The Quest for Wit & Wisdom XXXVIII

The time has come!  Let Don Quixote’s journey bring you to the Barony of Settmour Swamp on May 26!  The time is late 16th Century Spain.  An eccentric Spanish Lord by the name of Alonso Quijano has become obsessed with the Chivalric Romances of Old and decides to become a knight, sallying forth, to fight for all that is good and true.  He re-names himself Don Quixote de La Mancha and, with the aid of his trusty companion and valet Sancho Panzo, heads out into the world on his adventures.  His first stop on his journey this day is to a local Inn, where he becomes convinced the landlord is a king protecting a mighty castle.  Quixote asks a boon, that the inkeeper to offcially name Don Quioxte a knight.  In an effort to hurry Don Quioxte on his way, the innkeeper tasks the adventurer with discovering the six knightly virtues.  Only then will he be a true knight.  To complicate matters futher, Don Quixote has made off with the barber’s prized shaving basin, believing it to be the famed Helmet of Mambrino, and he will only give it up to those he deems worthy of it’s magnificence.

Thus begins the Quest for the Knightly virtues (And one shaving basin) , in which each team is tasked with discovering the 6 knightly Virtues, those of Courage, Wisdom, Honor, Generosity, Mercy and Humilty.  Once a team proves themselves worthy they will be able to complete their quest by finding and knighting Don Quixote and retrieving the “Helmet of Mambrino” which they can return to the poor barber!  Come prove that your team is the worthiest of all!

Baronial Championships:
This year the Quest for Wit and Wisdom again includes the opportunities to compete in order to represent our wise and witty Baron, Orlando Sforza and his talented and hardworking consort, Baroness Charis d’Accipiter.  The following Baronial Championships will be held on Saturday May 27:

●Heavy Weapons Champion:  The tournament Format will be as follows:
Don Quixote de la Mancha, a Spanish middle-aged gentleman who had a dream of bringing chivalry back to its original glory, starting from transforming himself into a knight.  His challenging quest started after reading multiple books on chivalry, romance and fantastic characters.  These sparked a purpose in his heart and marked the beginning of a journey.
So will your quest begin similarly.  To enter you will let us know what sparked your purpose.  Also bring a tribute to the Barony’s own Dulcinea, Baroness Charis or “Don”cinea, Baron Orlando.  (This can be anything, good words, a flower, a poem, a slightly used handkerchief, or any other small object.)
Like Don Quixote, our journeys can be full of adventure and the paths can be quite different.  To start, you may choose your own weapon form.  This will be either double elimination or round robin based on the number of people.  The top four will advance.  In case of a tie for fourth place, fighters will fight single one-handed sword.
Don Quixote was nothing without his squire and companion Sancho Panza.  For the semis, you will be fighting as the brave squire who would stand by his knight with nothing but a dagger.
Perhaps the most famous scene of Don Quixote is when he jousts windmills.  There is an elegant absurdity to this.  For the finals, you will fight with spears.
(Loaner spears, daggers, and gauntlets can be supplied for those who do not have them.) Winner must be willing to take on the responsibilities of the office.

●Arts & Sciences Champion:  The competition will be judged by the Baron and Baroness, with the guidance of a popular vote.

In honor of our Baron's fondness for flowery prose, artisans will be asked to describe their entry with the passion of Don Quixote encountering the object for the first time.  Whether bewilderment at the novelty or admiration of the craftsmanship Don Quixote would surely have a strong opinion of your work.

An artisan's row will precede official judging.  Judging with their Excellencies will be at 4pm on Saturday. 

●Rapier Champion:  Tentative Format will be: 
Round 1 (based on the opening scene of Ogniem i mieczem) Something of a bar fight.  Two fencers seated opposite each other, on lay-on they need to get out of their seats and fence.  "Extra points" (similar to not spilling your drink last year) for getting your opponent out of the door (which will be marked).
Weapons - bring your best

Round 2 (how many fencers are part of this will depend on the pool, and based on the siege of Zbara) will be essentially fencing in a tunnel.
Weapons - bring your best

Round 3 (what I'm perceiving to be finals, based on the climactic duel between Michał and Bohun) will be best of three with curved sword.
Weapons – curved sword

Winner must be willing to take on the responsibilities of the office.

