Archives of the 2006 Season 

Events for the weekend of May 27, 28 and 29th, Memorial Day weekend

This was an event filled weekend. Saturday started off with a Royal Guard group photo. Then His Grace, Lord Charles Brandon swore us all with the official oath of the Royal Guard. He also extended a heart-felt thanks for our services in faith and in sooth. Whether we know it or not, our very presence at the faire does make their Majesties safer, even if we are not called on to throw ourselves in harms way. Just the show of numbers of green sashes surrounding our Royals is enough to deter most threats. Also, he stated that "once you are a guard, you are always a guard." So if you take a year or so off, or decide to join cast, or move to another state and can never visit Scarborough again, it doesn't matter. Once you are a member of the Royal Guard family, you will forever and always be a guard.
Sunday was "The Day of Wrong." Several people were not dressed as they should be. Strange events occurred all over the city! The Mayor was promoted and Lord Banks, the tax collector was running for Mayor vs such people as Mumsy of the Cross Keys and at one point I had heard that there was a goat in the running! Sir Matthew pulled a prank on his Majesty by referring to him as "Her" Majesty! Although he did survive this, how we aren't quite sure. Also, somehow I find this appropriate, but there were officer promotions abounding. The Captain is now Major, the Commander is now Captain, the Sargant-Major is now Commander and the Ensign is now Lieutenant! Ok say that 3 times fast. For their new titles, see the officers page. Also, it has been announced that our former Captain, Sir Charles, will be taking a year off on assignment for His Majesty in other parts of the realm. He will be missed.
Memorial Day. This is always the most emotional day of the year for many reasons. This year went well with 100 total guard, Scots, French and English all together. Captain Marga and Curran had the brilliant idea to measure people's weaponry before we started so we formed up groups according to weapon length in a fairly organized manor. We all marched, blades displayed in a gorgeous tribute to our vets. I knew we were blessed when the scorching day was relieved when during the march, the heavens opened up and gifted us with a nice shower. The speeches given post parade are always stirring and emotional. One in particular got me when one veteran stated that last season he was overseas but he was comforted by the memory of seasons before where we had marched on Memorial Day in his and his fellow servicemen's honor. He said that it was traditions like this on Memorial Day that got him through. So just know that the typically hot and blazing heat, the extreme concentration on marching instead of strutting, the arms aching from holding a weapon extended for the long march all is very truly worth it. I'm proud of each and every one of us!
And with that we closed the 2006 season of Scarborough. Many of us went around the park thanking people and saying our good byes. This is usually a bittersweet time for most people. We all long for blessed sleep next Saturday but know we will miss seeing our friends. But we have to take heart in the fact that there will be events planned to get together with our guard bretheren throughout the year and it's up to all of us to try to maintain those relationships and camaraderie through these events, parties and through our newsgroup. Thank you all again for a wonderful season! Until next year!

Events for the weekend of May 20 & 21st, Pirate weekend

This weekend was even hotter than previous weekends, but of course we knew it would be. This weekend also saw the marriage of our very own Captain Richmond to the Lady Laura. Already married insooth, this just officially ended Sir Charles' bachelorhood. The other events this weekend involved announcements for final weekend, including a group photo on Saturday, a swearing in ceremony also on Saturday, an officer exchange involving myself and Captain Dare going over to the Scots for the day AND a bit with Noobler the Gnome on Saturday at 3 o'clock. See the upcoming events for details.

Events for the weekend of May 13 & 14, Mother's Day

The main highlight of this weekend was of course the Knight Ceremony on Sunday. The King and the Queen personally touched shoulders of every single guard member thus allowing them to use the titles of Sir or Dame. It was a very personal touch and a wonderful tribute to the Guard. Also, Sir Matthew was knighted on behalf of all the Guard that were in absentia so that even if you were not able to be present and are currently in the Guard, you are entitled to use the Sir or Dame titles as well. After the ceremony it was a rousing run to catch the parade. After all, we did need our exercise eh? :)

Events for the weekend of April 22 and 23

Ok yet another warmish weekend, but this is Texas after all. This weekend seemed to be a weekend of opposites. Several people were sporting new garb and/or new characters all together! The Chief and I were no exception. I can't accurately report all the goings on of the guard because this past weekend, I was a court lady! Ok for those of you that asked, no we didn't lose a bet. We were doing it for pure shock value and we succeeded. Saturday we had a returning officer amongst the ranks. Sir Vincent Montcreiffe, one of the very first commissioned officers of the Royal Guard reprised his role for his country. It was nice to see him in person, since before now all we had was a portrait on the officers page to recognize him by. We do hope he returns again!

Events for the weekend of April 15 and 16

Can we say HOT HOT HOT? The weather was particularly warm for this early in the season but the die hards were still out in force!

Sir Adrian spearheaded a campaign to amuse our Scottish compadres by making them their own Shantytown after being displaced from their Scotty Cotty home. Here are the details of that mission as told by Cpl. Wolfgang.

After finally coaxing the recalcitrant Scots over to their new home, Sir Adrian made the presentation as I pointed out the details. They could not stop laughing, especially when I showed them the abundance of taverns and pasture lands. Sir Lawrence had drawn doors and windows on several of the boxes, and with haste, we stuck rocks inside before we set them up so the wind wouldn't blow them away. The Scots were curious, and probably terrified, as we carried the boxes over before parade and carefully set them up. The "village" actually looked quite nice, especially if you stepped back a few paces.

Wolfgang

For Easter Sunday we were fewer in number, but strong in spirit. In celebration of the holiday, most of the cast guard attended Their Majesties at the Easter Church service, leaving the non-commissioned officers in command of the guard. And if I might brag for one moment, we held our own I believe. Lunch on Sunday was rather amusing when our good King decided to sprawl out upon is great cloak on the ground and take a nap! What a sight it was to see to see the King curled up like a baby, with a folded-up table cloth as a pillow, surrounded by guards fanning him gently and all the while the good Serjeant-Major singing him a sweet lullaby. Just when you thought you'd seen it all.

First weekend April 8 and 9 events

A lot of this weekend was acclimating back in to our routines. Most of us weren't use to spending an entire day in the sun and the resulting fatigue and sunburn proves it. But all in all the weekend went quite well. The guard tent has found a new home next to the castle and across from the former Scotty Cotty. Opening day we were over 90 strong! We had good weather and lots of good folks! Parade went wonderfully as usual, but the introduction of horses from the joust made us watch our steps! The officers created some formal rules for the guard, which I will post under the "Who We Are" section of the page.

Most notably, we added 2 new cast guards this year. Corporal Sir Matthew Sharpe was promoted to the rank of Sargent Major and joining him is his son Ensign Sir Reginald Sharpe. Congratulations to you both!

Home Page | Who We Are| History, Customs and Manners|Events

Our History | Members Photos | Halberdiers | Links

Guard Duties | Contact Us