Petition for Elevation to Baronial Status 

for the Shire of Dragon's Laire  

(from the draft copy supplied by Eric de Dragonslaire)  presented to their Their Royal Majesties, Rorik, King of An Tir, and Berengaria, Queen of An Tir at Twelfth Night. AS XXIX  (I have omitted several sections posted, in total or partially, on other pages in the history section of this site. Each is clearly marked and/or linked. Additionally, graphic items such as maps, signature lists and the device are not included with the text.)

Warm Greetings unto Their Royal Majesties, Rorik, King of An Tir, and Berengaria, Queen of An Tir; unto Countess Elisabeth de Rossignol, Seneschal of the Kingdom of An Tir; and unto Duchess Sedalia MacNare, Society Seneschal from the People of Dragon's Laire:

In this petition, we, the group of royal subjects of An Tir known as the Shire of Dragon's Laire, would, with deep humbleness, ask their Majesties and those others involved in the decision making process elevation of their branch to the status of Barony. What will be found within the pages of this document will prove to one and all that Dragon's Laire has gone beyond the mere technical requirements for a Barony, we have furthered the Society as a whole with our dedication and hard work to fulfill the dream.

To quickly paraphrase:

* According to the information supplied by the Society Registrar Dragon's Laire has a paid membership of close to 120 people (with over 80 being sustaining members). The number of people participating in the branch greatly exceeds this.

* Dragon's Laire has a full slate of officers plus a few not commonly found in branches (such as Librarian, Master of Horse and Gamesmaster). The branch also has a number of guilds including dance, culinary, costumers, spiritmakers and bards.

* Dragon's Laire has had at least three Tier I events each year since 1990 which have all been well attended (June Faire 1994 had over 500 SCA members and well over 3500 moderns in attendance).

* There has been a Crown level event hosted by Dragon's Laire (May Crown, 1991), as well as another scheduled for next March (Kingdom Arts & Sciences Championship, 1995).

* Dragon's Laire's branch newsletter, The Flames of the Dragon, has been in continuous publication since 1987. It has been published intermittently since 1982.

* The branch name and device were approved over a decade ago.

* Dragon's Laire sponsors two incipient branches, The Port of Curragh Mor and the Shire of Druim Doiniann. Dragon's Laire has good relations with the surrounding branches.

* Dragon's Laire has clearly defined boundaries (Kitsap County and north Mason County, Washington).

* Dragon's Laire has a large set of qualified Baronial candidates, all of whom have proven with their past deeds and services that they are more than capable of leading Dragon's Laire into the future.

If you are unfamiliar with all of the many doings of Dragon's Laire, please be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by what this petition reveals to you ...

I. Description Of How We Have Proceeded Towards Baronial Status

For many years members of Dragons Laire have held a dream of advancing to Baronial Status. Early discussions centered on reaching a state where advancement would be successful. A mailed polling of the populace concerning interest in formal discussion on advancement was conducted in early 1990. Considerable interest was expressed in pursuing the question. A special Shire meeting was convened at the Poulsbo Fire Hall on March 7, A.S. XXVI (C.E. 1992) to formally discuss the issue and options of advancement. This meeting led to the formation of a Shire Improvement Committee chaired by Lord Oswald. With the formation of this committee the watchword became "Act like Barony" to become worthy of the honor. 

While exploring ways to improve the Shire in preparation for petitioning for advancement, we discovered we were already fulfilling many of the Baronial Requirements. The Shire Improvement Committee then started discussing all the ramifications of an advancement in status. The option of advancing to a province was overwhelmingly rejected in a voice vote at the Shire business meeting, however, a polling of the populace on advancement to Barony was approved. The Shire Improvement Committee then polled the populace by mail.

Polling was conducted in August 1992 on the question of advancement. This polling was conducted with a mailed questionnaire based on the newsletter mailing list with some additions. Returned questionnaires were opened and tabulated by Duke Thorin, who was then our Champion, and Lord Oswald. The 48 (out of 120*) returned questionnaires indicated 34 for advancement to Barony, 11 against and 3 abstaining.

In December of 1992, the option of Patronage became available. This opportunity was viewed as more in line with our needs at that time and was seen as a way to prepare ourselves to reach our eventual goal of Baronial Status. Further work on a petition was tabled.  

