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{{Populace|photo = [[File: | {{Populace|photo = [[File:Wiki pic 001a.png|300px]]| photocaption = Beorn at Queen Marisa's Festival of the Rose, 2016 | title = Baron| pronouns = he/him | location = [[Gyldenholt]] | status = Active | device = [[File:Device_4.1.png|300px]] | devicecaption = Per bend sinister embattled grady gules and argent, a lyre and a dolphin urinant counterchanged, within a double-tressure sable}} | ||
Baron Beorn of the Northern Sea is a simple friendly | Baron Beorn of the Northern Sea, OL, is a simple friendly everyday fighting bard of indeterminate mass. He was invited to join the Order of the Laurel at Caid's Spring Crown Tourney, A.S. LI (51) by TRM [[Conrad III and A'isha II]]. He was elevated to the Laurel by [[Ozmund and Marisa]] at [[Festival of the Rose]], 2016. | ||
== Persona History == | == Persona History == | ||
Baron Beorn of the Northern Sea, known at various times as Giuseppe Lorenzo Domenico Angelo de Medici, Brother Johannes, and Ito Nobunaga was born in 1270 of the common reckoning. His mother, a dark impish maiden with a golden voice, had fallen for a Norse adventurer and their forbidden tryst led to fleeing the Kingdom of Dublin. Traveling the North Sea in summer, as her birthing time approached, they landed at the Shetland monastery on Lerwick. She was both very close to her time, and very ill. Beorn's father said he would go to fetch help from his family in Norway. | Baron Beorn of the Northern Sea, known at various times as Giuseppe Lorenzo Domenico Angelo de Medici, Brother Johannes, Marcus Veridius Commodus Maximus, and Ito Nobunaga was born in 1270 of the common reckoning. His mother, a dark impish maiden with a golden voice, had fallen for a Norse adventurer and their forbidden tryst led to fleeing the Kingdom of Dublin. Traveling the North Sea in summer, as her birthing time approached, they landed at the Shetland monastery on Lunnasting (though some say Lerwick). She was both very close to her time, and very ill. Beorn's father said he would go to fetch help from his family in Norway. | ||
He never returned... | He never returned... | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
After settling in Meridies, Beorn, now a bard of some renown, apprenticed to the great Mistress Vashti. In his heady moments he then eloped with a minor lady from the Danish Kingdoms (apparently against the wishes of everyone, family and friend) and fled to Caid. Immediately after having a daughter, he was kidnapped by a merchant raider bound for the Orient. It was there Beorn's great size and strength was again put to the test, as he was sold to a wrestler's stable and he fought for the entertainment of the crowds for seven years, before escaping and making the long trek back to Caid. | After settling in Meridies, Beorn, now a bard of some renown, apprenticed to the great Mistress Vashti. In his heady moments he then eloped with a minor lady from the Danish Kingdoms (apparently against the wishes of everyone, family and friend) and fled to Caid. Immediately after having a daughter, he was kidnapped by a merchant raider bound for the Orient. It was there Beorn's great size and strength was again put to the test, as he was sold to a wrestler's stable and he fought for the entertainment of the crowds for seven years, before escaping and making the long trek back to Caid. | ||
Upon his return, he had been given up for dead, his lady remarried, and all his lands were seized in oath-price for the illegal elopement. He was battered, scarred, and unlanded... But, he was not broken. He seeks to reclaim his lands, his honor, and serve the kingdom as best he may. | Upon his return, he had been given up for dead, his lady remarried, and all his lands were seized in oath-price for the illegal elopement. He was battered, scarred, and unlanded... But, he was not broken. He seeks to reclaim his lands, his honor, and serve the kingdom as best he may. To those ends, he was made a Peer of the Realm for his teaching, cooking, and performance. | ||
Currently, Beorn is once again enjoying his time on the heavy and rapier fields, and, most happily became engaged to THL [[Avicia de Na Baiona]]. | |||
== Offices & Positions == | == Offices & Positions == | ||
*A&S Officer, Shire of Hammerhold, Meridies (now Gleann Abhann) 1990-1991 | *A&S Officer, Shire of Hammerhold, Meridies (now Gleann Abhann) 1990-1991 | ||
*Ollamph Bard, College of Bards, Meridies, 1992 to present (Emeritus status) | *Ollamph Bard and Lorekeeper, College of Bards, Meridies, 1992 to present (Emeritus status) | ||
*26th Bard of Meridies | |||
*10th and 13th Poet Laureate of Meridies | |||
*Member, Queen's Guard, Stephen III and Jacqueline III, Meridies, 1995-1996 | *Member, Queen's Guard, Stephen III and Jacqueline III, Meridies, 1995-1996 | ||
