During the previous year, it had been decided that at the Pennsic lists there would be held diverse feats of arms, hosted by the tournament companies of the known world. The Company of Saint George, eager as always to test themselves against the chivalry and prowess of the known world, immediately agreed to defend the lists in their customary manner, that they might become better acquainted to the knights, squires and gentles of distant lands.

Earl Brion set forth with such preparations as were necessary for the Company. Lady Sabina of the Tenans of Noble Folly arranged for the lists, while the newly knighted Sir Uriens, himself a Tenan, arranged for the fencing to be erected on the site. A booklet containing the pas declaration was made by Earl Brion, and thus were many gentles informed of the Company’s intent.

Given the great distance, it was guessed that few defenders for the Company could be present. Therefore did Earl Brion invite friends from the Grand Company of the Peacocks and the newly founded Company of the Swan to stand with St. George that their numbers might stand a better chance of impressing those who might array against them.

The pas was set, at long last, for the Friday at the end of the week. Thursday had been a fine, sunny day, but by mid-day Friday it was apparent that the sky had darkened significantly, and the light rain that threatened throughout the morning increased steadily. By the hour of two the rain fell in great sheets. The Companions gathered slowly, soaked completely through, unaided by the light but brilliant galleries erected around the lists by the Peacocks. No one expected many challengers to attend—indeed by half past two only two had made themselves known. But during the heaviest part of the downpour, while a grand mêlée raged nearby, many more tenans and venans slogged their way to the lists. When more than twenty had gathered, Earl Brion gathered them together for the invocation.

Some of the gentles who were gathered were: Baron Terrance of Tyndale, GCP; Sir Talbot MacTaggart, GCP; Sir Geoffrey Matthias, CSG; Sir Luther Anshelm, CSG; Mistress Morgan Athenry, CSG; Aaron of Buckminster, CNF; Michael de Brad; Sir Crinen Lionel Rengarth, GCP; Sulka of Aaninethski; Sir Richard Blackmoor; Count Sir Garick von Kopke, CSW; Earl Eduoard Beausoleil, CSW; Squire Arafael Christian, CSW; Baron Rodholla the Strong; Viscountess Yseult of Summerhall, CSG; Viscount Robert of Woodsende, CSG; Garret Shadwell; Avery Austringer; Baron Sir Manfred von Halstern, CSM; Duke Dietrich von Vogelsang; Henri St. Jeahan le Blanc; Lord Theodore of Haddington; Lady Lyanna ferch Gwyn halek; Lord Charles Oakley, GCP; Sir Crispen; Jarl Sir Valgard Stonecleaver; Earl Sir Daffydd, CSMA; Squire

Reading through the rain, the Companions then introduced themselves in their customary manner, indicating that the rain notwithstanding, they would seek such bright glory as they might in the glow of the gallery and in the chivalry of the venans. The Grand Company of the Peacocks and the Company of the Swan introduced themselves as well. The principal of the Swan, Count Sir Garick von Kopke, introduced himself and espoused with great heartfelt sincerity that he fought, as always, not for himself but for she who inspired him, Countess Talitha. Kneeling before her, he presented her favor back to her, and she came forwarded, cloaked against the rain, and once more tied it to his arm.

At once the rain stopped.

Looking to the sky, there was much wonderment. The rain had been held at bay by this simple gesture! Not wishing to tempt fate, the challengers quickly introduced themselves, although the rain began again, not nearly so roughly, until they had finished. As usual, the rules of the lists were then read and sworn to, and everyone armed for the first single sword grand mêlée.

As soon as the combatants took to the field the rain fled in favor of the warm sun. The fighting took place within the confines of the lists, each combatant receiving three good blows upon their person before they were eliminated. Traditionally, each would exchange only one blow with an opponent, and then move on to a new fight, such that several opponents were met in quick succession. During the encounter, a few combatants were left at the end, Earl Brion and the (eadric) meeting with one blow remaining. They exchanged but a single blow each, Earl Brion striking the leg and the squire striking Earl Brion’s helmet, so Brion quickly declared the squire in possession of the field.  

The tenans then met briefly to determine who should receive the right of first, second, and third challenge against the arrayed companies, since many were the fine words spoken in the introductions. After some deliberation and much agreement, it came to the following. The right of the third challenge against the companies would go to Earl Daffydd from the Kingdom of Atlantia for his heartfelt sincerity. Second challenge would go to Sir Crispen of the Middle Kingdom, for his obvious passion. The right of first challenge would go to Lady Lyanna ferch Gwyn halek, also from Atlantia, for her stout challenge and for the fine armour she brought to the field, a harness of exquisite quality made by her own hand.

Each combatant challenged in the line, Lady Lyanna followed by Crispen and Daffydd respectively, and then all others making their own puissant challenges. When the challenges had all been delivered, the combatants began. Each of the fights done during the next pass was fought with counted blows, sword and shield in the manner of Saint George, that is number of blows thrown to the number of five. This was done both to keep the combats quick and to encourage the clean style of fighting preferred by the Company. Many of the combatants ended in a ‘draw’, but all seemed to have an excellent time.

Given the time, many gentles had to leave the field to prepare for Grand Court, including the squire, who had to prepare for his knighting. Taking a break from in between the passes, Earl Brion opened the list for all who would engage the squire in his last martial encounters before he wore the white belt of a knight. These fights were done using a single blow, to the first good blow struck, and the squire did there a great series of fights one after the other, proving his worth to all who met him with sword and shield. Finally, with a great cheer, the Company of the Swan gathered their companions and their candidate and bore him with great ceremony from the field, leaving only a few of their number behind.

The next pass of challenges was to take place over the barrier, using poleaxes. Once more the venans could choose a companion of their choice, the challenges to be delivered at the start so that the combats could progress without interruption. It was up to the gentles of the gallery to choose the first, second and third challenges, under the expertise of Countess Fern de la Fôret.

Lady Lyanna once again won accolades, this time being awarded the Third Challenge against the arrayed companies. Second place went to Baron Manfred von Halstern, for both his fine array and his well spoken demeanor. Finally, the squire of Saint Michael, Lord Ly…? Won the First place, challenging the principal of St. George, Earl Brion Thornbird. All of the fights over the barrier were well received, fought with a great deal of arduous smashing and thrusting. Finally, as the hour neared five, it was time for the final grand mêlée.

Before the single sword encounter, however, Lady Lyanna petititoned Earl Brion to be allowed to fight every companion with the poleaxe, as she had declared as her intention during the introductions, and as she fought for a certain duchess who would be well pleased by such a martial display. The Earl acquiesced, and she took to the field, where without pause she fought more than sixteen opponents, impressing gallery and the companies alike. The Company of Saint Michael gifted Earl Brion with a pewter badge of their company, made by the famed Mistress Nichola, while Earl Brion swore to have affixed to the St. George banner at the next opportunity. Many were such gestures exchanged, the friendship of all solidified even as stout blows were traded.

At one point, the squire Henri fought Earl Eduoard Beausoleil in a mighty duel with the poleaxes that won both gentles high renown from the spectators. Pleased with the encounter beyond words, Henri gifted Earl Eduoard with a precious ring, a gesture that brought tears to the eyes of several spectators. Receiving it with grace, Eduoard honored his opponent with his words.

Finally, the hour drew late and the final combat took place. Everyone strove with single swords to meet every opponent; usually three blows were exchanged instead of the usual one, since there would be no more fighting that day and all wanted to exchange blows in such company as long as possible. With final words of thanks, gifts were exchanged and all went about their business to prepare for court or for the Round Table that was to take place that evening in Duke Sir Eliahu’s encampment.