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East Kingdom Foresters Guild

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Photo
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Foresters prepare for Royal Court
Information
Founded: 2012
Status: Active
Heraldry
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Official - vert, a hunting horn and on a chief Or a tyger passant azure

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Introduction

The East Kingdom Royal Foresters Guild is based on the medieval foresters that protected the forests of medieval England and beyond.

Royal Foresters organize themselves into courts named after the forest in which they reside; in The East Kingdom the group is called the East Kingdom Royal Foresters Guild. Regional courts within the Guild are known by the names of their local region/chapter, such as the Court of the Royal Forest of Endewearde.

The Royal Foresters Guild is open to folks who are skilled at, or have an interest in: camping, pavilioning, outdoor living, and survival in a historical fashion as well as journeys over land and by inland waterways in likewise fashion. The Guild promotes research, recreation, education and demonstration of historic outdoor life including historical tools and equipment, methods and techniques for living, camping, traveling, and cooking in the outdoors or wilderness locations. Members of the Guild will portray a period persona of a forester, a noble hunter or huntsman, a poacher, an outlaw, a soldier or scout, a land or river traveler, etc..

New members start in the Guild as a novice and may advance through the rank structure at their own pace by proving their competency at camping and woodland arts and sciences as well as the quality, durability, and historic accuracy of their garb and equipment. Foresters practice a high level of wilderness skill and camping ethics and leave little to no trace. Foresters are sworn to protect the green spaces of the world (or at their Kingdom), to take only what they need from the land, and educate others to do the same. At SCA events and informal forester gatherings, Guildmembers will see to it that all within the encampment are happy and safe and provided for.

Patron Saints

  • St. John Gaulbert - Patron Saint of Foresters.
  • St. Eustace - Patron Saint of Hunters and those facing adversity.
  • St. Hubert - Patron Saint of archers, dogs, forest workers, trappers, hunting, and huntsmen.

History

The Foresters were created by founding member Llwyd Forester in AS 46 and actively began recruiting members in AS 48. Initially the Guild operated under a letter temporary; a document which outlined their future plans and mandate. With six members by the end of their first full season they began to actively engage in period outdoor activities and outdoor cooking at events.

As historical foresters were most often lower class or, at best, extremely low ranking nobility, the Guild emulated a style of dress and culture very different from the majority of the SCA, predominantly wearing Forest- or Lincoln-green in the summer and grey in the winter. This was done for two reasons; first because it is based on historical fact, and second because the type of people typically most attracted to medieval outdoor activities in the forest prefer a simpler working-class style of dress that functions well in the outdoors in all weather.

The majority of the members were drawn from those in the SCA who enjoyed the outdoors. It also began to draw back older members who had left the SCA in the past for one reason or another. By AS 49 the foresters had established themselves in the Shire of Lyndhaven, the Shire of Avonmore, and the Cantons of the Barony of Ruantallan. The foresters patrolled the forests and brought offenders before the Baron and Baroness for judgment and were involved in pitched battles with a feared outlaw known as Asgirr the Giant who was subsequently arrested and brought to face justice. The Pirate War of AS 48-50 saw the foresters outnumbered ten to one by brigands, bandits, outlaws, and buccaneers. Using unconventional tactics, the foresters prevailed against all odds, often using the pirate's spies and planning to their own ends. The pirates were eventually brought to heel and forced to become privateers under the flag of the King and Queen of the East, thus losing their independent status forever.

By the end of AS 49, the foresters were a small force for good in the eastern part of Tir Mara and were known for tending camp fires, assisting people with tents and camp chores, and had a membership that had doubled in size from the previous year. With the interest in the foresters guild growing, a petition for a royal charter was drafted to present before the King and Queen.

The harsh winter of AS 50 presented some adversity for the Foresters and there was still snow on the ground at the first encampments of the season. Their letter of petition reached the King and Queen and so the guild prepared for court later that year after gaining a favorable response. In September of AS 50 King and Queen of the East Omega V and Etheldreda IV granted the foresters with their Royal Charter. The newly created East Kingdom Royal Foresters Guild quickly attracted interest from other parts of the Kingdom, and a great number of new foresters from the Barony of Endewearde were granted a letter temporary to organize themselves into a regional court under the Royal Charter. By October of AS 51, Endewearde had completed all the tasks assigned to it by the Guild and became the first official regional guild under the Foresters Royal Charter. The Endewearde group, known as "The Court of the Royal Forest of Endewearde", reports their activities at the baronial level and to the Guild.

AS 51 saw the Guild begin to accept affiliated members from other kingdoms with the intent of assisting them in forming their own Kingdom Foresters Guilds. With guild membership growing rapidly after several years, more noble huntsman personae were joining the guild, and physical refinements previously unknown to foresters were in abundance. Foresters, who in the early days were forced to meet in the rain under the canopy of trees, now met around warm hearth-fires under canvas covers, or in huge wall tents given for the purpose by noble lords. AS 54 saw a forester Brother Otto Gottlieb raised to the office of Baron of Endewearde and the East Kingdom Foresters Guild was firmly established in the wider culture of the East Kingdom, taking their rightful place as the 'defenders of the dream' for all those within the SCA that dreamed of Robin Hood instead of King Arthur as children.

On the 26th March, AS56, The East Kingdom Foresters Guild revoked the Known World Foresters Guild Constitution. As the only participating Kingdom Guild, the Guild's leadership and the voting members deemed the document inappropriate. While this ran contrary to the vision and wishes of the original founding members, it is in keeping with the SCA, its culture and history.

History of the Wardens of the East Kingdom Royal Foresters Guild

From its inception, the Foresters Guild was guided and shaped by Llwyd Forester Acting Warden, who was then raised to the office of Warden of the East Kingdom in September of AS 50 by the King and Queen of the East Omega V and Etheldreda IV. Not wanting the Foresters to be a "cult of personality" and believing for the guild to prosper, leadership must regularly change, he insisted on stepping down and passing the Charter, Sword of the Forest, and Horn of the Warden to the next Honorable Warden of the East.

At the Woodmoot in May of AS 51, the Second Warden of the East was elected to office. Seamus na Coille Aosda officially became the Honorable Warden of the East Kingdom at the Endewearde Hunt in October of AS 51. The previous Warden, having served his term, took his place among his brothers and sisters once again but as a Grandmaster and advisor.

At the Woodmoot in May of AS 54 the Third Warden of the East was elected to office. Gwillim Kynith officially became the Honorable Warden of the East Kingdom at the Endewearde Hunt Swainmote in October of AS 54. The previous Warden, having served his term, took his place among his brothers and sisters once again but as the second Grandmaster Forester of the East.

At the Woodmoot at Great Northeastern War in July of AS 57, the Forth Warden of the East was elected to officer. Vindiorix Ordovix officially became the Honorable Warden of the East Kingdom at the Endewearde Hunt Swainmote in October AS 57. The previous warden, having served his term, took his place among his brothers and sisters once again but as the forth Grandmaster Forester of the East.

The Wardens Horn

In medieval days the symbol of the Forester and the badge of his office was the Hunting Horn. The medieval equivalent of the mobile phone it allowed men in the forest to stay in constant communication with one another even if they were not in a direct line of sight. The Warden of the East Kingdom Foresters will sound the horn to call members to meetings or to summon them for another purpose.

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Royal Charter

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The Royal charter was penned with oak gall ink on goat skin parchment by our Sister, Juliote de Castlenou d’Arry and reads;

Be it known in the Kingdom of the East, and throughout the Known World,

Whereas the Brothers and Sisters of the Green, having organized into a Guild of Forestry, and by maintaining lawful Forest Courts throughout the land, with the intent, and purpose of protecting the Greenwood, and Royal Forests of their Majesties in the East against all threats, be they flood, fire, or foes; That we, king and queen of the East Kingdom, Omega and Etheldreda Rex et Regina Orientalis, do hereby grant them Royal Charter to keep and do the same.

These Underforesters, Foresters, Master Foresters, and Grandmaster Foresters, most serious, and solemn, shall take upon them an oath; to help, aid, and assist their fellows, to protect the Greenwood, and uphold the Forest Law of the Kingdom of the East, and to abide by the laws, rules, and regulations of their Majesties, the King and Queen of the East, and their successors, their Highnesses the Prince and Princess of the East, together with those of the landed Barons and Baronesses, and all lawful representatives of the Kingdom of the East.

These Foresters shall practice, and promote the skills, and crafts of the Greenwood, and shall make themselves proficient, and in time masters of the woodland arts and sciences, and they shall always use these skills to make encampments safe, and secure for all, and when fire is called upon for light, and heat, that there may be fellowship, and merry making, these Foresters shall attend, and secure the flame, and shall gather the wood for its proper use, and will see the flame safely extinguished upon the conclusion of these festivities.

These Foresters shall make ready, and be practiced in their craft, and preparedness, for any and all forms of adversity, inclemency, or vicissitude that may befall them, and shall come to the aid of others whom may need guidance, hospitality, or shelter within the Greenwood.

To these solemn obligations do we Omega and Etheldreda Rex et Regina Orientalis Charge the Foresters to keep, and uphold here in the Kingdom of the East and wheresoever they may travel.

Guild Rankings

The Foresters structure is broken up into ranks which are acknowledgment of skill and dedication to the group and are not hierarchical. All members are brothers and sisters and are equal regardless of skill. Dedication is more highly prized.

