Clyde's Travel Log - Iris Faire 2016

Iris Faire 2016
Montgomery Bell State Park (Burns, TN)
Barony of Glaedenfeld
April 15-17, 2016

On the 16th of April, I attended Iris Faire and the Baronial Investiture of Glaedenfeld.

It was a very good day for all in attendance, but it was a strange day for me as I look back on it.

Iris Faire represented the 1 year mark since I returned to the fighting field. It was also the return of a Baronial seat in Glaedenfeld. If those two things are not enough, the day also represented the erasure of a black mark in Meridian history that was presided over by my late knight and his lady when they were on the throne. Lots of weird feelings to say the least.

The day was beautiful. It was the very best example of a spring day of northern Meridies that Mother Nature gifted to the Glaedenfelders. I brought out Hadi's banner for the event. Im not normally spiritual, but if felt like he needed to be there to witness the restoration of Glaedenfeld and see one of his own ascend to the Baronial seat. 

For the past year I have seen a lot of our western neighbors. This is a group operating at a high level. Everyone I have met in the group is welcoming and friendly. They are outgoing and generous. The chemistry of this group is special in no uncertain terms. They truly seem to enjoy each others company. You don't always see that in an SCA group. It is rare and precious and, as far as I can tell, it is being nurtured with great care in Glaedenfeld. 

For my part, I witnessed very little of the event activities. After arriving and setting up my sunshades for our shire attendees (there were 11 of us), I turned into a turnip and planted my self next to the tourney field. Not the best thing I could have done with my day, but I enjoyed my ringside seat no-less. So, here are my observations from my perch. Really a shape considering the effort my wife, Lady Ellen, put into my new fighting garb. I can at least say I looked good on the field for what little time I spent on it.

The Investiture ceremony occurred early in the day. My brother Sir Griffin and Mistress Stephanie looked most regal in the green tones of their baronial garb. The Glaedenfelders appeared to be floating on air all day long. There was the sacrifice of a sheep and reading of its 'parts' (no animals were actually harmed). I honestly missed most of the dialogue. But, I could see the enjoyment of all those involved.

The winds picked up during the investiture court and I had to jump up to catch a popup shade turned tumbleweed (with some help). After it was caught and stowed, we offered the owners half of our sunshade. Turns out we inherited a large crowd from Gleann Ahbhan and Trimaris to include Duke John Bearkiller and Duke Padruig. Funny how things turn out. They were all good company and were very appreciative. One small act of kindness achieved. Very cool.

My home shire, Easaraigh, presented two gifts to the Barony. The first was a tapestry of a tree with heraldry of all the regions groups showing Glaedenfeld at its heart. The second gift was a humble table of aspen and oak of a Greek design (look ma, only 3 legs). We presented them out of court. As we had presumed and witnessed later, court was long. While we didn't get the populace's appreciation of a court presentation, that is not my shire's way. The gift's were not for recognition, they were for our friend's and neighbor's who have been so gracious and supportive to us.

I fought in the heavy list, in a way. The list had 34 combatants. To prevent many bye fights, 4 of us fought out of list, best 2 out of 3 to whittle the list down to 32. I was lucky enough to be drawn in the 4. I walked onto the field with Arlen MacBlair MeicKane. He was fighting with a bad wheel so started on his knees. This took me by surprise, so I dropped to my knees to start the fight even. We traded the first two passes. In the third, I took his arm. I gave another act of chivalry and fought him with my right hand to his left. After a few exchanges, he bounced one off my grill and I was done. I sat the rest of the day until the tourney was over. Arlen went on and fought honorably all day. He went far into the list even with his injury. Im glad he had a good day.

Looking back on it, I exited the last Iris Faire tourney on an act of chivalry. Seems I still have something to work on. Act of Chivalry is OK, but don't put yourself at a disadvantage. Earl Benen provide the much need constructive commentary upon my return to my seat. It was good to hear his thoughts. Im glad he is coming out more. For my part, its just a silly habit I picked up somewhere. It is to a point now where I am penalizing myself rather than honoring my opponent. Hard lesson learned. Will I do it again. Probably. I just need to start balancing my advantage better in the strategy of the game and start minimizing bad habits.

The list ran long into the afternoon. Duke Thomas pulled out the win over Haldr from Rising Stone. Looked like a well fought list. Our own Earl Benen did very well in the list, so our shire did have some representation besides me. 

Credit to M'lady Racaire for the fighting photos.

At the end of the list I managed a some pickups. If I recall correctly, I exchanged blows Sir Bart, Count Mordan, Duke Thomas and Haldr before taking off my armor. All were excellent fights. I managed to get a few takeways to work on from it and other than being ate up by Duke Thomas, did not fair badly.

Court started soon after. It was long, as I said before. But there was much happiness. 2 elevations to Laurel, many principle inductees into the new Glaedenfeld orders and other recognitions. Joy. Gifts. The end. Hail Hydra!

