Lao Yu

Lao joined the Society in about 1980 as Lee the Quiet, before developing her more well known persona of Lao Xue-sheng, a Chinese-Mongolian who became a storyteller to the court of the Kublai Khan.

The highlight of her bardic career within the SCAcame at a Ducal War in about 1983 when she performed "The Tales of Monkey", adapted from the first seven chapters of "Journey to the West" (a famous Chinese epic), and performed it as a one-woman show, spanning about 7 hours, and performed in a format that was the precursor to Chinese street opera. She went on to perform individual chapters of this epic for a taping of "A Winter's Court" for KCTS TV in Seattle (during the reign of Torgul and Erin), at the SCA demo at the World's Fair in Vancouver BC, and at an SCA demo held in conjunction with the "Nomads of Eurasia" exhibit at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles in 1989.

Lao went on to serve An Tir twice as Queen, both times with Norse Kings:

• Dak and Lao, Jan 10 AS XXI/1987 - July 11 AS XXII/1987.
• Barak and Lao, Jan 9 AS XXVII/1993 - July 17 AS XXVIII/1993

During her reign with Dak, Lao established the Order of the Carp to recognize and encourage excellence in persona development. The order was expanded by Queen Megan to include excellence in period encampments.

Lao's reign with Barak saw the establishment of the regional system for peerage meetings, an attempt to expand communication between the councils and the crown and to give a recognized platform for candidate discussion outside of crown events.

Lao Yu served subsequent reigns by assisting with file maintenance, writing Coronation and Laurel ceremonies, and offering whatever behind the scenes support she could. She may have been the first Asian Queen of An Tir. Lao also served briefly as editor of The Crier; as Royal Patron to the Shire of Ambergard; and as director of curriculum for the Festival of St. Hildegard, a 10-day event which offered hands-on classes in pre-14th century arts and sciences.

Aside from her Duchy, Lao Yu was also a Member of the Order of the Laurel, and a Lion of An Tir. She retired from the Society in AS 36. Her website LaoHats.com houses articles on medieval Asian topics which she wrote during her tenure in the Society, and a catalog of SCA-period Mongolian names from "The Secret History of the Mongols", a primary resource for SCA heralds.

Lao's Litany of Names

In following Chinese and Mongolian custom, Lao changed her name to commemorate significant events in her SCA life:

• Lao Xue-sheng - Wise Student, her first Asian name within the SCA, given to her by Tibetan monks who raised her. Giving such a studious name to a very young girl exhibited their extraordinary sense of humor...
• Nu-huang Lao - her first reign name (Nu-huang is the Chinese title for queen)...
• Lao Tao-sheng - the name commemorated the end of her first reign and her elevation to Countess. Tao-sheng is Chinese for "Old One, Born to Tell Tales" and was also the family name of a 9th century Buddhist warrior monk....
• Lao Khatun - her second reign name. Khatun is a Mongolian title meaning, simply, 'chieftain's wife'...
• Lao Yu - the name she took when she became a Duchess. Lao Yu translates to "old jade", a pun on so many levels...

In Memoriam for Jarl Barak

Lao Yu donned black on November 19, 2008 upon the news of the sudden death of her second king and once-husband, Barak Ravensfuri. Please visit his page for photos and remembrances...

Letters

Unto her excellency Lao, Squire Barak de Noirville does bid greetings. (written May 24, 1988)

I wish you to know how honoured I was to be able to fight for you at Crown last. You have twice inspired me to lengths beyond my greatest expectations and for that I am most grateful. I am only sorry that I fell short of achieving that most sought after goal of King. I did however learn much from these experiences and I feel that you have helped me grow more than you know.

You took a great personal risk by allowing me to fight for you, and for that you shall forever hold a place dear in my heart...

...if the day ever comes when I sit the throne, I want you to be close at hand. That is as it should be.

I apologize that this is typed but calligraphy is not something which I do...YET. Take care and don't dismay. Good things come to those who wait.

---

Warmest greetings unto Squire Barak, from Nu tai-to Lao Tao-sheng (written in response to the previous letter)

Thank you very much for the exquisite pouch...and for the touching letter. You put me at no risk by carrying my favor, other than leeting me see the world from a less pampered side.

I have come to realize that the game has become too serious for my comfort, and sew I have chosen exile, in hope that I may again find my sense of humor. When I return, it shall be as one Enlightened, with no need of masks.

It is my wish that you meet again on the field of Honor. I would suggest to you Mistress Randell Elinor Raye, a noble woman who wishes greatly to become queen, and whom is without champion...

...fight for your chosen as you did for me, with great strength and valor. Honor your opponent and he will bow to you.

And know that my thoughts will be with you, adding force with she who inspires you, for those that are worthy of you are few but can be found...

Fight hard, be good...

---

Unto kahtun Lao Tao Cheng (written by Camellia, July 17, 1993)

This gift {of a necklace) is a tribute to you and your reign...

The yellow are tears Mongolians never cry. The green is grass Siberians rarely see. White are the snowflakes that fell when your lord won crown. Blue is the endless sky overhead - showing us that a journey anywhere is possible. Red is your enemy's blood on the edge of your sword. Brown shies the coat of your sturdy mare. Wear it, or not, as you wish - what else would I have made for you?

Your reign was tumultuous; however, if I, Camellia, am any indication of your average public I think it was an impossible task that you carried out with undoubted success. Your courts were the most imaginative and enjoyable I have ever attended. Nothing I've ever encountered surpassed the soccer game at crown; laugh lines were created where none had ever been. Your grace, patience, eloquence and humour were an inspiration...

---

My bardic inspiration was Lao Tao Sheng. (excerpted from a letter from Gleowine, March 2004)

She became a duchess, but long before that, she was a bard...one of those bards who can transport an audience. When she spoke of Mon'key, I could see the misty clouds and the mountain bamboo around his high cave. She could move and gesture in the most hypnotic way, and the audience would move with her...

...Lao put aside performing long ago. Those who came after can't know what they have missed...