ModernChivalry.org
Main => The Great Hall => Topic started by: Sir Martyn on 2013-07-17, 18:35:59
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Kindred Spirits -
First allow me to thank you all for ModernChivalry.Org
In reading through your posts, learning of what has drawn so many here, it was immediately clear that part of me had come "home." If that offends, I beg forgiveness and understanding. No assumptions, no arrogance is intended.
Suffice to say it brought my heart joy to know that others felt as I did, shared the same passion. As a child I was always fascinated and drawn to the middle ages and to the concept, role and responsibilities of knighthood in particular.
Though I admit that there are still noble institutions where the like-minded can learn, commiserate and work for the common good - perhaps the church, civic work and volunteering, Scouting, etc. - somewhere the magic was lost.
I may be mistaken, but I believe that at least some ills of "modern society" and plaguing young men in particular stem from the fact that we lost at least one clear path to manhood, and the imparting of all the valuable martial but also life lessons along the way, that the path of aspiring knights presented.
While I have been studied HEMA the last couple of years and enjoy in my view the healthy indulgence in fantasy that LARP offers as well, I would like to add to those interests and learn more about re-enactment and possibly SCA also. In the last few years and with the good fortune to spend a lot of time in Europe, I've acquired (at times over my wife's objections!) pretty solid kit (appx 14-15 cent). Recent items I'm most proud of include the Serb-smithed (Novi Sad) plate armor you see in the avatar and a Pavel Moc Lichtenauer.
I am set to return next month to the Washington, DC area from an overseas assignment (Foreign Service) and as I expect to be back in the U.S. for at least the next year, perhaps longer, I look forward to engaging with you all as work/family obligations allow.
Should there be opportunity to meet in person, perhaps for sparring, kit display, etc. I would welcome that as well as the opportunity to learn more about all of you and the Order.
Sorry for the long, rambling post. My thanks and regards to you all,
Martin (aka Gareyth)
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Well, let me be the first to welcome you to Modern Chivalry!
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i saw him first, i just didn't post.
Welcome!
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Welcome to the forums, Gareyth- may your stay be as enlightening and enriching as mine has thus far.
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Welcome to the forum! It sounds like you'll fit right in. :)
Hey, that's great you'll be in the DC area. The MD renfaire's season runs from the end of August until late in October, so you'll be here just in time to come out and have fun there. I'm usually there for about 60-75% of the days it's open.
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Thanks for the warm welcome.
Indeed I have come to learn, Sir William - a life-long process, it would seem :)
We have visited the MD RenFaire once before and really enjoyed it, so we'll definitely drop over at some point once we're moved back in -- would be even better if MC folks are around to meet for a tankard. Hope to see you there, Sir Edward.
As I recall they don't allow any swords/weapons in, but as I've read from your experiences wearing kit is welcomed, even encouraged? Shame we couldn't just bring our period tent over and set up on site :)
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Yeah, the weapons are forbidden. For a while we were able to skirt the rules by using props (with the hilt glued into the scabbard), but then they clamped down on that last year too.
They're fine with armor and shields, and it's a huge hit with the crowds.
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Yeah, the weapons are forbidden. For a while we were able to skirt the rules by using props (with the hilt glued into the scabbard), but then they clamped down on that last year too.
They're fine with armor and shields, and it's a huge hit with the crowds.
The irony and hypocrisy being they sell steel weapons within the MDRF. ??? I'll just have to buy the park I guess. Anyone want to fork over some venture capital? LOL :)
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its owned by a family of lawyers. lol your not gonna get it ;)
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Welcome to the forum Gareyth. :) May you find much commonality & brotherhood here amongst us. God bless & god speed.
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Hail and welcome, brother tin-man :)
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My thanks to you, brothers. ;)
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Welcome!
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so? your FS? lol i used to work in transportation at the state dept. i still have friends that work in dc and the warehouse in hagerstown lol. small world.
ya let us know when u can make it to the mdrf. i usually hit the oct dates since its cooler outside my mountains lol
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Hail and well met Gareyth! Welcome to the forum! Excellent harness!
Looking forward to meeting you in person at MDRF this season. :)
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Welcome!
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Well met Gareyth good to have you here!!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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Welcome Gareyth and good speed to you.
G.
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My thanks again to all for the warm welcomes.
Indeed, Sir Wolf, it's amazing just how small our modern world is becoming.
We're now back in NoVA and getting re-settled into our house. Had a lot of fun with the family at Drachenfest en route.
I would very much like to meet as many as possible in person at the MDRF. My harness and other gear are also still on their way separately, hopefully will have enough in hand to support a representative appearance :)
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Helo again, all. I apologize for my long silence. The move back home, as it always does took a toll which has long kept me occupied (not to mention poorer) but we're more or less resettled now in Fairfax, VA. Mostly that is - most of our stuff and our car are still on their way here from Europe, almost 3 mos. after our departure. *sigh*
Most importantly, perhaps, my harness DID make it back via DHL from Germany - although there was some serious rust collected on a few pieces - had no time as we had to break camp and then drive 8 hrs back to the Czech Rep and the very next day from there to Slovenia to fly out - when hurriedly packing it to meticulously clean & oil all as I should have. I've spent time cleaning & now have waxed everything to preserve it but am not wholly satisfied with my work or how to remove some of the scarring left behind.
My new position in D.C. is as much a bear as I've expected (usually 7:30 - 8 or 9 every day, not incl commute) - which is why it's just one year - but has left little time for hobbies and none for LARP or longsword training :(
Hope to make it to MDRF this coming wknd (10/6) or the next - are folks in the area still meeting up there or elsewhere (PARF?) in the near future?
Looking forward to re-engaging with the fellowship here as I may. Huzzah!
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A few pics from July's Drachenfest near Hannover, Germany to illustrate to adventure.
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Don't feel bad about long absences. We understand that life gets the better of us sometimes! The doors are always open at our little Inn no matter how long you're gone. Those are some great photos by the way! You're harness is really sharp!
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Hey great! Glad things are getting settled in the new place to some degree. Yes, I should be there at MDRF this coming weekend. I don't know if I'll be in harness or not, it depends a lot on the weather.
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I did not see the details in your harness up close before. VERY NICE!!! Love the brass adornments.
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Agreed, very nice harness! I hope to me at MDRF the following weekend (not this coming), which would be closing weekend. Sunday is the day to make, if you can.