Master El of the Two Knives, one of the founders of the East Kingdom, passed away on October 1st, 2013 after a long illness. “El was a strong gentle giant with an iron will,” said Sir Michael of York, who first met Master El in A.S. 7.  “His sense of justice and his bonhomie endeared him to all.”

Master El was the first treasurer for the fledgling East Coast group, and was present at the first official East Kingdom event at the Cloisters in New York City on June 2nd, 1968. In February of 1971 he became the third East Kingdom Seneschal, and served in that office for six years. In 1973, he was the second person in the East to be inducted into the Order of the Pelican. He was made a Baron of the Court in January of 1991 by Rhys and Elaina, and was further recognized with an Augmentation of Arms in April of 2008 by Konrad and Brenwen. He was also the fourth member of the Order of the Silver Crescent, the East Kingdom Order of High Merit for service, and was proud to be the most senior active member of the order. He also was a “Pillar of the Bridge” in the Barony of the Bridge and a member of the Order of the Troubadour.

Master El was active in the society for close to 45 years. Although recently ill health had kept him away from most events, he still attended when health and transportation allowed. He was renowned as a storyteller and raconteur, and was an important resource for anyone interested in the history and traditions of the East.