Order of the Argent Bear

Preface

Let due notice and renown be given first and most importantly to those who deserve it most - the people who actually made these events happen. The names of those who sponsored and organized these deeds are included here, for they obviously deserve that recognition.

Mostly missing, however, are names from a larger group of likewise important people: Those who attended as combatants, marshals, heralds, or gallery members. It's not always easy to be part of the experiment as the organizers muddle through some new plan or half-understood historic example. The SCA is about learning by doing and, speaking at least for ourselves, we've learned a lot while doing. The good nature and ready enthusiasm of the many people who attended, assisted, and played was vital to making these deeds possible. That more of their names are not recorded here shows a lack in our record keeping which we hope will be corrected in the future.

We had originally thought to use throughout these pages the archaic, flowered style found on the cover. But as we wrote, we were consistently drawn to plain, even modern, English. Any other form interfered with the real mission of this history and commentary - to explain the actions done and lessons learned as plainly as possible. Our hope is, firstly, that they can be as accurate a recording as possible and, equally importantly, that they might instruct and inspire others to similar or greater deeds. So then - we have written as simply as we might and have left the beauty and power found in noble speech where we found it, in the challenges and notices written as part of the original events.

We have also included some events which did not, in the end, actually occur or did not go off quite as planned.  Good intentions are a good start, and since it is said we learn from mistakes more easily than from success, we hope that others may learn from these 'almost weres' as we have tried to do.

Finally, some of the organizers and many of the other people listed here are not part of the Argent Bear and some do not have much interest in the tournament companies in general. We thank them for allowing us to include their deeds here and thus making this not a company list, but as best we are able, an Oerthan list.

Baron Alfonso d'Strada

Viscount Sir Georg

Take me back HOME

Comments or questions should be mailed to truffa@alaska.net , please include the words 'Argent Bear' in the subject line.