Clyde's Travel Log - Castle Wars 2018 and Staying Relevant

Went to Castle Wars this weekend. A very good event. Lots of SCAdians. Lots of stuff to do. Lots of fun.

For me, the event is starting to become a 'benchmark' on my timeline of various nagging injuries. Love the event, but almost dread it because of that.

Last year, I arrived at the event nursing a patella tendon problem that I had been carrying the whole year before. I fought with spear the first time ever and injured my right elbow (tendon issues). My knee got better, the elbow didn’t. So, I spent most of 2018 fighting left handed with sword and shield. About a month back, fighting left handed, I strained my left elbow (similar to the tendon issues in my right). Sigh. This led me to put down the shield and have a go at polearm at Castle Wars. I also brought my crossbow in case my arms needed a break.

What did I learn? Pole arm isn't too bad. I liked it and it isn't as hard on me as shield work in the wall is. CA arrows and bolts are attracted to you. There are some things that I couldn't do (like overhead work). But, most of the normal, low position stuff was doable.

During the field engagement and capture the flag engagements, I fought with my 7'3" slashing spear. It seemed to be a decent weapon for the engagements. Though I admit that I didn’t know a whole lot about what I was doing, I had seen people use them so had a some idea. After the first couple of engagements, I started figuring out where I needed to be and what I should be doing. I had a little success and much fun. Arm pain did creep up toward the end of the second engagement. I think it was related to the length and tip weight of the weapon held in a forward guard.

So, I took a break on the bridge and castle fights and got the cross bow out. This was the first time I had ever shot in a melee with it. Shame, I have been authorized with it for over 15 years. But, it provided a good low impact alternative to the pain I was having. CA is fun. It requires a little more attentiveness to your environment and 'what is down range'. I caught myself in the wrong a couple of times and had to correct my firing position lest I put something into the pavilions. Lots of challenge in that activity and I can see the appeal. I used all of my ammo and grabbed my split-rattan glaive for the last engagement of the castle battle.

It was in this engagement that I learned that overhead work was a no-go for my injury. Trying to work over the heads of the shield men and around the corners of the walls was strenuous. I really didn't get feel for the glaive. Will have to revisit it later.

Lucky enough for me, I made my overhead pain discovery as time ran out so I was successful in making it through all of the engagements of the day. I wasn’t up for pickup fights though. I feel the plan was a definite 'win' for me.

Later in the day, I had some folks comment on what I was doing. I made a comment about 'staying relevant'.  I think that came across weird. I thought on it on the way home from the event.

It's tough working through an injury. At this point in my SCA fighting lifespan, I don't know how many more opportunities I will have to be in kit on the field. Add to that, the idea that I am a squire. Being a squire means a lot of things, but most of all it means being on the field in kit. And all of that leads to this idea of 'prowess' that is so important when travelling the path of chivalry.

Prowess must be earned through effort and determination. I cannot affect my prowess if I am not in kit. My prowess is measured by those that surround me when I am in kit in the fray. My prowess is measured by my success at being a good fighter. As prowess improves, so does  my 'Franchise' and name-fame.

I guess my comment of 'staying relevant' was short-sighted. It is more about prowess and being there on the field and doing what I can to stay on my chosen path. I'm not advocating 'fighting hurt' If you are hurt, you are hurt. What I am advocating is asking yourself 'What can I do?' and doing it. It’s a fine line I am toeing. That line is on the fence between hurting myself worse and making a complete fool of myself. It hasn't been a picnic. It's been downright hard and discouraging at times.

So far, I feel like I am winning in some ways and losing in others. I now have a healthy appreciation of left handed fighting but have soreness in my left elbow. I finally got to do some combat archery, but know that it cannot carry me down the path. CA can provide me respite though when the nagging injuries become burdensome. I carried a polearm into melee for the first time and found that it is fairly enjoyable and may be more so if I actually get some people that know about such things to show me some pointers. All of these things came possible through self-inflicted injuries. And through the aches and pains, I have learned.

Picked up sword and board in my normal right-handed mode today at fighter practice. What did I find? I have learned some really good blocking technique from fighting left handed. I've learned some sword strikes that are effective, but don’t 'hurt' me. Fought at Castle Wars and found that I kind of like fighting with a pole arm and combat archery is cool. These little things, made possible through a willingness to try new things outside because I couldn’t do what I was used to doing.

Relevance…not quite a virtue. But, it is of value. At least, it is to me.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

THL Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde', CACM, CKP2, CAS
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Squire to Earl Benen Mac Tire, KSCA, OL, OP
Knight Marshal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies