muireadhach, AS L - AS LI (2015 - 2016) Nichola inghean Muireadhach, AS LI - AS LII (2016 - 2017) Halima al-Rakkasa, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018) Aspasia Bevilacqua, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019) Fionnguala Inghean Ui Murchaidh, AS LIV - AS LVIII (2019 - 2023) Anne Greystoke, AS LVIII - AS LIX (2023 - 2024) Mhairi Bronwen nicChamarran, AS LIX - AS LX (2024 - 2025) CURRENT Craftsman (A&S) Defender 'Craftsman of the Mountains' First Championship April 30, 2016, afterwards decided at the Yule event in November: Elizabeth Chatfeld, AS LI - AS LII (2016 - 2017) John MacAndrew, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018) Aspasia Bevilacqua, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019) Kjartan kráka, AS LIV - AS LV (2019- 2020) Thyra Svensdottir, AS LVII - AS LVIII (2022-2023) Maurus Ioinur, AS LVIII - AS LIX (2023-2024) Anasztaszia Szabo, AS LIX - AS LX (2024-2025) CURRENT Rapier Defender 'Defender of the Shores' Decided at the Summer Defenders event: Asa Martel, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018) Wulfgar Bradax, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019) Dieterich von Kleinburg, AS LIV - AS LV (2019 - 2020) Magdelena_Kress, AS LVII - AS LVIII (2022 - 2023) Geirhildr Vilhjalmsdottir (AKA Helga), AS LVIII - AS LIX (2023 - 2024) Seamus MacDonald of Skye, AS LIX - AS LX (2024 - 2025) CURRENT Researcher (Scholar) Defender 'Researcher of the Winds' Decided at the Yule event in November: Halima al-Rakkasa, AS LIV - AS LV (2019-2020) Alicia le Wilfulle, AS LVII - AS LVIII (2022-2023) Beatris inghen Ghiolla Mhuire, AS LVIII - AS LIX (2023-2024) Beatris inghen Ghiolla Mhuire, AS LVIX - AS LX (2024-2025) CURRENT Thrown Weapons Defender 'Defender of the Woods' Decided at the Summer Defenders event: Korbinian Von Hirschholz, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018) Duncan of Aberfoyle, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019) Harold of Hartwood, AS LIV - AS LV (2019 - 2020) Seamus MacDonald of Skye, AS LVII - AS LVIII (2022 - 2023) Harold of Hartwood, AS LVIII - AS LIX (2023 - 2024) Adawolf Jeger, AS LIX - AS LX (2024 - 2025) CURRENT Historical Old Hartwood has had many champions in the past; so have the former Shires of Cragmere and Ravensley. Events Current Hartwood has several traditional events, with new traditions being made each year. Some that we've come to look forward to: Curious what kind of shenanigans we get up to at our events? Some recorded memories can be found on the Hartwood Events page. Newcomers Part demonstration, part event, members are encouraged to bring afriend. There are displays and demonstrations of heraldry, fiber arts, archery, combat, and much more; a handful of craft classes to pique the interest; a potluck supper in the evening so we can get to know one another. University of Tir Righ Session In spring, any time between February and April, we gather to learn and share our knowledge. Classes vary each year, and organizers are always interested in hearing what the populace would like to learn. In AS LI (2016) we hosted our very first Craftsman Championship (a champion is termed "Defender"), and we often have a potluck on Saturday evening. The continuous sharing of knowledge is one of the most vital aspects of our society, something done year-long, but in spring we celebrate it specifically. As of October 2024, we do this again in autumn. Mid Summer Champions Held in summer, we hold our Armoured, Archery, Rapier and Thrown Weapons Championships at this event; we also often feature Embellisher's Guild meetings, TUTR classes, and war scenarios when possible. Bardic on the Saturday night can last until morning's light. Of all our events, this one seems to inspire the most camaraderie, year in and year out. Yule As we head into winter and all the many family gatherings that take our time, our Shire comes together to break bread, reminisce over the year's activities, and recognize our gratitude for Hartwood's strong community. Hartwood holds our Bardic, Researcher, and Craftsman Championships (champions are termed "Defenders") at this event, but there are usually additional displays or competitions for Arts & Sciences. We are often blessed with Royal Presence at this time of year. Historical Hartwood Birthday Bash White Court Cragmere and Ravensley likewise had their own traditional events. Awards and Tokens Current Awards and Tokens Stag Tag (Combat Arts: Armoured, Rapier, Cut & Thrust, Combat Archery, Jousting) - (Fieldless) A stag's head erased sable within and conjoined to an annulet argent; numbered Recognition of an individual who, while residing in Hartwood, has fought in the Combat Arts with their own kit under Hartwood’s banner. Raven Tag (Target/Equestrian Arts: Target Archery, Thrown Weapons, Equestrian.) - (Fieldless) A feather sable within and conjoined to an annulet argent Recognition of an individual who, while residing in Hartwood, has competed in the Target/Equestrian arts with their own kit under Hartwood’s banner. Swan Tag - (Fieldless) A feather within and conjoined to an annulet argent Recognition of a person's active participation in A&S such as, but not limited to: competitions, demos, teaching, largesse. Argent Hound/Stag's Mark - Recognition of a person living outside the shire who has been of great benefit to Hartwood. Sable Hound - (Fieldless) A hound statant sable within and conjoined to an annulet argent Recognition of excellence in service by an individual to the Shire of Hartwood. The Lure - (Fieldless) A hawk's lure within and conjoined to an annulet argent Recognition of excellence in demos, assisting newcomers, inspiring activity and presenting our society in the best possible light. Exemplar Awarded to the embodiment of the Society's ideals; courtesy, honour, kindness, generosity. Stag's Heart of Hartwood Awarded to a worthy person who has performed long term continuous service (+ 10 years) to Hartwood Previous Awards and Tokens Stag Tag - Given to a fighter in the shire at their first event where they had all their armor, passed inspection, and fought Hart's Blood - Given to a rapier fighter in the shire in honour of their first event where they were authorized and fought Silver Stag - Token for service to the shire Golden Stag - Token for excellence in arts & sciences Crimson Stag - Cragmere and Ravensley of course had their own tokens. External Links Shire of Hartwood website Hartwood FB Page Hartwood FB Discussion Group Hartwoodians on the OP Hartwood's Roll of Arms Hartwood's Populace on the Roll of Arms