This pas d'armes has been created to function with a medium or large number of combatants, what I have come to term a "grand" pas d'armes. Such encounters might stand alone as events of their own (as ours did) or be conducted at large interkindgom wars. There is a good deal of fighting both for single challenges and for groups, but I would add a word of caution should you try the format at a very large war--you might get people who come to your pas with 'victory' first on their mind, eschewing the courteous atmosphere of friendly but ardent striving that hallmarks a successful feat of arms.
A great deal of importance is placed in this scenario on the gallery and the Knight of Honor who must guide them. The Knight must clarify the rules, and also lead the gallery in deliberations as they arise. Without great care to defend both the honor of the gallery and the combatants, as well as the 'tone' of the pas d'armes, this scenario might not be successful.
We in the Company tried this one out and had a fabulous time--included in this document you will find both the declaration (the rules) and the invocation (the script). In the Company of Saint George Book of Deeds you will find an account of the day.
"According to their published challenge, the Companions of Saint George do now stand on either side of this great Tiber River, ready to defend Rome and the ladies here gathered in honorable combat."
"Know that these Companions of Saint George, desirous of testing their skills and their virtue against the most puissant challengers gathering here opposite, do so for the glory of Saint George, this Company, the gallery and these noble challengers. And today, also for the memory of the ancient hero Horatius."
"Now, gentles of the gallery, please take your seats such that the Tale of Horatius at the Bridge can be told. Then will these most noble gentlemen in arms be free to fight in your honor."
"Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!"
"Rome had few defenders in those times, as is true today, and they knew that they lacked the strength to withstand such overwhelming numbers. If they met in the field, they would be easily overrun and crushed, subjugated or destroyed in detail. They wisely retreated within the walls of Rome, waiting for the siege that they knew they could not withstand.
"King Porsena, true to his word, led his army in the early morning hours to the only small wooden bridge that stood between Rome and certain destruction. The size of the force made the few city defenders and citizens shake with fear; they knew they were doomed.
"Among the guards at the bridge was an unassuming knight by the name of Horatius. On that morning his duty found him on the far side of the bridge, too close to retreat. It is said that on that day he spoke more nobly than his station might suggest, words that have come down to us with power despite their antiquity:
"With their shields before them, their lances held high, they fought with the strength of hundreds, their virtue and their love strengthening their arms against those massed against them. When at last the bridge was collapsing, their companions bade them to rush across and return home. But the bridge remained, stubbornly refusing to fall. Horatius bade his companions join their families. With great reluctance they turned, barely reaching the Roman side of the bridge when it fell into the Tiber with a thunderous crash.
"Horatius now stood alone facing more than ten thousand Etruscans. Where most men, even most knights, would have turned to retreat into the river, Horatius advanced several steps, casting his spear while an Etruscan dart pierced his left eye. Still he advanced, hewing strongly around with his short sword and laying many an Etruscan to the earth. When the Etruscans had ceased their advance, held in wonder by his prowess, he turned, his duty done, and spoke to the River:
"Though Horatius was a Roman, an ordinary knight who had by his stubborn defense kept them out of Rome, the Etruscans worshipped the man for his virtue, and they could do nothing else but praise him and refrain from their quarrel.
"The Romans, overjoyed at their deliverance, called him thereafter ‘Horatius Cocles’, which means ‘one-eyed Horatius’, erecting a fine bronze statue in the very center of Rome, recounting his deeds for many years, increasing his renown over and over even long after his death.
"Today, we hope to provide the opportunity for each and every one of these noble combatants to demonstrate their prowess and their courtesy, earning for themselves renown and maybe a bit of Horatius’ glory. We hope that everyone will enjoy these encounters, but, throughout the day, one gentle will stand out in the eyes of this most noble gallery. This gentle will be known for the evening as Horatius Cocles, redoubling the renown and glory already won through deeds and sincerity.
"Now that the history of Horatius Cocles is known to us, let us read the rules that will govern our combat this day:
Conventions of Combat—Horatius at the Bridge Pas d’Armes
"In the days of our most venerable ancestors, not long after the noble Alexander led his chivalric army around the world, there was fought a great war between the Romans and the Etruscans, who lived on either side of the Tiber River. The king of the Etruscans, Porsena, raised a great army to smash the Roman defenders; it was a great and powerful force, the likes of which had never before been seen by man or beast.
Pause
Death cometh sooner or late.
And how can man die better,
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers
And the temple of his gods?
To whom the Romans pray
A Roman’s life, a Roman’s arms,
Take me in your charge today!
