Image courtesy of The Memorial Shield Project – SCA.
Halidor Arkellsson
I just talked to Bobby Comstock, Mistress Hertha Blair’s Daughter. On the morning of January 31st, Hertha Blair of Frog Stow passed from this world. Rest easy sweet Lady. May you be in Chidiock’s strong arms.
Kristin Hacker
I met Hertha when I was 8 at our first newcomers’ moot. She wasn’t a Laurel yet. She taught me how to spin with a drop spindle and weave on a blanket loom. She is a part of every SCA memory I have from age 8 to 21. I saw her at my last event which was a QPT a few years ago. We also randomly ran into her and her daughter at the Nelson. My heart is broken.
Mike Jackson
Very few people know what a critical role both Hertha and Chidiock played in getting Calontir permission to use the park at Smithville for Lilies and later so many other events. Hertha set up a meeting with the park superintendent and Chidiock, Malachi, and I drove around the park looking at possible sites. The youth camp we now use was pretty much a wild gamble into having an event at a very primitive site.
Ellen K. Herndon
She was a friend and mentor early on after I came into SCA. The few memories I have of the 80s include her and Chidiock. (One was of house sitting for them once when they were out of town. Don’t remember if I did good at it though.)
She was a beautiful woman, inside and out. I always felt peaceful around her. She taught me drop spinning and weaving (and answered other stupid questions on fiber arts and other things). As well as was my go-to for questions on herbs and herbalism.
She and Chidiock are dear to my heart, I am 🥰 they are together again.
Thank you for Messaging this to me Halidor. I would have missed it otherwise. Please let me know when and where on respects. 💔🌹
Mellitus
Mistress Hertha has left this world. She was kind to me and welcomed me into the Barony of Forgotten Sea when I came here from Standing Stones. She encouraged me on my path in the SCA. She is reunited with her lord, Master Chidiok after many years. She had a big impact on many and her presence will long be felt in Calontir. Rest well noble lady. You will be missed.
Baroness Gwendolyn Verch Morgaine
He was always so kind. When I was new to Calontir and traveled for work, we would get together for dinner on most of my visits to Wichita. He made me feel welcome, and I enjoyed our conversations. He will be missed.
Master Johann Steinarsson
Outside of the friends who brought me into the Barony of Vatavia, Sir Stephen was one of the first to approach me and welcome me as a newcomer. He was always kind and encouraging, forever had a smile on his face, and never a bad thing to say about anyone. Sir Stephen was one of those who kept me going when I was at my lowest points, and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He was, indeed, a true embodiment of chivalry. And his friendship touched so many of my fellow Calontiri. I will miss him so very much. Rest in peace, Sir Stephen.
Duchess Hywela frech ferch Wyddel
My Champion when I was Princess the first time. He made me feel like a Princess, too! RIP, Old Friend.
Master Donald Andrew MacDonald
I met him when i was 16 and he was running a hobby shop in town. He invited me out to the sca. He was pro fencing long before calontir was ready for it. He was loyal and welcoming and generaly a awesome person. He was my peer before i even wanted to be a peer.
For many of us, Salamandra was a fixture in our Calontir experience. I saw her elevation to the Order of the Laurel at one of my early events, I was there for her reign as Queen of Calontir, and spent many a pleasant hour in her company over the years. She was tough, spicy, and kind. She will be missed. – Mathurin Kerbusso
Salamandra was one of a kind, my Laurel, and I was honored by her friendship for many years. My world was made better by her presence, and is now dimmer with sorrow and loss. – Annalies Grossmund
So very sad to hear of the death of Countess Salamandra. I had the pleasure of speaking with her several times over the years. She liked how I would incorporate vintage kimono silk into my kosode, and the why and how of choosing my materials and altering the fit. She was a weaver and enjoyed discussing fabric details. She also had a wonderful variety of tales from earlier times in Calontir. She was a delightful lady and I shall miss her. – Ki no Kotori
Countess Salamandra the Whitesmith began her Society journey in the Shire of Mag Mor when others urged her to attend a small local event. Not too long after, she moved to the Canton (now Shire) of Crescent Moon to pursue her modern profession. In Crescent Moon, Salamandra encouraged the group’s the group’s young folk – Duke Chrystofer Kensor, Sir Angus of Blackmoor, Mistress Rhianydd Arbeth – just to name a few. In those early days, she often loaded several people into her van and traveled to distant events allowing local folk to know and be known by fellow Calontiri.
