Chronicles of the Realm of Perfidious Albion
by Sir Arni Grimsson

Illuminated title page of Chronicles
Illuminated first page of Chronicles

Lady Albions and Lord Albions in the history of the Realm
Knights of the Realm
The Populace of Albion (a guide to names and characters)

Year One, Year Two, Year Three, Year Four, Year Five, Year Six, Year Seven, Year Eight, Year Nine, Year Ten, Year Eleven, Year Twelve, Year Thirteen, Year Fourteen, Year Fifteen, Year Sixteen, Year Seventeen, Year Eighteen, Year Nineteen

How the Realm began
There was a knight, called Sir Gunnar Tormundson, who travelled to this land from his home in the Northern Fyrd. He spoke to the lady Anne Colet of Carshalton about how he missed his homeland, and the comradeship of his brother knights.
Lady Anne had another friend, the lady Morwena, who was known as AlHamra'a. She spoke to the lady Anne of her longing for her homeland, Calontir, and its music.
The wise lady Anne called these two together and said to them, "You both tell me of the glories of the lands you have left, and both sound good. You should make a new Realm here, so that all the people can share it."
And so it came to pass that Sir Gunnar and the lady AlHamra'a gathered together many Gentles and said to them. "We shall make a Realm here, and there shall be Feasting, and Fighting, and Music and Arts and all that is good within it." And there was much rejoicing.
And the people said "What shall this Realm be called?" And noone knew, until Atli Afstordalur said "Perfidious Albion", and so it was.

Year One
Morwena AlHamra'a was the first Lady Albion.
Sir Gunnar took Atli Afstordalur as his squire. A tournament was held to find the one who would replace Gunnar as Albion's champion. Atli Afstordalur won this.
Atli Afstordalur and Aethelwulf were knighted at the Castle of Craigmillar and Sir Gunnar took Stephan Lochagos as his squire.
Aethelwulf made a Great Feast and invited all Gentles of the Realm to attend. He was awarded the Order of the White Sparrow in recognition of the magnitude of his labours.
A dread phrase "hey nonny nonny" infested the Realm. Noone knew from whence it came, but all agreed that it was a Bad and Pernicious Thing, and the speaking of it was banned within the borders of Albion.
Andrew Montgomerie first saw the lady Anne Colet and asked her to accept his love, but the lady refused him.
Gentles celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas by travelling the Realm and carolling mightily. At Twelfth Night, Gentles of the Realm made a long and arduous journey through terrible weather to visit the Shire of Flintheath.
The lady Adele de Sevingne won the admiration of many when she learned the knightly arts in secret in order to win back a favour which she had given to her beloved and which he had carelessly lost in combat.

Year Two
Gruffydd ap Sion ap Dewi ap Morgan ap Owain ap Aneirin ap Aneirin ap Morgan ap Llewellyn ap Flossie was the Lord Albion.
The Order of the Scarlet Wyrm was formed. Sir Gunnar, the Master at Arms to the Realm was made Head of the Order.
Asa Thorfastsdottir and Adele de Sevingne were the first in the Realm to receive the Order of the Golden Spydere for their skill in the Gentle Arts.
Sir Aethelwulf laboured mightily to make a Banner which was called Nidhoggr, but known as Pouncer, for the Combatants of the Realm. This Banner was presented to the Master at Arms at Court. Sir Alastair knighted Stephan Lochagos and declared him to be Standard Bearer. Sir Aethelwulf was afterwards known as Draca.
The Order of the White Sparrow was written into the Charter of the Realm. This was the first Great Order. Sir Aethelwulf was its Senior Member. Stephan Locagos, Anne Colet and Morwena AlHamra'a were made members of the Order.
It came to pass that in this year, that Gentles fell into an argument. There were those who said that Authenticity was a Good Thing, and that all the Gentles of the Realm should be Authentic, and there were those who said that Authenticity was a Bad Thing and that all the Gentles of the Realm should be inauthentic. And there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth. Eventually, it was agreed that authenticity was Not A Bad Thing, and that Gentles could be authentic if they wished.
The One True Faith was unified in the Realm.
Jarl Guthrum of Galveg was made the first member of the Order of the Black Bear, an award for Gentles outside the Realm who nonetheless gave much to it.
Sir Aethelwulf Draca made a great Feast and soon after this he departed for a Southern Realm.
A tournament of Games was held to find Albion's Champion. There was horseback combat, archery, bowls and a game of Dolorous Lord and Lady.
The Feast of St. Nicholas was once again celebrated by much carolling, but this was not to the liking of the Citie Sheriffs, who asked the Good Gentles to cease in their singing and leave. This was not because Sir Gunnar was singing, to the amazement of All.
Gruffyd, Stephan Locagos, Mistress Caitlin and Walter de Hep attempted to visit Sir Aethelwulf Draca in his new home, but their wagon was damaged on the Road and they were forced to return to Albion.