*Member, Queen's Guard, Gareth II and Rhiannon, Meridies, 1996-1997 | *Member, Queen's Guard, Gareth II and Rhiannon, Meridies, 1996-1997 | ||
| Line 26: | Line 30: | ||
*(Deputy) Earl Marshal for Rapier, Meridies, 1996-1998 | *(Deputy) Earl Marshal for Rapier, Meridies, 1996-1998 | ||
*Marshal, [[Gallavally|Canton of Gallavally]] (past) | *Marshal, [[Gallavally|Canton of Gallavally]] (past) | ||
*Member, Queen's Guard (and personal opera singer), [[Tomüki II and Luciana]] | |||
*Member, Queen's Guard, [[Ivan V and Ciar Lasse]] | *Member, Queen's Guard, [[Ivan V and Ciar Lasse]] | ||
*Member, Queen's Guard, [[Edric III and Catalina]] | *Member, Queen's Guard, [[Edric III and Catalina]] | ||
| Line 31: | Line 36: | ||
*Member, Queen's Guard, [[Sven and Kolfinna]] | *Member, Queen's Guard, [[Sven and Kolfinna]] | ||
*Member, Queen's Guard, [[Edric IV and Faizah]] | *Member, Queen's Guard, [[Edric IV and Faizah]] | ||
*Bard of Gyldenholt, [[Gyldenholt Anniversary]] 2014-2018 | |||
*Member, Queen's Court, [[Mansur II and Eilidh II]] | |||
*Advisor, Royal Court, [[Agrippa II and Bridget II]] | |||
*Golden Rose herald, [[Alexander and Tahira]] | |||
*Drop dead Golden Rose herald [[Valrik and Drada]] | |||
*Deputy Kingdom of Caid [[Chronicler]], 2021 to 2023 | |||
*Advisor, Royal Court, [[Optimus and Issa]] | |||
*[[Chronicler]], Kingdom of Caid, 2023 to present | |||
==Event Staff== | ==Event Staff== | ||
* | *Breakfast Steward, Kingdom A&S, Meridies, 1998 | ||
*Autocrat: [[Gallavally Anniversary 2000]] | *Autocrat: [[Gallavally Anniversary 2000]] | ||
*Hall Steward: [[Coronation Summer 2000]] | |||
*Autocrat: [[Gallavally Anniversary 2001]] | *Autocrat: [[Gallavally Anniversary 2001]] | ||
*Feast Steward: [[Dreiburgen Yule 2001]] | *Feast Steward: [[Dreiburgen Yule 2001]] | ||
*Rapier Marshal: [[Gallavally Anniversary 2002]] | |||
*Feast Steward: [[Summer Coronation 2017]] | |||
*Dessert Steward: [[Winter Coronation/12th Night 2024]] | |||
==Associations== | ==Associations== | ||
*Apprentice to Her Excellency Mistress Sarita Vashti Al Coya, Gleann Abhann | *Consort to [[Avicia de Na Baiona]] | ||
*Head of the SCA Household Biarnarstaðir | |||
*Former Senior Apprentice to Her Excellency Mistress Sarita Vashti Al Coya, Gleann Abhann | |||
*Squire to His Grace Duke John the Bearkiller, OP, Gleann Abhann | *Squire to His Grace Duke John the Bearkiller, OP, Gleann Abhann | ||
*A | *A Full Member of Clan Gambit, Glean Abhann | ||
*Scholar of Fence, Caid Rapier Open Tournament, [[Darach]] 1998 | *Member of Inter-Kingdom Brewing Guild, "The Knaves of Grain" | ||
*Member of [[ | *Free Scholar of Fence, Caid Rapier Open Tournament, [[Darach]] 1998 | ||
*Member of [[ | *Member of the Caidan [[Circle of Bards]] | ||
*Member of the Caidan [[College of Heralds]] (Macer Extraordinaire) 2000 | |||
*A Founding Member of [[The Island of Rhodes]] | *A Founding Member of [[The Island of Rhodes]] | ||
*Former member of [[Fifth Brigade]] | |||
*Contributor to the Caidan [[Crown Poems]] publication | |||
*Member of the [[Upper Crust]] | |||
*Member of the Caidan [[College of Heralds]] (Pursuivant Extraordinaire) 2022 | |||
==Classes Taught== | ==Classes Taught== | ||
*How to Write an Award Letter Recommendation, several times from 1993 to | *How to Write an Award Letter Recommendation, several times from 1991 to present | ||
*Fleshing Out Your Persona (or- "How to stop being 'Jack the Samurai'!"), several times from 1993 to 2021 | |||
*How to Transcribe Gregorian Chant, 1994, 1996 | *How to Transcribe Gregorian Chant, 1994, 1996 | ||
*A Brief History of Music of the Middle Ages, 1995, 1997 | *A Brief History of Music of the Middle Ages, 1995, 1997 | ||
| Line 56: | Line 81: | ||
*Period Vocal Performance Practice for the Singer, [[Collegium Caidis Fall 2000]], [[Gallavally]] | *Period Vocal Performance Practice for the Singer, [[Collegium Caidis Fall 2000]], [[Gallavally]] | ||
*Vocal Master Class, [[Collegium Caidis Fall 2001]], [[College of Fenwood Knoll]] | *Vocal Master Class, [[Collegium Caidis Fall 2001]], [[College of Fenwood Knoll]] | ||
*Co-Instructor with Duke [[Dietrich von Vogelsang]], "A History of The Minnesingers", | *Co-Instructor with Duke [[Dietrich von Vogelsang]], "A Short History of The Minnesingers", [[Collegium Caidis Fall 2006]], [[Dreiburgen]] | ||
*Vocal Technique for the Herald, [[Collegium Caidis Spring 2015]], [[Lyondemere]] | |||
*Vocal Performance: The Theory and The Practical, [[Collegium Caidis Spring 2015]], [[Lyondemere]] | |||
*Poetry Composition [[Bardic Collegium 2016]], [[Isles]] | |||
*Vocal Performance Practice [[Collegium Caidis 2016]], [[Gyldenholt]] | |||
*Musical Notation Through the Ages [[Collegium Caidis 2017]], [[Gyldenholt]] | |||
*Knowing Your Audience and Yourself [[Collegium Caidis 2017]], [[Gyldenholt]] | |||
