Clyde's Travels - Silver Hammer 50

 

Silver Hammer 50th
Big Ridge State Park
Maynardsville, TN
25 October 2025

The tournament field with view of the autumn sky.

On a cool autumn morning, Sindri Brynjarsson and I left our warm Cumbrian hearths and headed East into the mountain valleys surrounding the Barony of Thor's Mountain for Silver Hammer 50. The passage was uneventful and thankfully there was no fog to impede our way.

Over the years, I have been to many Silver Hammer events. It was one of the first events I recall ever attending. It is one of the oldest annual events in the Kingdom. Locally known to many as 'Shiver Hammer' as the higher elevation and fall season often means that it will be very cool at the site. And this year, did start out as a cold morning but warmed up nicely as the day progressed.

I opted out of combat again this weekend. Doing my best to be a good patient and adhere to my doctor's recommendations to 'take it easy', I brought no kit. My particular problem has been a hand issue with my right hand. It's been a hassle and I miss not fighting. The liberating activity is a stress reliever for me. I look forward to getting back into it soon.

Sindri was able to join the fray though. Also in attendance were some of our other newer fighters from our area, Aznor and Valka. I envied the fun they were having to some extent. It was a good list. Duke Ailgheanan mac Sithigh won the armored tournament and bade Valka to carry the Silver Hammer heirloom in his stead to ensure it gets returned next year. Here is a video of the final fight between Duke Ailgheanan and Sir Gaeus. 

This year, in addition to being the 50th anniversary of the event, was also host to an investiture. In baronial terms, this is when the sitting Barons step down and their duly elected replacements take their place. In the attached video, I captured both courts, the traditional procession before the tournament, and the early parts of the tournament.

I spent my day doing several things. I performed some service as entourage for HRM Chinua as well as setup and tear down of the fixtures of state (thrones, shade, etc). I was able to spend some time with my old friend Fionn Ó Cinnéide of Dun na nGall. Shortly after I found the SCA, I introduced it to Fionn. It was good to see him again. Late in the afternoon, I visited with Masters Jean-Azriel du Corbier and Ysabel de Saincte Croix to discuss rapier weapons and the authorization process. These few things along with side discussions with several different people made for me having a fullfilled day.

Older and more respectable version of Fionn and I.

Silver Hammer is one of my favorites. And I will look forward to many more chances to visit with the Thor's Mountaineers.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies

Clyde's Travels - Bacon Bash XI: The Bacon Games, Chewy vs. Crispy

Bacon Bash XI: The Bacon Games, Chewy vs. Crispy
Montgomery Bell State Park
Burns, TN
18 October 2025

Sindri and Martin de Bernay doing pickups.

On the middle of the month of October, A.S. LX, I travelled to an event, hosted by the Shire of Crimson River, in the western borderlands of the Barony of Glaedenfeld. Sindri Brynjarsson accompanied by on the journey. The event, called ‘Bacon Bash XI: The Bacon Games, Chewy vs. Crispy, is an annual staple gathering well attended and a good regional gathering of the northern region of Meridies.

 

I did not bring any harness or kit to the event. Trying to heal up some aches and strains that professional guidance directed me to ‘lay off’ for a bit to try to allow recovery. Instead, I opted to do other things. I went to the event without a plan and just looked about to see what I could get into.

 

My travelling companion, Sindri Brynjarsson, was able to fight in the armored combat tournaments and got in on several pickup fights. Here is video of the tournament.

After some socializing, I found myself on the fighting field helping Lord Benjamin de Hatfield and Sir Legio Uv Orkney with the tournament administration. And, shortly in I found myself as a voice herald for the tournament. That was a first I think. I don’t believe I ever specifically did voice heraldry for an entire tournament before. I took a few rounds of introductions before I got into the swing of things and started getting name pronunciations right. But, it was enjoyable. I started feeling a ‘Vegas fight announcer’ vibe as I got comfortable and had some fun with it. Normally, when I raise by voice I just sound like an angry person (military command voice be like that), so I do so rarely. With a little radio DJ inflection though,  I don’t think I sound too mean. My only concern is that the pitch of my voice can be a little low and I think it might be hard to hear in some conditions. Lord Benjamin handled the salutes and such. Which offloaded about half of what a normal voice herald job involves. That made things a lot easier for this first timer.

 

I might have to look into doing voice heraldry some more in the future. The only issue I had was potential throat soreness, but I had some Ricola on me and that solved my voice issues before they became a problem. I don’t talk a lot normally and public speaking is ‘a punishment’ generally in my mind. Like, I get shaking nervous in formal settings where I have to speak. It’s horrible. But, field heraldry is just shouting into the wind. No real audience other than the grass and trees, unlike having an audience and the feedback of facial expressions and body language. So, no nervousness. Just reading the names from the cards and such. 

 

Sindri and I only visited for the day. We stayed on the tournament field for almost the entire time. The event also had classes and live weapons in other locations of the site. The feast later in the day had a lot of bacon, true to the events name and by all accounts was really good. When Bacon Bash next appears on your calendar, circle the date and make an effort to visit. It is worth the trip.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies