The THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL RED TOWER TOURNAMENT was held during September 21-23, 2007. It was hosted by the Barony of the South Downs, the SCA group based in metro Atlanta, GA.   The rest of the body text is left in the present tense. Except for the weather link, this is how the page looked just before the event. The Red Tower Tournament has a long tradition of attracting the top fighters in Meridies. There will be plenty of armored combat and rapier combat with many activities for non-combatants.

 

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About the Site . Children's Activities . Classes/Workshops . Costumers Guild Salon . Dancing/Hafla/Revel . Directions . Embroiderer's Guild Salon . Feasts . Fighting . Heraldry Consultation . Heraldic Display Contests . Lunch . Merchants/Vendors .
Newcomers Forum . Prices . Reservations . Schedule . Staff

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Spaces remaining

As of September 21, 2007:

Beds: ZERO ... Indoor Feast: ZERO ... Outdoor Feast: ZERO

That's OK, though, bring your own food, meet up with other guests who brought their own food, and stay for the revel - where there will be MORE food available!

A few beds or feast spaces MAY become available if Seonaid receives cancellations.

What’s New!

9/19: Beds and feast sold out yesterday, matey. Arrrr.... 8-)
9/18: Food at the revel.
9/15: Traveller's Fare details. Class schedule is set.
9/11: Anglo-Saxon pottery class. Cancellations bring up the numbers a bit. Fighters: we're leaving the list shield trees behind - so you can leave your mini-shields at home.

9/09: Beasts in heraldry class. M.E. drumming class.
9/03: Newcomers forum. Beginners' lace making class. Kingdom fundraiser raffle.
Performing in the SCA class. List of merchants. Menu for outdoor feast.

8/29: Indoor feast is sold out. Life in medieval times class.
8/21: Added more to children's activities. Costumers Guild salon. Nursery rhymes class.
8/12: Added to children's activities.
8/07: Indoor feast menu and ingredients! Staff update. Embroiderer's Guild salon.

7/28: Added section on heraldic display contests. Oops again.
7/20: Fixed typos in prices (oops). Staff update.
7/17: Updated roster and maps.
7/10: Launched page.

Schedule

Schedules are subject to change. Visit this page often for the latest information.

 

Friday

 5:00p  Troll/registration opens
 
        ** When I'm not busy, I'll also take your reservations for Castle Wars **
 
 TBD    Traveller's Fare: A Tagine of Spiced Kefta
 

Saturday

 8:00a  Waking call
 8:00   Breaking the fast (until 9am)
 9:00   Armor inspection begins
 9:30   First class hour begins
10:00   Chivalric combat begins, much more fighting will follow
        Cut and Thrust demonstration; civilian combat throughout the day
        Embroiderers' Guild Salon until 1pm
10:40   Second class hour begins
11:50   Third class hour begins
 1:00p  Pause for a delicious lunch
 2:00   Costumers Guild Salon until 4pm
 2:10   Fourth class hour begins
 3:20   Fifth class hour begins
 4:30   Fighting ends, field closes, clean up for Court
 5:30?  Court (at the pleasure of Their Majesties and Their Excellencies)
  
        The feasts and revelry are to follow in good order.
 

Sunday

 8:30a  Waking call
 8:30   Breaking the fast (until 9:30)
11:00   All guests remaining on site at this time who are not already helping us 
        pack and clean will be cordially asked to join us in those efforts.
 

Tuesday, Oct. 2

Deadline for comments to the Baron, Baroness, or Seneschal about the event to be included in the "post-mortem" meeting to review the event.

About the Site

The site is Camp Rutledge at Hard Labor Creek State Park located just north of Rutledge, GA.

There are four units of cabins with four single beds each that cannot be moved. Some cabins will be reserved for other guests and staff - they will be marked as such. "Common rooms" will be reserved - please do not sleep in them without permission.

Each unit has a bath house (two toilets and showers each) and there is another much larger bath house near the feast hall. Each cabin has electricity. Bring bedding and electric fans for your comfort. Sorry, no overnight tenting on site is allowed.

The terrain is heavy mixed forest and slopes down from the entrance/exit where the staff cabins, royal cabin and the feast hall are down to through the cabin units to the field and thence to the lake about 60 feet in altitude. Google Earth says it's about 680 yards from the road in front of the staff cabin out to the edge of the pier.

The field is shaped a bit like Australia. Size: about 160 yards by 80 yards. The sun's path in the sky goes from the road up to camp diagonally across the field and down towards the lake.

There will be TWO handicapped-accessible portable toilets at the field for your convenience.

