The History of Cups and Horns of the Barony
The Cauldron of Ceridwen (CAUL)
Sylard of long memory, tells of the first and most ancient of this type of award known as “The Cauldron of Ceridwen”. It was instituted by Master Aedan, first Baron of Septentria and Mistress Kaffa, second Baroness of Septentria.
The cauldron itself was engraved with images of the history of Septentria. The first of these images was the ‘Granting of Septentria’ by King Hugo and Queen Caitlin to Aedan and Kaffa in court.
The second image is the legend of the cauldron itself. The Cauldron of Ceridwen is a tale from ancient Ireland. The sorceress Ceridwen boiled down the essence of creativity for a year and a day to produce three golden drops of inspiration. This was stolen (“accidently”) by her assistant Gwion Bach. The ‘great chase’ ensued, each of the two changing themselves into animals ever smaller and faster. Eventually, Gwion Bach changes himself into a wheat stalk and tries to hide in a field – but Ceridwen finds him and eats him. This makes her pregnant – and she bears the child Taliesin – who grows to be the greatest bard of ancient Ireland. This story winds around the face of the cauldron.
The third image is on the bottom, inside the cauldron. It is the ‘wolf rending the dragon’ – the second rendering of this underground, terrorist image. (If you ever wondered where the wolf came from…)
The bottom of the cauldron (the outside this time) is divided into nine segments. The names of the recipients are given there. Nine was used for Odin, and as it turns out, the cauldron was only given out nine times. In the end, it was given back to Aedan and Kaffa, the ones who inspired us all.
The Cauldron was only ever to be filled with ale or wine, and be used as a hosting cup to welcome the people of Septentria (the only exception to this was Tangwystal, who was allowed to use pure milk because of her stomach). It was also often passed around to refresh voices at bardic circles.
Although the Cauldron is rumoured to have been made by Master Sylard, he insists that it was created by dwarves and he only found it.
There was a badge created for past holders of the Cauldron, but it never got passed by the heralds. This was a golden cauldron, holding a white bear on a red field. The cauldron was tipped to one side and three golden drops issued from it.
It was awarded on Twelfth Night, to be held until the next Twelfth Night. The Cauldron was awarded to those gentles whose efforts, demeanor and medieval bearing contributed to the atmosphere and were an inspiration to all who saw them. The cauldron was engraved with the names of the recipients. This award was closed by Aedan and Kaffa.
Some of the recipients of the Cauldron of Ceridwen were:
- Sylard of Eagleshaven AS 17
- Finnvarr de Taahe AS 18
- Fiona Averil of Maidenhead AS 19
- Ricard of Sabletree AS 20
- Robert of Two Cliffs AS 21
- Talymar gan y Lyn and Eislinn the Patient AS 22
- David Martin Failsworth and Tangwystl Siwan Failsworth AS 23
- Angharad of Nankivel AS 24
- Frederic L’Avarre and Tamarra Amalthea de Romany AS 25
- Aedan na Kincora and Caffa Muraith AS 26.*
*As is often the case, sources for this list of award winners were conflicted. We have based this listing primarily on the histories of Eoforwic, which differ from the official Order of Precedence. This decision was based on the fact that many of the dates on the OoP are recognized as being guesses.
The Cup of Teacht Ceartha Mor
This was the second in the line awards which marked those who lead by example, inspiring all who saw them.
Her Excellency Lady Adrielle Kerrec, fourth Baroness of Septentria tells of the Cup.
Opened by Ieaun and Adrielle in the same spirit as the Cauldron. It was inspired and named for Aedan and Kaffa’s household in that they, Aedan and Kaffa, always exemplified to Ieuan and Adrielle what it meant to be a part of Septentria. The Cup is given in recognition of a level of contribution to the Barony by an individual that is generous and without regard for compensation, a dedication to the fostering of new groups and individuals through extending the hospitality of Septentria through their efforts, which serve to unify the people, and that enriches and adds to the quality of life within the Barony and indeed the entire Society.
The Cup itself is fashioned of stone to symbolize the strength of the Barony and bears Aedan and Kaffa’s personal devices as well as that of the Barony’s and was reportedly made by the wee folk of the wood and presented to Ieaun and Adrielle at their first Twelfth Night as Baron and baroness by Mistress Breannaidh. The populace is charged to keep the Cup ever-full so the cupbearer never go without drink during their year and so that the populace might repay the generosity the recipient has shown others.
The recipients were of the Cup were:
- Lady Inez Maria Carmen de Freitas AS 28
- Lord Thevenin de la Cote d’Azur AS 29
- Signora Leonora da Lilliaciea AS 30
- Dom Nicolae Cioranu AS 31
- Hlaford Cynred Broccan AS 32
- Mistress Mordreth Llanelli Colwyn and Master Sylard of Eagleshaven As 33
The Horn of Wessex (HORN)
Cynred and Gaerwen tell of the third in the line of awards of this nature:
The Horn of Wessex is given to those gentles who exemplify a generous heart, a noble spirit, a love of learning and pride in themselves as Septentrians. Inspired by its predecessors and the life of Aelfred the Great, the Saxon king who was a warrior, scholar, teacher and lawgiver. The Horn is given at Twelfth Night and held for a year, until next Twelfth Night. Always to be kept full by the populace, to be used to spread the hospitality of Septentria and as a symbol of recognition of a gentle who exemplifies the Septentrian spirit.
The Horn is just that, a horn, but carved and adorned in a fashion which displays the spirit of Septentria in its images, with a silver rim denoting purity of spirit. Cynred Thegn and Gaerwen Baroness hope it will be seen as a worthy successor to the Cauldron and the Cup.
