Grimwithshire

Argent, a tree blasted and eradicated sable and on a chief embattled gules three laurel wreaths Or.

Grimwithshire (incipient) (Pend O'Reille and Stevens Counties, WA) is located in the central region of An Tir.

• Grimwithshire website

History of Grimwithshire

Grimwithshire was granted full branch status on 14 July 2007 by TRM's Sven and Signy at Grim Offensive III.

Grimwithshire's first native Peer is Sir Guy Grimsson, knighted by HRM Tiernan at July Coronation in the Canton of Silverhart July 21, 2007.

History as told in the Grete Boke of An Tir:

Grimwithshire was born on an autumn day in AS XXXVII when the Lady Arnora did travel to the fair shire of Ambergard to gain audience with their Majesties Nicholaus and Alyssia. After listening to her lament that there was no Kingdom presence in her home in the Unclaimed Lands, His Majesty did command her to seek out all those gentles of her lands and band them together as one. As the King’s word is Law did the Lady spend many months in search of the folk dwelling in the hills and glen, the valley and field of the Unclaimed Lands.

In the spring of AS XXXVIII did these meet at the river near a small village and begin to talk of their new shire. At this meeting the Lady Arnora was chosen as the Seneschale, Guy of the Velvet Hammer as the Master of Stables, Dinnok Smoksson the Constable, Wecelo von Hamm did become Minister of List and the lady Anne our Exchequer with mi’lady Una put forth as Chatelaine with her lord Uthur the Chirurgeon and mi’lady Emelye as Herald. Agnarr Tokisson, Phaeton the Ratcatcher, the lady Venera de Nardiello, and Ekarius of Grimwith did confirm these appointments.

The fair valleys of our land are ringed by great mountains bearing deep, dark woods, well known to be a perilous place for it is rumored that spirits roam the fell forests. Thus was Grimwith chosen for the name of this new land, as in our fathers tongue it does mean the wood haunted by a ghost or goblin.

In great mirth did we welcome mi’lord James McFee and his lady Katherine along with the maidens Lily and Jesse, mi’lord Silas, his lady-wife Tammy and the lovely maiden Sylvia. Mi’lord Cathal, mi’lady Muirrenn and Maggie pledged their faith in Grimwith.

At midsummer a great fair was held with many entertainments and tournament sport. In order to make their new shire known the people did send forth an invitation to the Barony of Wealdsmere to come and see our fair new lands. Many of the populace did travel north and much revelry and sport was held. So impressed were the Baronial emmissaries that the Barony did pledge their sponsorship of our new land, thus making it possible for us to petition the King for status.

In recognition of this new alliance the fighting force of Grimwith did join in the Avacal Inlands War and fought bravely for our beloved land. At this war there chanced to be a wandering Knight with his household, who lived in a remote keep in our lands. Sir Tighearnach and his lovely wife the Lady Rioghnach did join with Grimwith, bringing mi’lord Richard mac Tighearnach, Ailionara inghean Tighearnach, Fionabhair inghean Tighearnach with Blathnaid of Grimwith and the Honorable Lord Dacy Cospatrick. In time we welcomed mi’lady Hildithe, mi’lord Clayton with his lady wife Yvonne and mi’lord Clayton and mi’lady Linzy, and Helen of Grimwith.

Come the autumn of AS XXXIX and the populace of Grimwith did travel to the Barony of Wealdsmere for the great Tournament of Ravens. Here, before the dread sable thrones of their Royal Majesties King Thorin and Queen Daegmaer, was Grimwith granted Incipient status. At this same court did the populace beseech their King to appoint Royal Patronage in order that our distant land should have representation before the Throne. In his great wisdom King Thorin laid this task before their Graces Duke Sir Gunnar and the gracious Duchess Gabriell, who did well know our shire and accepted gladly amid much rejoicing of Grimwith, for our Patrons are beloved in this land.

