Keep Learning

I have just recieved the message that Gerhardt Kendal of Westmoreland has passed on to his next adventure, survived by his wife, children, grandchildren (?) and a host of people his life has touched.

Keep learning.

Lord of the Rings was a great movie, and I need to go visit New Zealand.

Gerhardt Kendal of Westmoreland

3 quick stories (as the 3 pager I just wrote disappeared)

I met Gerhardt at the Westermark/Lionsgate war July 4 1986. As part of the war he and Gerhard von Nordflammen had had a slanging match, which you can find here:
http://history.westkingdom.org/Year18/WestermarkLionsGateWar.htm
After driving all night to get there, I didn't want to sleep before battle, so I helped him and his wife Amanda set up the campsite by putting my feet in my warshield and stomping down the grass. He introduced me to some interesting scenarios--Agincourt shoot being the one I remember most.

Years later, I went and competed in the Sergeant Trials for Baroness Amanda of Lionsgate. It was a really hard event, although I did fairly well. The most humbling part was the war commanding, which is something I'm not bad at at all--but I lost every battle where he was on the other side, because he was such a good archer and I didn't know how to neutralize him. He was kind about it.

Gerhardt had a lot of rewards in the SCA, and in his final letter showed true grace and class. He passed away a few days ago, and doesn't want a memorial, but a wake is OK. I'll go up to Lu Crapaud and toast him. If you want to hear more stories, come look me up. Better yet, ask me about any of the skills I learned that were partly inspired by him, and I'll try to share them with you.

....at one point I travelled to Kendal, in Westmoreland. YOu know, the Witch of the Westmoreland (song) actually charts a trip through there, worth walking if you have a week, riding if it suits you.

Pale was the wounded knight/ who bore the Rowan Shield
Loud and shrill were the raven's cries/ as they feasted on the field
Singing "Beck Water cold and clear / will never cleanse your wounds
"There's none but the witch of the westmerelands/ who will make you whole and sound"

PPFUF Forever, Northern Comrades!