Year Three
Gruffydd ap Sion ap Dewi ap Morgan ap Owain ap Aneirin ap Aneirin ap Morgan ap Llewellyn ap Flossie was the Lord Albion, but he tired of the Realm, and departed from it. Mistress Caitlin de Courcey became the Lady Albion after his departure.
Albion was awarded the title of Defender of the One True Faith.Sir Alastair Saunders took on Sir Gunnar's role as Master at Arms to the Realm. Albion's first progress took place.
Castles were awarded to all the knights of the Realm.
In this Year, the Dirleton Pavanne was first danced in the Realm.
Sir Alastair and Sir Andrew duelled in poetry for the honour of Albion's ladies in waiting, Alyce the Mad and Morwena ouch Owain.
The oath of the Chivalry was sworn for the first time.
Sir Andrew took Gruffydd ap Sion ap Dewi ap Morgan ap Owain ap Aneirin ap Aneirin ap Morgan ap Llewellyn ap Flossie to be his Squire. Sir Andrew swore fealty to Gruffydd as Albion, and Gruffydd swore fealty to Sir Andrew as his squire.
This was a Good Year.

Year Four
Morwena ouch Owain, a lady Of Young and Tender Years, was the Lady Albion. She became ill towards the end of the Year and appointed Alys the Mad to be Regent in her stead.
Sir Eadric visited the Realm, and was generous in his sharing of skills and hospitality. He was admitted to the Order of the Black Bear.
The Order of the Whyte Sparrow was partitioned into two types, The Whyte Sparrow (Mort) for services to the Realm above and beyond the call of Reason, and the Whyte Sparrow (ordinary) for long and steadfast service.
A masked Masque was held in the Realm. This was the first year in which Gentles took the Oath of the Green for the month of May.
Lady Albion being reminded once too often that she was Of Young and Tender Years, declared this phrase to be a Dread Phrase and the speaking of it to be outlawed in the Realm.

Year Five
Alis the Mad was the Lady Albion.
Mistress Caitlin de Courcey, Dance Mistress of the Realm was married to Otto von Gratz of Harpelstane.
Sir Gunnar was married to Ragnhild Askilsdottir of Galveg, the niece of Jarl Guthrum of Galveg of the Order of the Black Bear. Sir Gunnar held a great feast at Gunnarstead to celebrate the marriage and Gentles from many lands travelled to it. Sir Gunnar then lived at Ragnhild's estate in the South for half a year.

