Thornwold
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 Ermine, a demi-rabbit erect guardant sable grasping in its sinister forepaw a shepherd's crook proper and in its dexter forepaw a laurel wreath, issuant from a base engrailed Or. | ||||||
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 (Fieldless) A demi-hare maintaining a thorn branch sable. |
General Information
The Shire of Thornwold - formerly known as the Shire of Shittimwoode (Bellingham - Whatcom County, WA) is located in the Principality of Tir Righ. It is ideally located for an An Tirian branch because of its proximity to several major baronies, such as Lions Gate,Aquaterra, Madrone, and Seagirt, its large population, ease of travel being directly on the I-5 corridor, and access to available land in order to host events.
- Founded
- April 18, 1978 AS 12 by Viscount Edward Zifran of Gendy (Note:Shire was known to exist in July 1976, but possibly incipient?)
- Thornwold Website
- Archive of old Thornwold website Mar 07 2022
- Thornwood's premier events are Sir Edward's Memorial Tournament and Warren War.
- Changed from Shittimwoode to Thornwold, name selected by final vote in Dec 2014
- Once known as Fairhaven, Fairehaven or Faire Haven.
- Is currently the oldest shire in An Tir
- Frequently hosts major Kingdom events, typically every other year
- A story of the history of the shire.
Awards
The Shire of Thornwold has four Disorders. (They can't be Orders; we're not royalty after all). They are:
The Acacia for service. The symbol of the Acacia is currently several Really Ugly Beads. We picked such a symbol because people who serve don't do it for goodies or pretty stuff; the ugly beads are proof that service is selfless (and Thornwold servants have an excellent sense of humor.)
The second Disorder is the Fang, for martial arts and those who are part of the martial arts (such as marshals). The Fang is based on the Fierce and Dangerous sable hare of Thornwold (check our banner). We may be tiny, but we also be feisty!
The third Disorder of Thornwold is the Crook, for arts and sciences. The crook was chosen because it is both on our banner and because one of the things we do best, as a Shire, is hook people into the passion and joy of creation.
The fourth Disorder of Thornwold is the Leaf, for children who help our Shire grow and shine.
--- We also have the Golden Acacia, for long-term in-depth service to the Shire. There are only three recipients of the Golden Acacia (that I remember). ---
(from a post by Mersha Stonegatta, Seneschal, Oct 28 2025)
History
- Jul 17, 1976 / A.S. XI
- Crier (Sep 1976) mentions Shire of Faire Haven was annexed by Lion's Gate
- April 18, 1978 AS XII
- Founded by Viscount Edward Zifran of Gendy
- Sep 20, 1980 A.S. XV
- Christening Ceremony and Revel held, announcing name change from Fairehaven to Shittimwoode.
- Feb 23, 1981 A.S. XV
- Arms (Ermine, a demi-rabbit erect guardant sable grasping in its sinister forepaw a shepherd's crook proper and in its dexter forepaw a laurel wreath, issuant from a base engrailed Or.) pass.
- Dec 2014 A.S. XLIX
- Final vote selects new name of Thornwold.
- April 04, 2016 A.S. L
- Letter of Acceptance and Returns (LoAR) confirms name change from Shittimwood to Thornwold.
Regularly Held Events
- Sir Edward's Memorial Tournament
Past Events
- May AS XVI
- Ithra: Calligraphy & Illumination, from the History of the Kingdom of the West.
- May AS XVI
- Viscount Edward's Tourney & Renaissance Fairehaven, from the History of the Kingdom of the West.
- September AS XL
- Medieval Village Ithra II
- August AS XL
- April AS XXXIX
- Sir Edward's Memorial Tournament 27 XXXIX/2005
- Tir Righ Spring Coronet
- March AS XXXIX
- Shittimwoode Spring Ithra
- January AS XXXIX
- An Tir's 12th Night
- October AS XXXIX
- Medieval Village Ithra I
- August AS XXXIX
- April AS XXXVIII
- March AS XXXVIII
- Shittimwoode Spring Ithra
- November AS XXXVIII
- Tir Righ Investiture
Notable Residents
Royalty
Peers
- Hrothgar Thorvaldsson - Knight
- Megan Althea of Glengariff - Pelican
- Meresigha Stonegatta of Witham - Pelican
- Adam Elfchaser - PelicanLaurel
Populace
- Saikhan Naranaimorin
- Talia banu-Khabeelah
- Hjlmr inn Danski
- Zakkia Amet al Aziz banu Khabeelah
- Godith d'Arcy of Goosefoot Mead
- Ædla de Bothe
- Robin of Windspur
- Domenico Delvechio
- Stephania von Graz
- Jadwiga Radomyskova
- Mikolaj Radomyski
- Yzabels de la Costa
- Falco de la Mar
- Genevieve DeMarais
- Li Yan
- Ursula von Freiburg
- Adelia Baldrick