Master of Defence, Don, Guildmaster
Group
Ildhafn (Auckland, NZ)
Contact Details
PH: +64 21 374488
Email: Matthew_Mole@yahoo.co.nz
Library
Practically everything published on Western Martial arts from the middle ages to early 20th Century classical fencing.
No, really, my library is huge!
Research Interests
All Italian Martial Arts, Spanish Rapier, German Rapier, English Rapier and Short Sword.
Teaching Speciality
Italian, Spanish, English and German Rapier 1570 to 1620 from Scholar to Provost level. Getting new Rapier Groups going from a standing start.
History
It was a dark and stormy night, but Emrys Tudur was a man used to being rained on. Emrys has been in re-enactment in one form or another since the early 1980s in England, mainly with the Sealed Knot and other English Civil War groups. Having moved to New Zealand, Emrys became part of the newly founded Shire of Ildhafn and has been here ever since. Emrys co-launched Rapier in the Crescent Isles along with William de Cameron. At this time the Shires and Baronies of New Zealand were in debate to decide if they would stay with Caid or move to the soon to be formed Kingdom of Lochac. So with this in mind, William and Emrys hedged their bets, with William making contacts and authorising in Lochac and Emrys doing the same in Caid. Since then both have been involved with the Western Martial Arts movement in New Zealand, which has allowed us to learn and teach a more period style, which we have continued to do to this day. Emrys travels on business regularly and takes his rapier gear along at every opportunity to teach or just fight.
On the 6th of November AS XXXIX (2004), Their Royal Majesties Draco and Serena did elevate Emrys Tudur to the Lochac Company of Archers.
On Sunday the 5th of February ASXXXX (2006), at Canterbury Faire, Scholar Emrys Tudwr, sponsored by Guildmaster ibn Jelal, did play his Journeyman’s Prize in the following weapons: rapier and buckler; rapier and parrying gauntlet; and rapier and dagger. The candidate was examined by Journeyman Luan an Fael, Provost Somerled of Redcliffe, and Guildmaster ibn Jelal. Upon due consideration his examiners did declare him successful, and elevated him to the rank of Journeyman.
On Friday the 6th of April ASXXXXI (2007), at Rowany Festival, Journeyman Emrys Tudur, sponsored by Guildmaster ibn Jelal, did play his Provost’s Prize in the following weapons: Rapier; Rapier and Dagger; Rapier and Cloak; Rapier and Rotella; and Rapier and Baton. The candidate was examined by Provost Owain Cantor ap Hughe, Provost Diccon Shorthand, Provost Gregory Tortouse de Sloleye, Guildmaster Francois Henri Guyon, Guildmaster Caleb Adolphous and Guildmaster Angus Galbraith. His examiners did agree that the Journeyman had most successfully played the Prize and did acknowledge and elevate him to the rank of Provost.
On the 22nd of March AS XLII (2008), during some fearsome rain, Their Royal Majesties Berengar and Bethan did elevate Emrys Tudur to the Order of the White Scarf of Lochac. The scarf given to Don Emrys was the scarf received by Don Aylwin from Don Dameon who received it from HRM Britta, Queen of Ansteorra. Due to the fearsome rain, he is forever known as Rain Don!
On Sunday the 31st of March AS XLVII (2013) the Body of Guildmasters, did issue leave and licence to Provost Emrys Tudor, to play his Guildmasters Prize against all Guildmasters in their subtle mystery at these weapons, viz Sword & Buckler, Longsword, Rapier & Cloak, Case of Rapier, Rapier & Parrying Gauntlet, Rapier & Dagger, and Rapier. Said Provost was present upon the field at Rowany Festival at the allotted time on Sunday afternoon, and was examined by Guildmasters ibn Jelal, Owain Cantor ap Hughe, Dameon Greybeard, Henry Fox, Silfren the Singer, Caleb Adolphus and William Blackwood. After due consideration, his examiners did decide that the Prize had been achieved, and did elevate Emrys to the rank of Guildmaster. The new Guildmaster was presented in Court to our Patrons Felix & Eva, Crown of Lochac, where he did receive Guildmaster ibn Jelal’s black scarf as a symbol of his new rank.
On the 19th of January, AS LI (2017), Their Royal Majesties Ariston and Lilavati did recognise their subject Emrys Tudor, and did elevate him to the Order of Defence as one of the Masters of the Order. The collar he received was from William de Cameron, who received it as one of the original collars made for the founding of the Order.