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I am here for Networking

About Me

Lord Michael MacGowain has had a long fighting career spanning over 9 years. His interest in fighting began with his involvement in the Silverleaf Ren Faire jointly with his wife Bronwyn. He first picked up steel with the group Blue Dragons and later he and Bronwyn joined a combat group called Circle of Swords. With the Circle of Swords he refined his style, began training in heavy weaponry and also picked up Quarterstaff skills. But, Circle of Swords was based in Indiana and local interest here in Michigan began to pick up. Thus, with the help of several close friends, Michael and his wife Bronwyn founded the Swords of Valour. The Swords of Valour's original membership included Mike Smith "Michael" ,Rita Smith "Bronwyn" and their daughter Amanda Dyer "Maira MacGowain", "Miranda Guthrie", Tony Oge " Ilum Macinnes", and Mark Hunter "Wolf", and was founded in 1996. The Swords of Valour performed together with Circle of Swords for several years until we began picking up local events to perform in and decided to go independent, with the blessings of Circle of Swords, in the fall of 2000. Membership picked up rapidly and, led by Michael MacGowain and his wife Bronwyn, each new fighter was trained much the same way Michael learned himself.Currently the SOV calendar is active throughout the year and we strive to continue performing at new events and functions under the leadership and training of Michael MacGowain. A few years ago at the Western Michigan Renaissance Faire in Ludington, MI, Lord Michael MacGowain announced his retirement from active fighting duty because of a long standing injury. Michael will still remain our official leader and steel trainer.We are always looking for new members who can bring their own skills and enthusiasm to our shows and group.

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My Blog

Come see us at our first event of the year

The World of Faeries FestivalWhen: Sat and Sun, August 1-2, 2009Where: Vasa Park, Main Gate Enter on Route 31 South Elgin, IllinoisCall- (815) 788-1630 for more informationThe event takes place in the...
Posted by on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:01:00 GMT

New Addition to the SOV family

I received word yesterday that our dear Flamingo is going to be a daddy. That's right folks, a daddy. He and his wonderful wife Erin are around 6 weeks along. I will keep everyone updated on her statu...
Posted by on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:59:00 GMT

He's Home

For those of you that know him, Matt AKA Flamingo is home from Iraq. I just got the text message from him. He is safe and sound in Colorado. He will be there for about a month or so till they will let...
Posted by on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:53:00 GMT

RIP Uriah

.. --> DIV {margin:0px;} --> ..tr> Uriah Thomas Gildard Martin, 12, of Augusta, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 14, 2008 at Kalamazoo's Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was born April...
Posted by on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:31:00 GMT

News on Flamingo

I got this from his mom. I know you all would want to know.I just wanted to let you know, Matt called me ,he is in the hospital in the green zone. Dummy chopped of the end of his ring finger.He is ok...
Posted by on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:21:00 GMT

Newest steel fighter

Well folks, we now have a new steel fighter. Darken has graduated to steel. He turned 18 on February 16th and we gifted him with a sword. It is in our bylaws that when a standard bearer turns 18, they...
Posted by on Sun, 17 Feb 2008 13:24:00 GMT

Update on Flamingo 3

Well I just got the news. He will not be making it home before he leaves.  The army has cut his leave time, so he doesn't have the days to come home. Please, Please, keep him and his family in yo...
Posted by on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:54:00 GMT

Update on Flamingo Take 2

Well, he just called me and he is leaving sooner then I hoped. The earliest will be December 29th, the latest will be January 8th.  He isn't sure if he will be able to get leave to see everyone b...
Posted by on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:26:00 GMT

Update on Flamingo

This update is hard for me to type. I am having to hold back tears while I write this. But he just called me and told me that as of January, he is going to Iraq. They needed a bigger troupe and they p...
Posted by on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:59:00 GMT

Let him know we love him!!!!

Hey guys, this is Flamingo's address. Send him some mail, let's show him how much he is missed!! PVT Matt Fillio D BTRY 1/19th FA 1 PLT 402 NE South Boundary Rd. Unit D Ft. Sill, OK 73503-8013 Make s...
Posted by on Sat, 16 Sep 2006 10:26:00 GMT