About the Barony

History of the Barony

From Atlantia's Shell...
In 1981, visitors from the Kingdom of Atlantia (a Kingdom on the the eastern coast of the United States of America), came to our fair lands. Elidan of Teonar and Sable John of the Franks, while stationed here with the US military, decided to start a SCA group in Christchurch. The first feast in our lands was held in 1982. With a growing group established, it was decided to petition Kingdoms for support.

To Caid's Cross...
The Kingdom of Caid became the parent Kingdom of this fledgling group in June 1983. Formal recognition came on 26 November, 1983 with the emergence of the Shire of Southron Gaard.

"Southron Gaard" is generally said to mean "Southern Guard/Guardian/Guardpost". The name is reflected in the tower on our arms, the name of our newsletter (From the Tower) and the title of our herald (Tour d' Or, or Golden Tower). As Thorvald Wulfaersson wrote in an article in the Tenth Anniversary (May/Jun '92) issue of FTT:

Of the naming I could tell. How many and lyrical were the names proposed, but finally in Norse style was chosen the simplest. We called Byzantium "Micklegard", the Big City. We would call ourselves Southrongaard, the Southern City.

Atlantia's Waves...
In 1984, Elidan and John returned to the shores of Atlantia, having received the Order of the Kiwi, First Class- the highest award of the Shire. Elidan was appointed the official ambassador of the Shire to Atlantia.

Later in 1984, the first Caidian visitor came to our shores. Lord Baer of the Golden Oaks arrived bearing the Shire's official warrant, and also brought his enthusiasm for heavy fighting. Baroness Sinech ingen Chonchobair hui Briuin recalls that a tourney in honour of Lord Baer's visit was held in North Hagley park, followed by a feast in the upstairs commonroom of the Arts Centre. The tourney was held on 13 May, which became the Shire's anniversary.

In the Darkest Night...
The years of 1985-1987 proved a dark time for the Shire, as she experienced the growing pains of a group learning to learn and grow together. The Shire of Southron Gaard emerged from this time a strong tower of chivalry.

The Land Beside the Sea...
1988 was the year many voyages were undertaken. Visitors from Caid included Master John ap Griffin, Mistress Flavia Beatrice Carmigniani, Sir Alwyn the Sinistral, and the first Royal visitor, King Brion Thornbird.

Preparations were also begun for the Festival at the End of the World, the first major camping event, held Easter 1989 in the Amberley Domain.

The Dream Reigns On!
The Shire of Southron Gaard continued growing, and soon a second SCA branch sprang up in Christchurch. The College of Reannag Fhara formed at the University of Canterbury.

In 1991, the predecessor to the Canterbury Faire was held. The Southron Summer Encampment was held on the property of the parents of Morgana de Maar (now known as Baroness Eleanora van den Bogaerde). That year also saw the beginning of the College of Reannag Fhara's St Jude's Fair.

Royal visits continued, with Their Majesties, Patrick and Adrianne journeying to our shores.

Long May Her Tower Proudly Stand...
The tenth anniversary of the Shire was held in 1992. Conflict arose concerning the overlordship of Antarctica, and the Pen Gwynne War ensued, much to everyone's great delight.

The first Peer, Yoshitoshi Matsuyama, was admitted into the Order of the Pelican in 1993 during the visit of King John and Queen Ceinwen.

Their Majesties returned in 1996 to raise the Shire's status to that of Barony. Our first Baron and Baroness, Sigurd Hardrada and Eleanora van den Bogaerde were invested and our first Laurel -- Roheisa le Serjant and subsequently our first two Knights -- Sebastian von dem Schwartzwald and Ulf de Wilton -- were recognised.

The Jewel for All to See...
In 2001, Baron Sigurd and Baroness Eleanora stepped down. Baron Callum Macleod and Lady Chrettienne de Haverington became our second Baron and Baroness. The Barony continued to prosper and events such as Canterbury Faire went from strength to strength.

The year of 2003 became a year of change. By member poll, the populace within the shores of these islands decided to become a part of the newly formed Kingdom of Lochac. A time of both sadness and joy, the populace of Southron Gaard proved they were the strong tower that we so proudly display on our arms.

In 2005, Baron Callum and Baroness Chrettienne stepped down. Their Excellencies Bartholomew Baskin and katherine kerr of the Hermitage became our third Baron and Baroness, during the reign of King Stephen and Queen Mathilde. While ominous signs suggested that the Barony must once again look to its defences, the populace seemed willing, nay, eager to rise to the challenge.

Early 2006 saw the rise of a proud College in the fair city of our southern provinces, St Kessog its name, and much delight was in its making. The same period also saw the success of Southron Gaard and its allies in a Festival war against the Barony of Ynys Fawr, fought partly in relation to the Great White Southern Land. This was soon followed by acceptance of Southron Gaard's bid to stage its first-ever Kingdom event, Midwinter Coronation 2007 and shortly thereafter by the formation of the Canton of Castelburn alongside St Kessog in the south.

Past to present, Southron Gaard has been the tower of chivalry in the southern lands of our fair Kingdom.

