“Fill in the Blank” Questions
SCA Name: Elizabeth Mortimer
Survey taken on: Feb. 1st, 2004
Year you authorized in Heavy Weapons: 1987
Year you actually started fighting: 1986
Estimated Total Years Fighting: 16
How Many Years did it take for you to get Knighted? 9
Kingdom that you were Knighted in? Middle (Principality of Ealdormere)
Still Active in Fighting? Yes
Year Retired (if applicable): –
If Retired, Why did you retire? –
Who was the most influential person to you before being knighted? Sir Fern ( thanks Fern! )
In what other forms of martial arts have you participated, in what styles and what ranks did you achieve? None
Do you feel that your Martial Arts Background made a difference in your fighting career? –
What other athletic endeavors have you participated in? Ran Marathons (26 miles), Aerobics and Weight Lifting ( 3-5x per week, approx 2 hours)
Do you feel that your Athletic Background made a difference in your fighting career? Yes, we need to be in shape to do this!
What Books that you have read that have made a difference to you and/or your fighting career? None really, I have taken bits and pieces from many.
What led you to start chivalric fighting? –
Were you a member of an active fighting household, war band, squire, special trainee, etc, at the time of your training? –
Were you able to get additional training other than that offered at regularly scheduled fighter practices? –
During your training years, did you attend special workshops/fighter practices etc? –
“Select from a List” Questions
Gender:
Female
Primary Fighting Style:
Melee
War
Primary Fighting Form:
Sword & Shield
Primary Shield Handle:
Side Mount
Primary Shield Type:
Heater
Fighting Stance:
Sword Leg Forward
Fighting Behavior:
Defensive
Calculating
Dominant Hand:
Right Handed
Fighting Calibration:
Middle
Blow Strength (Kingdom):
Middle
Blow Strength (Society):
Middle
Fighting Level:
Not Hit Peak Yet
Fighting Awards:
Knight
Vicountess by Right of Arms
Average Fighting Performance in Tournaments:
Quarter Finals
Was your Significant Other a Knight/Master of Arms at the Time of your Elevation?
Did not have a Significant Other
Were you a Royal Peer before you were Knighted?
No
Since being Knighted, Have you become a Royal Peer?
Yes by Right of Arms
Greatest Impediment:
Mental
Height:
(5′3- 5′7)
Weight:
(140-180)
Strongest Ability:
Speed
Technique
Tenacity
Dedication
Common Injuries:
Elbows
Neck
“Open Ended” Questions
Knighthood:
Do you still feel the same about being a knight as you did before your elevation?
No
Fighting Philosophy:
–
Training Philosophy:
Practice. Always practice. Be sure that your technique is a good as you can make it. I don’t throw many blows during a fight, so the ones I throw have to count. I have a pell marked with bands and dots. In practice for accuracy, I use the dots for thrusts, and the bands for blow placement. If I can’t put my tip or my edge on the dots or bands when I’m at home under no pressure, I assume I can’t do it on the field.
Words of Wisdom:
About Knighthood: I thought it was the end of my journey, but it turns out it was just the start. The goal is not to be a knight, but to be a Good Knight. About Fighting in General: You have to get some kind of enjoyment out of it. I know it isn’t always easy, but you should always get some enjoyment from it. For me, there were times when fighting wasn’t fun, when I didn’t get anything from it. So I took a step back so I could find what made it good for me.
