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Officer
Articles from the Rimsholt Bolt - 1989
(note: all mundane names/personal address have been removed
or replaced by the generic Bob Robertson)
January 1989
*** Missing Copy of the Bolt for this Month *** See my "Wants / Needs / Desires" page
February / March 1989
Knight's Marshal:
Marshal's Arena
This months topic is safety. This subject can take many forms: I will expound on 2 basic
issues; adequate protection and precautions.
We who fight in the SCA are all aware of the required areas of protection & the amount
of padding & rigid material. Most of us follow these rules in tourney & practice
fighting. We feel that head, neck, kidney, elbow, knee and groin protection is a
necessity. In addition, shin, thigh, and rib protection come in handy. Forearm and wrist
protection is a must in some weapons styles. The point being, when working on armor, keep
in mind what you want to fight with in the future & and allow yourself the flexibility
to accomplish it.
Examples of this are the quick cop for elbow protection to fight sword and shield but
future provisions for forearm and shoulder protection to fight bastard sword and polearm.
Another overlooked area is the top of the shoulder.
Generally, thigh protection comes up to the top of the hip. Unfortunately, the leg piece
is usually heavy & slides down. This is usually the time your opponent makes contact
with your hip bone with a shot that would drop an oak. Effective body armor is a must when
fighting with a 2-handed weapon. Keep this in mind when deciding between protection,
mobility and authenticity in that order. Remember - Blood, Bruises & Broken Bones are
period but not practical!
Most of us are in good shape for fighting. However, there may be gaps between practices
& tourneys. Activities besides sofa spud with 12 oz. curls might help you stay in
shape. An activity with strengthening & cardiovascular workout properties would be
ideal. I take karate. It seems to provide the needed workout.
One final point to consider: Prior to fighting is stretching. Many pulls & strains
could be avoided by proper warm-up before fighting. It is often difficult to loosen a cold
muscle - especially before a tourney that you've traveled 2 or 3 hours to reach. Walk out
the kinks & do some general stretching. These should cove the legs, back & groin
areas. Make sure the neck is loose & moves freely along with the back. As most
fighting is done from a squatting position, the groin & thighs should be stretched
& warm. Hurdler stretches, butterfly's, waist rotation all help to loosen various
muscle groups. Other techniques are available and I would suggest vigorous research into
these areas.
Remember, we want to keep people interested in fighting & staying injury free help to
keep this a sport, not just a bunch of weirdo's getting together to beat each other to
death.
Deryk von Waldfrysk
Chronicler: Editorial
Epistle
Did you think the Bolt went out of business? Well, we're still here. Sometimes the mundane
world interferes with our SCA lives. Let me tell you the latest news:
Lord Daibhre is now Baron Daibhre, He was made a Baron of the Court at our own Winter
Revel.
We were made an official (no longer incipient) group. This also happened at Winter Revel.
See what you missed by not being there?
Our next meeting is at Bob's place. Directions are as follows *** snipped for privacy
reasons ***. Meeting starts at 3 pm. Bring a munchie and your own beverage. main dish is
provided.
Winter Revel Statistics
81 people attended. For 41 of them, this was their first WR. We made a profit of about
$66. Everyone enjoyed themselves except for the (marzipan) pig that was "ritually
sacrificed".
Please note the postcard from James Foxton that is elsewhere in this issue.
Anyone who would like to submit an article will receive my undying gratitude. If you are
not from Rimsholt, you will also receive the Bolt free for a year if the article is
printed.
We have again been asked to participate in the Muskegon County Mayfest. It will be on May
20.
Contact Lady Amber for more info.
Iarlaith ni Fionnallain
April / May 1989
Knight's Marshal:
Marshal's Arena
I suppose it's time to write an article or the Bolt. I know you're all thrilled. So,
what's the topic - the suspense must be be killing you. Well, here it is - fanfare,
please, drum roll would be good . . . PRACTICE! Yes, this article is devoted entirely to
practice. Whew, glad I got that off my chest. Boy, I feel better. Well, until next month,
fight chivalrously and don't worry, be happy.
What, what's the problem? Oh, there's as much article as practice - that's the problem.
O.K. - practice at Iarlaith's Tuesday at 6:30 pm - alternate on Sunday at 3:00 pm or
Kalamazoo at 2:00 pm. Contact me for further details, caravaning, etc.
Deryk von Waldfrysk
June 1989
*** Missing Copy of the Bolt for this Month *** See my "Wants / Needs / Desires" page
July 1989
*** Missing Copy of the Bolt for this Month *** See my "Wants / Needs / Desires" page
August 1989
*** Missing Copy of the Bolt for this Month *** See my "Wants / Needs / Desires" page
September 1989
Knight's Marshal:
Marshal's Arena
"Testing - Testing - 1 - 2 - 3 - Testing"
Tap, Tap, Tap - "Does this thing work?"
I take my pencil in hand to write this article - aren't you surprised? Yah, it's got me
all choked up, too.
Now that the shock is over, I need some answers. Who is interested in fighting? What
styles? When does anyone interested want to practice? You know, the stuff you to try to
become good! Finally, where can we practice?
