[MR] Table-top Siege Engine Competition

[Gregory G. Stapleton]

Posted for Lord Wolfram.

Lord Gawain Kilgore / Gregory G. Stapleton
"I proudly pledge allegiance to one nation under God."

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Charlesbury Crossing Market day and Tourney:
First Annual Table-top Siege Engine Competition


Greetings unto the Populace of the Fair Kingdom of Atlantia and its
neighboring regions! I would like to announce the First Annual Table-Top
Siege Engine Competition, to be held at the 2nd Annual Market Day Fair
and Tourney, on November 15-17 (which will be held at Kings Mountain
State Park and hosted by the Canton of Charlesbury Crossing). We wish to
announce this now, so that interested citizens of the Kingdom will have
time to construct and perfect their miniature engines of warfare! If you
have questions regarding size limits and rules for the contest, please
reply to either the canton e-list (charlesbury at yahoogroups.com or to me
directly at lordwolfram at hotmail.com ).

We will also be posting rules for this contest on our Canton website in
the near future (http://Charlesbury.Atlantia.SCA.Org ). The Grand Prize
Winner, and Second Place will be selected based upon a combination of
research & documentation, accuracy of design and how well the engine
actually operates. There will be a second gentleman's competition for
entrants based solely on accuracy of projectile placement (something
along the lines of closest to the bulls eye with 3-5 shots at the
engines "max range". The number of shots will depend on the number of
entrants; firing to take place outside in the "archery" field, of
course). A first prize and Bragging rights will be the reward for this
competition. More information on additional A&S displays, classes and
competitions will follow in the near future.

Yours in service,

Lord Wolfram von Taus

Rules:

We are NOT imposing the marshmallow projectile rules, though you may use
them if you desire. We are pushing for accuracy of design, and
functionality so we do not want to be limiting other then where we must
for safety. A main focus of this competition is to educate the general
populace on siege engines.

The following rules / requirements are in addition to the standard A&S
entry requirements:

a) Basic information is to be written on a 3x5 card for the benefit of
the general populace (as an educational tool). ()= example

Engine Name: (Mangonel)

Engine Class: (Catapult)

Date of Original based on: (13th Century)

Original Size: (10'-6" x 6')

Replica Size: (12.6" x 6")

Scale: (1/10" = 1")

Replica Force: (10#)

Replica Projectile Weight: (1/2 oz.)

Replica Range: (60')

Entrants Name: (Wolfram von Taus)


b) Engines may have a maximum foot print up to 30"x36".

c) Since recreation is the focus of this competition it is a preferred
that the engines be made to some standard scale (i.e. 1/4th, 1/8th,
1/10th, 1/12th, 1/20th, 1/24th, 1/32nd, etc.). However, I understand not
everyone has access to planeing devices and the likes to thin stock /
commercial wood sizes to achieve higher accuracy, so this is only a
recommendation. A printout containing "engineers" in the scales listed
above will be provided at the event. Please cut out and place one
appropriate to your scale by the engine in order to help observers get a
better feel for the grandeur of the original engine.


d) As stored potential force requirements vary in accordance with the
class of engine to be used (i.e. we all know 20# in a trebuchet will,
generally speaking, launch a projectile farther then 20# in a catapult)
and since distance is not part of the competition, there are no
requirements / restrictions in terms of potential force suffice to say
be reasonable and more importantly be SAFE!


e) I know the entrants do not wish to stand beside their engines for the
entire display period, and that undoubtedly someone will try to operate
one in their absence. In the interest of safety, the engine MUST employ
one of the following safety methods when not supervised by it's
operator: a "child-safe" latching mechanism or lock, empty ballast
basket(s) or skeins free of stored force over 1#. Please contact me
prior to the event if your engine is not capable of employing one of
these options and we can try to make arrangements to accommodate the
engine. There will be supervision of the displays to minimize handling;
but ignorance, I mean accidents, happen.

f) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE THE ENGINES ALLOWED TO FIRE PROJECTILES
(other then marshmallow throwers) IN ANY BUILDING! Entrants will be
immediately disqualified, and asked to dismantle / remove their engine
from the event sight. No exceptions!! For any beginners who may not yet
be aware of this, despite their size these devices are NOT toys and are
capable of severe injury (including death for such engines as ballista
and other arrow throwers)!

g) Participants are advised to bring enough projectiles to have 5
remaining for use in the accuracy competition if entered.

Marshmallow Rule: The siege marshal, Lord Mungoe McKlinchey, has noted
to me that some throughout the SCA are limiting table top siege engines
to firing Marshmallows. I feel it is a great suggestion to standardize
the ammo to say each marshmallow represents a 10 lbs sandstone boulder
approx size of a basketball, however this is not required.