Clinton War

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Clinton War is held annually over the August long weekend (first Monday in August) near the community of Clinton, B.C. Hosted by the Barony of Lions Gate.

On-site preparations for the War begin the weekend before with the Work Weekend. Many people stay for the week between the Work Weekend and the War itself.

Clinton War is not, strictly speaking, an official SCA event. (More information needed here.)

• Clinton War XXIX/1994
• Clinton War XXX/1995
• Clinton War XXXI/1996
• Clinton War XXXII/1997
• Clinton War XXXIII/1998
• Clinton War XXXIV/1999
• Clinton War XXXV/2000
• Clinton War XXXVI/2001
• Clinton War XXXVII/2002
• Clinton War XXXVIII/2003
• Clinton War XXXIX/2004
• Clinton War XL/2005
• Clinton War XLI/2006

Notes About Clinton War

• The site is classified as high desert. During the Clinton War weekend, average temperatures are high (30 deg C) during the day and quite chilly (14 deg C) at night, but has been known to reach 40c+(104f+) and near freezing at night.
• Some cell phones do not work in either Clinton BC or at the event site. Satellite phones work fine. The nearest cell phone-friendly communities would be Cache Creek or 100 Mile House for all carriers, but Telus and Rogers phones have been known to work in Clinton proper.
• There are some on-site food merchants at Clinton War. One thing I can't stress enough is to be prepared for all types of weather. Better to bring too many blankets and not have to use them, than to wake up shivering in the cold and not have them. Oh, and bring an umbrella along even if the weather forecast doesn't mention rain. (It's my one bid at superstition, I bring it along and sure enough it never rains, forget it once...and I'm drowing ;) also towels, shampoo etc, for there are showers and baths on the Clinton site. Going off site from Clinton can be a massive pain in the rear considering the road and distance. There is the stream to put things into for cooling, just make sure you have them in a container that can be roped securely to something so it doesn't take a trip ;) Others will have plenty of other good tips I'm sure. --Cerridwen

Pictures

• Clinton War Over the Years by Yolande Chastellain

Memories

My first Clinton was in 1983, if I recall correctly. I remember driving up with a Gentle who no longer plays; Alastair McCauly was an old timer then and the main trainer of newbies. I was in for just under a year at that point. In those days no body camped above the main bridge. It was a small war against Montengarde, and only arriving Friday night and leaving Monday. Avacal and Tir Righ were maybe dreams in some people's heads in those days, but it was not talked about. Anyone who is familiar with Clinton and my field heralding voice may judge the size of the event by the fact that I could get everybody's attention in just 2 bellows! It stayed small for the next few years.

Then one winter tragedy struck! An old barn that was used for castle battles, (way way up the creek, it is now the site where the Sargeantry start their stroll on Sunday mornings with the Baroness of Lions Gate and any other Baroness' in the region of the day!) burnt down. Word reached the ears of Sir Harold of Warrington, and he proposed building a castle. So up a lot of us went 2 weeks before the War and built a Castle. (No event that weekend but there was the next!) Of the original builders and assorted folk that were there that weekend, not that many play anymore, [[Einar Guntharson|Sir Oak], myself, Mistress Maelen, Sir Scellanus, Baroness (Yeah I know she is a Viscountess, but she was my Baroness for so long, it is hard to change her title!) Amanda and Alastair the Eastern Traveler are the only ones that I can think of. There is a photo by Zoe lurking around somewhere of Castle Builders union local #1, if I find it I will see who is still around.

The next year we went back for a weekend and stayed and puttered on the site for a week. The official work stopped Sunday at roughly 4:00 P.M. This changed after a few years, when too many came up after 4:00 P.M. Sunday and did nothing the rest of the week. No one has ever put a time clock on anyone but some work is expected from all in attendance. It has been pointed out to some concerned gentles that cooking and looking after a campfull of workers counts as work for the site!:-) (The Lady in charge of a large camp was worried and asked permission "just" to do that little! If only some others did nearly as much, however I digress.)

The Castle and the event grew slowly, then suddenly King Gunnar and Queen Gabriella, having heard about this nice little war, came and graced us with their presence. A lot of people came with them, suddenly Clinton was a big event and we were not prepared! No roads no formal boundaries nothing! It was so large that the local Mounties came up to see what on earth was going on! They were impressed with the Castle battles, especially after His Majesty stalked away from the Castle in mock anger having fallen to a pike shot. "They can't do that to me, can they?! I'm King darnit!"

Well all those people told two friends about Clinton and they came the next year, and they told two friends etc etc etc!

Other memories involve King Rorik (First King from what is now Avacal) who was mundanely an Edmonton City Policeman. The local Mounties again came to see the war, and on learning that a "cop" was King they had to meet him. On hearing His Majesty explain that in An Tir HE WAS THE LAW, and did not have to worry about small things like lawyers and courts etc, it could be seen that the Mounties thought seriously about joining and bringing in some of their favourite clients! Also that year as Her Majesty was also Baroness of Borealis, His Majesty let his knights know that he was joining his Queen, who was joining with Baroness Amanda on a pleasant Sunday morning stroll, so his Knights had best join him, as there were rumours of Brigands in the woods. I have been in on all the walkdowns, I forget what year they Started, Amanda or Melissa (of the incomparable memory) might, but never has there been such an easy stroll!

This has gone on far too long and there are many other memories floating around, so if you want more, drop by my encampment any evening of the work week, or for a morning coffee before the work party meeting, and dredge my memory bank. My SCA year like a number of other Gentles revolves around Clinton, and as long as there is a Clinton War and I am able, I will be there!

Colin Mackay of Balmaghie