Crown Tournament

Entering the Crown Tournament

Unto the beloved populace of this Fair Kingdom, do Their Majesties, Radagaisus and Ceinwen, send fond greetings and salutations.

As the Southern Wars are now behind us and the sweet breath of peace begins to turn her fickle head again towards the tempestuous gales of unrest, Our thoughts are consumed by the need to secure the Dragon Throne – as it is Our duty and great privilege to shoulder this joyful mantle soon to be draped upon Our shoulders – it is Our responsibility to ensure that the line of Our Most Loved and Esteemed Majesties be carried on into the future by announcing the conventions of Our Crown Tournament.

A familiarity with Kingdom Law and Corpora is a must – read these documents. We caution that this is not a list to be entered into lightly. Seek out Royal Peers for counsel – learn what sacrifices the Office of the Crown may demand of you.

Conventions for the List

• As set down in Kingdom Law, the List shall be double elimination, with the first round pairings to be chosen at random.
• Each match will consist of a single bout.
• Individual bouts, save as stipulated for the finals, need not be of matched weapons.
• The finals shall be best two-out-of-three bouts.
• The first two bouts of the finals will be matched styles, the higher-ranking combatant having first choice of weapons.
• The third bout of the finals, if necessary, will be fought with whatever weapons suit the individual combatants.

Expectations of Combatants

• A combatant’s harness and weapons must be in good repair, and their appearance befitting the august venue of a Crown Tournament.
• No obvious duct tape should be evident in the combatants’ harnesses, save on their weapons and as emergency repairs during the course of the Tournament.
• Obviously modern sporting equipment, including but not limited to hockey gloves and footwear, should be covered or otherwise camouflaged.

Rules for Combat

• Thrusting to the face will not be allowed.
• Pole-weapons will be no longer than 6 feet.
• Single-handed weapons will be no longer than 42 inches from pommel to tip.
• Strapped heater-shaped shields may be no larger than 32” top to bottom.
• Center-grip shields may be no more than 30” in any dimension.
• Save for the above restrictions, any SCA legal weapons form may be used.

Gaining Entry into the List

• Letters of Intent must contain all documents set forth in Kingdom Law and be in the possession of the Crown and Kingdom Seneschal (not postmarked) prior to the close of business on the date of Their Majesties Ascension to the Dragon Throne. There will be no exceptions.
• Individuals who have Regional or Kingdom level obligations & commitments to the Crown or to the Dragon Host ought not to submit Letters of Intent for entry into the List. This includes but is not limited to Landed Barons & Baronesses, the Midrealm Army General Staff and Regional Commanders & Executive Officers.
• If neither member of an applicant couple is a Peer, then a Letter of Reference from a ROYAL PEER must accompany the Letter of Intent.
• The first 32 couples found acceptable to the Crown shall be granted entry to the List. A list of alternates will be kept in the event that any couple originally selected is unable to participate. Our intent is to have a fully populated double elimination tree not exceeding 32 combatants.
• A single arts and sciences project per couple, completed within the last year is also required, as a sign of your commitment to the growth and encouragement of the gentle arts so dear to the people of this Kingdom.  There will be no competition, no documentation is necessary – but a brief description of the item and materials is appreciated.

You must provide a rigid but lightweight rendering of your arms, approximately 12” x 12” for display by the heralds at the Tournament.

Your inspiration, for whom you’ve placed yourself upon this anvil, is the embodiment of Grace & Courtesy. Remember always that your actions bear directly upon the Honor of your consort and your own reputation both on and off the field. We eagerly anticipate a wondrous display of champions who would put themselves forward to advance the favor those who inspire them to great deeds of chivalry.