'History of the Southern Marches'


"...For quite some time now, there has been discussion about establishing a formal grouping of the far southern Shires. The proposed Southern Marches could serve the interest of all the groups involved if carefully established and organized. This political and military alliance would serve to increase contact among the groups involved, thereby establishing a larger support for individual group activities and events. We also could improve the ability of our fighters to work together as teams within large scale combat.

Basically, what we're talking about is a quarterly fighter practice rotated from group to group, and a coalition of Seneschales with a 'Warden' selected to serve as spokesperson. No Shire would give up (its) autonomous right to free action, but would give attention to the needs of the larger group in (its) dealings and actions. So we all benefit without losing identity!"

--Earl Sir Michael Bohun
(from a letter to Lady Amber Silveroak, Seneschale of Rivermarch, 9 May A.S. XXV)


Below the baronies of South Downs and Bryn Madoc and east of shires Eagle and Thorngill is a "sparsely populated" land whose shires "depend on the attendance from larger shires and baronies to make" their "events both successful and profitable." Yet little was known of neighboring groups who lived outside individual shire borders.

On the weekend of June 2-3, in the Society's 25th year, representatives from Dragonfly Marsh, Firedrake, Ravenwood, Rivermarch, and Yeoman's Wood met at Grassy Pond near the Trimarian border. They and Earl Sir Michael, then Crown Prince of Meridies, decide to form the Southern Marches.

Their intent was "mutual benefit" through:
*) Promoting "close bonds" among "its individual members."
*) Attending "each other's events...thus boosting participation and income."
*) Sharing "fighting and non-fighting skills to consortium members that cannot be found separately in the individual shires."

The Southern Marches takes its name from an earlier name for Meridies. Per pale argent and sable/an eight pointed mullet counterchanged describes the consortium's device. Though a banner exists, no badge and/or surcoat were made.

Three area offices were established: warden, chronicler, and historian. Earl Sir Michael served as warden, Lord Laurence the Imager as chronicler, and Lord Robert Cattanach of Moravia as historian.

Countess Judith de Bohun and Earl Sir Michael were the consortium's first peers. They were joined in 1992 by Viscountess Gwynna Emrys, Viscount Syr Raim y Hynnddyll, H.R.M. Mistress Katrina of Iron Mountain, and H.R.M. Sir Richard de Chinon.

Two years later arrived Countess Brianna and Viscountess Lucia who settled in Ravenwood and Yeoman's Wood. They were followed by Sir Nikolai Osetrov.


Nearly five years have passed since the first quarterly fighter practice. In that time, Southern Marchers have slowly been making their presence known.

Fool's War IV saw consortium and allied fighters hold the Meridian center during the beach battle. A renaissance festival on Jeckyll Island became November 1992's fighter practice site. Taped excerpts from November 1991's practice were "used as promotional releases" for Toys-for-Tots. When possible, members appeared at shire demos and events. Shires have camped together, particularly at Fool's War, developing ties between them.

Salt Keep joined the Southern Marches at February 1992's practice following a November 1991 visit. Glenn Cianail likewise attended August 1993's practice as a possible prelude towards its membership. Firedrake received Crown's Favor (December 1994).

Though overshadowed by battle/melee exercises and "The Challenge of the Chalice", arts and sciences--whether by classes, competition, or display--have found places in consortium practices. Feasts, singing, and dramatics are three ongoing examples.

Earl Sir Michael unofficially retired as warden during the November 1992 practice's seneschals/seneschales meeting. His constant support as crown prince, king, and peer was instrumental towards the Southern Marches' achieving its success.

Neither he, Lord Laurence, or Lord Robert left successors; thus closing the consortium offices. Lady Yvonne de Saintes Maries de la Mer and Lady Cordula Drumroe followed Countess Judith as area protoges.


"...Remember if you will that the very existence of the Southern Marches as a concept clearly outside the guidelines provided by SCA canon law is a thing which makes a goodly number of folks who have a decided dedication to 'playing by the rules' more than a little uncomfortable. There are no real formal provisions within how we play the game for a creature like the Southern Marches; I have encouraged it down through the years because I saw it as a vehicle which makes the Society more accessable to those in southern Georgia and Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

At the same time, it is important to recognize that the makeup of the Kingdom has changed a good bit since the idea of the Southern Marches was first brought to fruition. The Gulf Coast has become a place of great activity, and the central part of Georgia to the Georgia coast has experienced an unprecedented era of growth and consolidation. I think the future for the area may be brighter still; the eventual formation of a principality in the west of Meridies will foster greater local activity in the east (I'm not suggesting that this is necessarily desireable from a Kingdom-wide standpoint, merely that it will in all likelihood occur). I think people throughout the area will continue to prosper, that recognition will seek them out (if folks remember to keep making written recommendations to the Crown), and that songs will one day be sung about the heart of the Realm."

--Master Sir Aedward of Glastonburh
(from a 19 October XXX letter to Lord Robert Cattanach of Moravia)



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Page updated 10 January 2002 by Lord Robert Cattanach of Moravia.
(c) The Waterbearing Fish.


References

'History of the Southern Marches'...
'A History of the Consortium of Southern Shires'