Cragmere

Argent, on a chevron gules three swans naiant argent, in base a laurel wreath sable.

The Shire of Cragmere (Campbell River, and Comox Valley, B.C.) is located in the Principality of Tir Righ.

Badge

(Fieldless) A swan close gules (locally known as "another bloody swan")

As of May AS 45/2011, the Shire of Cragmere has been amalgamated into the Shire of Hartwood.

History

Founded: August 10 XXX/1995 and held its first event October that year. It gained full status in March XXXII/1998.

Whence came Cragmere?

'Tis a tale twice-told and thrice-told, and now I tell it to you.

In the beginning, when rocks were yet soft and sea had not yet separated from sky, a gathering of peoples did fill the home of Antonia Fraser. And so did their talk fill the air, for they were of a mind to look forward into the past, creating a place where all cultures and all time would meet to share in their best. Many spoke of Chivalry, Courtesy, Hospitality and Creativity. All agreed that these things were good.

Then came the question, "How should we be known to the outside world?" Long and long did they talk, for there were many cultures and times to encompass.

Then did their minds look to the land upon which their feet stood; they raised their eyes to the mountains in the sunset; they gazed upon the salt waters of the shoreline and the rivers that fed them. Then did they say, "We live between mount and water, crag and mere. So that shall be our name: Cragmere." And it was so.

Who were these people with such vision, who came together on that summer's eve of August 10 in Anno Societatis Thirty (also known as MCMXCV Gregorian)? Their names are recorded here thusly:

Marina di Villaseta (now Marina la Pica), Omar ibn Rashid al-Murbak (now Aleyn Wychington), Anicia Diodora Angelis, Antonia Fraser, Qiturah (now Halima al-Rakkasa), Charles Pumpernickel (now Charles le Verdier), Rhys ap Daffyd.

Thus writ, so may they be remembered, for their dream still lives.

(from the records of Halima al-Rakkasa)

Notable Residents

(will now be found in Hartwood)

Exemplar

The Exemplar is one who exhibits the qualities of courtesy, chivalry, honor, generosity, and service. In addition to those qualities, the Exemplar encourages others in their own endeavours (such as the arts and sciences, combat, etc.), fosters the development of the shire within the SCA, and promotes the shire in the larger SCA world.

The Exemplar is selected by nomination; each shire member writes down the name of their choice, and the reasons for it. The out-going Exemplar is excluded from the potential nominees, as is the Seneschal. The out-going Exemplar collects all nominations, finishing no later than the beginning of the Exemplar's event. The out-going Exemplar counts the nominations for each person, casting any tie-breaking vote needed. The new Exemplar is invested by the out-going Exemplar at the Exemplar's event.

Kjartan kráka (June 2009 - May 2011)

Charles le Verdier and Halima al-Rakkasa (June 2008 - June 2009)

Isadora Murillo (May 2006 - June 2008)

Asa Martel (June 2001 - May 2006)

Dieterich von Kleinburg (July 2000 - June 2001)

Thomas James Denoi (July 1999 - June 2000)

Verner Eriksson (July 1998 - July 1999)

Companions of the Swans' Guard

The Swans' Guard is a select group of Cragmere members engaged in the combat arts. Each member is an authorized fighter of one or more of the fighting disciplines, who owns and maintains their own equipment, and who is qualified to run a competition of their particular discipline. They are not formal officers of the Shire, but they encourage all the fighting arts, and provide an honour guard as needed. They are representatives of the Shire, and are expected to reflect the precepts of the Shire: Courtesy, Honour, Knowledge, and Delight. After meeting the requirements of the Guard, there is a formal swearing in where the newly-inducted member takes the oath.

As of March 7, 2007, they are:

(Captain) Muirgen (rapier)

(Lieutenant) Elena de Stone (rapier)

Asa Martel (rapier)

Charles le Verdier (archer)

Isadora Murillo (rapier)

Kjartan kráka (heavy armour)

Shire Token

Silver Swan: fieldless a swan naiant and to chief sinister the letter C argent

Token given with a bead to signify the area of recognition: Blue (fighting arts), Green (arts and sciences), Red (service).

   Given April 20, 1997 (elkhorn) by Lord Caius Senica

   Lord Rhys ap Dafydd
   Qiturah bint Raqs bint Shula (now Halima al-Rakkasa)
   Charles Pumpernickle of Moravia (now Charles le Verdier)
   Lady Anicia Diodora Angelis
   Lord Caius Senica
   Elisabeth Chatfield
   Lochlan Davidson
   Reann O'Cearbhail (now Doireann/Reann ingen Cearbhaill)
   Katerina
   Alexander MacLeod
   Honorary: Lady Theodora of Cypress (now Antonia Fraser)
   Honorary: His Lordship Eugen Albrecht von Zaisenhausen
   Silver Cygnet: Erin Tingle
   Silver Cygnet: Harley Falta
   Silver Cygnet: Cathrine (Katana Clark-Warner)

   Given February 29, 2000 by Kjartan kráka

   Marina la Pica, Service, A and S, War arts
   Muirgheal inghean Labhrain, Service, A and S, War arts
   (registered as Doireann Dechti)
   Kyree ui Riggabardon, Service, War arts
   Verner Eriksson, A and S, War arts
   Reann ingen Cearbhaill, Service, A and S
   (registered as Doireann/Reann ingen Cearbhaill)
   Cunagonda, Service, A and S, War arts
   Angus MacDougall of Cragmere, Service, A and S, War arts
   Asa Martel, Service A and S, War arts
   Mairghead inghean Pharlian, Service, A and S
   Rachanda of Locksley, Service, A and S
   Zoë Phokas, Soulcatcher, A and S
   Orm Siggurdson, Service, A and S, War arts
   Pietro Intagliatore, Service A and S, War arts
   (and, by shire vote...) Kjartan "the Impaler" kráka, Service, A and S, War arts

   Given May 31, 2003 by Kjartan kráka

   Willelm Bogamann Service, A and S, War arts
   Desamona Villani Service, A and S
   Genava Rosvardo of Stonekeep, Service, A and S
   Calibrid ine Faile, Service

   Given October 6, 2004 by Kjartan kráka

   Meredith of the White Cliffs, Service, A and S
   Thomas Guildford (aka Aelfgar Ulricson), War arts
   Tracey / Nasheeta, War arts
   Calibrid ine Faile, A and S

   Given May 28, 2005 by Kjartan kráka

   Nichola inghean Muireadhach, Service

   Given December 3, 2005 by Kjartan kráka

   Alisandre de Dunbretan, Service

   Given May 6, 2006 by Kjartan kráka

   Isadora Murillo, Service A and S, War arts

   Given March 10, 2007 by Kjartan kráka

   Pace Luca Service, A and S, War arts
   Muirghen of the Moonlit Ship, Service, A and S, War arts

   Given December 1, 2007 by Meredith of the White Cliffs

   Arrianna (Ulricson) Linden, Service, A and S
   Andronikos Kamateros, Service, A and S

   Given August 10, 2008 by Meredith of the White Cliffs

   Anya Wychington, Service
   Logan, Service
   Molly de Dunbretan, Service, A and S
   Ninian McKraken, Service, A and S