Shire Wars IX: The Battle of Kulikova -- now expanded to three day event

We are pleased to announce that Shire Wars (live) has been expanded to a three-day event with camping, October 15-17.  We return with an event inspired by the Battle of Kulikova (September 8, 1380) between the Mongol Golden Horde and the Russian princes led by Prince Dmitry of Moscow.  Attendees get to choose to be Russian or Mongol, with points for various activities, when they register, and they will be given a special commemorative site token, indicating Rus or Mongol affiliation, at Troll.

Preregistration is NO LONGER mandatory, but only those who pre-register will (1) receive the special commemorative site tokens, and (2) be able to order the day board box lunches (see below).  Whether pre-registered or registering on-site, all attendees must supply the following information for a Contact List: 
a.  SCA name and legal name.
b.  Membership number.
c.  Email address or phone number.

In keeping with the new East Kingdom policy (September 27, 2021), participants are REQUIRED to present at Troll in order to be admitted to Shire Wars IX:
a.  For persons 18 and over, a Government-issued ID. 
b.  Proof of either full vaccination or a medically-supervised negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the start of the event (3 PM, Friday, October 15, 2021). 
c.  Proof of vaccine or a negative test shall not be required for children under 12.  Children that are aged 3 through 11 shall wear a mask.

Minors will be signed in under their parent’s contact information.  These contact tracing sheets will be retained by the Seneschal of the Shire of Blak Rose and WILL NOT be added to a database or other Kingdom record. 

The East Kingdom has announced that, as of October 12, it will require that all attendees at all in-person gatherings (including Shire Wars) show proof of either full vaccination or a medically-supervised negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the event.  Proof of vaccine or a negative test shall not be required for children under 12.  Masks are to be worn at all times by adults and by children aged 3 years and up.  At the direction of our marshals, this includes during heavy weapons and rapier combat. 

The full Board announcement is here:  https://www.sca.org/news/covidsafe-proof-of-fully-vaccinated-status-or-negative-covid-test-policy-resolution/

Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to ensure the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events.  By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge and accept the potential risks.  You agree to take any additional steps to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as you believe to be necessary.

In the last sentence of the preceding paragraph, “those under your control” refers to your minor children and any children attending the event with you for whom you are responsible.

The site is a Boy Scout Camp; it is DRY.

That takes care of the "Gotta-Have" Language.  What will we have at the event?

HEAVY WEAPONS FIGHTING
Heavy Weapons Grand Champions Tourney (see below)
Shire Wars Heavy Weapons Tourney
Pick-up fighting
See our website:  https://shirewars.eastkingdom.org/ for more details.

RAPIER FIGHTING
Rapier Grand Champions Tourney (see below)
Shire Wars Rapier Tourney
Pick-up fighting
See our website:  https://shirewars.eastkingdom.org/ for more details.

THE CHAMPIONS TOURNEYS
Before the Battle of Kulikovo, September 8, 1380, two champions, Alexander Peresvet of the Rus and Temir-murza of the Golden Horde, met in single combat.  In memory of that clash of arms, Shire Wars IX invites each of the eight baronies and shires participating in the event to select its own champions or representatives in heavy weapons combat and in rapier combat.

These brave fighters will meet in tourney combat, and the winners will be declared this year’s Shire Wars Heavy Weapons and Rapier Grand Champions.

The champions will each receive a personal scroll commemorating their victories.  In addition, each will receive a “bragging rights” scroll to present to their home group.  That scroll will be that group’s to display for a year at practices, meetings, baronial courts – if a barony, and events.  The two "bragging rights" scrolls will be returned at next year’s Shire Wars to be presented to that year’s winners.

In addition, the heavy weapons grand champion will be given the fabled – well, it will be fabled someday – Sword of Shire Wars to display for a year until it, too, must be returned to be presented to the Champion of Shire Wars X’s Heavy Weapons Tourney. 

