Shire of Crossrodode Keep
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The Shire of Crossrode Keep was founded in the City of Big Spring, Texas by the following members of the SCA. These four members were Lord Agnarr Thorvaldsson, (Founding Branch Seneschal)who moved back here since this is his hometown. Robert Ferguson (Founding Branch Herald) who also moved back home upon completing his collage education. Abu-Benjiman (Founding Branch Knights Marshal), who moved here from Lubbock with his family. And Inanna Freyasdottier (Founding Branch Arts & Sciences Minister) who moved here upon completion of her carreer in the US Army. The Shire recieved word of our incipincy was approved in the month of September, 1993
The Group hosted its first Demo in the month of October of 1993 on the campus of Howard Collage in order to recruit new members. This group was helped out by our neighboring groups: The Barony of Bonwicke (Lubbock), and the Shires of Treloc (San Angelo), Mendersham (Abilene), and Blacklake (Midland-Odessa). This demo led to this group gaining several new members from the Collage; but due to the Collage being a 2-yr "Junior Collage" these newer members all moved away in May and June, so their stay here was unfortunately short.
1994
This group continued to be active and grow during the first couple of months of 1994. But in the month of June 1994, Vicount Sir Doran Macullam and his wife Anna Mynog Sok Bena Doran (Anna) moved into nearby Colorado City, Texas. Sir Doran and Lord Agnarr both were old friends from when they both were living and playing in the Shire of Middleford in the late 80's and the early 90's and they quickly re-united their friendshps..
Shortly after this a new Boom of new members again happened in the Shire as our visable activities drew many individuals to our group. Cullin Ironwood was the first of these individuals to join the SCA at this time. Cullin then recruited his parents Stephen Blackthorne and Marianna le Faye, and his sister Elizabeth of the Crossrodes. Along with these members we also gained Ian MacLeod and his lady Tamieka. In addition to these new members we also had several members coming to our weekly activities from the city of Roscoe, Texas. At one time in late 1994 the number of active adults here in the Shire of Crossrode Keep was recorded at 18 individuals.
During this timeframe in the month of July, Robert Fergus and Inanna Freyasdottier both recieved thier Award of Arms at the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Collage hosted by the Shire of Mendersham. Making them this groups first homegrown Lord and Lady. At this same event Lord Agnarr Thorvaldsson was awarded the Sable Comet of Ansteorra for his support and work here in the Shire. In August this group hosted a major Public Demo and regional Fighter Practice in the City's Comanche Trail Park, we also catered a feast afterwards, this group will always remember this day as the "Day of the Chicken" as we served over 110 pounds of BBQ'ed Chicken to over 80 individuals that evening. A few weeks later the shire gained several new members from this demo. most noteable from this influx of new members were Damion Lininus Annus and his wife Marcella.
1995
In the Spring of 1995 Baroness Regina Masquer and her Daughter Emily moved to this shire from the Shire of Treloc. Baroness Regina was a godsend to this group as she started recruiting more hardworking individuals for this Shire. Among the most notable of these new recruits were two very hardworking individuals: Mara Christina Von Clepplin, and one known to all as Leon the Swineherder.
In May at Steppes Warlord, Sir Doran called Lord Agnarr into evening court asked him to be his squire. It was with much rejoicing that Agnarr agreed to take the red belt of training from Sir Doran, and gladly gave his oath of feality to Sir Doran and then thru him the Crown of Ansteorra. In the month of July, The Shire hosted its first event, "Siege of Constantinople." This event was well attended with over 76 individuals attending.
Two months later in July, the Shire of Treloc was the hosting group for the Kingdom Warlord Tournament. At this event Abu-Benjiman was called into Evening Court to recieve his Award of Arms, then while Lord Agnarr was presenting to thier majesties some gifts from the populace of Crossrode Keepwhen their Majesties then presented Agnarr with both a Sable Thistle of Ansteorra for his skill in woodwooking and also bestowed him a Sable Crane of Ansteorra for his continued support of Archery in the Kingdom. It was right after this event that Sir Doran took Damion as his squire due to his showing at the tournament and his conduct at our fighter practices.
