What’s your SCA name?
Richard d’Allier (or as Sir Callum prefers “Ricardo Occulus Mortis”)

Which group are you in?
Southron Gaard

How long have you been involved in the SCA?
I joined in 1996 at my first year at the University of Canterbury (was the College of Reannag Fhara). I’d always wanted to try archery, but apart from having very short introductions to it at school or scout camps I hadn’t gotten into it, so it was one of the first things I really got stuck into in the SCA. I bought a bow within a year of joining the SCA and started organising practices at Uni as there weren’t any being run at the time. I rapidly got sick of spending all my time trying to find arrows in the ground so resolved to hit the target much more than miss it, and that’s what I’ve been working on ever since. I’ve only ever owned one bow and it still serves me well after 22 years. I think I might look to get another one soon (like maybe within the next 22) though. I also got into combat archery pretty rapidly as I didn’t think I’d really want to play heavy but did want to be involved with war. I still like combat archery in war but also enjoy fighting heavy in tournaments.

When were you elevated to the Lochac Company of Archers?
I was elevated by King Rowland and Queen Tailltiu at Canterbury Faire 2018. The ceremony was really fun as there had been some lead up to it with me discovering a “missing” glove on my wanderings around the event beforehand, which I dutifully returned to Baroness Angele. At the ceremony His Majesty informed me that the glove was in fact rightfully mine. It was very cool.

Baron Richard is currently the Baron of Southron Gaard, and is also a member of the Order of the Pelican.

What is your specialty?
Shooting Angele. She and I have a long standing but friendly rivalry, particularly for Thorfydd’s Arrow.

What other areas of interest do you have?
Heavy fighting, dance, wood work, running events and holding offices are my other main things in the SCA.

What’s your favourite archery event or competition?
I prefer simple, long format shoots. Novelty shoots are ok, but at the end of the day archery is about hitting what you want over and over again. I particularly enjoyed a wand shoot at Canterbury Faire 2017 which involved progressively increasing the range. Kings, Queens, Royal and IKAC rounds are my cup of tea. I also really enjoy war, and the Thorfydd’s arrow tournament at Canterbury Faire.