One month hence the populace threw a great celebration feast in honor of our Patron’s and our recognition as a new shire before all of An Tir. Many guests traveled from afar to celebrate with us and our hearts were full to have achieved this great honor.

Thus has been our journey to this seventh day of February in the year of our Lord, Anno Societatus XXXIX as set forth by the hand of the Honorable Lady Arnora Grimsdottir, Seneschale for the Incipient Grimwithshire.

---

27 June XL/2005

I beg your patience if you receive this on several lists. Please also forgive it’s length, but I have to say this:

Greetings,

On behalf of Grimwithshire I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped make Grimwith’s first official event, Grim Offensive, a huge success.

His Majesty King Skeggi honored us greatly with His presence, the genuine love and affection he showed for his people is awe-inspiring and truly made it all that much more magical. Those who were there know just how greatly His presence contributed to this event. In His wisdom He saw fit to honor several of our members with recognition and The Dream will never fade so long as we have King’s such as he.

Our friendly foes from Dregate came out in force and fought with great valor and honor and truly exemplified the friendliness, helpfulness and enthusiasm that makes the SCA so wonderful. New alliances were forged and friendships made that I hope will only strengthen in the coming years. You may have been our "enemy" for the battles - but you are our friends forever.

Our great sponsors for this event, the Barony of Wealdsmere and their Canton of Silverhart, who once again proved that they are truly dedicated to the success of our new shire. Without your overwhelming support this simply would not have been the great event it was. Unto Their Excellencies Fergus and Renata, and all of the populace of Wealdsmere: I find it hard to choose the words to express my gratitude to you all, "Thank you" just does not seem adequate enough. Your faith, love and encouragement have made this new branch possible - there will never be a way to thank you enough.

Our Patron’s Duke Sir Gunnar and Duchess Gabriell told me they were proud of their shires efforts in this our first event. I can only hope we continue to reflect their greatness as we grow and learn. We have the greatest example to live up to in them. Their love and support makes us want to prove ourselves worthy of their patronage. I hope we can always make them proud to represent us.

Friends joined us not just from An Tir, from Blath an Oir and Vulkanfeldt, Wyewood and Stromgard, from Pendale, Seagirt, Lyonsmarche and Lionsgate, Frozen Mountain and Ambergard., but from as far away as the Kingdoms of Meridies, Caid, Artemisia and the West. The outpouring of support for our tiny shire was just incredible. Reading over the gate sheets and realizing just how many came from so far away brought tears to my eyes. If anyone had told me when this shire idea started 3 years ago that this is where it would be now I would not have believed them. The officers and populace of Grimwith poured their hearts and souls into this event and their efforts paid off greatly.

The credit for this event goes to those who did the work. While I stumbled along trying to figure out what to do next, my event stewards Sir Tighearnach, Lord Guy, Lady Anne, Lady Una and Muirrenn made this event great, Venera, Yvonne, James, Katherine, Lord Agnarr, Richard, Blathnaid, Phaeton and Dinnok - I know I must have missed someone, please forgive me - worked continuously and there were so many others from all the various branches which my feeble brain cannot recall by name but who contributed greatly to our success by volunteering at gate, waterbearing (THANK YOU Sorcha and Mags and all the eager young volunteers!!), clean-up and so many other tasks.

My magic moment came late Saturday night as I stood in the trees and watched dancers under the pavilion, listened to the sounds of bardic, laughter and song in the flickering lights of so many camps and realized "Wow, this is the SCA I remember and love!" A very humbling experience.

As the autocrat I feel like a dismal failure in my paltry attempts to thank everyone for what they did this past weekend - but all who read these words should know this: The greatness of An Tir is reflected in her peoples, and in my somewhat biased opinion the people of Grimwith and all those who joined us have lived up to the measure of the greatest Kingdom in the Known Worlde. AN TIR FOREVER!

Honorable Lady Arnora Grimsdottir