In A.S. XXIV (1990), Their Royal Majesties Tomuki and Fionna recognized Salamandra as a Mistress of the Laurel for her decorative metal work.
In A.S. XXX (1996) Count Chrystofer Kensor was victorious in Crown Lists and made Salamandra His Queen. She was an enthusiastic Patroness of the Arts & Sciences. They also traveled to Pennsic and led the Calon army to much glory.
At times after stepping down, Countess Salamandra’s participation in Society events ebbed, but she always maintained her interest in Calontir. Eventually she rekindled her interest in SCA merchanting, offering a variety of wares including gorgeous, beaded jewelry. In 2019 Salamandra moved back to Mag Mor – now a barony. She enjoyed participating in baronial activities and, at the time of her death, was serving as Baronial Minister of Arts & Sciences.
Salamandra never met a person who wasn’t interesting – she might disagree with you, but you were interesting and worthy of encouragement. She loved rocks, cats, horses, books, arts & crafts, and learning new things. She also deeply loved her chosen family. She was talented, funny, and optimistic – as well as stubborn, impulsive, and an inventor of words. We miss her sorely. Her memory will always be a source of encouragement and motivation for those who knew her.
A celebration of Countess Salamandra’s life and our memories of her will be planned for a later date – when we can meet, talk, laugh, and cry face to face. If you want to “do something” sooner, consider donating to a local no-kill pet shelter in her honor. – Isadora of Orange Woode
On December 3rd, Lord Garren of Aston Tor passed from the world.
“He made things of beauty…looms, shuttles, so many things…so we could use them to make things of beauty. He had a huge heart and a wicked sense of humor. He was devoted to those he loved, and he will be missed.
Our hearts go out to his wife, Pamela (Saige), and the rest of his family.” – Giraude Benet
A memorial service will be held Friday, December 10, at 1:30 pm, at Grace United Methodist Church, Independence Campus
3601 S. Sterling Ave.
Independence, MO
Immediately following the Memorial Service, there will be a gathering in the fellowship hall to share some of Gary’s favorite desserts, as well as some of our favorite memories and our stories, to laugh, to cry, and to remember a wonderful man who will be greatly missed.
Lord Cuilén Kirk of Moray passed from this world this week after battling colon cancer.
He was a brother Fyrd, both Iren and Boga, as well as companion of both the Torse and Leather Mallet.
Best story is Him, me and Mama Z all went to gulf wars together. He was new to brewing and had not sealed his kegs right. The vibrations caused a leak and we were breathing in the fumes from the excess pressure and shaking for 10 hours. Almost like a mist of mead in the van. Everyone was a bit giddy. – from Jeff Angus
Calontir used to use gulf tubes with tennis balls on the end for combat archery. Needless to say they didn’t go near as far or fast as other kingdoms arrows. Which of course meant many shied away from missile combat. Not so Cuillen. He embraced the limitations. And not as far or fast is still better than nothing. Trimaris in particular seemed to have endless numbers of crossbows and was always opposite us at the Gulf War ravine battle. Cuillen understood his limitations. He and our few other archers were patient, but when they struck it was always to take out the other sides best spears at a critical time. This of course inspired the crossbows to focus on him and not me. He largely ignored their crossbows as to far away too shoot effectively. But even so he still kept them from getting too close. For this and so many other reasons I will miss him dearly. – Daniel Berg
Nobody mundanely or in the SCA could make a better Blueberry mead.
A service for Cuilén (mka Christopher Roehr) will be held at the American legion post on Saturday July 17 at 1p.m. The address is 9655 Midland Blvd., Overland, MO 63114.
Paul had been in the SCA since 1979, starting in the Midrealm in the Shire of Mynydd Seren.
Paul was for many years a fighter, and earned his Iren Fyrd.