We also need to gather to determine who needs what armor, so that coordination can be done
with the canton armorer/armory through Lord Johan. I would like to have an attendance of
more than three people to have fighting practice so please get in touch with me or my
machine (phone number on officer's page).
If you are planning to authorize in the near future, do not call me the night before the
event and ask to borrow armor that you have never worn to fight in. This only results in
both you and me looking foolish and, Lord knows, I do well enough by myself, thank you
very much.
Lastly, as marshal and a contributing writer to the Bolt, is there a topic you would like
expounded upon? You know, if you can't dazzle them with brilliance you can baffle them
with bull cookies!
Deryk von Waldfrysk
Chronicler: Editorial
Epistle
Allow me to introduce myself - your new chronicler Caillin the Nameless (still)
Any submissions to the Bolt should be sent to me at:
123 Anystreet
Kentwood, MI 49546
In about five weeks this address will change to:
456 Anyother Street
If you have any ideas for the Bolt, please contact me, I'll need every one of them!
As for deadlines, I would like to have as much information/articles as possible at the
meetings so I can spend the end of the month working on the Bolt and then mail it by the
first of the following month. Hopefully, this will work; I think it will give people a
chance to plan ahead more.
As Bartles and Jaymes say, "Thank you for your support."
Caillin the Nameless
October 1989
Knight's Marshal:
Marshal's Arena
Hello - it's hard to believe another month has passed so quickly. Yup, time for
another marshal's letter. Most of my avid readers are wondering "What he is going to
babble about this page?"
We attended one event, Merchant's Return, in Silver Swords and made up one-fourth
of the composition. We also finished in the lower one-fourth, for those of you who keep
score. Same old problem, no time available for practice. We couldn't even challenge Otto
or Richard, neither bothered to don armor. The mud and the rain won so we didn't practice
afterwards.
Enough old business. New business . . . I have been informed of a demo on November
11th for Wyoming schools. I have no idea if I am attending - it's in the middle of Bambi,
er I mean, DEER season and on a Saturday so I will have to see what's hanging.
With the changing weather the armor will be cleaned, repaired and put away. Maybe a
trip to Kalamazoo on an open Sunday for practice. Otherwise, it's hearth and home.
Therefore, I hereby announce spot inspections of weapons and armor, including projects
currently underway. (Hint, Hint, - Baldr the Directionless.)
Deryk von Waldfrysk
Bum Rap: By Lord Daibhre mac Coileain . . .
Winter Revel - By Invitation Only!
When the first Winter Revel was conceived several years ago, the idea was to have a
party - none of the trappings of an "Official Event" would apply; no tournament
fighting (special challenges would be entertained, however); no troll (donations heartily
accepted, site paid for by us - essentially a free activity); winter games and lots of
spontaneity.
The idea (discussed by us at Pennsic - a productive discussion) is to return to the
party atmosphere, and collect suggestions from our members for whom to invite. The idea is
(so far) to ask each member to compile a list of ten persons they would invite to the
Revel, then get together to sum up the lists, eliminate the redundancies, then send out
invitations. We guess there will be a lot of overlap in the lists, so that we would be
inviting perhaps 100 souls and perhaps 50 will show up.
Over the years, the Winter Revel became a Kingdom Event, with a listing in the
Pale. The major problems was conflicts with Twelfth Nights and other winter traditions.
Now, however, I think we've established ourselves (this will be the fifth such event!) If
we ask for $5 to cover the site and a stew feast, we should be in good shape financially.
The only concern that we've encountered is objections from those who are not
invited, or those who think such private parties are somehow not in the spirit of the SCA.
To them, we say, "Go ahead and come on over! Have fun! But realize that this is NOT a
SCA Event - the Society bears no responsibility nor any bureaucratic involvement in this
event! Party at your own risk!" How can anyone argue with that?
Our next meeting will be held at Iarlaith's house (see calendar). We will discuss
this issue there and take a vote. If you feel strongly about this make sure that you show
up to vote! We will make a decision this week. Before you know it, the leaves will be
a-turning and the snowflakes a-flying!
Dias Duite!
Chronicler: Editorial Epistle
edit:
1. to
prepare an edition of
2. to direct the publication of
editor: 1. one that
edits
publish: 1. to produce or release for
publication
2. to put out an edition
publisher: 1. one that publishes
Nowhere in Webster's does it say that the editor/publisher drives allover town to
pick up articles. So, this editor is going by Webster's. DEADLINES are meeting dates.
Therefore, this month's deadline is October 22nd. If this is not enough time, too bad.
Start writing now!
Thank you.
Caelainn the nameless
November 1989
Bum Rap: By Lord
Daibhre mac Coileain...
ELECTIONS?
The founding fathers of our great nation, among their other remarkable leaps of foresight,
incorporated into their great manifest for this "democratic experiment"
something known as limited terms of office! Intending no reflection on the incumbent
officers of this Canton (who have served us well these past years), it has occurred to me
that we have not had any change of administration in quite some time. New officers are
generally good for an organization, and I wonder if it may be time to open the floor for
discussion of the matter at some future meeting of the Canton. Our organization has no
predefined terms, and it seems most SCA groups tend to "play it by ear" when it
comes to administrative attrition.
