From the Frontlines: Midhaven Champions

This weekend was the Shire of Midhaven's Champions event as well as a Sable Rose tournament (the Sable Rose is a group that is trying to bring more pageantry into SCA fighting among other things). Despite worthy competition, I was judged the winner of the Bardic championship, with a rendition of Don Quixote's introductory song from Man of La Mancha. I am now the proud bearer of a hand-made guitar that is the champion's regalia - so I need to learn to play the guitar. :-}

I also fought rapier, coming in second in the rapier championship (OK, there were only two of us), and winning Best Death in the Sable Rose rapier tournament. The Sable Rose was double round robin (everybody fights everybody else twice), with three fighters. Among other things, I died gasping out:

A touch! A touch! I do confess it.
'Tis not as wide as the heart of a Pelican*,
Nor as deep as the documentation of a Laurel**,
Nor yet as fierce as the blow from a Knight***,
But 'tis enough, 'twill serve.

I also had my inspiration come out after a different death, weep over my corpse, then come on to my killer in an attempt to get a new champion. The fighting was remarkably clean and fun. For our off-hand weapons, the Baroness chose a card with a random off-hand weapon on it... or "lady's choice" which meant we got to try to convince her what weapon she should have us use. After the first bout in each set, we swapped weapons (in one of my fights where we were both assigned open hand, we swapped gloves) with out opponent.

In addition to fighting and singing, I also watched belly dancing, equestrian competitions, and some other stuff.

I emerged from the weekend sunburned, dehydrated, exhausted, and somewhat battered.

It was awesome!!!

*A Pelican is one of three top orders in the SCA, given for service.
**A Lauren is another one of the top orders, given for period arts, crafts, research, etc. They are known for being able to document every stitch of their work.
***A Knight is the third top order, given for heavy combat skill and chivalry (both are required).