White County Fairgrounds
Sparta, TN
Hosted by the Barony of Glaedenfeld
December 12, 2025
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| Captain Ignatius and I marching into court at Winter Market 2025. |
At the onset of the winter months here in the lands of Cumbria, Mistress Ellen and I along with Her Ladyship Cassandra and Lady Alessandra made our way to the regional event known as Winter Market. The event, hosted by the nearby Barony of Glaedenfeld, is becoming a tradition for the Yule season in our region. It is a place to see many of the best merchants, the work of our kingdom’s artisans, participate in martial activities and share in seasonal camaraderie. The event was hosted at a nearby guildhall just to our south within the Shire of Easaraigh’s borders.
I arrived separately from the rest of my party and assisted with some of the preparations for the day, preferring to stay engaged and provide what support I can while I am idle. As the lunch hour approached, I entered a tournament to determine the Baronial Champion for the Barony of Glaedenfeld. The rest of my party arrived a short time after me, participating in classes and A&S activities as well as perusing the merchants’ offerings. I also had some mundane family members arrive to share in part of the day, doing some shopping and seeing the sites. It was a full day with much activity for all of us.
The armored tournament had a decent showing of 9 participants. We fought a double elimination best 2 out of 3 style engagement. For my part, I found myself in the defeated bracket shortly after the start but made my way to the final bout. In the final, I faced Sir John Mailer. A good friend and worthy competitor. John and I exchanged to passes with a victory for us each. In the final, I overwhelmed John and landed a telling blow to win the tournament. Before this, I have only won one tournament in my long fighting career. The first was a new fighter tournament at Tavern Brawl II. That would have been in the early 90’s. The Winter Market tournament counts as my second time winning an armored combat tournament. Winning the competition also granted me the honor of representing the Barony of Glaedenfeld as their champion. The position comes with a cool cloak that I am allowed to add my heraldry to as a historical marker of my time in the position, representing the barony. All in all, a very cool first-time accomplishment that I shall enjoy and revel in for the coming year until the next Winter Market when a new tournament will be held to decide the next champion.
I am not ambitious in my fighting. I don’t seek winning anything. My main focus has always been to have fun fighting. I approached the Winter Market tournament with this mindset. As the tournament played out, I did my share of goofing off or was distracted by side conversations, etc. I started out having to fight my squire brother, Ronan. That was probably my hardest fight just due to the fact that we know each other so well. I came out on top, just barely, after a few double kills. I think it was the round after that I got legged and hurt my knee. I yelled. My opponent gasped. The marshal stared. The fight continued. I soldiered on. Lost a fight. Won a couple more. In the end, I found myself fighting with John, someone who I have come to appreciate and enjoy crossing swords with. Always good for a laugh, I knew a final with John would be fun. This is the second time I have met John in a final. The last time had us both laughing hard by the end. This time wasn’t much different. I had John at a disadvantage. He broke his shield earlier and was borrowing a different type of shield from another fighter, Martin I believe. John declined my offer to meet him on fairer terms with buckler and sword which would have put us both on more equal footing I thought. Fun was had. John’s fast strikes vs my thuggish close fighting. I didn’t realize I won the match until someone said it. Living in the moment is like that, I guess. The one thing I have learned always remembered from the first time I won a tournament. I have never been so sore afterward as I have been when I put in a good effort. This day was like that.
I spent the afternoon hanging out with family in attendance with us. Showing them around and doing some light shopping. I made a quick tour of some of the A&S. But judging was going on at this point, so I kinda stayed out of the way. Family left early in the afternoon so I hung out with the Good Earl for a bit and helped with some throne wrangling prior to court.
My wife, Ellen, took on her first protege, Lady Alessandra Sartor. A protege is a student or mentee to a member of the Order of the Pelican. A person to be guided in the ways of service on the path to becoming a Pelican someday.
I also spent some time with Their Excellencies Glaedenfeld to learn what duties were expected as Their Champion. Mostly an honorary position it does carry with it some cool regalia, a cloak, and the honor of standing as retinue for them when able. The cloak is an heirloom item that bears the heraldry of all previous bearers.I will serve as Champion for 1 year. At the end of that year a new tournament will be held to decide a new champion.
At court, I was called up along with Captain Ignatius to assume the mantle and take our places with them as their Armored and Rapier Champions. Court was a long one with a ton of business. While I find standing retinue in court to be a mostly easy task, I confess that I was very tired as it ended. I was witness to many award presentations and a few writs for peerages. I also was able film the elevations of Evangeline and Catherine to Pelican from my vantage point.
It was a good day for me and many others. I look forward to my new responsibility as Their Excellencies Champion and the new adventures that the year ahead will bring.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
