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Oxford Roll tourney
Apr. 28th, 2014 02:40 pm...originally published to the principality mailing list (retro, I know, just call me old-fashioned).
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Greetings from Genevieve,
I write of an excellent event this weekend, that took place at the ancient camp of Lunt, once a Roman garrison and cavalry training centre; great credit goes to the not-quite-incipient group based in Coventry, who have worked hard with their friends in Thamesreach to bring this event to fruition.
The fighting began with a storming of the gate at the Roman camp of Lunt, with this exercise repeated several times before lunch.
The weather cleared long enough for the Oxford roll to take place in the rebuilt Roman 'gyrus' (where Roman cavalry apparently trained).
It was very cool; how often do you get to fight where the Romans once drilled troops?
The tourney went smoothly, with 4 shires - Deepdene, Pont Alarch, West Dragonshire and Thamesreach - each fronting a team of 3 people, with Lord Ulfarr of the Med-lands joining Deepdene when HE Richard was marshalling, and his highness joining teams as he saw fit.
The ancient lands of West Dragonshire won the first two rounds, the unlimited resurrection and the 'kings' round, thus deciding the roll's outcome. So the final 'last shire standing' round was fought for the joy of the combat - with West Dragonshire leading a glorious and deadly (for them) charge into the field... and freeing them to watch the rest of the round from the sidelines.
Thus, West Dragonshire's arms and those of Lord Johannes of Uffingdon, Lord Steffan ap Gwilym, and milord David Joie de Mort will join those of past victors on the Oxford Roll, at the pleasure of the heralds.
Her highness Eleanor commended the shire of Pont Alarch for their presence on the field, in matching tabards and shields bearing the badge of the shire.
After the Roll tournament, the remaining fighters arrayed themselves in different melee scenarios and pickup fighting, with many benefitting from instruction from the emir Nasr and his chamberlain Sir Siridean, and Master Alexander, a relatively new arrival to the lands of Pont Alarch.
We ate like kings all afternoon and evening - though there is no kitchen on site, Lord Guy and Lady Eleyna had prepared all in advance, and reheated on the day, and you would not have credited it if you had not known the site's resources.
At court, their highnesses recongised Lord Erminric aet Eoforwic as a member of their order of the Fox, and welcomed Lady Valda and milord Hakeem as their guardsmen.
They also restored the ancient arms of what was once the shire of Insula Draconis to its rightful heirs, the shire of West Dragonshire - a piece of heraldic business very fitting for the day of the Oxford Roll.
Well done to Lord Ulfarr, Lady Eleyna, Lord Richard and Lord Guy for their putting this event together, feeding us to capacity and making their highnesses welcome in Eleyna and Richard's own pavilion. We should be proud of this group, whose enthusiasm and growth shows such promise for the future of the principality.
Regards,
Gf
field herald and attendee
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Greetings from Genevieve,
I write of an excellent event this weekend, that took place at the ancient camp of Lunt, once a Roman garrison and cavalry training centre; great credit goes to the not-quite-incipient group based in Coventry, who have worked hard with their friends in Thamesreach to bring this event to fruition.
The fighting began with a storming of the gate at the Roman camp of Lunt, with this exercise repeated several times before lunch.
The weather cleared long enough for the Oxford roll to take place in the rebuilt Roman 'gyrus' (where Roman cavalry apparently trained).
It was very cool; how often do you get to fight where the Romans once drilled troops?
The tourney went smoothly, with 4 shires - Deepdene, Pont Alarch, West Dragonshire and Thamesreach - each fronting a team of 3 people, with Lord Ulfarr of the Med-lands joining Deepdene when HE Richard was marshalling, and his highness joining teams as he saw fit.
The ancient lands of West Dragonshire won the first two rounds, the unlimited resurrection and the 'kings' round, thus deciding the roll's outcome. So the final 'last shire standing' round was fought for the joy of the combat - with West Dragonshire leading a glorious and deadly (for them) charge into the field... and freeing them to watch the rest of the round from the sidelines.
Thus, West Dragonshire's arms and those of Lord Johannes of Uffingdon, Lord Steffan ap Gwilym, and milord David Joie de Mort will join those of past victors on the Oxford Roll, at the pleasure of the heralds.
Her highness Eleanor commended the shire of Pont Alarch for their presence on the field, in matching tabards and shields bearing the badge of the shire.
After the Roll tournament, the remaining fighters arrayed themselves in different melee scenarios and pickup fighting, with many benefitting from instruction from the emir Nasr and his chamberlain Sir Siridean, and Master Alexander, a relatively new arrival to the lands of Pont Alarch.
We ate like kings all afternoon and evening - though there is no kitchen on site, Lord Guy and Lady Eleyna had prepared all in advance, and reheated on the day, and you would not have credited it if you had not known the site's resources.
At court, their highnesses recongised Lord Erminric aet Eoforwic as a member of their order of the Fox, and welcomed Lady Valda and milord Hakeem as their guardsmen.
They also restored the ancient arms of what was once the shire of Insula Draconis to its rightful heirs, the shire of West Dragonshire - a piece of heraldic business very fitting for the day of the Oxford Roll.
Well done to Lord Ulfarr, Lady Eleyna, Lord Richard and Lord Guy for their putting this event together, feeding us to capacity and making their highnesses welcome in Eleyna and Richard's own pavilion. We should be proud of this group, whose enthusiasm and growth shows such promise for the future of the principality.
Regards,
Gf
field herald and attendee