Year Six
Sidric Sidricsdottir was Lady Albion.
Lady Anne Colet asked Sir Andrew to be her champion, declaring that she found him a good and worthy knight, although she still did not accept his love.
Sir Bonifacius and Lady Moddan arrived bringing greetings from a Western Realm. Lady Albion sent Sir Bonifacius on a quest for the mystical "schtik" and he brought great quantities of it to the Court along with wode covered tribespeople and whale blubber. A young warrior stained the Lady Albion's underdress with wode in the course of the various diplomatic exchanges.
Sir Gunnar and the Lady Ragnhild returned to the Realm of Albion from Ragnhild's estate.
There was almost War with Frankia, but the ladies Ragnhild and Modan travelled to that far land and told of Albion's joy and harmony to all the ladies there. The ladies agreed that our two Realms should live in peace, and locked their lords out of all the castles and asked that they should endorse this Peace. The mighty warriors of both sides soon decided that their differences could be settled in a tourney rather than in battle, and their ladies welcomed them home.
Lady Albion vanished from the Realm and Sergeant Padraig de Courcey was chosen to seek for her, even unto The World's End. He stopped at every inn on his way and enquired after her most diligently, but she could not be found.
The Knights of the Order of the Scarlet Wyrm assumed power with great reluctance so as to maintain stability in the Realm. They promised that free and fair elections would be held as soon as conditions permitted.
Sir Andrew Montgomerie held a great Feast at his castle of BlackNess. Lady Anne Colet consented to be his wife at last.
Vigdis Gunnarsdottir was born in the summer on the Feast Day of Saint Dominica.
Lady Catherine of Bewley was safely delivered of a son, Struan in the Autumn.
Sir Gunnar took Gwyn ap Hywel as his squire. Thomas ap Owain was knighted.

Year Seven
Brisena de Leon was Lady Albion.
Arnferth of Streanaeshalch presented a new calendar for the Realm. Henceforth, each Year began at Full Court, rather than at the end of the summer. This was called the Leonese Calendar in honour of the Lady Albion. Year Seven was thus the longest Year of the Realm.
The Dread Phrase "It's been a good year" was proscribed.
Sir Andrew Montgomerie and Lady Anne Colet were married, and there was much dancing.
Sir Gunnar took Corwyn of Ambrose as his squire.

Year Eight (Leonese Calendar)
Julian Percy was the Lady Albion.
In this year was a bitter cold winter, and Gentles suffered much from it, particularly Arinbjorn Skeggison, whose water supply froze completely. Sir Alastair and Lady Magdelene suffered a great icicle which grew on the wall of their homestead and was very large.
Sir Andrew took Sir Gunnar's stepson, Arni Grimson, to be his squire.
Ashild Gunnarsdottir was born at midwinter on the Feast day of Saint Marcellus.
Lady Magdelene Saunders was awarded the Order of the Whyte Sparrow for her services to cookery in the Realm while heavy with child. Corwyn baked bread and butchered many rabbits in the cause of Feasting at the Lady Albion's request.
Mistress Caitlin de Courcey departed from the Realm, and Kyril Levski ot Troyan became Head of the Order of the Golden Spydere in her place.
Corwyn of Ambrose was Knighted by Sir Gunnar and also awarded the Order of the Golden Spydere for his bardic talents.

Year Nine (Draconian Calendar)
Mark of Norwich was Lord Albion.
In this year there was much politics.
A second new calendar was proposed for the Realm, in that Full Court was moved from November to March, making year nine the shortest year of the Realm. This new calendar was called the Draconian calendar since Aethelwulf Draca caused it to be. Sir Alastair assured the Council that the Order of the Scarlet Wyrm would be happy to support any Draconian measures which were called for.
Cassandra was made a member of the Order of the Scarlet Wyrm.
Ymma was awarded the Order of the Golden Spydere for her skill at dancing.
Sir Corwyn of Ambrose was given the Order of the Whyte Sparrow (mort) for services to the Realm above and beyond the call of sanity, in that he remained at his post as Minister of Arts and Sciences in spite of the aforesaid politics and also provided Diurse Entertainments for the Gentles of the Realm.
At the Feast of the Pheasant there was much spectacle. The dragon appeared, and Vigdis Gunnarsdottir rode on the back of an elephant (which some say was Sir Gunnar wearing a cunning disguise). Sir Corwyn spoke to Sir Gunnar's father, Tormund Gunnarsson, to make an offer for the lady Fion Tormundsdottir.