Newcomers Forum

Are you new to the SCA? Would you like a tour guide? Visit the pavillion of Lady Katerina of Dunvegan at the field. She'll show you that the SCA is a place where you can escape the stress of the mundane world while at the same time indulge yourself in an atmosphere where you can learn as much as you want, provide service, or just be content to sit back, relax, and enjoy what's going on around you.

Topics and activities: general observations on the SCA combat going on and other arts of war (archery, thrown weapons), how to recognize the nobility and peers of the realm, how to address and greet them, polite introductions to gentlemen and ladies, the difference between tokens and favors, the Meridies tradition of belt colors for associates, advice on choosing a Society name, the game with cloved fruit - with how to graciously accept the fruit and how to handle any unwanted attention in an amusing manner; a walking tour of the merchant area and meeting various people...

Fighting: Chivalric Combat

HL Mikal Isernfocar is in charge.

The Red Tower Tournament: 10am sharp

Double-elimination list. Bring your list tree shields. (Change in plans, you can leave the mini-shields at home; we're leaving the shield trees behind.) Metal body armor is NOT required -- however, what MAY be required is that your armor and whatever you wear over it pass the inspection of Her Excellency, Caroljane.

The Tournament of Chivalry

Knights take the field. The other fighters may challenge them individually. Each challenge will last, by default, three bouts. Challengers are encouraged to ask for some brief feedback afterward for their benefit.

Baron Cathal's Prize List

Format: bear pit. Here's a picture of the prize!

The Challenge of Chivalry

A sort of multiple-field passage of arms. A select few with their allies (the Defenders) will take stations and accept challenges from the rest of the fighters. The Defenders are encouraged to recognize those challengers who impress them. The chosen Defenders (so far) number three:

• Duke John of Ean Airgead, KSCA
• Sir Rodger fan Morvill
• Baron Aidan McKay, KSCA
  
  (Aidan was knighted at Tourney of the Foxes! Huzzah!)
  

Melee!

All of the Defenders on one side - all of the Challengers on the other.

 

Fighting: Civilian Combat

(read: rapier activities, cut & thrust also...)

Lord Cillian MacCauldwell, from the Shire of Owl's Nest, is in charge.
The activities should occur in this order:

Cut & Thrust demonstration, class, and authorizations

Lord Jean-Michel d'Aix en Provence [Drakenmere] is in charge.

Princess Queen Lethrenn's Challenge

Details to be announced at the event.

Baroness Caroljane's Prize List

Details to be announced at the event.

Lord Cillian's "Musketeer's Tourney"

A tournament with teams of three to five, depending on attendance.

Fundraiser Raffle

HL Jocosa d'Auxerre and HL Kynwric Gwent [Talmere] will be selling raffle tickets for a reproduction 10th century Norwegian bed on Saturday only at Red Tower to raise money for the Meridian Social at Gulf Wars XVII. (Raffle sponsored by House Aylekeepe and the Fenris Legion.) Tickets will also be sold at Fall Coronation and Pillage on the Plains, with the drawing to be held at Their Majesties' court at Pillage on the Plains.

Merchants/Vendors

Merchants will be allowed both outside the main hall and at the field. Mikal is in charge of the field. Mistress Jadi is in charge of the hall and the nearby grounds. There are no merchanting fees, but you'll have to bring your own equipment and furniture. For the sake of ambience, loud generators are discouraged. Please check in with Yves (redtower35<at>comcast.net) if you would like to set up at the event.

Heraldic Consultation

HL Cuhelyn Cam vap Morcant [Beau Fort] will bring his books and expertise to help with questions about personal heraldry - names, devices, and badges - for use in the Society. Mistress Bronwen o Gydweli [Sol Haven] and perhaps other book heralds will be on hand to assist.

Operating hours: Friday in the main hall from 7-10pm and Saturday at the field from noon until the field closes, with a break for a delicious lunch.

Heraldic Display Contests

Bring your banners and hoist them high, bring your stout boxes marked with your badges, wear your surcotes and tabards and sashes, display your fine dishes adorned with devices!

There will be two categories: Individual/Couple (one or two people) and Group (three or more people). Prizes to be awarded by Their Excellencies.

Embroiderer’s Guild Salon

Lady Francesca d’Angelo [Vulpine Reach], steward of the guild, will be hosting a salon at the field from 10am until 1pm. For more information, please contact her at scafrancescadangelo@yahoo.com or see her full contact information in the back of Popular Chivalry. Guild Web site: Meridian Embroidery Guild.

Costumers Guild Salon

Maestra Bianca Allegri da Vincenza [An Dun Theine], steward of the guild, will be hosting a salon at the field from 2pm until 4pm. Look for the guild banner with the scissors and stars. Guild Web site: Costumers Guild of Meridies.