  • Junior Foresters include anyone under the age of 18. They do not need to apply for membership and are accepted by the Warden at events.
  • Forester Friends include family and friends who have not applied for membership.
  • Novice members include applicants whom are new or are just beginning to learn.
  • Sworn Members include members who are fully initiated and who have taken the Foresters Oath to protect the greenwood and to educate others.
  • Underforester is the apprentice level of skill and is the first promotion that is given. The criteria is very straightforward and easily attainable
  • Forester is the journeyman rank which is easy for experienced outdoorsman and can prove tricky for beginners to achieve.
  • Master Forester is a rank earned through excellence in all things but more so by educating others and dedication to the guild
  • Highmaster Forester is not a rank but an acknowledgment of service for those whom have served as the guilds deputy Warden or Deputy Principal Officer either as Warden of the North or South.
  • Grandmaster Forester is not a rank but an acknowledgment of service for those whom have served as the guilds Warden or Principal Officer.
  • Woodward A member of the Order of St. John Gaulbert who has completed an arts and Sciences or Service challenge or a member whom has attained the rank of Master has served as Keeper and Deputy Principal officer for five years or more.
  • Regarder A member of the Order of St. Eustace who has completed a martial challenge in archery, thrown weapons, fencing or heavy combat.
  • Ranger A member of the Order of St. Hubert who has completed an outdoor survival challenge in the wilderness.
  • Warden of the North An assistant to the principal officer who acts in his stead in the Principality of Tir Mara.
  • Warden of the Lakes An assistant to the principal officer who acts in his stead in the American states that make up the East Kingdom.
  • Warden of the East Kingdom The Principal Officer of the Guild for all of the East Kingdom.

Members

The Foresters Guild currently has about 130 members in the east including affiliated applicants from as far away as Australia. In the East Kingdom, Members hail from the mundane areas of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, in Canada and the States of Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Worldwide membership is about 150 with all sister guilds accounted for.


QUESTION: Can I become a member?

ANSWER: Yes; as an SCA Guild, membership is open to anyone who asks to join. If you are interested you can ask any current member for more information and you can message or email the group's Principal Officer. warden@ekfg.eastkingdom.org


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More Information

The East Kingdom Foresters Guild is first and foremost a camping and outdoor living group. We study and teach primitive and medieval outdoor and survival skills. We also engage in travel overland or inland waterways both with medieval equipment and with modern. The mundane hikes and canoe trips are organized by the members and include all ages. The medieval reenactment activities happen at SCA events or are guild organized.

The Guild is administered by a Principal Officer. This officer is called the Warden which is an ancient title for a Forest Law administrator in Medieval England. The Warden is addressed as "Honorable Warden" in guild meetings or Forest Courts and assumes the title of Warden of the Forest or Warden of the East for written communications but does not use these titles during day to day guild business or in general at SCA events and only uses them for special occasions.

The Regional Chapters are administered by a deputy principal officer for that area, and are known as a Keeper or Keeper of the Forest and they are based on their historical counterparts in Medieval England. They are addressed as "Honorable Keeper" at meetings and Forest Courts and may in writing be addressed in full as Keeper of Endewearde Forest (or the forest of their chapter) but like the Warden will not use these titles outside the guild except on rare and special occasions.


For more information on local chapters or starting one in your area

See our official web page. http://ekfg.eastkingdom.org/

Our unofficial web page and blog. https://scaforesters.wordpress.com/

And find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/204654773027118/

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Guilds of the East Kingdom
Society-Wide Guilds: Gilded Pearl, Known World Aviculturists Guild‎, Known World Players, Saint Bavon's Company of Falconry
East Kingdom Royal Guilds: Arachne's Web Lace Guild, East Kingdom Brewers' Guild, East Kingdom Foresters Guild, East Kingdom Blacksmiths Guild, East Kingdom Royal College of Performers, Keepers of Athena's Thimble, Worshipful Company of Narrowworkers, Worshipful Company of Stationers, Guild of the Outstretched Hand
Non-Royal Kingdom Guilds: Company of the Sable Domino, Ffeleshyppe for the Defensioun and Precervacioun of le Urchion, Guild of Saint Luke, Guild of St. Mark, Herbalists' and Apothecaries' Guild, Metalsmiths' Guild, Random Dishrag Bardic Guild, Scherma Nova Studiorum, Soothsayers' Guild, Worshipful Company of Their Majesties Underwear
Local Guilds: Carolingian Calivers, Carolingian Company of Bowmen, Endewearde Brewers' Guild, Gratuitous Lily Guild, Low Company of Gamesters and Gamblers, Malagentian Players, North Tower Infantry, The Smoking Bridge Guild of Libation Brewers
Former Guilds: East Kingdom Cook's Guild