Court

Bartholomew & katherine

More Information The Baron's and Baroness's personal credo. (Word) Those who need to interact with the Baron and Baroness often, such as officers, stewards and members of Court, may well find this document helpful. (Word) If you are offered a position on the Baronial Court, here is some background information to consider. (Word) katherine kerr's Web site: http://webcentre.co.nz/kk

The Court is headed by Their Excellencies Bartholomew Baskin and katherine kerr of the Hermitage, Baron and Baroness of Southron Gaard. Their job is to represent the King and Queen and to act as a titular heads of the Barony.

Their responsibilities include fostering the arts and culture, handling foreign policy and diplomacy, encouraging and recognising the achievements of the populace, and marshalling the defences of the Barony.

Baronage Calendar

This calendar indicates (to the best of our ability) the times when the Baron and Baroness are either already engaged for local events, or not contactable and/or not available for events in the Central Barony. At other times, they may be reached via BandB@sg.sca.org.nz (preferable; normally a quick response) or, if necessary, by telephoning 03 384 5137 between the hours of 9am and 8pm New Zealand time.

Date(s)	Activity
Jan 11 to 18, 2008	Private Business
Mar 8 to 9, 2008	St Kessog First Feast
Mar 20 to 25, 2008	Festival
Mar 26 to Apr 6, 2008	Private Business and Innilgard event
June 21 to 22, 2008	Midwinter Cockatrice Convivium, Castelburn
July 4 to 13, 2008	Private Business
Aug 29 to 31, 2008	St Kessog Fimbulwinter
Sept 26 to 28, 2008	Private Business

Court Members

The members of Court are appointed for one to two year terms by the Baron and Baroness. They are chosen on merit, based partly on their ability and willingness to undertake the onerous tasks involved, and partly on their known track record of courtesy and service. In addition, members of the Queen's Guard, Mead Guard, Boffer Guard and Mouse Guard may be invited to join the Court when they are not engaged on Their Majesties' business.

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Policy and Appointments

Here are collected the key policy statements and appointments of Bartholomew and katherine, Baron and Baroness of Southron Gaard:

Canterbury Faire, February, AS XLII:

• Established the Steel Embassy with the ambassadors of Ordo Cygni, thus:
  Wherein it has liked the Barony of Southron Gaard to graunt to our good friends Ordo Cygni grounds for an Embassy to haue and occupie for such time as said Ordo Cygni will aunswre with a maner of tallage of the peppercorn variety and thereto hold the kepyng of the said Embassy and ouersight of it such that those who wish to learn and display the arts of steel and other dicvers forms of combat not heretofore practised within the Barony may doe so in assured safety.
  This lettres of graunte made accordyng to the purporte and tenour of the agreement that requires any and all who would use the Embassy to undertake their art with due care and attention to such rules and requirements as Ordo Cygni may devyse and further to honour the style and conuentions long followed in the said Barony with regard to garb deemed mete for public display and chivalrous, courteous and restrained behaviour likewise.
  Therefore doe we set our hand to this graunte in recognition of the godwill and friendship betwene the said parties that such may long be the maner of our dealings each with the other.
• Named the Tour d'Or Herald, Lord Oswyn Carolus, uniquely now or at any time in the future, as a Member of the Order of the Member.

After Midwinter Coronation, July, AS XLII, as resolved by the Southron Gaard Baronial Council:
Whereas the Barony of Southron Gaard has prospered due to the frequent and welcome visits of numerous Royal Visitors in recent years, and whereas the cost of ruling and travelling through this diverse and far-flung Kingdom is very significant, and since there is merit in encouraging more contenders to contest Crown Tournaments by lessening the perceived burden which would arise should they succeed in their endeavour:
Let it be known that henceforth, to the winner of each November Crown tournament, the Barony of Southron Gaard will pay a purse of 500 gold, to be delivered into the victor's hands by way of a tallage, upon Their attendance at the Canterbury Faire which follows Their accession to the Throne of Lochac. This applies irrespective of Their normal abode or any prior arrangements They may have made to attend, and is in addition to whatever rights and privileges normally accompany Their presence as Monarchs at such an event.
Done by our hand and by the will of our people this 11th day of July, A.S. XLII

Baronial Anniversary, March, AS XLI:

• Declared that the forces of Southron Gaard would fight for Their Rightful Majesties King Alfar and Queen Gudrun in the civil conflict which is expected at Festival in coming days.
• Presented to the Proto-College of St Kessog divers weapons to better enable them to learn and prosecute the martial arts.
• Offered to the entire populace of the Barony, Canton and College an invitation to embark upon the Renaissance Challenge.

