Memories of the Shire of Darkwell.

The Shire of Darkwell was formerly a local branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA), a non-profit, educational medieval re-enactment organization with its headquarters in California. It was first established in 1981 (A.S. XVI) and received its Charter from the Kingdom of Caid in early 1982 (A.S. XVI). [Note, as the SCA was officially founded on 1 May 1966, the SCA Calendar, or Anno Societas, runs from 1 May through April 30, thus 1 May 1981 C.E. through 30 April 1982 C.E. equals A.S. XVI (16)]

Aislynn and Alaric, along with Leona de Francesco della Perugia, Ymilhault of Pel, Frank of Wales, the "Flying Trippoletto's" and a few other madmen and women...Maeve ("Mad" Maeve) Muirland of the Tower of Pel, Andras Laszlo, Morgan Trygvisson, Suzanne, Paul, and others whose names I scarcely recall, were the founding members of the Shire. We had fun.

Our petition to the Crown of Caid was made at the coronation of Gregory of York and Arianyn, November 21, AS XVI, and was granted granted at 12th Night A.S. XVI

Our first event was to host the Barony of the Isle's anniversary tournament during the first reign of Jason Griffiths of Shadowhyrst and Natalya Gregorovna- veritable learning experience! We had our own special events as well: the Below the Salt Feasts, the Fools' Feasts, in addition to the usual SCA activities.

A few years later, the Shire of Darkwell disbanded as the various members went separate ways, some to other states, some to other activities, and one, our beloved Lady Leona, to her heavenly reward.

A new Shire, Wintermist, has taken root where our Darkwell formerly was known, and there is an annual Darkwell War held near the site of the original Darkwell to this date.

Members of our Shire were awarded the following during our time together:

The Arms and Awards of the Shire of Darkwell

The following information is from theSCA Armorial and Ordinary, and is copyright by the SCA.

Darkwell, Shire of

• This branch-name was registered in October of 1982 (via Caid) and released in January of 1993 (via Caid).

Aislynn of Amberwood

• This name was registered in July of A.S. XIX (via Caid).
• The following device associated with this name was registered in July of A.S. XIX (via Caid):
  Ermine, a stag's head erased between three roses sable.

Amberwood, House

• This household name was registered to Aislynn of Amberwood in July of A.S. XIX (via Caid).

• The following badge associated with this name was registered in July of A.S. XIX (via Caid):
  Per pale Or and gules, two fir trees eradicated counterchanged.
  for House Amberwood

Alaric Wulfgar of Amberwood

• This name was registered in January of A.S. XVIII (via Caid).
• The following device associated with this name was registered in January of A.S. XVIII (via Caid):
  Per pale sable and argent, two spears in saltire surmounted by a wolf's head cabossed within a bordure embattled, all counterchanged.

Leona di Francesco

• This name was registered in July of 1984 (via Caid).
• The following device associated with this name was registered in July of 1984 (via Caid) and changed/released in August of 1986 (via Caid):
  Or, in pale a Tau cross sable and a cluster of grapes fesswise purpure, slipped and leaved vert.
• The following device associated with this name was registered in August of 1986 (via Caid):
  Azure, a tau cross sable, fimbriated, overall a lioness sejant, dexter forepaw raised, and in dexter base a cup, all Or.

Maeve Moorland

• This name was registered in August of 1986 (via Caid).
• The following device associated with this name was registered in August of 1986 (via Caid):
  Or, a horse passant to sinister between two crescents and an escallop inverted gules.
• The following badge associated with this name was registered in August of 1986 (via Caid):
  Argent, a sea-horse naiant to sinister vert within a bordure embattled purpure.

Frank of Wales

• This name was registered in August of 1986 (via Caid).
• The following device associated with this name was registered in August of 1986 (via Caid):
  Or, an olive branch bendwise vert, fructed sable, between two fleurs-de-lis azure, each charged with a sword proper.

Ándrás László

• This name was registered in July of 1984 (via Caid).
• The following device associated with this name was registered in July of 1984 (via Caid):
  Argent, a bear's head couped sable, muzzled argent, between in saltire four holly leaves saltirewise vert, all within a bordure nebuly gules.
• The following badge associated with this name was registered in July of 1984 (via Caid):
  Argent, four holly leaves conjoined in cross vert, within a bordure nebuly gules.

Morgan Tryggvisson

• This name was registered in July of 1984 (via Caid).
• The following device associated with this name was registered in November of 1989 (via Caid):
  Gules, three wolf's teeth issuant from dexter, in sinister chief a hammer inverted argent.

Awards of Arms

840602 Coronation: Final Court of Kipp Silverlock & Berengaria of Hythe

Award of Arms

• Leona di Francesco

Order of the Dolphin of Caid -

• Alaric Wulfgar of Amberwood

• Frank of Wales

Award of Arms

• Aislynn of Amberwood

• Maeve Muirland of the Tower of Pel

Award of Arms (post-Darkwell era)

• Morgan Tryggvisson