History of Rivermarch

Here the tale begins...

Before April A.S. XIX (1985 Gregorian) there were no lasting SCA groups in the valley between the baronies of Iron Mountain and South Downs--between the shires of the Eagle and Novus Matisco. Yet the "Current Middle Ages" had reached this land.
A wandering mystic accepted a charge from the baron of Iron Mountain--after a war between South Downs and Iron Mountain (20-22 April XIII)--to start a canton in the valley. This mystical wanderer, known now as Robert Cattanach of Moravia, did not carry it out.
Viscount David Morgan of Clai Morgen, third prince of Drachenwald, visited this land on his way to distant lands. Lupus the Mad, Michael of the Dark Water, and Stephanos of Hidden Mountain--squires to Viscount Syr Raim y Hynnddyll, Margraf von Drachenwald, fifth prince--also traveled, with Lupus' wife Kendra, through the valley on their way to other kingdoms (XVI-XVIII).*1*
A more permanent example was Columbus' St. Thomas Episcopal Church holding an Olde English Festival to recreate its medieval roots. SCAers from South Downs, Novus Matisco, and the barony of Byrn Madoc participated in the first two festivals (XIX-XX).*2*

XIX/February-April (1985)
Chris Howard entered the valley from Drachenwald February 27 and found no SCA. He and Aloisia Fischer, his wife, had heard the tale.
Aloisia arrived in April and wrote Lord Jean-Claude von Adlerstaat, Seneschal of Shire Eagle, concerning a valley shire. His reply "said that Eagle was the closest shire to Columbus, but that if we were interested in building a shire he and others in the group would be willing to help us build."

XX/May-April (1985-86)
Aloisia placed 3 x 5 cards in recreation centers, hobby shops, and book stores. Shire Eagle met monthly at her and Chris' trailer. Their results: ten members--including Lord Kirklin MacIan--aside from her and Chris.
By October's end, four travelers from Trimaris--Hakon Gunnarson, Marion of Scarborough, Colleen, and Pam--joined them. Acting on Lord Jean-Claude's suggestion, Lord Kirklin, Aloisia, and Chris Howard attended the 1985 Olde English Festival (November) as the group's representatives. Twenty-five people expressed interest in becoming part of Black Forge.*3* Among them were Robert Cattanach of Moravia, Elisabeth Erinn MacCabe, and Lucia Faolan de Ravenna.
Weekly meetings were held at Hakon and Marion's house for two months (December-January). The shire itself attended two events, Midwinter Arts and Sciences (January) and Lamb Slam (March), but faded away as time went on. At year's end, the remaining members--Lord Kirklin, Aloisia, Hakon, Marion, Robert, and Colleen--became known more as members of House Opia instead of members from the Shire of Black Forge.

XXI/March-April (1987)
Though Black Forge had died, the idea of a valley shire still lived. Hakon assisted on a SCA fighter demonstration held at Magnum Opus Con 2 (a science fiction/fantasy convention held in Columbus), the fighters coming from Shires An Dun Thiene/Eagle/Novus Matisco, while Marion was contacted to help with the Ironworks Medieval Faire to be held in June. Hence, there were opportunities to form another shire.
Near year's end Lord Kirklin, Hakon, Marion, and Marian of Sea Change Eyes met to name the new shire. Once Featherfall was chosen*4*, Lord Kirklin and Marion designed the device--a red feather falling between a black laurel wreath on a white background--using the colors red, black, and white "for maximum visibility."

XXII/June-July (1987)
Marion arranged for members of House Opia and Shire Eagle to appear at the Ironworks Medieval Faire (June 9-11). While the Faire itself was rained on, people came and some said they were interested in forming a new shire.
Two weeks later, June 26, Rick Jaggers--one of the interested ones--sponsored a "get together" cookout. Those who came included Lord Kirklin, Marian, and three members from Shire Eagle (Lord George, Lady Katrinka, and Mandy).
This event was followed by the first shire meeting, at Rick's house, on July 13. It was a short meeting--Lord Kirklin, Marian, and Hakon being selected as Seneschal, Herald, and Minister of Arts and Sciences respectively--the remaining time being devoted to armormaking. Sixteen people appeared--Lord Kirklin, Hakon, Marion, Marian, Patris le Wyneter of Exeter, Elsbeth of Ravensfall, Thjodulf Grimsson, Laura Heredia de Castile, Cearr MacTearlach, Wilhelm the Nighthawk, Rick, Stacey Sandlin, Tammie and Nicole Allen--as well as Lord George and Lady Katrinka from Shire Eagle.
The second meeting, July 27, was held at Ron and Tammie Allen's apartment and featured 'making T-tunics'. The ones who came were Lord Kirklin, Hakon, Marion, Marian, Patris, Elsbeth, Thjodulf, Laura, Cearr, Wilhelm, Rick, Stacey, Tammie, Ron, Nicole, Colleen, and Joel.