With a well publicized vote at our regular business meeting in March 1994, Dragons Laire decided to petition for a change in status. Finally in the waning months of A.S. XXVIII, a committee was empanelled to create this petition. 

The baronial candidates for Dragon's Laire were nominated by members of the branch. Lord Seamaus MacGregor, who was then Seneschal, then asked the candidates if they wished to be considered for the positions of baron or baroness. At an open meeting in July called to discuss the process of proceeding towards barony, the Dragon's Laire patrons asked that each of the candidates or slates of candidates submit a 500 word essay about why they would be a good baron and/or baroness for Dragon's Laire, together with, if they so chose, a modern resume and a Society resume. This information was published in the branch newsletter and has been made available to non-subscribers who have requested it from the Chronicler. The polling methodology was reviewed and approved by the branch at the August business meeting. Those procedures are as follows:

DRAGON'S LAIRE BARONIAL POLLING METHODOLOGY

1. The Shire Chronicler shall publish in the September edition of the Flames of the Dragon a Society resume, a brief modern resume and a statement from each candidate or slate of candidates who submit these to her by the deadline she establishes. Each paid member of the Society who is eligible to vote may contact the Shire Chronicler to receive a free copy of the selection edition if they do not already receive the Flames of the Dragon.

2. Only paid members of the SCA who have reached the polling age of 16 and who reside in Dragon's Laire shall be permitted to participate in the polling. All persons participating in the polling must be members of the Society on October 1, 1994. If someone's name does not appear on the zip code membership list obtained from the Society Registrar's office, they may contact the Shire Seneschal who shall then supply them with a ballot after verifying their eligibility and recording the information to make sure that there is no duplication.

3. The ballots shall consist of a post card on which the following question shall be asked for each slate of candidates for baron and baroness "I will support _________/________ as Baron and Baroness of Dragon's Laire:  YES / NO". Each person participating in the polling may (and should) respond to the question for each set of candidates. While the ballots shall be secret, they will be sealed in envelopes which bear: the return address of the Shire/or of the returning officer(s); and the society name, modern name, address and membership information for the person responding.

4. The polling shall be conducted starting at the October shire business meeting on October 4, 1994. Polling shall also be conducted at the fighter practice on October 6, 1994. The ballots from these dates shall be collected by the Shire Seneschal. On October 7, 1994, ballots shall be mailed by the Shire Seneschal to those eligible members who have not yet voted. Each mail-in ballot shall include the ballot (postcard), a stamped return envelope and a larger envelope to be used to mail the materials.

5. No proxies will be accepted except for those from members who will not be in Dragon's Laire during the polling period of October 4, 1994 through October 23, 1994. Proxies must be in writing and included in the return envelope. The proxy will be in substantially the following form.
I, ___________, mka __________, do certify that: I will be away from the Shire of Dragon's Laire during the polling period of October 4, 1994 through October 23, 1994, I am at least 16 years of age, a paid member of the SCA and a resident of Dragon's Laire. I hereby authorize ________________, mka __________, to exercise my vote in the polling for Baron and Baroness of
Dragon's Laire. I further authorize _____________, mka _________________ to sign my SCA signature on the Baronial petition if I have not done so myself.

DATED this _____ day of _____________, A.S. XXIX, being the Common Year 1994.

_____________________

6. If someone is not going to be in Dragon's Laire during the polling period they may obtain a ballot (as soon as they are available) and a return envelope from the Shire Seneschal. If the mailing labels from the Society Registrar's office have not reached the branch seneschal, the branch seneschal may prepare a return envelope that contains the required information about the person who will be out of town. Proof of membership will be required.

7. The mail-in ballots shall be returned to the returning officer(s).

8. All ballots must be received personally by the Shire Seneschal or be postmarked by October 23, 1994.  Ballots received in the mail after October 30, 1994 shall be null and void, even if postmarked by October 23, 1994.  The Shire Seneschal shall deliver all of the ballots that are returned to the returning officer(s).

9. During the polling period October 4, 1994 through October 23, 1994 anyone with questions about the process is free to contact the Shire Seneschal or any member of the baronial petition writing committee. At any point before and during the polling period anyone in the shire is free to speak to and ask questions of any of the candidates at reasonable hours.

