Event Chronicle

The Regard of Flight 

Sept. 24-25th, 2022 A.D., A.P.D. II

Canton of Stokeford-Upon-Trinity

We set aside a pair of afternoons for what was always intended to be a small backyard event. We did some things we’d never done before, and a few things we’ve done many times, and it was all a wonderful success.

For those who were there, this chronicle is for your memory. For those who were not, this chronicle is for your inspiration, because we didn’t do anything you couldn’t do, and likely better than us.

There was no charge for the event, expenses were covered by donation, the feast was a potluck cookout.

We had set up a small archery range in Dame Alexandra’s back yard, using her outbuilding as a backstop. With Dame Mora as marshal, we ran a simple competition, four rounds of six arrows each, on concentric-circle targets scoring from 1-4 points.

Before the competition started, Sir Alun ap Gwilym asked for everyone’s attention, and, after a short reading about the virtues of chivalry, took mistress Robin de Leycestre as his squire.

Sir Hrolfr Hengestes sun, who had come down from Strathhavin, proved the winner, with 79 points. Runner-up was young mistress Robin de Leycestre, with 62. No one else did better than half of Robin’s score.

The other entrants, in the order they signed in, were:

Sir Galen of Bristol

Sir Daniel McTavish

Sir Ulla Carveson

Dame Cordeilla ver Rosser

Dame Melisende Bernard

Dame Alexandra Notte Clare

Dame Susanne Le Loup Blanc

At the same time, Dame Svea Iojannsdottir, who had come down from Reddebourne, organize and artisans’ faire, in which a dozen artisans submitted entries, and the populace voted on their favorites. The most popular entry was a hand-forged arming sword sent by Sir Johann Wolfgang von Aue. The full list of participants will be published here when I have it from Dame Svea.

After the competitions, there was relaxation and conversation, during which cooking fires were lit, flame was applied to various meats, other foodstuffs were set out, tables and chairs were arranged and decorated in and around Dame Alexandra’s sunken garden, and we dined in good company. A few more arrivals were added to ournumber, bringing the full number of attendees to 20 or so. Dame Friederike serenaded us on her viol

After hours of dining, and revelry, as midnight neared, the revelers dispersed to beds throughout the village.

The next day, after faithful attendance at mass by those who were able, a stalwart few re-convened for Sir Daniel’s class on the techniques of historical combat, after which, four of his six students, Sir Galen, Sir Blaidd, Sir Hrolfr, and Dame Alexandra, marshaled by Sir Daniel, held a tournament.

The final bout of this tournament, between Sir Galen and young Sir Blaidd Peterson (who was up until recently known as Johnathon of Stokeford) was an epic match which could easily have gone either way. The combat was to go the first to score three points on the other. In this, a point is considered as an intentional hit on one’s opponent, and it must have sufficient technique and structure, and it must be delivered while effectively defending oneself (no point if we each score on the other at the same time). When we got to 2 points each on the other, we followed this with two more passes on which we each struck the other simultaneously, and so no point was awarded. Finally, I prevailed, but it clearly could have gone the other way.

Afterwards, Sir Blaidd commiserated with his sister Robin, about how they were both runners-up.

With an unexpected rainstorm threatening, we packed up, and made our way home to leave Dame Alexandra in peace. We later received missives from Sir Hrolfr of his safe arrival home.

We’d held large events in our Canton, this was our first effort at an effectively small event. We think it to have been a major success. May our example be taken up by others.

Sir Galen of Bristol 

(Paul Mitchell)

Seneschal for The Canton of Strokeford-Upon-Trinity