*Bardic Performance Coaching [[Collegium Caidis 2020]] Collegium Caidis in Aethera: Virtual Collegium 2020 | |||
*Large and In Charge: [[Collegium Caidis 2020]] Collegium Caidis in Aethera: Virtual Collegium 2020 | |||
*Crown List Poems in Theory and Practice [[Collegium Caidis 2022]], [[Gyldenholt]] | |||
*How to Write Combat Poetry [[Collegium Caidis 2023]], [[Gyldenholt]] | |||
==Assorted Poems== | ==Assorted Poems== | ||
Crown | The Crown List poem for [[Ozmund Rus]] | ||
The Saga of Ozmund (as told to [[Sofia Biarnardottir]] by Beorn of the Northern Sea) | |||
Hearken you now to the Saga of Ozmund! | |||
Sailor of Desert Seas, Tamer of Smoke, | |||
Husband to Marisa, exotic fair maiden, | |||
First to befriend, and the last to provoke. | |||
Long had the lands of Starkhafn known Kingship. | |||
Brother and Liege Lord had both held the Crown. | |||
Ozmund took his lady's hands and gave her a promise: | |||
He would enrobe her in a Caidan Queen's gown. | |||
Bright was the dawn of the Spring Crown's beginning, | |||
Bright was the smile of Marisa his dear, | |||
Bright were the eyes of the Knight known as Ozmund, | |||
His heart burned with passion; his pathway was clear. | |||
Ozmund was chosen by Jethro from Linthal | |||
A fighter for hire, a squire; his foe. | |||
Ozmund dispatched him with terrible fury, | |||
The journey had started, still so long to go. | |||
His next fighter could not arise to the challenge, | |||
So Oz stepped ahead to Adam, brother Knight. | |||
The oak shook and wept with its silver leaves falling. | |||
One more foeman vanquished, still more left to fight! | |||
And now in the eric his brother Athanaric, | |||
A most worthy fighter who'd once held the Throne. | |||
He looked at his ladywife, filled with dread purpose, | |||
Though entering as brothers, Oz left it alone. | |||
The warriors were falling, the few left were mighty. | |||
Sir Ozmund faced Halldórr, himself a Knight too. | |||
The Northmen they circled and sought an advantage, | |||
Sir Ozmund found one first and ran his foe through. | |||
Just four now remained, three Knights and a Squire | |||
But 'twas only one of them before had to rule, | |||
As Ozmund defeated his brother Sir Niccolo | |||
Sven slew young Liam, setting up the last duel. | |||
Duke Sven with dear Ismay had entered unblooded, | |||
Sir Ozmund was also unblemished by loss. | |||
On seeing each other, respectful, they nodded, | |||
Then grimly they set out as the field they did cross. | |||
The two fought like lions, first one, then the other | |||
Had fallen in combat to their foe's glorious deeds | |||
One match then remained to determine a Champion | |||
One sword stroke, one vanquished... Hail Oz! Al-Caid! | |||
The Prince had been chosen! All rallied around him, | |||
Ozmund saw nought but his lady and kneeled at her feet | |||
And weeping with love for his Princess he wreathed her | |||
His journey now ended, his promise complete! | |||
------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------ | ||
'''A Poem in Honor of Don [[Alexander Kallidokos]],OP''' | '''A Poem in Honor of Don [[Alexander Kallidokos]],OP''' | ||
| Line 203: | Line 241: | ||
Though slightly built, to me, he’s ten feet tall! | Though slightly built, to me, he’s ten feet tall! | ||
--------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ||
---------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ||
==Poems== | |||
<gallery perrow=5 heights=150px widths=150px> | |||
Image: Poem Beorn of the Northern Sea In Memoriam Jark Sir Rorik Sverdmaor.jpg|Published in the Crown Prints, July 2011 | |||
Image:Lorissa double acrostic.pdf|Double Acrostic Poem For Her Majesty Lorissa at Her Festival of the Rose, July 2023 | |||
</gallery> | |||
In | |||
== Miscellany == | == Miscellany == | ||
=== Societal History === | === Societal History === | ||
In 1982, I was playing Dungeons & Dragons at the Omniplex Science Center in Oklahoma City. My fighter/magic-user/thief Barnabus the Destroyer had just been slain by a poisoned crossbow bolt. I was informed it would be four hours real time before I could be raised from the dead (secretly, I just think they were tired of the six foot tall kid eating all the Funyuns), so I went wandering about and I heard a commotion downstairs. I looked over the railing and saw, what appeared to me at any rate, people in really interesting Kendo armor hitting each other with big fluffy axes. I went down and introduced myself to the kind-looking gentlemen standing there. He replied, "Hi, my name is William Blackfox." | In 1982, I was playing Dungeons & Dragons at the Omniplex Science Center in Oklahoma City. My fighter/magic-user/thief Barnabus the Destroyer had just been slain by a poisoned crossbow bolt. I was informed it would be four hours real time before I could be raised from the dead (secretly, I just think they were tired of the six foot tall kid eating all the Funyuns), so I went wandering about and I heard a commotion downstairs. I looked over the railing and saw, what appeared to me at any rate, people in really interesting Kendo armor hitting each other with big fluffy axes. I went down and introduced myself to the kind-looking gentlemen standing there. He replied, "Hi, my name is Lord William Blackfox." | ||