1996
This year started out with a stabilation in our groups growth, and ended up with many changes for this group by the years end. We had several of our members move away or quit playing in the SCA due to various reasons but the bigest loss to the Shire was when we lost one of our newer members suddenly pass away in March leaving the Shire in an emotional blackhole.
In April, the year the Barony of Bonwicke hosted the Spring Crown tourney for the Kingdom of Ansteorra. At the evening court their Royal Magesties called forth Baroness Regina Masquer into court and offering to her the lifetime opportunity of becoming a Peer of the Realm. She accepted this offer and was elevated to being a Member of the Order of the Pelican several weeks later.
The Shire hosted a small event in June, called the "Defender of the Crossroads Tourney", that had an attendance of 54 individuals. This new trend of low activity in the shire continued thru the year until the winter months in which the Shire decided to regroup and to stop this downward trend. So in order that the group could end this appathy the Shire came up with several activities designed to get the members back into the activities that we were doing in the past. So the group hosted a local Yule Revel in Marianna and Stephen's home. In addition to the revel a majority of the local members got together, practiced and then did several holiday sessions of carolling in the areas Retirement Centers, Hospitals, and Nursing Homes as well as the local shopping mall.
1997
The year started out at a some what faster pace the the previous year. This Shire in conjunction with the Shires of Treloc and Blacklake hosted the Western Regional Arts ands Sciences Colligeum in the later part of March 1997. His Royal Majesty of Ansteorra; Abd al-Mahdi ibn Hakim, came and attended this Western Regional Event and the revel afterwards. The event went very well and had well over 80 people in attendance. The Autocrats for this event were the Baroness, Mistress Regina Masquer and Mara Christina von Clepplin, the feastocrat for the event was Marianna la Faye.
It was also at this event that we recieved word that the groups Propossed name of Crossroad Keep had never been registered with the Collage of Heralds and since they never informed the group of this non-action on the paprework submitted to them. That we would be granted an extention on our incipient status while we re-submitted the name with the Collage of Heralds.This was a real shock to everyone in the Shire and thrughout the Kingdom as everyone was under the impression that both our name and device had been passed.
In the summerof 1997, Baroness Mistress Regina and her daughter Emily surprised everyone by announcing that they would be leaving the Shire and the Kingdom, as she was moving to the Kingdom of An Tir due to a change in her job. This seemed to start a fallout of members here in the Crossrodes. Cullin Ironwood moved off due to a new job, and afew months later we lost Damion Licinus Annon and his family; as he was transfered from his job here in the City of Big Spring to Hattiesburg,Mississippi (the Kingdom of Meridies). And at about the same time Lord Robert Fergus relocated to the Barony of Ravensfort (Huntsville, Texas) with his new job. The loss of all of these long term players really made a dent in the populace of this Shire. But as is the strength of this group we managed to continue to do demos and slowly gained new members to replace the ones we lost.
Among these newer members that we gained was one Logan Macleod, who came to us from the Kingdom of Atlantia. He managed to bring several new players to the Shire as well. Among these new members was one Christiana MacGreggor, her sister Morganna MacGreggor, and thier parents Calen Sabert Lancelot and Julianna Delamare. Other new participants also included Demetrii Ivanovich and Falla Macbeth, Michelle the Forgetful, Corwin de Blonde, and Argyle of the Crossrodes and his son Dominic, plus one Henry the Thin.
1998
In the Spring of 1998, 11 members of the Shire of Crossrde Keep managed to go to Gulf Wars as a group. The Shire was able to field 4 fighters in support of the Kingdom of Ansteorra. Everyone had a blast except for he cramped quarted for our tents but we still had a blast. In April, at the Barony of Bonwicke's Octavian Tournament, Ian Macleod, Marianna la Faye and Stephan Blachthorne were all called into court and recieved their much deserved and long overdue Award of Arms. Then his Majesty, Sir Richard called Lord Agnarr Thorvaldsson into court and made Agnarr a Companion to the Order of the Star of Merit. This service award was given for all of the hardwork and dedication the now Honorable Lord Agnarr Thorvaldsson had done for the Archery Community throughout the Kingdom of Ansteorra.