He held a variety of local offices in the Shire of Calanais Nuadh, including seneschal, A & S minister, and knights marshal. He also served as Kingdom A & S minister, organizing Queen’s Prize and Kingdom A&S events. For all these services he was awarded the Cross of Calontir.
He earned his Silver Hammer as a bright metal caster. His persona was German, and he was meticulous in his efforts to be period accurate in his art. The fruits of his art were donated to the Kingdom and Crown, in the form of many award medallions, brooches, and rings.
Paul was a great teacher, on subjects as varied as metal casting, ‘The Song of Roland,’ metallurgy, alchemy, and sacred geometry.
Paul was a good and gentle man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
From Constellation shines a star
Above the peaks, a distance far
From thence proceed in ages past
A gentle man whose die was cast
And yet this treasure Falcon claims
Some Remembrances from Facebook:
Heartbroken to hear of the loss of HL Paul Adler (Vince Zahnle) today. A very kind man, always willing to lend a helping hand. He touched many lives, more than he may have realized. The SCA may not have recognized him as a peer, but I know one when I see one. My heartfelt condolences to his wife, the poet Lady Dulcibella de Chateaurien (Lucy Zahnle) and their family. – Ki no Kotori
Rest in peace, my dear friend, Paul Adler! You were an amazing friend and confidante. I will never forget the MANY lessons you taught me, especially because you helped me grow as a person!
The world is a little darker today. – Allison Lewis-Neff
This sad news has only recently arrived, over long winter roads.
Malkin Grey, mundanely known as Debra Doyle, 67, died October 31, 2020 of a sudden cardiac event at home in Colebrook NH. She was best known in Calontir for the essential Calontir hits “Varangian Song”, “Raven Banner”, and “Song of the Shield Wall”, which she co-wrote with Peregrynne Windrider. She and her husband James D. Macdonald also coauthored many SFF stories and novels in the 1990s and 2000s.
Ms. Malkin was born November 30, 1952 in Florida, and grew up mostly in Texas. She received her AoA in Atlantia in A.S. 12 and was elevated to the Order of the Pelican there in A.S. 18. Her final home was in the East Kingdom.
The Honorable Lord Od Barbarosa passed from this world to the next on the evening of December 25, AS LV (2020)
His lady wife, Lady Biby ferch Llewelyn, is with family and friends. The family requests that anyone wishing to say their farewells in person, please do so safely.
I will remember him as a shield brother, and for the songs and stories we shared around the fire. He was a large and joyful man, kind and generous.
Some remembrances of Barbarosa from The Book of Faces:
We’d been friends a while, a couple years anyway, and had joined the SCA. After getting me into armor, and I said nope, this isn’t me .. he kept saying variants of “Mike, I just want to hit you!” – Lord Archer MacRobert
How Sir Geoffrey de Gournay earned the title “Toe-killer” — Many moons ago, Barbarosa marshalled the fighting of a tournament with a best death component. A young fighter took a killing blow and essentially did the Nestea plunge fall. When the fighter’s sword elbow struck the the ground, it straightened, bringing the sword down on Barnarosa’s toe. Later that evening, at bardic, Barbarosa rose to recite a poem he written that very day. We recite his poem, with the fondest memory, at almost every event. That poem — “I think that I shall never know a thing as painful as a toe. Damnit, Geoffrey” – Mistress Adalia VonderBerg
I’ll never forget that time Barbarosa won that Sumo tournament. He went shirtless and greased himself up with sun tanning lotion so no one could get ahold of him. Not that anyone could get ahold of a man that size anyway. Yokozuna Red Bear! Rest well dear friend – Master Hanashi No Kagemoto
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, January 1, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 2, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home. Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Nekoma. Memorials have been designated to the American Heart Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
There is a game called Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, claiming everyone in Hollywood can be linked to Kevin Bacon through co-stars in 6 jumps or less. We once tried to play “Six Degrees of Liam”. We couldn’t make it past two. It would be impossible to encompass all that was Liam in one short missive, but we must try.
Baron William O Donovan of Monmouth, OP, OSC, 12th Tyger of the East, schmoozer-extraordinaire, passed away on May 13, 2020 from the COVID-19 virus.
