Eoforwic was founded in 1974 when Count Finnvarr de Taahe and Lady Gillian d’Uriel moved to Toronto to study medieval history at the University of Toronto. It was the first SCA group in Ontario. They had already been active members of the SCA in the United States and decided to form a group here. They soon found others who were interested and held their first event in 1975.
For many years the group was centred around the University of Toronto, as a “student group” (although a number of members were not students at that institution). Meetings were held weekly at the International Student Centre (ISC) and fight practices were held at the gym in the Graduate Students Union (GSU). After meetings and fight practices, members would go to the pub at the GSU. Eventually, the group grew to the point where they were pushing out the real graduate students and they needed to find another place to drink. Subsequently, a similar things happened at the ISC causing meetings to initially wander among rooms at U of T and eventually elsewhere, before ending up in its current location.
Eoforwic is fortunate to have written accounts chronicling much of its existence, from the very beginning through to Anno Societatis 51 (2016-17).
- The First Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic by Etienne de l’Isle (AS 8-16, 1973-1981)
- The Second Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic by William of Roncesvalles (AS 16-20, 1981-1985)
- The Third Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic by Hyrcanos ben Jacob Porto of Oporto (AS 20-23, 1985-1988), including The Doom of Ealdormere and various legal documents related to the history
- The Fourth Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic by Magnus of Iona (AS 23-26, 1988-1991), including an annotated copy of the Ancient Charter of the City of Eoforwick
- The Fifth Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic by Susanna of Leicester (AS 26-30, 1991-1995)
- The Sixth Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic by Aumery de Hinton (AS 30-34, 1995-1999)
- The Seventh Book of the Chronicles of Eoforwic (AS 34-52, 1999-2017), including The Tale of the Great Bear of the North
These accounts, and those of other groups in Ealdormere can be found at the History of Ealdormere etherial library, which also houses:
- A Double Anniversary by Duke Finnvarr de Taahe
- The Legend of Eoforwic by Duke Finnvarr de Taahe
Eoforwic has also been the source of inspiration for historical fiction, both dramatic and literary. Examples of this include:
- The Founding of Eoforwic by Lady Elspeth Esclairamon
- The Secret of Eoforwic by Ruaridh mac Erc
Various unique documents have, from time to time, been discovered in Eoforwic. These include:
- The Ancient Charter of the City of Eoforwick
- The SCAtanic Verses by Some Roarers, Rogerers, Gorgers and Pukers whom you Don’t Know, a description of the Real Middle Ages, as deduced by observing the SCA
- The Eoforwic Civic Tribute: poems describing the Relics of Eoforwic and the Nine Worthy Lords and Ladies of Eoforwic, as well as accompanying notes.