Canterbury Faire, February, AS XLI:

• Renamed the Page's Helm as "Harry's Helm", an award for valour made in memory of a warrior and true son of Southron Gaard.
• Presented our Ambassador to the Court of Caid, Sir Philippe de Tournay, with a Caid Kingdom Standard, to be returned to Their Majesties of Caid with the wish that it one day be passed to a newly forming group in recognition of the ties that lie between us.
• Presented the Seneschal of the Canton of Castelburn with a Seneschal's key; the Seneschal of St Kessog with a gold quill of academe and the Seneschal of Southron Gaard with a ring of three keys to signify the three groups within Southron Gaard.
• Presented to the officers of the Barony the Baronial Regalia made by Mistress Roheisa and her many helpers in recent months.

October Muster, October AS XLI:

• Presented the Crown Sword (q.v.) to its first holder, Oswyn Carolus. It is to be used by newly-arming heavy fighters for a period of up to two quarter days, then passed on to another such.

Yule Quarter Day, July AS XLI:

• Announced the terms of the accord reached with our newest citizen, Baron Hrolf Herjolfssen OP, Admiral of the Southern Seas.
• Displayed to the assembled populace the tax to be paid to Their Majesties at Midwinter Coronation in respect of Southron Gaard's protectorate over the Great White Southern Land, reinforced as a consequence of the victory at Festival.
• Presented to the Proto-College of St Kessog divers weaponry and armour for their populace, among them an old shield from Count Sir Gui von Oberhausen and the Baron's Shield from His Excellency Bartholomew, made by Lord Magnus Nathir of Ildhafn.
• Inaugurated the Crown Sword for the use of new fighters. This is a sword fashioned from the very blade used by His Majesty AEdward Staedfaste to win November Crown AS XL, and a fine hilt made by Master Sigurd Hardrada, assembled by Capitano Martucchio Lorenzo Cavalcanti di Medici and inscribed by Mistress Roheisa le Sarjent.

Festival April, AS XXXX:

• After successfully joining with our close neighbours and allies to defend these isles against the depredations of the Baron of Ynys Fawr at Festival, agreed to peace terms which involved increasing the population of Southron Gaard by one (Baron Master Hrolf of Ynys Fawr) and taking responsibility for a tax to be paid to Their Majesties at Midwinter Coronation.

Canterbury Faire, February, AS XXXX:

• Announced the formation of an alliance with our good friends, the Barony of Rowany.
• Accepted the resignation of Sir Ulf de Wilton as Warden of the Northern Marches, and appointed in his place Lady Cynethryh of the Windy Plains, in the Crown Lands of Lochac. "As Warden, she shall be charged - as in custom and tradition from time immemorial - with promoting trade, ensuring the fair levying of border taxes, maintaining the rule of law in border regions, and treating with fairness and frankness on our behalf with the legitimate authorities of her near neighbours, the Canton of Cluain and the Shire of Darton."
• Inaugurated the Jewel of Southron Gaard, which was presented to Lord Peregrine Flamstead, and Emayn de Whittaker.

Siege Engine Challenge, December, AS XXXX:

• Announced the renewal of our long-standing alliance with the Barony of Riverhaven.
• Introduced the Southron Gaard marching song, written by Master Crispin Sexi, and asked that all in the Barony might learn a part of it.
• Presented for the first time the Caidan Shield, to Thorald Inn Suðreyski.

Yule Quarter Day, June, AS XXXX:

• Promulgated a new requirement that those departing the Barony to live in other lands should pay an emigration impost as follows:
  • "Imprimis: they may present to the Baron and Baroness of Southron Gaard evidence that they have personally introduced to the Barony at least one new member of the populace during the previous six months
  • Or secundus: they must present a basket of no fewer than FIFTEEN DARTON APPLES or ONE TAME COO-BEASTIE or such equivalent as shall be deemed acceptable by the Baron and Baroness of Southron Gaard"
• Appointed Capitano Martuccio Lorenzo Cavalcanti de Medici as Captain of the Southern Reaches: "As Captain, he shall be charged - as in custom and tradition from time immemorial - with protecting the safe passage of friendly vessels along our lengthy coastlines and ocean routes (especially those between ourselves and the Great White Southern Land) maintaining and strengthening the Barony's sea defences, and treating with fairness and courtesy all those who, with peaceful intent, come upon our lands by sea."