Known far and wide as Liam St. Liam, he and his family joined the SCA during the second reign of Lucan and Jana in the Barony Beyond the Mountain. The family joined so that his wife could participate in rapier, but Liam soon became a mainstay next to the fencing field, feeding the fencers, learning the skills of running a list table in order to support them, and doing what needed to be done. He was quickly recognized for his service to his home Barony with induction to BBM’s Order of the White Oak by Baron Salaamallah the Corpulent. That same month, his service was recognized by his neighboring barony, Bridge, who awarded him the Freedom of the Bridge.
Liam, as most would see him at events
Queen Morgan gave him the Consort’s Order of Courtesy and the same day, together with King Bjorn, awarded him Arms. Shortly thereafter, Lucan and Caitlin recognized his service to the Kingdom by making him a Companion of the Order of the Silver Crescent, and Darius II and Roxane II elevated him to the peerage by making him a Companion of the Order of the Pelican. Prior to his elevation to the Peerage, he was protege to Baron Steffan ap Kennydd, OL, OP.
A faithful servant of the Crown who was active in the Royal Households for many reigns, he was awarded the Queen’s Honor of Distinction by Queen Gabriella and by Brenwen II, and the Consort’s Award of Esteem from Etheldreda IV. He also held Royal Cyphers from Brenwen, Andreas III, and Konrad II. Darius IV and Alethea made him a Baron of the Eastern Court, and Konrad II and Brenwen II recognized him as the 12th Tyger of the East at their final court.
His service to the Kingdom and Society was broad and far reaching. He served as the Seneschal of the Barony Beyond the Mountain, and the Shire of Glenn Linn and was a familiar and well-loved face at the list table across multiple Kingdoms. He was also a talented photographer, who was generous in sharing his images and who had a special knack for taking photos that were flattering and captured special moments. He ran many auctions for the royal travel fund, and taught many classes. He used his modern teaching knowledge for a “How to Teach in the SCA” class. He also taught many classes on SCA music, Interkingdom Anthropology, and SCA history. A favorite for him was the newcomers class he would teach with Master Ernst Nuss von Kitzingen, lovingly referred to as the “Liam and Ernie Show.”
Liam reads the scroll for his younger daughter’s Tyger’s Cub
Liam’s fundraising efforts throughout the years supported the kingdom in many ways, and he was not afraid to embarrass himself to do it. Mistress Aelfgifu of the Hazel Thicket shared: “At a Barony Beyond the Mountain Yule, many years ago, he participated in a fundraising auction. His offering? He would sing and act out “I’m A Little Teapot” for the person who offered the most money to the fundraiser. I have no recollection of how much money was paid, but I will never forget him with one hand on his head and the other as the “spout” as he “tipped” himself over…and that’s my favorite Liam story.”
Liam may have lived in the East Kingdom his entire SCA career, but he touched those throughout the Known World. As the internet became a place of SCAdian connection, “The Liamverse” was coined as Liam connected those far and wide with others of similar interests. Liam was a longtime reporter for the Pennsic Independent, and many rapier fighters credit him with making sure that rapier events and battles were included in the news. A trip to Calontir for Lilies’ War in 1999 netted him life-long friends and connections across the known world, even before the internet made such wide-ranging connections possible. He collected stories from people and places wherever he traveled. His pilgrimage to Lilies’ War and ties to Calontir provided him with one of his most popular stories, “Pavel and The Traffic Cone.”Liam’s fundraising efforts throughout the years supported the kingdom in many ways, and he was not afraid to embarrass himself to do it. Mistress Aelfgifu of the Hazel Thicket shared: “At a Barony Beyond the Mountain Yule, many years ago, he participated in a fundraising auction. His offering? He would sing and act out “I’m A Little Teapot” for the person who offered the most money to the fundraiser. I have no recollection of how much money was paid, but I will never forget him with one hand on his head and the other as the “spout” as he “tipped” himself over…and that’s my favorite Liam story.”
Liam. Liaming.
One of Liam’s favorite sayings was, “If you can’t sing well, sing loudly.” And sing loudly he did. A connoisseur of SCA Filk and Bardic, Liam could often be found at Calontir Bardic Nights at Pennsic. He taught classes, shared lists of important SCA songs, and supported SCA musical creators whenever possible.
