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Question #3: What is the most important virtue a combatant can exhibit? Would a period Knight agree?
The most important virtue a combatant can display is honesty. I mean thorough, complete honesty. If a fighter is honest with his opponents, and with himself, he has conquered much of what causes "bad" tourneyers to go astray....
To have honesty within yourself, you must hold an element of doubt which will cause you to look at your own actions with renewed scrutiny every time a marginal situation comes up. Why did you call a blow light? You may have genuinely perceived it to be light, especially if you have experience, but be aware that your unconscious mind, with hidden agendas of the ego, may well filter what you perceive. If your honesty is imperfect, your reputation suffers.
Alone, honesty cannot carry knightly virtues. It must be accompanied by courage, prowess, courtesy, tact, humility, and a host of others. Together, acting as a whole, they represent some of the best of what tournaments can nurture. --Ian McDagget
A Game by Any Other Name... (page 13) Steven H. Beck
"Editor [Brian R. Price]: This response to the forum question #6--"What should you do when you feel your opponent is 'playing a different game', or in the extreme, cheating?"--was complete enough that I felt it deserved an article space of its own."
"In tournaments, wars, and even practices, there are those who count, hit and fight differently, as well as those who have been fighting for a great or a little while. It is impossible for us all to be exactly the same, so we thereby create a range of safety and calibration for delivery and accepting blows as well as a wide assortment of styles. The range for safety and calibration is monitored and dictated by the fighters themselves and ultimately by the marchallate. When encouraging a fighter who is seen as going beyond teh acceptable range, what can be done--or, better put--what must be done?..."
On Virtue and Honor (page 18) Elias Ashmole
Excerpted from Ashmole's Order of the Garter, c. 1672, this work is a 17th century look back at the much earlier tradition of chivalry.
"And though in a moral and strict sense, Virtue is to be accounted as its own Reward; yet in regard there are very many, who not so much from a virtuous Principle, as to obtain wealth and honor, are drawn oftentimes to act meritoriously; therefore it was provided, by the wisest Founders of Empires, and Common-wealths, to take special care no less for the encouragement of well-doing (by setting up Reward as a prize, for brave endeavors to aim at, prosecute and carry, and consequently to exalt men according to their merit) then for the punishment of vicious and ignoble actions: insomuch that Socrates justly concluded that {the} City is to be best governed, wherein, 'the good are cherished and the bad chastised'.3"
"3 Brus, in Platonem, 1.50 C.8 (footnote from the original text)"
Jacks for the Company of Saint George (page 24) G.A. Embleton (Text and Illust.) & Gavin Danker (Intro.)
This article is about the Company of Saint George in Switzerland, which is actually very different from the Company of Saint George located in America.
"Editor [Brian R. Price]: ...To my understanding, their company is a 1470s Living History group trying to recreate the life of a Burgundian Artillery Company to the highest standard of authenticity and accuracy, 'A humble company, not rich nor poor, we have no knights.'...
"The material they produce is indeed of the highest quality...
"In this article, Gambesons, Jupons, Pourpoints, Jacks and Arming coats are discussed..."
Knightly Orders and Tournament Societies (page 32) Brian R. Price
The concepts of knightly orders and tournament societies are explored here by a broad analysis of orders and societies, as well as closer examinations of some historical orders (such as the Order of the Band, the Order of the Garter, and the Order of the Star). Included as well is a good layout on how to set up a modern tournament society.
"The tournament society is an ideal tool for those of like mind together, show their example, and help one another to be more authentic and skilled in their displays of prowess and chivalry. A group of dedicated tourneyers can discuss aspects of chivalry, technique, and field appearance. Together, they can make a collective, more visible example of the ideals they wish to hold and see advanced. Individually, they can benefit by membership in a prestigious group known for certain values--authenticity, chivalry, prowess, and the like. Hopefully, all of the above. Together, the members can attend tournaments by other sponsors, sponsor their own events, and in general advance the cause of chivalry and honor in their own voice."
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