10. The returning officer(s) shall be the branch patrons, Earl Strider and Countess Katheryn.

11. The returning officer(s) shall be responsible for the verification of authenticity of the ballots and for counting the ballots. As soon as the results are known the returning officer(s) shall inform the baronial committee so that the baronial petition can be forwarded to the Kingdom Seneschal so that the review process can begin.

12. Contemporaneously with the baronial polling a petition shall be circulated which requests signatures from all Society members and participants who reside in Dragon's Laire and who have reached the age of 16. The petition shall bear on its face the declaration: "We, the undersigned members of Dragon's Laire, support the elevation of Dragon's Laire to baronial status and we further pledge our support for their Royal Majesties' choice as Baron and Baroness of our branch." The petition shall request each persons highest title, SCA signature, modern name, membership type (sustaining = S, associate = A, family = F and participant = P) and the membership expiration date.  A copy of the petition shall be printed for use in the October Flames of the Dragon and a copy of it shall be placed in each mail-in ballot. It is understood that at least 75% of paid members must support elevation. The petition may be executed in counterparts (there can be more than one copy, but no one may sign more than one).

13. The final decision as to who shall be Baron and Baroness of Dragon's Laire shall be that of their Royal Majesties.

* At this time the Flames was being mailed out free of charge to any interested party and included active players, inactive players, casual players and non-players.

II. The Baronial Candidates (full resumes, biographical data and mission statements omitted - see Candidates History)

The candidates for Baron and Baroness of Dragon's Laire are organized in the following slates:

Lord James Douglas MacDougal and Her Ladyship Maria Isabella de Cordoba
His Lordship Matuesz z Plock and Her Ladyship Rycheza z Polska
Sgt. Hrolaug Nilsen and Her Ladyship Ellen Fraser
Sgt. Hrolaug Nilsen and Mistress Murakami Tsuruko
His Lordship Eric de Dragonslaire and Mistress Murakami Tsuruko

The polling methodology set forth above was followed. The membership labels were reviewed the the Seneschal of Curragh Mor to delete from the list any members of the Port who had zip codes that fall within those held by Dragon's Laire. Also deleted from the overall list were those people who were known to be under the age of 16, who had moved from the Shire or who had the mail returned as unforwardable. The results of the poll were tabulated by Earl Strider and Countess Katheryn and the results were sent directly to their Majesties (with a copy to the Kingdom Seneschal) without be divulged to the populace. Pursuant to the instructions that we received from the Crown, no decision has been reached by the branch as to who the branch would prefer as baron and baroness of Dragon's Laire. Instead that decision is left to their Royal Majesties. We await their Majesties' decision.

III. Petition of Support for Baronial Status (The actual Petition is not provided at this site.)

On the following pages are the signatures of those people in the Shire of Dragon's Laire on Dragon's Laire's petition to become a barony. Because Dragon's Laire has so many people it was very difficult to get people together to sign the petition, hence the large number of pages. After factoring out the members who had moved or were under the age of 16, the petition to become a barony was signed by 79% of the sustaining members and 78% of the total members. Also a number of the unpaid participants also signed the petition.

IV. Paid Membership

The Kingdom Seneschal's Office has provided the following information about membership levels in Dragon's Laire:

7-31-92: Sustaining Members = 49 Family Members = 16 Associate Members = 8 TOTAL = 73 
10-31-92: Sustaining Members = 52 Family Members = 14 Associate Members = 7 TOTAL = 73
1-31-93: Sustaining Members = 54 Family Members = 17 Associate Members = 9 TOTAL = 80
4-30-93: Sustaining Members = 55 Family Members = 16 Associate Members = 6 TOTAL = 77
10-31-93: Sustaining Members = 55 Family Members = 14 Associate Members = 10 TOTAL = 79
1-31-94: Sustaining Members = 59 Family Members = 16 Associate Members = 8 TOTAL = 83
7-31-94: Sustaining Members = 82 Family Members = 31 Associate Members = 6 TOTAL = 119
work The current membership numbers for Dragon's Laire are:
- -94: Sustaining Members = Family Members = Associate Members = TOTAL = 

