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5 Questions for a MoD: Master Illadore de Bedagrayne

04 Monday Jan 2021

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Master Illadore de Bedagrayne

Our series of 5 questions for members of the Æthelmearc Order of Defense continues this week with Master Illadore de Bedagrayne.

1. Of all the things you could have done in the Society , why did you choose fencing?

I had been in the SCA for about 13 years when I first started and was a cook and did other A&S activities. However, I decided I wanted to try some more physical activity. At first, I was vaguely interested in fencing – a number of friends of mine had started fencing, and I thought it looked like fun. So, I went to a practice in the BMDL.

The first time I went, it was okay and I did some drills with the marshals because they didn’t have loaner equipment that fit me. The next week, I came back and they had found a doublet my size – and I got to actually stab someone for the first time. Then, they did melee practice, and I was *hooked* from that moment on.

2.  Why do you still fence?

I deeply love it. I love the people, I love the history of it, I love that there is always something new to learn, and I deeply love competition. All of Æthelmearc is amazing and its rapier community doubly so. I also love the game of fencing. It is a physical game, sure, but it is also a deeply mental one. I also greatly enjoy talking about the mental aspect of fencing with people too.

3. If you could go back in time and give the “new” you advice what would it be?

Don’t buy your first sword just because it’s pretty. I still have it. It’s practically a piece of rebar and I never use it.

4. What is your most memorable moment as a fencer?

One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given was “fight the fight in front of you.”  Not only was it the perfect advice in the moment (i.e., don’t worry about winning the tourney, just focus on winning against your current opponent), it was great life advice too. I used it, practically daily, as a mantra when I was working on my master’s thesis.

5. If you were to start all over again would you do anything different?

No. Other than win the lottery so I could go fence more. Even the dumb things I have done were good learning experiences for me.

5 Questions for a MOD: Master Po Silvertop

29 Tuesday Dec 2020

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Master Po Silvertop

Our series of 5 questions for members of the Æthelmearc Order of Defense continues this week with Master Po Silvertop.

1. Of all the things you could have done in the Society, why did you choose fencing?

For me it was the other way around, the SCA didn’t lead me to fencing, fencing led me to the SCA.

I first held a fencing blade (an Olympic sabre) at a performing arts camp before I was even in my teens. I was already an avid science fiction and fantasy reader, in addition to loving Dumas, Scaramouche, and other swashbuckling novels and movies. I started sport sabre and stage combat that summer and continued them for years, adding foil and epee along the way. Years later, I encountered local SCAdian fencers while I was choreographing the Scottish Tragedy. They invited me to the local practice after they joined the theatrical production.

2.  Why do you still fence?

I still very much enjoy it. It makes my heart sing. Not just the ‘tactical chess’ aspect, but the ‘poetry in motion’ aspect, and the ‘zen mindset’ aspect.  Plus I’ve always loved the camaraderie of the community.

3. If you could go back in time and give the “new” you advice what would it be? 

Hmmm…  “Enjoy the moment” more… Overthink less.

4. What is your most memorable moment as a fencer?

Oh my…   I’ve been blessed with a staggering number of personally memorable moments both on and adjacent to the rapier field… Great bouts at practices and events, fun tourney finishes, wonderful teachers and students, unexpected court ambushes, the Pennsic tourneys… Even being the “Susan Lucci of the fencing community”… How can I narrow it down to one?

5. If you were to start all over again would you do anything different?

No, I don’t think so… Even the missteps were educational (and entertaining) – and helped me to become the SCAdian I am today.