In 1985 we moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and I attended a tournament called Red Tower. There was a really intimidating-looking knight with a not-so intimidating-looking smile watching me as I sang a piece I had written. I thanked him for his attentiveness, and said, "Hi! I'm Beorn." He replied, "Hello there Beorn, I'm John." And that was my introduction to the man who would later become my knight, Duke John the Bearkiller, OP. | In 1985 we moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and I attended a tournament called Red Tower. There was a really intimidating-looking knight with a not-so intimidating-looking smile watching me as I sang a piece I had written. I thanked him for his attentiveness, and said, "Hi! I'm Beorn." He replied, "Hello there Beorn, I'm John." And that was my introduction to the man who would later become my knight, Duke John the Bearkiller, OP. | ||
In 1988 we moved to Northern Mississippi and I started attending the events in Memphis before matriculating to The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). During one of my vocal outbursts (it would be too kind to refer to them as songs) I met the lady who would eventually become my Laurel, Her Excellency Mistress Vashti. As a matter of fact, I was ( | In 1988 we moved to Northern Mississippi and I started attending the events in Memphis before matriculating to The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). During one of my vocal outbursts (it would be too kind to refer to them as songs) I met the lady who would eventually become my Laurel, Her Excellency Mistress Vashti. As a matter of fact, I was (until very recently) her first apprentice, and am quite proud of that fact. In true clandestine fashion, I received my green belt under the table at a wine bar (the Gewürztraminer was excellent!). In 1993-1995 lived in Grey Niche, then the Barony of Three Rivers in Calontir and then the Barony of Holmrikke in Drachenwald before returning to the Shire of Hammerhold from 1995-1997 to complete a Master's Degree in Music. I moved to the Barony of Small Gray Bear from 1997-1998 before leaving Meridies for Caid. | ||
In 1998 I moved to the Canton of Gallavally in the Barony of Dreiburgen in the Kingdom of Caid, where I lived for over 10 years. For a brief time I lived in the Shire of Cloondara in the Principality of the Mists in the Kingdom of the West. Currently I live in the Barony of Gyldenholt in Caid, but still travel heavily in the Society, mostly in The West, Calontir, and Gleann Abhann. | |||
=== Awards === | === Awards === | ||
*Bard of Meridies, 1994 | *Bard of Meridies, 1994 | ||
*Award of Arms, 1994 | *Award of Arms, 1994 | ||
*Grey Pearl, Baronial A&S Award, Barony of Grey Niche, Meridies (now Gleann Abhann), 1994 | *Grey Pearl, Baronial A&S Award, Barony of [[Grey Niche]], [[Meridies]] (now [[Gleann Abhann]]), 1994 | ||
*Meridian Cross, 1994 | *Meridian Cross, 1994 | ||
*Poet Laureate of Meridies, 1995 | *Poet Laureate of Meridies, 1995 | ||
| Line 486: | Line 276: | ||
*[[Legion of Courtesy]], 2006 | *[[Legion of Courtesy]], 2006 | ||
*[[Court Barony]], (Gleann Abhann), 2007 | *[[Court Barony]], (Gleann Abhann), 2007 | ||
*[[Lux Caidis]] (Bardic Performance), 2014 | |||
*[[Dolphin]], 2016 | |||
*[[Order of the Laurel]] (Bardic Arts/Cooking), 2016 | |||
*[[Signum Regni]], 2018 | |||
*[[Royal Recognition of Excellence]], 2020 | |||
*[[Signum Regni]], 2021 | |||
*Den Grimme Aeling, Principality of [[Cynagua]] within the Kingdom of the [[West]], 2022 | |||
*[[Signum Regni]], 2023 | |||
*[[Seraph]], (Armored Combat) [[Angels]], 2023 | |||
*[[Vanguard of Honor]], 2024 | |||
[https://op.meridies.org/person.php?id=1451 Beorn's OP listing: Kingdom of Meridies] | |||
[https://records.gleannabhann.net/public/person.php?id=212 Beorn's OP listing: Kingdom of Gleann Abhann] | |||
[http://heralds.westkingdom.org/Awards/individual.php?namecode=11741 Beorn's OP listing: Kingdom of The West] | |||
=== Things I Like === | === Things I Like === | ||
| Line 499: | Line 305: | ||
*Providing shade for my tiny friends whilst on the battlefield | *Providing shade for my tiny friends whilst on the battlefield | ||
==Court Preferences== | |||
*Pronouns: He/him | |||
*Preferred Title: Baron or Master or none | |||
