Squires

[Fox Purtill]

At 08:11 AM 11/3/95 -0600, you wrote:
>  Lord Crispin,
>     My compliments on your dedication and loyalty. The ethos you have written
>  of is being heard of less and less these days. The more the pity.
>
>     My curiousity is up. As you now act as a squire-at-large (so to speak)
>  is there any particular knight who you now look to for guidance. This is
>  meant formally or informally. If so, what particular qulaities or attributes
>  drew your attention? (oh boy - I just at my spelling! The word is qualities!)
>
>  In service,
>  Duncan Mac Connacher na' Dunheath
>    Cadet to Don Tivar

 Don't feel bad, my spelling tend to be horrid, usually due to my thinking
faster than I can type.

 I have not been in 'fighting trim' for a number of years now.  This is not
due to age but to injury, I was badly damaged a number of years ago and am
only now getting into a position where I can look to the fighting arts
again.  I only recently re-emerged into the local SCA  (well, ok, it's been
nearly a year now, bt in SCA terms that's recent) and have not yet taken up
weapons again.  I do watch all knights (and dons) with interest.  I suppose
I'm in a unique possition that I DO look at all instead of one, give me more
variation and understanding of other options.

-<* Ramble mode, if you don't wish to read it scoll to the next marker *>-

 A a recent fighter practice (recent being about 3-4 months in this
instance) I chanced to bring a good friend of mind down with me to observe
so that he might think about taking up arms in combat.  He was enthralled
and enjoyed himself thouroughly.  A new fighter had only just arrived on the
scene and was going into his second or third time of practive, very green.
He had basic armor and a good attitude and what I percieved as good fighter
potential.  I am afraid I didn't noticed who he had paried off with at the
time, but the fun began.
 I noticed right out that his leg possitioning was all wrong and his shield
too tilted and low, his sword arm in exactly the wrong place.  I turned my
back to him and faced my friend and remarked, "Watch the battle, the first
hit he takes will be the right leg." *SMACK!* My friend looked at me in
surprise, "Right leg" he said.  I didn't bother turning about, "Head"
*SMACK* "then shield, then leg" *SMAKC! SMACK!* for the next 15 shots I
called them all in succession, accurately,  without looking.  These were all
basic fighter mistakes that each beginner gets over eventually (one hopes).
My friend was in awe, but I was only amused.

-<* Ramble mode off, you may now resume normal message *>-

 Observation is the key to fighting styles, but only by lots of practice
against varied opponents can you truly learn to fight well.  A knight (or
don) provides you with this knowledge and how to deal with the unexpected one.

 I suppose the answer you wanted is, no, I don't have a particular knight or
don that I see as a specific target of my own interest.  When/if I go back
into combat I will have my memories of my Knight (Sir Mahie MacFurgasen of
Isles - deceased) and all those who I have watched and tried to learn
technique and style.

 I feel I have overlooked another aspect of my being a squire.  The others
who flocked to my knight and looked to him for his strength and his kindness
and humor (not much grace however) made me proud to be his squire.  I felt
lucky and honored to have been with him and learned from his manners in
court as well on the field.  Field civility, curtesy, and honor is a good
thing, but that HAS to extend to court and social functions and those who
are not fighters (and those who are not even SCA) also.  I have noted that
this is not always the case.

In service,
----
You can lead a horse to water, but we make you drink

Lord Squire elitist-militant-waterbearer Crispin Lechtscaerpne Starblade
Bryn Gwlad - Ansteorra - House Starblade (aka-Fox Anton Purtill)
blackfox at eden.com | starblad at eden.com |  {anyname}@trueblue.com)