MCMLXXVII
In the time when the Barony of Septentria was young and the principality of Ealdormere was not yet even a glimmer in the eyes of its people, there were many wild and unoccupied spaces north of the Canton of Eoforwic, oldest of Cantons. In the fall of that year, Sylard of Eagleshaven (then also of Eoforwic, made a dangerous journey into the unknown lands hoping to find a site suitable for habitation. Its distance from the major centre of habitation was considered important at the time, for the space would be used to house criminals and those considered "ill-suited" for life in the civilized city.
Sylard was surprised to find a strong flowing river, great trees with much wildlife and game and rocks that seemed to grow from the earth. It was not a barren place, but life would be difficult; growing crops would present a challenge. In his travels, he discovered an ancient ruin, tall and grey like a winter sky. It sandwiched the river and boasted an equally ancient bridge that joined the two sides. He knew not the people who use to live in this desolate place, but he saw that this place could live again. Fires could burn in the hearths again, laughter and voices could fill the halls. It was certainly spacious enough, but very drafty. Whatever kingly type might have commissioned this place certainly loved stairs.
He was also surprised to find that there were few local inhabitants, some of which he dragged to Pennsic VII, from which, fortunately or unfortunately, they never returned.
During the next few summers, Sylard spent the time organizing the beginning of the settlement and looking for someone who would guard and administer that place.
MCMLXXXI
Aine MacKellmore volunteered to settle in the far off rocky place, accepting the challenge to help settle the area. Aine meets Elevanor and travels with him to War, prepared to bring back settlers.
MCMLXXXIV
As the settlement starts to grow, Ieaun brings his lady, Adrielle Kerrec, to live at their home. In the summer, Ieaun, Adrielle and Abbadon trek off to Pennsic. Being from such an out-of-the-way-place, they were awed by the amount of people (3500) and forever after remembered that War as the "Don't Let the Slime Suck Your Shoes Off" event. Valiantly, the lords brought primitive armor with them, but found that they would not be allowed to fight until they had been "appropriately" trained.
MCMLXXXV
Through much work and many hard winters, a small village now exists inhabited by Adrielle Kerrec, Aine, Alaric, Squirrel (Aine's younger brother), Weasel, Abbadon, Elevanor and Mary Anne.
MCMLXXXVI
In the fall of this year, many from the settlement made the reverse journey of Master Sylard from so long ago. Despite the threatening fall weather, Ieuan, Osis, Aleric, Abbadon Weasel and Adrielle travelled to a distant town they had heard of called Vest Yorvik, for a celebration entitled "The Last Crusade". Again Ieaun, Osis, Aleric, Abbadon and Weasel brought their (slightly more sophisticated) armor . With the exception of Weasel (and to the surprise of many, as they did not understand in the least, any of the necessary rules of combat) they all passed the many tests laid upon them that day allowing them to fight in future tournaments.
During their stay in Vest Yorvik they met Aedan and Kaffa (future Baron and Baroness, Septentria), John of Slaughterfield, Belgar and Cordigan and Cassandra (now Diane), the latter of whom were due to be shipped to the outlying colony.
Shortly after Cordigan and Diane arrived in the Canton, a government of the Incipient Canton was established with Adrielle as Seneschal, Cordigan as Herald, Aleric as A & S officer and Abbadon ? as Exchequer. In the spirit of Pliny, the residents chose to officially name their home, Petrea Thule - meaning the "rocky far-off place". Their device of choice was the northern star atop a field the colour of corn in sunlight, with a chain of seven links symbolizing the first inhabitants of the Canton.
The Lords of Petrea Thule, as well as some of the Ladies, decided that they would learn to fight better, to make themselves known at Pennsic. To side-step slightly in the telling, we should mention at this time that Lord Cordigan and Lady Diane's family was growing quickly. Within a few years, house Faringold would be widely known throughout the land. Fast Eddie, one of Cordigan's sons, would visit from time to time to practice with our fighters.
