Red Tower Events

	Red Tower Events
	Updated: Nov 7, 2004

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The Red Tower tourney and event are among the oldest traditions in the Barony of the South Downs, and hence, in the Kingdom of Meridies. In some 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 regarding SD events are most welcome.

Many thanks to Mistress Christianna MacGrain 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 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 ~~thieves~~ ~~poisoners~~ merchants, 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)

At Hard Labor Creek. $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, Ld 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: Ld Bruce Cwilliam Alexander.

Red Tower X (1982)

At Hard Labor Creek. $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)

At Hard Labor Creek. 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.

Red Tower XII (1984)

The RTT disallowed knights from competing. At least one previous RTT also had this restriction.

Red Tower XVII (1989)

The RTT consisted of two lists, one for 'Normans' and one for 'Saxons'; the winner of each met in the final.

Red Tower XIX (1991) — A Pirate Jubilee!

At Indian Springs. The "post list melee": boat battles — and a lethal siren in the form of Mistress Christianna lured unwary sailors to their demise.

Red Tower XX (1992)

At Blue Ridge Camp near Mountain City, GA (not far from the North Carolina border). First presentation of the Great Book of South Downs (names and devices of Barony members past and present) — Kytte led the project. The Great Book and other historical memorabilia were put on display. Duke Trelon and Duchess Varia of Atenveldt visited (and would move to this kingdom a few years later). With little rehearsal, a group of volunteers put on a fine performance of Master Thomas the Wordsmith's "Voices of Camelot". The Choristers Guild performed a set featuring "Period Pieces and Their Parodies". Christianna also did the feast.

Baron Carlwyn said he "parachuted" into the autocrat role after Knikolos (Christianna's deceased husband) passed away. Due to rain, the fighting was in the gymnasium.

Red Tower XXI (1993) — Tudor Tower

At the Saddle Rock Camp (Mentone, AL). RTT had a grand procession and participants had to "wear the token of the one for whom they are fighting, and the person fought for must be present at the event." The following week, at the same site, the Barony co-hosted the Coronation of Boru and Caroline with the Shire of Glynn Rhe.

Red Tower XXII (1994) — Siege of Acre

At Saddle Rock Camp again. The Baron's Prize List (BPL) had restrictions on both weapon length (28" total) and shield size (18") . Bryce won both the RTT and the BPL. See a little more about the event on this page of baronial history from the autumn of 1994.

Red Tower XXIII (1995) — Gaelic Tower

Theme: a weekend in ancient Ireland. List tree shields required for the RTT. The BPL was a round shield list. Milady Kiraanna was autocrat, Sir Robert Greenheart did the feast.

Red Tower XXIV (1996) — Baron's Olympic Games

Included a Pas d'Arms for Queen's Champion. HL Victoria was the autocrat.

Red Tower XXV (1997) — "Red Hot Tower"

At Indian Springs State Park near Jackson, GA. The Big 25. Labor Day Weekend. Red Hot Tower. The heat sent many folks home before Sunday afternoon. First appearance of the big red tower - made by Seric of Marston and Michael of River's Bend. The Choristers did a special concert during the day on Sunday. John the Trader was autocrat, Rhiannon did the feast (with help from Sir Robert).

Red Tower XXVI (1998) — The Norse Reach Byzantium

At Indian Springs. Friday evening featured The Drying Flagon tavern. Elspeth and I made ten scrolls for the winners of various competitions. Four of them were for the real weapons contests and these are now viewable in the author's online portfolio. Ld Devin was the autocrat, assisted by milady Aleruna.

Red Tower XXVII (1999)

At Indian Springs. Special feature: a pas d'armes celebrating the 20th anniversary of the knighting of Saavogg Haraldsson. He and his squires were the defenders. Many associates were taken at this event both at court and in private.

Red Tower XXVIII (2000) — The Glory of Rome

At a refurbished Camp Saddle Rock, now called Camp Riverview. Eight qualifying rounds designed by Rodger and Kytte gave the fighters plenty of action. Each of the round winners received a decorative wooden gladius made by Baron Conmaol. No BPL. Martin Dragonet led the effort to bring back the Medieval Knightly News. Master Orrick did the feast.

