Good weekend
I think most of my SCA friends have heard (apparently many have known it was coming for a month now), but this weekend at 12th Night, I was made a member of the Order of the White Scarf. It is our top fencing award, and I am still needing to look at the scarf on the shelf to verify that I am not just remembering a vivid dream.
I was running the tournaments this weekend (which all appear to have gone well with everyone enjoying themselves), and in the break between the first two tourneys, His Majesty said that he wished to fight a pass with each of his White Scarves. Afterwords, he said that he had some more energy and asked me to face him. After some scrambling to armor up (I had not planned on fighting that day), I took the field.
When I did, he dismissed the marshals and had the Order take the field. He then informed me that I had three minutes to prepare and then he wanted the three best fights of my life. For those who have not seen King Siegfried fight, he is incredibly fast, and even though he is primarily an armored fighter, he is still very dangerous. In the end, although I fought well, I went 1-2 against him. He and Elizabeth then let me know that they would elevate me at evening court and he expected the rest of the community to tire me out before then. Which, they proceeded to do.
In the second tournament, in which each round was best of 5, I fought the bye rounds against 4 strong opponents. In them, I received a wonderful compliment from Don Rodrigo. I then had a brief rest to martial the melee, as I created the scenario and had to help load the swivel guns before the battles (good idea, but they need some modification before I bring them out again). I then fully wore myself out with Cut & Thrust pickups against Don Aeron.
That was followed by a rush of cleanup of the field as MIC, desperately working to memorize the oath, and preparing for court, as I was standing as Champion behind our Baron and Baroness.
Despite the earlier announcement, word had not apparently gotten around as I heard some surprised people when I was called up, and was touched by the applause that I heard.
Afterwords, the post revel was very to relax with several of the Dons and getting used to the idea that I was one of them, and not one of cadets listening in.
In all a great day, and I only wish that I was more awake to enjoy it more. That said, it was wonderfully done and worth the wait.
I am more grateful than I can express for all of the support and congratulations that I received this weekend. I can not give enough thanks to all of you though the years who helped me get here.
I was running the tournaments this weekend (which all appear to have gone well with everyone enjoying themselves), and in the break between the first two tourneys, His Majesty said that he wished to fight a pass with each of his White Scarves. Afterwords, he said that he had some more energy and asked me to face him. After some scrambling to armor up (I had not planned on fighting that day), I took the field.
When I did, he dismissed the marshals and had the Order take the field. He then informed me that I had three minutes to prepare and then he wanted the three best fights of my life. For those who have not seen King Siegfried fight, he is incredibly fast, and even though he is primarily an armored fighter, he is still very dangerous. In the end, although I fought well, I went 1-2 against him. He and Elizabeth then let me know that they would elevate me at evening court and he expected the rest of the community to tire me out before then. Which, they proceeded to do.
In the second tournament, in which each round was best of 5, I fought the bye rounds against 4 strong opponents. In them, I received a wonderful compliment from Don Rodrigo. I then had a brief rest to martial the melee, as I created the scenario and had to help load the swivel guns before the battles (good idea, but they need some modification before I bring them out again). I then fully wore myself out with Cut & Thrust pickups against Don Aeron.
That was followed by a rush of cleanup of the field as MIC, desperately working to memorize the oath, and preparing for court, as I was standing as Champion behind our Baron and Baroness.
Despite the earlier announcement, word had not apparently gotten around as I heard some surprised people when I was called up, and was touched by the applause that I heard.
Afterwords, the post revel was very to relax with several of the Dons and getting used to the idea that I was one of them, and not one of cadets listening in.
In all a great day, and I only wish that I was more awake to enjoy it more. That said, it was wonderfully done and worth the wait.
I am more grateful than I can express for all of the support and congratulations that I received this weekend. I can not give enough thanks to all of you though the years who helped me get here.