V. The Geography and Territorial Scope of Dragon's Laire

The Territory of Dragon's Laire shall be all of the land included in Kitsap County, Washington and North Mason County, Washington, consisting of those areas served by the following United States Postal Service Zip Codes:

Historically Dragon's Laire has also included lands in Jefferson County, Clallam County, the Pierce County portion of the Kitsap Peninsula and all of Mason County. During the last year Dragon's Laire has released the lands in Jefferson County and Clallam County so that a new shire could be formed there. The Pierce County lands were sold back to the Barony of Blatha an Oir, and in deference to the wishes of the branch Patrons Dragon's Laire released its claim on Mason County except for the North Mason County areas included in the Zip Code list.

The following maps illustrate the lands of Dragon's Laire. (Maps not provided at this site.)

VI. Officers of Dragon's Laire

Current Officers of Dragon's Laire: (Mundane names omitted)
Seneschal: Raven.
Exchequer: Her Ladyship Rycheza z Polska, AoA, GdS, Wvn. 
Herald: Iain MacKenzie .
Master of Stables: Lord Algar de Devonshire AoA.
Master of Swords: Lord James Douglass MacDougal  AoA.
Master of Horse: Steven Hawkens 
Constable: Robert Bloodaxe .
Arts: Lady Deirdre Ros-Wythe 'a Dunwyn  AoA.
Sciences: Ealdred mac an Toisich .
Chronicler: Aaronious Beeblescrab 
Chirurgeon: Vacant.
Chatelaine: Jazelle d'Avignon 
Scribe: Vacant.
Mistress of Lists: Louise Deluzon 
Chief Archer: Rachael de la Bois de Basque 
Gold Key: Muerk the Large
Librarian: Laura MacConnach 
Waterbearer: Bear Star 
Dragon Pool Coordinator: Rachael de la Bois de Basque . 
Gamesmaster: His Lordship Eric de Dragonslaire  AoA, AoA, GdS, OGGS, KF.
Culinary Guild: Her Ladyship Rycheza z Polska  AoA, GdS, Wvn.
Costumers Guild: Murakami Tsuruko Sensei  AoA, GdS, JdL, OL, Wvn. 
Dance Guild: Lady Caterina de Obidos  AoA.
Spiritmakers Guild: His Lordship Matush z Plock  AoA, GdS, Wvn.

History of the Offices: ( see Officer Timeline for updated list.)

Seneschal: The seneschals of Dragon's Laire have been the glue that has held the branch together. The regalia
of this office include a well used oil can, spade and cloak.

Exchequer: Dragons Laire's Financial needs were handled for many years through a simple savings account. Our evolving needs led to the transfer of funds into a branch checking account with Pacific First Bank (now Washington Mutual) in February 1991. A Savings account was established at Washington Mutual in February 1993 to better handle reserve and other excess funds. (Our fiscal policy has always been to maintain a reserve fund to cover anticipated expenses of all events for one year.) Her Ladyship Ellen Fraser reestablished a workable and complete accounting system within the Branch in 1993. Her Ladyship Rycheza z Polska has further refined and delineated the branch financial policies in a short handbook entitled: Dear Autocrat or How to Keep your Exchequer Happy, which is available to prospective autocrats and other people handling branch funds.
Our annual June Faire has provided a stable source of funding for the Shire for many years and we anticipate it continuing as a profitable event. 
Currently Branch funds total in excess of $5,000.00.
Dragons Laire has been a staunch supporter of the Kingdom of An Tir and of the Society. Financial contributions to the Kingdom and the Society over the last five years include:

Kingdom Travel Fund $200.00
Dag on Kingdom Pavilion 25.00
Kingdom General Fund 1,747.00
Donation to Crier 200.00
TOTAL $2,172.00

In addition to these donations there have been donations to the Kingdom Constabulary and the Kingdom Marshalate and Dragon's Laire donated the Kingdom List Pavilion (except for the walls which were provided by Earl Edward Ian Anderson and Countess Ilaria). Dragons Laire also has supported the Kingdom through the donation profits of nearly $3,000 from May Crown, 1991, and material and service contributions to Kingdom Officers living within the Branch. Dragon's Laire was the first branch in An Tir to send the surcharge to help the Society. Last June Faire we raised $123.00 for the Society.

