In times past, a tournament is held each Spring where those who which to be considered for the Guard come and demonstrate their prowess in the combat arts. The Baronial Guard generally serves for one year. The Guard serves at the discretion of the Baron and Baroness of Elfsea.

The First Baronial Guard

On September 1, 2007, Maili Donnel MacGregor wrote:

Some of you may or may not know the first Captain of the Shire/Baronial Guards at the first investiture for Elfsea was Lord Jamie Burnside.(Captain) . Along with him was Dragonettie, Tristan, Mad Ivan, and I believe Chris.

Jamie came up with the blue and gold tabards and had a set made for everybody.

They marched in with two Halberds and Boar spears he had brought back from Drachenwald. Also, Logan the Smith made spears heads that were donated for the guards to use. I know I have missed some of the names of the original guardsmen.

I hope this helps with the history pages.

Elfsea Baronial Guard Charter

Revised October 1, 2004

Purpose:

• Ceremonial support during Court and Processions.
• Escort to the Baron/Baroness and Foreign Dignitaries, as required.
• A military unit to operate in the Line of Battle as Baronial bodyguard or as an Ad Hoc unit raised for specific events.
• Interactive support staff at Baronial events (to assist the general populace and event stewards with minor duties)
• Provide sentries/wardens to insure safety and orderly conduct during courts and baronial meetings and other meetings as directed by the Coronets.
• Serve as goodwill ambassadors of the barony at events and demos.
• Other duties as assigned by the Baron/Baroness. 

Organization:

The Baronial Guard of Elfsea will consist of:

• 1 x Captain of the Guard
• One or more Companies with the following structure:
  • 1 x Lieutenant
  • 1 – 2 x Sergeants (1 per every 4 Rank and File)
  • 1 x Standard Bearer
  • 4 – 8 additional Rank and File members

Provision allows for the formation of additional Companies as necessary or available.

Application for Membership:

Prospective Guard members must be persons of known honor and dedication. Each must submit letters of application (one to the Baron/Baroness and one to the Captain of the Guard), written in a manner appropriate to the applicant’s time and culture. Letters will include a brief introduction of the applicant to the Baron/Baroness, the Captain and the Guard, explaining their merits, qualities and qualifications for membership in the Guard. The letter will be presented for approval to the Guard membership.

Induction to the Guard:

Applicants who meet the Baronial Guard requirements set forth in this charter and are deemed worthy to join the Guard by the Captain and the Baron and Baroness, shall be presented in court where they shall give an oath of service, in their own words, to serve the Guard and Barony and will then receive their uniform of the Guard. New members may only be inducted by the Baron/Baroness and in the presence of the Captain and other Guard members.

Minimum Requirements:

• Be an active member of the Barony of Elfsea for the past six months.
• Maintain authorization in one or more of the following:
  • Armored Combat Marshal
  • Rapier Combat Marshal
  • Archery Marshal
• Commitment to attend an average of 2 baronial activities per month (Fighter practice, Populace meeting, demos, event, etc.)
• Commitment to attend scheduled Guard meetings.
• It is highly recommended that guards maintain one or more of the following fighting authorizations:
  • Armored Combat
  • Rapier Combat
  • Combat Archery
• Fighting Guards should own all of their own equipment and weaponry.
• Be willing to carry the Elfsea standard and other such regalia during processions and in court. 

Terms of Service:

• Terms of service are intended to be a minimum of one year, but may be extended by mutual consent of the Baron/Baroness and the Guard member.
• Resignation:
  • A Guard may voluntarily resign for any reason, at any time, by giving notice (preferably in writing) to the Captain or senior officer present.
• Dismissal:
  • Should circumstances require a non-voluntary separation from service, the Captain will have the responsibility and authority to dismiss an individual from service upon consultation with the Guard and the Baron/Baroness.

Guard Officers:

Guards are eligible to serve as officers after one year of satisfactory service on the Guard.

• The Captain of the Guard is appointed by the Baron/Baroness. Appointment generally occurs at Elfsea’s Passage of Arms or Spring event. Only fighting members of the Guard are eligible to serve as Captain.

• The Lieutenant(s) of the Guard is to be appointed by the Baron/Baroness and the Captain of the Guard. Lieutenants need not be appointed at the same time as the Captain.

• The Sergeants of the Guard are to be appointed by the Captain of the Guard. Sergeants need not be appointed at the same time as the Captain and/or Lieutenants. The position of Sergeant may also be assigned as a temporary position (i.e., Sergeant of the Watch for an event or to handle Guard supervision in the absence of other Guard officers.)

Duties of Officers:

• Captain

• Oversee all Guard activities.
• Oversee all Guard elections.
• Oversee the removal of Guard members as needed.
• Organize or assist in the organization of Guard activities in court and other events.
• To lead the Guard in times of war or appoint a commander(s) as needed.
• Assign a Sergeant of the Guard to each Elfsea event to work closely with the event steward to coordinate the Guard’s service for the event.
• Other duties as assigned by the Baron/Baroness.

• Lieutenant

• To work with the Captain to organize shifts of duty, both service and ceremonial while at SCA events.
• To appoint sponsors to aid in the induction of new members of the Guard.
• To aid in the training of new or prospective members of the Guard.

• Sergeant

• Work with the Lieutenant(s) to organize shifts of duty, both service and ceremonial while at SCA events.
• To aid in the training of new or prospective members of the Guard. 

Payment of the Guard:

• The Baron and Baroness are responsible for the payment of the Guard. This payment is made annually.

Baron and Baroness:

The Baronial Guard of Elfsea is the personal guard of the Baron and Baroness of Elfsea. As such, the Coronet of Elfsea reserves the right to personally command the Guard, request service of the Guard, retain members of the Guard as escorts or make other reasonable requests of Guard members. The Coronet also reserves the right to reverse decisions of the Captain regarding activities and actions of the Guard.