*Court Summons: Surprise court summons for awards/announcements are fine; shenanigans/court banter/schtick may require a bit of time to work up. | |||
*Contact for Attendance: The Honorable Lady [[Avicia de Na Baiona]] will be aware of upcoming events which I plan to attend. | |||
=== External Links === | |||
* [http://heralds.sca-caid.org/op/person.php?PersonID=11504 Beorn's entry in the Order of Precedence] | |||
==Photos== | ==Photos== | ||
<gallery perrow= | <gallery perrow=4 heights=200px widths=200px> | ||
Image:Hammerhold_1995.jpg|Beorn at the Shire of Hammerhold, 1995. Photo by Lady [[Ingrid Gerdesdottir]] | |||
Image:1995_Rey_Grey_Niche.jpg|Beorn fighting (now Count) Rey Ribeaumont, 1996. Photo by Andrea McCormick | |||
Image:G_Ann_2001_Broi.jpg|Beorn running a helm auction at Gallavally Anniversary, 2001. Photo by THL [[Broichan maqq Kynat]] | |||
Image:Beorn_wiki_6.jpg|Beorn facing [[Snorri Snarfari Bjornsson]] at Fall Crown 2006. Photo by unknown | |||
Image:Estrella_2007.jpg|Beorn receiving Court Barony, 2007. Photo by Sir Leto Darkhorse | |||
Image:AltaviaAnniv07 014.JPG|Beorn performing Baron Laertes' Childrens' Poem. 2007 Photo by unknown | |||
Image:Beorn_wiki_5.jpg|Beorn facing Don [[Eógan Ua Confraích]]. 2007 Photo by [[Andrés Miguel Rodriguez de la Rosa]] | |||
Image:Beorn_wiki_photo_2_highland.jpg|Beorn fighting at Highland War. 2010 Photo by Shanna Franklin | Image:Beorn_wiki_photo_2_highland.jpg|Beorn fighting at Highland War. 2010 Photo by Shanna Franklin | ||
Image:Gleann_Abhann_2010.jpg|Beorn fighting HRM Radu of Gleann Abhann, Samhain, 2010. Photo by Susana Leandra Macias | |||
Image:Beorn_wiki_photo_2_potrero.jpg|Beorn performing at Potrero Bardic. 2011 Photo by Shanna Franklin | Image:Beorn_wiki_photo_2_potrero.jpg|Beorn performing at Potrero Bardic. 2011 Photo by Shanna Franklin | ||
Image:Beorn_wiki_photo_2_unbelted.jpg|Beorn at Gyldenholt Unbelted. 2011 Photo by [[Drach Medved'|Drach]] | Image:Beorn_wiki_photo_2_unbelted.jpg|Beorn at Gyldenholt Unbelted. 2011 Photo by [[Drach Medved'|Drach]] | ||
Image: | Image:Wiki we three.jpg|Beorn and his daughter Sofia Biarnardottir and his mother Ellen of Ansteorra, 2016. Photo by Shanna Franklin | ||
Image: | Image:Beorn2019.jpeg|Beorn and his first apprentice, Countess Karina de Elephantide, 40th Queen of Caid, 2019. Photo by Countess [[Karina de Elephantide]] | ||
Image:BeornGreyNiche2023.jpg|Beorn presenting himself to the Baron and Baroness of Grey Niche, Beltaine, 2023. Photo by Lady Rhiadain n'a Rind-Ailue | |||
Image:Tsyra pic B n A.png|Beorn showing honor to his consort, THL Avicia, at Caid's Fall Crown Tournament, 2023. Photo by Duchess [[Tsyra tsheere Nanoup]] | |||
Image:Ghislaine Photo.jpg|Beorn waiting out the rain at Queen Mercedes' Consort's Champion Tournament, 2024. Photo by Madame [[Ghislaine d'Auxerre]] | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
[[Category:+ Populace B]] | [[Category:+ Populace B]] | ||
[[Category:Laurels]] | |||
Latest revision as of 21:59, 31 January 2024
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 Beorn at Queen Marisa's Festival of the Rose, 2016 | ||||||||||
| Information | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Heraldry | ||||||||||
 Per bend sinister embattled grady gules and argent, a lyre and a dolphin urinant counterchanged, within a double-tressure sable | ||||||||||
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Baron Beorn of the Northern Sea, OL, is a simple friendly everyday fighting bard of indeterminate mass. He was invited to join the Order of the Laurel at Caid's Spring Crown Tourney, A.S. LI (51) by TRM Conrad III and A'isha II. He was elevated to the Laurel by Ozmund and Marisa at Festival of the Rose, 2016.
Persona History
Baron Beorn of the Northern Sea, known at various times as Giuseppe Lorenzo Domenico Angelo de Medici, Brother Johannes, Marcus Veridius Commodus Maximus, and Ito Nobunaga was born in 1270 of the common reckoning. His mother, a dark impish maiden with a golden voice, had fallen for a Norse adventurer and their forbidden tryst led to fleeing the Kingdom of Dublin. Traveling the North Sea in summer, as her birthing time approached, they landed at the Shetland monastery on Lunnasting (though some say Lerwick). She was both very close to her time, and very ill. Beorn's father said he would go to fetch help from his family in Norway.
He never returned...
She delivered up her son and they asked her to name the child, she said Beorn, though he was baptized Johannes so as to not remain named of the Heathen. She held him in her arms and sang to him until she died a few hours later. A ruddy, powerfully built Irishman arrived a month after, claiming to be the girl's father. He saw the child, said for the monks to keep him, turned on his heel and never looked back. It was then Beorn became an oblate of the church.
