By Tom Thompson
As Society of Creative Anachronism members prepare for mock medieval battles Sunday at Erickson Playfield in Port Angeles, donning a steel helmet with multiple dents isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“It means the helmet is doing what it’s supposed to do — provide protection,” said Steve Mitchell of Port Angeles.
Mitchell goes by the SCA name of “Esteban.”
Members of the An Tir Kingdom from Port Townsend to Neah Bay assembled Sunday to practice battle skills as they prepare for a regional event scheduled for Saturday at Gardiner Community Center from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Most will wear period costumes from the 13th century through the Italian Renaissance in the 16th century.
Members also take on names like Andrea Mason, who goes by “Edana,” Robert Davisson of Neah Bay, who calls himself “Robert O’More of Leix,” and Keith Vance of Agnew. who uses “Althon.”
Practice battles are regulated by an honor system. When one of the many weapons used in combat strikes an opponent, the opponent then “loses” the use of the arm or he or she drops to one knee if the blow goes to a leg.