My Easaraigh party returned to our shade. Shortly before court, Her Excellency Stephanie, honored us with the gift of three seats at high table for our three newcomers. I escorted them to the feast hall and turned them over to the care of Glaedenfeld. When I returned to the shade, Styrbjorn and Marek had fired up the grills and were cooking our shire meal. It had been a long day. 7 of us sat under the shade and chatted as we cooked and then ate. We have a most pleasant shire group and it was an enjoyable, relaxing close to the day.

Our newcomers returned soon after with broad smiles upon their faces. They were full, content, and very energized. Our Glaedenfeld friends provided a most excellent end to their day. Thanks to his Majesty Adhemar, and Their Excellencies Sir Gõcauo, Mistress Sibéal, Sir Griffin and Mistress Stephanie. I think the people they helped nurture with the simple act of good company over a meal will grow to be strong Scadians in the near future. They were most impressed. 

This Iris Faire I witnessed the restoration of greatness lost. I saw good friends being raised up. Our Shire of Easaraigh showed itself to be a good friend and neighbor. We exposed newcomers to a true, fully involved SCA event. I shared in the company of my shire and enjoyed all of it. Sometimes its not what we do but what we don't that makes a good event. Just being there. Witnessing kingdom history. Sharing in the celebration and happiness. Sometimes, that all it takes to make a good event.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Ld. Eoin Mac Cana, CACM
Squire of House Aspiring
Seneschal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies

Musings -1 year later

Spring 2016

1 Year Later

I started the Hadi Banner Tour a year ago at Gulf Wars XXIV in honor of my fallen peer, mentor, friend and brother. As I end my 1 year quest, I am taking the time to review. 

At the time of his passing, my SCA participation was token at best. I was a local participant that rarely leaves the home group. I was a member of the SCA that barely did anything the SCA stands for. I had recently become Seneschal of Easaraigh again after being Reeve for several years. My SCAdian life was one of minimal service to the local group and nothing more. I had little meaning or substance in my SCA.

Hadi's passing made me re-think many things. My relationship with him was something I have thought long and hard about this year. He was a big brother and father-like at times when I was younger. He was my best man. He was a friend at all times. He was what I needed him to be. I never asked much of him, nor did he ask much of me. We never talked a lot. But, when we did it was meaningful to us. He was important to me. I felt his loss deeply and still do. Time has dulled some of the emotion, but not all.

As an outlet for my grief, I turned back to the world he and I shared and where much of my memories of him reside. I have rediscovered the SCA to some extent. I think I still have further to go, but I have found a new comfort with the SCA that I had lost. Many say the SCA is different now. I agree. The 50 year SCA is much different that the 20 something SCA I started out in. But, it's beating heart is still there. I have heard it late at night in the quiet of the event and in the joy of a fighter practice. You just need to pay attention. The pulse is strong.

I returned to the fighting field. I found I can still hold my own. Im not overly impressive, but have a few surprises for the unwary. Few on the field these days remember me in armor. Many of the fighters I saw as equals in my early days are Archdukes in their own right. Many more are peers. Some of the opponents I cross paths with are little more than half my age now. It can be daunting, but challenging as well. And everyone is so much more better trained these days. 

A good portion of the chivalry I see in my area are of the lineage of the tree I share with Hadi's belt. It is humbling to know that and see it. Peer lineage in the SCA is a funny thing where 'generations' are so close together you get to see 3, 4 or even 5 generations on a field at the same time. 

I have met many new peers and witnessed a few elevations. They are a lot different now than when Hadi was elevated. But, no less special. We have some very good peers in my region. Ive enjoyed meeting them. Both old and new, they all uphold the dream well.

I have found pleasure rendering service to others again. Its a thing that I learned well in house Aspiring as a young man. The real art and joy of it is not doing things because you were told or asked, but perceiving a need and fulfilling it. Its a simple thing but elusive. I still have room to improve. I think Ive had some successes though. Even more important to me, I think I have helped mold and influence others with the mindset. Once you start, its hard to stop. 

While I haven't been to as many events as I had hoped since GW XXIV or met as many people as I wanted, I was more SCAdian in the past year than I have been in years. I rekindled some stagnant friendships, rediscovered some lost friends and made many new ones. I'm thankful for them all. Several stories have been shared over the year involving Hadi. Some long, some short, but all special and emotional and full of joy. Thank you.

New and old friends have made this year bearable on the front end and eventually enjoyable as my grief was replaced by fond memory. Many have offered support and have allowed me to speak to you in confidence. I thank everyone who has put up with me, shared conversation with me and just allowed me to take part in your version of the SCA. 

Ive refocused my efforts on my Shire. Easariagh has always been a small group that ebbs and flows from struggling to strong. She has good footing these days I think and I hope that bodes well for the future.

Additionally, Ive decided to continue my apprenticeship and have started my search for a new mentor. I think Im going about it the right way. I hope I am. As I search for a new guide, if you see me, any advice you might care to share will be appreciated.

So, now I walk the same old path with renewed effort in an older more mature SCA with the memory of my fallen peer in my heart. While I don't currently have a mentor sharing the path with me, I do not feel alone. 

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Ld. Eoin Mac Cana, CACM
Squire of House Aspiring
Seneschal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies