Hope, Do not simply hope.

Its always disappointing when you put a lot of work into something and people simply don't show up, But sadly its part of life and you leave yourself wondering why bother?

I believe this is the most important part of the knightly code, Hope. 

"But Surely" I hear you say, "helping others is the most important!" I disagree, Hope provides the fuel to continue, Hope provides the drive to train "I really want to win that next tournament!" Hope provides the drive to persevere when others give up, Hope is the spark that creation is born from, Hope keeps me going to fighter practice when its raining in case someone else shows up.

But alas hope is a two sided coin, Hope alone is nothing you need to not just hope, but turn it into action. When you make a personal vow don't let it fall by the wayside, actively seek its result. "I'm going to win the next tournament" Break it down, see what you need to do to make it happen, whether its more physical training or pestering other fighters for training or learning to meditate to overcome those tourney jitters. Do not simply hope.

It need not be big, but turn those dreams into reality day by day.

Durch die kehle

Its funny,

I was walking down the road today heading to pick up some steel for an armouring project and an acquaintance came upto me and asked what I was doing....

Without realising it I was in my spare time practicing heavy fighting, I was running though the movements while walking along, throwing shots (empty handed) and practicing footwork.

The SCA truly has me by the throat.

On another note, my armouring project is coming along nicely, sadly landsknechts don't have much armour in documentation (paintings, woodcuts, account) outside of the black legion but from a few effigies it can be surmised that they may have worn a coat of plates (at least the nobles did) this armour is quite appropriate for the time period and is documented for the area/culture.

Image of an Mid 14th C Early 15th Coat of plates Inside

So I am attempting to make a Coat of plates to move away from the need for a gambeson and to increase my protection in wars.

Alas, my search for steel continues. I am hoping to find a source of 0.9mm Spring steel.

Image of an Mid 14th C Early 15th Coat of plates Outside

You have been weighed and measured.....

Post event training, Now with Canterbury faire over it may seem like we have plenty of time to get everything done, Think again.

With planning for next year, alterations to armour (also taking into account the time it takes to get simple things like some rivets (4 weeks) or vege tanned leather (2 weeks AUS supplier) it soon becomes clear that for next year, I need to start yesterday.

With my brewing for next year already down (straw wine, Raspberry wine, (I think I will have a lot of friends at faire this year with this brew) Malted Ginger (This ran out so fast this year) and Apfelwein (german hard cider, my staple brew) oh and I am making some small beer later in the year.

 My attention turns to my training and ongoing battle to work on my kit, it is far from done. I have been introduced to the idea of a gambeson-less kit, this required increased steel protection with minor padding as required the idea is to reduce the kits weight while not sacrificing the ability to sleep on my bruises.

This is accomplished by transitioning to a coat of plates like kit (not a full coat of plates, while period accurate it is simply unnecessary with sacrifices mobility for no gain) it will also involved adding full arms and legs to my kit instead of the modular pieces I currently have (I will incorporate them into my new kit) my parts will still be modular in design as it makes them easier to transport.

I also have my ongoing project of largess, its a tricky subjects but one I feel is necessary to "the game" it was done by nobles, I even have accounts of nobles from my persona giving largess, I feel that for my part it should be simple but still cost me in either time or money that I have to sacrifice from my own tasks/wants but not needs, (like the shields myself and my lady made this year for the kids) But it but no means should cripple you. Its a delicate balancing act of cost/time and I feel my largess should be a part of both. I should also note largess is entirely optional and is not a "Tax" for the barony/group it is a gift to friends and acquaintances or just those in need or you feel need something shiny.

Back to learning that offside legshot with the pirouet of course :)

Welcome to the new world, May god save if it is right for him to do so.