Note: This history of Théodish Belief is an ongoing work. More will be added in the days ahead.
Dole One: Wóden and the Witan – The First Modern Þéod (1976 – 1990)
by Wordsmith
The following Théodish history is taken from “Kingship and Anglo-Saxon Théodism” as found in the unpublished work, The Géring Handbook: Géargerím of Géring (1991), and is reprinted here with leave of Gárman Lord.
In 1976, Gárman Lord was visited by Wóden and Fríȝe and began to rediscover the religion of his forefathers. The Coven Witan became the Witan Þéod and, giving up its Wiccan practices, began its worship of Wóden. Gárman was the first lord, and Wordsmith and Ælfwyne were his þeȝens. Their primary venture was to research and relearn the old ways, and to put into practice the new-found truths. In 1977 the “membership” grew by two, adding Werewolf and Æȝili, and 1978 saw two more, Sægæst and Wuldorhiht.
The Witan rediscovered and put into practice much ancient wisdom and craft, including swine-tivering, trial by ordeal, true witchcraft, seiðʀcraft, berserkerism, battle ecstasy, and poetic boasting. It became a retro-heathen shamanistic cult for serious and dedicated lore-seekers, and at the same time began to widen the gulf between itself and the prevailing society. This was seen as a barrier between Wóden and the world, and steps were taken to build bridges across the gap. The concept of Théodism was then (re)born, but a lord and lady were lacking.
In the late ‘80’s, Sægæst and Wuldorhiht were in the process of their own rediscovering. Wóden came to each, telling Sægæst he was to be a lord and instructing Wuldorhiht to remember him and teach her people to practice his faith. Sægæst then became Ealdaræd Lord and Wuldorhiht his Lady, Túnhofe, and together they formed the Moody Hill Þéod, named after their recently restored mansion home.
Soon thereafter, Gárman received an important piece of wisdom through the runes. It was the first step in reinstating kingship, and with it the luck of the king for the people. The Wínland Ríce was created with Wóden’s blessing as a kingly instrument to bind the Théod, and in the future other Théods, to the gods. Thinking the title of king to be too pretentious for the scale of things at the time, Gárman took the title of Æþeling, or firstborn, of the kingdom. Ealdaræd saw in this concept a potential for difficulties among the people of this þéod, and Gárman runed on it, asking if he should step down, but Wóden said no.
In October of 1989 a þing was held at Moody Hill and Gárman was summoned. After several tests and ordeals, the question was brought up to vote, and the Wínland Ríce was given the go-ahead for a year and a day, beginning on Háliʒmæst. During the maðelung, Gárman read off his family tree going back to Wóden. After a year and a day, on Háliʒmæst of 1990 the troths were replighted, and the Ríce made permanent.
Dole Two: Kingship, Ásatrú, and Outlawry (1992 – 2002) by Þórbeorht Hláford
The Fall of Moody Hill Théod
Soon thereafter a rift opened in the Ríce between the Witan Théod, which cleaved to a rigorous Retroheathen thew, and Moody Hill Théod, which had sought to Neoheathenize Théodish Belief. By Hallows of 1991, Moody Hill Théod called a folkmoot whereat they set themselves against Gárman. In turn, Gárman deemed Moody Hill to be in defiance and set them under a boycott of the Ríce. It was at Blótmónaþ of that year that Gárman renamed the Witan Théod, highting it Géring Théod (YAIR-ing, “offshoot of the sprout”), and offered blót to Ing-Fréa.
Over the next year the rift between Géring Théod and Moody Hill Théod widened and come Háligmónaþ 1992, Moody Hill Théod surrendered its claim to be Théodish and went wretched from the Ríce. Having lost its luck, Moody Hill soon folded.
An Aside: The Harrying of Moody Hill Théod
During this time, Moody Hill Théod was beset by woes that went beyond their falling out with the Wínland Ríce. In early October of 1991 and at the height of the Satanic Panic (1980-1995), the local newspaper ran an “exposé” on Moody Hill Théod which stirred up much fear and misunderstanding about Théodish Belief. This made it difficult for even the Wínland Ríce to hold its own gatherings in Watertown. It was about this time, however, that the internet was becoming widely available in many homes. Soon word of the Wínland Ríce and its Théodish Belief would reach Ásatrúar and other Heathens in North America, some of whom were keen to know more and to perhaps become Théodsmen themselves.
