“Fill in the Blank” Questions
SCA Name: Gwenllhian Rhiannon of Dragonkeep
Survey taken on: Sept. 20, 2007
Year you authorized in Heavy Weapons: 1978
Year you actually started fighting: 1978
Estimated Total Years Fighting: 29
How Many Years did it take for you to get Knighted? 14 (didn’t get
serious about it until 1985)
Kingdom that you were Knighted in? West
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? Hard to say - I was from a time of VERY few women fighters. My cousin was the reason I got into armor (Master Tearloch) Master Feral von Halstern was a great teacher before he was mastered. My knight Sir Artemas Maximas convinced me I could become a Knight and all the Chivalry of the West
kingdom challenged me
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? N/A
What other athletic endeavors have you participated in? Competed in equestrian activities as teenager
Do you feel that your Athletic Background made a difference in your fighting career? No
What Books that you have read that have made a difference to you and/or your fighting career? Avid reader - none specifically influenced my fighting. Best warrior book I have EVER read: ‘Gates of Fire’ by Stephen Pressfield
What led you to start chivalric fighting? Boy, was a meelee fighter for 4 years and was getting good but never killed much. Wanted to learn how to kill on my own (without a polearm behind me)
Were you a member of an active fighting household, war band, squire, special trainee, etc, at the time of your training? No - small shire in a remote region of East Kingdom
Were you able to get additional training other than that offered at regularly scheduled fighter practices? Sporadically
During your training years, did you attend special workshops/fighter practices etc? No Belatrix had visited East a few years earlier but no one really teaching single combat fighting.
“Select from a List” Questions
Gender:
Female
Primary Fighting Style:
Tournament- occasionally
Melee: not too much anymore, teach tactics
War
Practices - yes
Training - yes
Primary Fighting Form:
Sword & Shield- use small buckler
Florentine - doing this primarily for last 2 years (got bored with sword and shield)
Single Sword - occasionly
Primary Shield Handle:
Center Grip: only ever used a center grip
Primary Shield Type:
Round - started 24 inches now down to 14 -16 inches
Buckler - yeah
Fighting Stance:
Other (Explain) I do not teach or prefer a stance. With shield I am often goofy footed with sword leg forward (I’m a lefty). With 2 sword I use Bellatrix high hand wide apart squared up stance primarily.
Fighting Behavior:
Defensive - NEVER!
Calculating -yup
Counter Puncher YUP
Other (Explain)My husband and I teach ‘there is no defence’
Dominant Hand:
Left Handed
Fighting Calibration:
Middle Third - probably here
Other (Explain) - hard to say - when I’m off I cant hit with any power because of bad shoulders. Must put total hip into every move. When I’m particularly hot I can smack with the best.
Blow Strength (Kingdom):
Middle third - usually
Blow Strength (Society):
Middle third - probably here
Fighting Level:
Other (Explain) - at 2 sword I am still peaking so its hard to judge. I have always felt I am a strong mid level chiv by East kingdom standards. In the West Kingdom where I got my peerage I felt more in the bottom 3rd as they have a very high quality tourney fight level
Fighting Awards:
Mistress of Arms - 1992 West
Vicountess by Right of Arms - 1988 Drachenwald
Average Fighting Performance in Tournaments:
Other (Explain) - haven’t fought in a tourney for a while - 4 years ago went 4 rounds in Eastern Crown
Was your Significant Other a Knight/Master of Arms at the Time of your Elevation?
Yes - Knight
Were you a Royal Peer before you were Knighted?
Yes, By Right of Arms
Since being Knighted, Have you become a Royal Peer?
No - none since the first one
Greatest Impediment:
Physical - I’m a short fat dumpy gal with bad shoulders!
Height:
(5′3- 5′7)
Weight:
(180-?)
Strongest Ability:
Speed - no I’m slow
Accuracy - nope
Technique - yes
Tenacity — yes
Dedication: Hmmmm almost 30 years - yeah I guess so
Other (Explain)- Timing - I am a lefty with a very strong sense of timing
Common Injuries:
Bruises - only injury I’ve ever had fighting. I believe if you fight right you can not hurt yourself (Physical Therapist by trade)
“Open Ended” Questions
Knighthood:
Do you still feel the same about being a knight as you did before your elevation?
Yes, I have strong opinions about chivalry and since I knew I would take the Baldric of a master for a long time before I got offered the accolade I thought about chivalry alot.
Fighting Philosophy:
No one is hopeless! There is NO defense. Power is main reason fighters fail. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A RHINO HIDE!!!!!!! To assume a fighter is not taking your blows is to call them a liar. In this sport which in entirely based on the honor system I can think of nothing more UNCHIVALROUS than accusing your opponent of not taking blows.
Training Philosophy:
see above. I do not teach style or blows. I teach basic technique and power generation. My student will learn his/her own style according to his/her own strengths and body type.
Words of Wisdom:
Be patient and accept all about yourself. If you keep the truth from yourself you will never find your path. Accept all about yourself - good, bad and the very dark. It is who you are and to truly become a knight you must be true to yourself.
I have been on a long and glorious journey. I have made mistakes and continue to learn from my failures and achievements. My students are my greatest teachers. If I stop being able to learn I will stop being a teacher. I am amazed that arthritic as I have become I am still becoming a better fighter. One day I will be too old to swing a stick. I think I will take up Combat archery and my Squires can load the crossbows for me. I never tire of this wonderful game we call the SCA.
