Hartwood Stories and More

Device Vert, on a roundel argent within a laurel wreath Or a hart's head erased sable Information Location: Insula Magna in the Principality of Tir Righ. Modern Location: Mid to Upper Vancouver Island, B.C. Date Founded: 1989 Populace Badge (Fieldless) A chevron embattled couped per chevron argent and vert Here begins a loose attempt to record the History of Hartwood. In the Beginning A Tale of Hartwood by Halima al-Rakkasa Long ago, when rocks were soft and sea barely separated from sky, there came a family to an island wilderness, seeking a land in which to stretch their legs and raise their children. Yet, having found such a place, they missed the camaraderie of those they left behind. So, in their yearning, they sought out others of like mind with whom to share the exercise of their battle skills, to work together in concert in their trades, and to meet 'round the campfires to sing and dance and tell stories. After a time, and seeing that this larger gathering of people did have -one- near neighbour, they chose to name themselves as a community, living peacefully in woodlands mightily rich in fauna, so near the seas teeming with sustenance. They became... Hartwood. The Amazingly Improbable, But True! Founding of Hartwood Meredith of the White Cliffs, OP (as told to Halima al-Rakkasa) In the summer of 1989, Meredith of the White Cliffs and her family moved to the as-yet unnamed Insula Magna. They settled in, and, as the telephone technician was up the pole hooking up lines, there came a call. It was not a test. It was Sabine inquiring whether Merry was starting a shire! James Llewellyn ap Gruffyd (OP; Lord James the Tormentor, at that time), had acquired the as-yet new phone number and passed it along, saying that, yes, an independent branch could be established in Merry’s neck of the woods. By August, a meeting was held at Shady Rest in Qualicum. Attendees were: her family, James (instigator), Sabine (first contact), Mistress Rowenna de Roncesvalles de Navarre (OL), Sir Geoffrey de Rennes (OC), Lady Elizabeth Braidwood (now Orders of Laurel and Pelican), and a number of others. With such a powerhouse of people involved, the shire was decided upon immediately. Shortly thereafter, there was a meeting to gauge interest in the area. From there, a September feast, the first of many, was held at Greyhouse, hosting 30 attendees. As events sometimes go, they become particularly memorable. This was no exception. Pouring rain! Ilka (ed. Rachel Branwen Parker), Aelfgar Ulricsson. Elspeth (Jody), and at least one other were running things from the house kitchen to the barn (site of the feast), balancing on boards to keep them above the mud and water (no paths yet), and up the ######## outside ladder to the barn door. It was an awesome feast! If you ever wondered how Hartwood first came to be, now you know. And so we continue our story. Dateline 1989 - Founding 1995 - established Cragmere 1996 - established Ravensley 2011, May - Cragmere and Ravensley repatriated to Hartwood 2025 - created (creating) bid for Barony status from Shire