Q&A: East Kingdom Marshal of Fence
This is one of a series of Q&A articles with East Kingdom Officers. The Gazette thanks Don Frasier MacLeod, the Kingdom Marshal of Fence, for answering our questions.
Please describe your job responsibilities.
The office of Kingdom Rapier Marshal is, as the name implies, responsible for Rapier activities in the East. In its simplest terms, my job is to make sure the game we play is safe for everyone who wants to play. Some of the duties I am responsible for are the reviewing and writing of Rapier rules and conventions, overseeing Rapier activities at the Pennsic war (every other year at least), and overseeing a staff of both Regional marshals as well as Experimental and Youth deputies.
Do you have a goal for your term?
After 25 years in the Rapier community, the vast majority spent as a marshal at large and local marshal, I felt it was time to step up into the Kingdom Rapier Marshal position. I very much love the community which fostered me, and this is an incredible opportunity to give back to that community. During my term I hope to get a set of rules in place for Two Handed Rapiers, I am contemplating a complete rewrite of the Rapier Marshal’s Handbook, and I would like to implement a Marshalate Training Program Kingdom-wide.
What was your first event? And what made you stay?
For me my first official event was Duello II, held in the Barony of Carolingia in November 1989 (if I remember the month correctly). I had found the SCA through the University of Maine Blade Society and Master Gregory Finche, and fell in love with Rapier combat immediately. After 25 years I have never once looked back and wished I’d done anything else. I had found my home, both with the SCA and the sword.
Which people made an impact on you in the SCA and why?
Undoubtedly the most influential person on my life in the SCA was Master Gregory Finche. Gregory brought me into the SCA, taught me how to fence, and guided me along the path to where I am today. But more than that he taught me Honor, Dignity, Chivalry, and the responsibility that were all lacking in my life. Gregory made Frasier the man he is, and I can never thank him enough for that.
Could you share with us a moment – or several moments – that describe what makes the SCA special for you?
One morning, many years ago when Great Northeastern War was at the horse farm on the coast, I woke up very early one morning to heed nature’s call. On my way back to my camp, I heard something. I thought I could make it out but wasn’t completely sure what it was. I followed the sound and the further I went the more clear it became that it was bagpipes. This particular morning was very foggy, being right on the ocean. The closer I got the clearer the pipes became until I finally saw what was going on. Someone from camp was standing, facing the ocean, piping out to the sea in the fog. Had I not seen this I would never have believed it possible, the moment was truly right out of a movie, and yet there it was. Moments like that are what make the Society so special for me.