Iris Faire 2023
Barony of Glaedenfeld
Montgomery Bell State Park
Burns, TN
15 Apr 2023
Early on the 15th day of April, Anno Societatis LVII, Marek Arturson made the trek down from the Cumbrian lands of our shire home to visit the Barony of Glaedenfeld for their annual Iris Faire event. The Faire is becoming and traditional welcoming of spring in the lowlands to our west, and was true to form with an nice, warm spring day and excellent weather.
Marek was returning to 'home' of the SCA adventure after some idle time away from the hobby and I was happy to have his companionship for the journey. He and I have travelled together many times of the years. You cannot ask for a better travelling partner.
As has been my want of the recent times, I spent my day in armor, on the field in the armored combat activities hosted during the event. The Iris Faire tournament (for armored combat) had 29 combatants in attendance this year. It was a large list that drew representatives from the Kingdoms of the Middle and Gleann Abhann. The competition was top class and the best of challenges for all who participated.
The list started as a double-elimination, best two out of three, for the first two rounds before list administrators changed the bouts to single passes due to how long the list was pushing into the afternoon. The final was a standard best 2 our ot three with a clean slate for both finalists.
I had a lot of fun. I made it through 4 rounds before my day on the field concluded. My losses were to Earl Lochlainn and Viscount Valeric. Both men are the best of opponents and an absolute blast to cross swords with. Earl Randver defeated Sir Haldr for tournament champion. My sincere congratulations and thanks to everyone that participated throughout the well fought and well called list.
I was reminded later in the list that 'fun' is really the key to this game. The joy you carry on the field is infectious. I was happy that my fun made the day better for those I shared the day with and that just made it better for me (yay, more joy). The lesson here is something that I attribute to wisdom shared by Sir Mandin a while back that really stuck with me. The first bit was 'Don't be a D$ck.' Hard to forget. Easy to comply with. The next bit was, 'When you fight, smile. Enjoy the experience.' Yes, I am parapharsing some of that. Not the first part, but I am sure on the second bit. The reward I get from that wisdom has been an embracing of the armored combat, laughing when I am in kit, and sometimes spreading that happiness to others in kit who might be having a bad or off day. It is simple. It is easy. And totally worth the effort.
While I make fun a priority, that does not imply that I like losing. I just don’t give a loss much weight in the grand scheme of things. Winning is not about victory as much as it is success. A win is demonstrative and proof of concept that I am improving and that all that 'stuff' that mentors and peers freely offer to me as advice along with my own individual efforts at improving is actually making some impact in my progression. It means that the game is starting to click for me. A win means that my goals of offering every opponent a challenge when I engage is being achieved. I don’t need to beat you to win in my mind. I win if I fight, I have fun, and I made the engagement fun for my opponent in the process.
That’s just me and how I approach things right now. Its evolved a lot over time. I am extremely content with this philosophy and how it shows in my interactions on the field of combat.
I revealed some major kit updates at Iris Faire. The first was my new helmet at it's first tournament. Still have a couple of adjustments to make, but it is really nice to fight in. I am loving it.
The second reveal was a new heraldic device I have submitted that was painted on a new shield for me (with some awesome artistic flair) by my wife, Ellen. Had some people doing a double-take wondering who I was. The shield art was getting a ton of good commentary. My wife also sewed up my new fighting tunic. She dressed me up really well. It all felt really good to wear and represent (myself and her) in. It is a really good makeover.
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| Photo Credit Kim Garnett |
My original heraldry is from the early ninety's. Submitted shortly after I started getting serious with the hobby. It has served me well. I will keep it. I have also submitted the new heraldry to the College of Heralds along with a joint badge for Ellen and I. The updates are welcome in my mind. I was a little nervous at first with new arms. But, the more I thought about it, I think I am OK. While a device is a form of identification, it is OK to have more than one ID. So, I am sold on it and will embrace have a second heraldic device to identify who I am.
I did not perform much in the way of service at the event. I have some SCAdian guilt, but I know it is OK. I did some marshalling after I was eliminated from the list to help out the MIC, Sir Valdryk. I also did some minor pack-mule work helping Baron Erickr carry thrones for court. Small services matter in the big scheme. I can live with that.
It was a long day in the sun, and the early spring day took its toll on Marek and I. So, we decided to depart the event before the evening feast and revelry in order to get back to our hearth in the Shire while we still had the energy for the trip. While my exposure to the event was limited to the armored combat field and part of court that afteroon, I truly did enjoy my day and the company of those I shared it with.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
Baron Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
SCA Inc.