Herald: The Herald traditionally provides advice on designing one's device, assists in submitting the necessary paperwork and often provides voice announcements at meetings and tourneys. We usually have heraldry meetings once a month for consulting. Over the past few years there have been a number of training sessions in field heraldry. Over the years Dragon's Laire's heralds have also been active in helping with field heraldry at Kingdom events. 

Master of Stables: Dragon's Laire has had qualified fighters since its inception. The branch has had regular fighter practice for six years. Attendance has been excellent, with as many as 20 fighters participating. We regularly draw fighters from all of the surrounding baronies. Fighters from Dragon's Laire have won many awards and honors. We have had three sergeants, a number of squires and one Duke. Dragon's Laire is fortunate to have a large number of authorized marshals, thanks in part to classes taught by a Deputy Kingdom Marshal, Master Baron Siegfried the Immane.

Master of Swords: This officer is responsible for rapier combat in the branch. When there is no officer, the responsibilities default to the Master of Stables. Dragon's Laire has a large group of people who are authorized in rapier combat. Classes taught here by the Kingdom Provost of Rapier Combat have honed the skills of these bladesmen and bladeswomen. Currently the rapier combat practices are held at the same time and site as the heavy fighter practices.

Master of Horse: This office was created at the July, 1994 business meeting and when all of the shire present agreed that it should happen. The first meeting was an organizational meeting and also reviewed the groundrules of what could and could not be done within the boundaries of the SCA. The next meetings were spent in getting people who aren't usually around horses used to them. At the third meeting they began learning maneuvers and some basic steps to some games done on horseback. They hope to promote more horse riding within the branches and the SCA and to attend SCA sponsored equestrian events.

Constable: The constables have always been an important part of the branch and have built up to a reputation of excellence within recent years. Lady Megaine of Curkirudbright was awarded the Kingdom Constabulary award several years ago. The constables raised their own funds and built their own pavilion. They have regular monthly meetings where topics of safety and how to be effective constables are always discussed. They have made their own uniforms.  There is an organized box of first-aid, fire extinguishers, and even stuffed animals to give to lost children.  There is a regular paperwork deputy who talks to the kingdom officer on a regular basis. Many of the members of Dragon's Laire are warranted Constables at Large. These are things that very few other branches have done and the branch has been recognized by the Kingdom Constable as having one of the most organized and professional constabulary in the kingdom.

Arts & Sciences: Dragon's Laire has had Arts and Sciences offices since the group first began. Over the years the offices have been combined under one person or separated with a person heading each. Arts and Sciences has met regularly, usually once a month, and covered a wide variety of topics. Past topics have included a dance class given by Glanwyn ty Meillionen, armor making, work on the An Tir Domesday Book, wassail making, calligraphy, dance, pierce work, table construction, and various costume-related topics. More recent activities include feather fans, archery butts, basic leather craft and hangover cures. We also have had competitions in the arts and sciences, including Best Tourney Costume, various culinary competitions, Decorating the Hall for Yule, and cover art contests to benefit the office of the Chronicler. We are currently working on setting up our first Arts and Sciences Championship to be held at this year's Yule Feast.

Chronicler: There has basically been a chronicler ever since Dragon's Laire was established. The Flames has been published by the chronicler's office since August AS XVII (1982) with a two year intermission between 1985 and 1987 and even then the chronicler produced copy for the shire that was printed in the Madrone Leaf. Today the chronicler has progressed from a typewriter and cut, paste, & copy to a computerized system using a publishing program, a scanner, and an in house copy machine. This has enabled us to produce some of the best newsletters in the shire's history. Dragon's Laire has also been fortunate to have vast amount of talent within the shire that regularly contributes pieces to the newsletter.

Chirurgeon: Although there is only one warranted chirurgeon in Dragon's Laire at this time, the chirurgeons of Dragon's Laire have handled many types of medical emergencies. This includes the back injury that required a medivac transport June Faire A.S. XXVIII, burns at June Faire A.S. XXIX and all the other bumps, bruises, scrapes contusions and abuses normally found at events. The Dragon's Laire chirurgeonate has developed good working relations with chirurgeons from other branches. Dragon's Laire is known as a place where injured people will receive the timely help they need.

