[MR] Black Kane - His memory lives on...

[Tank Mark D]

Some of you may remember me, if you were involved in SCA in the early to mid-80's. I was a member of the O'Shannon clan, half-brother of Thalgar O'Shannon, and uncle to Black Kane. I remember the Shire of Hidden Mountain when Eldon was Seneschal, prior to his installation as Baron. I left the Charleston, SC area, and the SCA, in 1988. As I shared with his squire, Jonathan Longbow, I had "planes to catch, and bills to pay"...the usual poor excuses for allowing a friendship to wither.

For many reasons small and great I never reconnected with the SCA, and in recent months my own son has gained an interest in warcraft, having constructed his own chainmail hauberk, researching plate armor and weapons craft, and asking many questions of my time in the SCA. Always when discussing my training and combat highlights, the name that would be spoken again and again was, "Black Kane O'Shannon." 

I knew Black Kane before he was Black Kane, just "Mongo", when he & I were on the same submarine. We trained together, fought together, fought over the same girl (he won that time), and caroused together. We pulled each other out of stupid situations, and you knew he was always faithful to watch your back. He was everything you have all expressed so beautifully, and I thank you for your wonderful and joyful words and memories. They help me in my own, very belated mourning, and will assist me in the celebration of his life.

You see, I learned only yesterday, 9 years after his passing, of the accident that took Syr Black Kane and Lady Muirgen's lives. I never had the honor and privilege of meeting his Lady, for despite having been terribly close (he was my SCA nephew, but was much more like a very close brother) we grew apart after I left the Charleston area (and the SCA) in 1989, and had no further contact. His stature and influence in the SCA grew, not surprisingly, and I am honored to have known him and counted him as my friend. I mourn for myself, not for him, for he had a great many souls who loved, honored, and respected him. I have read through many of the postings on the Merry Rose following his passing, and his life was rich indeed. 

Over and over, his warmth, his quick smile, his tears, his joyous outcries ("Beer Wench! More Beer!"), his strength and faithfulness on the field of battle, and above all, his genuine and powerful sense of Honor were referred to. I am far the poorer for having not shared his last few years, yet I am by far richer for having shared the time that I did with him. Today, I raise my mug high in honor of his life, his name, his legacy. Please stand with me, in Honor of Black Kane O'Shannon: King, Knight, Warrior, and Friend. May his memory live on!

Again, thank you all for your kind and gracious words for my friend and brother.

In service,
Lord Glynn-Haydn Murcheson-O'Shannon
formerly of the Barony of Hidden Mountain, Kingdom of Atlantia

Mark Tank
Instructor, Technical Training
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation
> PO Box 411
> Burlington, KS  66839
> 
620-364-8831  ext 8125