"Few activities can match the color, romance, and excitement of the Medieval tournament of chivalry. Knights, squires and Lords compete with one another in their displays of prowess and honor; their skills and their character.

"Ladies escort their lords to the field, watchful of their performance as the combatant fights for the honor of their consort. Some ladies fight as well, displaying their own style of chivalric conduct. In addition to the entertainment, spectators can observe the combatant and challenger in a melieu where character is brought to the surface and the honest expressions of courtesy and valor can be plainly seen. These values are in short supply these days, and their display makes the tournament all the more pleasing."

---From Chapter 2: The Purpose of the Tournament of Chivalry

In this, the first hardcover book on the tournament, Brian Price, a 14-year veteran of tournament fighting, looks deeply into how the tournament works. It examines in detail the mechanisms that create the tourneyer's most important gain from the tournament--renown. It looks at different kinds of tournaments, how they are fought, and at the roles of people who surround the tournament field (properly called the list). It looks at the role of a squire and of knighthood, and can act as an introduction to tourneying to novices, and yet attempts to highlight observations that might startle intermediate or even advanced tourneyers.

The book is meant to answer many important questions: What is meant by renown? How does a combatant know when to call a blow? What is the role of the consort? How are tournaments fought? What styles of tournament are used?

If you are a combatant within the SCA, or are just interested in this book, then the content will at once fascinate and provoke discussion.

Contents

Bound hardcover in a beautiful faux leather w/gold foil imprinting, the appearance of the book itself has been the source of much comment. Typeset in a modified Caxton style, we tried for a look that was close to the original Ramon Lull book translated and printed by Caxton in 1484, yet was readable. Printed on recycled linen stock, the book really is a showpiece of the printers' art. A fine gift for anyone interested in the medieval tournament!

Only $21.95 + $3.00 S/H

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Webbed by Chronique: The Journal of Chivalry
© 1997 All material copyrighted by author unless otherwise noted.