Year Ten (Draconian Calendar)
Eleanor of Deer was Lady Albion.
Sir Andrew and Lady Anne Montgomerie invited Gentles to a picnic at their Castle of BlackNess. Unfortunately on the very day of the picnic the Lady Anne suffered from a curious affliction of bells and ribbons which necessitated much questing for a cure.
The lady Ymma was safely delivered of a son, Gregory.
A picnic was held at the Castle of Craigmillar and was attended by many Gentles.
A great Feast was held in the Winter Time, and many of the Chivalry swore an oath to travel to the Holy South Lands and even unto the World's End in the name of the One True Faith. Hrothgar Bertramsson, Goatfriend, of Caer Caledon and his entourage attended this Feast in earnest of the end of the Blood Feud between the two Realms, which was concluded save only for Sir Aethelwulf's settlement. A guard was placed on Hrothgar so as to ensure the Peace of the Realm and the Security of its Herds and Flocks. The Ladies of Albion formed a Court of Love and judged Padraig of Harpelstane worthy of its highest honour, and David of Epsom as unworthy on many counts.
Sir Gunnar took Rhodri of Flint as his Squire. Sir Corwyn took Ieuan ap Arthur ap Ardur as his Squire.
Sir Andrew Montgomerie knighted Arni Grimsson.
A second great Feast was held in the Spring time, and Sir Gunnar and Sir Corwyn delighted Gentles with their wonderous tales. Ymma and Horatio Dalrymple played music and sang in most excellent ways.
Sir Arni took Bard Eriksson as his squire.
Cassandra, Mark of Norwich and Matilda de Borg were admitted to the Order of the Whyte Sparrow for their many and diurse services to the Realm.

Year Eleven (Draconian Calendar)
Sir Hrolf Arnorsson was Lord Albion.
At midwinter a Feast was held to celebrate the tenth anniversarie of the Realm of Albion. Many who had left the Realm returned to it, and there was much musik and telling of tales.
Sir Gunnar's squire, Rhodri of Flint was admitted to membership of the Order of the Whyte Sparrow (Ordinary) and the Order of the Scarlet Wyrm.

Ragnhild took Aldis Jorundsdottir into her household as a foster daughter, and there was much rejoicing, especially by Vigdis and Ashild.

Year Twelve (Draconian Calendar)
Devorgilla was Lady Albion.
Lady Ymma gave a Feast in honour of the hero Beowulf and there was much overacting as parts of his story were told by Sir Corwyn (Beowulf), Sir Alexander (Grendal), Lady Ragnhild (Grendal's Mother) and Arinbjorn (Hrothgar). A riddle game was played at the feast.
The Byzantine Ambassadors, Halfdan the Brown, Anna and Niceatas gave a Feast in the Spring
Rhodri of Flint was knighted by Sir Gunnar.
Sir Hrolf and Fion Tormundsdottir were betrothed.
Eleanor and Aldis Jorundsdottir were admitted into the Order of the Whyte Sparrow.
Siobragh was admitted into the Order of the Golden Spydere in recognition of her skills in the arts of calligraphy and woodcutting.
At the Winter Feast in the same year Sir Arni took Leif Haraldson and Guinever as his squires.

Year Thirteen (Draconian Calendar)
Sir Alastair Saunders was Lord Albion.
Lady Ragnhild made a great Feast in the Spring and the Gunnarsdottirs led a troop of players in performing a story from the life of King Arthur.
Aldis Jorundsdottir made a great Feast in the Winter and my Lord Hugh recounted the tale of his victory in a great battle against a cunning and valiant foe which was a rabbit. Sir Rhodri took John as his squire. Lady Ragnhild took James as her squire.

