Knight's Gambit 2025
Dalwhinnie Fields
Marion, AL
15 February 2025
During a warm respite from winter’s embrace, four companions, who call the Shire of Easaraigh home, did ride south through the dean unto the rolling hills surrounding Iron Mountain into the lowlands of Dalwhinnie Fields for the event, Knight’s Gambit. The long running event is a chance for armored combatants to test mettle in the Robert Hightower tournament with opponents not of the Order of Chivalry. Only non-chivalry are allowed to compete. After the tournament, the attending chivalry come to the fore for instruction and council for those aspiring to attain the rank of knight or just work on their craft. The traditional event of the Shire of Thorngill is a great place for those wanting to improve their trade in armored combat to test, train and hone their skills.
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| Photo of Sigmund, Ronan, Sindri, and I at the event. |
I have attended the event several times over the years, but for my comrades from Easaraigh it was their first. With me there was Sindri Brynjarsson, a new and enthusiastic fyrdsman. Strong in the arts and secrets of Crom, he is always moving forward and learning. Sigmund Nacht made the journey. A more handsome fighter, both in and out of kit, you will never know. Well travelled in knowledge, having spent time in Trimaris, Sigmund is a true companion and as honorable as they come. Lastly, my squire brother and long time friend, Ronan of Axbridge filled out our party. Like Sindri, in his chest beats an artists heart but on the field he is a fierce foe not to be taken lightly.
Our motley cadre travelled down the day before the event and stayed at lodging in the nearby hamlet of Marion, AL. The lodging was adequate, although unusually busier than normal for a remote inn. The location is a short distance from Dalwhinnie Fields. We arrived late in the evening and supped at a nearby restaurant that served Mexican cuisine called Chatinos. The food was good and filling after the long journey. Tired, we all retired to lodging to rest for the coming dawn.
The next day greeted us, cloudy with a strong breeze. We broke fast at the inn then went to the site to prepare for the day. Dalwhinnie fields has become a unique and popular venue in our hobby and adjacent hobbies alike. Having a medieval appearance, the site in middle Alabama is a great backdrop for creating an atmosphere and emersion for recreating history.
First on the days agenda was the Robert Hightower ‘Memorial’ (yes, they know he’s not dead yet) Tournament. Our troupe from Easaraigh all made ready and added our names to the list. The tournament had 30 entrants. It was a standard double elimination format. The list was excuted well and run without significant pause.
The warriors from Easaraigh all made a good accounting of themselves. Fighting with honor and determination honed in local training at home. Sindri turned heads in his adorned leather harness, advancing a few rounds before being matched with Sigmund, who won their pairing putting Sindri out of the list. Sigmund, with enviable franchise, made it a couple of more rounds before he was bested by Gato de Valencia. Ronan hit a wall named Boros the Bold shortly afterward, ending his very successful run of dual sword style in the tournament. I made it to the semifinal round where I lost to Xenos Theodrikes, a fellow companion of the Sable Sword, who would go on to win the tournament.
While the Robert Hightower Tournament is an important part of Knights Gambit, the true heart of the event is the chance for individual work with the knights that attend the event. This was the focus in the afternoon.
Prior to the start of the afternoon session, HRM Barthelemy, bade the Sable Sword, an order I am part of, to ‘hold the field’ after the tournament conclusion. And, we made an effort. But, it feels like we did not succeed. The idea, at least my interpretation of the intent, was that the Companions of the Sable Sword, an order who’s membership consists of tournament fighters chosen by tournament fighters to represent the best of Meridies in armored combat tournament, would accept challenges from anyone wanting to fight after the tournament before anything else happened. A break in the action between the tournament and the ‘Knight Action’ that was to follow. It started OK, but quickly fell away as the knights in attendance, who have been waiting around for a chance to get into kit and partake, flooded the eric and the field was suddenly a chaotic frenzy of pickup activity. We, the Sable Sword who were not knights, all but forgotten in the fray and soon went our own ways to find our own knights to challenge. Feels like we (or at least 'I') left something fall to the ground there and a penance is owed or maybe its just my sense of duty being overly critical. At the very least, the execution of the directive could have been done better. Something to work on.
So, the knights entered the eric and took command. Either through patiently waiting for walkup challenges or requests, or by seeking out individuals that they felt needed their attention or council. In any case, the list was crowded for the rest of the afternoon. Sparring, conversation, comradery would rule the rest of the day. Each of us, my companions and I, sought our own trials, heading our separate ways. Occasionally our paths would cross, questions would be aired 'Have you met Sir So-and-so' or 'let me show you want Sir Whosit just taught me', As I said, this is the real focus of the event. Each armored combatant followed their own syllabus. An afternoon of lessons and contest to draw upon until each person's cup run over.
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| Photp of Ronan receiving his award. |
During the afternoon, HRM Bartelemy called the populace to order and opened court. Therein, he made Ronan of Axbridge a companion of the Argent Shield. The Argent Shield is an order for armored combatants who have demonstarted skill and passion for all things related to armored combat in our hobby.
As is the nature of things, exhaustion found it's way into all of us and the list, once full, slowly emptied with nothing but the echos of combat carried on the wind to remind the us what had occurred. The contingent from Easaraigh, having left its mark on the field packed out and left Dalwhinnie. An encroaching storm lending some urgency to our step. It was a fun day spent in kit with friends and mentors that will not soon be forgotten.
Knight's Gambit, a worthy tradition in the Kingdom of Meridies. Our short stay caused us to miss the Friday night chess, the afternoon court and the evening feast. But, I am sure it was all outstanding as evidenced by the small portion of the event we did take part in. Our thanks to the Shire of Thorngill.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
