Addison the Lame
Addison the Lame was one my "fathers" in the SCA. I remember his gentleness and humor with great fondness. I miss him. --Kerije 14:37, 17 Nov 2005 (EST)
Addison's name has been entered on the Scroll of Honor - An Tir Remembers.
James Addison of Woolpit, per the SCA's O&A, more commonly known as Addison the Lame, provided transportation for his daughter and son, Elizabeth Piper and Ian Jameson (myself), to their first event, Egils III, Memorial Day Weekend of 1977. He didn't attend it himself, instead going camping on the Oregon Coast with his wife, Mary van Wrynk. I'm not sure just which event in the next several years was the first he attended, but I do know that he had a conversation with Janeltis at an outdoor event prior to Steingrim fighting for her in Coronet; I was witness to said conversation.
He became active in the SCA around 1980, as a result of my becoming active; there was a group of us youngsters who he provided transportation for, hauling us around the Kingdom of the West to various events, ranging from Purgatorio to the south to events hosted by Lion's Gate to the north. Anarra Karlsdotter, Sharra Tunoy, myself, Elisabeth Piper, Kerije, Gwenyth the White, Elaine d' Hibo, Cornelious Oakson, Raphael the Rogue, various others, a somewhat fluid group depending upon the event being attended. We frequently far exceeded the van's legal occupancy limits.
He and his wife, Mary van Wrynk (Goodwife Mary) were jointly awarded their AoA at a Principality event hosted by Lion's Gate, a Coronet Tourney or Investiture as I recollect it; when he bemusedly wondered just what they had done to deserve such an honor, he was informed that it was partially due to his "hauling that bunch of kids around"; when they arrived, the individuals responsible for various activities heaved a collective sigh of relief, as their most reliable on-site deputies had arrived. But it was also due to his providing hospitality; there was always a place to sit in the shade of his pavilion at the edge of the eric, and something to eat and drink, and good company to be had.
He was a brewer and vintner, a woodcarver, and one to seek ways of presenting a periodesque appearance while accommodating his physical disabilities. It was his longtime goal to make a period prosthetic limb (he was a below the knee amputee on his right leg), and come as an alternate persona, 'Jamie the Peg, who sailed with Cap'n Drake"; sadly, he never accomplished that prior to infirmity ending his eventing.
He served as Exchequer for the Barony of Three Mountains for many years.
Near the end of his active period he was (twice!) presented with a Goutte d' Sangue.
He passed away in 2001.
I would not have been anywhere near as active in the SCA during the 1980s if not for his participation; he provide transportation and gate fee, I loaded and unloaded the van, and set up and took down his encampment. We hit an event nearly every weekend during the summer months for years, until I left for graduate school in 1987. By the time I returned to An Tir in 1994, ill-health had put an end to much of his traveling activities.
I miss him. As his son I sometimes found him irritating and irascible, but that was a not uncommon attitude for someone in their late teens early to mid 20s towards a parent who was always around; sharing common interests does limit the amount of time away from a parent, after all. But I was glad he understood my various interests, and was someone I could always discuss them with. He was "Good People." --Ian Jameson (who hasn't figured out how to insert the attribution thing at the end; sorry!)