To understand Mike you have have some knowledge of the SCA. The Society for Creative Anachronism is a volunteer, social organization dedicated to the re-creation of the (mostly) European Middle Ages. It’s not exactly an historical reenactment group, but it’s not exactly not one either. The most immediately noticeable difference is that we don’t choreograph our fights. The weapons are wood (actually rattan; it doesn’t splinter like wood) but the armor is real and makes for a full-contact, full-speed medieval martial art. It is up to the person stricken, on personal honor, to gauge the force and accuracy of the blow hitting them and react appropriately. For those inclined, it provides an opportunity to aim for the chivalric ideal that is so often so lacking in the modern world. Mike has been recognized with numerous awards and honors but it was being dubbed a Knight of the Society that he holds most dear.