Beyond Watertown
Not long afterward the Wínland Ríce began to grow beyond the bounds of Watertown, New York. Through Gárman’s writings and Æscbéam Þygen’s involvement with the Ring of Troth, Ásatrúar grew in their awareness of the Théodish Ríce and its Belief with some seeking to become Théodsmen themselves. Amongst these newcomers were the twin brothers Swain and Eric Wódening of Missouri. In mid 1993 they became the landlords of Wednesbury Léod and the láreowas (loremasters) of the Wednesbury King’s School.
In early 1994, THÉOD Magazine was established as a quarterly publication “under the sanction of Géring Théod of Anglo-Saxon Théodish Belief” with issues being released at Ewemeoluc, Wælburga, Lammastide, and Hallows. From then until 2000, THÉOD Magazine “chronicled the deeds and misdeeds of the Reawakening community of the nineties” alongside reviews and articles written by both Théodsmen of the Wínland Ríce and guest contributors from throughout Heathendom.
Gárman’s Cynehelmung
By 1995, the Théodish tréow (troth/tree) had so broadened that it began to branch out beyond Anglo-Saxon thew. Thus, at Solmónaþ of that same year, Gerd was given leave by Gárman Lord to found, Fresena Hall, a Frisian théod, as its Æþeling. Then, on the 8th of July, 1995 CE, the Théodsmen of the Wínland Ríce gathered at Þundersley Hall in Sandusky, Ohio to offer blót to the gods, raise Gárman Lord on the shield, crown him with a boar-helm, and height him their Hálig Cyning (sacral king).
Gárman’s Cyningscipe soon brought luck to the Ríce. THEOD began publishing booklets by Gárman, Æscbéam, Hildiwulf, and even the Wódening brothers before Swain was outlawed and Eric went wretched to be with his brother. Moreover the Ríce welcomed into its midst, Ælfric Avery, a scóp of great giftedness who began to produce albums of heathen song in the Old English, Old Frisian, and Gothic tongues. Soon Théodsmen were crafting jewelry, garb, pottery, and other such goods which were highly sought after throughout heathendom.
The “Troth Wars”
It was during this time, however, that trouble began to brew between Ásatrúar and Théodsmen, their beliefs and thews being far more unalike than either had first thought. As early as 1993, an Elder in the Troth had begun a misinformation campaign of rumor mongering and gossip against the Wínland Ríce and against those Théodsmen who were then active in the Troth. To this, the Ríce responded in 1996 with the booklet, Gamlinginn: A Study in Evil. Not long after this, in the Lammas 1997 edition of THÉOD Magazine, Gárman issued a deeming, sometimes called the Wælburga’s Þyle by Théodsmen, that marked the formal end of Théodish membership in Ásatrú organizations such as the Troth. As that deeming read:
Be It Known: … Þæt in Þrimilcimónaþ þe gods gave Gárman þyle, and Gárman he gave it to þe Þéodisc folk on first Séarmónaþ: þæt it is þe whim of þe gods, þæt eall þe Ríce’s connections wiþ Ásatrú sceal be broken.
The brief union between Ásatru and Théodish Belief was ended.
The Ríce’s Woes
Alas, this did not end the Wínland Ríce’s woes. Théodish Belief continued to grow but, as it did, new difficulties arose. The Ríce’s théods were all based upon the warband of the Folkwandering Tide (Migration Era). While this framework made for an authentic RetroHeathenry, it also attracted roleplayers, triflers, adventurers, and agenda mongers who, once within the Ríce, cultivated intrigue and sowed the seeds of treason. Many of the Théodsmen who had come into Théodism from Ásatrú were either wolf-headed or out of thew within a handful of years. Swain Wódening of Wednesbury Théod, Winifred Hodge of Gering Théod, Ingwíne of Godastede Hall and others were outlawed in 1996 upon sundry grounds such as endangering the king’s luck, treason against the king, or raising hand or word against the king. Many of these outlaws then gathered to found Þæt Angelseaxisce Ealdriht, a broadfolk (national) fellowship which lasted until 2004. In 1997, a Norman théod, the Normannii Thiud, was founded by Dan H yet by Winterfylleþ of 2001, the Normannii Thiud withdrew from the Wínland Ríce as rumor of treason began to reach the ears of the king’s thanes. Yet in leaving the Ríce, Lord Normannii did not outrun outlawry and was wolf-headed by the summer of 2002.
