A History of An Tir

A HISTORY OF AN TIR

by Sir Richard Fitzalan, Master of the Pelican, Baron Glymmere.

Preface

The intent of this wiki page is to act as an outline and general overview of the history of the Society for Creative Anachronism in the Pacific Northwest. To this end, it will be a constantly revised and growing “book” as research and writing allows. Most major events mentioned will be linked to fuller articles elsewhere in the wiki. Minor events or historical analysis will occur within the lines of this page.

Introduction

Since the first known SCA event in the geographical area now known as An Tir began in 1969 (AS IV), these lands have gone through many decades of growth and development. I divide these years into three general periods with further subdivisions for study and organization. First, the “Origins” period from 1969-1973, during which branches first appear in Three Mountains (Portland, OR) and Madrone (Seattle, WA). Second, the “Principality” period from the Royal Tourney of Union in May 1973 to the creation of the Kingdom of An Tir in January 1982. Third, the “Kingdom” period from 1982 to current, though this period is further subdivided by the creation of principalities within An Tir (1996) and the separation of the Principality of Avacal into the Kingdom of Avacal (2015). While I am a professional librarian, researcher, and historian, the views I express on this page are mine and not those of other historians. An Tir is rich in history and as in any society there are many stories and interpretations of events. I encourage discussion using the Discussion tab for the wiki page. I acknowledge as a wiki page that anyone can change things at any time, though it is my hope we can discuss things before making changes.

Origins

The SCA began in the San Francisco Bay Area of California in 1966 with Diana Listmaker’s Last Tournament? / First Tournament. Oral tradition suggests that two members from the early years of the California group, which became the Kingdom of the West, moved to cities in the Pacific Northwest and decided to create groups here. During these years records and photographs are few and memories lost or vague. Much of the research during this period relies on the publications of the Kingdom of the West, of which the PNW was then part. And the “rules” of the SCA were still very much in development and only sometimes applied. The result was a fluid period of development.

The First Events

The first event recorded in the PNW was organized by Sir Frederic of the West Tower who was knighted in the Kingdom of the West in 1968. In 1969 he was living in Portland, Oregon and the Kingdom of the West newsletter, The Page, in their December 1969 issue, advertised that he was “now engaged in organizing this new barony (The Barony of Three Mountains) in the Portland, Oregon area.” The first “official event” was a New Years Eve Revel on 31 December 1969 at 1867 14th St. S.W. in Portland. This was followed in the January 1970 issue of The Page with the announcement of the beginning of a group in the Seattle area, led by “Seneschal Raymond the Mild” and their first event “A Sewing Fest and Practice Session”, which was held on Mercer Island at 3705 90th Ave S.E. On 31 January 1970.

Growth

Oral tradition has it that the Barony of Three Mountains and the Barony of Madrone were considered to be the branches for Oregon and Washington respectively.

Principality of An Tir

In 1973 there had been sufficient growth in the PNW that the membership in the SCA numbered sufficiently (100+ subscribers to The Page) that the Kingdom of the West created them jointly as a Principality. This action occurred at the Royal Tourney of Union in Madrone, with the signing of a Charter by Baron Frederic of the West Tower for Three Mountains and Baron Raymond the Mild for Madrone and King Paul of Bellatrix for the Kingdom of the West. It was noted at the time that the Board of Directors of the SCA had not yet approved and their charter would hopefully follow soon after. An Tir, in what would become a not uncommon trait as a cadet of the West, offered to “send our collection agency down for the real one.” The union of these two baronies into the Principality of An Tir was then followed in August 1973 with the First Coronet Tournament.