Kyppyn's Elevations
Knighting
I was knighted on January 9, 1999 in the Shire of Glaedenfeld in the Kingdom of Meridies. I became the 71st Knight of Meridies and the 1,185th Knight of the Society.
I was placed on Vigil by King Gareth and Queen Sabine the Friday evening of the event. It was a complete surprise. My Knight, Count Hadi and his family had come to the event and I was so excited to see them, that it never occurred to me that it was for any significant reason. January in TN is generally pretty mild, so a vigil tent was set up outside. I wore the traditional white tunic and took my place on my knees in the center of the tent. I would stay on my knees for the next 18 hours. A short table had been set up with my soon to be white belt, gold chain, and spurs. A brass balance with tea lights in the pans was set up for tent lighting. My sword laid in front of all the accouterments. One candle would not stay lit. I had just lost my maternal grandmother a year before and I decided that this unlit candle would represent her absence. Due to the sudden drop in temperature, Hadi decided to forgo the bucket of water that I was to be doused with that evening. After many people had been by to see me, Master William Redcape, OL, brought in two brand new people. I was asked to explain what each symbol of Knighthood that lay before me meant, and I became wrapped up in such a spiritual experience that I began to weep at in humility. Late that evening, an ice storm hit the event site. Two of my squire nephews, Lord Michael Lazarus and Lord Lochlan stood outside my vigil and never let the weather deter them from their task. Later we would break ice of off their wool coats. At 2am, Hadi had come to let me know about the storm getting worse and how many could not make it in tonight. I would have a second vigil inside that morning to receive the guests who couldn't make it that night. Just as this began to happen, Her Royal Highness, the Princess arrived on site. She explained that the storm had slowed her traveling down and had only just arrived. Apparently she never drinks caffeinated drinks, but that night she had imbibed several caffeinated sodas and was wide awake. Two hours later my guards escorted her to her cabin and I was taken to a dorm room to wait for my morning guests. The next day, when we began taking down the vigil tent, the ice was so thick, that the canvas stood on its own without the tent poles.
Favorite vigil advice: From Duke Kane Redfeather-"Always wear your extra belt length to the side, in case you have to pee in the woods after a night of drinking."
Squires
I have had many squires over the past 15 years. Two have gone on to become Knights while they were squired to me. I rarely approach fighters about becoming squires, I prefer for them to search me out based on my household traditions. I am always looking for an associate with the full package. They must be committed to the path of peerage. They must have an appreciation for the peaceful arts and be service minded. I cannot make anyone become a Knight. I can be a guide on the journey. I can create opportunities where doors may open, but I can't make you walk thru them. I see this associate relationship as a partnership. I do my part and the squire does his/her part. Somewhere along the way a truth will be revealed. That truth may not be Peerage. It may only be a better understanding of the world, the SCA, or yourself. But gaining an education is always worthy and if you enjoy yourself along the way, the final outcome will be rewarding no matter what happens.
I was placed on Vigil by King Gareth and Queen Sabine the Friday evening of the event. It was a complete surprise. My Knight, Count Hadi and his family had come to the event and I was so excited to see them, that it never occurred to me that it was for any significant reason. January in TN is generally pretty mild, so a vigil tent was set up outside. I wore the traditional white tunic and took my place on my knees in the center of the tent. I would stay on my knees for the next 18 hours. A short table had been set up with my soon to be white belt, gold chain, and spurs. A brass balance with tea lights in the pans was set up for tent lighting. My sword laid in front of all the accouterments. One candle would not stay lit. I had just lost my maternal grandmother a year before and I decided that this unlit candle would represent her absence. Due to the sudden drop in temperature, Hadi decided to forgo the bucket of water that I was to be doused with that evening. After many people had been by to see me, Master William Redcape, OL, brought in two brand new people. I was asked to explain what each symbol of Knighthood that lay before me meant, and I became wrapped up in such a spiritual experience that I began to weep at in humility. Late that evening, an ice storm hit the event site. Two of my squire nephews, Lord Michael Lazarus and Lord Lochlan stood outside my vigil and never let the weather deter them from their task. Later we would break ice of off their wool coats. At 2am, Hadi had come to let me know about the storm getting worse and how many could not make it in tonight. I would have a second vigil inside that morning to receive the guests who couldn't make it that night. Just as this began to happen, Her Royal Highness, the Princess arrived on site. She explained that the storm had slowed her traveling down and had only just arrived. Apparently she never drinks caffeinated drinks, but that night she had imbibed several caffeinated sodas and was wide awake. Two hours later my guards escorted her to her cabin and I was taken to a dorm room to wait for my morning guests. The next day, when we began taking down the vigil tent, the ice was so thick, that the canvas stood on its own without the tent poles.
