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The following history was written over Christmas 1996 as part of a project to record the histories of all the groups in Drachenwald. The original was calligraphed in an Early Gothic script, with the initial letters of each paragraph illuminated in an appropriate style - the odd spellings are intentional, by the way.
At the express command of their glorious majesties, Edouard and Eanor, do we here record the humble history of the shire of Harpelstayne. And as it has been compiled from the unreliable memories of its founders we must apologise for any inaccuracies and oversights that our limited mental powers and the dimness of distance have caused. Know then that Scotland once dwined in the dark ages, in dire need of a medieval renaissance to enliven its dour citizens. And at this time a Viking raider by the name of Gunnar settled on the east coast by the Burgh of Edin. There he and his companions followed the usual Viking pursuits of fighting, drinking and conspicuous consumption until in time they met with an unco traveller, known as Al Hamra'a , who it is said had visited the New World and had indeed learned many strange customs and practices. At Edinburgh's fine college of learning these folk set out to explore how the old ways and the new might be joined. The result was aptly named Perfidious Albion, and many good bodies did join them in this endevour, including Aethelwulf (Wolfgang's ancestor), Alexander Wallace, Andrew Montgomerie, Anne Colet, and some while later, Caitlin de Courcy who cam from the distant land of Lochac.And though the haunt of Perfidious Albion did provide great political sport, yet did these folk wiss that more layers of beauracracy might be added to their toils and thus it was decided to become Creatively Anachronistic.
Thus it was that in the Spring of AS XXIV that Al Hamra'a and Caitlin decided in Wolfgang's absence that he should be seneschal of our proposed Shire. Hamra' a with her great booklearning would be herald, Caitlin with her many skills would take the office of Arts and Sciences, and Alexander Wallace who had been in armour once would be marshall. Thus with high hopes did we write to the seneschal of Drachenwald to seek recognition, solicit the wit of the known world and invite visitors to our bonnie lands. But little did we reckon upon the slow pace of our messengers and theirs for it was to be many months before we heard reply. Still an on we forgathered and planned our first event which was a collegium held in Caitlin's living quarters at which we studied the arts of sprang, tablet weaving, and mail; the sciences of decifering texts and finding names, and finally sprang about in dance. Then in Wolfgang's bedchamber was held a feast to which all contributed. And though our glorious inception whent unnoticed by Drachenwald or our Kingdom of the East, yet we were so happy as to have in attendance Sir John Theophilus and a companion from the Kingdom of the West who thus set on a long tradition by which our only visitors from beyond were citizens of that Kingdom or its Principalities. Also at this time did we devise our name - Harpelestane - haar for the cold and mist, pell for the castle tower and stain for the rock on which it stands. Our device depicts a laurel wreath - the SCA - surrounded by castles - as are we - placed upon a saltire division - for Scotland - in the hues of Gules and Or - Wolfgang's favourite colours. And in December of AS XXV was held a ball for King Arthur in which by great cunning all present were transformed into halves of a legendary couple and must seek their heart's companion. And by that time Earnfearth and Alys the Mad amongst others had swelled the strength of our shire and played and sang with great skill to divert us. Much dancing was done, a pasttime most popular in our shire. And we were pleased to welcome in attendance Mistress Marguerite de Rada y Sylva of the Principality of Lochac.
In Spring of ASXXV did we recieve tidings that in the north of Scotland had settled a knight, Sir Eadric, of great reknown and his lady Arianne, first Baroness of Darkwater. And dreid was in our hearts for full pitiful were our defences, with nae haunt and less habuliment of the fighting airts. But in truth did those folk forgo the fight and rather gave their particular aid that we might outrig ourselves for combat. And thus we began to acquire goodlie arms and authorisations. And at Hallgreen castle in the month of January in the year AS XXVI, when Wolfgang Adolphus Jager was made squire to Sir Eadric, did we put our hands to the following treaty to pairt the lands of Scotland between our two incipient shires:
The Treaty between Harpelestane and Egaill
Our strivings to this date to acquire the dignified status of incipiency had been sair hamperit by the want of a sponsor. At last in desperation did we send messages to the Rialto, where all the known world gather for news, in hopes that a patron might be found. Most knichtit were we by the loud response. We accepted the couthie offers of the shire of Polderslot and thus, by December of ASXXVI, a mere XIX months since contacting the Kingdom, we were at last listed as Incipient. In enthusiastic reaction the East Kingdom confirmed our branch to be in possession of the entirety of Scotland: however we quickly renounced dominion of those territories already ceded to Egaill and also to the mony islands whose unruly natives we had no desire to conquer. Excepting onlie Rockall, to which we laid claim as did the shire of Lough Devanree whose struggles to be recognised in truth had exceeded our own. But to tell these tales would exceed the strength of my hand and the patience of the reader.
