Drumming For A King

I did something really fun yesterday - I played drum for a king.

For those of you who aren't familiar, in the Middle Kingdom of the SCA (where I live) a new king is chosen by right of arms (i.e., he wins a crown tournament) every six months, and he and his queen take over the office at a coronation ceremony. (that's slightly simplified, but it'll do for now).

Yesterday was the coronation of Their Royal Majesties Eikbrandr and Runa, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Some time ago the Dread Reverend (aka Lord Robin) became involved with a bardic group in the area, who happened to be involved in the hosting of the coronation, and he got invited to drum for the king's procession. He in turn invited me, and so, yesterday, we did. At the coronation ceremony, when it was time for the new king to enter, we two, along with two others, drummed a fine march. It was so cool ... we got to be up in the loft (i.e., the musician's gallery), where we could see everything.

I have some pictures to post. The coronation was held at St. Stanislaus church in Cleveland, which is an unbelievably beautiful, beautiful place.

This one's a little fuzzy, because I had the camera on super-zoom to get it, and no tripod, but it's kind of cool - it's when the new king is putting the crown on the new queen.

I had never been to a coronation before, but it was quite fun and interesting.

Every time I go to a really cool SCA event, it renews my interest in the whole thing ... I think it's time for me to look into making some new garb.