Gleann [...]]]> The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international not-for-profit educational organization that is dedicated to the research and recreation of pre-17th century European History, with a particular focus on its practical applications in arts and sciences, including costuming, cooking, martial arts, dance, calligraphy and illumination, metalwork, archery and music (to name but a few!).

Gleann Abhann, is one of nineteen kingdoms throughout the world. Our territories include: Louisiana, Mississippi, extreme western Tennessee, and most of Arkansas.  Find a Local Group near you.  Or visit the SCA website for more information.

For more information on the hostory of Gleann Abhann visit the Kingdom Historian’s page.

Persona History:

In 1166 Diarmaid Mac Murchadha was ousted as King of Leinster for a number of reasons, one of which was for making off with the [...]]]> Elevated: 02/06/1999 by TRM Gareth and Sabine
Motto: Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat (Fortune Favors The Brave)
Blazon: Vert, an antelope rampant contourny, in chief two round buckles Or.

Persona History:

In 1166 Diarmaid Mac Murchadha was ousted as King of Leinster for a number of reasons, one of which was for making off with the High Kings wife, or so the story goes. Around 1167-68 Diarmaid or Dermott found his way to Henry II who was warring in France and begged him for assistance in regaining his lands. Henry had no time for such matters but granted Dermott permission to recruit men from England.

Dermott found men willing to fight for him along the English/Welsh border. These Marcher Lords as they were sometimes known were well suited for what Dermott needed. In addition to being in a constant state of conflict with the Welsh they were also accustomed to fighting in terrain similar to that of Ireland. It was also a poor area with little opportunity for upward mobility.

Dermott found a Cambro-Norman lord named Richard fitz Gilbert de Clare called Strong Bow. Richard was the son of Gilbert fitz Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, and Isabel de Beaumont, sister to Waleran Count of Meulan and Robert Earl of Leicester. Dermott asked Richard, whose lands were currently forfeit due to his and his father’s support of Stephen over Henry during the succession, to aid him in his endeavor to regain his lands. In return Dermott offered Strong Bow all of his lands upon his death and his daughter Aoife to sweeten the pot.

Richard agreed and with the help of several vassals began the Norman invasion into Ireland. In 1169 Richard sent Robert Fitz-Stephen and Raymond FitzGerald and a contingent of armored knights to Irleand. In August 1170 Richard arrived in Ireland and met Dermott and the rest of his Norman knights, who were already there, with 200 men-at-arms and over one thousand archers. They took Waterford on St. Bartholomew’s Eve [August 28, 1170], and a day later, he and Aoife (Eve) MacMurchada were married in the cathedral in Waterford.

Among those sworn men who followed Richard to Ireland was the youngest son of Hughe de Cambria, known to most simply as Greenshield for the lack of device upon his shield. He would make his mark in Richard’s Conroi and among the Irish where he won his bride, Onora inghean mhic Cathain, an Irish beauty from Luimneach . In time he would come to be known by his full name, William fitz Hughe de Cambria called Green Shield.

Much of this story can be found in the “Expugnatio Hibernica” [i](ISBN 9780901714114)[/i] written by Giraldis Cambrensis’ as a record of Henry II’s travels in Ireland circa 1188/89. Some scholars claim there was some trouble between the two that was never recorded and Giraldis chose to leave William out of his writings . . .

SCA History:

During his travels through the Barony of Axemoor, William, known to his friends as Camric, swore oath and became squire to Sir Manfred von Rothenburg, a Hospitaler knight of Meridies serving in Outremer. His lineage is short but filled with men of great word fame. In time he became affiliated with House Dragon Or headed by the great matriarch Mistress Rhiannon of the Isles. In the year A.S. 33 he was granted the accolade of Knighthood by the hand of King Gareth and Queen Sabine of Meridies. The elevation took place during the Principality Investiture of Gleann Abhann at the Great Abby and reported home of St. Bogdatious.

Since that time, Sir William has had the privilege to serve the Principality of Gleann Abhann as 6th Prince with Viscountess Rainilt le Dering and 13th Prince with Countess Onora inghean mhic Cathain. Since the founding of the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann in A.S. 40 he has served as 6th and 9th Crown with his lovely lady, Onora inghean mhic Cathain. He has three squires, THL Blaec le Dering a 12th century Norman, Lord Griffin fitz Wyse an 11th century Norman and Lord Olaf Bristlebeard Erikson, a 10th century Anglo-Dane.

Lineage:

Sir William fitz Hughe de Cambria, squired to Sir Manfred von Rothenburg.
Sir Manfred von Rothenburg, squired to Syr Phaelan Cathaoir-Mor.
Syr Phaelan Cathaoir-Mor, squired to Sir Beorn Collen-ferth.
Sir Beorn Collen-ferth, squired to Sir Francois Duvant.
Sir Francois Duvant who sprung fully formed from the head of Zeus.

Household Information:

Conroi fitz Hughe is the chosen name of Sir Williams hearth-sworn. In ‘period’ a conroi is a small cavalry unit made up of knights or sworn men who follow a unit leader. The household is small and select but its members are well known for their skill in battle and service to the Kingdom.

Conroi Motto: Fortius quo fidelius – Strength through loyalty

Elevated: 10/26/02 by TRM’s Gareth and Anneis Squired to Sir Kane Redfeather Blazon: Sable, a moose’s head erased affronty argent enflamed gules within a bordure dovetailed argent pellety.

Tar Radu, or Radu the Bald, is a 10th century Magyar warrior from the Carpathian Basin in eastern Europe who found his way in his [...]]]>

Elevated: 10/26/02 by TRM’s Gareth and Anneis
Squired to Sir Kane Redfeather
Blazon: Sable, a moose’s head erased affronty argent enflamed gules within a bordure dovetailed argent pellety.

Tar Radu, or Radu the Bald, is a 10th century Magyar warrior from the Carpathian Basin in eastern Europe who found his way in his early twenties to the Kingdom of Meridies. He attached himself to the Household of Duke Kane Redfeather, from whom he took the red belt of a squire. After making his home for a time among the river shires of Gleann Abhann, restlessness to see the world and find love took him to the frozen plains of Calontir. The game was plenty and the hunting good, and although he admired their fierce warriors, he found the land cold and not to his liking. He returned home, bringing with him his bride, Broinnfinn, a fellow Meridian in exile, and they made their home in the much more hospitable climate of the Barony of Axemoor, where they reside to this day.

He owes his skill at arms in equal parts to his significant size, the athleticism of his youth and his fortune to have grown up with rather large and pugilistic siblings. However, his most distinguished and endearing characteristics are his great humor, his unerring sense of fair play and his deep love for his Kingdom, which he had the great privilege of serving as its 47th Sovereign.