He was raised to be a priest; trained in music, letters, medicine and husbandry. Before taking his final vows he was sent to the conflict happening on the main of Scotland, ostensibly as the Latin tutor for Robert the Bruce. He saw English knights running down unarmed commoners, and an anger rose in him; with his shepherd's crook he smote one of the riders clean off of his horse. The remaining English wheeled and turned to kill this upstart cloister, when Duke John Bearkiller and a small Welsh contingent crested the hill, intent on ridding the whole of the Island from English tyranny.
John liked this giant youth, gave him his seal, lent him some coin and told him to leave Scotland and find out who he really was, seeing as the priesthood was unsuitable. Beorn spent the next fifteen years engaging in a series of adventures hiring out as a minstrel, a mercenary, a clerk, a physic, and cook.
After settling in Meridies, Beorn, now a bard of some renown, apprenticed to the great Mistress Vashti. In his heady moments he then eloped with a minor lady from the Danish Kingdoms (apparently against the wishes of everyone, family and friend) and fled to Caid. Immediately after having a daughter, he was kidnapped by a merchant raider bound for the Orient. It was there Beorn's great size and strength was again put to the test, as he was sold to a wrestler's stable and he fought for the entertainment of the crowds for seven years, before escaping and making the long trek back to Caid.
Upon his return, he had been given up for dead, his lady remarried, and all his lands were seized in oath-price for the illegal elopement. He was battered, scarred, and unlanded... But, he was not broken. He seeks to reclaim his lands, his honor, and serve the kingdom as best he may. To those ends, he was made a Peer of the Realm for his teaching, cooking, and performance.
Currently, Beorn is once again enjoying his time on the heavy and rapier fields, and, most happily became engaged to THL Avicia de Na Baiona.
Offices & Positions
- A&S Officer, Shire of Hammerhold, Meridies (now Gleann Abhann) 1990-1991
- Ollamph Bard and Lorekeeper, College of Bards, Meridies, 1992 to present (Emeritus status)
- 26th Bard of Meridies
- 10th and 13th Poet Laureate of Meridies
- Member, Queen's Guard, Stephen III and Jacqueline III, Meridies, 1995-1996
- Member, Queen's Guard, Gareth II and Rhiannon, Meridies, 1996-1997
- Member, Royal Entourage, Padruig and Linnet, Meridies, 1996-1997
- (Deputy) Earl Marshal for Rapier, Meridies, 1996-1998
- Marshal, Canton of Gallavally (past)
- Member, Queen's Guard (and personal opera singer), Tomüki II and Luciana
- Member, Queen's Guard, Ivan V and Ciar Lasse
- Member, Queen's Guard, Edric III and Catalina
- Member, Queen's Guard, Dirk V and Chamayn II
- Member, Queen's Guard, Sven and Kolfinna
- Member, Queen's Guard, Edric IV and Faizah
- Bard of Gyldenholt, Gyldenholt Anniversary 2014-2018
- Member, Queen's Court, Mansur II and Eilidh II
- Advisor, Royal Court, Agrippa II and Bridget II
- Golden Rose herald, Alexander and Tahira
- Drop dead Golden Rose herald Valrik and Drada
- Deputy Kingdom of Caid Chronicler, 2021 to 2023
- Advisor, Royal Court, Optimus and Issa
- Chronicler, Kingdom of Caid, 2023 to present
Event Staff
- Breakfast Steward, Kingdom A&S, Meridies, 1998
- Autocrat: Gallavally Anniversary 2000
- Hall Steward: Coronation Summer 2000
- Autocrat: Gallavally Anniversary 2001
- Feast Steward: Dreiburgen Yule 2001
- Rapier Marshal: Gallavally Anniversary 2002
- Feast Steward: Summer Coronation 2017
- Dessert Steward: Winter Coronation/12th Night 2024
Associations
- Consort to Avicia de Na Baiona
- Head of the SCA Household Biarnarstaðir
- Former Senior Apprentice to Her Excellency Mistress Sarita Vashti Al Coya, Gleann Abhann
- Squire to His Grace Duke John the Bearkiller, OP, Gleann Abhann
- A Full Member of Clan Gambit, Glean Abhann
- Member of Inter-Kingdom Brewing Guild, "The Knaves of Grain"
- Free Scholar of Fence, Caid Rapier Open Tournament, Darach 1998
- Member of the Caidan Circle of Bards
- Member of the Caidan College of Heralds (Macer Extraordinaire) 2000
- A Founding Member of The Island of Rhodes
- Former member of Fifth Brigade
- Contributor to the Caidan Crown Poems publication
- Member of the Upper Crust
- Member of the Caidan College of Heralds (Pursuivant Extraordinaire) 2022
Classes Taught
- How to Write an Award Letter Recommendation, several times from 1991 to present
- Fleshing Out Your Persona (or- "How to stop being 'Jack the Samurai'!"), several times from 1993 to 2021
- How to Transcribe Gregorian Chant, 1994, 1996
- A Brief History of Music of the Middle Ages, 1995, 1997
- Instruments of the Medieval and Renaissance Eras, 1996
- One Thousand Years of Music in an Hour, Collegium Caidis Fall 1998, Steinsee
- Vocal Music of the Medieval and Renaissance Eras, Collegium Caidis Fall 2000, Gallavally
- Period Vocal Performance Practice for the Singer, Collegium Caidis Fall 2000, Gallavally
- Vocal Master Class, Collegium Caidis Fall 2001, College of Fenwood Knoll
- Co-Instructor with Duke Dietrich von Vogelsang, "A Short History of The Minnesingers", Collegium Caidis Fall 2006, Dreiburgen
- Vocal Technique for the Herald, Collegium Caidis Spring 2015, Lyondemere
- Vocal Performance: The Theory and The Practical, Collegium Caidis Spring 2015, Lyondemere
- Poetry Composition Bardic Collegium 2016, Isles
- Vocal Performance Practice Collegium Caidis 2016, Gyldenholt
- Musical Notation Through the Ages Collegium Caidis 2017, Gyldenholt
- Knowing Your Audience and Yourself Collegium Caidis 2017, Gyldenholt
- Bardic Performance Coaching Collegium Caidis 2020 Collegium Caidis in Aethera: Virtual Collegium 2020
- Large and In Charge: Collegium Caidis 2020 Collegium Caidis in Aethera: Virtual Collegium 2020
- Crown List Poems in Theory and Practice Collegium Caidis 2022, Gyldenholt
- How to Write Combat Poetry Collegium Caidis 2023, Gyldenholt
Assorted Poems
The Crown List poem for Ozmund Rus
The Saga of Ozmund (as told to Sofia Biarnardottir by Beorn of the Northern Sea)
Hearken you now to the Saga of Ozmund!
Sailor of Desert Seas, Tamer of Smoke,
Husband to Marisa, exotic fair maiden,
First to befriend, and the last to provoke.
Long had the lands of Starkhafn known Kingship.
Brother and Liege Lord had both held the Crown.
Ozmund took his lady's hands and gave her a promise:
He would enrobe her in a Caidan Queen's gown.
Bright was the dawn of the Spring Crown's beginning,
Bright was the smile of Marisa his dear,
Bright were the eyes of the Knight known as Ozmund,
His heart burned with passion; his pathway was clear.
Ozmund was chosen by Jethro from Linthal
A fighter for hire, a squire; his foe.
Ozmund dispatched him with terrible fury,
The journey had started, still so long to go.
His next fighter could not arise to the challenge,
So Oz stepped ahead to Adam, brother Knight.
The oak shook and wept with its silver leaves falling.
One more foeman vanquished, still more left to fight!
And now in the eric his brother Athanaric,
A most worthy fighter who'd once held the Throne.
He looked at his ladywife, filled with dread purpose,
Though entering as brothers, Oz left it alone.
The warriors were falling, the few left were mighty.
Sir Ozmund faced Halldórr, himself a Knight too.
The Northmen they circled and sought an advantage,
Sir Ozmund found one first and ran his foe through.
Just four now remained, three Knights and a Squire
But 'twas only one of them before had to rule,
As Ozmund defeated his brother Sir Niccolo
Sven slew young Liam, setting up the last duel.
Duke Sven with dear Ismay had entered unblooded,
Sir Ozmund was also unblemished by loss.
On seeing each other, respectful, they nodded,
Then grimly they set out as the field they did cross.
The two fought like lions, first one, then the other
Had fallen in combat to their foe's glorious deeds
One match then remained to determine a Champion
One sword stroke, one vanquished... Hail Oz! Al-Caid!
The Prince had been chosen! All rallied around him,
Ozmund saw nought but his lady and kneeled at her feet
And weeping with love for his Princess he wreathed her
His journey now ended, his promise complete!
A Poem in Honor of Don Alexander Kallidokos,OP
As commissioned by Her Royal Majesty Caid, Kolfinna kottr:
Too few can match the lethal striking blade,
Or stand against the leaping lion’s might,
Don Alexander, few like you were made,
On you we may depend in any fight!
But let us not forget your genteel grace.
A nobler man could scarcely to be seen.
You serve with no reserve for time or place,
And doing so bring honor to your Queen!
There was a time when you did stand alone,
All fellow guards had fallen for Caid.
With blade well set and in a razor hone,
You vanquished all, what an impressive deed!
Some champions win the Consort’s field by arms,
Some through their arts or skills, by strength or guile.
But Alexander conquers with his charms,
His sword, his faith, his honor and his style!
It’s said that I sport an impressive span,
But Kallidokos has the larger heart,
In point of fact he is the greater man,
By bearing, manner, and the courtier’s art.
He slays the foes; he honors ladies all,
Though slightly built, to me, he’s ten feet tall!
Poems
Published in the Crown Prints, July 2011
Double Acrostic Poem For Her Majesty Lorissa at Her Festival of the Rose, July 2023
Miscellany
Societal History
In 1982, I was playing Dungeons & Dragons at the Omniplex Science Center in Oklahoma City. My fighter/magic-user/thief Barnabus the Destroyer had just been slain by a poisoned crossbow bolt. I was informed it would be four hours real time before I could be raised from the dead (secretly, I just think they were tired of the six foot tall kid eating all the Funyuns), so I went wandering about and I heard a commotion downstairs. I looked over the railing and saw, what appeared to me at any rate, people in really interesting Kendo armor hitting each other with big fluffy axes. I went down and introduced myself to the kind-looking gentlemen standing there. He replied, "Hi, my name is Lord William Blackfox."