Thus let us speak instead of the many fine events which took place in the shire. In spring of the year AS XXVI was held the Feast of the Fowl at which we dined on chicken broth and chicken pie and roast partridge, quail, pheasant, swan, peacock and cockatrice. And there solemn oaths were sworn, by Arnferth to eat fowl no more, by Wolfgang to make pilgramage to Santiago de Compostella, and by Brother John to not return from the east till he had found Prester John - and in truth he has not to this day returned. In July of ASXXVII was held a Pas d'Armes at the castle of Tantallon, there mighty deeds were performed by a most powerful wind, there Caitlin's brother Padriag joined the fray. And John Crwther played the pipes. And we were delighted to have in attendance Viscount and Viscountess Valerian and Rowena and two other visitors from the Principality of Lochac, and more amazingly Jonkyn and Niall who had safely made the gruelling journey from Yorkshire to be the first Drachenwald visitors to our shire.
In Spring of AS XXVII, for the eschwynge of ydleness we did have a dance collegium and ball, at which we were pleased to welcome Lady Genna from Flintheath (formerly of Lochac) and the Crown Prince of the soon to be Kingdom of Drachenwald, Sir Elffin (formerly of Lochac). And as we were now a full shire, and Wolfgang was temporarily absent, we did choose him to remain as senseschal. And though we have forborn to enumerate the changes of office within the shire we should here record that by tradition, Wolfgang is sensechal, and that our marshal is chosen chiefly for their willingness to wear foolish headgear. And we value authentic arts, boastful bards, conspicuous costume, difficult dances, elaborate entertainments and fantastic feasts. And Lord Wolfgang has been made a member of the Order of the Panache, Lord Arnferth, Lord Andrew, Lady Alys and Lord Michael have received Awards of Arms, and Lord Otto the Order of the Silver Guard. In October of the year ASXXVIII Lord Boniface Fingall and his lady Moddan did arrive in our shire, and greatly were our warlike skills advanced under his and Lord Otto's tuition; so that when in December of that year King Elffin requested we hold a tourney we could muster ten fighters to the field including Michael de Brad, Edward Lyon and wee Thorfinn, though we were near defeated by the cold. But hearts and feet were warmed by the feast that followed where King Elffin and Queen Vanna presided over many beastly games, a unicorn danced and the enormous apparition of a dragon hovered in the hall.In the spring of AS XXVIII we heard rumors of a new settlement in Scotland in the bishopric of St. Andrews. And though some say they have eaten the feasts and felt the blows of the people of this shire, others maintain that these gentles are as legendary as the tales they delight to tell. In August of that year, a more temperate month for a tourney, we gathered again at the castle of Craigmillar for fine feats of combat. And the Haarpelstain Arms tavern opened that evening.
And in the Spring of XXIX did the shire of Egaill challenge the inhabitants of the Isles to meet at Edzell Castle, where bands of men would might fight for reward. And to their honour many did respond to this challenge so that in July of that year did this magnificent event take place and maby fine deeds were performed. And in August a most spectacular tournament was held at our favourite castle of Craigmillar in which men at arms fought from mighty steeds and laid seige to the castle of love. And also in this year did the Scots make invasions into English lands, not only making raids so far south as Hurstborne Prior and in later in the borders of Wales, but also establishing a permanent settlement in the city of Nottingham. And this year did also see a scurrilous publication emanating from the shire in which the bletherings of its most unbalanced inhabitants were put forth.
And in Spring of AS XXX, did Edzell castle again see Warbands marauding through its halls, and there are those who do turn green and shake at the memory, for it was a sight of terror and glory. And a feast followed in the Hall of Inglis where the shires of the Isles did compete to outdo each other in the entertaining of the Crown. Afterward in the Great Hall of the castle did King Garrick, together with Earl Michael de Lacy stand forth and challenge those fighters still standing to a passage of arms. By the light of torches and the stars were many fine blows struck and the ladies adjudged the finest to be that of Lord Arafael who received a prize of a ring from His Majesty. And it was summer of that year that your most serene Majesties did ascend the throne of Drachenwald, and greatly to the honour of that land has been your reign, and no doubt will your quintessance be emblazoned upon the crystalline spheres of history. |
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