In the Summer of 1998, the Shire again helped host the Western Regional Arts & Sciences Colligium with the Shires of Blacklake and Treloc. This event was a success as always and a great feast was prepared by Lady Marianna la Faye, Lady Inanna Freyasdottier and Lord Stephen Blackthorne..
While several members from the Shire were at the July Coornation of Thier Royal Majesties Sir Barn and Kat, we were informed that we were being placed on a probationary status as we were still an incipient group due to the fact that the groups proposed name Crossroad Keep was unacceptable to the Collage of Heralds. This was a real blow to the shire as the reason several of the Group attended this coronation was because several, individuals had recieved word that the group would be elevated to the status of a full shire. While in the following month of August a long overlooked award, finally made its way to this shire in which Christiana Mara von Clepplin was made this groups newest Lady when she received her Award of Arms.
In September the Shire gained two new members to our group. They were Elewys Luskcombe and her father (Brother) Charles of the Crossrodes. It was at this event that the Shire submitted the name of Rathad le an Caisteal to the Collage of Heralds. (This was a loose gaelic translation of Crossroad keep). Shortly after the "corrected pronounciation" was made known to all and the Shires new name sounded like they were saying the phrase "Rat Castle", this made everyone in the Shire laugh and gave us something to smile about.
In December, the group hosted a Christmas Themed event called "Christmas in Rathad Caisteal". This event was autocrated by Lady Marianna le Faye, and the feast was done by Calen Sabert Lancelot, and his wife Julianna Delamare. In addition to the normal activities that were done at the event. The Shire held a great dinner play that was written and directed by Logan Macleod, a local member here in the Shire. A great time was had by all that attended this event; even though we had a poor attnedence turnout due to a freak snowstorm that hit the area the day before the event leaving us with over a foot of snow on the ground.
1999
In April of 1999 we were again informed that we would have to resubmit a new and different name to the Collage of Heralds as Rathad le an Caisteal had not passed thier criteria. Hon Lord Agnarr Thorvaldsson after a discussion with several members within the Collage of Heralds asked the Shire if they really wanted the name for the group to be Crossroad Keep, The group to a person said Yes We want the Name Crossrodes Keep. The result was that the group would resubmit the name as Crossrode Keep and one of the members of the Collage of Heralds would provide both the Shire and the Collage with several pages of documentation for such a name to be used in period times. So the Shire again was placed back on a probationary status as we worked with the Collage of Herald, and we dropped the moniker "Rat Castle".
It was during the month of April at the annual Octavian Tournament hosted by the Barony of Bonwicke that several of our local members were recognized by the Crown od Ansteorra. They were Logan Macleod, Calen Sabert Lancelot, and Julianna Delamare, when they all received their Award of Arms for all of the hard work and support they had given to this Shire. However since both Logan Macleod and Calen Sabert Lancelot were not present the awards were collected by the Baron and Baroness of Bonwicke and they would be re-read into court at a later time when these two individuals would be present.
It was during the summer that Logan Macleod was made a squire to Sir Arron macGreggor, this was a great boon to us locally as Sir Arron started visiting our local fighter practices. This speciallized attention to our newer fighters really paid off for all our fighters. For it was at Gothic War that our own local heavy fighter Argyle of the Keep showed his skills on the battlefield by winning all of his battles that day but the final battle. He managed to gain much reknown and word fame for his skill as both a tactician and a skilled warrior as this was his FIRST Tounament in which he entered. It was also at this event that Bjorn Agnarrsson (the eldest son of HL Agnarr and Lady Inanna),recieved a Rising Star of Ansteorra for all of his efforts in helping the Shire of Crossrode Keep.
In October at the Fall Crown Tourney, the crown called Stephanie Inannasdottier (HL Agnarrs and Lady Inanna's youngest daughter) into court and bestowed upon her a Rising Star of Ansteorra for all the hardwork and effort that she had done. A few weeks later the group hosted All Hallows Eve. This event was our first camping event in almost four years . The feast was prepared by Lady Marianna la Faye and Lord Stephan Blackthorne. While the Autocrated was Logan Macleod. He made this event a success as all of our previous events had been. However the showstopper of the event was during evening court when Logan Macleod dropped to one knee and asked his longtime love Christiana Macbeth to be his Wife. The Court broke out with great applause and cheers when she gladly cried yes that she would become his wife.