Favorite vigil advice: From Duke Kane Redfeather-"Always wear your extra belt length to the side, in case you have to pee in the woods after a night of drinking."
Squires
I have had many squires over the past 15 years. Two have gone on to become Knights while they were squired to me. I rarely approach fighters about becoming squires, I prefer for them to search me out based on my household traditions. I am always looking for an associate with the full package. They must be committed to the path of peerage. They must have an appreciation for the peaceful arts and be service minded. I cannot make anyone become a Knight. I can be a guide on the journey. I can create opportunities where doors may open, but I can't make you walk thru them. I see this associate relationship as a partnership. I do my part and the squire does his/her part. Somewhere along the way a truth will be revealed. That truth may not be Peerage. It may only be a better understanding of the world, the SCA, or yourself. But gaining an education is always worthy and if you enjoy yourself along the way, the final outcome will be rewarding no matter what happens.
Becoming a Pelican
I became a Pelican on October 18, 2008. I was the 2,189th Pelican made in the Society in the Barony of Flaming Gryphon in the Kingdom of the Middle. I had asked one of my best friends, Syr Ullr, to allow me to celebrate my 10 year anniversary as a Knight at his upcoming Coronation. He and everyone else conspired to turn my re-knighting into a Pelican ceremony. Mistress Rosmunde even asked me to bring a vigil tent for a "laureling" that would later become my own vigil tent. There were so many excellent moments that happened during my vigil and my elevaltion ceremony to recount, but the best has to be a letter that was read by King Ullr from Baron Stewart Rolfe from the Kingdom of Lochac. He had written a letter explaining how we had met the previous Pennsic and how I had assisted his group and many other groups with SCA recruitment.
The second greatest moment was when Duke Laurelen of the Middle Kingdom, told me that "back in the day" a Pelican was only made when someone touched the SCA at the Society level, improving the organization for everyone. He said that I would have received my Pelican "back in the day." It was the most wonderful compliment I had ever received about my service.
Proteges
Just like squires, I am looking for proteges that are rounded individuals. They must have an appreciation for the arts and combat activities, as well as being service minded. Proteges should be leaders in their groups, or lead by example in their work. Again, I don't normally seek out and approach members about becoming a Protege, I prefer they search me out to see if we are a good fit. I usually have a 6 month-1 year probation as a Student to see how well we work together first. Then if everything is working well the student becomes a Protege. I cannot make anyone become a Pelican. I can be a guide on the journey. I can create opportunities where doors may open, but I can't make you walk thru them. I see this associate relationship as a partnership. I do my part and the protege does his/her part. Somewhere along the way a truth will be revealed. That truth may not be Peerage. It may only be a better understanding of the world, the SCA, or yourself. But gaining an education is always worthy and if you enjoy yourself along the way, the final outcome will be rewarding no matter what happens.
The second greatest moment was when Duke Laurelen of the Middle Kingdom, told me that "back in the day" a Pelican was only made when someone touched the SCA at the Society level, improving the organization for everyone. He said that I would have received my Pelican "back in the day." It was the most wonderful compliment I had ever received about my service.
Proteges
Just like squires, I am looking for proteges that are rounded individuals. They must have an appreciation for the arts and combat activities, as well as being service minded. Proteges should be leaders in their groups, or lead by example in their work. Again, I don't normally seek out and approach members about becoming a Protege, I prefer they search me out to see if we are a good fit. I usually have a 6 month-1 year probation as a Student to see how well we work together first. Then if everything is working well the student becomes a Protege. I cannot make anyone become a Pelican. I can be a guide on the journey. I can create opportunities where doors may open, but I can't make you walk thru them. I see this associate relationship as a partnership. I do my part and the protege does his/her part. Somewhere along the way a truth will be revealed. That truth may not be Peerage. It may only be a better understanding of the world, the SCA, or yourself. But gaining an education is always worthy and if you enjoy yourself along the way, the final outcome will be rewarding no matter what happens.
Territorial Baron
- Fourth Baron of the Barony of Flaming Gryphon in the Kingdom of the Middle
My relationship with my Knight,
Count Hadi al Hadad, KSCA was
very special.
He passed away in February 2015
Link to the Eulogy I gave at Hadi's Funeral
Count Hadi al Hadad, KSCA was
very special.
He passed away in February 2015
Link to the Eulogy I gave at Hadi's Funeral
Miles and the Knight
This is a story called Miles and the Knight- written by Duke Dag of the Middle Kingdom. I believe it is an excellent story to relate the path of an associate and the true duties of a Peer.
Once, long ago but not very far away, there was a young man named Miles. Miles wanted to become a great warrior. So he thought, and thought again, and said, "I shall go on a quest to find Perfect Mastery." And so he did. Miles hung his sword, picked up his shield and started out.
Now, Miles knew from legends and stories that the secret to Perfect Mastery lay in the center of a Great Dark Wood. But when he reached the forest he found that it was even Greater and Darker than he had imagined. And it seemed to Miles that finding the center would be very difficult indeed.
So he thought, and thought again, and said: "I shall look for a path." And so he did. Miles walked along the edge of the forest, first in one direction and then the other. He walked and walked. Just when he was about to stop and rest, he came upon two men.
The first was a young man about Miles' age. He had taken out his sword and was hacking his way into the tree-line. He was breathing hard and sweating quite freely, but seemed to be making some progress. The other man had white hair and a beard, but stood tall and straight despite his obvious age. He wore a well-used and well-oiled mail shirt and a plain hilted sword hung at his side. From time to time he spoke encouragingly to the first man. Miles approached the young man first and said, "Hello, I'm looking for Perfect Mastery. Could you direct me to the path? " The young man merely wiped his brow and continued his work. Miles turned to the older man and said, "My name is Miles, and I'm looking for Perfect Mastery. Could you direct me to the path?" The old man said, "I am Sir Veritas, and I
do know a path." He stepped aside and Miles could see a path leading into the Great Dark Forest. "I am willing to show you this path if you are willing to be my squire." Miles thought, and thought again, and said, "I shall become your faithful squire." And so he did.
Sir Veritas removed his scabbarded sword and handed it to Miles. "Here," said the knight, "See to its care." Miles took the sword. It was heavy, but he held it carefully. The knight gestured for Miles to enter the path first and said, "Start down the path, Miles. I will be behind you in case you falter."
As Miles started down the path he turned to Sir Veritas. "Sir Knight," said Miles, "why didn't you show the path to the other man?" The old knight sighed, "He never asked."
"He must be a great fool," said Miles.
"Do not think poorly of him," said the Knight, "for many the effort is as important as reaching the goal. He chooses his own path."
Miles turned and started up the path. They walked and walked, the path twisted and turned, rose and fell, and the knight's sword was
heavy. Sir Veritas warned Miles whenever they were coming upon a pitfall or a low-hanging branch, but it was slow going.
By and by, they came upon another young man sitting by the side of the bath. He held a sword in his lap similar to the one Miles nowvcarried. The old knight greeted the young man courteously, and the young man replied respectfully as they passed.
"Sir Knight," said Miles, "who was that sitting by the side of the path?"
The old knight sighed, "He is a squire, like yourself."
"He must be very lazy," said Miles.
"Do not think poorly of him," said the Knight. "He has found a place where he is comfortable, many do not make it even this far."
They walked and walked, the path twisted and turned, rose and fell, and the knight's sword was heavy.
"Sir Knight," said Miles, "I grow weary."
The old knight sighed, "I promised you a path. I did not promise you an easy one. You may rest if you wish, but we grow no closer to your
goal."
Miles thought, and thought again, and said, "I should like to continue, Sir. If you would continue with me."
The knight said, "I will be behind you if you falter, Miles; just stay on the path." And so he did.
Suddenly, or so it seemed to Miles, they came upon a clearing. All about the clearing were other knights, most sat around fires
talking. As they entered the clearing Sir Veritas was greeted familiarly by the others. And, to Miles' surprise, the knights hailed
him in friendly fashion as well. They were invited to sit and talk for a while, and so they did. As they talked, Miles watched around
him. Occasionally, one of the other knights would get up, go to the edge of the clearing and listen at the tree line. From time to time,
he would shout directions to someone unseen in the forest. Eventually someone would break out into the clearing, and be greeted as Miles
was.
Sir Veritas turned to Miles and said, "You may return the sword now Miles. This is as far as I can take you. You are now a knight in your
own right."
Miles handed the sword back to Sir Veritas. He had grown used to its weight and it felt strange to suddenly be without it.
"Sir Knight," said Miles, "is this Perfect Mastery?" The old knight sighed. "No, young Miles, that is still further into the wood. From
here, you must find it for yourself."
"And these other knights?" said Miles, "have they found the secret of Perfect Mastery?"
This time the old knight laughed. "No, I dare say not."
"Then why do they bide here? They must be very lazy."
"Do not think poorly of us Sir Miles. Now and again we venture into the wood. Now and again we go back to the edge of the wood to guide
others, for these are the duties of a knight. But sometimes it is comfortable to sit here and rest awhile and talk with friends."
Miles thought, and thought again, and said, "Thank you, Sir Veritas, for your help. For now I will venture a little ways into the wood. But
now and again I will come back to enjoy this fellowship. And now and again I will go back to the edge of the wood and guide others. For
these are the duties of a knight." ... and so he did.
The End
Once, long ago but not very far away, there was a young man named Miles. Miles wanted to become a great warrior. So he thought, and thought again, and said, "I shall go on a quest to find Perfect Mastery." And so he did. Miles hung his sword, picked up his shield and started out.