Baroness Aline Swynbroke, OL, currently in An Tir, formerly of Ansteorra, shared: “Liam was the sort of peer who welcomed others to the fire, made them comfortable, and shared the SCA’s history in a way that was accessible, but never stuffy. Never ‘Well, I was there, so this is THE way…’ He was the kind of peer that put people at ease. And the kind who, when he saw me completely shell shocked after my [vigil announcement] on Friday morning, smiled and told me to relax and just keep having fun. That was the secret.”
In his own words, “ I have, umm, a bubbly personality. I am friendly and loud and round. If I am around, people know. Hard to miss. Kind of like, say, a hurricane.” Liam was, in fact, a force of nature.
Liam apologizes to the King at the conclusion of one of his many quests.
Liam had a big heart and a big mouth, along with a wicked sense of humor that often got him into and out of trouble. He once bragged to the then Queen Marguerite inghean Lachlainn that “he knew everybody” and got himself a quest to make 1,000 introductions. “This is exactly the kind of quest he lived for. It wasn’t punishing him, by any means – it wasn’t really even keeping him out of trouble,” says Countess Marguerite. “But it was keeping him busy and on topic.” This set off a hilarious cascade of events, including Liam trying to introduce the king to his own wife, and his proteges running ahead of him to make introductions before he could. He completed the quest, though, and presented her Majesty with a book of 1,000 connections.
Liam took great joy in the accomplishments of others, and would often be heard bragging about the accomplishments of those around him. Of particular pride were his wife Alethea’s reign as queen of the East, and his daughters’ accomplishments and eventual peerages. “‘Lay-um’ St. Liam was a magnet. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. His kindness and friendship could be felt radiating out from him and through every other person he touched,” Mistress Naomi Bat Avraham shared.
He is survived by his wife, Countess Alethea Eastriding, best friend Lady Serafina Della Torre, his daughters, Mistress Tola knitýr and Mistress Leonete D’Angely, with their spouses Lord Arngrimr Meinfretr and Lord Ulfr Steinsson and his two beloved grandchildren, as well as by the girls’ mother, Master Nataliia Anastasiia Evgenova Sviatoslavina vnuchka. He leaves behind multiple proteges, households – especially Sharc Pit and Maguire’s Marauders – and a devastated kingdom.
An in-person memorial service will be held in March 2021, sometime after COVID-19 stops threatening to take away the people we love. If you would like to make a donation in his honor, we recommend the Special Olympics,GLSEN, or 100KfromtheSCA.
If Liam had been writing this obit, he would have done so with a beer in one hand, the Kenneth Branaugh Henry V playing in the background and his Red Sox themed coronet jammed down on his head. He is deeply, deeply missed.
Charles was a stalwart of the Fourth Company of Calontir, aka “The Soup Kitchen”, for many years. He was a true servant of Calontir, a brother Pelican. A kind and gentle man who brought love and light to the world. He will be sorely missed.
Duchess Catalina de Arazuri remembers: “He was always kind and genuinely caring. I worked with him for countless wars. He greeted me with a smile every morning. I am very very sorry for your loss, and our loss.”
Honorable Lady Vǫlu-Ingibiǫrg says: “Charles of Westermark has long been to me an exemplar of Pelican-hood. Even with his age, he was on site early six months ago to help with Lilies setup, he and Margaret also providing lunch to others who’d come to help.
But it wasn’t only the fact of his long service to Calontir; what made Charles an example to me was his manner. At the time of his vigil for Pelican, I had just learned “Song of the Slow Hound,” Mikal the Ram’s Norse-style poem-story about service. I went into the vigil tent and offered to share it. Charles agreed, and I of course forgot the words halfway through, stumbling to a halt in confused embarrassment. “That’s alright,” he encouraged, “take your time.” After a few frantic seconds longer, I remembered the next stanza and resumed. When I finished, he game me one of his joyful smiles, the kind that let you know it was okay if you flubbed the words or your delivery was rushed, because somehow, this wonderful person understood you were trying to express your admiration.
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