Landsknecht Guild

To Stephen and all the members of Das Geld Fahnlein, I would like to thank you all again for your hospitality over the Martial Mayhem weekend.

Having received your survey last week, my first impulse was to simply answer all your questions with 5 and send it off, but I feel you deserve more then the short shrift of an easy answer, so let me respond more fully…

First of all, let me assure you that I have not enjoyed a weekend so much for some time. Many people look askance at those of us for whom the active participation in living history plays such an important role. I myself am at times surprised at how important it has become to me in only a few years. It speaks to me of my own history and heritage, and is a reminder of how deep my roots go. I freely admit that fantasy plays its part in the general Renn Faire environment, but the stories that become old, familiar favorites do so because they are built around a core of truth. If faith can accept the angel we can not see, why should it disdain the elf we can?

Suffice to say, it was a gift in my reckoning to share time with others who embrace this dream as I do, and I look forward to joining you again.

As for the instruction offered over the weekend, I am quite impressed by the depth of knowledge and love of the material displayed by both Bob Cherron and Das Geld Fahnlein. The fight is what brings us to and keeps us in the present; it is the fight that imbues our sense of history with life and scope. I truely appriciate the company of others who see martial practice as a bridge between our modern world and the world of our forebears.

The pike and long sword could hardly be more dissimilar, yet they were both presented with great attention to detail clearly founded upon long study and practice, and with the good humor that accompanies the joy one feels in a discipline one loves.

I am not a new student of the martial arts in general, but most of my training has been in arts originating in the Orient. My introduction to and study of true western martial arts has focused on Fiore di Liberi (the almost single exception being my recent introduction to pike work). The long sword, when first I held one, felt familiar to my hand in a way a katana or dao never did. Do my bones remember what has faded from my conscious thoughts? Perhaps. Granted, body mechanics are universal, and elbows do not bend differently when we cross borders. That said, these various arts grew up in different cultures, with different philosophical underpinnings, and I find the spirit of western martial practice resonates both more clearly and more deeply in me then that of others arts I have trained.

The opportunity to meet and train with Bob in particular was quite valuable in my understanding of Fiore. His breadth of knowledge of the Medieval mind and environment helps put Fiore in a more complete context for me, and his obvious command of sword technique, as well as his ability to share his knowledge (a rare skill in itself), will help me in my own practice far into the future. Thanks again for bringing us all together.

As far as the food and camping arrangements go, I have absolutely no complaints. The food your good frauen offered us was unfailingly generous and delicious. As someone who loves to cook and share good food with friends, I would make two small suggestions. First, I would love to have recipes of some(all) of the dishes, especially the peas porridge and the root vegetable mix. Second, I would like to contribute something, if only a few loaves of bread or a string of sausages, when next you host such a gathering.

I personally enjoyed the faire. I have few chances to garb up in broad daylight, and it was nice to stroll about among other like minded folk.

I realize you had little control of camping conditions, but I had no difficulties. It is a good incentive for me to pursue acquisition of appropriate shelter. I will hopefully have something I can leave set up for the duration next time.

Finally, I would like to thank all the frauen again for looking after us so well. If your aim was to recreate the feeling of camaraderie of a close knit group of mercenaries, you hit your mark squarely in the center. I hope it is not a presumption on my part to feel like a welcome, if only occasional, member of Das Geld Fahnlein, and the little medallion I took home serves to remind me of a wonderful experience I shared with new friends.

David Knight