Before Twelfth Night past Sir Finnvarr deTaahe was minded to hold a great hunt for the pleasure of the sport and to further increase the quality of his table at the feast to come. Many agreed to join in this pursuit, so he and a number of his guests and companions rode out in bright array, with beaters and trumpeters to flush out the game in the great Northern forest that borders his estates.

The hunt was fruitful, and much game had been brought down, but as the day wore on the sky darkened and a great gusting wind blew up blinding clouds of snow. Soon the sky added further flakes, and their vision was blinded by the blizzard. In the confusion his Grace became separated from his companions. As the brave chevalier wandered through the forest, calling to his companions, but could find no trace of them or the path. As night fell a chill came upon him; the snow fell heavy all about, clinging and covering the good Duke. Lost, freezing, and with little hope, Sir Finnvarr felt his life was lost.

With all hope gone, having exhausted his strength and wit to no end, Finnvarr knelt and prayed to the Lord God for deliverance from his plight. And lo, a mysterious lady appeared bearing a bright lantern, which spread light, and warmth through the storm, and about her the wind ceased to blow and the snow did not fall. The good Duke was filled with wonder, and cried out, “Are you an angel sent to lead me to heaven?”

And the lady spoke to him, saying, "No, brave knight, for I am the Lady of the Forest, and you are in my realm. Pray good lord, would you be delivered from my realm to the hearth and safety of your home?"

Finnvarr, in a quivering voice replied "Aye, gracious lady I would."

"I will lead you to safety my good knight, if you will swear by God and on your honour that you will grant me whatever boon I list once I have delivered you from the forest."

Sir Finnvarr did so swear, as it was a right and proper price for the lady's help. And the lady led the weary chevalier down through the forest, till they came to a gate at the edge of the wood. And lo, not far down the road he could see the lights of his castle, and he was filled with great joy that he had been so delivered. The lady bade him dismount, which he did, and knelt at her feet, saying "Thank you, good and gentle lady. All that I have is yours for delivering me so"

And she replied "I need naught of your worldly goods, Sir Finnvarr.  Rather I bid you to hold a great tourney and passage of arms in my honour.  And this tourney shall be held on this spot, and you should invite all the great and noble princes, knights, and lords throughout all the lands to come and contest in joyous combat. Also you should charge these princes, knights, and lords to conduct those who hold their heart hither as well, so that they may inspire great deeds of prowess and chivalry. And further, you should do this before the summer has passed, and the fall comes upon my land, for I would have these Princes and lords see it in all its verdant spendour."

Sir Finnvarr agreed most willingingly, and the Lady gave him his leave, and came safely to his hearth and home, where he was met with great joy and relief by his household and guests, for they had feared for the worst

And straightaway his grace began plans and preparations for this great event, which brings me here today.  So, I pray you pay heed to his Grace, Sir Finnvarr deTaahe’s words:

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Let all princes, barons, knights, squires, and gentles at arms in the marches of Septentria, Skraeling Althing, Rising Waters, Ramshaven, Ben Dunfirth, and all others of whatever marches that are in this kingdom and all other Christian kingdoms, who are not banished or enemies of the king our lord, may God save him, know that on the sixth day of September, on the field of Ravenhill in the town of Bonfield, there will be a very great festival of arms and a very noble tourney with maces and rebated swords, spears and pollaxes, with banners and your bravest array, as is the ancient custom;

     Of which tourney the captains are the very noble and powerful princes and my very redoubted lords the Sir Finnvarr DeTaahe, Duke appellant and the Sir Fernando Rodriguez de Falcon, Baron of Three Rivers defendant, and at the tourney there will be noble and rich prizes given by ladies and damsels.  Thank you.

Appellant:  Sir Finnvarr de Taahe, Duke of the Middle
Defendant:  Sir Fernando Rodriguez de Falcon, Baron of Three Rivers
Lady of the Forest: Mistress Ragni Dzintara of Amberhall
King at Arms:  Lord Siegfried Brandbeorn
Sprite1:  Anne Larmer
Sprite2:  Chrissie
Wildman1:  Master Sylard of Eagleshaven
Wildman2:  Lord Cinaeth
Wildman3:  Lord Cynraed

Day before the tourney
    The Barriers and any shelters should be erected
    The story should be told at an appropriate time
    The tourney announcement should be cried.

A few props will need to be located. For the wildmen, a club would be appropriate, and old hunk of tree would do.For the sprites, a cloth will be needed to cover the prizes.

Day of the Tourney

The banners of the appellant and defendant should be displayed

Approximately 1 hour before the tourney The King of arms should announce that all who wish to participate in the tourney should don their harness and meet at the banners of the appellant and defendant in one half hour.  Repeat the cry at 10-minute intervals.

Once the combatants are gathered, direct the lady of the forest, her attendants, and the wildmen to take their places.

At the appointed time join the appellant, defendant, and all others gathered. Advise the appellant and defendant to split the gentles presently as evenly as possible between them. This should be a fairly straightforward process, as the White Hart and Finnvarr’s Squires should bulk out his side fairly well.