It was at this event that we gained several new members for our shire. Several family members of Elewys Luskcombe attended the event and was hooked on the SCA. They becme known to us as Marmadak Pook and Svana Englebrietsdottier and their 3 children. We also had Donna of the Crossrodes join us as well as Ann the Young.
A few weeks later the shire hosted a Western Regional Fighter Practice to help prepare for the next Gulf War a few long overdue awards managed to catch up with our local members: So at this event Logan Macleod and Calen Sabert Lacelot both finally recieved thier Award of Arms which were first announced back in April.
2000
In early January the Shire was notified that our name and device (Crossrode Keep) submitted to the Collage of Heralds had passed and was now registered with them.. Shortly afterwards at the Coronation of Sir Aleric Drake and Dona Kayleigh Drake, the Shire recieved official notification that the Shire would be given Full Shire Status at Bonwicke's 12th night the following weekend. The Shire had 23 members able to attend the following weekend when the Shire was elevated and a new day dawned for both our members and our Shire.
In April at the Barony of Bonwickes last Octavian Tourney, the hard working Elewys Luskcombe was given her Award of Arms. and the Shire then prepared to make ready for our First event as an Offical Shire. This Event would become known as Sundered Shield and is our annual event that we determine our Shires Champions. We held this event in June and it was a great success. At that event Lady Inanna Freyasdottier was given a Sable Comet of Ansteorra for her support of Crossrode Keep. And Christiana MacGreggor recieved her Award of Arms. The feastodrat for this event was Lord Logan Macleod and Marmadak Pook. The Autocrat for this eveny was the founding Member of Crossrode Keep, the Honorable Lord Agnarr Thorvaldsson.
In late 2000 the group again experienced growth as several members came and went but the best thing was when Cullin Ironwood returned to Big Spring in March and again jumped in with both feet helping the Shire. It was at the Gothic War that he managed to finally set still long enough in one group to recieve his VERY long overdue Award of Arms. Also at Gothic war Elewys Luskcombe became the newest Lady in the Shire when she recieved her Award of Arms. Also our own Lady Marianna la Faye the Sable Comet of Anstoerra for her work in the Shire.
2001
The Shire managed to stay very active thru the first part of the year planning and getting ready for Sundered Shield II as we were informed that his Majesty Sir Jason Macpherson would be attending this event. and we would be the proud hosts of the August Kings Roundtable the following month.
In late June we held Sundered Shield II, with almost 100 people in attendence. Making this the most wonderful event to date that this group has done. The Autocrat was Lady Elewys Luskcombe with HL Agnarr being her Co-Autocrat and the Feastocrat since she had never done autoctated an event before. The Event was a great suprise for many individuals as Lord Robert Furgus showed up to support the group. At the evening court, the Shire had several individuals recieve recognition for all of thier hardwork. Those that were recognized are as follows:
Marmadak Pook and his wife Svana Englebrietsdottier as they both recieved their Award of Arms. Also called into court and read into law was the Shires oldest member Charles of the Crossrodes, award for his Award of Arms. Then Lady Elewys Luskcombe was called into court to be recognized for her job as a Autocrat and was given a Sable Comet of Ansteorra for her hardwork to the Shire. Then the Crown called Lord Stephen Blackthorne into court and he also recieved a Sable Comet of Ansteorra for his dedication, hardwork and Support of our shire. Last but not least his Majesty then called the Honorable Lord Agnarr Thorvaldsson into court and bestowed upon him the most prized Archery Award that Anstoerra has the Kings Archer Award. Making HL Agnarr the 16th recipient of this award.
