Real Name: Christopher Miller

SCA Name: Madoc Arundel

SCA title: Master

Years in the SCA: 36

Where did you start, what was your first event?

I first read about the SCA in Soldier of Fortune magazine in the late 70s while attending Grove City College. It was an article on vigilante-ism, and there were four anecdotes about SCA people in garb or armor thwarting various crimes. I didn’t actually find the SCA until 1982. I was at a hobby shop in Butler and saw a flyer for a demo at Coopers Lake. Several of us from the college went down, and I ended up invited to stay for the feast and dancing. My first event was a just after graduation. It was a going away party for Ogami, who was joining the Army. Bear and Frog drove me up to Buffalo and got me authorized with great sword at that event. I attended three more events before leaving for active duty with the Air Force.

What is your persona?

Early 13th century Gloucester, a veteran of Richard’s third crusade.

Why did you pick this persona?

By accident. I picked my name without knowing much about the time period or culture, and the persona followed. Also, by aligning the last two digits of the year, I could simply figure my time period by subtracting 700 years from the modern date.

Do you have any group or household affiliations?

I am a founding member of Clan Lurkr.

Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA.

I spent 25 years in the Air Force, retiring as a colonel in 2007. I worked for nearly 7 more years as a federal civil servant, both for the DoD and the VA. After that, I just wanted enough part-time work to cover the cost of my hobby… so I got a job at Home Depot. After a couple years there, I decided to pursue my original calling; so I went back to college to get my teaching degree. I am currently a substitute teacher in the Hermitage, PA school district. Other than work and the SCA, my spare time is usually taken up with extended family activities.

What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?

Heavy fighting, archery, thrown weapons, heraldry, brewing, wood and leather crafting, bardic.

Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.):

Thanks to being in the military, I’ve lived in 10 different kingdoms/principalities over the years. I have held every job except chirurgeon and exchequer at some point. I have also held the job of herald at every level from shire/canton up through kingdom principle herald. I’ve been the head of the brewers guild in two kingdoms. I was a sometimes autocrat, and actually was responsible for the first Great Cookie War, which is now a kingdom event in Drachenwald. I spend a lot of time teaching, as well as organizing brewing activities. I also spend a lot of time at Marshals Point, Heralds Point, and the Watch at Pennsic.

When you started in the SCA what goals did you have?

I wanted to be a knight.

What are your goals now?

I want brewing as a science to enjoy the same following and level of respect that is enjoyed by other more mainstream arts & sciences, and to ensure that new people coming into the Society receive the same support and encouragement that was afforded me when I started.

If you could accomplish only one thing in the SCA in the next year, what would it be?

Join the Board of Directors.

What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA?

I would advise anyone new to try as many different activities as you possibly can. You cannot know where your true calling lies or what you will most enjoy if you are not open to the full spectrum of activities the SCA has to offer.

If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be?

Diplomacy.

Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?

I would love to rule a kingdom or principality… either as a combatant or a consort. In my mind, there is no greater honor than being allowed to rule.

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