RIP Rannveigr
Last night the Kingdom of AEthelmearc lost one of the finest of its many great ladies, Viscountess Rannveigr Haakonardottir, O.P., O.L.
I've known Rannveigr from the day she joined the SCA. She was a med student then, and immediately jumped into the chirurgeonate with both feet even though it was a brand new idea with few guidelines and, strangely in hindsight, quite a lot of resistance from the fighting community. At the time, fighters got angry when chirurgeons told them they really should step off the field of battle after a serious injury. The fighters saw them as a threat. Rannveigr navigated those choppy waters with gentility and grace, and eventually the fighters who appreciated her ministrations began to see the wisdom of her advice.
In my earlier days in the SCA, Rannveigr was the person I turned to whenever I autocratted an event to serve as chirurgeon in charge. I knew she would make sure any boo-boos were bandaged and hurts salved, whether a cook cut a finger or a fighter got a concussion. I could always rely on her to handle everything with diplomacy, efficiency, and most of all, kindness.
For many years she was one of the foundations of Chirurgeon's Point at Pennsic. Self-effacing, hard-working, compassionate and caring but with a dry sense of humor, she was what every injured person who found their way there needed. Hers was the quiet voice of reassurance that everything would be ok.
She and her husband, Viscount Sir Alexander Caithnes, were the second [correction: third] Prince and Princess of the Principality of AEthelmearc. They embodied nobility and grace, and I rejoiced at their reign. I was Sylvan Signet at the time and could not have asked for better royalty to serve. As one would expect, they were efficient, gracious and generous.
In more recent years Rannveigr became known as a scholar of the Viking era, and a promoter of the equestrian arts along with Sir Alexander. Without the two of them, there would have been no equestrian program in AEthelmearc.
She just received her Laurel in November. I had wanted to be there but was still sick with the aftermath of swine flu that dogged me through late October and early November, so I missed it. I had figured I would give her a hug and congratulations when next I saw her. Now that won't happen.
No one had any inkling she was ill until after Christmas.
I mourn for her, and for the terrible loss suffered by her husband, son and daughter. May they find joy and peace in her memory.
I've known Rannveigr from the day she joined the SCA. She was a med student then, and immediately jumped into the chirurgeonate with both feet even though it was a brand new idea with few guidelines and, strangely in hindsight, quite a lot of resistance from the fighting community. At the time, fighters got angry when chirurgeons told them they really should step off the field of battle after a serious injury. The fighters saw them as a threat. Rannveigr navigated those choppy waters with gentility and grace, and eventually the fighters who appreciated her ministrations began to see the wisdom of her advice.
In my earlier days in the SCA, Rannveigr was the person I turned to whenever I autocratted an event to serve as chirurgeon in charge. I knew she would make sure any boo-boos were bandaged and hurts salved, whether a cook cut a finger or a fighter got a concussion. I could always rely on her to handle everything with diplomacy, efficiency, and most of all, kindness.
For many years she was one of the foundations of Chirurgeon's Point at Pennsic. Self-effacing, hard-working, compassionate and caring but with a dry sense of humor, she was what every injured person who found their way there needed. Hers was the quiet voice of reassurance that everything would be ok.
She and her husband, Viscount Sir Alexander Caithnes, were the second [correction: third] Prince and Princess of the Principality of AEthelmearc. They embodied nobility and grace, and I rejoiced at their reign. I was Sylvan Signet at the time and could not have asked for better royalty to serve. As one would expect, they were efficient, gracious and generous.
In more recent years Rannveigr became known as a scholar of the Viking era, and a promoter of the equestrian arts along with Sir Alexander. Without the two of them, there would have been no equestrian program in AEthelmearc.
She just received her Laurel in November. I had wanted to be there but was still sick with the aftermath of swine flu that dogged me through late October and early November, so I missed it. I had figured I would give her a hug and congratulations when next I saw her. Now that won't happen.
No one had any inkling she was ill until after Christmas.
I mourn for her, and for the terrible loss suffered by her husband, son and daughter. May they find joy and peace in her memory.