Calontir Legends 1 - Stephen Ironhand
Post 1 - HE Master Stephen Ironhand, Founding Baron of Three Rivers
Stephen's journey in the SCA began in the Spring of 1975 (AS X) when he moved to St. Louis, MO from Tennessee. In St Louis, Stephen met others shared his interest in Medieval things, and on July 3 AS X, the Shire of Three Rivers was recognized as an official chapter of the SCA. Stephen was the Founding Seneschal of Three Rivers. Stepehn was awarded arms on January 31, 1976. He was one of the first three citizens of the Great Western Steppes (an ancient name for the lands that would one day be Calontir) to receive this recognition from the King of the Middle Kingdom.
Stephen Ironhand was one of the five seneschals of the Western Steppes SCA chapters who travelled to the Shire of Nordskogen on May 29 XII to petition King Finvarr to recognize the Middle Kingdom lands west of the Missippi as a region named Calontir. The petition was granted and Calontir was officially born. On Novemnber 19 of that year, the Shire of Forgotten Sea celebrated their first anniversary. At the event, the officers of the Calontir groups met to decide the future of the region. Baron Stephen nominated Geoffri of Warriene to be Bailiff of Calontir. Geoffri in turn nominated Stephen. Stephen campaigned for Geoffri and Geoffri campaigned for Stephen. In the end, Geoffri was chosen to be Bailiff.
When the Calon Council, the region's officers, were appointed and the first Calontir awards were given, Stephen Ironhand was made one of the first Companions to Order of the Iren-Fyrd. On May 28 AS XIII, Midrealm Crown Tournament was hosted in the Shire of Three Rivers. During the court of Their Majesties Moonwulf and Zarina, Three Rivers was made a barony, with Stephen Ironhand and Arwyn Antaradi as Founding Baron and Baroness.
Stephem;s service to Three Rivers and to the growing region of Calontir did not go unnoticed by the Midrealm Royals. On April 7, AS XIII, Stephen was called before the Throne of the Middle Kingdom and made a Companion to Order of the Dragon's Heart. Nor was Stephen's service forgotten by his Calontir kinsmen. On the final day when a Warlord led the people of Calontir (September 26. AS XVI), Stephen was awarded the Cross of Calontir. He was the fourth person to receive this honor.
Though Stephen Ironhand's service was recognized in both Calontir and the Middle Kingdom, he was also known for his scribal arts. He was awarded the Order of the Willow by the Middle Crown on July 12, AS XV. November 7 AS XVI gave Calontir its second Companion to the Order of the Laurel, when the King of the Middle made Baron Stephen for his excellence in the Scribal Arts.
Stephen continued to work and serve as Baron through Calontir's time as a Principality. Such was his service that on February 26 of AS XVII, Middle Queen Eislinn the Patient (on whom be peace) bestowed upon him the Queen's Favor. Calontir continued to grow and became a Kingdom on that cold day of February AS XVII, and Stephen continued to serve. King William and Queen Mammara, third Calontir Crown, inducted Baron Stephen into the Order of the Pelican on May 26 AS XX.
The weight of a Baronial Coronet is heavy, and Stephen had born it longer than anyone in those early days of the Kingdom of Calontir. After twelve years as Baron of Three Rivers, Stephen traded the gold coronet of a Territorial Baron for the silver one of a Court Baron. Stephen saw Calontir through from its earliest days through Region and Principality and watched us grow into a thriving Kingdom. While we saw Baron Stephen travel less after stepping down as Baron, we could always find him at events in Three Rivers. Recently, Stephen departed Calontir to reside in Caid, near his family. While we will miss him at home, we owe much of what Calontir is to Baron Stephen Ironhand, a true legend of Calontir!
EDIT/ADDENDUM - While Stephen Ironhand was renowned for his artistry and his service, he was perhaps, best known for singing to the those who were celebrating birthdays. Such was the fame of his >ahem< voice, that a choir of Royal Peers and Baronages would sing to birthday boys, girls, and enbis as the Brass Hat Commando Choir when Stephen was not present. I speculate that the musical key of army may have originated with Baron Stephen - Uncle Stevie.