In the Beginning - how I met King Arthur

I had come upon an address for the Loyal Arthurian Warband newsletter in a FIN (Free Information Newsletter) and thought I'd get in touch, so I sent an introductory letter, publicity materials and SAE to them. I do a lot of this sort of thing and sometimes you get speedy replies, which lead on into new and exciting friendships or outlets for your work, and other times you hear no more. It can be very hit or miss but this adds to the thrill and appeal of it all.

King Arthur briefly described the different degrees of knighthood in his order and went on to tell me that a good way to find out more was to tune in to a documentary soon to be aired on Radio 4. I made a mental connection to the radio show I had just been on and I do have a personal interest in and belief that syncronicities, like this are some form of signpost system for us to pay heed to.

The rest of the programme followed Arthur on his quest to get to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice and was a very informative and enjoyable piece of radio detailing the adventures of the King and his followers. It includes a bit about a bunch of squatters from the ranks of Arthur's order, whom he left behind with instructions to occupy Winchester Cathedral in protest at the authorities stopping druids from attending their cathedral at Stonehenge.

This story in itself, as an example of the King and the Warband in action appealed to my sense of adventure as well as making a very good point. After hearing the documentary and after finding that I already had some personal connection with the King and his druid order via Pixi, I decided that I definitely should get far more involved and I wrote and told King Arthur my decision.

Apparently Sky TV had approached Arthur with a view to making a programme about reincarnation in which they wanted to feature him and a bit about his supporters. If Pixi and I so desired we could be publicly knighted at a suitable location of our choosing, to be included in the finished documentary.

I knew that all this seemed right for me, and also, that I was happy to take on the titles of "Quest Knight and Bard" to the Loyal Arthurian Warband. I was already a bard, being a poet, singer / songwriter and performer and Quest Knight, too, felt suitable because I see life as a quest in any case. I had no knowledge of a past life with Arthur so couldn't resume my "true and former name" as a "Shield Knight" but I do believe in reincarnation and agreed with what his order stands for, so this is what I told him.

Pixi, too, agreed to take the same titles and we settled on Tinkinswood Burial Chamber as the chosen location where the ceremony would take place. There has been a certain magical thread running through this story so far, a mystical connection, and both Pixi and myself have a great affinity for the site we had chosen, having spent a lot of time there in the past. We had often gone there for a bit of an outdoor party as well as for more serious contemplation and it is a place that is very popular with local pagans, set as it is in a tranquil field a few miles out of the bustling city.

But I am going to close this chapter here and I'll tell you all about what went on at our knighting ceremonies again. It was to be another outdoor party but one that is not easily forgotten!

Footnote: From a book I started writing about King Arthur and the Loyal Arthurian Warband.

For more info on King Arthur and his druid order: http://www.warband.org.uk/

Copyright © 2012 Steve Andrews. All Rights Reserved.