Las Cruces-raised man impales himself on lance during performance

A Medieval knight re-enactor died in Northern Kentucky this past weekend after he impaled himself with his lance during a performance.

Peter Barclay, 52, of Virginia, was performing at the Society for Creative Anachronism event in Williamstown, Kentucky, on Saturday when he died, according to Cincinnati TV station WLWT. He performed under the name "Master Terafan Greydragon." 

John Barclay, his brother, said in a Facebook post that the accident happened "when his metal-tipped lance, used for catching rings (not jousting), hit the ground and flipped."

Barclay's brother said the lance hit him in the sternum and impaled him. He died while being airlifted to a nearby hospital. 

John Barclay said his brother was raised in Las Cruces and graduated from New Mexico State University. 

The Hamilton County Coroner's office confirmed that Peter Barclay was brought to University of Cincinnati Medical Center from a renaissance fair in Grant County on Saturday.

Chief Administrator Andrea Hatten said an autopsy has not been completed and did not comment on the cause of death. His death is listed as an accident. 

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The Society for Creative Anachronism, an organization dedicated to researching and recreating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe, released a statement regarding the accident:

"The Society’s Equestrian Marshal, Master Terafan Greydragon, died while competing in an equestrian game at an SCA event in Kentucky. We have reached out to Terafan’s family to express our support for them at this moment of loss. We ask that Terafan and his family be held in your hearts."

The Society for Creative Anachronism said it would be conducting an investigation to see how to prevent an accident like in the future.

SCA master

John Barclay said his brother was a regional equestrian master for SCA and next year would have ascended in the organization to the title of worldwide equestrian grand marshal.

John said the family has been inundated with well wishes from those who knew Peter because of SCA.

"We don't have a funeral date set, but we'll likely have two. One a small, family event and another celebration for SCA," John said. "I guarantee there will be thousands all over the world who come for that."

Peter had been involved with SCA for "30-some-odd" years, his brother said. John suspected his brother's interest in the group took hold after college. Peter graduated from NMSU in May 1986 with a bachelor’s in computer science, the university confirmed.

John said his brother was in ROTC at NMSU and joined the US Army after college. Peter was stationed in England for four years following college and, after a few years back in the States, was sent to a base in Germany for four years.

"He did Medieval trips throughout Europe," John said.

Peter returned to the United States, retired as a lieutenant colonel and then worked as a contractor for the U.S. Army. At the time of his death, he owned a stable. where he boarded horses, in northern Virginia, John said.

For a time, John and Peter owned Cobblestone Brewery in Virginia. Peter was an award-winning brewer who honed his craft in Germany, his brother said. 

"Everything Peter touched, he was very successful," John said.

Raised in Las Cruces

Peter Barclay attended Valley View Elementary, Zia Junior High and Las Cruces High School. He graduated high school in 1982, a year earlier than he should have, "because he skipped a grade; he was very smart," John Barclay said.

Peter is survived by his wife, Deborah Barclay, and daughters Amy and Taryth; his older brother John and younger brother Charles Barclay; and his father, Jack Barclay.

Jack still lives in Las Cruces and is active in fraternal organizations, John said.

Peter Barclay was cremated on Wednesday and the family is planning his funeral, his brother said.

Las Cruces Sun-News News Director Lucas Peerman contributed to this story.

Sarah Brookbank from the Cincinnati Enquirer contributed reporting. Thomas Novelly: tnovelly@courierjournal.com, 502-582-4465. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/tomn.