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.
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.
Our series of 5 questions for members of the Æthelmearc Order of Defense continues with Master Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen:
1. Of all the things you could have done in the Society, why did you choose fencing?
I joined the society because I enjoyed archery and arts. My husband said fencing looked interesting, so we decided to try that out. Physical limitations made it much more appealing than rattan fighting and when we moved to Æthelmearc we found a great community of friends.
2. Why do you still fence?
Honestly, right now I don’t feel like I do. I hope to have time and a conducive environment to do so again. Before that, I kept fighting because sparring with a friend is fun. Fighting my spouse is one of our favorite couple’s activities.
3. If you could go back in time and give the “new” you advice what would it be?
“New” me could give “now” me a lot of advice. Advice I would give is take advantage of all that time and resources you have, but that is pretty much what “new” me did.
4. What is your most memorable moment as a fencer?
Winning Seven Pearls. It was the first time all of that advice really made sense and I put it into practice. “Fight the fight in front of you.” “Don’t play with your food.” “Winning IS fun.”
5. If you were to start all over again would you do anything different?
This week starts a new interview series courtesy of Master Quinn Kerr:
“The past year has left many of us with a lot of time on our hands. Time to finish those projects we have meaning to get to, finally try some of those drills or pell work we have been avoiding etc. It is also a great time to reflect on why we do what we do. And why do we love it so much. Recently some questions were posed to the members of the Order of Defense (the rapier peerage). Their answers are both fun and enlightening. So, we begin a series called “5 Questions for a Member of the Order of Defense” Enjoy!”
Master Eric Grenier de Labarre, with his wife Baroness Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina, after his elevation ceremony to the Order of Defense, 2017.
This week’s answers are from Baron Master Eric Grenier de Labarre, nicknamed Grendel.
1. Of all the things you could have done in the Society, why did you choose fencing?
When I first got involved in the SCA, back in the middle 90s, I tried out a bunch of different activities, but fencing was what really clicked for me.
Partly, I just really enjoyed the activity of fencing right from the start; but also, I really felt comfortable in the fencing community. I found the standard “peerage track” SCA activities unwelcoming of a casual new person, but the fencing community really opened up and welcomed me, and I quickly made a small army of really good friends, many of whom I am still close to today. Fencing wasn’t a peerage track activity in those days, so there was kind of a “band of misfits and ne’er-do-wells” atmosphere when a bunch of SCA fencers got together to eat and drink and talk.
2. Why do you still fence?
I still enjoy the activity of fencing itself, although I’m reaching the age where I think my best fights may be behind me. But I’m still determined to holding up the “fencing banner” here in the Barony of Thescorre where I live, until someone comes along to take over from me.
As a White Scarf and member of the Order of Defense, I feel a responsibility to stay active and aware of what is going on in fencing, to provide whatever teaching and service I can offer, and to try to preserve the ultra-inclusive culture that drew me into the fencing community in the first place. Now that we are a peerage activity, there is the danger that we could start to become exclusive, in ways that I have observed a lot of peerage communities in many kingdoms do. I think that anyone who wants to participate in fencing should be welcomed and supported, regardless of their skill level, gender, age, body type, physical capability, persona, SCA affiliations, awards, etc.
3. If you could go back in time and give the “new” you advice what would it be?
Hmmm. I guess I would just tell Past Me that he’s on the right track. There is not too many things from that time I regret greatly. Maybe just tell him not to sell that Apple stock.
4. What is your most memorable moment as a fencer?
It’s probably a three-way tie: the first time I won Queen’s Rapier Championship, my elevation to the White Scarf, and my elevation to the MOD. Each one was a surprise at that moment. I also cherish my memory of seeing the Order of the White Scarf of AEthelmearc opened by King Yngvar and Queen Caryl at Harvest Raids; it inspired everything that came after for me.
5. If you were to start all over again would you do anything different?
Their Royal Majesties of Æthemearc, Timothy and Gabrielle.
Unto the rapier enthusiasts of Æthelmerc does King Timothy and Queen Gabrielle send greetings,
Some years back, We wrote the BoD of the SCA to discuss the issue of the Rapier Peerage. Our input, along with that of many others convinced the governing body of our organization that a peerage unique to the art of the sword would be beneficial to the society, and thus, the Masters of Defense were created.
We had the privilege of sitting the thrones when the MoD came on line. We discussed prospective members with many of you throughout the kingdom, before selecting the initial 5 recipients. Of the 10 who received enough comments from the populace to merit serious consideration, all but one have been invited to join the order. We’d like nothing more than to add the last one.
We are greatly pleased with those who wear the collar, and the contributions they have made to the community. We see these members travel throughout the kingdom as they share their knowledge. But their numbers are limited. There are only so many of them, and they cannot be everywhere at every moment.
Maestra Illadore. Photo by Lady Silence.
At Pennsic every year, Timothy takes the field and asks as many knights as possible to take the field at his side for an entire day. Friday, August 4th from 9am till 5pm. This year, We have asked Maestra Illadore, who has graciously agreed, to set up a similar deed of arms for the Masters of Defense.
Therefore, Her Majesty and I put forth this challenge to you. Come and show us your heart, drive and skill. Work with the Masters and Mistresses. Spar with them. Train with them. Learn from them. Show them you have the skill to be at their side. Since We cannot be of any assistance in training any of you, We will do our part by promoting this and trying to get as many MoDs as possible on the field with her.
No excuses. They are here, in one place for your benefit.
“They don’t come to my area”. They are here.
“They never fight me with my chosen form”. Yes, they will.
“I am out of practice”. This date is 2 months away. You have time.
