“Fill in the Blank” Questions
SCA Name: Rowan de la Garnison
Survey taken on: March 15, 2004
Year you authorized in Heavy Weapons: 1984
Year you actually started fighting: 1983
Estimated Total Years Fighting: 20
How Many Years did it take for you to get Knighted? 15
Kingdom that you were Knighted in? AEthelmearc
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? I don’t think I can name only one person. Seeing Sir Fern Knighted at my first Pennsic Showed me that my dream was feasible. All the knights that were willing to work with me at the time when it wasn’t cool to encourage females in armor, and those that gave me advice, too many to list.
In what other forms of martial arts have you participated, in what styles and what ranks did you achieve? None. Fighting is the only sport I have ever participated in, I was really into library club in high school. Field hockey might have been tempting, but we didn’t have a team.
Do you feel that your Martial Arts Background made a difference in your fighting career? –
What other athletic endeavors have you participated in? None
Do you feel that your Athletic Background made a difference in your fighting career? –
What Books that you have read that have made a difference to you and/or your fighting career? Lao Tzu and a strange variety of SCI Fi books where I identified as a kick ass character who had a do or die attitude.
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:
I don’t think I have a primary fighting style. Defensive. Block until they make a mistake and then kill them. I enjoy training new fighters very much. Taunting young hot shot guys and punching a hole in their ego gives a bit of a thrill. Tactics are fun and I can’t always believe that other people can’t see the obvious plans that their opponents set up for.
Primary Fighting Form:
Sword and Shield. I’ll use that against anything. I prefer to match I tournaments and Great sword is my favorite for just having fun.
Primary Shield Handle:
Side mount at about a 45 degree angle on a heater.
Primary Shield Type:
Heater. Other shield shapes are weird
Fighting Stance:
Sword leg back. Feet shoulder width apart with sword hand cocked back by my head for quick release. Hips turned back. Move as if walking.
Fighting Behavior:
Defensive counter puncher. I’d rather you move out of guard first so I can see how you move and throw.
Dominant Hand:
Right handed. Very right handed but I fight great sword left hand up. My left shoulder is usually forward no mater what form I fight.
Fighting Calibration:
Middle Third - I’ve had people look at me funny when I take a light clean shot and funny when I don’t take a hard messy shot.
Blow Strength (Kingdom):
Middle third of my Kingdom I guess I’m in the middle. Some times they take em, some times they don’t.
Blow Strength (Society):
Middle third of the Society, I some times have less problems with people taking my shots at pickups at Pennsic, but I have to hit harder during the War melees.
Fighting Level:
Mid Level. I don’t think I can claim higher for myself and their are times when I don’t think I’m this high. Ask the other knights were they put me. I think it would be more accurate.
Fighting Awards:
Knight
Average Fighting Performance in Tournaments:
3rd - 4th Round usually about here.
Was your Significant Other a Knight/Master of Arms at the Time of your Elevation?
Yes
Were you a Royal Peer before you were Knighted?
Yes, as consort twice
Since being Knighted, Have you become a Royal Peer?
No
Greatest Impediment:
Mental - Putting up with all the mental games of what others think you ought to be doing in order to receive the accolade.
Height:
(5′3- 5′7)
Weight:
(180-?)
Strongest Ability:
Technique
Common Injuries:
Bruises. I have a bad knee but it’s not due to fighting. Occasional smashed finger
“Open Ended” Questions
Knighthood:
Do you still feel the same about being a knight as you did before your elevation?
I feel better about it now. I got a little bitter just before it happened. I was a royal peer before I was a knight and being a knight is one aspect of being a peer. It’s a 10 year old’s day dream come true. ( I was a bit of a tomboy and always dreamed of being a a knight long before I even knew about the SCA.)
Fighting Philosophy:
Have fun, challenge yourself. Be patient and wait for them.
Training Philosophy:
Have fun, challenge yourself. Focus on what your doing right and use that to your advantage, keep practicing.
Words of Wisdom:
Take a break but don’t give up. You earn other fighters respect just by putting on the armor and not whining. Ask questions of opponents that knocked the snot out of you even if they are someone you’d love to hate. Fight the most frightening opponent first, they usually are the easiest to kill.