Red Tower XXIX (2001) — "Quest for the Holy Quail"

At Grandview (north of Montgomery, AL). Back to the standard format, despite a somewhat silly theme for the event. The top three finishers were all "Ean Airgead" - John and two knights who were once his squires: Max and Artos. Christoph ran an amusing rapier melee based on guarding and stealing the Grail; only four fencers were in it though. HL Borgar led the informal feast with "five woks, no waiting". Actually, there was a short wait, but it was worth it!

Red Tower XXX (2002) — Pearl Anniversary

At Camp Fortson. The all-day fighting featured another creative multi-round production by Rodger and Kytte. Again, no BPL. All rounds were single-elimination. Thirty finalists vied in a single-elimination round. Semi-final round: Sir Gunther defeated Duke John, Sir Max defeated Ld Richard na Teanga Mihn (from Thorngil). Past winners, Earl Richard and Earl Michael, also fought well in the lists. In a slight bit of controversy, metal body armor was not required for entrance. Word was that it would be next year. Lady Ella was autocrat, Signora Serena did the feast.

Red Tower XXXI (2003) — The Return of the Red Tower Tourney

At Indian Springs. Traditional double-elimination tourney - metal body armor required. There were about thirty entrants. Graf Max won over Sir Gunther. Baron Borgar hosted a Prize List for rapier. There were ten entrants. Warder Elijah Cameron of Black Isle (from Forth Castle) defeated HL Tormod dubh Gunn (from Thor's Mountain, with plans to move to SD). HL Charles de Joscelynne (also from Thor's Mountain) and this scribe tied for third place in a double-kill. Court and feast were done so early that the dancers were mostly danced out by midnight! People there said this was a nice laid-back event. Maestro Niccolo was head cook, event stewards were Ld Jonathan of Exeter and HL Patrick of Bunaw.

Red Tower XXXII (22-24 Oct 2004) — A bountiful harvest

Back at Hard Labor Creek State Park for the first time in over ten years. Flyer said: "Come join the Barony of the South Downs as we celebrate a bountiful harvest! It is time to enjoy the fruits of your labors, to lay down your implements of work and pick up your implements of leisure. The event will include: the traditional Red Tower Tournament, the Baron's Prize Tournament, a rapier tournament, a youth combat tournament, a heraldic display competition, an A&S display, children's activities, a Red & Gold themed ball, and the return of The Drying Flagon Tavern (with gaming)!"

A low turnout for the Red Tower Tourney, only 21 fighters this year. Duke Gareth won over Sir Gunther. The BPL was another big amusing melee with a "Le Mans" start. There were actually two rapier tournaments. Her Excellency Lourene hosted a Prize List in the morning concurrent with the Red Tower list. We fought in one of the four fields and took over the rest when the "heavies" were done. Her Champion, Mistress Irene, hosted another prize list in the afternoon and ran both lists. The first list was a Swiss Five format and had 11 fencers. The second was open field challenges for 30 minutes with 7 fencers. This scribe won both lists. (I was not the best fencer there, just the most fortunate.) There were three competitors in Youth Combat. Solus Ortus, Sir Artos and Lady Finna's household, won the Heraldic display contest. The A&S display was dominated by Lady Asa's wood carvings and several nice outfits that this scribe wears. Lady Seonaid led the children's activities. Friday night saw the return of the Drying Flagon tavern. Ld Artemis and Ld Rhydderch kept the 'bar'. Saturday night, Martin, Cathal, Rhiannon, and Serena did another edition of the Medieval Knightly News, Lady Deirdre ran the hafla in the screened cabin next to the feast hall, and Lady Peryn ran the dancing in the hall. Event steward: Lady Eorann, assisted by Signora Serena. Feast coordinator: Ld Luke, assisted by HL Temair. Lady Madelena did reservations.

Your feedback is most welcome!

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Original page posted: October 27, 1999. Last tweaked: September 22, 2006.

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