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Red Tower Events, 1975-1983 |
| Updated: Jan 25, 2003 |
The Red Tower tourney and event are among the oldest traditions in the Barony of the South Downs, and hence, the Kingdom of Meridies.
In recent years, these tournaments have attracted up to 50 and more fighters from across the kingdom.
By default, my source is the event flyer. So, the information here is more accurate regarding what was PLANNED rather than what ACTUALLY HAPPENED. The plans sound a lot more impressive anyway!
Atmosphere
Like any event, you get out what you put in, so what these events felt like depends on the individual who experienced them. Submission of personal accounts from SD events are most welcome.
Many thanks to Baroness Christianna MacGrain, OL OP for her invaluable assistance with the content of this page.
- "Fall Tournament" (10-12 Oct 1975)
- At Lake Lanier Beach campgrounds during "10-12 Narquelie X A.S."
$3 admission for camping space, enclosed showers, swimming and boating.
The Barony will hold a somewhat different fall tournament ... not a Red Tower Tourney and there will not be a warlord crowned. Instead ... several small (approx. 10 fighters) single elimination lists for which an entrance fee of $2 to $3 will be charged to cover the price of the prize. If any craftsperson has a good of this value, it may be submitted to the autocrat as a possible prize for which you will be paid. There may be other lists, but no official overall winner.
Several arts contests, too. Entertainers are asked to sign in with Sir Sven so that visual entertainment may be scheduled for daylight hours. Bring real weapons as you wish.
Contact person: Sir Sven, Baron South Downs. {Who lived in Canton, GA then.} - Red Tower III (24-26 Sep 1977)
- At Hard Labor Creek State Park. $6 before Sept. 15, $8 thereafter and at the
gate. We will be happy to reserve can space for you if you phone anytime prior to
the event, but if we don't have your money (or check) before the 15th, you will still
have to pay $8. We hate to have to do this, but the Baronial coffers are low and we
need the money early to buy food. Lunch Saturday will be sold by local
thievespoisonersmerchants, so bring your best bargaining powers!
Events: SCA wedding of Lady Liana Nadine and John of the Storm, real weapons competitions (archery, ax, knife and spear), melees, foot races, wrestling, water sports in the lake, a production of Lysistrata by the South Downs Not Ready for Revel Time Players, and a medieval spelling bee (we promise -- no Gaelic words).
Rules of the List (Warlord of the Red Tower): We're trying some new things and reinstituting some old ones ... help us see how this works {Bullets added for clarity.}
* Single elimination--each fight 2 of 3
* Knights may not compete {they were encouraged to marshal}
* A panel of four judges (knights + His Highness) will call the blows
* Any fighter refusing to comply with the judges' decision will be removed from the competition
* Lower leg blows will be used
* No inauthentic armor will be allowed on the field
* There will be no breaks in the fighting until a winner is declared, save for the replacement of broken equipment
* Blows will be judged on the basis of a clean, solid connection -- not on the amount of force used.
General information: The weather could be any thing from hot to freezing or anywhere in between. Since the cabins are relatively open, bring appropriate bedclothes. Since this is a Baronial event, no time will be set aside for guild, officer or Principality meetings.
Autocrats: Lady Roberta Lynn, Lady Rondallynn of Golgotha. Assisted at the event by SD Ladies-in-Waiting and House Harraldstat. {Even early on, Red Tower was big enough to merit having more than one autocrat.} - Red Tower VIII (19-21 Sep 1980)
- At Camp Rutledge in Hard Labor Creek State Park ("Ye Same Olde Place").
$5 postmarked by August 31st, $8 afterward. The cost includes: the list, the feast
and breakfast Satuday and Sunday. Lunch on Saturday will be hawked on the field.
As usual, the Red Tower List will be an armored list. Equipment requirements are: authentic metal armor, to include helm, body armor (including mail and coat of plates), gauntelets and elbow and knee armor. The remainder of arms and legs can have any type of authentic armor, ie., leather, cloth, metal. The only equipment restriction is no shields larger than 24" X 36". Knights will be marshalling and will not be allowed to enter the list. There will also be a single weapons list, requirements being only metal head and body protection.
The feast, a creation of Flossie's {character of Baroness Margarethe the Dog, OP} is tentatively as follows: Rapes, Creame of Leeke Soup, Gbg Salade, Fonle (or Fissh), Beef, Stewed Apples and Fruits. {Spelling taken directly from the flyer.}
Contact person (questions, reservations): m'lady Catherine D'Artisano. - Red Tower IX (18-20 Sep 1981)
- Camp Rutledge in Hard Labor Creek State Park. $7 before 31 Aug, $8.50 afterward,
$10 at door. As there are beds for only 130, these beds will be assigned on a first-come
basis according to the date of your reservation.
