Remembering Johan von Traubenberg

[alexxkay]

I can't sleep, so I'll write.

I didn't know Johan very well, but I liked what I did know of him a great deal.

He was one of my role models in how to be a Dirty Old Man. At one memorable May Day post-revel, he helped me seduce a pretty young lady. [Not that I felt I needed the help, mind you, but it was offered in a generous spirit, so how could I refuse?]

He founded The Sated Tyger inn, the first major eating establishment of the Pennsic War, and arguably the best. Hanging out and eating there improved the experience of my first Pennsic immeasurably. That gets mentioned briefly near the end of The Saga of Warrior Bus Lines. Also mentioned near the end of that story was the fact that I heard several other stories at that Pennsic of people whose travels had been more harrowing than mine. One of them was told by Johan. I'd like to share it, to the best of my memory.

The Tale of Johan and the Indentured Servant

Once there was a young man named Jack. (To tell you true, I misremember his name, but Jack is as good a name as any, so call him Jack.) One August, young Jack had a particularly bad run of luck. In the span of less than a week, he lost his job, he lost his girlfriend, and he lost his apartment. Such worldly possessions as he could save were stuffed into his car, while he tried to figure out what to do with his life. It all seemed a daunting prospect, so, given the season, he decided to put it off for a while and go to Pennsic. After all, he had nothing better to do, had he?

Jack has a pretty good trip, and makes good time, until he gets to one particular rest stop. When he comes out after his 'rest', what does he find, but that his car has been stolen, along with all his worldly goods. Seems he hasn't quite used up that run of bad luck yet. But he's still got his wallet in his pocket, with some cash and some credit cards. And he still doesn't have anything better to do. So Jack, he sticks out his thumb to hitch a ride to Pennsic.

Jack gets picked up pretty soon, which you might think was a good thing, and which he did too. At least until the driver pulled a knife on him, demanded his wallet, and dropped him off at the side of the road. Well, Jack still hasn't got anything better to do, so he sticks out his thumb again.

Pretty soon, Jack arrives at Pennsic, and he can't pay his way in. He's got nothing but the shirt on his back, and he's not being metaphorical about it. The folks at the gate are wondering what they should do, when someone gets the bright idea to fetch Johan (I told you Johan came into this story). Johan was a respected businessman, a pillar of the community; maybe he could figure out what should be done.

So a runner goes and tells Johan about poor Jack. Johan summons his scribe (as a businessman, he keeps a scribe on payroll -- you never know when you're going to need a good scribe) and heads on over to the gate. He offers Jack a deal, in fine, period fashion: how would Jack like to be Johan's indentured servant? Johan, for his part, will agree to pay his gate fee, will loan him a tent and bedding, and will buy him two sets of clothes (one for work, one for off-work). Jack, for his part, will work in The Sated Tyger, doing whatever Johan needs done, until such time as he's paid for his keep. Jack thinks that sounds like a fair deal, so the Deed Of Indenture is drawn up and witnessed in proper period fashion.

Now Johan's no philanthropist, and Jack is no freeloader. Early in the morning and late at night, Jack works hard, doing the least pleasant jobs, doing them well, and doing them with a smile on his face. And it isn't all scut-work. Sometimes, Johan sends him on very interesting, if perhaps risky, errands. For instance, delivering a letter (see? another reason to have scribe around) to a certain King, inquiring about when His Majesty's Exchequer might see fit to do something about the lamentable state of His Majesty's Tab. Everyone who was anyone ate at The Sated Tyger, so, Jack being something of a conversation piece there, he gets to meet all sorts of interesting people.

As I said, Johan's no philanthropist, but he's no slave-driver either. Jack's got enough free time to enjoy his Pennsic properly. And Jack works so hard that he does pay for his keep, and more besides. By the time the War is over, he's actually got some spending money in his pcoket. Moreover, one of the serving wenches at the Tyger took a shine to our Jack, and took the lad home with her when the War was over. Seemed like Jack's luck had finally turned around.

So that's what I think of when I think of Johan. He was always larger than life. If we remember him, maybe he'll be larger than death.

Comments

[antoniseb.livejournal.com]

I gather from this post that Johann has passed away. That's very sad, as he and I were on very friendly terms over the last twenty-five years (less lately because of my relative inactivity). Can you point me to something that discusses how he died?

[jdulac.livejournal.com]

in carolingia here

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

That's a good story -- and I could tell that it wasn't yours; not your style. So you probably did remember it well.

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure whose style it is, actually. I don't think it's Johan's, particularly. It just seemed to come out that way.

[thebeardedone.livejournal.com]

Having never known Johan, that story was one which made me sad that I never knew him. Keep telling his tales, and he will live forever in your heart.

No shit, there we were.

[light-in-motion.livejournal.com]

I first heard those words from Johan.

The story's true; I was there. It was my first Pennsic, and I was staying in Johan's spare tent and working at the Sated Tyger. Upon acquiring a Jack of his very own, Johan asked me if I minded sharing the tent with him. I wasn't too keen on the idea, but it was either that or make the poor guy sleep with the armor, so I agreed. Jack was a perfect gentleman, although he snored like a man trying to serenade the stars. He did indeed earn his keep, and both he and Johan seemed to get a kick out of his indentured servitude. Jack called Johan "Boss," Johan called him his lackey.

I haven't had any contact with Johan in years, but knowing he was out there was a warm place inside me. I'll miss his being in the world.

Re: No shit, there we were.

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing that with me.

Re: No shit, there we were.

[light-in-motion.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

Johan

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you for that remembrance. I've heard Johan tell that story many times (I don't think even HE remembered the fellow's name) and you got it right in every detail.

Johan's funeral was yesterday, and even though I organized it, I was stunned by how well-loved he was and how highly respected. People from the engineering community, the school that our sons attend, and of course the SCA spoke about him in glowing terms. Attendees flew or drove in from all over the country. The amount of love and support that my sons and I have received from the SCA has been overwhelming - last night at the wake after the funeral when the toilet started leaking, two friends (one who had driven in from New Hampshire and the other our best Scadian friend from across the street who has not left me alone for a minute all week since Johan died) went to Home Depot, got a new wax ring and replaced it for me right in the middle of the party. I've been told that a brigade of babysitters is being arranged to that I can continue singing in the Debatable Lands' Choir every Monday night. The Society is truly full of amazing and generous people.

Her Highness, Princess Tessa of AEthelmearc, told me yesterday at the funeral that she will host a party in remembrance of Johan in AEthelmearc Royal at Pennsic next year. I look forward to hearing more stories and seeing everyone lift a glass there to my wonderful husband.

I still don't know what the future holds for my sons and me, but it is an enormous comfort to know that I have so many places to turn when I need help.

Arianna of Wynthrope
(Johan's wife)

Re: Johan

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

You are most welcome.

I am glad to hear that you have so much support in this difficult time. Individuals die, but communities live on...