As of May 1st it will have been a year since the creation of the Society’s first Masters of Defense. Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope interviewed Duchess Dorinda Courtenay, Master Quinn Kerr, Mistress Illadore de Bedegrayne, and Master Iago Benitez to get their thoughts on the order one year on.
How do you think the creation of the Order of Defense has influenced the rapier community and the Society as a whole? What, if anything, has changed since it was implemented?
Dorinda: There is a sense of joy that is difficult to describe. People still fence and teach and serve, just like before, but the sting of being “ancillary” has greatly faded.
Quinn: I didn’t really expect changes, and didn’t know what it would do, so I was surprised at the impact across the board. Fencers have become more eager, and have been pushing their limits more.
Iago: It’s also been refreshing for long-time fencers. This group includes people who never had a peerage before and it’s really special.
Illadore: There’s been a lot of excitement – for instance, at Gulf Wars’ Opening Ceremony, the MODs and some vigilants from across the SCA gathered and there was a whole lot of love for the order. We feel so much more a part of the SCA now. As Dorinda noted, fencing used to be called an “ancillary” activity, but now it feels more like an integral part of the Society. MOD vigils have become huge affairs involving whole Kingdoms, which is glorious to see.
What has been the biggest challenge for you since becoming an Master of Defense (MOD)?
Illadore: Living up to expectations – both the Society’s expectations as a whole and my own. But on a more practical level, finding white livery collars is hard. There don’t seem to be merchants making them, and there’s a lot of variability of design across the Society. I ordered my personal collar custom-made from Billy and Charlie’s.
Dorinda: The most difficult thing about being a MoD is living up to it. (I swear I did not copy Illadore’s paper!)
Duchess Dorinda with the first MOD pie, made for her by Master Urho Walterrinen. Photo by Lady Fiora d’Artusio.
How well are the MODs throughout the Society connected? Are they in agreement about what the traditions should be around the order? How have you seen traditions vary across Kingdoms? For instance, Master Urho Walterrinen seems to have single-handedly created a tradition here for pie on the MOD’s receiving a Writ or going on vigil….
Illadore: (Laughs) Yes, we have pie in Æthelmearc thanks to Urho. I’ve also been trying to make a tradition of MODs wearing white garters, which I’m helping along by knitting them for new members. The first vigilants for the MOD gathered on a private Facebook group to discuss what our traditions should be. There were a lot of strong personalities but no consensus on some things, like what to call our students or what symbols we should use to distinguish them. Although the order is pretty well established at this point, the MODs still talk both within and between Kingdoms.
Dorinda: The MoD’s have been connected since the second writs were announced. We talk often online, and meet at major interkingdom events. No, we do not agree on all traditions (such as what to call students or what to have them wear), but we are united in wanting this Order to be something worthy of the fencing community and the Crowns who elevated us.
How has your elevation influenced your relationship with any cadets you have? Have you “promoted” them to a different role?
Illadore: I am still in discussions with my cadets about what they want from me and what they want our relationship to be. I also don’t think its “promoted” – I think it’s a sign of what kind of relationship you have with that person, just like a red belt signifies that relationship between a knight and a squire. For regalia, some have used blue or red collars for their students. I call my students Scholars, and they wear red collars.
Dorinda: Through careful planning (ahem) I arranged to have no students at the time I was elevated to the Order. Problem solved. If I do take a student, I am leaning towards a blue collar and calling them a Scholar, but that could change.
What do you think the implementation of the MOD by the Crowns was done well, both in AEthelmearc and across the SCA? What could have been done better?
Dorinda: I think the Crowns of the Known World have done a marvelous job in elevating the people who have made the fencing community what it is today. They have done so in a measured way that has allowed each Kingdom to develop its traditions, and to honor each candidate in an appropriate way. The only thing I would hope people remember is that “They are not done.” Some people wonder why this person or that has not been elevated yet. The key word is “yet.” Many kingdoms have unrecognized MoDs, but the order in which they are elevated is not what is important. Be patient, and their day will come.
Quinn: Our royalty have been excellent. They’ve understood that the first dozen or so members of the order would have a tremendous impact and have been choosing carefully.
Iago: They were smart in the people they chose to elevate, making sure that the first few were spread geographically throughout the Kingdom so they were accessible to most of the fencing populace.
Illadore: The BoD was smart to limit the Crowns to making three MODs before consulting with the order, too. Knowing that the order supports you makes the new MODs’ elevations better. In the West, they polled all of the White Scarves to see who that order thought the first three MODs should be and in what order they should be elevated. That the White Scarves chose me as Principal actually meant more to me than the elevation itself. In 2014 the Western White Scarves met in expectation that the BoD would create the MOD, and voted not to advise the Crown on who should be elevated unless they were ordered to do so – which they were.
How has the relationship between the MOD and the White Scarves developed? Has the Order of the White Scarf changed since the creation of the MOD? Some Kingdoms actually closed their White Scarf orders, though Æthelmearc did not.
Dorinda: Perhaps the White Scarves should answer this. All I will say is that the White Scarves have not backed down from their tradition of leading the fencing community and serving her needs and the needs of those who have joined us recently. I believe the MoDs and the White Scarves are working as a team to keep the community growing and thriving.
Mistress Illadore, Master Iago, and Master Quinn. Photo by Arianna.
As of May 1st it will have been a year since the creation of the Society’s first Masters of Defense. Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope interviewed Duchess Dorinda Courtenay, Master Quinn Kerr, Mistress Illadore de Bedegrayne, and Master Iago Benitez to get their thoughts on the order one year on.
