LORD ALARIC OF HRAEFNCRAG . . . (AND THAT OTHER GUY!)
Alaric was my first entrée into the world of reenactment, although with more of a fantasy bent. In 1977, I joined the Society for Creative Anachronism, a world wide organization devoted to the time period of 600 CE through 1600 CE, where all are noble, unless proven or chosen to be otherwise. I came upon this organization whilst pursuing a weekend at a science fiction convention in Santa Barbara. My curiosity was piqued, so I began to do some research on the group. I soon discovered that a local branch was to be formed near where I lived and promptly made the effort to join at that time.
My first attempt at a quasi-historical persona was that I was a Welsh-English man-at-arms, in service to Edward III. I had no device of any kind or heraldry associated with my “heritage”. So, the year being 1977, and having just seen Star Wars, I endeavored to create a heraldic device that would speak to those science fiction buffs who had seen the movie and satisfy the SCA College of Heralds. I knew I had to be careful of copyright infringement, so I made specific changes to the major element, a red tri-partite back spike slaughter ax. I even built a metal replica to prove its battle-worthiness. To this, I added a raven, displayed and surrounded it with a thin silver border all on a “silver” (white) field with a black border, indicating I was a second son. The College of Heralds approved the design and I was granted an Award of Arms in 1980. The device reads “Argent, on a slaughter-axe blade with a tripartite back, edge to base, gules a legless raven displayed, head to sinister, sable, fimbriated argent, all within a bordure sable.”
From there, I began to design more costuming or garb, as it is known. I also acquired a 14 ft. diameter medieval pavilion, in my colors of red, black and “silver”. This would allow me to set up on the eric, where all the fighting and activities would take place during the weekend campouts. I played in the SCA from ’77 to ’95 or thereabouts, visiting only a single event annually to see good friends afterwards.
In the early 2000’s, my friend Henrik had involved himself in European historical reenactment, going to England to participate in an event at Battle, England, the site of the Battle of Hastings. He came back with glowing reports. Then, he asked if I would be interested in going to an event in 2006. This was in 2005, so it gave me a year to pull together a much higher standard kit than what I had used for the SCA.
Suffice to say that Hastings 2006 was the icing on the reenactment cake for me. I was hooked! Henrik then introduced me to Jack Garrett, jarl of The Vikings of Bjornstad. This was a Viking Era reenactment group located in the greater SF Bay area. I immediately got to work on a Viking kit. If you have an opportunity to compare the succession of pictures here and elsewhere on this site, you’ll see an evolution in garb, as I become more knowledgeable of the Viking Era and specific points in time wherein specific art styles were extant. I came up with a Viking name, as well…Alrik af Hrafnfjall.
The events that I’ve experienced with The Vikings of Bjornstad have allowed me to not only improve my personal kit, but have given me the opportunity to fight with live steel (unsharpened) sword and shield. I’ve also been able to hone my archery skills, as well. Not bad for a kid who grew up in the borsht belt of Los Angeles.
Some of the things that Bjornstad does is to hire themselves out as photo models and as entertainers, in addition to educational presentations from grade school to college level. On one such occasion, we were photo models for a group of professional photographers, the Professional Photographers of the Wine Country. The location was the Castello di Amorosa in the Napa Valley. The Castello is a replica 13th century castle and also a working winery. Subsequent to the photo shoot, which we did a couple of times, we were also hired by the Castello for a number of years as entertainers for one of their wine club events, The Midsummer Medieval Festival. We put on combat, archery, games and other activities for their patrons. We also were able to participate in the same medieval feasts as the party goers. So, in my case, this meant a change of clothing from that of a 14th century archer to that of a nobleman at court. Fortunately, I had some old SCA garb that fit the bill.
I would say that I’m fortunate to be able to play in this hobby…it keeps my mind and body active. And, there’s the whole transition thing…from a simple man-at-arms, becoming armigerous (having a heraldic device and becoming a lord in the SCA), taking on a Viking persona and going back to a 14th c. archer and then to a nobleman, oh and playing a pirate and back to an elderly Viking. Phew…it’s hard to keep track of who I really am…really!
Anyway do check out the images…if nothing else, they’re fun!
One last thing…have you noticed the similarity between the names of both my Viking persona and the Welsh-English and nobleman personas? They’re actually related! Of course, you know that some of the Vikings settled in England, right? But, that’s a story for another time.