"Noble gentles, we gather here today to enjoy one anothers company. But we gather also to do homage to the deeds of our noble ancestor Horatius, repeating the tale of his feats in arms once more than our own actions might in some small way be influenced by his nobility. Someday, perhaps, we might have the opportunity to perform a deed as selfless and as courageous as his.
now first, before all, that in this as in all feats of armes, we combatants are bound together by the strongest ties of chivalry; both the romance and the history of knighthood as it was practiced by our ancestors. In a pas d’armes as in a prize tournament, we come together in friendship, striving one against the other not as enemies, but as companions. We in the Company do not seek vainglory, but we seek to improve ourselves through these exercises, striving for that distant, unreachable ideal that is the perfect knight. We do not hold ourselves better than other combatants, but we do share a vision of what it means to strive in a tournament and what it means to be a knight. In a pas d’armes, the idea of victory removed, we can see that it is truly renown that is the ‘coin of the tourneyer’, the only lasting thing to be won in any tournament.
These combats are to be fought for the joi de combat alone, rather than for the base spirit of victory. Today, we all fight as Romans and Etruscans, though Horatius might come from either side. Fight with honor to impress your opponents and the gallery.
Item: The first pass will feature the tenans challenging an opponent of their choice, where they shall fight with spears or poleaxes over the chasm. This will attempt to recreate some of the skirmishing taking place between knights of opposing armies, yielding many opportunities for courtesy, generosity, and renown.
Item: The second pass is a grand melee to be fought with spears or poleaxes over the chasm, each combatant allowed three good blows before they are eliminated. All spears must be nine feet or less in length.
Item: The third pass will consist of a combat over the bridge, the Romans against the Etruscans, where all must wield only a single sword into the press, fighting until they have been struck three times. After each strike each combatant must seek the gallery’s permission, seated as they are in Rome, to return to the fray.
Item: The fourth pass will consist of another single combat, where the each combatant will fight singly, using single swords or sword and shield, according to their pleasure, on the bridge.
Item: The fifth pass will be done by all combatants at once in a Grand Mêlée. It will be fought single sword only, and only over the bridge. Combatants fight until they succeed in reaching the other side of the bridge. If they are slain in the attempt, then they must retire once more to their camp, cry their war-cry, and return for another attempt. Combatants must reach the other side without wounds. It is envisioned that reaching the far side will prove very difficult; some negotiation may be required should the encounter prove intractable.
Item: The sixth pass is a single engagement. Each man will step forward, making his way to the bridge armed with only with a greatsword, where they fight to ‘first blood’ against the challenger. The defeated knight retires to his side, while the victor continues to hold the bridge until defeated. All combatants may have three such attempts; the heralds will record the number of fights won by each in a single string.
Item: From these encounters, the gallery will determine who has impressed them as being most like Horatius; the gentle so chosen will be crowned immediately. They will in addition choose another ‘nine worthies’, gentles whose qualities inspired them throughout the day. These nine will divide themselves into two groups of six and three, the three joining Horatius and the six standing in a last effort to steal the bridge. Single challenges will commence between the two, wounds retained, with poleaxes, until no defenders remain.
Item: Following these encounters this pas d’armes will be at a close. Questions of chivalry and the deeds done by these noble combatants will follow at a most special feast to follow. The Companions of Saint George thank the men of the venans, and the most noble gallery, for their indulgence of our play this day. We hope that all pass a pleasant afternoon in the joi d’armes, that the renown of Horatius and of the gentles gathered here in his honor garner great fame and glory according to their merit.
The combatants answer, probably in the affirmative. If there are questions, Brion will answer.
"Gentlemen—Are these rules understood?"
"And do you swear now to uphold the rules of the list?"
The combatants so swear
The companions come forward and introduce themselves.
"Now that the Companions of Saint George be known unto you, let the more noble challengers come forward as well, that you might know them also. The companions, inspired by their words, will select from amongst them three who stand out by their sincerity as being like unto Horatius and his two Companions. These gentles will then occupy the three highest places of honor, challenging companions of their choice first, second, and third.
The challengers come forward and introduce themselves.
"Now that the rules be known, and the introductions be made, the Company must request your indulgence for a moment while they retire to discuss who has impressed us the most with their sincerity and their gentility. We will return bearing good news, for three of you shall win the honors of the commençailles.
The companions retreat a few steps to make their selection. When they have completed the task (3 mins. or so) the lines will reform.
"Noble gentles, now that you have met singly, being known slightly to one another in both word and in deed, face one another now over the River Tibor, but use care should you fall in, for the gallery may not allow you to return.
