Champions

Current Champions, 2008-2009

Sir Sven Örfhendur - Armored Combat Champion Don Ian Duncanson - Rapier Combat Champion THLady Beathog nic Dhonnchaidh - Lyon Bard (pronounced BAY-oak)
Sir Sven Örfhendur Armored Combat Champion	Don Ian Duncanson Rapier Combat Champion	THLady Beathog nic Dhonnchaidh Lyon Bard
Lady Christina O'Cleary - Archery Champion Lord Conchobhar Mac Cionaoith - Arts Champion (pronounced CON-er)
Lady Christina O'Cleary Archery Champion	Lord Conchobhar Mac Cionaoith Arts Champion

Previous Champions

Weapons Champions in History

• 2007-2008
  Sir Malachi Halfdan - Heavy Weapons Champion
  Lord Angus le Todde Mac Donnell - Rapier Champion
  
• 2006-2007
  Sir Malachi Halfdan - Heavy Weapons Champion
  Don Colyn mac Labhruinn - Rapier Champion
  
• 1995
  Herzog Dietrich von Vogelsang - Champion
• 1989-1994
  unknown - Champion
• 1985-1988
  Herzog Dietrich von Vogelsang - Champion
• 1984
  Duke Jason Griffiths of Shadowhyrst - Champion
• 1983
  Merleon du Lac - Champion (this was actually Jason Griffiths of Shadowhyrst, but he was King at the time and the convention then was for the King to fight under an alias if he wanted to fight in a tourney)
  Lyondemere Levy - Winner of the Melee Tourney
• 1982
  Earl Adrian Buchanan - Champion
  Lyondemere Levy - Winner of the Melee Tourney
• 1981
  Sir Jason Griffiths of Shadowhyrst - Champion
  The Abbey and Free Agents - Winner of the Melee Tourney

Lyon Bards in History

• Premier Lyon Bard 2002-03 - Finella Harper
• 2nd Lyon Bard 2003-04 - Arthur FitzRobert of Wiverneweald
• 3rd Lyon Bard 2004-05 - Elizaveta (Lilya) Arievna Lebedeva
• 4th Lyon Bard 2005-06 - Eilidh Swann Stralachlan
• 5th Lyon Bard 2006-07 - Domhnall mac Pharlain (pronouced DOLE)

       
Former Lyon Bards: Finella, Arthur, Elizaveta, Eilidh, and Domhnall

LyonBard Competition

At Lyondemere Yule (Dec 2, 2006) we held the 5th Annual Lyon Bard competition. This position was created to encourage excellence in historical performance arts, and to encourage original compositions done in an historical manner. The primary responsibilities as Lyon Bard include composing new material at the request of Their Excellencies, often In honor of or In praise of the Kingdom, Her Monarchs, The Barony, and other praiseworthy topics. You need not be the most accomplished musician in the world, simply have a love for composing and performing to the glory of the Barony, and an interest in historical bardic forms.

For the competition, participants came prepared to perform three pieces on the following topics:

1. One piece must be historical, documentable to pre-1650, as long as the style was in existence prior to 1600.
2. One piece is original, themed on anything that reminds the performer of Lyondemere (such as being by the sea, having a July anniversary, the tale of a sea-lion, ode to the Lovely Ladies of Lyondemere, and so on)
3. One piece is original, incorporating a genealogy of the Baronage of Lyondemere, which is to say:

• Conrad von Regensburg (6/3/78 - 10/15/88) and Megwyn of Glendwry (11/20/80 - 7/21/90)
• Colin Wynthorpe and Xena Baxter Wynthorpe (7/21/90 - 7/12/97)
• Gilbert Rhys MacLachlan and Morann Will Owen (7/12/97 - 7/14/01)
• Jamal Damien Marcus and Eowyn Amberdrake (7/14/01 - 7/22/06)
• Thomas Bordeaux and Angelina Nicollette de Beaumont (7/22/06 - present)

Further Notes: The original pieces may be performed to existing music, as long as that existing music is either out of copyright, or the lyricist has the copyright holder's permission. If a pre-existing tune is used, judging preference may be shown to compositions using tunes composed prior to the year 1650. The longest piece may not exceed 10 minutes. Documentation is required, telling the provenance of the historical piece, and the style of the original pieces. A copy of the words should be included.

Ground Rules: This is a 1-year commitment that includes three required events in Lyondemere (Yule, Anniversary, and the competition for successor). It is for skill in both composition and performance. This honor is for a single person, not a group, though one may perform with backup musicians or singers. The holder of the title is determined by competition, judged similar to Pentathlon, with more than performance, and on specified themes. The holder may not succeed himself or herself. The competition is open to singers, poets, storytellers, actor-playwrights, and musicians. If the LyonBard is unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, then the position will go to the first runner-up, at the Baroness's discretion.

Responsibilities also include:

(a) To perform a piece at Lyondemere Yule. The piece may be either original or historical, but does not need to be composed specifically for the event.
(b) To perform an original piece at Lyondemere Anniversary. This does need to be composed specifically for the event. The theme is "Lyondemere." It could be a fight song, a praise poem, a love song, a satire, whatever the LyonBard is inspired to do.
(c) To publish the Anniversary piece in the Tydes. The submission should be arranged with the Chronicler.
(d) To list the lineage of the Baronage of Lyondemere at Lyondemere Yule and at Lyondemere Anniversary. This would likely be at court. The information will be provided beforehand, and the LyonBard may organize it for presentation as he or she desires.
(e) To perform a piece at each Lyondemere event attended. This is in lieu of the site fee. The performance will probably not be at court, but rather at the Baronial pavilion sometime during the day at a mutually agreed-upon time. The piece may be either original or historical, but need not be composed specifically for the event.
(f) To run the competition that determines his or her successor. The LyonBard does not autocrat the event, just the portion that is the contest.

Rights include:

(a) To be admitted to any Lyondemere-sponsored event without paying the gate fee. This fee will be paid by the Baroness. The LyonBard does need to go to the gate to sign any waivers and get a site token.
(b) To eat the feast at Lyondemere Yule without paying the feast fee. This fee will be paid by the Baroness.
(c) To be seated at head table at Lyondemere Yule.
(d) To wear the token of the LyonBard.
If the LyonBard is unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, then the position will go to the first runner-up, at the Baroness's discretion.

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