The Barony of Jararvellir was founded in A.S. VI (C.E. May 10, 1971).

From HE Asdis Stefansdottir, First Baroness Jararvellir:

The first Baron, Tomas Tolftungr, and I met in the West Kingdom and had occasion to attend a Crown Tourney as the guests of a Knight of the realm. We sat in borrowed garb, enjoying the hospitality of the event. ‘Twas but one day, yet the memory of it remained in our hearts. Circumstances brought us away from the West, and we shortly settled in Madison. Before much time had passed, we found the address of the Seat of the West Kingdom and Thomas wrote, requesting information on the establishment of a Barony in the SCA. (Recall, fair Gentles – there were but four Kingdoms, of which we had but little knowledge.)

We received by return a post declaring ourselves Baron and Baroness! We decided mutually upon Viking personas, as such was the Baron’s own background – and as far from my own as possible. There began for me a passion for all things Viking, and to this day I retain a respectable library on the subject.

The name of the Barony was developed by the Baron: “Jarar,” an “Icelandicized” version of Yahara, the river upon which the Barony rests; and “-vellir,” authentic Icelandic for “plains”. Hence “Jararvellir,” the Plains of the Yahara River. (It should be noted, “Yahara” is a contrived Indian name for what had been called by early settlers “Catfish Creek”) Therefrom the arms of the Barony were designed, if memory serves, by Lady Theodora, whose artistry (and comic renderings) were without equal.

The first event was a feast held at Nottingham Co-op on May 5, AS VIII (1973). The fare included applemoy, an applesauce made with almonds by St Aubrey Evenstar, the first Baronial chef. He had, by his own request, auditioned by preparing a supper for the Baron and myself, which included dishes of such delicacy that we were delighted.

Shortly after, the Baron and I traveled to an event in Kalamazoo, Michigan, bearing with us a modest retinue including our Knight Marshall and Herald. We were simply clad and plain, yet were greeted with all courtesy by His Majesty King Andrew of Seldom Rest. The event that stands forth most in my mind of that event was the sight of the royal pavilion (made from a huge silk parachute) and the presentation at Court by Her Majesty of her son Sean, a lad but two days old.

Time passed; we were given a proper Investiture held at Hoyt Park. Our foster son, Lars the Fierce, was in attendance, as were all the folk of the newly-born Barony. From thence did time fly by and we learned by doing.