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Barony Members Enjoy Knight Shift

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By PAUL CATALA, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 2, 2008

USF CAMPUS - They meet face-to-face, swords drawn, maces in hand, shields and body armor in protective positions.

Under gray skies and a light rain, the fighters approach each other and clash in a melee, jabbing swords into opponents' sides, swinging daggers into arms and legs, whisking lances through the air.

After about two minutes, three of the eight knights are on the ground while the victorious side retreats. A few minutes later, the "dead" men on the ground get back up and congratulate their "killers."

Most Sundays, the corner of 50th Street and Holly Drive is transformed from sandy softball grounds into a British moor. For the past 10 years, the Barony of Wyvernwoode has held fighter practices there, where about 15 barony members hone their skills to protect their kingdom through heavy and light weaponry training.

The barony is part of the Society for Creative Anachronism, an organization of about 30,000 members and 19 kingdoms that, according to its Web site, is "dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th century Europe."

Observing the skirmish, Rick Bogart, Barony fight practice coordinator, pointed out the skills practiced in heavy combat and light "rapier" fighting, similar to modern-day fencing. SCA members practice the simulated fights in preparation for tournaments, he said.

Bogart, who goes by the SCA name "Silvain," said the group also engages in target archery, costuming, cooking, brewing, calligraphy, armor making, leather working, fine arts and performing arts.

A Tampa computer programmer by day, Bogart, 37, said that besides eccentric fantasy role-playing fans, the barony includes male and female doctors, teachers, mechanics and other professionals.

Standing in a fuchsia-colored robe and sandals, Bogart said that unlike other re-enactment groups, SCA members aren't required to be historically accurate, although many are.

"It's dependent on the individual. It's really what you want to get out of the society and what you want to put into it," said Bogart, who's a member with his girlfriend, Sofia "Dona Arnaz" Hussain.

The Barony Crown Tournament is held at a camp outside of DeLand, where kingdom kings and queens are chosen for six-month reigns. Knights also are awarded colored belts according to their skill ranks, similar to martial arts.

Wearing a vestment with his coat of arms and sandals, Mark Leggett, known as "Duke Sir Gunnar," explained that most of Florida, including the Barony of Wyvernwoode, is in the Kingdom of Trimaris.

Leggett, 46, who works as a Tampa financial adviser, said the barony and SCA isn't just about knights and fighting; its main emphasis is on medieval history, chivalry and arts.

Monthly meetings include classes on scrolling, sewing and glass bead making, and Leggett said prospective members are welcome to borrow other members' supplies before committing to joining.

"The whole idea is to study different aspects of medieval history by doing it," he said. "We'd rather people get out and do some of these things before getting totally involved."

Next to Leggett, as one melee finished, the fighters put down their weapons and waited to regroup. Bo Fretto of Lakeland, known as "Jarl Sir Stromek," said he took a good jab in the previous scrap. Dressed in shiny armor and grey vestment, the 41-year-old construction manager said the skirmishes and practices offer a "real rush."

"When you get into a melee, your adrenaline gets going and we go at it," he said. "But in the end, we're all friends and that's what it's all about."

For information, on the SCA or the barony, visit www.wyvernwoode.org.

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