The Frisian Regency
By the Hærfest Emniht (autumnal equinox) of 1997, the Ríce’s frith had been sorely strained. Hoping to turn things around, Gárman Cyning set Gerd Lord Æþeling of Fresena Thiad “to rule for a year and a day as Regent of the Ríce.” Alas, the Frisian Recency could not settle the strife that had sprouted up within the Ríce’s ranks. Thus it was that, at Hallows of 1998, “a moot on the state of the Ríce was called by Gerd Lord Regent and several of the Ríce’s reeves who were there, and it was deemed best for the frith and wellbeing of all that the Ríce should be restored to the wield of the King.” Shortly thereafter in 1999, Fresena Thiad ended its fostership to the Wínland Ríce and left to become a self-standing fellowship with Gerd as its Æþeling. Though its departure was done with a Right Good Will, the loss of the Frisian théod was fully felt in the Ríce. To Théodish Belief, the Frisians had brought the comparative religious writings of both Mircea Eliade and Georges Dumézil and, whilst in the Ríce, they had furthered the holy heaps (cults) of Þunor and Fôsite. Moreover, it was through Hildiwulf Thiâner’s grasp of Germanic alliterative verse that Théodish scópcræft had been sharpened. Alas, Fresena was soon overcome by its own inner turmoil and disbanded not long after it had left the Ríce.
Greater Théodism
It was in the midst of this upheaval that, in 2000, Gárman Lord wrote Way of the Heathen to allow for a branch of Théodish Belief to grow up outside the Wínland Ríce. This he called “Greater Théodism” with the Théodish Belief of the Wínland Ríce being hight “High Théodism.” Though Greater Théodism did not thrive, a handful of léods sprang forth from it. The foremost of these was the Sahsisk Thiod (first known as Folcaha, “Folkriver”) which in 2002 was brought into Greater Théodism by Þórbeorht (then called Êrmund).
The Wisdom Roundtable
Thus it was that in 2002, Gárman Lord sought to rethink the structure of Théodish society. To help him in this, Gárman established the Wisdom Roundtable and welcomed to it sundry Heathen sages, both within and without the Wínland Ríce. The charge that Gárman gave to the Wisdom Roundtable was this: to search through Heathen lore and Anglo-Saxon history and to find another framework for Théodish fellowship. Among those seated on The Wisdom Roundtable were the folk of Géring Théod, Hildiwulf a former thane of the disbanded Fresena Thiad, and Þórbeorht of the Sahsisk Thiod.
The Sahsisk Thiod
At Æftera Líða of 2002, Þórbeorht, though only then a Greater Théodsman, offered true blót to Wóden. That Wéodmónaþ he was invited by Gárman Cyning to visit Géring Théod Heall. At their meeting, Gárman heard Þórbeorht’s hold oath and agreed to foster him and the Sahsisk Thiod. Sadly, there was some measure of mistrust between the two folkdoms, both of which were “war weary” from the assaults of Ásatrúar and dealing with the schemes of the Normannii. Thus, come Þrimilce 2003 Géring Théod and the Sahsisk Thiod parted ways over the question of whether Greater Théodish léods might raise their own kings.
Sadly, the Wisdom Roundtable failed to fulfill the charge that it had been given. The Ríce’s Hláfmæsse gathering that year was an unhappy one and Gárman himself was still greatly wounded by Dan H and the Normannii’s betrayal. And so it was that, come Solmónaþ of 2004, the Wínland Ríce went fallow.
Dole Three: The Fallowtide, & Pretendership (2002 – 2019)
During this time outlaws of the Normannii Thiud and Angelseaxisce Ealdriht established a Théodish pretendership under the guise of an Affirmation of Thew which Gárman had previously rejected in 2002 as unthewful. From this wearg samnung (outlaw assembly) spread much misunderstanding about Théodish belief and thew. Yet “treason doth never prosper” and this bid to take over Théodish Belief proved unlucky. By 2004 the Angelseaxisce Ealdriht was no more, having split in two halves: a Miercinga Théod helmed by Swain Wódening and a Néoweanglia Þéod helmed by Cynemund (BS) who, within months, brought it beneath the outlawed Normannii Thiud. In 2005 Swain stepped down from his lordship of Miercinga and turned the Théod over to his then wife, Tee. In that same year the folk of Néoweanglia Þéod, wishing to leave Normannii, left their lord who chose to remain Dan’s thane. Yet by 2007 Néoweanglia was no more. In that same year, Eric Wódenning, having left the Wínland Ríce, formed Englatheod in which his brother Swain soon joined him. In 2008 Miercinga disbanded and by 2009 the Normannii Thiud was in ruin as it splintered into sundry offshoots as Dan’s thanes abandoned him. Two of these fellowships, Arfstoll Church of Theodish Belief helmed by Lou S and Álfröðull þjóð led by Conn H were short-lived and folded soon thereafter. More noteworthy were those fellowships which the Normannii Thiud had fostered during its outlawry, namely Daniel F’s Œþelland Théod, which had been beneath the Normannii banner since 2004, and Cynemund’s newly formed Hwítmersc Théod. In that same year the Wódenings’ Englatheod was brought beneath the Hwítmersc banner and became Wednesbury Shire.
Among the few glad tidings to come from this Dark Age in Théodish history was Gerd’s reforming of the disbanded Fresena Thiad in 2005 as Axenthof Thiad which took no part in the aforementioned Affirmation of Thew.
Dole Four: The Ríce Renewed (2019 – 2022)
2019
To many, this seemed to be the end of Théodish Belief. The gods thought otherwise. Though the Roundtable had disbanded in 2003, one of its members, Þórbeorht, took the king’s call to heart. Having disbanded the Sahsisk Théod in 2008 to carry on the Wisdom Roundtable’s work, Þórbeorht began reading through sundry Anglo-Saxon laws and charters. Believing that he had found a more sound framework for Théodish fellowships, Þórbeorht founded the Ealdríce in 2010 not as a warband but, rather, as an Anglo-Saxon holy-guild (OE: háliggyld). It was around this time as well that Þórbeorht wrote to Gárman to make amends for their falling out some seven years earlier. By 2014, Þórbeorht and Gárman both felt that the Ealdríce’s framework showed enough promise that the Ealdríce could begin to call itself a Théodish fellowship. At Æftera Líða of 2018, Gárman Hláford invited Þórbeorht, Æþelwulf, and Wudukind of the Ealdríce Háliggyld in Richmond, Virginia to visit Géring Heall in Watertown, New York to moot on the matter of the Normannii offshoot known as Hwítmersc (Whitemarsh) Théod and Cynemund (BS) its lord. There at þing, Þórbeorht showed Gárman many proofs of the wrongful deeds that Cynemund, the folk of Hwítmersc, and other Normannii offshoots had done during the Fallowtide and of the great harm that they had done to the gefrain (reputation) of Théodish Belief throughout nowtidely Heathendom. It was at Þrimilce the following year (2019), that Þórbeorht returned to Gering Heall, bringing with him the whole of the Ealdríce Théod. There a great gathering was held whereat Þórbeorht fained the gods for Gárman, led the folk in a beating of the bounds, and read the runes before the cyning. Moreover, with Mummers Plays, Morris Dancing, Garland Dancing, and gebéorscipe, the folk of the Ealdríce Théod lifted the cyning’s heart. Thus it was that the cyning was healed the grim wound that had been wrought by Normannii betrayal. So glad was Gárman to see how Þórbeorht and his folk had kept and furthered Théodish thew that, at moot, Gárman agreed to one again hear Þórbeorht’s oath. That evening in the meadhall, Gárman donned his cynehelm for the first time in fifteen years, sat upon the gift-stool, and heard Þórbeorht’s hold oath. After swearing his hold and affirming Gárman’s cynescipe, Þórbeorht raised horn in the symbel hall and abanned that the Ríce had been renewed and that its long Fallowtide had ended.
In the months thereafter, the Wínland Ríce began to grow anew. Ælfric soon returned to its fold and founded Hræfnscír Heall in British Columbia. Likewise, the Ealdríce brought with it Æppeldor Friðstów in Tasmania. At Háligmónaþ a moot was held at Géring Théod Hall in Watertown at which time Gárman Lord Cyning seated his new Witan, signed the charters for the Ealdríce and Hræfnscír, and put it forward that Þórbeorht should be made the Ríce’s Regent (Healdend) which was deemed so that Géol. Moreover, at this time Ælfric was named High Wita. THEOD Magazine, having ceased regular print in 2000, was succeeded by the quarterly Spellstów and Háliggyld Books was established for the publication of new Théodish works. Once more Gárman’s kingship had brought luck to the Ríce. So ended 2019, the first year of the Ríce’s renewal.
2020
At Þrilíða 2020, a twelve-day Hláftíd moot was held to work out the framework of the renewed Wínland Ríce. It was deemed then that the Ríce would shift from being a banding of warbands to a gathering of théods framed as háliggyld (holy guilds) and as other such fellowships that were once known to our heathen fore-elders. Likewise, thralldom was traded for learnership (apprenticeship) as the means by which men might worth themselves to become Théodsmen. So too at this time were the Théodish sacral craft guilds renewed with Ælfric of Hræfnscír named lord of the Smiþ and Scóp Gilds and Þórbeorht of the Ealdríce named ealdorblótere (chief priest) of the Théodish Wéofodþegn Gild (priest guild).
Moreover, the Cyning made use of the moot to settle sundry questions of Théodishness which had arisen during the Fallowtide. To quell rumors otherwise, Gárman Lord Cyning deemed upon the unthéodishness of outlaws and their so-called Affirmation of Thew. Lastly, the Cyning, in his wisdom, ended the trow of Greater Théodism as found in the book, The Way of the Heathen.
That Blótmónaþ, Ælfric Þegn of Hræfnscír Heall was raised to the árung of Hláford (lord) and Hræfnscír was hight a Théod. So ended 2020, the second year of the Ríce’s renewal.
2021
Soon after the twelve days of Géoltíd had ended, the Wínland Ríce and Axenthof Thiad held moot to remember the frith that was pledged when Axenthof was the Fresena Hall of the Wínland Ríce and to renew the Right Good Will between them.
Upon the first of Hréþemónaþ Þórbeorht Hláford Ealdríces and Ælfric Hláford Hræfnscíre swore an oath of friendship (OE fréondscipe, Latin amicitia) to each other and thereby pledged that each should be a friend to the other’s friends and a foe to the other’s foes. This was the first such fréondscipe oath sworn between Théodish lords.
In that same month, “the heathen fellowship known as Ondheim beseeched the Wínland Ríce for griþ (truce) in the hope that it and the Wínland Ríce might be on terms with each other ‘as Théodsmen.’” On this the Wínland Ríce’s Witan deemed that, as “Ondheim was founded by men who followed the Normannii hláford (lord) into outlawry and also by men who became that outlaw’s followers thereafter […] it is not a Théodish Théod nor are its folk Théodsmen.”
That Éastremónaþ, Þórbeorht Ealdorblótere reopened the Théodish Wéofodþegn Gild (Priest Guild), so that the Théodish Ríce might have a blóterehád (priesthood) and háligu scolu (holy school) for the worthing of new wéofodþegnas (priests).
At Æftera Líða, the Wínland Ríce held its Ærest Gemétung gathering at Géring Théod Heall in Watertown, New York to mark the forty-fifth year since Gárman Lord beheld Wóden and our Théodish Belief was begun. At this gathering a faining to Wóden was held which was then followed by moot and symbel. It was at this gathering’s moot that Gárman Lord Cyning bid his Witan to begin a Witenagemót for the choosing of a new cyning. Moreover, at symbel Gárman Cyning gave his cynehelm (crown/boar helmet) to Þórbeorht Healdend to hold in trust for the Théodish Ríce’s next cyning. He also bestowed upon Sǽfriþ Ides the first Théodish hearp (lyre) which he himself made in 1994.
In that same month and at the Cyning’s bidding, Þórbeorht Healdend called a Witenagemót “to answer by deeming whether or not fettered and jailed men might be given the ‘freedom of the Ríce’ and thus be hight Théodsmen.” As it was deemed by the Witan, “no man who is now fettered and jailed may be given the ‘freedom of the Ríce’ as he himself is not a freeman and thus has not the Free Right to thewfully swear a Théodish oath.” With that deeming, the Théodish Ríce’s foray into prison ministry was ended.
Come Wéodmónaþ, Háliggyld Books republished Wordsmiðes Angel-Seaxisc Grammaticcræft: A Beginning Anglo-Saxon Grammar. This long out of print introduction to Old English was written in 1992 by Wordsmið Þegn, who alongside Gárman Lord, Ælfwyne Þygen, Æᵹili Þegn, and Werwulf Þegn, was a member of Théodish Belief’s first fellowship, the Witan Théod.
Sometime that same month, Hwítmersc Théod, an offshoot of the outlawed Normannii Thiud, renounced its Théodish claims, renamed itself Hwítmerscynn and its troth Fyrnseġen.
At Háligmónaþ, Háliggyld Books published, From the Giftstool, a new collection of Gárman Lord’s classic writings.
On the waxing moon of Winterfylleþ a great gathering was held at Géring Théod Heall in Watertown, New York at which Théodsmen from the three eras of Théodish history — the Witan Théod, the early Wínland Ríce, and the renewed Wínland Ríce — met to exchange gifts, to discuss Théodish Belief’s past and present, and to plan for its future. Among those Théodsmen gathered were Gárman Cyning, Þórbeorht Ealdorblótere, Ælfgár Þegn, Gert Æscbéam Þygen, Wordsmið Þegn, and Æþelwine Þegn. It was also at this gathering that Gárman Cyning gave the shield upon which he had been raised at his 1995 cynehelmung (coronation) to Þórbeorht Healdend to hold in trust for the Théodish Ríce’s next cyning.
