[MR] Challenge of the Heart

[Leesa Orton]

Mea culpa...the event is April 22nd, not May...some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed...
Molly
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Leesa Orton 
  To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org 
  Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 5:14 PM
  Subject: Fw: Challenge of the Heart


  Let's hope the third time is the charm...I have no idea why it kept stripping the text. I do apoligize for taking up bandwidth. It really WAS on my computer when I hit "send", grin. I even re-typed it the second time!
  Molly


  For those gentles making the journey to Challenge of the Heart in Dun Carraig (May 22, 2006), I offer for your enticement information about the Ladies Gallery.

   

  About a month ago, messengers were dispatched to the far reaches of the Kingdom, asking that all ladies of good birth and gentle bearing gather in the lands of Dun Carraig to witness the finest examples of fighting and chivalry that the Kingdom can offer. 

   

  All fighters who plan to fight in the melee (warm-up) are asked to assemble themselves before the ladies of the gallery before combat begins. One fighter from each of the disciplines (heavy and rapier) shall be selected by the Gallery to act on behalf of the ladies during the melee portion of the event. This fighter shall abstain from the melee, choosing his duty to the ladies over base victory in the list. He shall be known as a "Knight of Honor", be he base or high born. He shall be awarded a silk scarf, which he will then tie to a lance. During the melee, he shall act as the mercy of the ladies, aiding fighters who are hard pressed by covering them with the mantle of the ladies. In this fashion, he shall allow them a moment to recover themselves and continue with the fight. As the "Knight of Honor" shall be acting on behalf of the ladies, to strike him or anyone under his protection would be viewed as a most vile and cowardly act. After the melee, the "Knights of Honor" should return to the Gallery, so that the ladies may thank them before the chosen fighters continue with the Team portion of the tournament.

   

  The ladies will also award several silver rings during the day (crafted by the hand of Lady Lucia). The ladies are known to be pleased by gentle bearing, poetry and courteous speech. Poetry read to the ladies by the author will garner special attention, for even the poorest work is richened by a brave heart. The ladies will also question the assembled fighters on topics of history and chivalry, to separate the noble warrior from the base soldier. Additionally, the ladies will also be safeguarding the cloaks to be awarded to the victors of the tournament. The grace and beauty of the assembled ladies is sure to be the only thing that can possibly outshine the handiwork of Lady Siobhan, Lady Lucia and Lady Masarrah.

   

  Lest the strain of the gallery be too great for the ladies, light refreshments will be supplied. The ladies are asked to dress in their finest, bring a chair and handwork and attend for as long as you will. If you would also send one of your servants with word of your attendance, I will endeavor to ensure a place of honor is set aside for you. If there are entertainers and performers who plan on attending this event, please contact me as well. 

   

  Fighters and ladies, please honor the one who inspires you by participating in our efforts to recapture the ideas of ages long past. If you have any questions regarding the gallery, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to once again assisting the Barony of Dun Carraig in providing a wonderful and magical event. More information can be found at: http://www.duncarraig.net/

   

  Baroness Mary Isabel of Heatherstone ("Molly")