Barony of Dragonsspine
 | |
| Or, four gyrons conjoined at the fess point azure surmounted by a wingless dragon dormant purpure, and in base a laurel wreath vert. | |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Founded: | ? |
| In Kingdom: | Kingdom of the Outlands |
| Baron: | Robert Hunteman |
| Baroness: | Isabeau de Bernac |
| Modern location | |
| Central Colorado | |
Overview
The Barony of Dragonsspine is an SCA branch located in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas. Originally founded as the Incipient Canton of Les Jardin des Dieux in A.S. VIII (1973) as an offshoot of the Barony of Caerthe in the Kingdom of Atenveldt, it soon grew into a Shire and was renamed Dragonsspine. In A.S. X the Shire was granted official status, and it was elevated to a Barony in A.S. XIV under the leadership of Baroness Caitlin Caslean an Bharraigh.
Location and Groups
The Barony covers the Colorado Springs metropolitan area and nearby regions.
Tygre's Keep
[In progress]
Baronage
| Title | Name | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Baroness | Caitlin Caslean an Bharraigh | 5/1978-6/1985 |
| Vicar | Michael the Strange | 7/1983-1/1984 |
| Vicar | Olaf Bjornson | 6/1985-12/1985 |
| Baron | Olaf Bjornson | 12/1985-6/1989 |
| Vicar & Vicaress | Demetrios ho Bibliophilos & Melissa of Winged Hills | 6/1989-10/1989 |
| Baron | Lambert de Sur | 10/1989-9/1991 |
| Crown Barony | 9/1991-10/1983 | |
| Baron & Baroness | Mael Marden & Brilliana de Montreau | 10/1993-9/1997 |
| Baron | Mael Marden | 9/1997-6/1998 |
| Baron & Baroness | Giovanni di Sienna & Cainnleach Uiseir of Glendalough | 6/1998-4/2001 |
| Baron & Baroness | Timothy O'Brien & Catriona nic Aoidh | 4/2001-12/2001 |
| Baron | Timothy O'Brien | 12/2001-8/2003 |
| Baron & Baroness | Eric Edmundsson & Birgitta Andersdotther | 8/2003-10/2005 |
| Baron & Baroness | Lothar vom Bergenwald & Lydia of the Pines | 10/2005-8/2012 |
| Baron & Baroness | Herbert von Kalden & Keterlyn von Eltz | 8/2012-8/2014 |
| Baron & Baroness | Broddi hornabrjótr & Mael Mide Ingen Domnaill | 8/2014-10/2016 |
| Baron & Baroness | Gianni de San Germano & Jeanette Delacroix | 10/2016-1/2019 |
| Baron & Baroness | Seamus MacRae & Angel d'Auvergne | 1/2019-5/2023 |
| Baron & Baroness | Toirrdhealbhach mac Toirrdhealbhaigh mic Aonghusa & Adelaisa Bernois | 5/2023-5/9/2026 |
| Baron & Baroness | Robert Hunteman & Isabeau de Bernac | 5/9/2026-Present |
Baronial Court
[NEEDS UPDATING]
Heraldry
- Blazon: Or, four gyrons conjoined at the fess point azure surmounted by a wingless dragon dormant purpure, and in base a laurel wreath vert.
- The heraldry features a wingless dormant dragon symbolizing vigilance and wisdom, with azure gyrons on a gold field, emphasizing strength and unity. The laurel wreath represents honor and achievement.
History
Early Years and Founding (1973–1978)[1]
The group was founded in 1973 (A.S. VIII) as an incipient shire under the Barony of Caerthe within the Kingdom of Atenveldt. Originally named Les Jardin des Dieux after the Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs, the name was replaced by Dragonsspine after the original submission was returned by the College of Heralds. The name and associated arms were chosen to evoke the Rocky Mountain ridges overlooking the Colorado Springs region.
In 1975 (A.S. X), the Society Steward officially granted full shire status to Dragonsspine, with boundaries encompassing the southeastern region of Colorado. In May 1977 (A.S. XII), the group became part of the newly formed Principality of the Outlands within Atenveldt.
In May 1978 (A.S. XIV), Dragonsspine was elevated to full baronial status. Caitlin Caslean an Bharraigh was installed as the founding Baroness. During her tenure, she established the barony's first merit awards:
- Gentle Dragon (courtesy)
- Scales of Dragonsspine (service)
- Dragon's Blood (arts and sciences)
Under Baroness Caitlin, the Barony of Dragonsspine also supported the growth of the Shire of Aarquelle, centered around Pueblo County, which eventually achieved independent shire status.
Expansion and Transition to Kingdom Status (1978–1989)
Following Baroness Caitlin's relocation and subsequent departure, Olaf Bjornson served as Vicar starting in June 1985 before being invested as the second Baron of Dragonsspine in December 1985 (A.S. XX). His tenure coincided with the Outlands transitioning from a principality to an independent kingdom. During his reign, Olaf instituted the Dragon's Claw award for combat excellence.
In 1989 (A.S. XXIV), governance temporarily passed to Vicars Demetrios ho Bibliophilos and Melissa of Winged Hills, who served until October of that year when Lambert de Sur was invested. Lambert established the Dragon's Spawn award to recognize youth contributions.
Crown Barony Period (1991–1993)
Following administrative challenges, population growth, and internal disputes, Baron Lambert stepped down in late 1991 (A.S. XXVI). To restore stability to the group, King Irel and Queen Tess placed Dragonsspine directly under the administration of the Sovereign, making it the first Crown Barony in the Kingdom of the Outlands.
The barony remained under the direct rule of successive Outlands Monarchs for two years while local administration reorganized. During this period, King Leif II and Queen Elisheva established the Dragon's Grace (originally the Dragon's Barb) to recognize achievement in rapier fencing.
Restoration, Succession, and Expansion (1993–1998)
In October 1993 (A.S. XXVIII), full local baronial governance was restored with the investiture of Mael Marden and Brilliana de Montreau as Baron and Baroness. Their joint tenure focused on organizational restructuring, guild formation, and expanding local martial and artisan traditions.
Brilliana stepped down in the summer of 1995 (A.S. XXX), leaving Mael to rule as sole Baron for three years. During his continued tenure, the barony maintained an emphasis on heavy combat, rapier, archery, and liberal arts such as dancing, cooking, sewing, and calligraphy.
In June 1998 (A.S. XXXIII), Mael stepped down and passed the baronial Coronets to Giovanni di Sienna and Cainnleach Uiseir of Glendalough. During their administration, they:
- Created The Baron's Chalice of Merit to recognize personal service to the Baron.
- Created The Baroness' Degree of Excellence to recognize personal service to the Baroness.
- Rechartered the baronial archery award to grant it equal precedence with the Dragon's Grace (rapier) and the Dragon's Claw (heavy combat).
Dark Ages (1998-Present)
Little is known from 1998-2026 due to lacking documentation.
The Meiassis Dragon
The title Meiassis Dragon, used for the Barony of Dragonsspine’s newsletter, is a deliberate phonetic play on the colloquial phrase ‘my ass is draggin’. The name originated during the group’s tenure as a Shire and served as a lighthearted, self-referential nod to intermittent delays in publication.