Her Majesty Juliana calls those fencers in the kingdom to her home Shire of Misty Highlands to compete for the honor of standing as her champion.
All are invited to come join the galleries as our Kingdom’s fencers display their prowess and skill as the vie to stand with that honor!
The next Queen’s Rapier Championship will be hosted by the Shire of Misty Highlands on January 29, 2022 at Robert C. Byrd High School, 1 Eagle Way, Clarksburg, WV, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is a royal progress event
Entrants in a past Queen’s Rapier Tournament process before the Queen. Photo by Baroness Aine ny Allane.
. Site is dry, no flames are allowed. The site also is not wheelchair accessible and only service animals are allowed (no pets).
The autocrat for the day is Baron Arias Beltran del Valle. Contact him for any questions.
The site fee for the day is $10 for each gentle, and those 17 and under are welcome as guests of the Shire. Checks can be made payable at the door to SCA WV, Inc. – Shire of Misty Highlands.
QRC and the Shire of Misty Highlands will follow all SCA COVID guidelines in effect on the day of the event.
We look forward to welcoming all to our Shire once again!
See the event page on Facebook here and the official announcement here.
Here continues the Record of the Second Reign of Gareth and Juliana, King and Queen of Sylvan Æthelmearc at Queen’s Rapier Championship, May 4, AS 54, in Their Barony St. Swithin’s Bog; as recorded by Lady Nichola Beese, with the support of Lord Fiachna MacCennetig.
Her Majesty called the children there present before her. Master Jacob Martinson was likewise invited before Her Majesty and sent off with the toy chest, while Her Majesty asked the children about their favorite part of the day. Once Master Jacob had a lead sufficient to hopefully ensure his safety, the children were sent after him and their treasure.
Her Majesty then called for those amongst the populace attending their first event in the Society to attend Her. These newcomers were given a drinking vessel, as is their Majesties’ custom, to welcome them to the Society with the wish that their cup never run dry.
Her Majesty then granted their Excellencies of St. Swithin’s Bog leave to conduct their court.
Upon resuming Her court, Her Majesty invited the outgoing Rapier Champion, Countess Elena d’Artois, to recount the tournament. After hearing Her Excellency’s telling of the day’s deeds, Her Majesty named Master Jacob of Dunmore to duly succeeded her as Queen’s Rapier Champion. Scroll by THL Felice de Thornton. Her Majesty called before Her those who participated in their first Queen’s Rapier Championship that day and bestowed a gift upon each.
Bjorn Inn Digri was next called before Her Majesty. For his services in the kitchen, on the thrown weapons range, and others, he was Awarded Arms. Illumination by Mistress Ælfra Long, Words by Mistress Mahin Banu Tabrizi, and Calligraphy by THL Gemima of Krull.
Her Majesty then called Lady Rosenese, called Roxanne of the Foxtail, before Her. For her continued and cheerful service to her barony and her fellows, Lady Rosenese was inducted to the Order of the Keystone. Calligraphy by Gemima of Krull.
Her Majesty summoned Lord Mathias al-Tabai before her. She had been made aware of his service both on and off the lists, and his dedication to assisting the members of his local community, the rapier community, and the Sylvan Kingdom as a whole. For these acts, She was moved to award him the Order of the Keystone. Illumination by Lady Melissa, Words by Don Cygnus Augur, Calligraphy by Lady Magdalena Txoperena de Guerra.
Having safely returned from his duty with the toy chest, Master Jacob Martinson was called before her Majesty. Having noted his varied acts of service, from assisting in set up and tear down, to acting as rapier marshal, to serving as chamberlain, Her Majesty saw fit to induct him to the Order of the Keystone. Scroll by Lady Nichola Beese.
Lord Richard of Heronter was then called to Her Majesty. For showing martial prowess both dexter and sinister, Lord Richard was added to the Order of the Golden Alce in absentia. Illumination by Allan Naughty, words by Countess Elena d’Artois.
Next did Their Majesties asked for the presence of Lady Charlotte Stark. Having noticed her skill and joy on the field, Their Majesties were moved to induct Lady Charlotte to the Order of the Golden Alce. Words by Mistress Mahin Banu Tabrizi, Calligraphy by Gemima of Krull.
Her Majesty again summoned Lord Mathias al-Tabai before Her. She recounted several instances of his prowess and spirit in the lists that day, and therefore named him Her Inspiration and awarded him a Golden Escarbuncle.
