Hartwood
The Shire of Hartwood (Mid to Upper Vancouver Island, B.C.) is located on Insula Magna in the Principality of Tir Righ. There are only two important rules in Hartwood: No setting yourself on fire, and no swimming in armour. You may ignore rule #2 if you break rule #1.
Our motto is "One Hartbeat!"
History
Once upon a time, way back in 1989, a group of people plotted and planned and formed the Shire of Hartwood. It was a small shire, but in the fullness of time, it spawned two more groups, Cragmere (Courtenay, Campbell River and area) and Ravensley (Port Alberni).
Hartwood has long had ties to the Barony of Seagirt (Victoria and area). Another group with close ties to the Insula Magna (Vancouver Island) groups is the Shire of False Isle (Powell River), which lies across the Strait of Georgia to the north-east of Hartwood (formerly the Shire of Cragmere).
In AS 43-44/2009, talk started to turn towards amalgamating the three groups – Hartwood, Cragmere and Ravensley into a barony. There have been many discussions, but in the end, it was decided that Hartwood would make a bid for barony status, with Cragmere and Ravensley joining it under the Hartwood banner.
As of May 1st AS45/2011, the Shires of Cragmere, Ravensley and Hartwood are one: The Shire of Hartwood.
Notable Residents
Hartwood is fortunate to have a smattering of Peers within her lands. These include:
- Mistress Cecille de Beumund, Order of the Laurel
- Master John MacAndrew, Order of the Pelican
- Sir Duncan MacKinnon, Order of Chivalry
- Master Aleyn Wyckington, Order of the Laurel
- Mistress Halima al-Rakkasa, Order of the Pelican
For a broader listing of the people of Hartwood, please see Hartwood Populace.
Champions
Armoured
Decided at the Championship in Summer:
- Azemar de Toulouse, AS XLIX - AS L (2014-2015)
- Gnaeus 'Attius' Germanus, AS L - AS LI (2015 - 2016)
- Wulfgar Bradaxe, AS LI - AS LII (2016 - 2017)
- Wulfgar Bradaxe, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018)
- Ulf Treteljgar, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019)
- Wulfgar Bradaxe, AS LIV - AS LV (2019 - 2020) CURRENT
Archery
Decided at the Championship in Summer:
- Cunegonda van den Bossche, AS XLIX - AS L (2014 - 2015)
- Elizabeth MacAndrew, AS L - AS LI (2015 - 2016)
- Melles Aniko, AS LI - AS LII (2016 - 2017)
- Borgarr Flokason, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018)
- Theodor of Lionsgate, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019)
- James Llewellyn ap Gruffydd, AS LIV - AS LV (2019 - 2020) CURRENT
Bardic
Decided at Yule in November:
- Guencenedl 'Gwynafel' ben Madudhain, AS XLIX - AS L (2014-2015)
- Nichola inghean Muireadhach, AS L - AS LI (2015 - 2016)
- Nichola inghean Muireadhach, AS LI - AS LII (2016 - 2017)
- Halima al-Rakkasa, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018)
- Aspasia Bevilacqua, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019) CURRENT
Craftsman (A&S)
First Championship April 30, 2016, afterwards decided at Yule:
- Elizabeth Chatfeld, AS LI - AS LII (2016 - 2017)
- John MacAndrew, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018)
- Aspasia Bevilacqua, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019) CURRENT
Rapier
Decided at the Championship in Summer:
- Asa Martel, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018)
- Wulfgar Bradax, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019) CURRENT
Thrown Weapons
Decided at the Championship in Summer:
- Korbinian Von Hirschholz, AS LII - AS LIII (2017 - 2018)
- Duncan of Aberfoyle, AS LIII - AS LIV (2018 - 2019) CURRENT
Historical
Old Hartwood has had many champions in the past; so have the former Shires of Cragmere and Ravensley.
Events
Current
Hartwood has several traditional events, with new traditions being made each year. Some that we've come to look forward to:
Curious what kind of shenanigans we get up to at our events? Some recorded memories can be found on the Hartwood Events page.
Newcomers
Part demonstration, part event, members are encouraged to bring afriend. There are displays and demonstrations of heraldry, fiber arts, archery, combat, and much more; a handful of craft classes to pique the interest; a potluck supper in the evening so we can get to know one another.
University of Tir Righ Session
In April we gather to learn and share our knowledge. Classes vary each year, and organizers are always interested in hearing what the populace would like to learn. In AS LI (2016) we will host our very first Craftsman Championship, and we often have a potluck on Saturday evening. The continuous sharing of knowledge is one of the most vital aspects of our society, something done year-long, but in April we celebrate it specifically.
Championship and War
Held in August, we hold our Armoured, Archery, Rapier and Thrown Weapons Championships at this event; we also often feature Embellisher's Guild meetings, TUTR classes, and war scenarios when possible. Bardic on the Saturday night can last until morning's light. Of all our events, this one seems to inspire the most camaraderie, year in and year out.
Yule
As we head into winter and all the many family gatherings that take our time, our Shire comes together to break bread, reminisce over the year's activities, and recognize our gratitude for Hartwood's strong community. Hartwood holds our Bardic Championship at this event, but there is usually additional displays or competitions for Arts & Sciences. We are often blessed with Royal Presence at this time of year.
Historical
Cragmere and Ravensley likewise had their own traditional events.
Awards and Tokens
Current Awards and Tokens
- Stag Tag (Combat Arts: Armoured, Rapier, Cut & Thrust, Combat Archery, Jousting) - Fieldless, a Hart's head caboshed sable; numbered
- Recognition of an individual who, while residing in Hartwood, has fought in the Combat Arts with their own kit under Hartwood’s banner.
- Raven Tag (Target/Equestrian Arts: Target Archery, Thrown Weapons, Equestrian.) - Fieldless, a feather in pale sable
- Recognition of an individual who, while residing in Hartwood, has competed in the Target/Equestrian arts with their own kit under Hartwood’s banner.
- Swan Tag - Fieldless, a feather in pale argent
- Recognition of a person's active participation in A&S such as, but not limited to: competitions, demos, teaching, largesse.
- Stag's Mark - Fieldless, a hoof print sable
- Recognition of a person living outside the shire who has been of great benefit to Hartwood.
- Sable Hound - Fieldless, a dog statant sable
- Recognition of excellence in service by an individual to the Shire of Hartwood.
- The Lure -
- Recognition of excellence in demos, assisting newcomers, inspiring activity and presenting our society in the best possible light.
- Exemplar
- Awarded to the embodiment of the Society's ideals; courtesy, honour, kindness, generosity.
Previous Awards and Tokens
- Stag Tag - Given to a fighter in the shire at their first event where they had all their armor, passed inspection, and fought
- Hart's Blood - Given to a rapier fighter in the shire in honour of their first event where they were authorized and fought
- Silver Stag - Token for service to the shire
- Golden Stag - Token for excellence in arts & sciences
- Crimson Stag -
Cragmere and Ravensley of course had their own tokens.