Classes and Workshops

~Costuming~

Lady Isabella de Boyce [Tir Briste] is scheduled to teach the following one-hour classes starting at these times.

Ω  9:30 -- Men's 15th Century Italian Shirt

Patterning and documentation for a simple, comfortable shirt based on frescos by Piero della Francesca. Handouts will be available.

Ω  10:40 -- What Should I Do With This Beautiful Fabric?

Bring your fabric, I'll bring some examples, and let's share ideas. Handouts will be available.

Ω  11:50 -- The Ropa: The Most Luxurious "Housecoat" You'll Ever Own

Did you know it comes in three styles? Learn more about this loose-fitting overgarment worn by fashionable Italian men and women. Handouts will be available.

Ω  2:10 -- The 24-Hour Elizabethan Women's Outfit

Dispels myths people have about women's Elizabethan garb like "it's uncomfortable", "it's hard to make", and "making it takes a long time." Come make a pattern for a shirt and a bodice.

Ω  3:20 -- "If You Can Read and You Can Drive, You Can Sew"

Proves that anyone can learn to sew! Age 8 and up. Come make a little pouch that you can take home.

~Other classes~

Lady Andreva, dance minister for the South Downs, will teach dances during the day to help you prepare for the dancing to be done at the revel after feast. Times and location are TBD.

9:30-10:30

Rosamond Playfayre [Drakenmere]. Life in Medieval Times which will include handouts on these topics:

    *  charters of franchise and serfdom
    *  vocabulary of liege lords and vassals
    *  feudal pyramid
    *  income by demographics 

10:40-12:50

HL Dianora di Cellini [Drakenmere]. Beginners' Lace Making for up to FOUR participating students. Observers are welcome. Kits will be available for $10, or you could bring your own supplies. Contact Dianora at dicellini<at>gmail.com for a list of supplies needed or to reserve a seat in the class. There will also be a class sign-in sheet at the site.

11:50-12:50

Lady Siobhan ni Ahearn [Camden Tor]. Nursery Rhymes in Our Times on the origins of about fifteen nursery rhymes.

2:10-3:10

Rosamond Playfayre. Beasts in Heraldry. Her description: "Going well beyond lions, dragons, and unicorns in device design, this class reviews the range of heraldically-accepted animals, their most frequently blazoned positions, how to emblazon them proper or armed, use of parts of animals, and allowed 'monsters' such as the yale and the heraldic tyger."

2:10-4:20

Da'oud Samir [Tir Briste]. Middle Eastern drumming practice. Students of all levels of ability are welcome. Extra percussion instruments will be available.

3:20-4:20

Lady Fiona MacLachlan [Iron Mountain]. Performing in the SCA which is part of the required curriculum for the RUM College of Bardic Arts. The link goes to the Web site for the College.

3:20-4:20

Baroness Zofia Wis'niewska [Bryn Madoc]. The development of pottery in the Anglo-Saxon period which will focus on the shapes, uses, and decorative elements of the pieces.

 

Thanks in advance to all of the teachers who have volunteered their time
to teach at Red Tower XXXV. The class schedule is set.

 

Children’s Activities

Lady Elewyiss the Jew is in charge. Her assistants are Lady Megotta of Thyme Keep and Lady Elizabeth of the Laurel Wood. Elewyiss says that in the morning the kids will be playing Heraldic Twister and Fire in the Pot.

Later in the day, there will also be a Children's Court (aka Kids' Court, Youth Court) on the field where winners from the morning activities will receive prizes. Children will be invited to participate in court activities, including serving as retainers. Parents and young people are encouraged to attend and participate.

If you know a deserving child who will be at Red Tower who is not yet a member of the Order of the Cygnet, please send in an award recommendation for them.

Meridies Online Award Recommendation page

Children’s Feast

Sorry, no children's feast is planned at this time. The site has only the one kitchen.

Traveller’s Fare: Tagine of Spiced Kefta

A tagine is a traditional Moroccan dish. Keftas are meatballs, flavored with onions, herbs and spices. They are served in a buttery ginger and lemon sauce. The keftas are spicy but not at all hot.

Kefta

Ingredients: Ground beef, Onion, Cilantro, Cinnamon, Cumin, Coriander, Cayenne Pepper, Cloves, Nutmeg, Bread Crumbs, Chile

Sauce

Ingredients: Butter, Onion, Ginger, Saffron, Cilantro, Lemon, Vegetable stock

There will also be vegetarian couscous and bread as accompaniments.

