Thorfinna gra’feldr
This was only the second Crown Tourney
I’ve ever attended, and I hadn’t been in the SCA long enough to really
appreciate the first one, so I hoped to get a chance to really experience this
one. Being more familiar with everyone involved definitely added to my
enjoyment of the day.
The hall was resplendent with
banners and standards of all shapes and sizes when I first arrived; Iolanda and
Normand had already claimed a space—Iolonda’s Green Bison hanging proudly above
them—for Ardchreag to gather in. We were a strong presence, with at least a
dozen of us there, not including our two newest recruits—Colyne’s brother
Stephen Scrymgouer and his lady Jennifer—attending their first event
ever. Upstairs, merchants offered their wares, a children’s area offered
activities for the younger SCAdians, and competition and display tables offered
examples of A&S works for the populace to vote on with various beans to
denote their rank. Everything from garb and horns to illumination and shoes
were entered or displayed.
Soon, the tournament
commenced, providing a splendid display of martial skill for the gathered
onlookers. In time the contenders were narrowed to a final five: Sir Mordain,
Sarnac Kir, Sergeant Malik abd' al-Rahman, Siegfried Brandboern and Master Sergeant Worgen MacGregor. It came
down to a best of five between Malek and Sarnac that had them tied at two
fights apiece, with the Crown resting on the outcome of one final battle. In
the end, Sarnac emerged victorious and was acknowledged as Prince of Ealdormere,
and the line of the North was once again secure.
In the afternoon, Brandt held
a leather-working class and taught the art of belt making, and Colyne taught
his first Games Guild of Ealdormere class on Tafl, both of which were well
received. The classes offered a break from the fighting (naturally, the main
focus of the event) for those not as interested in watching every match, or
just for a bit of a break. Afterwards, it was time to set up for Feast.
This Feast was the best I’ve
been to yet; the presentation of each dish was carefully planned and displayed.
From chicken pastries decorated with tiny sails and tarts served on shields, to
spearing monks and dead fish in bloody soup, it was fantastic and culminated
with the presentation of a great Golden Stag. Heralded by a procession of beach
party-goers tooting their horns, the beast was presented to the Royal table and
then wheeled around the hall by Master Hector, who (with great relish) shouted
out “Deer Guts!” to all as he served.
During the dining festivities,
Kersteken, Skeldergate’s A&S Minister, handed out the awards for the Arts
& Sciences competition. Ardchreag was represented well, with awards going
to five of our canton-mates: Mahault for her garb research and sewing, Iolanda
for her Nalbinding and shoe-making, to Berend for his Viking Sax, and to
Elspeth. Normand also had an example of his tiny, 128-ring piece of
chainmail on the display table. Wassail Creaggers!
Earlier in the day I had been
seconded by Kersteken and the Queen to assist as Lady in Waiting and had the
privilege of handing His Majesty the tokens given to each of the combatants and
their inspirations in the tournament - a hand crafted beeswax trillium tea
light. Colyne was also grabbed to act as spear bearer for both courts, and protected
Their Majesties diligently. I was relieved of duties for the evening court,
charged instead with taking photographs of a ‘special event’. My friend Eogan,
Kersteken’s husband, was given his Award of Arms for his exceptional dedication
to the art of heavy combat. Despite camera troubles (the batteries were dying)
I captured the moment, and made sure to get a picture of the proud new Lord.
Once
court had ended, things pretty much seemed to be over and people began to pack
up and go home. Colyne and I had been hoping to have a little Games Guild demo,
but there was no one left to play! Instead, we were invited to the Post-Rev at
Berus and Marion
Thank you for writing this! I was called in to run it half way through planning the event (cuz Rusti had other things to do :-) ) and loved every minute of it. I'm so happy others have fond memories as well.
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