[Bryn-gwlad] bardic performances

[Michael Scofield]

Greetings Bryn Gwlad,
I would like to expand a little on what Mistress Clare wrote about Bards. I agree that a bard should first and foremost entertain the audience. 

Without a doubt, the most impressive bardic piece I ever was privileged to see and hear was not announced to the people gathered, it did not take place at a competition, and it was entirely for the enjoyment of the people at the event. Good Baron Thomas, and a group of scoundrels (who also were fairly good performers), got together and did a portrayal of part of the Song of Roland at a Tournament of the Lions over 15 years ago. A large group of people had gathered at a campfire in a corner of the site, when without warning, and without announcement, the performance started with a strong voice out of the dark on the hillside. The various parts were done by people that seemingly appeared out of the crowd, which they did, and the audience was mesmerized. So much so that at the end of the performance, there was a resounding silence, and then bedlam. Thomas, Leon, Cynric, Ragnar, and many others, who I do not remember, had transported a group of about one hundred people who were enjoying a brief time in the current middle ages into a true moment in the past. To this day I get goosebumps when I revisit that night in my mind.

That in my mind it the epitome of what a "bard" should be.

By the way, Thomas has done very similar to that several times since then. In my mind, Thomas of Tenby is one of the greatest bards this Kingdom will ever know, even though he doesn't think he is a bard.

Ivarr



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