Branch Histories

Barony of Winter's Gate

Per fess indented sable,
estoily argent, and argent,
in base a laurel wreath sable.
Arms by Khevron Oktavii Tikhikovich Vorotnikov

History: The Barony started out as a Shire, then a Province, founded by a few College Students and Science-Fiction fans in Fairbanks, Alaska. These included Morgana n'ha Keridwen (aka Baroness Morgana yr Oerfa), Micheil the Younger of An Alltan, Phillippe du Moorgth, Miles de Brooks, and eventually (a month or two after the first meetings) Hirsch von Henford and his (now) ex-wife Diotima Aristar.

The core of Winter's Gate for several years included the above, and later Antadina du Nordlac (aka Berengeria de Montfort of Carcassone), Falchion Mountaintamer (aka Fanchion Mountaintamer), Danpira Snowsong, Altano of Annum Ridge and John St. Andrew.

The following are excerpts from an article on "Oerthan Firsts", see History of Oertha page for the whole article.

Morgana n'ha Keridwen became the first peer in Winter's Gate when King Steingrim admitted her to the Order of the Pelican during his Yuletide visit to Winter's Gate in December XVI.
The first visiting monarch to a Northern event (LS January XIII) was King Steven [MacEanruig]. Also at that event were Mistress Hilary of Serendip and Sir William the Lucky. At that event, Eskalya was made a Barony, with Hugh McGlammoraga of the North and Selenia of Silverwood as founding Baron and Baroness; Winter's Gate was made a Shire, and House Van Dag formed the Freehold of Selveirgard.
The first gathering of soon-to-be Winter's Gaters was at a demo at the Tanana Valley Fair in August, A.S. XIII. Winter's Gate was advanced to Province status in May, A.S. XV, and then altered its status to that of a Barony in January A.S. XVIII, with Morgana n'ha Keridwen [aka Morgana yr Oerfa -- Hirsch] as its founding Baroness.
Beast Valley petitioned Winter's Gate for riding status at Michaelmas, October A.S. XVII.
The first royal visit to Winter's Gate was that of TRM William and Andrea, who graced May Captaincy XVI with their presence.

Barons and Baronesses of Winter's Gate:

Reign Began	Baron/ess and Consort (Baroness/Baron)
January, 1984	Morgana yr Oerfa (Founding Baroness)
April, 1999	Morgana yr Oerfa and Taran de Montfort
July, 2002	Khevron Oktavii Tikhikovich Vorotnikov and Morgana yr Oerfa
April, 2005	Griffin Garret and Margery Garret
April, 2010	Gwyneth Rhiannon of the Sea

Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

See photos from early in Winter's Gate's History

Description of the history of this branch is a summary from the small amount of information available, by Hirsch von Henford. Location information is from the back of The Page.

[Index of Branches] [Main Page for the History] [Who's Who]

The West Kingdom History Website was created by and is maintained by Hirsch von Henford (mka Ken Mayer).