Her Majesty then rose to thank all those who had contributed to the scrolls awarded that day, and gave each a reign coin as thanks for their service and artistry.
Finally, there being no further business before Her, the Court of Her Majesty was then closed.
From Comtesse Elena d’Artois, current Queen’s Rapier Champion,
regarding QRC on May 4th:
Good day to all of the fencers of Æthelmearc,
The day approaches when Her Majesty Juliana will choose a champion to serve. To that end, St Swithin’s Bog has graciously agreed to host the tournament. Huge thanks to them for stepping up and arranging the location and event logistics for this occasion!
The tournament format will be similar to the Rose Tourney at Pennsic.
The first portion will be run as one large pool of combatants. Pairings will be assigned. Each pairing will fight to 3 deaths. Bring whatever weapons form you choose. Any combatant may call their shot back at any time and opt to re-fight a pass rather than have something be questionable. Clean and pretty is better than any doubt. Marshals can be asked what they saw in case of any questions.
This is important: Double kills will not be re-fought. No points will be awarded for a double kill. Dead is dead.
Pairs do not need to match weapons form.
Points will be assigned based on the outcome of each set of passes as follows:
Possibility 1 – in any combination:
Combatant A – wins 1 – 3 pts
Combatant B – wins 2 – 7 pts
Possibility 2 –
Combatant A wins 3 passes in a row – 10 pts
Combatant B does not win any passes – 0 pts
Possibility 3 –
First pass Combatant A – wins 1 – 3 pts
Second pass Double Kill – no points awarded.
Third pass will not be fought.
Possibility 4 –
2 double kills – 0 points assigned.
Third pass will not be fought
Possibility 5 –
First pass Combatant A – wins 1 pass – 3pts
2nd pass Combatant B – wins 1 pass – 3 pts
3rd pass is a double kill – no points awarded for this pass.
We are looking at fighting up to 7 rounds of passes. Help from extra marshals may be requested depending upon attendance. We may run fewer. This will be fluid and will be decided as the tournament progresses.
From this score a top pool of combatants will be drawn, and a single elimination branch will be run. This will be single pass. Bring your best weapons form.
Finals will be best of 5, rotating weapons form. Combatants must match form.
As always Her Majesty reserves the right to choose any champion, not necessarily the victor of the tournament.
Please join me in celebrating Her Majesty with this fabulous display of prowess, chivalry, and joy in the list. Have fun. Be kind to each other. Honor before victory.
And remember Commandment number 1 – Thou Shalt Parry first.
As a reminder: This is a dry site and there will be some boy scouts on site, so violating that rule will get us in real trouble.
There are a few spaces left in one of the cabins. The cabin rate is $55 for up to eight people (in addition to the site fee for each individual). Right now, I have four people confirmed that are willing to share the cost. So there is room for four more and it will get cheaper with each person added.
Baroness Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina (Chris Adler-France) reports on spring Queen’s Rapier Championship:
On a boiling-hot early summer day, Æthelmearc’s fencers arrived at the event site in Abhainn Ciach Ghlais to find… the wonderful surprise of an indoor, air-conditioned list!
While His Majesty was on the northwestern side of the kingdom at the equestrian championship, Palfreys and Polearms, on May 28th, Her Majesty observed her rapier championship in comparative coolness and shade.
Everyone needs to watch out for these two. Neither are White Scarves but they’re definitely both fencing badasses! I’m really glad they got to shine and showcase themselves today.
After receiving encouragement and roses from Queen Ariella, 21 fencers of all skill levels entered the tournament, which began with three pools of round robins. Double kills were counted as a loss for both combatants. The top two combatants from each pool were promoted to a double elimination round, along with two fencers selected by Her Majesty.
The brackets progressed swiftly to the top eight total from the three pools, who were culled by double-elimination rounds to the semi-finals of best two-out-of-three rounds: Don Po Silvertop, Lord Jacob Martinson, Master William Parris, and Lord Durante de Caravaggio de Florenza.
In a rather rare occurrence in this kingdom’s history, neither of the two finalists were members of the Order of the White Scarf (or equivalent or higher rank): Lords Jacob and Durante.
Lord Jacob steps up as Kingdom Rapier Champion. Photo by Lady Wilhelmina Marion Bodnar.