Nigh the full moon of Blótmónaþ, Þórbeorht Ealdorblótere of the Wéofodþegn Gild gave blót to Hearding (ON Haddingr, Njǫrðr) and to those gods and goddesses who are called the Wæne (ON Vanir). Also in that month, Ælfric Hláford Hræfnscíre, scóp of the Ríce, released Watlingstreet, a new album of hearpswég and songs in Old English. Moreover, before the month’s end, Gárman Lord Cyning lifted Ealhwaru Ceorl’s wretchedness and restored her to Géring Théod as a Théodsman in good standing.
As bidden by Gárman Lord Cyning, from Æftera Líða to the first day of Ærra Géola 2021 the Witan met to search for a new cyning. At fainings they sought rede from the gods by the runes and, between fainings, they sought signs in dreams and soothsaid by dowsing, by the songs of birds, and by other worldly wonders. Moreover, they sought wisdom from our fore-elders through the sagas, histories, and kingly dooms, to better grasp what elder thew had already been set into the Well for the wending of one cynescipe to another. Altogether they fathomed five godsprung candidates for cynescipe and, in the end and with the first Cyning’s blessing, they chose the Ríce’s Healdend (Regent) and Ealdorblótere (Chief Priest) to be the new Cyning. Thus, Þórbeorht Hláford Ealdríces was named the new Cyning of the Wínland Ríce; successor and heir to Gárman Lord. So ended 2021, the third year of the Ríce’s renewal.
2022
At Éastremónaþ 2022, the Cyning and the folk of the Ealdríce Théod attended the Ásatrú Alliance’s 2022 East Coast Regional Alþing as the guests of Magnus, Law Speaker of the Alliance. This marked the first time since 2001, when the Ásatrú Alliance held an East Coast Regional þing in New Jersey, that Théodsmen had been guests at an Alliance gathering. Moreover, in that same month Brádléahweald Léode pledged a yearly gafol (tribute) to the Cyning, for which they were given the griþ (peace) of the Théodish Ríce and named a gafol-léod, “a tributary tribe.”
Thereafter at Ærre Líða, the cyning called a witenagemót to establish the árung (rank, honoring) of árȝesíþa (honor-companion) so that thanes of the Witan Théod and the early Wínland Ríce, though long since seated (retired), might still be reckoned as Théodsmen. To this honorary árung was hight Wordsmiþ, Ægili, and Æscbéam. That Midsummer, Þórbeorht Hláford of the Ealdríce Théod bestowed the gift of a shield and a spear upon Sǽfriþ Þygen’s son to mark his man-becoming.
Dole Five: Þórbeorht Hláford’s Cynehelmung
[This section incorporates material from An Abanning of Þórbeorht’s Cynehelmung.]
Over the waxing moon of Æftera Líða MMXXII, the Théodsmen of the Wínland Ríce gathered first at Whitthenge Heall in Richmond, Virginia and then days later at Cyningesfeld in Copenhagen, New York to hold the cynehelmung (coronation) of Þórbeorht Hláford cyning. Beginning on the 5th of Æftera Líða, folk from Æppeldor Heall in Tasmania, Brádléahweald Léode in Northern Virginia, and the Ealdríce Théod in Richmond stood with Þórbeorht Hláford at Whitthenge Heall as he gave the blót to Wóden. This was done to mark the 46th yearday (anniversary) since Gárman Hláford beheld the Eallfæder (All-Father) in 1976. Well brooked was that blót with wonders beheld by all.
Then, upon the 10th of Æftera Líða, folk from Æppeldor Heall, Brádléahweald Léode, and the Ealdríce Théod, having fared to Cyningesfeld (King’s Field) in Copenhagen, New York, were joined by the Gárman Hláford, founder of Anglo-Saxon Théodish Belief and the Wínland Ríce’s Ærest Cyning (first king), his þeȝn, Æþelwine, and also by Wordsmið Árȝesíþa of the Witan Théod. It was then that men of Géring Théod, the Ealdríce Théod, Æppeldor Heall, and Brádléahweald Léode, with the Witan Théod there to give witness, took up Gárman’s own cynehelmung-shield and raised Þórbeorht upon it so that their chosen cyning might be beheld by the gods. Thereafter, Gárman stood from the gift-stool and bid Þórbeorht to sit, as he set his own boar-helm upon Þórbeorht’s head and abanned him as the new cyning.
Dole Six: New Growth (2022 – Now)
Thereafter Þórbeorht set about the business of rebuilding and strengthening the Théodish Ríce. At a moot held at the cynehelmung, Þórbeorht ordained both Sæfriþ Þygen of the Ealdríce Théod and Friðoric Þegn of Æppeldor Heall as wéofodþegnas (priests) and set Ælfgár Þegn Húscarl as the Ríce’s steward.