In 1985 we moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and I attended a tournament called Red Tower. There was a really intimidating-looking knight with a not-so intimidating-looking smile watching me as I sang a piece I had written. I thanked him for his attentiveness, and said, "Hi! I'm Beorn." He replied, "Hello there Beorn, I'm John." And that was my introduction to the man who would later become my knight, Duke John the Bearkiller, OP.
In 1988 we moved to Northern Mississippi and I started attending the events in Memphis before matriculating to The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). During one of my vocal outbursts (it would be too kind to refer to them as songs) I met the lady who would eventually become my Laurel, Her Excellency Mistress Vashti. As a matter of fact, I was (until very recently) her first apprentice, and am quite proud of that fact. In true clandestine fashion, I received my green belt under the table at a wine bar (the Gewürztraminer was excellent!). In 1993-1995 lived in Grey Niche, then the Barony of Three Rivers in Calontir and then the Barony of Holmrikke in Drachenwald before returning to the Shire of Hammerhold from 1995-1997 to complete a Master's Degree in Music. I moved to the Barony of Small Gray Bear from 1997-1998 before leaving Meridies for Caid.
In 1998 I moved to the Canton of Gallavally in the Barony of Dreiburgen in the Kingdom of Caid, where I lived for over 10 years. For a brief time I lived in the Shire of Cloondara in the Principality of the Mists in the Kingdom of the West. Currently I live in the Barony of Gyldenholt in Caid, but still travel heavily in the Society, mostly in The West, Calontir, and Gleann Abhann.
Awards
- Bard of Meridies, 1994
- Award of Arms, 1994
- Grey Pearl, Baronial A&S Award, Barony of Grey Niche, Meridies (now Gleann Abhann), 1994
- Meridian Cross, 1994
- Poet Laureate of Meridies, 1995
- Velvet Owl, 1996
- Argent Lily,1996
- Poet Laureate of Meridies, 1996
- Grant of Arms, 1997
- Illuminated Tower of Dreiburgen (Bardic Arts), 1999
- Harp Argent (Performance), 2002
- Chanson (aka L'Honneur de la Chanson), 2005
- Corde de Guerre, 2006
- Gauntlet, 2006
- Legion of Courtesy, 2006
- Court Barony, (Gleann Abhann), 2007
- Lux Caidis (Bardic Performance), 2014
- Dolphin, 2016
- Order of the Laurel (Bardic Arts/Cooking), 2016
- Signum Regni, 2018
- Royal Recognition of Excellence, 2020
- Signum Regni, 2021
- Den Grimme Aeling, Principality of Cynagua within the Kingdom of the West, 2022
- Signum Regni, 2023
- Seraph, (Armored Combat) Angels, 2023
- Vanguard of Honor, 2024
Beorn's OP listing: Kingdom of Meridies
Beorn's OP listing: Kingdom of Gleann Abhann
Beorn's OP listing: Kingdom of The West
Things I Like
- Heavy Fighting
- Rapier Fighting
- Archery (target and combat)
- Performance Arts
- Composing Music
- Writing Poetry
- Cooking (especially sweet stuff!)
- Consuming the cooking of others
- Teaching
- Providing shade for my tiny friends whilst on the battlefield
Court Preferences
- Pronouns: He/him
- Preferred Title: Baron or Master or none
- Court Summons: Surprise court summons for awards/announcements are fine; shenanigans/court banter/schtick may require a bit of time to work up.
- Contact for Attendance: The Honorable Lady Avicia de Na Baiona will be aware of upcoming events which I plan to attend.
External Links
Photos
Beorn at the Shire of Hammerhold, 1995. Photo by Lady Ingrid Gerdesdottir
Beorn fighting (now Count) Rey Ribeaumont, 1996. Photo by Andrea McCormick
Beorn running a helm auction at Gallavally Anniversary, 2001. Photo by THL Broichan maqq Kynat
Beorn facing Snorri Snarfari Bjornsson at Fall Crown 2006. Photo by unknown
Beorn receiving Court Barony, 2007. Photo by Sir Leto Darkhorse
Beorn performing Baron Laertes' Childrens' Poem. 2007 Photo by unknown
Beorn facing Don Eógan Ua Confraích. 2007 Photo by Andrés Miguel Rodriguez de la Rosa
Beorn fighting at Highland War. 2010 Photo by Shanna Franklin
Beorn fighting HRM Radu of Gleann Abhann, Samhain, 2010. Photo by Susana Leandra Macias
Beorn performing at Potrero Bardic. 2011 Photo by Shanna Franklin
Beorn at Gyldenholt Unbelted. 2011 Photo by Drach
Beorn and his daughter Sofia Biarnardottir and his mother Ellen of Ansteorra, 2016. Photo by Shanna Franklin
Beorn and his first apprentice, Countess Karina de Elephantide, 40th Queen of Caid, 2019. Photo by Countess Karina de Elephantide
Beorn presenting himself to the Baron and Baroness of Grey Niche, Beltaine, 2023. Photo by Lady Rhiadain n'a Rind-Ailue
Beorn showing honor to his consort, THL Avicia, at Caid's Fall Crown Tournament, 2023. Photo by Duchess Tsyra tsheere Nanoup
Beorn waiting out the rain at Queen Mercedes' Consort's Champion Tournament, 2024. Photo by Madame Ghislaine d'Auxerre