Chatelaine: Just as the Chatelaine in the middle ages was the one who greeted the visitors to the castle and saw to their needs and comfort by arranging lodging, food, necessities, etc, in Dragon's Laire the Chatelaine is responsible for helping newcomers and guests. The Chatelaine teaches the honor and meanings of chivalry to the mundane world. We have done many demos for the modern populace, as well as many events in which we reach out to others. Among the demos that we have done in the past year are: Sedgwick Junior High, Bridalblik Elementary School, Bremerton Junior High, Boy Scout Blue and Gold dinner, Olympic High School, and Olympic College. We have also done the Farmer's Markets in Bremerton, Port Orchard, Silverdale, and Kingston. We also did the KingsTowne Faire in Kingston this September. Now that the school year has begun, the Chatelaine is getting in touch with the schools again with the aim of SCA participation in the classrooms as an integral part of the curriculum. (The Bremerton Junior High demo was such a success they asked us to BE part of the curriculum every spring to teach once a week for 6 weeks and to aid the students in doing their own feast.) The Chatelaine has also received mailings from people outside our shire that are impressed at what they hear and wish more information. The current chatelaine, Jazelle d'Avignon, has sent out a total of 96 "newcomer's information packets" since October 1993.

Scribe: Dragon's Laire's Scribe pens medieval style correspondence as needed and creates our awards scrolls. This includes thank you notes and special occasion scrolls, such as that done when the Golden Hinde visited our port in February 1987. Whether we had someone officially in the office or not, we always managed to get calligraphy work done when needed.

Mistress of Lists: The Lists Mistress in Dragon's Laire is kept extremely busy at events. At last year's June Faire she coordinated three heavy tournaments and two rapier combat tournaments. 

Chief Archer: Dragon's Laire has historically been one of the strongest branches in An Tir when it comes to archery. There are four current master bowmen and two retired master bowmen in the shire. There are more than 30 archers in the branch. During past archery seasons the branch has held at least one and up to four archery practices a week. Last year most of the top crossbow scores were shot by Dragon's Laire archers, including the  top three An Tir IKAC scores, thus helping An Tir to finish second in the known world in overall archery. Dragon's Laire traditionally fields one of the most deadly forces of light infantry for wars in the Kingdom. Its war archers have turned a large number of battles. It is currently building several different types of war engines.  The Chief Archer is responsible for both target archery and light combat within the branch.

Gold Key: The members of Dragon's Laire have been exceedingly generous to the Gold Key over the years. Gold Key inventory reached a peak of over 150 items in 1993. (Since then some less presentable items have been culled.)  Items of garb and feast gear are available to newcomers and visitors in Dragon's Laire. Gold Key is a very popular service at our annual June Faire where it takes in the most cash donations during the year. The cash donations are reinvested in maintenance and acquisition of items for the Gold Key.

Librarian: The Library was officially established in November, 1990 with a donation of books by His Lordship Eric de Dragonslaire. Lord Theodoric the Scholar became our first Librarian. He retained the post until it passed to the Arts and Science Officer, Her Ladyship Maria Isabella de Cordoba. Laura MacConnach stepped in as a special deputy to Arts taking over the Library in September 1993. Over the years the inventory of the Library has grown through donations and gradual purchase of SCA Publications. Currently the library is housed at The Silver Castle, a local shop and meeting place in the branch, for maximum availability to the populace.

Waterbearer: The office of Waterbearer was created after June Faire 1993 overwhelmed the shire chirurgeon who was at the time responsible for the chirurgeonate and for coordinating waterbearers. Bearstar has taken the office and ran. It is well stocked with equipment, waterbearer tabards are available for those wishing to help and he has several deputies. Waterbearing services are now provided at all events, fighter practices, and at most fighting demos.

Dragon Pool Coordinator: This office acts as a car pool coordinator for people needing rides to meetings and events.

Gamesmaster: The newest office provides instruction on period games and the chance to play them at monthly games nights. The office also makes sure that period games are available at events. Over the last few years the new Gamesmaster has provided games, taught classes and held games competitions at events. The games have included nine-men's-morris, gluckshous, fox and geese, mancala, poch, skittles, shove penny, etc. 

