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Report - Red Tower 28: The Glory of Rome September 2000 Updated: Mar 24, 2002

FIGHTING FIGHTING and more FIGHTING
At least forty-six fighters entered the "slave pits" as gladiators attempting to win their freedom. Eight qualifying rounds were held to determine eight finalists and these eight warriors of surprassing skill were the only entrants in the Red Tower Tourney. Each received a scarlet sash (courtesy of Baroness Enawynn and Squire Elanna), a decorative wooden gladius (crafted by Baron Conmaol), and an offer of special seating at the evening feast.

The finalists

• Duke Sir John of Ean Airgead (South Downs) - won the Dioscuri Doom round, his partner was Lord Peregrine (from Forth Castle).
• Duke Sir Boru Aelwyn (South Downs) - won the bearpit round.
• Earl Sir Michael Bohun (Dragonfly Marsh) - won the dagger and rope round.
• Earl Sir Bryce MacLaren (Iron Mountain) - won the Out of the Chute round.
• Sir Rashid ibn Hilal (Small Gray Bear)* - won the group melee round.
• Sir Gunther van der Aachen (South Downs) - won the gladius and round shield... round.
• Lord Connor MacEldridge (Small Gray Bear)* - won the Christians vs. Lions round.
• Lord Jovinus Meridius (aka "Joe the Sword Guy", Iron Mountain) - won the trident round.

Victorious in the Red Tower XXVIII Tourney: Duke Boru over Earl Bryce.

Before each qualifying round, its number was displayed by one of the nubile Vestal Virgins (hubba, hubba) carrying what appeared to be a stone tablet with the appropriate Roman numeral chiseled thereon. They also came out at the appropriate time with tablets spelling out F I N I T V S...

FENCING
A rope-and-dagger list determined who got to play Caesar and Brutus in the the Ides of March fencing scenario. Lord Leon Jeronimo Suarez from Thor's Mountain played Caesar and Viscount Sir Gareth Gordon MacGunter, our baronial rapier champion, played Brutus. We had a modest field of seven fencers.

TARGET ARCHERY
Rhydderch of Caerleon hosted the competition which had a theme to honor Diana, the goddess of the hunt. He also made the flat wooden targets - shaped as animals of the hunt. Lord Eckhart von Eschenbach of An Dun Theine won and in second place was Michael the Archer, a young man new to the Society, from Forth Castle.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Aidan MacKay was made a Companion of the Order of the Argent Shield on the field of combat during the day.

Awards given in Provincial (Baronial) Court:

Elspeth nic Cormac	Red Raven
Carol Jane Ravenridge	Red Raven
John the Trader	Red Raven

During Baronial Court, the ladies of the Barony welcomed two new lords to the South Downs Order of Chivalry: Lord Muiredach Dail Riata and the aforementioned Lord Jovinus. The lords in said order are traditionally chosen by unanimous decision.

The lords of the Barony have a similar recognition for one lady, every year at Red Tower.
This year's Heart of the South Downs: Baroness Ximena.

Court heralds: Martin, Serena, Yves.

Awards given in Imperial (Royal) Court:

Martin Dragonet	Grant of Arms
Yves de Fortanier	Grant of Arms
Rhydderch of Caerleon	Award of Arms
Peryn Rose Whytehorse	Award of Arms
Serena Dolce	Award of Arms
Lasrina MacGuin	Award of Arms
Colin MacLachlan	Cygnet
Jonathan of Exeter	Meridien Cross
Emma of Woodborough	Meridien Cross

Court heralds: Yves, Martin.

All of the gentle recipients who received awards from the Emperor hail from the Barony of the South Downs, except for Colin MacLachlan, son of Murchadh inn Digri [Rivermarch] and page to Sir Cona MacPherson [Owl's Nest].
 

At the barony business meeting after the event, Conmaol and Ximena gave out two more awards, with the assent of the Crown, that would have been given at the event had the recipients been present:

Damon Fox	Red Raven
Magdalen of Cheshire	Award of Arms

FEAST
Though the air was cool in the evening, the camaraderie was warm and lively in the feast hall and at the cooking fires of the private camps. Near the end of feast, the head cook came forth at the Emperor's request and the citizens applauded Master Orrick and his staff. Orrick was then proud to say that he made very few compromises in the feast - what we ate was very close to what would have been served in the second century in Imperial Rome (minus the poisons, such as lead) and the citizenry applauded his skill and wisdom. The menu, as described before the event is on the flyer.

Scribe's notes: the pears were served WARM. This was wonderful!!  Also, I heard from one happy parent that their finicky two-year old child loved the carrots!  Orrick's favorite thing overheard at the feast, "Hold your nose and bite into it, it's delicious" (possibly referring to a seasoned melon).

EVENING ACTIVITIES
The Imperial (K)nightly News was a great success featuring spoofs on...

• The upcoming presidential elections
• The Union of Lions, Tigers and Bears going on strike to get better food - associates(!)
• Old knights playing oneupsmanship in how tough the old days were ("I used to get up three hours before I went to bed, drive sixteen hours to the event, fall asleep in a hole, wake up for armor inspection, have a cup of battery acid to wake up... try telling the younger knights this - and they don't believe you...").

Lady Peryn led dancing late in the evening. Alas, many of the planned activities for the revel, like the chariot races on blankets, simply didn't happen due to the lateness of the hour and coolness of the air. Still, the music and conversations by the fire pit were quite enjoyable.

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