A group of friends in Burkley, California, founded the organization in 1966 after deciding to host a mock medieval tournament in their backyard during a party. The Shire of Iron Ox branch, which covers the greater Jackson metro as far out as Meridian and Vicksburg, has existed since the mid-1970s. “Dot” is the current queen of the Society of Creative Anachronism’s Kingdom of Gleannabhann, which the Shire of Iron Ox is part of. Megan Barnes, media organizer for the Shire of Iron Ox, goes by the name “Broinninn Inghean” within the organization. “Everyone here in the Shire of Iron Ox values honor and courtesy above all,” Barnes says.