OB man immerses self in more chivalric times

Yes, m’lady, chivalry is alive and well. Just ask Scott Mallory. Mallory, a jeweler by trade, works at the Golden Seashell in Ocean Beach. He is also the father of two, and dons full medieval armor in his off hours to celebrate the “positive aspects” of the Middle Ages. For the last decade, he has been an active member of the Adrian Empire, a nationwide living-history organization that brings chivalric times to life through “combat,” school demonstrations and Renaissance fairs. “For us, chivalry isn’t dead in the mundane world,” Mallory says. “Integrity is not just a word. It’s a lifestyle.” He said he regularly opens doors and pulls out chairs for women, and he’s forgiving behind the wheel of his car. “Some people are surprised at my manners,” Mallory said. Mallory said he lives by the creed of which he espouses. “Be courteous to people,” he said. “Treat them with respect until they do you wrong. Don’t believe you are the most important person on the planet.” As he talks, he begins the task of putting on his 75-pound suit of armor for a photograph. Even with help, dressing in heavy padding, 16-gauge steel mail shirt and solid breast plate; leather belt; leg, arm and shoulder defenses; and a 14-gauge steel helmet takes at least 20 minutes. He crafted his own silver belt buckle, breast plate and steel gauntlets for his hands. “I can build any piece of armor you want with enough time and financial incentive,” he said. Mallory said his armor is accurate to standards of the late 14th century. “It was a whole lot easier (to suit up) when I was 40,” said the 51-year-old Mallory. “I wasn’t a fat, old guy then.” Mallory said he’s always been interested in history and medieval life. His adult son and daughter have inherited his enthusiasm and also are members of the Adrian Empire. The South San Diego and Imperial County chapter, which includes more than 100 members, calls itself the Kingdom of Terre Neuve. Mallory said the organization welcomes everyone “from infant to not-dead-yet.” He has served as minister of joust and war, organizing monthly tournaments and ensuring that everyone’s coat of armor meets group standards. Currently, he’s the crown herald, emceeing community events. Medieval fighting, he said, is a style of Western martial arts. Members of the Adrian Empire fight with swords, axes, maces and the full range of medieval weapons. On the battlefield, men and women use arrows made of fiberglass shafts and foam heads. Group members also use pole arms, “the medieval assault weapon.” He finds competition “extremely exhilarating,” adding that men stopped wearing armor “when firearms made it useless.” “Our group makes you earn your knighthood through group participation and tasks, including combat,” said Mallory. “It takes a minimum of 18 months. Mallory earned his in 2004. “Some people regard this as a game; I regard it as a lifestyle,” he said. Despite the hardships of medieval times, he said, “I think I would have done well then. I wish I were born in the early 1400s.” Unfortunately, in today’s “mundane world,” he complains, “Society spends billions telling women they are not beautiful. Wrong!” And he resents the way men are taught to treat women in order to avoid charges of sexual harassment. “You can’t compliment them on anything,” he said. So, yes, m’lady, Mallory prefers his role as “knight.” But rather than one in shining armor, he jokes, “I’m usually a knight in rusty armor.” For more information on Kingdom of Terre Neuve, visit www.kingdomofterreneuve.org.