The
pinnacle of heavy weapons combat in the Kingdom of Meridies for a majority of
the fighting populace is the Meridian Grand Tournament or MGT.
In
its simplest explanation, for those who are not in the know, MGT is a daylong
series of heavy tournaments, 5 in all, held in sequence that culminates in the
Earl Richard of Rae Fen Memorial Grand Tournament at the end of that day. Each
of the tournaments throughout the day are sponsored by different orders of the
Laurel Kingdom of Meridies. The Grand Tournament is filled with the top two
finalists from each of the days challenges plus the addition of 5 chosen
competitors selected by members of the 5 peerage orders and 1 additional voted
in by the populace. I will describe these events below as I note my small part
in them. MGT is a test of endurance and skill as well as an opportunity for the
SCA heavy fighting community in this Kingdom to put its best representation of
itself on and around the field in an anachronistic version of the medieval
tournament setting.
I
only spent one day at the event this year. While a large portion of my home
group, the Shire of Easariagh, was tied up in the preparation of food for those
breaking fast at the camp, I had responsibility for field side arrangements at
Camp Discovery for our group. Discovery is considered to be one of the premier
SCA venues for events in our part of the country. It has rustic appeal with
modern amenities, but it is the scenery that gives it its charm. Nestled on a
hill side next to the junction of Flynn's Creek and the Cumberland River, the
site has an idyllic splendor for the modern Scadian that few others can rival.
I
arrived early at the Camp on the 29th of September. The day started out cool
and dense, patchy fog flowed lazily in the lowlands. The field at MGT is
governed by the concept of 'no modern trappings'. This means that anything that
is placed on or next to the fighting field cannot be obviously modern. When
field setup is complete, the fighting field is surrounded by wood and canvas
shades and pavilions of many colors and time periods. Banners of silk and linen
are lofted from poles on high and wave in the gentle breeze that cascades down
the hill to the water's edge. White pickets mark the boundary of the fighting
field divided into quarters. At its center, the champions banner of sable and
argent stands proud watching the combatants, seeking one worthy to be its
bearer.
On
the fields eastern boundary, the Royal Line of Meridies watches on. Thorstenn
and Dalla, stalwart and fierce, the head of the house of Meridies. Adhemar and
Gwenhwyfar, valiant and unflagging, the
heirs of our noble house. In their company, the Ram's might, Aengus and
Meaghan, the sovereigns of Gleann Abhann. To their dexter and sinister, the
landed barons of the Meridies.
To
the western boundary, opposite the Royal and Baronial attendance, find the List
Mistress and her retinue bordered by 4 list trees as well as the Grand
Tournament tree built to house the list tree shields of the esteemed
qualifiers. All entrants to the list are expected to provide a list tree shield
adorned with their personal heraldry or the device, charge, or other heraldic
device they wish to represent for the day. Should an entrant fail to provide a
tree shield, they are not disqualified. Those unfortunates are allowed to
participate with the 'paper plate of shame' as their identifier on the list
tree.
After
I completed standing up my shade and furnishings at field side for our Shire to
lounge under, I donned my kit and registered with the List Mistress. I chose of
only participate in three events on the day. I would be fighting 'sinister' for
all the activities on the day. As I mentioned before, there are 5 qualifier
tournaments - The Armatura, The Sabre Tourney, Count Francois Duvant Memorial
Chalice Tournament, The Sable Sword Challenge, and The Sir Lee Fribrand Great
Weapons Tourney. I registered for the Sabre, Chalice and Sable Sword
tournaments. I'm not sure of the total number of entrants, but I am sure it was
50 or more.
After
registration, our Legion of the Bear initiated The Armatura. As my endurance is
not what I would wish it to be, I declined to enter this contest. The Armatura
is a bear pit tournament pitting 3 combatant, randomly assembled teams in
opposition, drawn from a queue on a limited field. The winner will be the
individual with the most points at the end of the time. Points are based upon
team wins. It runs for an hour or so. I don’t recall the exact length of time.
It is a rapid and enthusiastic affair that will test the endurance of those who
participate. Winners are naturally the warriors that manage to stay on the
field in a winning grouping the highest number of passes. As the time expired,
Earl Sir Timothy of Bennington in first place and Sir Caius Aurelius, as
runner-up, found their shields on the Grand Tournament tree as the top
finalists.
In
the intermission that followed, I presented myself to their Majesties Thorstenn
and Dalla along with Her Highness Gwenhwyfar. All fighters in the list were
eventually presented, as is the custom. Cordial greetings, words of
inspiration, and blessing of good fortune exchanged. An honorable obligation
fulfilled.
The
Sabre Tourney was announced. The Meridian Order of the Blade briefed the
participants. The Sabre is a single sword tournament, single elimination with
destructive double-kills. So, all 'deaths' are lethal. Only survivors advance.
I drew Lord Isaac Rous in the first round. He is a worthy opponent of some
renown. After some brief posturing, Isaac defeated me with a quick and
efficient blow. I retreated to my shade and watched the rest of the rounds
progress. At its end, only Duke Sir Bryce McLaren and His Lordship Richard na
Teanga Mhin were left. Duke Bryce defeated Richard and their heraldry was
advanced to the Champions tree.