Now, Miles knew from legends and stories that the secret to Perfect Mastery lay in the center of a Great Dark Wood. But when he reached the forest he found that it was even Greater and Darker than he had imagined. And it seemed to Miles that finding the center would be very difficult indeed.
So he thought, and thought again, and said: "I shall look for a path." And so he did. Miles walked along the edge of the forest, first in one direction and then the other. He walked and walked. Just when he was about to stop and rest, he came upon two men.
The first was a young man about Miles' age. He had taken out his sword and was hacking his way into the tree-line. He was breathing hard and sweating quite freely, but seemed to be making some progress. The other man had white hair and a beard, but stood tall and straight despite his obvious age. He wore a well-used and well-oiled mail shirt and a plain hilted sword hung at his side. From time to time he spoke encouragingly to the first man. Miles approached the young man first and said, "Hello, I'm looking for Perfect Mastery. Could you direct me to the path? " The young man merely wiped his brow and continued his work. Miles turned to the older man and said, "My name is Miles, and I'm looking for Perfect Mastery. Could you direct me to the path?" The old man said, "I am Sir Veritas, and I
do know a path." He stepped aside and Miles could see a path leading into the Great Dark Forest. "I am willing to show you this path if you are willing to be my squire." Miles thought, and thought again, and said, "I shall become your faithful squire." And so he did.
Sir Veritas removed his scabbarded sword and handed it to Miles. "Here," said the knight, "See to its care." Miles took the sword. It was heavy, but he held it carefully. The knight gestured for Miles to enter the path first and said, "Start down the path, Miles. I will be behind you in case you falter."
As Miles started down the path he turned to Sir Veritas. "Sir Knight," said Miles, "why didn't you show the path to the other man?" The old knight sighed, "He never asked."
"He must be a great fool," said Miles.
"Do not think poorly of him," said the Knight, "for many the effort is as important as reaching the goal. He chooses his own path."
Miles turned and started up the path. They walked and walked, the path twisted and turned, rose and fell, and the knight's sword was
heavy. Sir Veritas warned Miles whenever they were coming upon a pitfall or a low-hanging branch, but it was slow going.
By and by, they came upon another young man sitting by the side of the bath. He held a sword in his lap similar to the one Miles nowvcarried. The old knight greeted the young man courteously, and the young man replied respectfully as they passed.
"Sir Knight," said Miles, "who was that sitting by the side of the path?"
The old knight sighed, "He is a squire, like yourself."
"He must be very lazy," said Miles.
"Do not think poorly of him," said the Knight. "He has found a place where he is comfortable, many do not make it even this far."
They walked and walked, the path twisted and turned, rose and fell, and the knight's sword was heavy.
"Sir Knight," said Miles, "I grow weary."
The old knight sighed, "I promised you a path. I did not promise you an easy one. You may rest if you wish, but we grow no closer to your
goal."
Miles thought, and thought again, and said, "I should like to continue, Sir. If you would continue with me."
The knight said, "I will be behind you if you falter, Miles; just stay on the path." And so he did.
Suddenly, or so it seemed to Miles, they came upon a clearing. All about the clearing were other knights, most sat around fires
talking. As they entered the clearing Sir Veritas was greeted familiarly by the others. And, to Miles' surprise, the knights hailed
him in friendly fashion as well. They were invited to sit and talk for a while, and so they did. As they talked, Miles watched around
him. Occasionally, one of the other knights would get up, go to the edge of the clearing and listen at the tree line. From time to time,
he would shout directions to someone unseen in the forest. Eventually someone would break out into the clearing, and be greeted as Miles
was.
Sir Veritas turned to Miles and said, "You may return the sword now Miles. This is as far as I can take you. You are now a knight in your
own right."
Miles handed the sword back to Sir Veritas. He had grown used to its weight and it felt strange to suddenly be without it.
"Sir Knight," said Miles, "is this Perfect Mastery?" The old knight sighed. "No, young Miles, that is still further into the wood. From
here, you must find it for yourself."
"And these other knights?" said Miles, "have they found the secret of Perfect Mastery?"
This time the old knight laughed. "No, I dare say not."
"Then why do they bide here? They must be very lazy."
"Do not think poorly of us Sir Miles. Now and again we venture into the wood. Now and again we go back to the edge of the wood to guide
others, for these are the duties of a knight. But sometimes it is comfortable to sit here and rest awhile and talk with friends."
Miles thought, and thought again, and said, "Thank you, Sir Veritas, for your help. For now I will venture a little ways into the wood. But
now and again I will come back to enjoy this fellowship. And now and again I will go back to the edge of the wood and guide others. For
these are the duties of a knight." ... and so he did.
The End