Pause
"Be you ready? Then for the honor of this most noble gallery, and in memory of the noble hero Horatius, Laissez Allez!"
"Noble gentles, now that you have met with weapons over a distance, meet ye now face to face, with single swords. Remember that if you may be struck three times; but after each time you must retire to the gallery and seek their release back into the fray."
Pause
"Be you ready? Then for the honor of this most noble gallery, and in memory of the noble hero Horatius, Laissez Allez!"
"Puissant combatants, it is now time for the challengers once again to make their favor known in choosing who among the Company they would meet in single combat, either with single sword or sword and shield, at their pleasure. Come forward now, making your challenge heard to both opponent and gallery, that all might know your reasons:
The challeners come forward and make their challenges.
"Be you ready? Then for the honor of this most noble gallery, and in memory of the noble hero Horatius, Laissez Allez!"
"Given the prowess on each side of this bridge, it may come to pass that a stalemate is reached; if you cannot come to a solution that threatens not to bore the gallery, then the gallery will be free to decide that a draw has been reached."
"And now, well tried all, it is time to meet once gain in a grand flurry of swords and bodies for both the entertainment of the gallery and in memory of Horatius’ stand against the Etruscans in mixed combat. Your lances are gone; now fight you with single sword only, over this small bridge, striving to be the first to reach your opponent’s banner.
Pause
"Be you ready? Then for the honor of this most noble gallery, and in memory of the noble hero Horatius, Laissez Allez!"
"Besides Horatio, nine others will be chosen for their prowess, these nine honored to fight in the last engagement while the others rest and enjoy these last combats."
"Gentlemen in arms; though the greatsword was unknown in the days of Horatius, it has become a weapon of great strength, associated with only the most puissant knights. That being true, and for the sheer joi de combat, this next engagement will be made on the bridge. Each combatant may come forward three times, fighting until first blood, after which they must retire. The gallery will watch to determine who impresses them the most, and Horatius will thus be named.
Pause
"Be you ready? Then for the honor of this most noble gallery, and in memory of the noble hero Horatius, Laissez Allez!"
"Ladies and gentles of the gallery, have you made your determination?
The ladies reply.
"Then pray send one of your number forward, to tell who during the day has impressed you the most with their demonstration of prowess, courtesy, and the other chivalric virtues:
The lady comes forward and puts forward a name, speaking in their favor.
"Now then, gentle__________________________________, come to take your place; despite your humility, this gallery has seen fit to accord you with Horatius’ Laurel, in token of your renown.
The lady crowns him with the laurel.
"Oh but wait, noble lord, there is one other thing. You may recall that although Horatius was bold and courageous, he suffered an agrevious wound in his defense of Rome, wearing this wound until the end of his days as a badge of honor. I too have worn a similar token this day, though mine is worn not of my own virtue but of respect for the ancient hero. Now I offer this token to you; pass it on when you too find someone who impresses you with their courage, courage in either a moral or a physical sense. Such tokens were worn not only by Horatius, but in the fourteenth century by 1oo English knights who vowed to wear the patches until they had accomplished deeds in arms in France. And so the tradition continues."
Someone might come forward with an eyepatch...
"Noble Ladies, many other lords fought here today both for your pleasure and in memory of Horatius. As there were in the middle ages Nine Worthies who were legendary in their chivalric virtue"
The following are read by the gallery:
For patronage of the horn of truth, we call _______________________ Joshua.
For purity, we would have __________________________known as David.
As Juddas Maccabeus, known for today for loyalty, we choose_____________________
As the Noble Alexander, known today for generosity, we choose__________________
Ceasar, known for his defense of ladies, we choose______________________________
Charlemagne, representing today justice, we choose____________________________
Kind Arthur, known today for his humility, we choose_______________________________
And for the last, in faith to the chivalric ideals, we would have ___________________ known as Gottfeid de Bouillon.
"And now, gentles, separate yourselves, for three of you will stand with Horatius one last time, fighting this time solely for the honor of your opponent’s consort."
"Know the that these gentles have ennobled themselves by their steadfast demonstration of all the chivalric virtues. In the Middle Ages the names of Joshua, David, Juddas Maccabeus, Alexander, Ceasar, Charlemagne, Arthur and Gottfried de Bouillon were known as being the greatest knights ever to know chivalry. Today, we give these names once more in token. At the next St. George pas d’armes, any who bears such a name will have the opportunity to grant it to another gentle.
Once they have chosen
"You fight now in single combats, retaining wounds, over the bridge, using the noble poleaxe. Remember that in this you fight for your consort, that noble lady or lord who inspires you; fight you well!"
The combatants must sort our who will fight in what order.