Saint Crispen's Day
Pas d'Armes
Sponsored by The Company of Saint George
November 7, 1992
Pas d'Armes Invocation
(Revised July, 1996)
A note to the King of Arms:
Italicized print to be read by the King of Arms
Bold print represents actions that are to take place
Regular print are segments to be spoken by a Companion
At 12 Noon gather the combatants together into two groups at the appropriate end of the list field, unhelmed but armoured and bearing their pennant.
"Oyez! Oyez!
"According to their formal challenge, the Companions of Saint George now stand ready to defend this glade against all challengers, provided that they bear themselves with nobility and grace.
"Noble Company, as the first matter of business, have you chosen one who will stand this day as Knight of Honor?"
Companion: "We have, gentle herald. It pleases us to name _______________ as our Marshal. In the tradition extending to our ancestors, we charge him to watch these combats in our name and to advance the causes of chivalry and fairness above other virtues."
"Men of the Attack, do you find this acceptable?"
They answer, probably in the affirmative.
If it is not affirmative, then the companions ask the challengers for their own suggestion, and an agreement is sought.
"Listen then and know the names of the Companions you face this day-they shall make themselves known to you in their own words, that you might know who inspires them and why they have come to this place."
The Companions come forward, bearing their pennants, and introduce themselves.
"Now that the Companions are known unto you, advance and make yourselves known to these Companions of Saint George.. Say in a few words what goal you seek this day, and forget not the gallery, for whose entertainment we are partially bound."
The challengers should advance in a manner pleasing to them, perhaps joined by their consort or other attendants. Speaking to both the Company and to the Gallery, when they complete their introduction they should retire back to their own lines.
"Now gather thee, noble lords, and hear the rules of the day, to which you will bind yourselves for the duration of this Pas."
The Rules of the List (usually in the declaration) are inserted here.
"This being read, are these rules understood by all?"
If not, a companion must clarify. Usual areas of claraification are for counted blows, combats over the barrier, and any special Grand Mêlée rules.
"Noble gentlemen, having heard these conditions, do you swear to uphold the rules and to all in your power to set aside the personal avarice of hollow victory and instead to advance the noble spirit of knighthood?"
The combatants so swear.
"The combatants also request that you gentles, who our ancestors would have known as the 'venans', would watch over the deeds done this day by the Companions of Saint George, recounting the same as the feast to follow, that the glory and honor of this tournament society might live on. The Companions thank you for this and for your presence here today. We pledge for our part to bear witness to your knightly deeds and to recount them to all who would listen, that your names be washed forever in glory and praise."
Companion: "Now then, noble venans, that we be known to one another and the rules are agreed upon, we must beg your indulgence for a few moments as we must decide who has gained the right of first challenge against us."
The companions draw back to their muster and discuss who should gain the right of first, second, and third challenge against the company, according to the persuasiveness of the introductions just witnessed. The King of Armes should present the list of challengers so that names can be spelled properly. The names are given to the King of Armes, who should record them here for inclusion in the Company's Roll of Deeds. (forward this to the Clerk of the Company).
Companion: "Noble herald, we have, with great difficulty, chosen three gentles of virtue who we offer the honor of striking the first blows against us."
"We name, for the third challenge, _________________________
"For the second challenge, _______________________________
"And for the honor of the first blow, __________________________"
These gentles should stand forward as they are called, prompted by a staff herald or by an arming page. The other challengers should continue to hold themselves in a line, allowing these three to whichever side will serve as the head. We recommend the Gallery side. The Arming squires or heralds should help with this to keep it smooth.
"Come forward then and offer these Companions and the Gallery persuasive words of challenge-remembering to keep your prose crisp and your fights interesting. Be warned that you should not select a challenge that will prove boring to the gallery, lest you pay the consequences of their pique."
All of the challengers come forward and offer their challenges, striking the shield and speaking to both the Companion and to the Gallery. Challenges which diverge from the Rules of the List should be ruled upon by the Knight of Honor in consultation with the Gallery. Especially long combats should be discouraged on account of discourtesy to the other combatants and to the Gallery.
A list of the challenges might be kept by the Heralds, or the heralds can charge the challengers to remember what they challenged and who they follow in line. The Knight of Honor should assist the gallery in taking note of fine deeds and in selecting the three combatants who will have the honor of first, second and third challenges against the Company. Usually a senior lady is chosen to be the spokesperson.
After all the challenges have been offered, the fights commence. The arming squires should work to see that both parties to a challenge are ready to take to the field immediately.
After the first round, The combatants should once again take their positions at either end of the list.
"Tenans and noble challengers, stand you ready for another pass?"
If they answer in the affirmative, then proceed. If they indicate that they would like to quit, then go to the closing section.
"Ladies and gentles of the gallery, have you watched over this pass, that you might suggest three of supreme virtue who should be accorded the right of first, second and third challenge?"
The ladies can then either offer their choices themselves, or have the Knight of Honor read out the list:
"For the third challenge, _______________ is selected for ____________________ (why)
"For the second challenge, _______________ is selected for ____________________ (why)
"For the honor of the first challenge, we recognize _______________ because ____________________"
One or more passes at challenges are held this way. After the final pass, the companions should gather in their cloaks.
"Honorable combatants, please gather.
"Many and great are the deeds that have been done this day; the cause of chivalry, prevalent in the minds of these noble knights, has advanced and increased the honor of the nobles standing here. The Companions salute you, offering their profound appreciation for the tests of prowess and the gestures of friendship that have enriched us all.
"We invite you to retire with us to the hall, where we might engage in dancing and other amusing diversions until the feast is prepared. During the feast, we would share with you tales the valor and courtesy we have seen this day. Special honors are there to be claimed for those nobles who shone with particular brightness. Feel free to tell of what you have seen this day that impressed or distressed you, that the renown of our Companions be right & true. Bring your helmets and your pennants into the hall, for we would honor all who advanced the ancient cause of chivalry.
"Thank you, noble gentles! As we came together in friendship, so too do we now depart."
Here now ends the Pas d'Armes; at the feast there might be discussions of chivalric questions, recognitions of what the Companions saw (often we offer tokens of our notice), the investiture of new Companions, and sometimes petitions and oaths by Errants.
-finis-
Brian R. Price
AKA SCA Brion Thornbird ap Rhys, Earl & Knight, OL
Chancellor, Company of Saint George
