By: Brita Svensdottir (East)
The Ladies Rapier Tourney had the largest turnout in the tourney’s history with 43 entrants. Participants had “Fight Me” signs and nametags in honor of the late Maestra Hawke Miriam. Brighid, one of the organizers of the tourney, was represented by a photo poster, having moved to An Tir.
The tourney was single elimination until the finals. The concluding bout between Eyrny of Ealdormere and Celestria of Atlantia was fought best two out of three. Celestria was the victor.
Illadore de Bedegrayne of Aethelmearc, Marshal-in-Charge, said she loves this tourney because it showcases people who don’t get the attention and respect they deserve. It is both a chance to show prowess and to network with other female presenting fighters.
The Tadcaster Militia Arcade Gauntlet Extravaganza was a bearpit-style tourney, where the members of Tadcaster Militia stayed in the list to face all comers. Each fight was three passes, with challengers getting a ticket every time they won. Tickets were then turned in for prizes like frozen ice pops, tiaras, pirate eye patches, and stuffed ravens.
Eldrich Gaiman, organizer and prize provider, explained that the inspiration for this “non-tourney,” now in its fourth year, is “to get as many people as possible to fight us by bribing them with freezy pops.”
The Rapier Pirate Battle was a 30-minute timed broken field fight where the objective was for the pirates to capture as many treasure chests as possible before time ran out. Both teams had unlimited resurrections; pirates were allowed a rubber band gun that each had one shot. After 30 minutes or the capture of all six chests captured, teams switched sides. Each team managed to capture five chests before time ran out, resulting in a tie for the War Point.
“The Cut-and-Thrust Sword and Buckler tournament was a tie between Duke Edmund and Warder AElfwine se Pyttel. They did a final duel for the Steel Ring, which was won by AElfwine,” reported Maestro Tedesco da Venezia.