Baronial Anniversary, March, AS XXXIX:

• Recognised the new role of Baronial Crossbow Champion and inaugurated the new Champion's Oath for the Defence of the Barony of Southron Gaard. "For we may now have greater need of you than anyone would have imagined."
• Inaugurated the new Baronial Relic, The Caidan Shield, adapted by the hands of THL Richard d'Allier and THL Ethelind of Darkwood Keep from the last Caidan Royal Shield used in these lands. "This is to be presented to a newly-arming fighter and held by them for no more than two Quarter Days... The name of the each holder will be recorded on the back of the shield and, in time, we may look back and see the names of those who have come from such a beginning to become mighty in the field of martial prowess."
• Appointed Sir Phillipe de Tournay as Ambassador to the Court of the Kingdom of Caid. "You may know better than we those Qualities which but recently caused him to be created a Knight in Your Realm, but rest assured that those Qualities were early recognised and have long been celebrated in his Homeland (notwithstanding his Unfortunate encounter with the Goblins). We therefore entreat that You be willing to always give Sir Philippe Your ear when he approaches You with counsel concerning our humble affairs. As a small yet well-fortified and industrious land at the edge of a very large world, we may some day have cause to call upon our ties with Your most Illustrious Kingdom, and we hope You will look favourably upon such requests."
• Invited willing authorised light and heavy fighters to also take the Champion's Oath, and exhorted the rest of the populace to look to the Barony's defences: "Therefore, I call upon each of you now seated to consider your own response to the Barony's need. If you are close to becoming an authorised fighter, tarry no longer! Let the smiths beat your ploughshares into swords, or helms. Let the seamstresses put down their sewing and create armour or gambesons instead. Let the Bards take up a bow, or a ballista. And when this question is asked again, as it will be in six month's time, let there be many more of you to join these happy few as defenders of our fair lands!
• Appointed Sir Vitale Giustiniani to the post of Paladin of the Caidan Coast. "As Paladin, he shall be charged - as in custom and tradition from time immemorial - with promoting trade and the interchange of ideas, maintaining and strengthening the Barony's land and coastal defences, and treating with courtesy and hospitality those visiting our fair Barony from the lands to our East."
• Inaugurated Lord Fraser Coney's Siege Engine Challenge. "In order to greatly strengthen the defences of Southron Gaard, the Barony is issuing a challenge to all interested groups and households to build the best and most effective siege engine for the field of war..."
  More information can be found here.

Canterbury Faire, February, AS XXXIX:

• Enjoined that the new Southron Gaard Songbooks be made available by stewards at all appropriate events. "For it is our policy that we recognise that we all may sing different parts, but that we should, wherever possible do so in harmony."
• Appointed Sir Ulf de Wilton as Warden of the Northern Marches. "As Warden, he shall be charged - as in custom and tradition from time immemorial - with promoting trade, ensuring the fair levying of border taxes, maintaining the rule of law in border regions, and treating with fairness and frankness on our behalf with the legitimate authorities of the Shire of Darton."
• Issued a declaration of Peace and Amity with the Barony of Ildhafn. "Therefore, be assured that Southron Gaard still stands as a bulwark on the borders and declares its peace with and amity towards the noble trading city in its former lands in the north, the Barony of Ildhafn and Canton of Cluain."
• Issued a declaration of Peace and Amity with the Shire of Darton. "Therefore, be assured that Southron Gaard still stands as a bulwark on the borders and declares its peace with and amity towards the small and peace-loving city in its former lands in the north, the Shire of Darton."

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Baronage Items

The following items belonging to the Barony are typically held by the B&B or members of Court:

• Baronial Trailer (see purchase and fit-out report) (Word).
• Two coronets
• Thrones (two permanent, two that disassemble), cushions (4), kneelers (2)
• Large SG silk banner, silk hall-window banners, various silk pennants, several bamboo banner poles, 3-4 large portable holes
• Court banners - one SG with augmentation overlay, one Lochac
• Baronial Pavilion and associated poles, pegs, pennons, ropes, mallet - see instructions
• Up to two sunshades and associated gear in trailer; a third is in CF storage
• Lochac and SG large painted goblets (two apiece) and two smaller SG glasses
• Some older marshallate gear - list-field, marshal poles, tabards, spare hand protection - in trailer
• Some boffer gear, and children's toy-box conveyed to the Barony by Lord Darius and Lady Elise from St Nicholas

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