1AM Inspiration
This is the spell checked version of what I wrote at 1am last night on Facebook.
So I really should be asleep but I’ve been smacked by one of those bolt from the blue ideas for something brilliant and fine and I need to jot it down to get it out of my head so I can sleep.
I'm developing an idea for a tourney. Not a SCA tourney, per say, not specifically a Pas, more like an emersion event. Not so much like historical reenactment of a specific time and place but rather a celebration of the Culture of Arms, the Cult of Chivalry.
I've been looking for the "next thing" to spark my imagination after we step down as baronage and I think this might be it.
I'm only a small bit ashamed to admit that the basis for this idea came from a Fantasy novel rather than a medieval source, but I’m twisting and expanding it from the original source. Several years ago Melisent and I held a private, in persona dinner party, based around the 3rd Crusade. We had wanted this to the jumping off point for an actual 12c group, Planta Genesta, but that never materialized.
I often think about what I really want out of the SCA at this point in my SCA and chivalric path and I think that what I most want is a "Best Parts" version of the SCA.
My Roses Quest was that for me, as was the Pennsic Quest a few years ago, the dinner party, the first battle of the thirty, some private deeds I have done, as well as The Tourney of the Lily last year.
Those things inspire me, drive me forward, make me want to delve deeper....
This is the jist of my thoughts to this point.
I want to invitational tourney. Five Champions will hold the field. They will have large wooden shields for a Tree of Charlemagne for the challenges to send herald forth to strike. All medieval tents, rural site. No modern BS out in sight but no clear time period per say.
Each of the five champions will be tasked with inviting five challengers. These spots must be filled and given to warriors of great worth and renown. Challengers must bear banners and be proficient with all knightly forms and attire themselves appropriately as members of the knightly class, say from Charlemagne to the Tudors.
The day would begin with an invocation and processional. A Grand Mêlée and then the first part of the day would be fought with weapons of Peace. Counted blows, matched weapons, at the barrier, in the field, what have you. Greatswords, axes, maces. Single fights or matched weapons. A lot of this. I want to see interesting fights. Five on five at the barrier with short spears, the games that Master Galleron comes up with, etc.
After a break the combat would change to Weapons of War, this would be serious combat. These challenges can only be fought as singles. Terms as agreed to by the participants. In this phase the 25 challengers would be fighting to replace the Champions in the list. I.E. if you defeat Sir John, then you stand in his place. He is done for the rest of the tourney. After an allotted time this phase will end and another Grand mêlée, perhaps at the barrier will conclude the fighting. The vanished fighters may fight in this if they wish and are still able.
All the participants will break bread together in a simple but elegant feast and we will gather as the body of chivalry and discuss who has done the most and award the prizes by firelight. Then we will gather around our cups and sing the old songs of chivalry and speak as to what is noble.
This is my vision, and my charge. I have much to ponder.
So I really should be asleep but I’ve been smacked by one of those bolt from the blue ideas for something brilliant and fine and I need to jot it down to get it out of my head so I can sleep.
I'm developing an idea for a tourney. Not a SCA tourney, per say, not specifically a Pas, more like an emersion event. Not so much like historical reenactment of a specific time and place but rather a celebration of the Culture of Arms, the Cult of Chivalry.
I've been looking for the "next thing" to spark my imagination after we step down as baronage and I think this might be it.
I'm only a small bit ashamed to admit that the basis for this idea came from a Fantasy novel rather than a medieval source, but I’m twisting and expanding it from the original source. Several years ago Melisent and I held a private, in persona dinner party, based around the 3rd Crusade. We had wanted this to the jumping off point for an actual 12c group, Planta Genesta, but that never materialized.
I often think about what I really want out of the SCA at this point in my SCA and chivalric path and I think that what I most want is a "Best Parts" version of the SCA.
My Roses Quest was that for me, as was the Pennsic Quest a few years ago, the dinner party, the first battle of the thirty, some private deeds I have done, as well as The Tourney of the Lily last year.
Those things inspire me, drive me forward, make me want to delve deeper....
This is the jist of my thoughts to this point.
I want to invitational tourney. Five Champions will hold the field. They will have large wooden shields for a Tree of Charlemagne for the challenges to send herald forth to strike. All medieval tents, rural site. No modern BS out in sight but no clear time period per say.
Each of the five champions will be tasked with inviting five challengers. These spots must be filled and given to warriors of great worth and renown. Challengers must bear banners and be proficient with all knightly forms and attire themselves appropriately as members of the knightly class, say from Charlemagne to the Tudors.
The day would begin with an invocation and processional. A Grand Mêlée and then the first part of the day would be fought with weapons of Peace. Counted blows, matched weapons, at the barrier, in the field, what have you. Greatswords, axes, maces. Single fights or matched weapons. A lot of this. I want to see interesting fights. Five on five at the barrier with short spears, the games that Master Galleron comes up with, etc.
After a break the combat would change to Weapons of War, this would be serious combat. These challenges can only be fought as singles. Terms as agreed to by the participants. In this phase the 25 challengers would be fighting to replace the Champions in the list. I.E. if you defeat Sir John, then you stand in his place. He is done for the rest of the tourney. After an allotted time this phase will end and another Grand mêlée, perhaps at the barrier will conclude the fighting. The vanished fighters may fight in this if they wish and are still able.
All the participants will break bread together in a simple but elegant feast and we will gather as the body of chivalry and discuss who has done the most and award the prizes by firelight. Then we will gather around our cups and sing the old songs of chivalry and speak as to what is noble.
This is my vision, and my charge. I have much to ponder.