Roger the Goliard

Roger the Goliard (Roger Shell) is one of the early members of the Barony of Madrone, starting his participation in 1972. He was a member of the music trio Voice of the Turtle.

Roger received a Red Branch award in 1978 for his contributions to Madrone, and was elevated to the Order of the Laurel in 1979 for musical performance, culinary research and banquet production.

In May of 1977, he attended the meeting where the Madrone Culinary Guild was founded, and served as Guild head from 1977 to 1986. He was Seneschal of the Barony from 1980 to 1983. In 1980 he and others established the medieval performance group Bawderie and Blisse, a quartet of Roger the Goliard, Arias the Innkeeper's Daughter, Greymoone Harper, and Laffer.

In 1980, during the 24-hour drive to Myrganwood Border War in Saskatchewan, Canada (Myrganwood being at that time a part of the Principality of An Tir), Roger wrote the music and text of the song that became An Tir's anthem - The Brave and Bonny Host, with Arias recording notes in the moving car.

In 1981, Roger Shell founded a company, Camlann Enterprises, for the purpose of buying property to establish a historic village park depicting medieval southern England in the year 1376. He located a property in Carnation and purchased in 1982. In 1986, Roger incorporated the Camlann Medieval Association, a non-profit organization, and received grants from arts organizations such as 4Culture, in support of Camlann Medieval Village. He served as President from 1981 to 2025. Camlann Medieval Association is enrolled in The Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums.

The property he purchased at 10320 Kelly Road NE, Carnation, Washington in 1982 was slowly developed over several years with the buildings, paths, and open areas needed for the medieval village. A parking lot was cleared next to Kelly Road. in 1983, the site opened to paying visitors. Roger established a summer season and opened the village on the weekends of July and August, with performers of music, puppetry, and magic, and crafts demonstrations. There were festivals held occasionally on other weekends, and special events. A recreation of a medieval inn was built on the Camlann grounds early in the project and is a modest restaurant. The restaurant serves cuisine of the late 14th century in a family-style a few days each week, reservations required. Camlann Village is a successful re-creation of a village in England in 1376.

Camlann Medieval Village and Camlann Medieval Association was not established by and is not part of the SCA.

Below, Roger the Goliard (left) with Edward the Stuffy and Thorin Njalsson at a Renaissance Fair held at Aqua Barn Ranch in Renton, Washington in 1980.

Roger the Goliard (left) with Edward the Stuffy and Thorin Njalsson at a demo in 1980.