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The Barony of Sun Dragon started in 1983. Sun Dragon encompasses West Phoenix Metropolitan Area – Ahwatukee, Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City.
The Barony of Sun Dragon started as "canton" that became a Barony due to the large size of the metropolitan Phoenix area. The name Sun Dragon originated from a Mixed Weapons War event that was near Luke Air Force Base. A Goodyear blimp was seen in the air and someone shouted out, "Look there is a dragon in the sky!" Since we are from the land of the sun, the name Sun Dragon was born.
Sun Dragon's rainbow was designed by Ioseph of Locksley who loved rainbows and was the leading herald at the time. He was challenged to design a rainbow that would be heraldically correct. When Sun Dragon became it's own Barony, he was able to incorporate rainbow into the device.
The War Dragon badge was added during the time of Arthur and Timira as an alternate to the rainbow populace badge. Originally, it was just used for the purposes of fighting at war, but has become more popular as use of identifying as a Sun Dragon member.
Sun Dragon has traditionally been a matriarchal barony due to our first baroness at the time, was not allowed to reign with her significant other and therefore reigned alone. Since then, most baronesses have sat in the right-side throne, in the position of power, and have been heralded into court first. In addition, many of the Baronesses and populace members have been heavily involved in the "Lost Tribes" which clans are also typically matriarchal.
*Thank you to Banntheng and Thengn Viola and Wilhelus for history information.
List of Baronesses and Barons
Landed Baronesses and Barons are considered peers for the duration of their term. "Landed" means they have "lands" associated with their titles, meaning they have territories based on zip codes. There are barons and baronesses who have been given granted this title from the King and Queen for acts of great service to the Kingdom. Landed Baronesses and Barons are selected by the King and Queen to act as leaders for that Barony, however the populace is polled and populace opinion is taken into account for the selection. Baronesses and Barons reign for typically a 3 year period although that time has changed over time and some have extended their reign beyond 3 years. Once a Baroness and Baron step-down they are then usually awarded the title of Bannthegn and Thegn. When addressing a Baroness or Baron, they are addressed as Your Excellency.
List of Prior Overall Champions
The barony of Sun Dragon has an annual competition at the Champions Event typically held the last weekend in October for a highly esteemed position within the barony with a year long commitment. This position is to act as Guard to our Baroness, ensure there are guards assigned to her during events and courts, and to recruit help for set up and take down of Baronial equipment (pavilion, thrones, etc.) as needed at events. Individuals in this competition are expected to compete in all the other champion competitions, however, a person may have another populace member stand in on their behalf for one of the competitions. While anyone can guard the Baroness, only Overall Champions (current and previous) may handle baronial sword, named "Flame." The Overall Champion works closely with the Chatelaine (see below) on coordinating coverage for the Baroness on events and for running the next Champions Event. The Overall Champion is not necessarily selected based on how he or she scores in each competition, but on their effort and chivalry and is ultimately chosen by the Baroness and Baron.
List of Prior Overall Champions:
List of Prior Chatelaines/Stewards (Head Lady/Lord-In-Waiting)
In addition to the Overall Champion, the Chatelaine/Steward is another competition that is done at the Champion Event and is another admired and sought after year-long position. This position not only acts as Lady-In-Waiting to the Baroness, but helps to ensure all Baronial awards are prepped and ready to go out at Court. The Chatelaine is also responsible for scheduling other ladies-in-waiting for events or at times she cannot be there. It is seen as bad form for the current Baroness to be seen without a lady-in-waiting. Sun Dragon Barony was using the term Chatelaine well before other parts of the SCA started using the term Chatelaine to mean a different position (usually the Newcomer Welcome Officer) and has stuck with continuing the tradition. There is also a competition for the Chatelaine that has varied over the years including knowledge on how to make the awards or who they can get to help assist them with making the awards. Similar to the Overall Champion, the Chatelaine is also chosen by the Baroness and Baron.
List of Prior Chatelaines:
Other Baronial Champions
In addition to the main 2 positions that are awarded at the Baronial Champions events, there are "style" champions that are also awarded at this event that are held for one-year's time. Style champions are in charge of promoting their area throughout the upcoming year with various tournaments or displays, usually held once a month. Champions are selected by their prowess and ability in the competitions. All Champions are typically required to take the "dreaded written test" which captures the Barony's history and awards. Below are the various styles for the competitions:
Hardsuit Champion
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Rainulf Lion |
| 2023 | Finnan Fannach |
Rapier Champion
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Elizabeth Schumacher |
| 2023 | Cullen Ellis |
Archery Champion
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Lasairfhíona inghean uí Néill |
| 2023 | Robert MacIain |
Arts and Sciences Champion
Bardic Champion
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Eirik Ising Steingrim |
| 2023 | Ritchyrd McUath |
Thrown Weapons Champion
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Jaku'an Kakujo |
| 2023 | Gefroi le Gris |
Youth Champion
| Year | Type | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Archery Champion | Hylda of SunDragon |
| 2022 | A&S Champion | Saren of SunDragon |
| 2023 | Youth Boffer Co Champions | Charlie and Jupiter of SunDragon |
| 2023 | A&S Champion | Saren of SunDragon |
Sister Baronies
Typically, sister baronies are centers of hospitality. So if the populace of that barony goes to an event at that location they will ensure those people are welcomed, have camping space, etc. In addition, the baronies would be considered to be allies with one another. The sister baronies are determined by the Baroness and Baron. Ambassadors may even be sent to each other’s barony.