Year Fourteen (Draconian Calendar)
Hugh was the Lord Albion.
The lady Ymma was safely delivered of a daughter, Stella

Year Fifteen (Draconian Calendar)
Tracey was Lady Albion.
In this year was some confusion over the calendar, due to changes in date systems and methods of counting, and also due to the Scribe of the Realm being easily confused. It was therefore decreed that this was Year Fifteen of the Realm and that Year Sixteen would commence at the next great Council election hereafter.
A Feast was held at St Valentine's Eve. Three ladies of the Realm were asked questions by James in a quest to find a true love for himself. He chose the lady Aldis, who said he must bring her a bearskin made into a cushion before she would enter into an engagement with him. Lady Albion said that James should be executed for failing to choose her, but it was pointed out that his weregild would be expensive.
Lady Ragnhild and Sir Gunnar gave a great feast near the end of the year to celebrate ten years since their marriage. There was much dancing and quaffing and the telling of stories. A dancing bear was pursued by the children of the Realm and it was mightily relieved when Members of the Order of the Scarlet Wyrm saved it from further suffering by slaying it and taking its fur. Aldis still refused to enter into an engagement with James because Sir Rhodri, not he, had slain the bear.
Sir Alastair took Damian as his squire.

Year Sixteen (Draconian Calendar)
James was Lord Albion
There was a feast held in the Spring at which Lord Albion provided mead for all, and was presented with a rabbit in exchange. Lady Ragnhild took Megan and Daniel as her squires. There were plays concerning the Life of Thor and the deaths of Judas Escariot and a Whyte Sparrow.
Lady Ymma resigned as Head of the Order of the Whyte Sparrow and was replaced in that office by Aldis Jorundsdottir.

Year Seventeen (Draconian Calendar)
Lady Ragnhild Askillsdottir was Lady Albion
There was a feast held in the Winter at which the ladies Anjylle and Elizabeth entertained the populace with their singing and Sir Alastair recounted the Feat of Sir Bohort. And there was juggling.
In the Spring, Lady Albion commanded another great Feast and there was singing and juggling and much excellent food for all. Joseph, David and Anjylle were admitted to the Order of the Scarlet Wyrm for their diligence and skill in combat, David was admitted to the Order of the Whyte Sparrow for his steadfast work for the good of the Realm. Joseph was awarded the Order of the Golden Spydere for his juggling and Anjylle was awarded the same for her skill in singing.
Lady Albion took Sir Alastair Saunders as her personal Champion, so that she was Champion of Albion and he was Albion's Champion.

Year Eighteen (Draconian Calendar)
Lady Magdelene Saunders was Lady Albion
In the summer there was a picnic held at Sir Alastair's castle at Dirleton. The handkerchief game was played, and a game of cards graciously provided by Mistress Lena. There was also speculation as to the contents of Master Christopher's hose.
In Winter, Gentles journeyed to Gunnarstead to join Sir Gunnar and his household in a feast, and there was much food and poetry and music and juggling and cloven fruit. Master David's Whyte Sparrow award was upgraded to a Whyte Sparrow (mort) on the grounds of his services to cookery above and beyond the call of sanity.

Year Nineteen (Draconian Calendar)
Gary was the Lord Albion
In this year did the Gentles of the Realm battle with the demon called Eusar and after a long and terrible struggle its evil was eventually defeated and there was much rejoicing.
In the Winter there was a feast at which the story of the hero Beowulf was told to all. And there was much acting. And the Dragon was declared to be cute.
In the Spring there was a feast of courtly love and there was much dancing (though not all of it was in the right direction). Also in the Spring, our noble leader Gary led the horde of Albion out to battle on the fields of Jorvik and though they were few in number many a tale was told later of their gallantry.
In May the Gentles of the Realm gathered at Sir Alastair's castle of Dirleton for a picnic and there was much eating of cheese and much throwing of radishes.

Year Twenty (Draconian Calendar)
Jenny was the Lady Albion
Mistress Amy cooked a feast in the winter, and there was some reading of Chaucer, much singing and also much dancing.
Gary (and lady Elisabeth, in absentia) were awarded The Order of the Whyte Sparrow, and James was awarded The Order of the Scarlet Wyrm.

newsletter contents page

Illuminated title page of Chronicles
Illuminated first page of Chronicles

Lady Albions and Lord Albions in the history of the Realm
Knights of the Realm
The Populace of Albion (a guide to names and characters)