MCMLXXXVII
Aleric left during this year for parts even further north. So for a time, we were bereft of our seven foot tall blue "knight". At this time, Aveline joined us, to the great consternation of her parents. Petrea Thule was still very young at this point, its reputation far from sealed, so naturally, her parents were still thinking of the inhabitants as a bunch of lawless hooligans. It took several visits from Adrielle and Ieaun, to calm their fears. Her parents made Adrielle and Ieaun directly responsible for the welfare of their daughter during her visits, so they became, in effect, her guardians.
Teddy, a newer citizen, took over as Herald from Cordigan at this time, which in no way muffled the loudness of his voice, or the beauty of his singing.
Elwith and Elevanor, or the Keeblers (named so for their incessant baking of cookies and living remotely from the settlement) became the Arts & Science officers.
While the settlement had been growing, many had stopped on their way through, despite Thule's reputation as a penial colony. Trading went on as it did in many other larger cities, bringing merchandise, both necessary and pretty, news and stories of Kings and Queens, Baronies and Principalities. As well, the ancient ruins Sylard had found, did start to be used again, cracks repaired, hearths fired. Eventually it became a place of learning drawing strangers to the area. In the fall of the current year, Lord Cordigan among others, travelled to the ruins to talk about the benefits of joining Petrea Thule itself and attempted to persuade some of the young men and women to join their small army.
For war, that year, they made kite shields for the shield wall and emblazoned them with north star and the chain. Cordigan, Ieuan, Fast Eddie, Weasel (who had finally authorized), Ferret and Aleric practiced with the shields as a shield wall, up and down the main road. They received many curious looks and the notice of Queen Eislinn. They were recruited to join the Queen's Guard for the day, as she would be fighting on the field.
The story goes that the men fought well enough on the field, keeping a tight shield wall. Aedan, Baron of Septentria had fallen on the field in front of them. Not having his spectacles nearby, he looked up from where he had fallen to see the shield wall, and was heard to say, "What Kingdom is that?" Later Adrielle was called up into the presence of Queen Eislinn to hear her speak on the skill of the wall and witness the men of Petrea Thule made into companions of the order of the Queen's Favour. This order was closed soon after their reign ended.
Cordigan's speech at the ruins drew many interested newcomers; Szepey Janos, Andreas von Hochmittwalden, Daffyd ap Sion, Thevein de la Cote D'Azur, Magdelena Ozeroski, John Allcorn and Keja. Aveline brought her friend Alethea. In yet another talk, Cordigan persuaded Freida Axehammer, Gottfried and Denarian of the Glowing Hammer to join.
In the early days of the winter, Adrielle dragged us all to the Canton of Greyfells, near the great Lake to the south, holding their very first celebration. There was to be an outdoor tourney, but it snowed so much and so hard that day, that once we all arrived into the hall, we were all loathed to leave it. Lord Thevenin's horse became lame, and being young and not yet well versed in the art of chivallry, he had Lady Aveline get out to help pull the cart.
It was necessary for the tourney to be moved indoors due to the weather, but it made the space cramped for there were so many of us. In fact, Adrielle has always been amused to mention that since 18 of us went to this snowy event, there were more Thuligans there than those from Greyfells. But we thoroughly enjoyed the day. Lord Cordigan taught some of us to dance and to steal (in Hole in the Wall of course) and the Faringold's taught us to play piggys. Piggys is a drinking game, and the Faringolds have always known about drinking games.....many say they invented them. But the piggys became ours, and the pig our mascot.
MCMLXXXVIII
We had spent the winter huddled away from the snow, planning our first event. It was to be an Arts & Science competition and we planned to hold it in the restored Great Hall of the ancient building. We had taken to calling the place, the University on the Trent and spent many hours decorating and planning the menu to ensure a perfect day. The weather was not so interested in complying, unfortunately. The snow fell steadily all day, driving away many of the attendees. Many of the judges took great pains to travel to our event, and Sir David earned his place in our hearts for all of his kind words and assistance throughout the day. Those who joined us that day were Belgar, Sevatan, Tristian and Sivia, Mungo and Ricard of Sabletree, Terrance and Rhiannon of Wye. Lord Cordigan had arranged several games for those who were not immediately involved in the day's competition. One of which became hugely popular, called the Pig Toss. Later in the day, we were treated to a dance demonstration in the main hall. Because there were so few of us, the dinner tables were set up in a "U" shape, within which we danced between removes to the candle light.
