ThorolfR Brantsson
Greetings,
I am Sir ThorolfR Brantsson, called Olfuss. This is the first time that I have ever added anything to this page. There will be more. ThorolfR is a 6th century Vendel from Uppland Sweden. That is it for now.
Sir Olfuss was the September 2010 winner of the Tourney for Great Justice, the monthly tournament held at Wealdsmere Fighter Practice to challenge each fighter in attendance!
From Wealdsmere's Townsquare email
Unto those able to read this missive I send greetings,Greetings, yea, and a fine surge of pride and fierce joy at the raising of my comrade Olfus to the peerage. Know all, that I hold him in continued esteem, and have been honored to count him always among my friends. He will doubtlessly receive much advice in the ways of knightly comportment, of the duties of his station, and of how to best serve the dream which lies somewhere in the heart of all who find joy in the SCA. Of these things, my words would be no boon, for I myself have no experience. I can but either humbly parrot the words of my betters, or offer a few small thoughts on a different topic. Never having been accused of excessive humility, I shall embark upon the latter.
Hygiene.
Some gentles might argue that a stout heart and an upright soul are enough for a man of action to make his way in the world. Others might argue that an unshakeable faith in the creator of the universe will comfortable prop both mortal clay and spirit. These things are powerful, but I ask you, what stinky man was ever loved? Do not all groan when oppressed by a stinky? Does not the very will to live pale somewhat when under olfactory assault by a well meaning, but unwittingly stench ridden individual? The saintliest prophet will go unheard, if he is a stinky. The doughtiest warrior will be unloved at the shield wall, if he is a stinky. The purest clarion voice in any choir shall be singing alone, should that voice be carried on carrion wind. So I posit that hygiene is above all these in importance. Tangenitally, hygiene carries with it a connotation of physical presentability. It is, perhaps, unreasonable to expect one to be well dressed and fresh after a night of carousing around a bardic fire, (keg) or deep in knightly council (keg + fifth) or attending upon their Majesties (two kegs, multiple fifths, kebabs and some fried chicken). However, a
shabby presentation wins no favors, even Sir Guy knows this. In fact, an unkempt appearance isn't even period! That's right! What? You question me? Well then, I defy you to present one piece of period art that shows an unkempt peer. Other than death, which comes to us all, no artwork survives that shows peers in anything other than their finest and best clothes (ease up you humorless laurels, this is a joke), ergo, all peers must have been finely dressed and properly hygienic. Even Castiglione agrees with me, and he was a cranky (but sweet smelling) fussbudget! So you see, both logic and evidence, with a healthy dose of good sense, should sway you to embrace a life of hygiene.
These words I give you with my most heartfelt congratulations, this fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord some 2008 years from his birth.
From Baghdad,
the Honorable Gerard LaGreine, Gallant.