Welcome to the proto-Canton of Castelburn
in the Barony of Southron Gaard!

Welcome to the proto-Canton of Castelburn, wherein you may step back in time to fight with chivalry, dance with grace, feast with gusto or pursue the divers activities that enriched the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Castelburn is based in Dunedin, in the South Island of New Zealand and is a branch of the international non-profit educational organisation, the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).

The SCA is dedicated to the research and recreation of pre-17th century European history, with a particular focus on its practical applications in and sciences, including costuming, cooking, martial arts, dance, calligraphy and illumination, metalwork, archery, music and much, much more.

To get involved, contact:
Ignatius 03 4531947 or
Lady Fridda 03 4780930
or join the Canton's discussion list below.

You'll find additional helpful newcomer's information and resources on this site, belonging to our parent Barony of Southron Gaard (based in Christchurch).

What's On?

Other SCA event calendars:
Proto-College of St Kessog Event Calendar (University of Otago)
Barony of Southron Gaard Event Calendar (Christchurch)
Kingdom of Lochac Event Calendar (Australia and New Zealand)

Mailing Lists -- keep in touch!

Hear about forthcoming events, participate in discussions, ask questions and talk to the local populace on the Castelburn Discussion list.

Or keep up with activities in the local proto-College of St Kessog, based at the University of Otago, via their St Kessog Discussion list.

Learn about happenings in our parent Barony of Southron Gaard (covering the South Island, based in Christchurch) via the Southron Gaard Discussion list (1-2 messages per day) or their Announcement list (1-2 messages per week).

Midwinter Cockatrice Convivium

20-22 June

Bartholomew and katherine, Baron and Baroness of Southron Gaard unto the cultured and talented people of Southron Gaard, greetings,

It was our great pleasure to be able to attend Castelburn's second Cockatrice Convivium over the weekend, a delightful combination of music, dance and dramatickal performance, workshops, feasting and martial activities.

The talents, planning and hard work of the people of Castelburn were obvious throughout. Their efforts were enhanced by significant contributions from three gentles of the Barony of Ildhafn -- Mistress Katherina Weyssin von Regenspurk, Lord Ludwig von Regenspurk and Lord Tristan d'Avignon -- as well as support from several gentles from St Kessog and the Lowlands of Southron Gaard.

In all, well over a dozen folk travelled to Cockatrice to add to the strong local presence, and we heartily commend it to all who would consider doing so in future. For those who cannot travel readily -- or who yearn for a taster for next year's event -- plans are afoot to bring several of this year's highlights to Canterbury Faire next.

A planned side-effect of the event was the level of notice it attracted to the group (billed, for the sake of media attention spans, as the Dunediin Medieval Society). Around a hundred members of the public came to the music and puppet performances, many to the workshops and martial activities, and participation in the Lantern Festival parade around the Octagon on Saturday night drew the attention of much of the local population.

There is sure to be followup in the local media and you can see a short preview from one source here

Our congratulations to the tireless Seneschal and Steward, Ignatius of Castelburn, who also distinguished himself on Sunday by becoming Southron Gaard's 10th authorised rapier combatant. Cockatrice was quality throughout, and he and his skilled and wonderfully hospitable team can be justifiably proud.

Castelburn's puppet play, DrFaustus
(See more photos)

participation in Dunedin's wonderfully atmospheric Midwinter Lantern Parade
(See photos of Lantern Parades)

Report on Last Year's Chilly Castelburn Cockatrice Convivium

Congratulations to the new Lady Fridda

Bartholomew and katherine to the hard-working populace of the proto- Canton of Castelburn, greetings,

It was a pleasure to see so many of you at Midwinter Coronation, and even more so to see your tireless Seneschal receive her Award of Arms, and thus be rightly termed Lady Fridda of Castelburn from now on.

Huzzah!

In service, Bartholomew and katherine

Report on the Coronation by Lady Fridda

While the sun shone brightly in these cold but clear July days the populace gathered in their finest array to celebrate the Coronation of the new King and Queen of the Kingdom of Lochac. Gentles from the Canton of Castelburn and the College of St Kessog braved snow and ice to lend support and to witness the spectacle. Only the best was presented to Their Majesties. The most colourful venues were decorated in style and taste.

Lords and ladies gathered from throughout the Kingdom in spectacular garb to sing, dance, feast and revel. With much ceremony and honour the royal couple were enthroned. Such were the festivities attendant that all agree there has been no finer in all the land.

Other SCA event calendars:
Proto-College of St Kessog Event Calendar (University of Otago)
Barony of Southron Gaard Event Calendar (Christchurch)
Kingdom of Lochac Event Calendar (Australia and New Zealand)

For Newcomers

See this resource page from the Baronial web site, for people new to the SCA. Also feel free to view this flyer:
What is the SCA? (450KB Word document).