OTHER MARTIAL ACTIVITIES:
* Archery -- Practice shooting and Royal Rounds
** See our website:  https://shirewars.eastkingdom.org/ for more details.

* THROWN WEAPONS -- Practice shooting and Royal Rounds
“Come one, come all and join the ranks of the Mighty Golden Horde, or fight for the glory of your Russian Princes and Royals, at the Battle of Kulikovo!  Whether fighting with a spear, axe or blade, try your hand and gain honor and glory for your army!  Plenty of open practice and Royal Rounds available!

Be wary of your feet, as closed toe shoes will be required on range.  Open toes not permitted, lest frostbite or the cold kiss of steel take one of your little piggies to market!
** See our website:  https://shirewars.eastkingdom.org/ for more details.

* Youth Combat Tourney -- Details to be posted

THE ARTS & SCIENCES OF THE PLAGUE YEARS
There will be two A&S Competitions:

"Avoiding the Plague"
People tried to avoid the plague by means of masks, packets of dried or fresh flowers (the “pocket full of posies, as some claim), or other means to block or neutralize the miasma, the noxious fumes that, allegedly spread the disease.  Show us one of those means.  If you make a mask and choose to wear it the whole day, then so much the better.

"Enduring the Plague"
“Meanwhile, Nastagio let make ready a magnificent banquet and caused set the tables under the pines…” -- The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio

Boccaccio’s work is a collection of stories supposedly told by ten young persons who fled Florence to avoid the Great Plague of 1347-1350.  The characters gather to each tell a tale each day.  In their memory, design and display a dinner setting for yourselves, either on a table or picnic style as you please. 

BARDIC ACTIVITIES
Bardic activities during the day, including, possibly, dancing, are still being discussed.  However we will be holding a ** BARDIC CIRCLE ** in the evening in the outdoor chapel.  The chapel seats 150 on low benches, so there will be more than enough room for social distancing.

DANCING
We'll be having dancing on the lawn on Saturday afternoon.  Watch our website for details.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
There are no plans for organized activities for children.  However, this *might* change.  At a minimum, Lady Roseia Posey, who is in charge of our Children's Activities, will have packets available filled with activity item for children to play with.

DAY BOARD
This year, our Day Board will be pre-packaged meals ($5 each) that will only be available with Pre-Registration.  There are two choices for the meal.
Option One:  Roast Beef
Option Two:  Pirogi with buckwheat, hard boiled eggs, and mushrooms

All lunch boxes will also contain:  rye bread; a sour cream packet; an apple; cubed cheese; pickles, olives, and pickled onions; and Autumn Vegetable Okroshka* (cold soup). 

* Contains alcohol, yeast, and gluten.

As there will be no feast, additional box lunches may be purchased (pre-paid, $5) to be delivered later in the afternoon for your supper. 

Contact our chief cook, Mistress Tirza bithe Reaboughes, OP, OM, at 30143@members.eastkingdom.org if you have any issues with the food items in the Day Board.

FEAST
In keeping with the restrictions of Covid, we will not be offering a feast this year.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their own meals.  Additional box lunches of the two types served for the Day Board may also be ordered for late afternoon delivery.

MERCHANTS
Merchants are welcome.  There is no fee.  Our merchant contact is Lady Dara Bailey at Ttextiles@gmail.com for information.

CAMPING:  AVAILABLE FOR BOTH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS
For those who wish to stay on site overnight, there is limited camping space along the tree line on the LOWER FIELDS. 

Campfires may be built in any established fire ring.  Above ground fire bowls are also permitted, but ashes must be dumped at established fire rings.  Do not move fire rings or build new ones without permission of Camp Ranger.  DO NOT bring in outside firewood.  There is an ample supply of firewood in the surrounding woods.  Any fallen timber may be cut up and utilized as needed.  DO NOT cut down or Damage any live, or standing trees. 

Site Opens: Friday, October 15, at 3 PM; Saturday, October 16, at 9 AM
Site Closes: Sunday, October 17, at 1 PM