Pied Piper: While it has sometimes been difficult to find someone to fill this office, Dragon's Laire has always had someone at events who has provided activities for children.

Royal Patrons: While technically not an office, Earl Strider of Duramen (Strider Klusman) and Countess Katheryn d hil Lorriel (Katheryn Klusman) have served Dragon's Laire as Royal Patrons since January, 1993. Their guidance and inspiration has well served the branch. 

Service to the Western Region and An Tir

In addition to the service members of Dragon's Laire have provided as branch officers, a number have served or are serving An Tir as regional and/or kingdom officers:

Mistress Murakami Tsuruko - Vox Leonis Herald 1986-1988
Mistress Murakami Tsuruko - Western Region Deputy Kingdom Costumers Guild Mistress 1993-Present
His Lordship Eric de Dragonslaire - Deputy Kingdom Chancellor 1989
His Lordship Eric de Dragonslaire - Kingdom Chancellor 1990-1991
His Lordship Eric de Dragonslaire - Deputy Royal Archer 1992
His Lordship Eric de Dragonslaire - Kingdom Seneschal 1992-1994
Her Ladyship Ellen Fraser - Western Region Arts & Sciences Minister 1992-1993
Her Ladyship Ellen Fraser - Kingdom Arts & Sciences Minister 1993-Present
Lady Megaine of Kirkcuddright - Western Region Constable 1991
Lady Shaughnessy O'Brennan McShane - Deputy Kingdom Bards Guild Mistress 1994-Present

VII. Meetings, Guilds and Activities within Dragon's Laire (not already covered under Officers)

Business Meeting: The Business Meeting is conducted on the first Tuesday of the month. It is followed by a chance to socialize at a local restaurant.

Bards Guild: In July, 1994 Lady Shaughnessy, the Kingdom Deputy Guildmistress and resident of Dragon's Laire, and His Lordship Eric de Dragonslaire, taught a class on how to be a bard in the SCA. Lady Shaughnessy is hosting a monthly bardic nights where bards of all abilities may hone their skills.

Arachne's Web: Her Ladyship Ellen Fraser, a journeyman in the guild, offers lace making instruction when requested.

Dance Guild and Practices: Over the course of the last year Dragon's Laire has established a regular dance practice. A recent addition from Drachenwald, Lady Catarina de Obidos, is helping the process. Many of the people within the branch have also been going to the Blatha an Oir dance practice, where sometimes the people from Dragon's Laire outnumber the people from Blatha an Oir. The goals of the Dance Guild are: to teach the basics of medieval dance to all interested gentles, to prepare a group of dancers in the art of performing dance, and to have fun. The guild's aim is to not just enrich the cultural and artistic level of the branch, but also to enhance our future events with a more varied spectrum of activities. As part of the current program there are dance, danced-games and other dance related activities.

Culinary Guild: The Dragon's Laire Culinary Guild was established in A.S. XXIII by Lord Theodorick the Scholar. The regular meeting time and day has been 7:00 P.M., the second Wednesday after the business meeting since inception. Occasionally both the time and date are changed to accommodate special plans. The guild uses their meetings for classes, research and projects. Some of the classes we have done include: cheese making, bread making, lefse, pita bread, sausage making and cordial and mead making. The guild takes trips to restaurants and local producers (for research) and holds potlucks (recipe testing).  Candlemas was started by the culinary guild. Candlemas has grown from a small informal get-together highlighting the talents of the Culinary guild to a served feast with attendant Tourney and Archery Competitions. Contests of a culinary nature are always a feature.
The Culinary Guild provides breakfast on both mornings at June Faire for a small fee, as well as Stone Soup on Friday night at that event.  The Culinary Guild has produced six cook booklets in two series: Story of the Feast (background information on the theme of the feast and selected recipes served) and Dragon's Laire Favorites (collections of recipes from Shire members). Additional booklets in these series are in the planning stages as well as a new series concentrating on more strictly period information. These booklets are sold for a nominal fee to further local culinary projects, including purchasing and maintaining equipment for feasts, prizes for contests and supplies. All that is required for inclusion in the group is an interest in good food. 