The Horn of Wessex has been given out first to Domhnaill and Corwyn Galbraith, the two that crafted the horn.
The recipients ofthe horn were:
- Domhnail and Corwyn Galbraith AS 34
- Eirik Andersen AS 35
- Aenaes Oakhammer AS 36
- Colyne Stewart and Þorfinna gráfeldr AS 37
When it was retired by Baron Corwyn and Baroness Domhnail it was placed into Baroness Gaerwen’s keeping.
A description of the carvings on the Horn of Wessex follow:
Going left from the baronial shield is:
- Baroness Gaerwen drop spinning
- Arms of Greenhithe
- Bear in tree
- Arms of Eoforwic
- Bear with suckling babies
- “Wrestling” bears
- Arms of Caer Draeth
- Bear licking its paw
- Arms of ArdChreag
- Baron Cynred forging
Going Left of the large dancing girl is:
- Flutist on steps
- Harpist on steps
- Feast Hall
- – Upper level – woman with horn, two men playing cards, watching woman, man toasting with horn, bard singing
- – Lower level – woman passing up ale from kegs, hanging meats, cook
- Construction scene – stone mason working, worker on ladder, carpenter working on plank
- Woman doing needlepoint
- Man illuminating above dye baths
- Man shearing sheep
Going left from the white bear holding the crown
- Arms of Skeldergate
- Bear attacking a deer
- Arms of Petrea Thule
- Embracing bears
- Arms of Vest Yorvik
- Baby bear playing on mother bear
- Arms of Monadh
Going left from male and female horsemen is
- Fortress under siege
- – Upper level – flaming roof, crossbowman, male and female fencers
- – Lower level – man making bows, man making armour
- Warrior with torch on siege tower
- Male and female archers around warrior loading trebuchet
- Male and female warriors engaged in melee.
Bottom border is mostly profiles of bear heads and the makers’ mark JJR.
The Horn of Muinnin (HORN2)
The Horn of Muinnin is the highest honour given during the reign of Corwyn and Domhnail. It is given to those Septentrians who are seen to possess, by their words and deeds, a generous heart, a noble spirit, a love of learning and pride in their Barony. The Horn is held by the recipient(s) for a year and a day.
Its creation was inspired by the great drinking horns of old that were given first to those of high standing within the great halls. Septentrians are charged to ensure that the Horn is never empty.
In ancient lore, Muinnin is Odin’s raven that remembers.
Its gripping bear beast design is inspired by the prow from the Oseberg Viking ship burial. The lip of the Horn is a relief carved with the expression, ‘Strong is the Bear’, taken from the pledge of the Iron Companions, the Sepentrian Martial force. An iron loop with a punched image of the Baron and Baroness is also at the lip. The sides of the horn are relief carved and command ‘let me not stand empty’. A band at the bottom has the stylized names of Corwyn and Domhnail. The point of the horn is a stylized raven head, wherein a iron band loops through the beak.
The Horn of Muinnin was first awarded at Snowed Inn III, Jan 17, 2004.
The Horn’s recipients were:
- Ulvar van der Nederlanden, AS 38
- Christiana MacNamara and Percival de Laroque, AS 39
- Anne Tinker and Tiberius of Warwickshire, AS 40
- Hector of the Black Height, AS 41
The Quaich of Artio (Quaich)
The Quaich of Artio is the highest award and honour given during the reign of Percival & Christiana. It is given to those Septentrians who exhibit by their words and deeds a noble spirit, love of learning, generous and giving nature and love and pride in the Barony.
The Quaich is patterned after those of the Celtic peoples used as a cup of welcome and friendship. As were those quaichs of period it is crafted not of fine or precious metals but of wood taken from the boreal forests of the lands of Septentria. The wood represents both the strengths and growth of the barony as well as its ability to be molded and shaped by the strength and will of its people. It is decorated with simple celtic knotwork and the arms of the Barony in the bowl. This simple wooden vessel bears two handles so that it can be passed in friendship from one hand to the next.
In Celtic Lore Artio is known as the Mother Goddess of animals and is particularly known for taking the form of a Bear.
Inspired by the Celtic people we charge the Barony to keep this Quaich full and we further charge its holder to go forth and seek out guests, visitors and new people to our halls that they may be welcomed with the Quaich of Artio into the lands of the mighty bear.
Holders of the Quaich have been.
- Bjarn Thorolfrson AS 42
- Daffyd ap Sion AS 43
- Jocelyn Cranewall AS 44
- Gunther Wahlstadt of Bremen AS 45
Mae’r Cwpan Croesawgar
Our Cup “Mae’r Cwpan Croesawgar” was inspired by the 14th-15th century Nanteos Cup. This was a medieval wood mazer cup (currently on display at the National Library of Wales) that was thought to have healing powers by virtue of being “made” from the One True Cross. This cup may have been the inspiration behind the Holy Grail.
The original cup dimensions are estimated to be 10cm high and 12 cm in diameter. It is constructed from a hardwood, believed to be wych elm. The original bore no visible decoration but the is a groove around the top rim that may have held a metal band.
Our cup have been turned from walnut and has an incised sterling band. The words “Céad Mile Failte are Gaelic and translate into ” a hundred thousand welcomes”. The script is based on a cup from a12 century Scottish cup. Turning by L. Einar inn Austrifera Josepson and metalwork done by THL Graeme de Liste de Cherbourg.
Maé’r Cwpan Croesawgar means a cup of welcoming.
Cup holders: Mae’r Cwpan Croesawgar: Catriona, Martin and Emma, Nicolaa de Bracton and Mistress Roselyne.
