I do, although I still wonder as to my approach to it all. The most significant experience was Wing Chun, a well-known Chinese fighting style, which I studied for 2 years; and Philipino stick fighting, which I studied for 4. I’ve dabbled in French and Thai kickboxing, and I spent one summer doing Capoeira. Those were invaluable experiences when it comes to fencing.

Well, a certain amount of mental and physical flexibility for sure. For me, other benefits are the fighter’s mentality, and infighting. It seems to me that the systems from the Philippines were modified with the arrival of the Spanish. As they figured out certain things about the Spanish systems their conquerors used, they modified their own indigenous systems to reflect those changes. Because the Philipinos were not allowed swords, but only sticks, they began learning how to gain control of the infight. I came to the SCA already hardwired that way.

Yes, I like it. ‘Tis not my Alpha and Omega, but I really enjoy learning. I’ve studied some Saviolo with a friend in Ealdormere, and there is a fellow in IDD right now who is very well versed in Capo Ferro. I’ve also learned the rudiments of Agrippa from Don Cosmano, but that’s a tricky style that I find hard to apply.

I would note that the period thing for we fencers to do would be to make our own manuals, in addition to studying those of others. Of course I would be a total charlatan to write my own, but there are those out there who are certainly qualified to do so. The woodcuts would be a real pain...

Well, part of it is that I don’t like Italian style that much. The history between Spain and the Philippines is the major draw for me, as is the concept of the counterpunch which is so omnipresent in the Spanish schools.

I like it most because of its utility. Stick is much more useful to my style than a buckler is. Bucklers are a good tool to use at range, but not great for infighting, and it gets in the way visually. Stick, for a variety of reasons, fits my game better. Also, sticks are easily and safely discarded if necessary. The open hand is more useful than a stick during close quarters fighting.

I honestly love everything about fencing. I would say the thing I enjoy most is watching beautiful play.

It’s really hard to be a Northern Shores Region fencer sometimes. I wish the East Kingdom wasn’t so big. No, that’s not the beat of the separation drum you hear in the background. I want to play more with fencers from other regions. I suppose if things get hotter and hotter down south we could start having Pennsic in Canada, but I know how hard it is for fencers to go north or south.

I’m not that old yet! Ummm... I think, a greater understanding of my personality.

Well, there are many more than three, but: Don Cosmano, TRH Herr Wilhelm von Potruff, Lord Johann von Dannicus.

Defensive.

Truth be told, I don’t really like tourneys at all. This is not a sport. I go to large events occasionally to test myself, which often involves tournaments, but winning is not the goal. I’m just there to have fun, fence hard and well, and to hang out afterwards. So in this circuitous way, I prefer themed tourneys.

I like both, although the skill sets are very different. As long as I’m prepared for the task at hand, I don’t have a preference. I can say that I hate RBG’s. WOW do I hate them. SOOOOOooooooooooo much. Period or not, I don’t care, just get them off my field.

The most frustrating thing to do is enter melee with the single cap on. Makes for a short day, and I really do detest anything that gets in the way of me fencing as long as possible.

They both make you wince afterwards.

That’s such a hard question for me because I haven’t been around that long, and I know I’m quite outspoken about our rules, but since you asked...

1. I’d like to see disarming more completely addressed. That section is incomplete.

2. I think that our rules about grabbing should be clarified—closed hand vs. open hand, what is a grab, when is it a grab.

3. And, finally, the dropping of implements. Anyone who drops his or her weapon is considered dead. I agree. What about secondary tools, though? Strategically speaking, there are reasons to drop a secondary tool, especially a rigid parry item. Is this considered unsafe? Likewise, there are reasons to drop a rapier during an infight if I’m holding a dagger. If I do that, am I considered dead? I’m still armed, as far as I can tell. This should be discussed.

I am an advocate of no pain no foul, which usually just means common sense. If it doesn’t hurt my opponent, and I can do it regularly, then I don’t see the problem. Safety, of course, is always the bottom line. Not everyone will be able to do the same stuff. What I don’t like is when the rules stop us from allowing our game to progress. What we do now may not be relevant to those who play our game 10 years from now. The rules need to have room to suit them.

That’s hard. I don’t dwell on accomplishments much. I took my entire barony, especially the fencers, by surprise the first time I won the championship in our first year as a barony. Many expected one of the more senior fencers to win it, and then here comes this punk with only one year of fencing experience behind him dressed in bright yellow armor... But the reason I remember it as my favorite is that winning that title brought me firmly into society. I was no longer an outsider, no longer a newbie.

I never have been a merc and I doubt it will ever happen. I’m happy to help. Being on the side of getting paid to fight is a great side to be on, but I prefer to be rewarded afterwards.

I am very fond of Trappist beers. Hand me any of the following beers and I will be your friend: Duvel, Chimay Blue, and anything from Westvleteren. If you want to see me go off my rocker, put a Westvleteren in my hand and stand back. I can honestly say that it is the hardest beer in the world to purchase; it’s not available commercially and is made in small batches. It is also the best beer I’ve ever had. Lindemanns Raspberry (you’ve never known a lambic until you’ve tried it) is also a treat.

I have never known defeat!!! Er... wait. The best person to answer that question would be Don Cosmano. I would say timing, but what do I know? I think he would say to rush me, but I would caution everyone not to let that become an infight.

Pour Some Sugar on Me? Strokin’? All right, all right... The Gloria Patri from Monteverdi’s Vespers for the Virgin Mary. When I want to fence my best, that music puts me in the right mind frame and keeps me there.

My first GNEW, we were a little known group. I fought Baron Alexandre on the melee pitch five times that day, and I was lucky to win once. But I got to freelance all day as part of a two-man roving team with Dannicus, and the havoc was substantial. It was glorious.

Among fencers? Don Malcolm Bowman, Don Cosmano, Baron Alexandre, Don JP.

Don Caine, Don Cosmano, Tiberius Tarius Brittanicus, Lord Quintin Brilliant, Don Pascual.

Stay patient, discard what is not useful, and don’t be scared to drill.

Baron Alexandre "scourge of the heralds of the Middle" Lerot D’Avigne.

"So, do you still feel the way you felt last night?"