Michael of Lancaster
That's me!
Master of Defense (2018), formerly a Gallant of Wealdsmere and formerly a Cadet to Master Don Jack Tyler. Blacksmith, builder, beadmaker (thanks to Phelan Tolusmidr), teacher, tinkerer, researcher, and enjoyer of the company good friends. My cup runs over, my tablero table is 15' by 15', and my bardic fire ring is visible on Google Earth!
History in the SCA
My first event was Baron's Ball in Wastekeep in 1994. SCAdians in my college were trying to get a college going or to get more involved with Akornebir, and they brought me to that event. I had been involved in foil and epee fencing until then, and they got me started in practicing on campus. We used boffers and fiberglass rapiers at the time since we all were on student budgets. After college my first event was Celtic Revolt in Wealdsmere in 1997. I have been active in Wealdsmere ever since. I became a Gallant to HE Kelta Bri Leth in 2002, and was taken as a Cadet by Don Jack Tyler (later Master Jack Tyler) in 2013. I have had the honor of hosting events on my property since 2007, periodically repelling sieges from my tower. In 2011 I constructed a building to house my anvils and Sir Olfus's forge (being stored here until he returns from Lochac), and have been actively blacksmithing and teaching blacksmithing since then. I have also periodically thrown up buildings (such as my tower and forge), am currently building a Norse longhouse (2018), and in the future plan to make a small Tudor-style building as practice and then start construction on a 40'x40' two-story castle.
Kingdom Honors and Awards
Elevated to the Order of Defense in 2018. This is my career!
Honored Marshal of An Tir, May 20, 2017
Forget Me Not from Mary Grace in 2016
Sable Gauntlet by: Savaric Coeur-de-Lion, Dalla in Fagra in 2015
Jambe de Lion by Erik Daegarson and Driffina in 2014
Goutte de Sang by Thorin and Dagmaer in 2004
AoA by Davin and Groa 2003
Baronial Awards
Sable Sleeve (2nd level A&S award for Wealdsmere) 2015
Baron Lars's Favor, 2014
Baroness Stjarna's Favor 2014
Captain of Gallants for HE Kara, 2012, 2013
Golden Acorn (1st level A&S award for Wealdsmere), 2012
Blue Glove (Wealdsmere award for rapier combat), 2011
Golden Osprey (2nd level service award for Wealdsmere), 2010
Baron Caieth's Favor, 2009
Golden Oak (1st level service award for Wealdsmere), 2005
Gallant of Wealdsmere since 2002
Positions Held
Regional Deputy to the Kingdom Rapier Marshal, Inlands Region, since 2013
Master of Swords, (Baronial Branch Marshal) for the barony of Wealdsmere 2000-2003, 2009-2017
Deputy Master of Swords, Wealdsmere, 1998-2000
Senior Marshal in Rapier since 2003
Junior Marshal in Cut and Thrust since 2016
Junior Marshal in Archery since 2017
Ran for Baron of Wealdsmere in 2012, 2017 (didn’t win, but an important experience)
Baron of Wealdsmere 2020-present
Events I Have Hosted
Event Steward for An Tir July Coronation 2019
I have had the honor of hosting the following camping events upon my property:
For Wealdsmere:
Celtic Revolt 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Sergeants' Trials 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015
Iron and Ink 2015
For Silverhart
Defender of the Hart 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Treachery at Kyoto 2010, 2011
Rapier Championships Won:
Wealdsmere: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2013
Pendale: 2011, 2013, 2015
Ambergard's memorial tourney: 2011
Grimwithshire: 2011
Lyonsmarche: 2012, 2017
Silverhart: 2013, 2015, 2017
Wastekeep 2014, 2018
Toys for Tots / Octoberfeast Rapier Champion, 2012, 2016, 2019
Arts and Sciences Championships Won
Wealdsmere 2012--forged iron fibulae and penannular brooches
Silverhart 2013--early medieval toiletry kits
Won war points for forged items at Baroness' War in 2013 for forged projectile points (javelin, fire arrow, and bodkin point arrow)
Won the A&S Championship at Silverhart's 2014 Feast of Fools for projects gone wrong (but saved)
Arts and Science Activities Constructing buildings. Really. I've built a tower, a longhouse, and my smithy. Eventually there will be more.
Blacksmithing--since 2008. Knives to buckles. Many forks and spoons. Many hooks and bottle openers. If you are reading this, there's a good chance that you already have something that I've made.
Smelting metals--I make my own charcoal and have smelted iron from ore on three occasions.
Casting metals. Because hot metal is cool!
Leather working. I've turned three deer hides into leather, and have done a wide variety of projects from store-bought leather.
Hat making. Mostly from leather, but I have shaped quite a few felt hats as well.
Other Service
Have marshalled more events than I can count.
Have written up the paperwork for more events than I can recall.
Have been MIC for many rapier events for the past 10 years, including events in Wealdsmere, Wastekeep, Vulkanfeldt, Silverhart, Pendale, Lyonsmarche, Grimwithshire, and Ambergard.
Have designed more rapier scenarios for wars and more tournaments than I can recall.
Hold semi-regular forging days to teach blacksmithing and allow people to work on projects.
Have run the weekly rapier practice for many years, and kept track of the sign in sheets.
Have taught rapier combat at practices and events for many years.
Have authorized many rapier fighters and several marshals.
Selected forged projects of mine can be seen here:
My Pinterest Page [1]
My Facebook Page [2]