I. Introduction and Purpose

"OYEZ! OYEZ! OYEZ! Let all gentles gather who intend to participate in this noble passage of arms, holding themselves ready to hear the rules that shall govern our exchanges this day.

"First: Let it be known that we gather here today in the spirit of our ancestors, striving as they did for that distant ideal of chivalry that balances prowess with courtesy and sincerity.

"Let it be known also that we gather here not for an emprise 'à la guerre,' where blood is sought, but rather 'à la plaisance,' where combatants meet in order that they be better known to one another, that they revel in the joi de combat that binds our society together, and for the entertainment and amusement of the gallery, the collection of ladies and spectators that symbolizes the grace and nobility of the ladies for which we fight.

"Let all of this be seen against the backdrop of War that brings us to this place, for surely as we are opponents on the field of battle we are friends at the same time; we are never enemies, but are rather brothers in arms seeking to draw from one another superior excellence in the display of prowess and chivalry.

"Let it be known that these are the reasons for our presence here today. Are we in agreement on this?"

Pause for combatants to respond in the affirmative. If someone is a jerk, refer them to His Majesty, upon whose field we meet.

II. Rules of Combat Are Read

"Be it known that that these Knights and Men-At-Arms of the West, desirous of testing their mettle and their character on the king's field, stand now to defend the field, offering their swords in the service of chivalry and their King, at whose request they answer in coming here. Any gentleman of note, be they man or woman, men-at-arms, squire, knight or nobleman is welcome to participate in this pas d'armes, providing that they adhere to the rules that follow:

"First Item: All combatants shall bear themselves with good grace, to advance the cause of chivalry rather than the base spirit of victory.

"Second Item: Each combatant shall comport themselves bearing mutual responsibility for themselves and their opponent. The safety of your opponent is your responsibility.

"Item: All combatants shall hold themselves ready in their respective quarters, the defenders on the King's side of the list, the challengers on the Queen's side.

"Item: The Knights of the West Kingdom will introduce themselves, and would invite their challenges to offer their own introductions, that the combatants of our two kingdoms might be better known to one another.

"Item: Following the introductions, there will be a Grand Mêlée, in which all combatants are invited to take to the field, armed with but a one single-handed sword and no shield, to be fought for the entertainment of the gallery and for the joi de combat of the combatants. This combat will use counted blows, there each combatant may be struck with three good blows before they must retire from the field.

"Item: The defenders will form a line on the King's side of the lists, holding themselves ready to receive their challenges and then shortly to report for combat.

"Item: The challengers will then form a line on the Queen's side of the lists, offering persuasive words of challenge while the previous combatants arm and prepare to take the field.

"Item: For the challenge, the attackers should strike Charlemagne's Tree of Shields, choosing the shield that represents the kind of combat they desire:

• Argent: counted blows (thrown);
• Azure, Combats over the barrier;
• Vert, Single combats in the field, the number of blows received to be one, three, or five;
• Or, any two combatants with spears, single swords or poleaxes, fought in the usual way.

"Item: After everyone has had an opportunity to challenge, a barrier will be erected across the center of the field, and gentles may defend their side of the barrier with single sword. When struck, they must retire to their banner issue their war-cry, at which point they may re-enter the fighting. This combat will take place for fifteen minutes.

"Item: The ladies of the gallery will then choose five of the challengers whose virtue stands out, requesting of them single combats in any style that is pleasing to the gallery. These gentles may in turn take this commandment to any member of the defenders, sharing their honor with them. These five fights will take place one after the other, for the pleasure of the gallery and the combatants.

"Item: If there is time, other single challenges might be accepted by the defenders following the five champions.

"Item: We will close the pas d'armes with a grand mêlée over the barrier, fought with spears. A single kill will be sufficient to eliminate a combatant, but they might petition the gallery to allow them to rejoin their companions. The combat will end when there are no companions left on either side, or when the combatants determine that the fight should be ended.

"Final Item: There will be no prize for this pas d'armes, but it is strongly recommended that the individual combatants bear tokens of their appreciation with them that they can present to the combatants or consorts who strike them as particularly worthy of honor. In this way will the renown of virtuous combatants and fair ladies be strengthened, such being the purpose of the pas d'armes.

"This being read, are these rules understood by all?"

If not, Brion will clarify questions at that time

"Noble gentlemen, having heard these conditions, do you swear to uphold the rules and to do all in your power to set aside the personal avarice of hollow victory, of partisanship, and instead advance the noble spirit of knighthood as it applies to combatants everywhere?"

The combatants so swear

"Now then gentle combatants, that the rules have been read and agreed, it is time for us to begin this festival of arms, for if we speak more we may lose the gallery, being bored by our pontifications. This admonition applies to all, defenders and attackers alike: forget not that we are here in part for the entertainment of the gallery-extend them no rudeness by being ill-prepared to fight when it is your turn, and refrain from selecting fights that will prove tedious to them."

"Gentlemen, are you prepared to defend your ideals and your ladies on this, His Majesty's field of honor?

"Hear then the words of Their Majesty's Alden and Madeline, King and Queen of the West"

Place for Alden and Madelaine to talk, saying what they expect of the day.

"And hear also the words of Thorin and ________________, King and Queen of An Tir!"

Place for TRM of An Tir to speak in like manner.

