A crown, a tower and dream while fleeting.. lasts.

Canterbury Faire is over.. Sad, but joyful at seeing all those within the populace who travel to spend time with those in far flung reaches.

At Faire we crowned a New King and queen, King Gilbert Purchase and Queen Bethony Gaitskell, long may they reign! and our baroney has a new Baron and Baronesses, Baron Richard and Baroness Ginevra.

Many, many hours of court made this possible (my poor legs) and 2 pelicans were recognised, Anna de wilde and Ginevra both who duty and service shows them to be valuable and valued members of the SCA, long have they toiled to help bring us events, offices and service.

My duty as a henksman (guard) to the barony of southron gaard, kept me running all over the event setting up court and finding lost/misplaced items, while the duty was long and sometimes impeded what I wanted to do, I kept my word and upon my honor that would be cheerful and be committed to all that was required of my duty.

While service and duty calls the field upon which mettle is tested was loudest of all, Sadly I was found wanting but not from lack of trying. The armour changes I made that were battle untested as a complete kit did not work as intended, my sword side pauldron kept slipping under my armour's backplate which meant that I couldn't move my sword back past my torso dramatically reducing power generation and a buckle which looked sound during my pre-faire check slipped its tether and dropped the strap holding my arm on, Field repairs were made but this proved to be a constant failure at the most in-opportune moments, with armour failure aside my own technique was lacking I have much to work on and while at faire sought out advice and techniques from all willing to pass on their knowledge to which I would like to thank: His Majesty Gilbert, His Excellency Steffan, Sir Agro, Sir Roland who took time and helped with advice and techniques.

Knowledge is valuable, more greatly prized than material goods but knowledge is useless unless enacted and I intend to not let such go to waste. My liege, Sir Philippe de Tournay while not able to attend this event his advice and guidance still rings true in keeping a small book to write down help/advice/idea's so such a valuable bounty may not be forgotten.

I am tired, worn, beaten but I will not fall, see you all at the next event. (and uninjured! even after fighting in gods and monsters in minimum armour and no padding)

The tower on the plains.

Canterbury Faire (Southron gaards biggest event and the biggest yearly event in NZ) starts next week and this year its bigger than ever! With 12th Night (the coronation of last crown tourney winner to be king/queen of Lochac for the next 6 Months) and Cfaire after that its shaping up to to be a very eventful event!

Myself and my lady are ready, we decided there would be no last minute panic over gear/stuff, So we started planning just after last faire (2015) and have worked hard to have everything ready including new garb and armour.

I am looking forward at seeing all my fellow scadians again and meeting a few new ones, nothing builds comrades like crossing swords (I call it my friend stick) and then beer. hopefully I won't be injured like last year (2 hairline fractured ribs and a mild concussion) but I won't lament if I am, its all part of the fun.

Each event allows the opportunity for service and to improve courtly graces, I hope to acquit myself well on the field of battle too, but my fellow fighters are very good so I don't expect any victory's. (not that it will stop me from trying) I hope to inspire a few new fighters, and help out with their first few blows. I enjoy taking a bit of time each year to seek them out and talk/train, maybe even gift some of my spare gear.

I am also looking forward to the investiture of our new baron and baroness and spending time with my liege. Each year I learn more and more such depth of experience and grace paying heed to his teaching's has served me well.

No blog post next week as I will be at an event.