Once this is done, have the members of the two companies line up behind their respective leader in some semblance of order of precedence, and process to the tourney barriers/gate.

The gate will be guarded by two wildmen, who challenge as they approach

Wildman1 (Sylard): "Who approaches the lands of my most noble Lady of the Forest?"

King of Arms (Siegfried): "His Grace, Sir Finnvarr DeTaahe."

Wildman2 (Cinaeth): "What is your business with our most beloved Lady?"

Finnvarr:  "I come to repay my debt to her, as we had agreed."

Wildman1: "This is a good thing.  Summon the Lady."

Wildman 2 sounds his horn, and the lady and her attendant’s process into view.  The two sprites bear the tourney prizes covered under cloths.

Lady (Ragni): "Sir Finnvarr, have you come to fulfill your promise?"

Finnvarr:  "I have."

Lady:  "And who shall be the defendant in this great tourney (surveying the tourneyers)?"

Fernando:  "I, Sir Fernando Rodriguez de Falcon, Baron Three Rivers."

Lady:  "A most noble and worthy choice.  Good gentles, please, let your companions introduce themselves to me, and the tourney may begin."

At this point the gentles of their companies introduce themselves to the lady, alternating. 

Sir Finnvarr and his companions enter.

At this point the King of Arms will declare the rules of the tourney.

"My most noble lords, this tourney will consist of five passages. The first, third, and fifth will be melees at the barriers, interrupted by rounds of single combats.

"Know that these shall be the rules for the melees.  They are to be fought au plaisance, for the pleasure of the ladies and the combatants.  There shall be no thrusting with swords or maces (note that this includes great swords and bastard swords), and the following weapons may be used.  Sword or mace and shield, hand and a half sword, great sword, pollaxe, or spear.  Thrusts may be made with pollaxe or spear, counting as a single blow.  Up to four combatants may step to the barrier at any time.

"Upon being struck a single good blow in any location a combatant must retreat from the barrier, calling out that the blow is well struck, and the number of the blow.  He may return to the barrier until he has been struck five times, at which point he may not return.  When you desire to approach the barrier you must cry your battlecry, so that all may know you approach, and who you might be.  Also, I charge you to fight valiantly, standing close to the barrier, though you will be warned if you do not.

"If at any time during a melee either side should have no combatants at the barrier or in the list, as appropriate, the I will cry for you to stand back and the side remaining at the barrier must draw back to allow their opponents to prepare.  Once it is apparent both sides are prepared I will charge you to lay on again.

"Have you any questions about the melees, my lords?"

"Know then that these are the rules for the single combats.

"These combats may be fought au plaisance, to a number of blows thrown or a number of blows taken.  The first set of challenges will be from the defendants to the appellants, and the second from the appellants to the defendants.  Each individual wishing to challenge should approach the barrier, and request that lady of the forest choose an opponent for him to prove his worth with at the barriers with such and such a weapon.  She will do so, and the chose one to meet the challenge.  Note that the weapons used and the rules for thrusting are the same as in the melees.

"Have you any other questions, my lords?"

Knight of Honor:

“Gentle Cousins, do you swear that you fight not in anger but for the joy of honourable combat, and for the pleasure of the ladies, most particularly the most noble Lady of the Forest?”

Lady: "If you are ready then, good gentles, please, lay on."

The lady, her wildmen, and the sprites retire to the sidelines to watch the tourney.

The tourney should progress as laid out above.  To add to the atmosphere of the affair, the Lady and her retainers should cheer loudly, and make great commotion.

If at any time it is apparent that a tourneyer is not fighting valiantly, or committing some other trespass, a hold should be called, and the wildmen enter the list and bring the miscreant before the lady.  She should charge him to beg her forgiveness for his actions, and upon doing so, allow him to return to the list.

If at any time a particularly valiant deed is done, a hold should similarly be called, and the sprites should escort the gentle in question before the Lady, who should praise the worthy deed.

At the end of each round, the horn should be sounded, and great cheers put up.

There are two prizes for the tourney. One will be awarded by the Lady of the Forest to the one who most impressed her with their conduct in the list. She may make this decision on her own or in consultation with the other ladies there. The other prize will also be given by her, but the decision on whom to award it will be made by the king of arms and the two captains. Their choice should be the gentle who “won” the day with his prowess. This decision should be made on the qualitative factors of survival of the three melees and victory in the single combats. Obviously this may leave a number of choices, at which time a more quantitative decision must be made.

After the horn has sounded to end the final melee, the Lady will speak.

Lady:  "Good gentles, you have shown your prowess and honour most nobly this day, and I congratulate you all.  In particular, so and so, most impressed me with his conduct and bearing in the list this day."

King of Arms summons so and so, and the prize is awarded.

Lady: "Also, one other has fought with great prowess, and to my mind, won the day.  Please call forth so and so."

King of Arms summons so and so, and the prize is awarded.

Lady: "Again I thank you all for your most pleasing entertainment this day.  Sir Finnvarr, I count your debt well and truly paid."

To the sounds of the wildman’s trumpet and cries, the lady and her company retreat to the forest.