Costumers Guild: Dragon's Laire's first Costumer's Guild meeting since it was reformed in August of 1987. Our Costumer's Guild holds meetings an average of once a month on a variety of costume related topics. Past meetings include various how-to instructions, talks on costume type subjects, information sharing, instructional videos, and work parties to supply the branch with regalia, pavilions, banners, war tabards, officer baldrics, etc. We usually have some sort of beginning costume instruction following our annual June Faire. The Guild often helps the office of Gold Key keep their loaner garb in good repair. Guild members help newer members with outfitting themselves, share costume related news and ideas, and lampoon inaccurately costumed movies.

Social Nights: Throughout the years Dragon's Laire has held numerous socials nights (and social days). There have been a number held at homes, schools and public parks. These have opportunities for members who have been a part of the SCA for a while to talk with people with less experience. Because they are social no formal records have been kept. But they have been a lot of fun.

Newcomer Activities: Over the years Dragon's Laire has held numerous classes for newcomers. During the past five years there have been at least three classes offered each year after June Faire. There have also been periodic classes throughout the year. Dragon's Laire has also been fortunate to have peers come and teach classes on courtesy and etiquette. In 1990 Duchess Lao taught the class and in 1994 Mistress Rowena de Manning taught the class. Plans are underway for SCA survival courses so that anyone, no matter how long they have been in the Society, people can enhance the quality of their experience.

Spiritmakers Guild: The newest guild is already teaching adults how to make beer, ale, wine, liquors and mead.  For years His Lordship Matush z Plock, the new guildmaster, has taught classes in mead making and has held mead making nights.

Arts Tea: The branch recently began a weekly arts tea where medieval arts & science topics are discussed in a round table forum.

Armor Making Night: Sargent Hrolaug Nilsen has opened his workshop one night a week (upon request) for many years. Besides creating armor for an incredible number of fighters, the workshop has also provided people with the opportunity to use the tools for arts & sciences projects.

Merchanting: There are four primary merchants in Dragon's Laire: His Lordship Charles of Tanglewood is a superb cobbler; Lady Inga Calle specializes in beads; Lady Shaughnessy is a jeweler; and Misty Havens Caravan provides an assortment of goods. These good people are aided in their merchanting ventures by friends and family. In addition, a significant number of people in Dragon's Laire have occasionally been merchants. Within Dragon's Laire there is also a private merchanting venture, the Silver Castle, a store which merchants items of medieval interest. 

VIII. History of Dragon's Laire and History of Events

A Brief Summary of the Early Days in Dragon's Laire (Omitted - see main History Page)

Dragon's Laire Events Time Line, 1989-Present. (Omitted- see Event Timeline page)

IX. The Flames of the Dragon.
The Flames of the Dragon became the shire newsletter in August, 1982. The shire was blessed by the decision to choose the current name and not the other that had been proposed, "Dragon Droppings". For a two year period beginning in 1985 the newsletter was published as part of the Madrone Leaf. There was a time of somewhat irregular publication, but since 1989 the Flames of the Dragon has been published on a monthly basis.  Today the newsletter has progressed from a typewriter and cut, paste, & copy to a computerized system using a publishing program, a scanner, and an in house copy machine. This has enabled us to produce some of the best newsletters in the shire's history. In 1993 the branch experimented with free subscriptions. Circulation rose to over 150. Despite the fact that we are charging for it again, circulation is nearly 100. Dragon's Laire has also been fortunate to have vast amount of talent within the shire that regularly contributes pieces to the newsletter. It has been a considerable time since the Chronicler had to beg for material. In fact, the length of the newsletter is sometimes increased just to fit in everything. The newsletter has grown into something of which we are all very proud.
Reproduced here are copies of some of the earliest covers of the Flames of the Dragon and some of the most recent. (Reproductions omitted)

X. Heraldry

Dragon's Laire's name and device have been approved for many years. Enclosed herein please find copies of the letters approving the branch's name and device, and a copy of the original submission of the branch's device. (Copies of supporting documents Omitted)

XI. Dragon's Laire Charter (Document omitted here)

XII. Letters of Support or Comment (Documents Omitted)

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