Christopher Anderson MacAndrew

Christopher Anderson MacAndrew

awards: Awarded a Thrones Favour, augmented with an Iron Link and a Gold Link - July 16 AS 29 / 1994

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born: January 27, 1979

died: April 10, 1994

Memoria:

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Christopher died while going to the rescue of a friend who had fallen from Deception Pass.

Christopher started playing with the SCA in the fall of 1993 and attended several events in that time. He did water bearing and list running at the events he attended.

He would come home after events so excited about the things he would do and see. He would tell us stories about fighters and their armor, Tinker's blades and Bardic for weeks until we would have to convince him we couldn't listen to the same stories (for the 100th time) anymore, and he would stop until the next event when it would start all over again. He wanted to fight and be a squire and was constantly lamenting about being too young to do anything with the fighters. Christopher was remembered most for his smile.

Hagar and Patricia would like to thank their son for the many gifts he has given them since his death. One of the best being their extended SCA family.

Memorian from his parents, Hagar and Patricia MacAndrew

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I'd like to share with you all the story of young Christopher.

He was a friend through a convoluted set of circumstances, but a good kid. Myself and another introduced him to the SCA when he was young, about 13 or so. He took to it like a duck to water, volunteering at Gate and behaving himself in a way that brought credit to those who he camped with.

In the Spring of 1994, he went camping on Whidbey Island with a friend, Charles, and his family. On the way back, they stopped at Deception Pass. One of the adults in the party wandered into the woods and took a mis-step. He fell about 80 feet, as I recall. Christopher heard him calling for help and went into the dark forest without thinking of himself to help. Unfortunately, his mis-step was worse, as he fell 180 feet to his death.

The Throne Favor, with the single link of Gold for the knighthood and single link of Silver for the Order of the Silver Chain, was created to honor his bravery in trying to save another. To this day, I wonder if many out there would be able to do the same thing he did. And he wasn't even 16.

Remember him, and the reasons behind the creation of that Award, please.

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I'd like to share with everyone the story behind the Throne's Favor. I didn't start it, but I was there when it happened. Actually, it was the single time I have ever been called to Court of a King and Queen.

Back in 1994, I resided in Shittemwoode. Among the people I met, there was a young lad of maybe 14 or so years that I introduced to the SCA. He was a remarkable sort, Christopher. At this time I had no children of my own and was very wary of taking on guardianship of a youth for event. Christopher was one that I would have gladly done this for. He had no problems finding something to do at Event. He was often seen helping at gate, as a Water Bearer, or running errands for anyone in need.

Approximately April of 1994, he went on a mundane camping trip with a friend and his friends family. The trip took them to Whidbey Island. During the return trip home, they stopped at Deception Pass. One of the adults on the trip wandered into the woods. I do not know why. He slipped and fell approximately 80 feet. Once he stopped, he did what any of us would have done...he called for help. Christopher did not hesitate and went to help. He lost his footing as well, but fell 180 feet to his death on the beach below.

I took an article about his death before Duchess Jacintha, who was Queen at the time. She remembered seeing Christopher at Event. I also spoke with Sir Brand at that event, at the encouragement of one of his squires. I felt that the nature of his passing warranted notice by the Kingdom, as I do not know many adults who would have went to aid without thought, let alone a teenager.

The end result was the Throne's Favor, presented for the first time at July Coronation of that year. Due to his age, Christopher could not be knighted as he was too young to fight. The Order of the Iron Chain felt that admission to that order would lessen his sacrifice, as the members had actually survived their brush with death. The Favor itself had a single gold link representing the Chivalry and a single iron link for the Order of the Iron Chain.

I hope that anyone who receives the award in the future will remember the first recipient.

YIS
Kate the Candlemaker
Cinphire Custom Candles

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Editorial Comment: Respectfully, the award of the Throne's Favor existed long before it was awarded to Christopher. However the augmentation of a gold link to represent the Order of Chivalry and the iron link to represent the Order of the Iron Chain are, to date, unique to Christopher's award.

--Elizabeth Braidwood 13:59, 5 Jun 2006 (EDT)

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Christopher's name appears the Scroll of Honor - An Tir Remembers.