Well? What do you all think? Write an article on the subject, and/or talk about it at our
next meeting!
Dias Duite!
Chronicler: Editorial
Epistle
Thanks to those who turned in an article this time. Remember, your next deadline is
November 19th.
Results of our vote on Winter Revel -
Winter Revel will be a regular SCA event, with attendance limited to 80 gentles. We intend
to have flyers ready to send to our special friends before anything is published
in the Pale, so that every opportunity is available for them to get their money
in first.
Feastocrats for the event will be Ysabeau and Raven. Let's all be ready to give them any
help they may need so that everything will go smoothly, OK?
Also, our apologies to anyone who attempted to come to last month's meeting and only found
an empty house. Iarlaith's mundane life called her away at the last minute and not
everyone was notified.
Caillin the Nameless
December 1989
Bum Rap: By Lord
Daibhre mac Coileain...
So where's all the new members? I remember people occasionally dropping by. Sometimes one
o two recruited from demos, occasionally a crowd. I remember several folks who came along
with Krake and Dietrick to a meeting. Where are they now? How did we fail? Do we see it as
a failure on our part, or as simply a mismatch of personalities?
When recruiting new members (spouses and family notwithstanding) is our intent to further
the causes of the SCA, bring new devotees of medieval history into fellowship with others
of like interests, or are we perhaps more interested in finding people who fit into our
club - which is only loosely bound by our vaguely medieval activities?
On the one hand, of course, potential SCA members may not be potential Rimsholt members -
know what I mean? Persons who may be very dedicated members of the Society, extremely
interested in things medieval, and valuable assets to the educational or esoteric causes
of SCA may not fit in well with the personalities and attitudes of our core group here in
Rimsholt.
It appears that the new members we have assimilated over the years have very strong
personalities of their own, or are drawn into the fold by purely familial ties. Those who
have come 'round following their interest or curiosity but who do not have strong
personalities generally are left behind, or perhaps driven away by the strength of our
own.
These comments come from observations over the years of being intimately involved in the
formation of two new SCA groups; Three Walls and Rimsholt. I have also watched many other
groups evolve, growing through sparse times and prosperous, times of conflict and
tranquility. I have come to believe that much of this conflict is basic to all
organizations and may be cause for concern in our own group.
The question I put to you is this: Are we interested in recruiting new members for the
sake of the Society and to satisfy the interest of anyone who might find an interest in
medieval living history, or are we interested in slowly building a club made up of people
who fit in?
Every SCA group and every chapter of every organization has its own personality. In larger
groups, more variations in personality can survive in a kind of mini-society. If I may,
let me analyze our own group in this regard.
Everyone in our group is here because of one of three things: 1) They are "charter
members" (or nearly so) and have shaped the group from the very early years, 2) They
are related to members who are in the first category (being spouse, close friend, or
offspring), or 3) They are of such powerful personalities themselves that they are not
intimidated or will not allow themselves to be alienated by the overall personality of the
group ("We're here and you can't keep us away!")
I'm not intending to pass judgement on any persons or point fingers at any given causes -
I think the situation is too subtle for that to be done. What I'm asking for is a
clarification of our objective in recruiting members. I'm hoping that we can clarify this
and avoid any conflicts. I think it's a tribute to the group that we haven't suffered any
serious breaches in the group over the years (close maybe, but not lasting).
When I invite someone to a SCA event or talk to someone at a demo it would be of great
help to me to know what I'm after. I may talk to a history buff who likes the idea of
putting on a costume and becoming an authentic-as-possible 13th century Italian scribe and
who has a timid manner or preconceived notion of the SCA that does not match the Rimsholt
mold. This person will probably not survive in Rimsholt. They will show up to a couple
meetings, maybe an event, and then be gone.
If, however, this same person is very outspoken, "hits it off" with the group
personality and starts taking down phone numbers - this person will probably become a
Rimsholt member by force of will, and matching the group's image well enough to fit in.
So, are we a large enough group to try to pursue a second set of members - the quiet ones
who need to be coaxed in, constantly reassured that they are valuable members and
accommodated by the rest of us because they won't force themselves in? I think we need to
address this topic seriously. Ask around - do other people see this, too?
If anyone should respond to this idea, either with discussion or an answering article in
the Bolt, I'll tell you my opinion on the subject!
Dias Duite!
Chronicler: Editorial Epistle
Well, for those of you who don't get a Pale, the next King and Queen of the
Midrealm will be:
Comar gry Mirand and Lisa
Dolorosa
There really isn't a lot to say. In case you've noticed the rather dubious dating
system (or lack thereof) that the recent Bolts have had, sorry. I started off with the
wrong month - then, when I figured that out it dawned on me that the year was probably
wrong, too. C'est la vie! I assume that all of you knew when it was.
Remember, I'll take any articles, etc. that people want to send. Here's your chance
to see your work in print!
Caelainn
Page last updated 12/28/99