- Barony Loch Sal Ann, Kingdom of Aretmesia (SLC) – 1997 – the 2 baronies exchanged flags Barony Eskalya, Principality of Oertha,
- In the Kingdom of the West (Anchorage, AK) in 2012 - exchanged scrolls and flags
- Shire of Windale (Kingman) in about 1993 Sun Dragon sponsored them, to be able to go from an incipient shire to an actual Shire. This was started with Arthur and Timira. Their zip codes belonged to Sun Dragon, but have since been turned over to the Kingdom as they are now their own Shire.
Awards
All award information and charters here.
Trivia
Sun Dragon considers themselves the birthplace of Estrella War, because Estrella Mountain Park was in their zip codes. However, the Kingdom claimed they were kingdom lands. Baron’s War used to be held in Tucson and would have over 1000 participants. Each year, a different Barony was in charge of intrakingdom and each barony would fight against each other. This event stopped happening in order to facilitate opening up the schedule for people to go to Caid for Great Western War.
Flag in Space - During the reign of Teresa and Robert, one of the war banners were taken aboard the space shuttle. Deb and Diego donated the flag. The barony got an official print out from NASA that our flag was flow in zero gravity in space. Presented in court in Estrella War 2013.
Caveman Tournament History is located here.
Stories
A Tale of 2 Dragons by Dame Gepa of SunDragon
Rainbow's Gold
The Rainbow’s Gold is a non presidential award that can be earned after completing sets of tasks and getting them signed off by Members of the Rainbow’s Gold. The Rainbow’s Gold gives a person the chance to experience almost every aspect of the SCA. It also gives the opportunity to have something to do at almost every event.
If this is something you are interested in: the first thing you have to do is officially declare at a Sun Dragon Court,(letting the Baron / Baroness and Herald know in advance) so everyone knows you are starting your amazing adventure. Once declared you should choose a Rainbow’s Gold Member as a mentor to help you keep track of tasks and assist in finding opportunities to get tasks signed off. I will also invite you to the R.G. Facebook group to ask questions and encouragement.
Rainbow's Gold
CHARTER
There shall exist in the Barony of SunDragon an award known as the Order of the Rainbow's Gold. It may be given by the Baron/ess to those persons recognized by the other members of the Order as having completed the requirements necessary (see below).
The holder of this award shall be entitled to place after their name CRG and shall be styled Companions of the Rainbow's Gold of the Barony of SunDragon.
Insignia of the Order shall be a single gold medallion depicting the Baronial Rainbow and strung with a cord of the SunDragon rainbow colours
The Order shall convey no precedence.
The Coronet of the Barony shall carry the title of Principal of the Rainbow's Gold, and shall have all rights, duties, and privileges of Companions of the Order.
The person(s) first elevated unto Companion of the Order shall bear the title of Premier of the Order of the Rainbow's Gold.
Amendments to this Charter shall be made by the Principal of the Order, after consultation with the other members of the Order.
Candidates may begin to fulfill the requirements for this Order upon officially declaring themselves before the Baron/ess and the Companions of the Order.
The following is the requirements of the Order of the Rainbow’s Gold.
Combat
In order to accomplish this section, the candidate will demonstrate various skills at arms. There are three ways to accomplish this, the candidate must choose one of the three.
Heraldry
To demonstrate a knowledge of heraldry, the candidate must:
Dancing
To demonstrate the candidate's dancing ability, the candidate shall be required to perform five dances, each of which is from a different, Western European court style that is appropriate to our period of research (i.e. Pavan, Bransle, Alman, English Country, 15th Century Italian, 16th Century Italian, Galliard, and the like).
Games
To demonstrate the candidate's ability with games, the candidate must demonstrate a knowledge of Chess or Backgammon. The candidate must also be able to name five (5) other games of the Middle Ages and play one of the seven (7).
Calligraphy
Candidates for this Order must submit a scriven petition requesting membership to this Order. The petition will be written in a medieval hand and illuminated to the best of the ability of the candidate; and shall be presented to the candidate upon completion of all the requirements, by the hand of the Baron/ess.
For the Pleasure of Others
To demonstrate the candidate's knowledge of music and literature, the candidate will submit two (2) of the following:
Courtly Behavior
Each candidate will be assigned a mentor (the candidate may request a particular companion of the Order or one will be assigned) to aid in the instruction of the candidate in courtly behavior and SCA customs. The candidate will also be observed by members of the Order during the time he/she is working to complete the other requirements of the Order.
Know Thyself
To demonstrate the candidate's knowledge of the Middle Ages, the candidate will be questioned by a panel with respect to persona. The candidate will need to know such things as: What period of time s/he is living in, where, activities of daily life, politics, religion, clothes, food, etc.
Service To Others
The candidate will act as either an officer or a deputy for a period of six months beginning from the time they declare themselves as a candidate, or they shall act as a autocrat or co-autocrat or shall instruct three classes on different subjects at some time during the period they are working for the Order.