In a final best three-out-of-five rounds, Lord Jacob Martinson won case, single, and rigid parry rounds, while Lord Durante won a case round.
Outgoing kingdom champion Doña Fiora d’Artusio applauded the tournament for being “ridiculously smooth” and all the combatants for being “particularly courteous.” She was happy that the tournament format gave each entrant as many fights as possible before elimination.
“Everyone needs to watch out for these two,” she remarked of Lords Jacob and Durante. “Neither are White Scarves but they’re definitely both fencing badasses! I’m really glad they got to shine and showcase themselves today.”
“It’s great we had two finalists who weren’t White Scarves. This keeps the Scarves and MoDs accountable,” agreed Master Will, head of the Academy of Defense. He noted that the tournament had a wide variety of entrants from Award of Arms-level of recognition to Masters of Defense. He was especially happy to see “people adapting, learning, changing their game when they lost a bout, which meant that some of the finalists came out of the losers list.”
“Whoa, what a day!” Lord Jacob enthused after the tourney. “First and foremost, thank you to the Queen of Æthelmearc, Ariella of Thornbury, for granting me the opportunity to be her fencing champion. I will do my best to represent our kingdom to the best of my abilities, and will protect her at all costs with my steel.”
In addition to thanking the shire for hosting a great event, and Countess Elena d’Artois le Tailleur and Duke Titus Scipio Germanicus for training him, Jacob expressed deep gratitude to his inspirations: “My wonderful wife, and our children, who put up with me stabbing all the things and constantly running off to practices or events.”
Bearpit and Food
Her Majesty Ariella faces Lord Jacob in the list. Photo by Lady Wilhelmina Maron Bodnar
A relaxed bearpit tournament followed the championship, with marshals continuously crying “Table for one!” when a combatant needed a new “dancing partner” and “Table for two!” when both combatants died or a combatant successfully held the list five times in a row. Queen Ariella good-naturedly accepted challenges in a separate list, offering fencers who are participating in the Wild Hunt the opportunity to nab the highest score, a five-point kill (since royalty are worth even more than Masters of Defense).
“My Rapier Championship had many highly skilled and chivalrous fencers compete,” Her Majesty commented after the event. “They honored Æthelmearc and Me in entering the tournament and it was a pleasure to watch. As My outgoing Champion, Doña Fiora, said, it was a very courteous tournament but with intensity as well. Congratulations to My new Champion, Lord Jacob Martinson, and to the other finalist, Lord Durante! Thank you to the Shire of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais for hosting such a well-run, enjoyable event! It will be a meaningful, good Royal memory for Me. As a bonus, I had the opportunity to fence almost everyone in the tournament and some who marshaled, which gave Me joy.”
Throughout most of the day, the St. Lawrence Guild of Cooks offered a copious repast of tasty finger foods, including sliced Pyes of Paris and spinach pies, several different kinds of marinated hard-cooked eggs, sliced cold cuts and cheeses, bread, dried fruit, fresh fruit, raw vegetables, and a variety of pickled vegetables. (The delicious pickled onions and carrots were lacto-fermented in whey.)
Court and Wild Hunt
After opening Court with a moment in remembrance of Baron Malcolm Fitzwilliam, and allowing a brief Endless Hills baronial court, Her Majesty awarded a Silver Buccle, Golden Alce, and Keystone. (See Court Report.)
Countess Elena and Master William presented prizes (including a copy of Talhoffer’s Medieval Combat) to the three top three bearpit entrants: Lord Durante, Lord Andreas von Halstern, and Don Po. Master Diego Miguel Munoz de Castilla, one of the four coordinators of the Wild Hunt, reminded everyone that both the bearpit and championship that day counted toward the year-long competition.
“Don’t worry about the math about how much someone is worth, we’ll do that for you,” he said. “Just remember who you fought and email us that.”
Her Majesty has asked the Gazette to share the following with the populace:
Lord Jacob Martinson receives a rose from Her Majesty before winning her tournament. Photo by Lady Antoinette de Lorraine.
Unto the Good Gentles of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais and all who staffed the Queen’s Rapier Championship does Ariella, Regina, send fond Thanks!
