A Squire’s Tale (Crown Tournament of Edouard III and Genevieve II, May 24, 2005)

By THLaird Colyne Stewart

On the 28^th day of May, a grand tournament was held in the lands of Septentria, within the canton of Caer Draeth. There, the following good gentles did cross swords to determine who would be the new Prince and Princess of Ealdormere:

Mistress Aelfwyn of Longwood for THL Hereward the Far Dweller

THL Baldric Leeman of Newcastle Emlyn for Lady Brayla la Vienette

THL Corrig McKail for THL Emer nic Aidan

Lord Derfel Malory for Lady Melisande du Rocher

Viscount Edward the Red for Viscountess Rylyn Buchanan

Sir Evander MacLachlan for THL Melusine de la Rose

THL Kayla the Cheerful for Sir Trumbrand the Wanderer

Lord Lothar the Gregarious for Lady Katherine of Renfrewshire

Baron Phaidrig McNeil for Baroness Etaoin O'Fearghail

Count Sarnac Ba'adur for Countess Joleicia of Litchfield

Lord Tarquin Bjornsson for Lady Caitlin inghean Tomais ui Dhuibihir

Master Trumbrand the Wanderer for THL Kayla the Cheerful

Baron Tynne Duair ap Beul for Baroness Tabitha Dearval

Lord Wat of Sarum for Lady Oksana z Moravy

Herr Wulfgang Donnerfaust for Lady Jean-Margaret Donnerfaust

There I did accompany my lord knight, Sir Evander MacLachlan, and proclaim him before the king and queen. In my hands I bore his mighty helm, while THL Anne Tinker did bear his shield. It was for me a busy day, as I was the only MacLachlan squire in attendance who could wait on my lord knight. For one of my brothers is living now in the Kingdom of the East, one has gone on a quest and never returned, and the third—my eldest brother—was busy that day. For Lord Tiberius of Warwickshire was acting in the capacity of Kingdom Earl Marshal, as Edward the Red was participating in the tourney. From comments I overheard it seems my brother did an excellent job, giving me even more reason to respect him.

And so I heralded for my knight, carried his helm, ushered him about for spontaneous illuminations, watched from the sidelines while he fought and helped him with his equipment as required.

The tournament was a best of five round robin, which lasted for over five hours. This was, in this squire’s most humble of opinions, likely the cleanest crown tournament in the past few years. Many were the points of honour granted that day, and the combatants all seemed to be smiling and enjoying themselves on and off the field. One tale of valour and honour was later related in court, concerning THL Baldric. Baldric had given his squire chain to his friend Count Sir Aaron Preslee Worgansson, with instructions to not return it if he did not acquit himself with dignity on the field. Aaron related in court how Baldric, upon taking both of an opponent’s arms said, “My lord, I cannot defeat you in such a manner,” and asked the marshals to restart the fight. To applause Aaron gave the chain to His Majesty, who placed it back around Baldric’s worthy neck.

But I ramble and get ahead of myself. For before court the tournament of course had to come to an end. And in the end, Viscount Edward the Red (who was undefeated) and Count Sarnac Ba’adur (who had only lost to Edward) faced each other in the finals. The finals were to be three best of five rounds. The first round was polearm, which was won by Edward. The second was sword and shield, which was won by Sarnac. The final round was in great sword. Both Edward and Sarnac won two fights in the third round, leaving the balance of the tournament in one final clash of arms. Edward was to emerge victorious, and he and Rylyn were recognized as Ealdormere’s new heirs.

While the tournament waged on for many hours, good gentles from across the kingdom partook in many pleasant pastimes. For there was merchanting, archery, thrown weapons and other such activities spread across the grounds. In one corner youth combat was held, with some very energetic resurrection melee battles.

In the evening a brief court was held after a sumptuous feast. At this court, Tarquin (who was caught napping) was awarded a Scarlet Banner. Also, Baron Eric of Longacres retired from the position of Trillium Herald, with Lord Percival deLaroque being sworn in as his successor.