2023
At Hréðemónaþ of 2023, Þórbeorht Cyning was a guest on The Fyrgen podcast, having been invited by Dan Capp of the Neofolk band Wolcensmen to speak on the Théodish Ríce, its belief, and thew. The interview was well and widely brooked, doing much to mend the bad name that sundry outlaws, outlaw-offshoots, and cargo-cultists had given to Théodsmen. Moreover, from it the Ríce received many inquiries into leornerescipe from those seeking to become Théodsmen. Thus it was that Þórbeorht withdrew the frumȝewrit (charter) and lárweg (curriculum) of the long since withered Wednesbury Kings School and established, in its stead, the Gármanling Lárscól for the furthering of leorneras and gafol-léodesmen throughout the Ríce. Also in that month, Háliggyld Books published Wordsmið Árȝesíþa’s Wordsmiðes Englisc tō Angel-Seaxisc Wordhord, a Modern English to Old English glossary that marked Wordsmið’s first new Théodish work in nearly thirty years.
In the Þrimilce issue of Spellstów, Þórbeorht Cyning laid out the framework (structure) of the Ríce in the article “On the Kinds, Frameworks, and Steads of Théodish Fellowships, their Árungs, and other Bodies.” Though written for the afford leorneras (learners) of the Gármanling Lárscól a broad overview of the Ríce, the article also served as an important guide for the Ríce’s growth.
By Ærre Líða, the Gármanling Lárscól began holding fortnightly loremeetings, having brought into its fold leorneras from as far as England, Utah, and North Carolina. Also in that month, Eþelwynn Hlæfdiȝe published an Anglo-Saxon Heathen wall calendar through Háliggyld Books. Based on Þórbeorht’s reckoning of the Anglo-Saxon lunisolar year described by Bede, the wall calendar was well brooked by many nowtidely heathens who found it to be a great help in their own worship of the gods and holding of the holytides.
Come Þrilíða, Þórbeorht Cyning and Ælfgár fared north to beseek (visit) Gárman Hláford at Géring Théod Heall in Watertown, New York and to record segments for a podcast. Though at this time there was much good unfolding in the Ríce, not all were happy within its fold. Thus, to ward its frith, Þórbeorht Cyning offered his leave to the hláford of Hræfnscír so that he and his folk might go forth from the Théodish Ríce in fréondscipe.
Wéodmónaþ saw many much-needed changes made to the sacral gilds and other bodies of the Ríce. Foremostly Þórbeorht renamed the Théodish Ríce’s Wéofodþegn Gild (priests guild), highting it the Blóterehad (priesthood). Thereafter he brought the Théodish Ríce’s Mægncræft/Herulian Gild and its lore into the Blóterehad so that what was once the Wéofodþegn Gild and the Mægncræft/Herulian Gild was now the Théodish Ríce’s Blóterehad (priesthood). Moreover, at Wéodmónaþ Þórbeorht renamed the Théodish Ríce’s Scópcræft Gild, highting it the Gléomanna Geférscipe (a gleemen’s fellowship, a troop of minstrels). To this band he gave the goal of deepening the healldréamas (hall-joys) of Théodish gatherings through gléocræft (music), hearpswég (harp playing), gebéorscipe singing, scópcræft (Old English poetry), storytelling, dancing, and riddling.
That Winterfylleþ, Þórbeorht called a Witenagemót which lasted into Ærre Géol during which sundry matters of thew were fathomed by the Cyning and his Witan.
Come Blótmónaþ, Brúnwulf Leornere of Northumbria, being a hearpere (harp player) and gleeman, gave a performance of Théodish scópcræft at Jarrow Hall (Bede’s Museum). Also in that month, Æppeldor Heall in Tasmania was hight Æppeldor Léod. Moreover, Æðelwulf and Ósláfa of the Ealdríce Théod were raised to the árung of Þegn with Æðelwulf swearing his hold oath to Þórbeorht Hláford Cyning during symbel at Módraniht.
2024
On the waxing moon of Ærra Líða 2024, in the week before the summer sunstead, Þórbeorht Hláford Cyning fared forth to Géring Théod’s Heall in Watertown, New York to hold moot with Gárman Hláford. At that gathering, Gárman shared with Þórbeorht the lore of the Théodish Smiths’ Gild, the craft of the berserker’s battle-dréam (battle frenzy), and much rede that Wóden had given to him in the days of the Witan Théod. Moreover, Gárman entrusted Þórbeorht with the keeping of Manslaga, that worthy and widely beknown blótseax which Gárman himself smithed with mains given to him by Wóden. That was a good gathering and for it the Théodish Ríce is strengthened and well sped.