The Queen’s Rapier event went wonderfully, with much delicious food and gracious event staff. The air-conditioned site was so welcome and held the four large Kingdom lists perfectly. Lady Antoinette de Lorraine, the autocrat, can be proud of her staff, including the Royalty Liaison, for taking care of all Royal needs. The Rose Garden special reception and welcoming drinks for all further enhanced the hospitality of your Shire.
The Championship tournament and further bear pit tournaments were efficiently run thanks to the marshals and the MOL, Baroness Aemelia Soteria. All the fencers showed chivalry.
Vivant to all who entered and vivat to My new Champion Lord Jacob Martinson!
Yours,
Ariella, Regina
To the Sylvan Kingdom of Æthelmearc, my warmest of wishes, from Antoinette DeLorraine.
Soon, the choosing of our next Queens rapier champion will occur. Please join us on May 28th, 2016 at the Pensdale Civic Center (261 village Rd Muncy Pa, 17756), doors opening at 9:00am.
Doña Fiora has announced the following for the tournament set up: we shall hold a round robin pool leading into a double elimination tournament. The number moving on will be determined by the number of entrants. Baroness Aemilia Soteria will be our MOL for the day.
We will also be hosting a Rose Garden to pay honor honor to our past Queens, who continue to inspire us all.
Documented from the Scrolls of the Reign of Magnus Tindal and Etain II, basileos kai basilissa Æthelmearc: the Business of Their Court at Queen’s Rapier Championship, 5 December Anno Societatis L, in the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, accompanied by Her Highness Ariella, Princess of Æthelmearc. As recorded by Their Silver Buccle Herald, Kameshima-kyō Zentarō Umakai, with the assistance of THL Sophie Davenport, Seedling Herald, and Takamatsu-san Gentarō Yoshitaka.
In the morning:
The Imperatori summoned before them Baron Uilliam Mac an Tsaoir, to whom They had served a Writ of Summons at Pennsic. Appearing before Them, His Excellency confirmed that it was still his wish to sit vigil and contemplate elevation to the Imperial Council of the Pelican. He placed the Baronial Coronet of the Debatable Lands into the safe care of his Baroness, Constance Glyn Dŵr, so that he might face his decision unencumbered. The Imperatori summoned the said Council and charged them escort him to the place of contemplation that had been set for him.
In the evening:
The children of the Kingdom were brought forth and sent into the care of Lady Ruaidrí Mac Aoidh and Lady Sarab bint Alima.
Dame Elsbeth Anne Roth was celebrated for her decades of service to the Æthelmearc College and Heralds and the SCA College of Arms with an Augmentation of Arms, being of the form of a clarion charged with an escarbuncle. Scroll by Arianna of Wynthrope.
Dame Elsbeth Anne Roth receives an Augmentation of Arms. Photo by Lady Àine ny Allane.
Lord Jacob Martinson was elevated to the Order of the Golden Alce for his service as Shire Knight Marshal, his prowess upon the heavy and fencing fields, and his willingness to train and transport others so that they can practice and compete. Scroll calligraphed by Kameshima-kyō Zentarō Umakai upon unsigned illumination.
Lord Jacob Martinson receives a Golden Alce. Photo by Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope.
Lady Lucia Augur was welcomed into the Order of the Golden Alce for her study and execution of the arts of defense and her service as a Marshal in Training. Scroll in progress by THL Anlaith ingen Trena.
Lady Lucia Augur receives a Golden Alce. Photo by Arianna.
Don Clewin Kupferhelbelinc was created a Companion of the Golden Stirrup for his devotion to the study of period German fighting and fencing techniques and his creation of period German accouterments. Promissory scroll by Meisterin Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen.
Don Clewin is inducted into the Order of the Golden Stirrup. Photo by Baroness Katja Davidova Orlova Khazarina.
The Ladies of the Rose wished to publicly thank Don Bastiano de Iacopo and Don Iago Benitez for their hospitality during the tournament.
The Queen thanks Master Bastiano and Master Iago. Photo by Baroness Katja.
Lord Jacob of Dunmore was elevated to the Order of the White Scarf of Æthelmearc and Granted Arms for his skill in the arts of defense and his willingness to teach others the same. Scroll by Meisterin Fredeburg von Katzenellenbogen.
Lord Jacob Dunmore is inducted into the Order of the White Scarf. Photo by Baroness Katja.