"Their Majesty's having spoken, it is time to begin. Tenans of the West Kingdom, return to His Majesty's side of the field and prepare yourself to introduce yourself to the nobles here assembled!"

Going down the line, the West Kingdom defenders introduce themselves.

"Knowing now who defends this list, these defenders now invite the challengers forward that they be known unto populace here assembled!"

As per above, for the challengers.

III. The First Pass -- A Single Sword Grand Melee

"OYEZ! OYEZ! OYEZ! Now that we are known to one another, arm yourselves with but a single knightly sword, wielded in one hand, and return to the field!

The combatants arm and report.

"Noble combatants, we now invite you to launch yourselves into the press of the attack! Demonstrate your prowess and your generosity; each of you may be struck three times in the course of your engagements-do not act out blows, simply count them out and retire when you have had your three."

"Are there any questions"

If so, Brion will clarity.

"Ready then! Ready! Laissez Allez! Laissez Allez! Laissez Allez!"

The combat ensues.

IV. The Second Pass -- Challenges

"Now then that our tastes have been whetted, Tenans of the West, take your places once more on the King's field to receive your challenges. Men of the Venans, take your place on the Queen's side. As your place comes forward, step forward and offer persuasive words of challenge, striking Charlemagne's Tree of Shields for the style of combat desired:
• Argent: Counted blows (thrown);
• Azure, Combats over the barrier;
• Vert, Single combats in the field, the number of blows received to be one, three, or five;
• Or, Any three combatants with single swords only."

"Are there any questions?"

If so, Brion will answer.

"There being no questions, We charge you to return to your quarters, prepared to hold yourselves in readiness for combat; you will fight soon after your challenge-so prepare yourselves immediately upon receiving the challenge!!!!"

The combatants step forward, offering challenge. They should be armed saving their helmets at this point. When the first has challenged, these two should finish arming while the second challenge is made. When this challenge is complete, they should arm while the third is being made. We may have to change this format to doing three challenges and then three fights; we shall see.

V. The Third Pass -- Single Sword Melee over the Barrier -15 mins.

"OYEZ! OYEZ! OYEZ! Now that the passes have been made and many spears broken, it is once again time to leap into the fray. Take up the knightly sword once again and hold yourselves in readiness, for we will now compete over the barrier, striking blows between the quarters only. Remember that any blow that strikes you between the quarters is sufficient to remove you from the field-you must then return to your banner, cry your war-cry, and then return to the encounter. We will fight thus for fifteen minutes!

"Are there any questions?"

If so, Brion will answer.

"There being no questions, make haste gentlemen! Arm yourselves and report!"

The combat ensues for fifteen grueling minutes. :)

VI. Ladies choose their favorites during the break, and these five champions conduct fights for the demonstration of their virtue.

"There will now a brief respite, during which time the Ladies of the gallery will consult to determine which five of the challengers they believe to have shown the most virtue, counting both prowess and courtesy. They will then say what it is that inspired them to choose these gentles, and they will choose in what style they would like them to once again demonstrate their abilities. This challenger will come forward when his name is called to kneel before the gallery to receive their praises, then choosing the Defender of their choice to share the challenge with them. But now rest yourselves and let the gallery conduct their difficult deliberations."

The combatants rest while the gallery makes their decisions. These should be written down for further praise following the closing of the list. When they are finished, the herald should call the combatants together once again.

"Gentle ladies, you have reached a decision?"

The ladies respond, and the combatants are called out, making their challenge. Record the challengers here, their names, as much of the citation as possible, and the Defender they select to share the challenge.

1. Name: ______________________________ Challenge: ______________________________

Why? ____________________________________________________________________

2. Name: ______________________________ Challenge: ______________________________


Why? ____________________________________________________________________

3. Name: ______________________________ Challenge: ______________________________


Why? ____________________________________________________________________

4. Name: ______________________________ Challenge: ______________________________


Why? ____________________________________________________________________

5. Name: ______________________________ Challenge: ______________________________


Why? ____________________________________________________________________

The heralds then call the challenger and defender forward for good exhibition fighting, just as in a regular tourney.

VII. Final Grand Melee-Spears over the Barrier, where a single strike is good enough to kill but the gallery can restore combatants.

"Now that we have met in the lists as friends and companions, let us return to the lists once more, this time armed for War, bearing both spears and the same ideals have shared earlier in the day. We will once more fight over the barrier, as was done in the days of our ancestors to relieve the boredom of sieges. A single strike between the quarters is enough to remove you from the field, but you may petition the gallery to release you back into the fighting, should they find your reasons sufficient and the combat itself interesting enough to continue. Let us fight with honor, good friends, and with both ferocity and generosity!"

The combatants arm and report.

"Be you ready my lords?"

Start the Grand Melee.

VIII. Closing Words and the Offering of Ribbens or Tokens

"Gentle combatants, please gather for a few words from Their Majesties:"

Place for TRM to speak and to introduce the idea of the ribbons.

Red or white ribbons will be given to each Lady of the Gallery, and she should bestow these ribbons on the combatants who she thinks were most valiant and courteous throughout the day.

"Three cheers for Their Majesties and the Other Royalty of the West!"
"Three cheers for Their Majesties of An Tir!"

-finis-

Brian R. Price
AKA SCA Brion Thornbird ap Rhys, Earl & Knight, OL
Chancellor, Company of Saint George