History of Vest Yorvik

At the command of Their Excellencies, Dafydd and Mahhild of Septentria, herein commences the history of the Canton of Vest Yorvik.

In the beginning, the heavens and the earth were created. After many aeons, the Society was formed, in the year .i. A few years after that, the Dream came to the great Inland Seas, and the lands that would become known as Ealdormere, but were first settled under the leadership of the famous hero Finnvarr de Taahe, under the flag of the Midrealm. This colony was named Septentria, and from this tiny kernel grew the wide and prosperous realm of Ealdormere.

At the time of the founding of the Barony of Septentria, a Canton existed in the western part of that land, called Noerlandia, located to the north of the Royal City of Eoforwic. That Canton, once prosperous and thriving, lost population until it was suddenly dissolved.

A Volley of Arrows 2009

By Magistra Nicolaa de Bracton

The weather was much more cooperative at Vest Yorvik’s archery-focused event on September 12, in its second year. Archers enjoyed clout shoots, an IKAC, a variety of fun shoots, and the woods shoot at the 3D target range (although initially the course was almost too challenging—the archers had been told to shoot from the marks used by compound shooters with laser sights).  A small number of fighters also used the day to good avail.  Their Highnesses spent the last weekend before their Coronation relaxing, shooting, getting fitted for clothing, and enjoying good company and entertainment.

Volley of Arrows 2008

By Magistra Nicolaa de Bracton

The Canton of Vest Yorvik hosted what will hopefully be the first of many events at the Archers of Caledon site. As the name suggests, the site is dedicated archery club featuring multiple ranges, including a huge Olympic-length range and two woods ranges. Archery marshal Lord Michael of Brentwood also brought along some additional butts and Percival’s pendulum to tempt shooters.  The only complaint about the site was that the club bans all crossbows, which meant that shooters who had only brought a crossbow were restricted to Lord Michael’s range.

The size of the site and the multiple ranges allowed one group to shoot an IKAC on the Olympic butts while teaching and shorter shoots took place on the other range. A small but dedicated group of fighters also turned out to spar;  even though this was an archery-focused event there was plenty of room for other activities.  Inside, the Bow Shop had set up a booth and was doing a brisk business selling archery supplies.  They also donated a bow and other equipment to Vest Yorvik for a raffle.

The highlight of the day for most was the chance to shoot the 3D range.  Thirty full-sized 3D animal targets were placed throughout the woods in a variety of challenging scenarios, including a panther on a tree log and a bear that had knocked over a garbage can.  The range and the targets themselves were beautifully maintained and very challenging, but hugely entertaining.  The woods shoot was won by _____

A second IKAC was arranged later in the day in order to provide more scores for Ealdormere in this yearly competition.  The overall IKAC was won by THL Dafydd ap Sion, with Lord Gunther Wahlstadt finishing second and Lord Brendan in third.

Kingdom A&S 2008

By Magistra Nicolaa de Bracton

The Canton of Vest Yorvik hosted this year’s Kingdom A&S competition on a wild, windy and rainy mid-November day.  A number of Septentrians either entered or set their projects up for display.  It seems like every year an unofficial theme emerges—this year, it seemed to be bookbinding, as a book press and some bound books were part of the entries, and a demonstration area was set up as well. 

Three entrants competed in the Pentathlon this year:  Lady Tarian verch Gadarn, THLady Medb ingen Dungaile, and Mistress Tsivia.   The competition was tight, but THLady Medb was declared the winner.  Her five entries included cookery (for her dish of Snowe), a sugarpaste chess set, bookbinding, an embroidered sweet bag, and a carved leather book satchel. 

Ealdormere's New Heirs (Fall Crown Tourney, October 25, 2003)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

The forest in Vest Yorvik is thick, the roads labyrinthine and populated with sprites and brownies who love to misdirect travelers. So it was as we made our way to see TRMs Cennedi and Susanna’s Crown Tournament. As we wound our way through the verdant thickets, looking in vain for signs stolen by faeries, the rain was our constant and incessant companion. Finally, in desperation, I threw salt about our wagon and swung an iron bar about my head. Suddenly before us we saw the road we had been seeking. Quickly, Thorfinna whipped the wagon’s reins and sped our horses out of the overgrowth.

Finally upon the proper road we soon found the great hall wherein the new Prince and Princess of Ealdormere were to be chosen through acts of skill and might. Grateful to be indoors, we gladly paid our entry taxes to the guards at the gate and entered the hall. Though we were afraid that the faeries’ hi-jinks would make us late for the tournament, it had not yet begun, though the procession of those competing was underway.

No official list of combatants was circulated (none that I saw at any rate) but, as I recall, they were:

Sir Berus Jarl for Countess Marion FitzWilliam

Viscount Sir Mordain Blackcloak for Viscountess Mistress AElflaeda FitzAlain

Sir Evander MacLachlin for THLady Melusine de la Rose

Master Trumbrand the Wanderer for THLady Kaylah the Cheerful

Baron Phaidrig McNeil for Mistress Etaoin O’Fearghail

Sheikh Sergeant Malik abd’ al Rahman for Maitresse Baronne Genevieve Chastellain d’Anjou

THLady Kaylah the Cheerful for Master Trumbrand the Wanderer

THLord Tynne Duair ap Beul for Baroness Tabitha Dearval

Tiarna Eoin O'Beirne for THLady Zahra bint al-Nahr al-Ishbiiliya al-Naariya

Lord Cecil des Manches Argentes for Countess Tangwystl de Courci

Lord Kolbjorn Skatkaupandi for Lady Wencendl inigena Jagomus of Rokesburg

Grimroth Skullhammer for Countess Moria the Black

(If any of these names or titles are incorrect, I humbly apologize and ask that you please send me corrections for my files.)

Two lists were run concurrently, in a round robin best of three format, and all those watching agreed that over all the fighting was clean and courteous. Wassail to the honourable conduct of Ealdormere’s fighters!

The combatants fought long and hard and well, though in the end only two could advance to the final rounds. These two hardy warriors were Sir Berus Jarl and Viscount Sir Mordain Blackcloak. The finals consisted of three rounds. The first round was a best of three in a weapon form of Sir Mordain’s choice. He chose spear and emerged the victor of that round. The second round was in a style of Sir Berus’ choice, and he chose sword and shield. Like Mordain, he emerged victorious in his chosen form. The final round was likewise fought with sword and shield, and after many great feats of arms had been preformed it was Sir Berus who was victorious.

Sir Berus and Countess Marion were then brought before Their Majesties and were recognized as the right and honourable heirs to the throne of Ealdormere. Wassail to Their Highnesses!

Throughout the day I wandered the hall, seeking people to speak of about various bits of business, and was likewise sought for the same purpose. I was free to so wander by the generous offer of House Galbraith (especially in the person of Lord Hamish Gunn) to sell copies of the Ursus at their table.

Court was held before feast, and many people were honoured. Some of those so honoured were: Baroness Adrielle Kerrec who was given a Scarlet Banner for her past efforts on the field, Thorolfr smithr who received his Award of Arms (those watching getting much mirth from watching Her Majesty attempt to pronounce his name), as well as Lord Rhys ap Bledri and Lord Hereward the Far-Dweller being inducted into the Order of Thorbjorn’s Hammer (making them both Honourable Lords). There were others, and I apologize for not catching everyone’s names.

After court a great feast was held, but remembering the tangled thicket through which we had to travel through to reach our keep, we left before it was served and it is up to others to chronicle what happened during the rest of the evening.

I here rest my pen.