The
History of Marwick
Courtesy of
Baroness Jessa
d’Avondale
1988
March
Members of the proposed Canton began to meet. The as-yet-unnamed canton newsletter appeared monthly. Activities within the canton included dance practice, archery, a choral group, and fighter practices.
Initial members included: Master Christopher Darras, Gravin Eva van Oudeachterkol, Duke Ronald Wilmot, Baron Mitchell MacBain, Baroness Jessa d’Avondale, Lady Reya na Beanntan, Lord Aubrey, Adan & Tara Ann, Lady Andrea MacIntyre, Wystan, and Dennis Krowe.
The first officers were: Seneschale – Reya; Herald – Christopher; Exchequer – Dennis; Knight Marshal – Mitchell; Chronicler and Mistress of Arts– Andrea; Mistress of Sciences – Eva; Captain of Archers – Adan; Chatelaine – Ronald; Historian – Wystan.
Mid-year
In our first few months, when we were trying to decide on the group’s name and heraldic device, Master Christopher Darras was in favor of “Mount Saint Hugh,”, since the saint’s symbol is a swan, and it would be easy to buy swan-shaped items (serving pieces, etc). No one else shared his enthusiasm for the name, and at one of our first meetings we looked through many reference books trying to come up with a name. One suggestion was for something Netherland-ish (low countries, and all) and someone came up with Nethermoer. (Moor – Swamp – see the association?)
This led to inevitable thoughts of E.A. Poe, and Jessa joked, "Well, why just not design a device with a raven on it?" Some people were very keen on that, but a more vocal portion of the group felt that puns were fine, just not puns based on 19th-century authors.
We compiled a long list of possible names: Lindencourt, Baileycourt, Aldencourt, Eidelsburg, Hertzogfeld, Nussex, Saxby, Saxby on the river, Carlsberg, Carleton, Ericsberg, Ericton, Asbjornsstaad, Roseton, Roseberg, Nethermoer, Netherstaad, Westcourt, Marcourt, Marlton, and Marwick.
Everyone in the canton was asked to vote by crossing all the names off the list which they absolutely could not live with. The top remaining names were then drawn from a hat at our August meeting.
September
The now-named canton of Marwick, with its device and zipcode list, was officially recognized by the Barony.
October
Marwick hosted the October Swamp Stomp, which featured a fighter practice, dance practice, gaming, and a feast cooked by the canton’s members.
1989
September
Marwick ran a “Renaissance Festival and demo” at the Lou Henry Hoover Girl Scout Camp.
1990
January