Barony of the Cleftlands:About
The Barony of the Cleftlands is the official chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA) serving Cuyahoga County, including Cleveland, Ohio. As part of this international non-profit educational organization, the Barony is dedicated to the research and re-creation of the arts, culture, and martial traditions of pre-17th-century Europe. Through immersive experiences, hands-on learning, and historical reenactment, members explore everything from medieval combat and craftsmanship to costuming, cooking, music, and courtly life.
A History of the Cleftlands
In the beginning, the Marche of the Cleftlands was founded sometime in 1970 and existed as a part of the Barony of Middle Marches. The group was founded by the Margrave Jamie Foxx. Early on he corresponded with Jehan de la Marche, the baron of Middle Marches, to come to some agreement on group precedence. Jamie signed his letters “Margrave del Cleft Land” and so this formed the basis for the name of the group. The Cleft Land became the Marche of the Cleftlands when Jamie recognized Jehan as his Baron.
On May 6, 1978 the Cleftlands attained baronial status, the first group to secede from the Barony of Middle Marches to become the second Ohio barony. The Founding Baron was Laurelen Darksbane, a man who six months later won Crown Tournament where he was also knighted. Within 6 months he had become Baron Cleftlands, a knight, and Prince. He and Lady Ithriliel of Silverlake were crowned nearly one year after Cleftlands became a barony, shy of the anniversary by just one day. Countess Ithriliel became Baroness Cleftlands one year after that on May 3, 1980. The two reigned as Baron and Baroness until 2002. When Duke Laurelen and Duchess Ithriliel resigned as Baron and Baroness Cleftlands they closed the award they had created, the Order of the Winged Trine.
Sir Ephraim ben Shlomo and Lady Madelaine Bouvier became the second Baron and Baroness on September 25, 2002. They created the “Baronial Award to be Named” during their time, which would not receive its proper name until the time of their successors. The award was given to those who do such good service that if the Cleftlands did not exist, a new group would form from the seed of that service.
The Honorable Lord Edward Brackenburye and the Honorable Lady Milesent Vibert began Their tenure as third Baron and Baroness on June 2, 2007. During Their time they reformed the previously mentioned “Baronial Award to be Named” as the Order of St. Clariel, so called after the famous goddess of the North Oaken region. They also created the Award of Saint Alfred for service to the barony.
Master Calum MacDhaibhidh and the Honorable Lady Constanza de Mendoza stepped up as the fourth Baron and Baroness of Cleftlands on April 14, 2012. They were known for Their welcoming spirit and encouragement of the populace.
On June 10, 2017 Sir Crispin de la Rochefoucauld and the Honorable Lady Gianna Vettori began Their term as fifth Baron and Baroness. They created three new awards: the Award of the Argent Cresset to recognize individuals who make efforts to learn and teach the arts; the Award of the Azure Trident to those who wield rattan, rapier, or bow and who excel at displaying their passion for the arts martial; the Order of the Azure Chalice which recognizes individuals who have provided exemplary and long-standing service and dedication to the Barony, and who have done such work as to add to the enduring legacy of the Cleftlands. They additionally were the ones who led the Barony through the Covid19 pandemic, keeping the group together until social gatherings were permitted again.
April 9, 2022 saw the ascension of the Honorable Lord Pietro Nicolo da San Tebaldo and Mistress Aurelia Rosetti. They are the current Baron and Baroness.
A Brief History of the Cleftlands Forester Cadfan of the Autumn Wood, Middle Kingdom Historian