"A Challenge in Honor of a Lady" Topic

In honor of his recently deceased wife, a gentleman in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism – a Medieval Reenactment Group) issued this challenge via the kingdom's e-mail list. I thought it showed class, as well as true love. It's also one heck of a way to celebrate/commemorate a loved one:

81.
At kveldi skal dag leyfa
konu er brennd er
mæki er reyndr er
mey er gefin er
ís er yfir kømr
öl er drukkit er

The day must be praised in the evening,
a woman, when she is cremated,
a sword, when it is proven,
a maiden, when she is given away,
ice, when it is crossed,
ale, when it is drunk.

-Sayings of the Havamal

I sing praise of my wife, a woman of unsurpassed beauty, indeed the earth's bones in face of adversity. Of unending kindness she, of remarkable intellect, renowned wisdom, and skill within one hand surpassing two of other women. Her strength in facing the undeniable with honor and kindness will inspire me to the end of my days.

When the wisest diviners and brewers of potions said that she would pass from midgard within a fortnight, she did survive two, when they claimed hours, she lasted 5 more days.

She succumbed to complications of cancer on March 30th 2009 of the common reckoning, at age 29.

These are my words, I challenge any person who would deny them, any who would test my right to speak them, or who would wish to strive on the field of honor to celebrate her life . Meet me upon the Hazeled field set for this purpose at the anniversary of the Barony of the Angels (Los Angeles) in the Kingdom of Caid, Where I will endeavor to meet the blades of no less than one hundred warriors upon the twelfth day of September, 2009 of the common reckoning.

Be girded and prepared for combat under the banner of the raider ship Jormundgandr und Yggdrasil, (a field purpure, a dragon, en annulo, arrayed about a tree argent). A token of the day will be granted to all warriors who aid this endeavor to do honor to one of such strength, taken so young.

For further information, see link

I am,
THL Owain Ap Gwyllim Pengryth
Second to Sir Augustine Von Freiburg, Captain General of the armies of Caid.

Wyatt

That's very sad, and the words well spoken and honourable. I wish there was more honour and devotion in this world like that expressed above.

David S.
(Albrecht Stampfer in the SCA)