The two finalists of the day’s tournament, Don Po Silvertop the Rogue and THL Fiora d’Artusio, were called before Her Majesty. She praised them both and stated that She had spent the day making a very hard decision, but after much consideration had named THL Fiora as Her Rapier Champion. Master Lodovick of Gray’s Inn was released from the post of Queen’s Rapier Champion and presented Fiora with the regalia of her new station. Scroll by Lady Isabel Fleuretan.
The Queen addresses Don Po and THLady Fiora before announcing her choice of Fiora as Rapier Champion. Photo by Lady Àine ny Allane.
The Imperatori wished words with Lady Isabel Fleuretan who had created THL Fiora’s scroll that day, as she had done so many times. This continuing service, along with her service as herald, retainer, Royal staff, and general solver of problems, moved The Imperatori to summon the Order of the Millrind, Grant Isabel Fleuretan Arms and name Her Ladyship to that Order. Scroll in progress by Mistress Kayleigh MacWhyte.
Lady Isabel is inducted into the Order of the Millrind. Photo by Arianna.
While the Order of the Millrind was convened, The Imperatori summoned THL Madeleine de l’Este and named her to that Order for her service to Steltonwald as Seneschale and Exchequer as well as her contribution of her skills as a seamstress. Scroll by Baron Caleb Reynolds.
THLady Madeleine receives a Millrind. Photo by Lady Àine ny Allane.
Lady Bugga Bilibit was Granted Arms and elevated to the Order of the Fleur d’Æthelmearc for her research into period music, most especially period pilgrimage songs, and her eagerness to share that knowledge with people across the Kingdom and the Known World through her Pilgrimage walks at Pennsic War. Scroll by Lady Mairghread ni Stilbheard uu Coinn.
Lady Bugga Bilibit is inducted into the Fleur d’Æthelmearc. Photo by Lady Àine ny Allane.
The Imperatori once again called for the presence of Baron Uilliam Mac an Tsaoir. Having sat vigil as commanded, His Excellency was now prepared to take the seat set for him in the Council of the Pelican. The Council was convened and agreed that this was their wish as well. Countess Elena d’Artois spoke of the hospitality that he shows to everyone who comes to his Barony, which he thinks of as his home. Sir Alonzio of the Peacemakers testified to his leadership and his encouragement of others. Maestro Orlando di Bene del Vinta of the Order of Defense praised his kindness, gentility, and willingness to aid others. Meesteress Odriana vander Brugghe of the Order of the Laurel spoke of his devotion to many artistic ventures, and the joy and zeal with which he pursues them. Baroness Alexandra dei Campagnella of the Order of the Pelican expounded upon his many areas of service, including as chirurgeon, marshal, and Dean of the War College. Duchess Morgen of Rye, 23rd Jewel of Æthelmearc, remarked that the Jewel is given to those who embody all that we want the SCA to be, and that she sees such qualities in Liam, whose enthusiasm invigorates both newcomers and veterans. So moved by this testimony, The Imperatori awarded Arms by Letters Patent to Uilliam and named him a Councillor of the Pelican and a Peer of the Realm. They adorned him with the ancestral Pelican medallion, a torc, a hood and a pin to declare his new station, and received his Oath of Fealty. Maighstir Uilliam then reclaimed his Baronial Coronet. Scroll in progress by Mistress Sthurrim Caithness.
Maighstir Liam swears fealty. Photo by Lady Àine ny Allane.
Her Majesty awarded her Token of Inspiration to Master William Parris for his arrangement of the Academy of Defense’s tournament during the day.
His Majesty awarded a token of his appreciation to Lord Robert MacEwin of Thornhill: a ring from his right hand, so that Robert could serve as the right hand of the King, for he had shown great skill and devotion at every endeavor he pursues.
Lord Robert receives a token from the King. Photo by Arianna.
All those who contributed to the day’s scrolls and medallions were asked to stand and be recognized.
There being no further business, this Court of Their Majesties was closed.
In Honor and Service,
Kameshima Zentarō Umakai
高貴国境の王国の治部卿
Silver Buccle Principal Herald, Kingdom of Æthelmearc
Here continues the Record of the Second Reign of Gareth and Juliana, King and Queen of Sylvan Æthelmearc at Queen’s Rapier Championship, May 4, AS 54, in Their Barony St. Swithin’s Bog; as recorded by Lady Nichola Beese, with the support of Lord Fiachna MacCennetig.
