[MR] EDIT: Pollaxe Combat to 75 Counted Blows, 17APR10, Maryland

[Aaron Miaullis]

Good Day!
 
(Revision due to all the question marks and formatting issues.  Please forgive me...and help me figure out what went wrong.  :(  )

IN the year of our Lord 1450, a valiant knight named Lalain did enter into a challenge of arms against seven other knights, each challenge conducted on different days. One of the challengers was a knight named Gaspart de Dourtain who selected the white shield indicating combat with axes. In the manner of the time Gaspart asked for 75 axe strokes to decide the challenge. The fighting was furious and ended when Lalain caught hold of Dourtain's axe between his left hand and the lower end and the judge stopped the fight.

IN the year of our Lord 2009, a middle-aged combatant named Aaron Miaullis did become impressed with the fortitude and endurance that emboldened his ancestors to perform such great feats of arms. He questioned if a man of modern sensibilities and burgeoning middle-age armchair spread could meet such and endeavor. Thereby he issued forth a challenge to another worthy combatant named Sean Powell who did accept and in the challenge and in the spirit of the recreation also requested 75 stout blows with the axe.

WITH much discussion the time and date of the challenge was set. Forthwith the combatants shall present themselves at A Moose Tale Collegium and Tournament on April 17, 2010 at the Barony of Highland Foorde. There they shall armor themselves in the manner of the 15th century nobility, cap-a-pie, steel from head to foot. They will equip themselves with a variety of pollaxes bearing blade, maile and cue to acquit themselves as their ancient ancestors did. 

GRACIOUS combat between respectable gentry shall be done. No additional weapons will be used beyond the axes, and stout blows will only count if thrown to maile or steel plate.

COMBAT shall be until 75 stout blows have been struck upon the steel, either mail or plate of one noble opponent or the other.? Combat will continue until one noble combatant declares that they are unable to continue or until the King of Arms decides that the deed is done and the 75 stout blows have landed.

ALL good gentles of both noble birth and low to come witness this feat of arms, we pray. We would also wish to invite any and all photographers, video-photographers, artists, historians, poets, line-judges and of course two nobles to count the actual blows. Aaron confesses that when he fights, he can't count to five, because his brain is fried. Something to do with 15 years in the Army? ;)


LIVING example of "How a Man Shall Be Armed" shall be done, and as such will have a pavilion with a chair, basin, loaves of bread, gallon of wine, meat, bacon, fruit, vegetables, cheese, grapes, nectar of many fruits, dates, almonds, table, table cloth, knife, goblets and the associated heraldry Clovenshield and Armour Archive. It's the fond thought that the pictures and words will make a good Tournaments Illuminated Article. Please come eat the food, drink the wine and enjoy the time!

BOTH combatants would like to put out a sincere request for a noble to fill the position of King of Arms (Head Marshal). We would also like to request two worthy souls with skill judging arms and skill with numbers higher then fingers and toes to count for two exhausted combatants.


With respect,

-Aaron