Society for Creative Anachronism Marshal Peter Barclay Killed After Impaled By Own Lance

WILLIAMSTOWN, KY. (THECOUNT) — Peter Barclay, a long time Mashal with The Society for Creative Anachronism, as died in a freak accident while participating in an event in Williamstown, Kentucky.

Virginia resident, Barclay, 53, was fatally injured by his own lance at a SCA event in Williamstown, Kentucky, while competing in an equestrian game, NBC Washington reports.

Barclay, aka, Master Terafan Greydragon, was reportedly fatally injured while taking part in the competition that involves retrieving a paper plate off the ring floor with the 7-foot lance.

A decorated military veteran, accomplished equestrian, and popular Medieval Knight Reenactor, Barclay was airlifted to a hospital but died en route.

His brother, John Barclay, said in a Facebook post that the accident happened when Barclay’s metal-tipped lance, which was not used for jousting, “hit the ground and flipped,” fatally impaling him under the sternum in a “freak accident,” the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. source

The SCA, which has more than 30,000 members and specializes in recreating medieval warfare, says it is investigating the accident. Society president John Fulton tells the Washington Post that Barclay—a recently retired Army lieutenant colonel—was a “consummate expert” and active member of the group who had been taking part in similar events for more than 30 years.