XXII/August-December (1987)
Meadmaking, heraldry, and dancing were the featured topics at the August 10, August 24, and September 14 meetings. More members appeared--including Lord Brian and Lady Elain de Northwode, Lord Nikolai Piotr Danovich, Lady Amber Silveroak, Chrys the Misplaced, and Robert--bringing their time and talents to a diverse and growing shire.
Shire members began appearing at kingdom events: Magna Faire (August); Fall Coronation and Pas d' Armes (September); Silver Annulet, Harvest Moon, and Red Tower (October). They also began hosting shire get-togethers--a late August pizza revel at the de Northwodes; a "surprise" birthday revel for Patris; a Christmas revel at Thjodulf and Elsbeth's--while assisting Shire Eagle with its December demo in Auburn.
Change was everywhere: Lord Kirklin and Hakon passing their offices to Patris and Chrys respectively*5*; the group growing out of holding meetings at members' homes and meeting at St. Thomas Episcopal Church (business meetings) and Britt David Park's Pottery Studio (fighter practices and social meetings); having a December fighter practice/demo at Britt David Park; working with St. Thomas, South Downs, and Eagle to host 1987's Olde English Festival. Amid these changes, one constant theme--members helping each other re-create the past.

XXII/January-April (1988)
At the January 11 meeting, a proposal was made by Albion Marcus MonteLammartine, deputy seneschal of Eagle, to merge Eagle and Featherfall and create a barony from the two groups. The idea was listened to, questions were asked, but Featherfall's answer was no.
However, by March's end, a merger did take place between Featherfall and the Shire of the Twin Cities--with Twin Cities becoming a household (Condottieri of the Twinn Cities).*6* And the combined shire, still known as Featherfall, continued to become known in Meridies.
Mid-Winter Arts and Sciences (January), Wine List (February), Fools' War (March), and Silver Annulet (April) were the events Featherfall members appeared at. The shire itself sponsored a demo list/melee at Magnum Opus Con 3 (March) and was the beneficiary of unexpected help.
Aside from Eagle, no other SCA groups had been notified of this event; thus, shire members were astonished to see SCAers from other shires/baronies/kingdoms visit Featherfall's information table. Ten fighters--from Featherfall, Eagle, An Dun Thiene, Novus Matisco, and possibly from Trimaris--fought in the list/melee while THL Fiona from Atlantia served as Mistress of the List. That night, March 26, Featherfall put together an impromtu revel at Patris' house and Laura Heredia de Castile, autocrat for this event, gave Lord Conn Finn MacNessa of Shire Eagle a gift for winning the list.
The Saturday before, March 19, featured a private get together which turned into a combination celebration for Sara, Lord Brian and Lady Elain's daughter, and a farewell for Ian of Featherfall who moved to East Kingdom after the revel ended. It was also where legends of Featherfall were told.

XXIII/May-July (1988)
Change and growth continue to be Featherfall's themes as the group ends its first year of existence. A May 7 demo at St. Thomas' new parish hall, for example, turned into a shire get-together; members ate, fought, danced, talked, played cards, and looked around at members' wares (garb, books, weapons, etc.). June 4 saw Featherfall promote itself and the Ironworks Medieval Faire at a demo held in Columbus' Peachtree Mall.
The 1988 Ironworks Faire saw Featherfall sponsor two lists--won by Odoacer of the Wastes and Erick Von Hund respectively--it and Eagle were the only SCA groups represented. Shire members also manned an information table, 73 people expressed interest in the SCA, as well as competing in the sand castle building contest and helping with the jousting tourneys.
June 12, after the Faire ended, the Condottieri held a shire revel at Britt David Park's Pottery Studio. Here Featherfall feasted, sang, and listened to stories and songs.
Meridies' Ten Year Celebration (May) and July Feast (July) had members from Featherfall in attendance. Other events and revels, whether in the kingdom or in the shire, await the members from Rivermarch--once called Featherfall--as they continue "living in the Current Middle Ages".*7*

DISCLAIMERS
Rivermarchers' Realm is part of A Marcher Lord's Reflections. It is not a corporate publication of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. and does not delineate SCA policies.
The SCA and its branches do not endorse the products or services which are displayed here. Off-Site links are provided as a service and are offered on an "as is" basis.

Page updated 4 September 2002 by Lord Robert Cattanach of Moravia.
(c) The Waterbearing Fish.

References
History of Rivermarch (Notes)
History of Rivermarch (Credits)