This year, as always, the Barony of the South Downs {first mention of the South Downs I've seen} will be holding the Red Tower Tourney, to determine who the defender of the Red Tower will be for the upcoming year. The RT List itself will be only for non-knights having the required metal torso armour (maille, plate, or scale) and metal joint protection plus all other regular protection.
The Prize List will require the same armour as above is open to all fighters.
All armour for melees must be of authentic material or covered or disguised in order to appear authentic (i.e.., carpet armour must be covered with material and rivetheads to look like a brigantine). The lists will be run as before: that is, single-elimination, best two out of three.
Feast: Mistress Rebecca of Twywn, Lord Francis of Aron Isle. Breakfast: Sir Saavogg Haraldsson. Tentative menu: Split pea soup, baked onions, roast ham, peas and mushrooms, roast beef, onion pie, baked potatoes, banana nut bread.
Entertainment: The Medieval (K)nightly News will rise up once more to entertain and delight (?) you with a brand of wit and humour uniquely its own. Also, the South Downs Choristers Guild, Scottish Dancers, more.
Reservations, co-autocrat: Kelton von Task, Esq.
Co-autocrat: Lord Bruce Cwilliam Alexander. - Red Tower X (17-19 Sep 1982)
- Camp Rutledge in Hard Labor Creek State Park. $7.50 before August 15th, $10 afterward.
Reservations limited to 225. Payable to "Barony of South Downs, SCA"; include
post card to confirm reservation.
Red Tower List, Baron's Prize List {first mention of Baron's Prize List I've seen}. The armour requirements for these lists are a scratch build helm, steel body armour, and armour that is period consistent. Armourial trappings on either shield or surcoat will also be required. RT: standard double entry. BPL: LeMans start. In the afternoon, a melee guaranteed to give any fighter his fill.
Also: a display of the history of the Barony; medieval board, card, and dice games in the hall; and real weapons targets on the field. Plans for croquet and badminton. In the evening, MKN and a bardic circle {first mention I've seen of a planned bardic circle at RT}. Red Cross certified lifeguard needed to watch swimmers. No pets allowed on site.
Feastcrat: Lady Christianna MacGrain. Reservations/autocrats: Heinrich von Kreissman, Robert Lynn of the Golden Heart. - Red Tower XI (16-18 Sep 1983)
- Camp Rutledge in Hard Labor Creek State Park. Day trip price $5. All the beds
sold out before the event, all 120 reservations were listed in the newsletter.
One list only, 5-man teams, double elimination. Team captain must be a resident of Meridies. Winning captain will be styled the Champion of the Red Tower, his teammates Defenders of the Red Tower. Prizes given for all on the winning team. All 5 fighters must be the same 5 fighters throughout the list and all fighting equipment must be as authentic in appearance as possible. Other melees and challenge fights in the afternoon.
Emphasis on heraldic display. Prior to the list, the teams and their retinues will pass in review before the assembled Royalty, who will judge the finest display of pageantry & award them a prize. There may be other, unannounced competitions for heraldic display in other areas (like your cabins, hint, hint). Please bring field pavilions to decorate the list field as authentically as possible. All present are especially encouraged to bring and display banners, flags, pennons, livery and other heraldic paraphernelia to adorn their cabins, their persons, the field and the feast hall. Your devices do not have to be passed by the College of Heralds to be displayed.
Merchants' Alley (His Excellency South Downs has graciously decided not to tax merchants this year), real weapons competitions, dancing, Medieval Knightly Knews by Master Thomas and The Great Coldcutti. {Same two guys, Thomas the Wordsmith and William Colquitt.}
Schedule
> Friday 4 pm — Site opens, some weapons inspection, registration, setup, socializing, dance practice
> Saturday 7 am — Wakeup, 8:30 — Weapons Inspection, 9:30 — List Pageant Display, 10 am — Reading of the Rules of the List, List Begins; Noon — Lunch break begins, Merchants' Alley opens; 12:30 — Field entertainment, 1 pm — Challenge fights & melees, 2:30 — Real Weapons and field games, 4:00 — Merchants' Alley closes, field activities end, 5:00 — Court(s), 6:00 — Set-up for feast, 6:30 — Feast begins after which there will be dancing, and the formal entertainment
> Sunday 8 am — Wakeup, 9:00 — Breakfast, Noon — Site closes.
Feast: Master Orlando. Autocrat: Mistress Rondallynn.
Continue to part 2.
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Original page posted: October
27, 1999. Last tweaked:
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