However, we had spent a fair penny of our incipient coffers to set up the day, and did not make back nearly enough to pay for it all. The Barony, in its kindness, gave us some money to keep us all from going to the poor house.
Our newer members during this year were Isabeau and Rowan, Ann Tinker and Ulvar van der Naderlanden.
MCMLXXXIX
Keja became the Seneschal, Ulvar became our herald, Thev and Magdelina were our ministers of Arts & Sciences, and Cordigan was our Exchequer.
During this time, many things had been happening around the principality. Cordigan and Diane had become Baron and Baroness, Septentria. The principality of Ealdormere was in its infancy, and we had received notification from the College of Heralds that both the name of Petrea Thule and its device were unsuitable, thereby keeping us from becoming a full status Canton. This prompted immediate response from our beloved Frieda, who invented a tune we came to sing quite frequently, called "Hit the Herald with a Stick". We made frequent excuses to Lord Ulvar, about present company excluded.
MCMXC
In the summer of this year we held our first Pikeman's Pleasure event. We made little pikes for feast tokens, and only those of us who stayed up too late the nights before the event, understood the humour in the fish (a pike) we painted on the flags of the pikes. The event was well received encouraging us to make it an annual occurance.
In the fall of this year, we gained yet new members in Mel the Carver, Tempus Peregrinator and Grim Thorbjornsson, Osis' little brother. Wee Duncan returned to us with his lady Alyse, and there was much rejoicing.
Lady Keja made a short trip to the newly incipient Canton of Flaming Sky, (as a representative of the Barony, at the request of the Baroness) for their first Hallow's Eve event. Accompanied on the trip by Lady Alethea, they were treated warmly and thoroughly enjoyed their stay with Lord Peregrin and his Lady.
MCMXIC
Second Pikeman's Pleasure held again in the summer before Murder Melee. Osis and Heithr were Prince and Princess of the young principality of Ealdormere. They bestowed an AoA upon Keja and Bees to Ieuan and Adrielle.
In the late fall, we trouped east to an army encampment, to cook and entertain the soldiers and their wives. Janos, Denarian, and Thevenan performed a juggling tumbling act, which was well received. Lord Ieuan learned never to hand a drunken woman his sword, "just to see how it felt to swing it". The choir, led by Ann Tinker, also sang for the crowd's entertainment.
MCMXIIC
Held the Baronial Twelfth Night in the first month of the year. We had intended to throw snowballs that day, but it proved to be too cold, even for the hardiest of us. Cordigan and Diane, Baron and Baroness Septentria, bequeathed a Bear's Heart unto the whole Canton of Petrea Thule, for their service to the Barony.
Again throughout this year, we decided to discuss the prospect of becoming a full status Canton. This began a long and drawn out process of finding the original rejection and researching and seeking support for a resubmission.
This year we were joined by the nice Lady Anne Lady and Keja's adopted sister Celixte and Arowyn y delenn Werd. Pikeman's was the Attack of the Thulish Warrior Maiden's, during which Rowan and Isabeau and Adrielle fought alongside Frieda's cousin Olga. Although many still swear to this day that, without her horned helm, Olga bore an uncanny resemblance to Wee Duncan.
Dafydd introduced his friends Sigfried and Redmond to members of Thule. Suitably inspired they returned to their own homeland, within Thule territory and made plans to start their own settlement; Ard Creag.
Vladimir Blahuchek returns to Ealdormere after a number of years in Castel Rouge. He settles this time in Petrea Thule and immediately resumes his normal function as "shit-disturber". The best position to be in to succeed in his normal function would be a Herald. So without much ado, shortly afterward, Vlad became the Baronial Herald. With great caution, Aveline lets her sister Melasine join her in the Canton. But first instructs Keja, Adrielle and Frieda to her care, much as her mother once instructed Ieuan and Adrielle. Keja's cousins Malachi .........Shavar and Anwyn join the caravan in Thule.
