[MR] a few words about Crown Tourney

[Denise McMahon]

Crown Tourney will be held this November in Leesburg, Va.  That's  
something that I find I want to talk about- especially to those  
fighters we sometimes call the Unbelts. :)

We've had some really tiny Crown Tournaments lately. There are  
principalities that have more contestants in their Crown Tourneys then  
we had in our last one. I know that there are fighters out there who  
think about fighting in one, and yet they don't. The more I talk to  
people about it the more I hear that fighters don't want to  
participate because they are afraid of being beaten into the ground  
like tent pegs by Uber Dukes. Well, it's not about that at all. Let me  
tell you about Crown Tourney.  I've been to a few over the last 15  
years.

There is nothing more magical, more exciting, more uplifting then  
seeing the field on the morning of the day with the pavilions up and  
decked out, the flags flying,the pennants waving in the wind and folks  
bustling about greeting each other while all dressed up in their very  
finest.  It is literally Atlantia at it's very best. It is this  
Society at it's very best. There is no greater glory then to honor  
this Kingdom by stepping out there on the field and fighting for the  
honor to make some fortunate person Queen or King. It is a rare thrill  
to be the one able to step out there on the field on the arm of  
someone who not only holds their own honor, but yours as well, and  
stand by the barr as they compete against their brothers and sisters  
in arms to take on one of the most incredible jobs this Society has to  
offer.

I've learned a great deal from the SCA that has changed my life. I've  
learned that women can be strong and as fierce as any fighter and  
still be the embodiment of love and beauty. I've learned that some  
small word of encouragement can sometimes make a persons whole year if  
not their day. I've seen how compassion and care can transform even  
the gawkiest of us to a great noble. Oh yes, I believe in SCA magic,  
Pennsic magic and pick any other event magic as well. For a girl from  
the South Bronx, this is heady stuff. If I had to pay rent for  
everything that the SCA has taught me, well, let's say that the annual  
membership is more then a bargain!

So if you weren't thinking about going to Crown Tourney, just take a  
look at your calendar and see if it fits in your schedule. Go and  
cheer for the handsome and chivalrous fighters, admire the oratory  
skill of our Heralds, be smitten with the beauty and grace of the  
women of this Kingdom who so ably inspire such great feats of arms.  
Let yourself get swept up in the Magic of it all. It's the  
processions, the pomp and circumstance that we seem to rarely indulge  
in this kingdom, that's what Crown Tourney is all about. It's not just  
saying that you care about this Kingdom, it's showing it in a way that  
you only get to do twice a year.

Wouldn't it be an amazing day if there were 30 or more Unbelts who  
showed up for Crown?  Imagine it!  Because it's not about the winning,  
although one might want to be prepared for that as well. It's about  
stepping up your game just a touch, investing a little more of  
yourself and maybe finding out what the SCA means to you a bit more.

You don't have to be anyone important, you just have to go read Their  
Highnesses' letter that should have been in the Acorn, and write Them  
one back.

So, go and find some nice person to fight for and write a short little  
note to Their Highnesses, Brianna and Bryan and let Them know that you  
will be joining Them on the field of honor that day. It really is the  
kind of an event where the more folks that show up, the merrier it is  
for everyone.

And here's another idea- if there are 30 Unbelts in the field- well,  
that will certainly make for some tired former monarchs who have come  
to compete that day with you.

Shall we make it a glorious day for everyone?

cheers!

Countess Rowan




"Wherever you go, go with all your heart."