The History of the Bryn Gwlad Baronial Guard

BARONIAL GUARD HISTORY

(RECOLLECTION OF HL Rhiannon o Goed Niwlog)

I was inspired on Saturday to spend time talking to Seanna de Fraser, Dowager Baroness Bryn Gwlad, regarding the history of the Baronial Guard. According to her, she and Varg (Baron Bryn Gwlad) organized the Guard to be a service order. This set it apart from all other guards in place at that time as they were all purely ceremonial and for show.

Don Diarmuid mac Ruis still possesses a tabard from that period. Seanna was astonished when I shared this with her on Saturday, saying, "The black cotton one with the painted on halberd?" If I remember correctly, it also has/had gold trim at the neck and sleeves, or perhaps the sleeves and hem. Per her memory, Michael Myrialogos was the first Captain of the Guard. Noman Buchard was a later one. Don Dupre and Don Robert Simon Fraser also served in this capacity while she ruled here.

Sebastian Eisenfaust created the first Baronial halberds. (Unfortunately, Lord Sebastian died suddenly very recently, according to Seanna. I believe that Eisenfaust was also known for a form of helm that carried his name when I first joined the Society.) These terribly heavy things are still possessed by the Barony. Michael sharpened them until they were truly weapons. Don Maelgwyn Dda, during his stint as Captain, both dulled the blades and shortened the hafts, which were too long to stand upright under a standard 8' ceiling. During Maelgwyn's tenure, the halberds were stored in Diarmuid's and my garage.

I have been a member of the Guard since I moved to the Barony in 1983, serving briefly under Seanna. I was an officer under three Captains: Sir Kein MacEwan, Don Maelgwyn Dda, and Sir Lyonel Grace (not necessarily in that order). I was their Executive Officer, and kept the records for the Guard.

The badge for the Baronial Guard was registered in January of 1987, during the reign of Robert Simon Fraser and Elynor of Deganwy: Or, two halberds in saltire sable, on a chief gules a mullet of five greater and five lesser points argent.

When Jehanne and Pendaran chose to re-charter the Guard, I had the previous Guard charter in my possession and was able to share it with them. I was able to persuade them to keep the tradition of non-fighting guards, which they formed into an Auxiliary. At that time, I was head of the Auxiliary. Time had changed life so that I was no longer a fighter.

Jehanne and Pendaran were the first, I believe, to allow the Guard tunics to be made in the form that matched the persona of the Guard member wearing it. I think all tabards/tunics before that time were uniform.

Eventually health problems kept me from being able to participate as an active member of the Guard. Lord Connor mac Clure took my place as head of the Auxiliary. My Guard tunic, made by the hand of Jehanne d'Avignon herself, was returned to the Guard last year. It is currently in use by Lord Alfred Huddlestone. The brooch that Jehanne made which bears the badge of the Guard is still one of my prized possessions. I wear it at most events. In my heart, I am still a member, and will always serve to the best of my ability.

It was news to me that the Bryn Gwlad Baronial Guard was formed to be a service group. I am most proud that the tradition of service was never forgotten and that I was allowed to be a part of it.

In service, as long as my heart beats, Rhiannon o Goed Niwlog