During the first weekend of August the Shire of Crossrode Keep hosted the Kings Roundtable and Greater Officers of State Meeting at the Eastroom of Dorothy Garrett Coliseum. The Laision for this event was the Honorable Lord Agnarr Thorvaldsson. This event had 74 people in attendence and almost 50 of these were at the revel afterwards. This event and the Sideboard lunch that was provided to all in attendence was done from a grant given to the Shire by the City of Big Spring's Chamber of Commerce. The Shire is very greatful for all the support that we reciecved in conjunction with this event from the Chamber. The event had many officers and nobles from all over the Kingdom of Ansteorra in attendence, and to include one member of the SCA Board of Directors who managed to gave a very informative speech on the SCA, its Board and how they all work. Her Royal Majesty Larissa was in attendence at this event; making the Shire and all of its members very proud to have had two different crowns come to our fair shire in a little over a months timeframe.
2002
In the early part of October of 2001, shortly after the Kingdoms Fall Crown Tourney; Lady Marianna la Faye was contacted by Their Royal Highnessed Sir Aaron and Britta MaGregor, the Crown Prince and Princess, Ansteorra asking if we would be willing to host their Coronation in January 2002. Lady Marianna and the members of this Shire was in solid agreement when the vote was taken for us to do this event. The members of the Shire quickly went to work trying to locate a hall large enough to host an indoor event that could handle upwards of 600 individuals in the local area. After several days of fruitless searching the Baron Nicolas Vasilevich, Baron of Ravensfort, helped secure the Scurry County Coliseum in Snyder, Texas; as he was originally from this small west texas town. Their Royal Highnesses managed to foresee the need to have several experienced cooks for this event and asked HL Sigrun to lead the Shire of Blacklake on this important task to plan and prepare a meal fit for a King for 250 individuals.
So in late 2001 and earky 2002, the Shire of Crossrode Keep once agian mustered its forces of energetic and hard working members and started making the various needed items for this the 45th coronation of Ansteorra. The shire in just two Saturday work-parties managed to acid-etch, 400 plus goblets that was approved to be the site tokens for the event as well as make 36 banners with the Anstoerran star.
Several members of the shire also decided during these work-parties to form a generic Arts and Sciences Guild that was named by Lady Marianna as the "Artsy Fartsy Berries" because of the small berry shaped pin cushions that was agreed upon to be the guilds symbol. These would be worn on a ribbon attached to the members belts. It was also agreed by all members of this guild that Her Royal Highness Britta would be made an honorary member to this guild due to her undying support she has given the individuals in this region over the years and a Artsy Fartsy Berry would be given to her at Coronation..
The members of the Shire by their experience in holding several events in the past year and a half was able to conduct this major Kingdom level event without any hitches in the flow of events. The tally at the end of the day showed that over 325 members were in attendence at coronation, with people coming as far away as Australia, to attend. The feast was prepared by HL Lord Segriun and his fellow cooks. This tasty feast was well recieved and enjoyed by all.
When it is all said and done, the Shire of Crossrode Keep can now claim the right as the group that hosted the Coronation of their Majesties, Sir Arron I and Britta MacGregor I, Rex and Regina, Ansteorra.
Just a few months after the coronation of Arron and Britta, the Shire of Crossrode Keep provided lots of material and logistical support to the Barony of Bonwicke as they hosted the Kingdom's Crown Tourney here in the City of Big Spring. The event was a success and the bonds of friendship between the Barony and the Shire was reforged into a stronger chain as both groups came together to help determine the heirs to the Kingdom, Duke Patrick Micheal Gordonne and Duchess Julia de Montoya.
In June the Shire hosted our annual tourney event Sundered Shield III at that event several of our members were recognized by the Crown, they included: Lady Marianna le Faye who recieved the Sable Thistle of Ansteorra for her skill in Embrodery. Lady Julianna Delamare recieved a Sable Thistle of Ansteorra for her skill in Costuming. Lady Elewys Luskcombe recieved the Sable Crane of Ansteorra for her service to the Shire of Crossrode Keep. and both Marmadak Pook, and his wife Svana Englebreitsdotter both recieved thier Award of Arms becoming the newest Lord and Lady in the Shire. While their son Ari Svanasson and their daughter Snorri Svanasdottier both were called into court and recieved the Rising Star of Ansteorra. Vivat to all these outstanding members of the Shire of Crossrode Keep. These awards were long overdue and well deserved.
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