ord Barnabas of White Waters ord Barnabas of White Waters  |
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urriculum Vitae
nterests and Skills
usic: I built an Irish wire-strung harp in the
spring/summer of 1986. I had very few tools at the time, and was able to
take on this project only with the use of the woodshop of the physics
department of Notre Dame University, for which I am indebted to Christopher
Friedman. 
ver the past 12+ years, I have been learning
to play this ancient instrument. My skills would be much improved with more
practice! I have played for SCA events, weddings, and at least one Renaissance
festival. My wife Dubheasa sings soprano, and has
accompanied me in some folk songs. She has also been head of the Sacred Stone
Choir for a time. 
oodworking: Some of my projects fall under more than one heading.
In addition to the harp, I have made many more things from wood, including folding
tables and chairs, a carving or two, a model trebuchet, and turned bowls, cups, plates,
and spoons. I have a dedicated workshop now, instead of working out of a cardboard box!hain mail: A marvelous way to pass the time, and a craft that doesn't
require a lot in the way of equipment. You need wire, an iron rod to wind rings on, a wire
cutter (actually, you go through quite a lot of these...) and two pairs of pliers. If you
are really obsesses, you can even rivet the ends of all your links together! I made a full
mail coiffe out of copper wire, which won a novice Armouring competition at Sea Wars.
rchery: I have practiced both target and combat archery, the second of
which is allowed in the Kingdom of Atlantia. I was inducted into the Order of Yeomen of the
Barony of the Sacred Stone after placing first in a combat archery competition. I also was
present at the invention of the Dalassar Maneuver: if you use up all your arrows, draw your
bow anyway to fool the other fighters. For awhile, anyway...
hose who practice the Art of Archery also go through quite a few arrows,
so I have learned how to make and repair them also.inemaking: Last year we had an abundance of figs to dispose of. I hit
upon the solution of making the little guys into wine. In the process of looking for bottles,
I discovered 6 bottles of Blackberry Mead that had been forgotten in the basement 5 years ago!
It was very gratifying to find out what comes to those who wait...this year's crop is not good
yet, but I HAVE gotten some more blackberries!
ecent and Current Projectshe aforemention trebuchet, repairing 2 dozen arrows, and construction of
this Web site. Be sure to visit my personal site,
Bard's Haven.
ales and Recollectionsany of my fondest memories of the SCA have to do with Andoverians, even
before Dubheasa and I were asked to join the household. One of the best occurred at the wedding
of Myrrh Lyon to Liam McAyliffe. I was put in charge of the Quest. Myrrh had been abducted by
the Sidhe, and the object was to find out where they took her, what to do to get her back, and
how to release her from their glamourie. The solution was to blow a horn by the lake, and Erik
and I would then row her across in a boat. Saturday was very cold, and he and I had to deliver
the boat to the landing across the lake from the boathouse. We set off in the rowboat, which did
not have oars, but PADDLES, into the teeth of a cold wind, and THEN IT BEGAN TO SNOW!!! So no
****, there we were ... two companions challenging the elements, to make the Quest the best that
it could be. (Okay, so I AM weird...)hought for the Day
lazon: Per chevron throughout vert and sable, a chevron rayonny throughout
and a harp Or.
arp of the North! that mouldering long has hung
On the witch-elm that shades Saint Fillan's spring,
And down the fitful breeze thy numbers flung,
Till envious ivy did around thee cling,
Muffling with verdent ringlet every string, ---
O minstrel Harp, still must thine accents sleep?
Mid rustling leaves and fountains murmuring,
Still must thy sweeter sounds their silence keep,
Nor bid a warrior smile, nor teach a maid to weep?
Not thus, in ancient days of Caledon,
Was thy voice mute amid the festal crowd,
When lay of hopeless love, or glory won,
Aroused the fearful, or subdued the proud.
At each according pause, was heard aloud
Thine ardent symphony sublime and high !
Fair dames and crested chiefs attention bow'd
For still the burden of thy minstrelsy
Was Knighthood's dauntless deed, and Beauty's
matchless eye.
O wake once more! how rude soe'er the hand
That ventures o'er thy magic maze to stray ;
O wake once more ! though scarce my skill command
Some feeble echoing of thine earlier lay
Though harsh and faint, and soon to die away,
And all unworthy of thy nobler strain,
Yet if one heart throb higher at its sway,
The wizard note has not been touch'd in vain.
Then be silent no more ! Enchantress, wake again !
-- prelude to Canto the First of "The Lady of the Lake,",
by Sir Walter Scott
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