Long may her tower proudly stand; the symbol of our great homeland!

[Back to top]

Canterbury Faire

A potted history of our flagship camping event, Canterbury Faire:

Precursor events

Early Southron Gaard camping events included:

• The Festival at the End of the Worlde, Easter 1989, Amberley
• Southron Summer Encampment/Lyonesse (Jan 1991), at the home of Morgana de Maar's (Baroness Mistress Eleonora's) parents, Steward: Morgana/Steel Knot
• Second Lyonesse Encampment (Jan 31-Feb 2, 1992), same location - Swift Flight was formed just after this event, Steward: as above
• Pen Gwynne War (Dec 1992), Swannanoa, Chief War-monger: Thomas Buttesthorn

There was apparently no mid-late summer camping event in 1993, due to the Pen Gwynne war earlier in the summer.

The Real Thing

Canterbury Faire proper, defined as "a (mostly)Waitangi weekend camping event, held initially at Journey's End", started in 1994:

• 1994: Journey's End - the Art of War Fayre, Steward: Madeleine Cereis de Toulouse
• 1995: Journey's End - Canterbury Faire - the first to go by this name - Steward: Eleonora van den Bogaerde
• 1996: Kimihia Girl Guide Camp - Caravanserai - Steward: Giovanni Gregoreo of Genoa (Duncan Kerr)
• 1997: Journey's End - Canterbury Faire/A Pilgrimage to Canterbury: - that's it, the name stuck thereafter, Stewards: Kate Walmisley and Ethelind of Darkwood Keep
• 1998: Journey's End - A Pilgrimage to Canterbury/Canterbury Faire (yes, really), Steward: Callum McLeod
• 1999: Journey's End - the addition of St Thomas' Market Day kicked off market revelry, and the event gained a meal plan, Stewards: Beatrice Fontanella, Sebastian von dem Schwartzwald and Ceina of Ballyhawke
• 2000: Journey's End - Master Del ran a Ball and "the Bruce Bros Trucking Company may not be running for this fair, as their truck died", Steward: Ulf fra Sialland
• 2001: Journey's End - with King Ivan III conducting Baronial Invest and creating three Knights (Inigo, Tycho, Vitale) Stewards: Eleanora van den Bogaerde and Cristia ni Cairbre O Callanin
• 2002: Journey's End - final CF at this site, Middle Eastern feast in the main marquee, Mong blew down on the final night, Steward: Ethelind of Darkwood Keep
• 2003: Waipara - momentarily-controversial shift to fabulous new site, Steward: Ethelind of Darkwood Keep
• 2004: Waipara - first presence at this event by our new Monarchs of Lochac, King AEdward and Queen Yolande, Steward: Rowena le Serjant
• 2005: Waipara - with King Stephen and Queen Mathilde conducting Baronial Invest and Asbjorn and katherine's elevations to the peerage, February 11-15, Steward: Richard d'Allier
• 2006: Waipara - King AEdward and Queen Yolande again; the relaxed Faire in the Barefoot Barony, "no mudde...", Stewards: Adele de Maisieres and Terese de la Maunche
• 2007: Waipara - King Alfar and Queen Gudrun; the event grows in every direction, 234pp through the gate, Steward: Llewellyn ap Dafydd
• 2008: Waipara - King Berenger and Queen Bethan's uncivil war; wooden fort, bell, sunshades, Den of Iniquity returns, Equestrian... Bartholomew, Isabel Maria and Don William elevated, 248pp, Stewards: Terese de la Maunche and Gavin of SG

[Back to top]

Legal and Other Documents

Baronial Charter
The Baronial Charter was confirmed by a poll of the populace conducted in November 1995 at the founding of the Barony. It was subsequently amended by a poll of the populace in December 2004. A Word document of the current Charter can be found here.

The Status of The Great White Southern Lands
The legal status of the Kingdom's and Barony's claims to the Great White Southern Land are laid out here.

SCA NZ Inc Rules
The rules of the SCA NZ cover the establishment and operation of the SCA within New Zealand operating as an independent incorporated society. The PDF containing the rules can be downloaded from here Other useful governance and legal information can be found at the SCA NZ Website

Southron Gaard Policies and Guidelines
These were developed from 1998-2001 and last formally revised in early 2005, with an extension regarding officer appointments added in April 2007. The current version may be found here.

Financial Committee Guidelines
In accordance with SCA NZ Inc policy, the Barony has a Financial Committee which operates under these guidelines.

Library Policy
In 2002, Southron Gaard's Council approved this Library Policy (PDF).

Storage Unit Guidelines
The large storage unit currently at Waipara Riverside Park (the CF site) is owned by the Barony and subject to an annual site rental. Space is available for Baronial and private use, as outlined these usage guidelines. Please direct any inquiries to the Baronial Constable.

Gallery Usage Guidelines
The Southron Gaard Gallery is used by members of the populace subject to these guidelines. To request access to the Gallery to create and manage your own albums, please email the Webscribe.

[Back to top]