Our
charity tournament followed. The Count Francois Duvant Memorial Chalice
Tournament requires an entry fee of $20 in currency of our land. There are no
weapon limitations. Proceeds are donated to a woman's charity of the winner's
choosing. It is single elimination. I was paired with The Honorable Lord
Tristram Jager von Bonn late in the first round. Tristram is a good fight,
though I don't feel I gave him my best effort, I did provide him some moderate
challenge before falling to his killing blow. He was surprised by my
left-handedness, but not enough to fall prey to it. Once more, I returned to my
refuge on the southern edge of the list field to watch the rounds progress. At
its conclusion, His Majesty Aengus Mac Owein and Duke Sir Kenneth Grey made it
to the final round with HRM Aengus emerging in victory. Like those preceding
them, their shields were hung on the Champions tree. Over $2500 in donations
were raised in the effort for a shelter in HRM's region of Gleann Abhann.
The
Order of the Sable Sword's tournament soon followed. This is a William Marshal
style of contest. Each entrant started with 4 rings. Lose a pass and lose a
ring. All challenges must be accepted while you are one the field. The
tournament had a 1 hour time limit. I spent my rings quickly with Sir Gwynn
Bleyne of Gleann Abhann, Sir Hrothgar of Mercia, Lady Mairghread Wilson and His
Lordship Legio Uv Orkney. As I retired, the fighting progressed. In the end,
Sir Randver brotamaor and Lord Isaac Rous had bags full of rings, with Sir
Randver having more and them both advancing to the Champions Tree.
The
last qualifier tournament is the Sir Lee Fribrand Memorial Great Weapons
Tourney. I chose to watch this match from
my shade at field side. It was an entertaining affair hosted by the
Order of the Rose. Polearms, great axes and great swords are the name of the
game. The final resulted in Sir Iastreb Desislavich and Lord Aillene MacElair
MhicCadhain facing each other with glaive and great sword. Sir Iazzie
prevailed. Their collective heraldry earned the last place as qualifiers on the
Champions Tree.
To
fill out the Champions Tree 5 peerages and the populace would select the
combatants deemed worthy in their eyes from the days lists. The Chivalry
selected His Lordship Axel Ulfgarsson of Gleann Abhann. Lord Droggo inn
Keilselgr was chosen by the order of the Pelican. The Laurels chose The
Honorable John Mailer and the Order of Defense selected Sir Conal MacDale. The
Royal Peers selected His Lordship Legio Uv Orkney. Lastly, the populace of
Meridies selected County Barthelemy of Illyria.
The
stage was set. The combatants mettle had been tempered for the final trial. The
Earl Richard of Rae Fen Memorial Grand Tournament would be one to remember.
The
final is single elimination, opens weapons style. The final sixteen commenced
the first round. Excellent fights all. Through skill at arms and tenacious
effort the final two emerged. Earl Sir Timothy of Bennington and Count Sir
Barthelemy of Illyria, two of the most honorable peers in our realm.
To
make this challenge of arms even more entertaining to the crowd of spectators
looking on, the populace's choice, Earl Bart, was in his final tournament in
Meridies. He would be moving on to the lands of Atlantia on the morrow. The
people of Meridies, as chance or destiny would have it, selected this beloved
peer to be its chosen champion for the Grand Tournament as a parting gift for
the love he has shown this Kingdom. In return, he gave us his best, landing in
the final.
The
momentous alignment of fate did not go unnoticed by those involved.
Earl
Timothy, in an uncommon act of chivalry, offered the Championship to his dear
friend and brother-in-arms, uncontested.
A
more humbling sacrifice, I have never heard of in my time in the Kingdom. The
charity and generosity of the offer struck with such weight that all in
audience became overwhelmed with emotion, none more so than His Excellency,
Barthelemy.
The
question was put to Their Excellencies, Oda and Ysmay then, to Their Majesties
Thorstenn and Dalla. All declined decision and deferred the offer back to
Barthelemy to bear with their counsel close by and Earl Timothy, waiting in
earnestness for Bart's word.
Barthelemy
of Illyria, Count, Knight, son of Meridies made the only choice that a noble of
his repute could…to fight for Meridies. At the pronouncement, a wave of joy and
anticipation came over the crowd. Smiles on all faces, we looked on at our
champions, Timothy and Barthelemy. Proud.
The
final was best two out of three. In the first pass, Timothy won out with a
quick strike from on high as is his style. The second pass, a hard won
engagement that saw Barthelemy land the killing blow after both fighters were
brought to their knees. In the third pass, Timothy was legged, then Bart. They
exchanged a furious series of blows at close range, then Timothy slowly fell
over in acknowledgment of the final winning blow.
Barthelemy,
the populace's champion, was announced as Grand Champion of Meridian Grand
Tournament.
A
grand ending to a grand tournament. This is the stuff of legends. We can all
stand a little taller having witnessed the very best of Meridies. I am thankful
to have witnessed, first-hand, two great men, showing us all what we can aspire
to be. Corona Vult!