Ieuan and Adrielle take the baronial reins from Cordigan and Diane, who themselves have gone on to form the new Barony of Ramshaven, thus splitting the existing Barony of Septentria. The parting was tearful for all, but allowed the new Baron and Baroness to begin with a smaller Barony to lead. Maybe we were biased, but we were terribly proud to have them call our Canton home.
MCMXIVC
Feast of the Hare in Skraeling Althing was a little different this year. After a challenge from Baron Ieuan to Baron Henry of Skrael, we continued to call the winter event, the Feast of the Bear. Arowyn had just taken the reigns of the choir from Ann Tinker who had herself recently moved back to Skrael. She wrote a tune called the Feast of the Bear and sang it strongly for all to hear, in honour of the day. Despite the obvious bias towards our own Barony, the song was well received. Lord Onami fought for her honour that day.
MCMXVC
This was a great year for us. After multiple blows to the head, the Heralds came at last to see things our way. We finally were able to sponsor our own events as a full status Canton! We were amused to later receive the official paperwork, naming us a Shire. We did try to dodge the taxes that year, but Ieuan and Adrielle wouldn't buy it.
Lady Selena joins our Canton, immediately impressing us with her grace, her skill with sewing and her dog Rona.
Pikeman's becomes a celebration of Lord Menken Breken's and Ieuan's birthdays. The halls are decorated in red and checky. Nice Ann Lady and Grimmy paint many stain glass windows, and begin the sewing of the "known world map" - with its own reference to Menkenwald. Keja cooks a sold out feast for the first, and she still vowes - only time and wins Menken's contest with her "Menkette" coathardy.
At Pennsic, Ulvar - henceforth renamed "the masochist" stitched innumerable Baronial favours. Nice Lady Anne Lady began an apprenticeship with Mistress Rhiannon.
Both Vlad and Ann Tinker received their Purple Frets at the Feast of the Hare.
Earlier in the year, at the Crown tourney won by Osis, Adrielle got her long overdue Purple Fret, and in the tradition of Thule, spent most of the day in the kitchen helping out the host Canton with the feast. Come to think of it, most of Thule spent their day in the kitchen.
MCMXVIIC
Three full events happened in this very tiring year. Keja re-assumed the role of Seneschal at Vikeman's, taking over from Hamish. In the spring we held the Coronet Investiture and learned the valuable lesson of cooking for ourselves. Vikeman's was a huge success. Grimmy and Thev outdid themselves with the torc bracelets for feast tokens, and all the Viking decor and games for the day. Many will always remember the Viking ship that landed at the beach and the fight that was won there. The rock toss inspired Grimmy to think of a possible caber toss game for the next year. Daffyd ran the archery field and Melasine cooked a scrumptious repast with assistance from Frieda and Sigfried. Both the choirs of Thule and of Skrael sang together at dinner, filling the hall with joyful sound.
Unfortunately for us all, Baron Ieuan decided that he had an obligation to go to fight in the crusades. He left us after the Lord Mayor's Market Day in Eoforwic. It is our tragedy that we were informed at Bonfield of his death in battle.
In the fall, Arowyn organized her first event, the Music College. This had been an earlier tradition of Greyfells, when it was still in its young days as a Canton. They had wanted the tradition to continue, even if they were not the hosts of the event. Her Lupine Highness, Princess Morgon attended and quite enjoyed herself.
This year also saw the celebrated marriage of Keja's brother Mel and her adopted sister Celixte. Naturally most of Thule was in attendance, including Uncle Vlad, who had travelled many leagues.
MCMXVIIIC
Baronial Twelfth Night in Carreg y Blaidd. Her Most Excellency has asked us to assist with the gate and other matters. This will be the first Twelfth Night for Adrielle to lead us without Ieuan and we, her family, know it will be a difficult one. Many of us will be there, including Wee Duncan, home again from his travels. It is my wish that this year will be a better one, for all of us.