Moreover, at the Ealdríce Théod’s Midsummer gathering’s symbel, Þórbeorht Hláford abanned the rekindling of the Þéodisc Smiþþe, Théodish Smith’s Gild which Gárman Hláford had founded many years ago. Þórbeorht then welcomed his húscarl, Ælfgár Þegn, into the guild and began sharing with him bits of its lore.
Furthermore, Wífrún Céorlwíf, who had been a greater Théodsman of the Ealdríce Háliggyld from 2013 until moving away in 2018, was a guest at the Ealdríce Théod’s Midsummer gathering and, two nights thereafter, she was welcomed back into that fellowship. Having worthed herself through leornerescipe and earned her árung as a freeman some years before, it was deemed by Þórbeorht Cyning that Wífrún would hold the árung of ceorl (ceorlwíf) in the Wínland Ríce.
Also in that month, a Witenagemót was called to deem upon the unthewfulness of “Théodish” oaths sworn at Ásatrú gatherings. As it was deemed: “No Neoheathen goði has the right nor the reach to hear any béot, bragarfull, or oath that makes claim to bestow Théodishness. Any such boast is at best gafsprǽc (gaff-speech) and the Neoheathen goði who would brook such luckless banter must dree whatever forwyrd (bad fate) may befall him or his folk for it, lest he seek out the Théodish Ríce to make bót (recompense).”
At the end of Æftera Líða, Þórbeorht Hláford Cyning and Eþelwynn Hlǽfdige of the Ealdríce Théod in Richmond, Virginia, took their daughters to Géring Théod Heall in Watertown, New York to meet Gárman Hláford. As it so happened, they were also able to meet with Gárman’s own daughters, both of whom were in town visiting their father.
Though much of the Théodish Ríce’s formal business took place throughout the summer months, many goodly things unfolded over the course of the year. The ranks of the Gármanling Lárscól grew as new leorneras were welcomed into the Ríce. So too did Théodish godlore deepen as Þórbeorht published in Spellstów sundry writings on Anglo-Saxon reckonings of the Worldshaping (creation), Ettinlore, and the World Tree.
2025
At Hréðemónaþ, Sǽfriþ Þygen furthered Théodish thew by rekindling the yeartidely blessing of boats and fishing gear. Together with Brúnwulf Leornere, she crafted a bede to Hearding that he might ward fishermen in their sea-goings and increase their catch.
With Éastermónaþ‘s coming, Brádléahweald Léode’s gafol-léodscipe ended. Rather than renewing it for another year, it was settled upon that Sigebrand should bring his hide (household) into the Ealdríce Théod at Midsummer. Later in that month, Þórbeorht Cyning set forth an abanning on the unthéodishness of the outlaw Dan H to remind nowtidely Heathendom that the Ríce has not reckoned said wearg to be Théodsman since his wolf-heading some twenty-three years earlier in 2002.
At Þrimilce Þórbeorht further deepened Théodish Belief’s godlore by publishing in Spellstów a telling and fathoming of the Anglo-Saxon and Frisian otherworldly island of Brytt, the Heathen belief in the soul’s sailing thereto, and the gods and godlings who have come from that land. Before the month’s end, members of the Smith’s Gild, other Théodsmen, and friends gathered to build and raise Ælfgár’s smithy.
Ærra Líða’s beginning saw the founding of Folcfeld Scír, “a shire of the Ríce for the holding of those free Théodsmen who are without a nearby Léode or Théod.” This was done so that those far-flung folk who had worthed themselves through leornerescipe in the Gármanling Lárscól might have a fellowship wherein to swear their oaths and thus be afforded the fullness of the Ríce’s freedom.
Come Midsummer a mickle moot was held at Whitthenge Heall in Richmond, Virginia. This was the Ríce’s fullest forgathering since Þórbeorht’s cynehelmung 2022 with Théodsmen and Leorneras coming from New York, Ohio, Utah, Texas, England, and other parts of Virginia to hold the holytide together. Members of Géring Théod, to include Gárman Hláford himself, the Ealdríce Théod, Folcfeld Scír, and the Gármanling Lárscól were all on hand. At that gathering, Wífrún, Sigebrand, Brúnwulf, and Mannford each gave their oaths. With the swearing of Sigebrand’s oath, the gafol-léod of Brádléahweald was grafted into the Ealdríce Théod’s háliggyld. Furthermore, by way of their own oaths, Wífrún, Brúnwulf, and Mannford became the first folk of Folcfeld Scír. Moreover, Brúnwulf Ceorl was hight as the Cyning’s scóp.
The Wínland Ríce 