A Grand 14th Century Tourney (and Potluck!)

Oyez!  Oyez!

All good persons of coat armor; all knights, squires, and men at arms, who would prove their worth, who would seek renown, who would please a gallery of onlookers, who would champion their lover in a great deed of arms, who have taken up a quest to meet in combat with worthy foes, who have some vow they must dispatch:  pray heed and attend.

His most Mighty and Noble Excellency Muireadhach Ó Cuileannáin, Baron of Buckland Cross, has sworn to perform a great feat of nobility and prowess.  He, along with several other noble warriors of the Southern region, have made a vow to hold the field in that same barony on the sixth day of June, against any who would meet them. 

All who would witness the clash of arms and who would mark great moments of prowess, should gather there for a pleasant diversion of glory and violence.

Any who would stand as venans must present themselves, armed cap a pied, but with helmet in hand, to the marshals, the heralds, the King at Arms, and the ministers of the lists, which shall be built on the common for this occasion, at 11 of the clock on the day appointed.  Bear on your body a surcotte of your arms, and display any banner or pennon to which your rank entitles you.  Then issue your challenge to the tenans, that they may give you your desire.

Any who would witness these hectors and hercules in their feats of arms, who would cheer their bravery, or who has a champion who shall bear some token of thine in the lists, should gather at that same place and time.

For glory, honor, and chivalry!  Long reign the Crown!
**********
The Emprise of the Red Stag is a pas dâ'armes in the tradition of King Renee, combined with a ransom tourney in the tradition of The Greatest Tournament, the Combat of the 30, William Marshal tourneys, and the Deed at GNEW.

The format shall be as follows:

There shall be a King of Arms to act as marshal, see that the rules of the deed and the rules of the lists are followed, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the East Kingdom.  All decisions of the King of Arms shall be final.

First Round
The first round shall be a challenge round, where the tenens, captained by the Baron of Buckland Cross, shall accept challenges from all comers.  A tree of battle with four shields shall be set up next to the barrier.  Each of the venans shall stand forth, with their herald if they have one, announce themselves, and issue their challenge by striking one of the four shields:

* Red:  for combat to first blood (under SCA rules)
* Blue:  for counted blows landed, 3, 5, or 7
* Yellow:  for a three-man melee combat (targets and blows to be negotiated)
* Black:  for a timed 60 second combat

The challenger shall state what weapons they will use, if the combat is to be upon the field or at the barrier, and whether or not the targets are limited to between the quarters or if limbs also count.

Each of the tenans may only be challenged once, until all have been challenged.  Then, they will be challenged again, until all the venans have issued their challenges.

The following rules apply to this round:

* There are no shields allowed at the barrier.
* Basket hilted weapons are allowed.
* All blows must be struck above the top rail of the barrier
* Thrusting is only allowed with six foot spears
* No unpadded polearms (6 foot unpadded polearms may be used as spears)
* When fighting with a single-handed weapon at the barrier, in a combat between only two combatants, each combatant must grasp the top rail of the barrier with their free hand,.  If they let go of the barrier, they forfeit.

Second Round
The second round of the tournament shall be a ransom tournament consisting of two even teams lasting 30 minutes. 

The following rules apply to this round: 

* Each fighter must bring tokens, commensurate with their estate, with which to pay ransoms
* The tenans shall enter from one side of the field, the venans from the other.  These sides of the field represent their safe zones, where prisoners must brought to be ransomed
* All blows are to be between the quarters (limbs don’t count)
* There are no killing blows
* A fighter is captured when struck a good blow in the head or torso, or a good thrust
* Thrusts only count to the arm pits, or to the face of an open-faced helmet
* Captured fighters must accompany their captors off the field
* Fighters may be rescued only if their captor is struck and captured themselves
* Captured fighters may not run, yell, try to escape, or resist leaving the field in any way.  If an attempt is made to rescue them they must await the outcome of the attempt and act accordingly
* A rescued fighter must accompany their rescuer and former captor off the field, and then re-enter at the appropriate side
* Once ransomed, prisoners must return to their original side of the field
* If a fighter wishes to re-enter the field after being ransomed, they must enter from their original side of the field
* Fighters are requested to make an attempt at 14th or 15th century armor but for this year's event, it is not required
* No basket hilts allowed – cross hilts only
* No weapons more than six feet allowed
* No thrusting allowed with single-handed weapons
* No unpadded polearms (except the ones 6 feet long being used as spears)
* No exposed plastic armor

The combat shall be timed, and proceed for a half hour, not counting holds.  Ransoms must be settled at the end of the combat.

Third Round
The third round shall be a timed single stick relay at the barrier.  Basket hilts are allowed.

Final Round/Prizes
The last round shall be the final challenge.  The venans shall choose from amongst themselves the fighter they believe showed the greatest nobility on the day, and he shall challenge any of the tenans for the honor of the day’s final combat.  This is the venans prize.

* Each of the tenans shall give a token to a fighter they believe showed great courage, prowess, nobility, or courtesy
* There shall be a prize awarded by the gallery
* There shall be a prize awarded by the King of Arms
* All combatants, both tenans and venans, are eligible for these last two prizes

****Not fighting? Join the gallery!****

Every tournament needs an audience to witness heroic deeds and cheer on their favorites!  The gallery welcomes all to an immersive experience transporting you to the fourteenth century.  We will have music, food, and an atmosphere to rival the grandest tourney!  Members of the gallery will have the opportunity the fighter whom captured their heart and bestow upon a prize (made by Magnifica Scolastica). 

Members of the gallery are encouraged to wear 14th century dress, feast gear, and bring period appropriate seating (or camouflage modern items) to make this immersive experience possible.

Site Opens: 10am
Site Closes: 6pm