Tivar Moondragon

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OP - [1]

--Vyolante 18:34, 21 May 2010 (UTC)

Please visit: https://moondragon.info for more information.

Populace Provided Information

Angelina Francesca de Nardi

I first met Tivar Moondragon at Falkenstein Castle for my first Queen's Champion. I wondered about the first White Scarf of Ansteorra as he stood there in his classic red assemble and pumpkin pants. He demeanor was quiet, dignified, and gracious. He gave me a tour of the grounds as we walked an talked for about an hour. Tivar is someone who makes your feel like you've known him for years. He is a prime example of how one would expect someone who not just recreates but lives the dream would act.

Robin of Gilwell

I technically met Chris Zakes on a Tuesday afternoon in August 1973, our first week at Rice University, when we each independently joined the Rice Fencing Club. But neither of us really remembers the other from that day.

Three days later, on Friday afternoon, I was walking home from my last class. After passing the library, I went just past the covered walkway, when I heard a voice Above me. “Hello there.”

I looked up, and he was sitting in a tree. “Why are you sitting in a tree? I asked.

“Why not?”

The logic was compelling and inescapable, and I climbed up to join him. He and I (and eventually Claire Rimlinger) spent every Friday afternoon in that tree. (He was there for four years. In my sophomore year, I started working on Friday afternoons.)

In December 1973, we fought our first duel, at midnight at the Sallyport, the last day of classes that semester.

We choreographed a few fights in the next couple of years, and basically got to know each other.

Then in 1975, we met somebody who told us about the SCA. It sounded fascinating. Chris went to an event that weekend. [I couldn’t go; I was working with the Rice Players.] He jumped in. My first contact was a baronial meeting, and I wasn’t excited by it.

So Chris (now called Tivar) got active, and soon wrote rules for fencing, then called Swashbuckling. He also started the Legion of Swashbucklers, where all the swashbucklers swore to protect the Queen, based on the Elizabethan Cult of Gloriana.

His commitment to the Legion of Swashbucklers and the Cult of Gloriana was so complete, and so iconic, that for many years, dozens of fencers repeated the oath with his exact words, “I, Tivar Moondragon, …”

Swashbuckling wasn’t popular early on. Heavy fighters complained that swashbucklers were people who wanted to be called fighters without being hit. So Tivar became a heavy fighter, and encouraged other early fencers to do the same. He didn’t keep it up, and was never awarded for it, but one of the young fencers who started fighting heavy at Tivar’s suggestion went on to become a founding Centurion. And one of Tivar’s cadets became a knight.

In a Principality split by politics, Tivar got along with everybody. He received a Queen’s Grace from Willow and a Queens Glove from Tessa. (Only people who were there then can really understand how incredible that is.) One of his rules was this. “Someone who disagrees with you is not necessarily your enemy. Someone who agrees with you is not necessarily your friend.”

When I got active in 1978, I tried to get swashbuckling started in the Steppes. The local knight marshal, Master Lloyd, was dead set against it, because nobody here could make it safe. Then I told him that Tivar and I fenced together, and his objections vanished completely.

But I still had difficulty getting people interested, until Tivar came up for a Twelfth Night, and fenced with me at fighter practice on Sunday. Suddenly I had a half dozen recruits.

By 1979, Prince Simonn and Princess Tessa established the Order of the Cavalier, for swashbucklers. There was no question at all who should be the first one, and it was Tivar. The symbol of the Order was a White Scarf worn on the left arm.

Then there was no way to make a second Cavalier, since one requirement was to be the equal of the current member(s) – and nobody was Tivar’s equal.

Soon we were a kingdom, and all principality orders but one were closed. The Cavalier was superseded by the White Scarf of Ansteorra, and it started to grow. How did we get people who were worthy enough? The second, fourth, sixth, ninth, and thirteenth White Scarves were all Tivar’s cadets.

In 1987, Outlands wanted a White Scarf order, and needed our permission to use the name. So a heraldic letter of permission to conflict was written, in the form of a treaty. Then in 1991, Trimaris wanted to join. Eventually there were 13 kingdom orders of the White Scarf.

Ansteorra wasn’t the first place to start SCA fencing, but it was the first place where it really became accepted, and it’s the birthplace of the White Scarf. And a large part of the reason was Tivar Moondragon. If you fence in the SCA, and you are accepted by your kingdom for it, then part of the reason is Tivar. If you wear a White Scarf (or a red one) then a large part of the reason is Tivar.

His lessons were always, clear, straightforward, and usually ended with a positive note. “There will always be some people who can do some things on the field that you just can't. Don't worry about it, work on your basics and have some double-stuff Oreos.”

Because he was so important to fencing, it’s easy to forget that his influence went well beyond that one area. His cadets have become part of every peerage circle -- a knight, three Laurels, a Pelican, a White Collar, and a Rose.

I could keep writing this forever. He and I have been friends for 47 years. But it’s already too long.

The next newcomer you meet will never know Tivar Moondragon – except through you. Tell people how SCA fencing grew. Tell them who taught us to fence well, to fit into our kingdoms, to love our Queens. Better yet – show them.

Ask every person if he's heard the story
And tell it strong and clear if he has not
That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory
Called Camelot

Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment
That was known as Camelot

Delphina de Champeaux

As others have done I would like to share a memory of how Don Tivar impacted my life. This happened a long time ago, I think that Alisha was Queen for her second reign. Sides were being chosen and each White Scarf was to choose in order of elevation.

In my history, I was always chosen last for teams, or next to last, and I was terrified that this day would be a repeat of history. I was cadet to Don Etienne at the time so I had hope that I wouldn't be standing alone at the end.

I didn't think that the majority of White Scarves even knew my name, much less that Tivar knew it. But I was chosen first (or second, I vaguely remember that there were two chosen first). My heart took flight! To be known and picked by a man who I admired (that everyone admired) so much was an amazing feeling that I will hold dear to me forever.

Myfanwy Ferch Eifion

Today the Society, Ansteorra, and the Barony of Bryn Gwlad lost a great man. Don Tivar Moondragon was instrumental in forming rapier combat in the Society. Don Tivar Moondragon was a Pelican who never stopped helping with everything he was able - set up, clean up, serving, hauling, tearing down, etc. However, I would like to speak as a former baroness of Bryn Gwlad. In this role, I always knew that I could trust Tivar to speak truth, to give counsel, and to support the decisions made. He will be missed. My love to his lady and his family.