●Archery Champion:  The time has come to take up the fight for all that is good and true, or at least help Don Quixote de La Mancha get a good start on his quest for discovering the 6 knightly virtues.  Though he “needs no help”, Don Quixote’s companion Sancho begs to differ.  Sancho fears he is not up to the challenge of protecting Don Quixote, and asks for assistance that only an archery champion like you can provide.  You are tasked with providing assistance from a distance in the many battles he will fight on his quest!

Format (Points based):  3 challenges await; two rounds of six arrows/ bolts, and one round timed.  Participants will rotate through all three challenges and total points win the day.  The tournament is open for all populace members to participate in, no matter rank or experience level or age group, but the Baronial Archery Championship will be chosen from the highest scoring participant willing and eligible to take on the responsibilities of the office.

●Thrown Weapons Champion:  Axes:
Windmill Challenge:
Help Don Quixote defeat the treacherous windmill giants.

Knives:
Rescue Sancho:  Help save Sancho from the villainous bandits.

Spear:
The Golden Helmet of Mambrino:  Don Quixote wishes to test the Invulnerability of the legendary helmet.

Tournament will run all day.  Tiebreaker if needed at the tournament time on the schedule.  Winner must be willing and able to take on the responsibility of Baronial TW Champion.

Tentative Weekend schedule:
Fri 5/26: 
4:00pm:  Site opens
Gate Friday:  4-8pm

Sat 5/27:
Gate open Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
10:30am Archery and Thrown Weapons setup
11:00am Archery and Thrown Weapons open
11:00am Shopping opens
11:00am Heavy authorizations begin, be in armor at this time
11:30am Heavy weapons inspections open
12:00pm Kubb tournament begins
12:00pm Heavy weapons tourney begins
1:00pm Artisans' Row opens
1:00pm Arts & Sciences Competition opens
1:00pm Heraldic Consulting open under the pavilion
2:00pm Fencing Champions tourney begins
3:00pm Brewing Competition begins
3:30pm Archery Competition begins
4:00pm Arts & Sciences Champions Judging
4:30pm Thrown Weapons Competition begins
4:30pm Heraldic Consulting closes down
4:30pm Artisans' Row closes down
5:00pm Archery & Thrown Weapons close
6:00pm Shopping closes
6:30pm Feast begins

Sunday 5/28:
Gate 10:00am-3:00pm
8:30-11am Breakfast
11am-12pm Primitive Fire Starting class hosted by the Forester Guild (also a chance for those who are interested in the guild to ask questions)
11am-4pm Heraldic Consulting open under the pavilion
12:00-4:00pm Don Quixote’s Quest
5:00pm Baronial Court
6:30pm Pennsic Camp Planning meeting

Monday 5/29:
11:00 am Site closes

Site Rules:
● Pets:  Pets are permitted, and must be kept on a leash at all times.  Certain areas will be off limits to pets.
● Alcohol:  No alcoholic beverages may be brought on site.  There will be a site-run bar available, and open until 2:00am.  This policy will be strictly enforced by event staff.  Anyone in violation of this policy will be removed from the site.
● Pond:  There is a pond on site but is NOT for swimming.

Miscellaneous:
CHILDREN:
Children are most welcome, but please supervise your children at all times.  Anyone under the age of eighteen must be accompanied to the event by a parent or legal guardian.  The SCA youth waiver policy will be enforced.

PLEASE NOTE - NOT COMPLYING WITH THE ABOVE RULES WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE EVENT.


LOCAL HOTELS:
For those of you who do not camp, there are two near-by hotels in Clinton, New Jersey.
Hampton Inn Clinton (near the Walmart)
16 Frontage Drive
Clinton, NJ 08809
TEL:  +1-908-713-4800
Holiday Inn CLINTON - BRIDGEWATER
111 West Main Street
Clinton, NJ 08809
1-888-477-5276
SHOPPING:
A Walmart is approximately 3 miles from the site on Route 513.



Site Opens:  4:00 P.M.  Friday May 26
Site Closes:  11:00 A.M.  Monday May 29

Site Opens: 4:00 P.M.
Site Closes: 11:30 A.M.