Vegetarian Couscous

Ingredients: Chickpeas, Couscous, Butter, Turmeric, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Onions, Cilantro, Carrots, Turnips, Squash, Zucchini, Chile, Raisins

Lunch

Madame Putsha la Chiromancienne will have gastronomic delights to entertain our palates for $5. Proceeds to fund equipment purchases for the Kingdom of Meridies Waterbearing Guild.

Feasts

The kitchener is HL Temair Céarr, called Tara. She says there'll be good food and lots of it. There will be two feasts — an indoor feast for 80 (which is sold out) and an outdoor feast for 40 (which is nearly sold out). Menu and ingredients will be posted when available.

When you send in your reservation, please let us know which feast you would like. Also let us know if we should automatically put you in the other feast (if possible) if your first choice for feast is sold out.

Tara also encourages strolling performers to entertain at the tables during the feasts.

 

Ingredients

1. Rose butter - unsalted butter, sugar, rosewater
2. Salad - scallions, radish, carrots, bean cods, asparagus, and cucumbers with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and black pepper;
3. Lombard mustard - mustard seed, white wine, honey, white wine vinegar
4. Ginger sauce - breadcrumbs, white wine vinegar, ginger, salt
5. Green sauce - Italian parsley, mint, breadcrumbs, garlic, sorrel, white wine, white wine vinegar, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, salt, saffron
6. Mammenye sauce - honey, almonds, pine nuts, red wine, currants, vinegar, saunders, ginger, cinnamon, salt, saffron, pepper
7. Polish sausage - pork shoulder butt, peppercorns, sage, ginger, pork casings
• Brine: salt, sugar, saltpeter, juniper berries, bay leaves, thyme, pepper, nutmeg, and cloves
• Smoke: apple wood, water
8. Cabbages - cabbage, beef broth, saffron, breadcrumbs, salt
   Vegetarian version available if requested before 2pm at the event.
9. Pottage of rice - basmati rice, water, almonds, salt, saffron
10. Roast beef - boneless rib roast, butter, cinnamon, mace, cloves
11. Mac'n'cheese - egg noodles, water, oil, salt, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, butter
12. Mushrooms and leeks - mushrooms, leeks, vegetable broth, saffron, salt, poudre forte*
• Poudre forte - Tara said her version could contain any of the following: cinnamon, cassia buds, cloves, mace, ginger, cubeb, pimento (allspice), long pepper, black pepper, grains of paradise
13. Caraway comfits - caraway seeds, sugar, water, gum aramanth
14. Pears in wine sauce - pears, water, red wine, red wine vinegar, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, saffron
15. Apple pie - Granny Smith apples, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, butter, pie crust

Sources

• "Take a Thousand Eggs or More: A Translation of Medieval Recipes from Harleian Ms. 279, Harleian Ms. 4016, and Extracts of Ashmole Ms. 1439, Laud Ms." by Cindy Renfrow
• "Curye on Inglish: English Culinary Manuscripts of the Fourteenth-Century (Including the Forme of Cury)" by Constance B. Hieatt and Sharon Butler, 1985.
• "The Forme of Cury, A Roll Of Ancient English Cookery, Compiled about A.D. 1390, by the Master-Cooks of King Richard II..."
• "John Russell's Book of Nurture" (1460)
• "An Ordinance of Pottage. An Edition of the Fifteenth Century Culinary Recipes in Yale University's MS Beinecke 163" by Constance B. Hieatt, 1988
• "Tha Boke of Keruynge" (The Book of Carving) enprynted by Wynkyn de Worde (London, 1508)
• "A Propre new booke of Cokery..." (Richard Lant and Richarde Bankes: London, 1545)
• "The Good Huswifes Jewell..." by Thomas Dawson (1596)
• "Delights for Ladies" by Hugh Plat (London, 1609)
• "The English Huswife, Containing the Inward and Outward Virtues Which Ought to Be in a Complete Woman" by Gervase Markham (London, 1615)

 

 

Dancing / Hafla / Revel

Lady Andreva Rigaldi is in charge with Mistress Jadi helping coordinate the Middle Eastern portions.

Scheduled performers include PEACH CURRY, Aylwin Watkins, and Fiona MacLachlan. For those who don't know them, Aylwin is from Shire Eagle and plays stringed instruments (the Turkish saz, the Egyptian 'ud, and the Persian santoor) and Fiona is a vocalist (soprano) and woodwind player from Iron Mountain.

More performers are most welcome - with advance arrangements, please.

There will be both sweet and savory items to nibble on at the revel courtesy of Lady Arioghanwyn ferch Angus.

Prices	Before Aug 21	Aug 21 and after
Adult, weekend (no feast)	$ 12	$ 14
Minor, weekend (no feast)	$ 6	$ 7
Adult, daytrip (no feast)	$ 8	$ 10
Minor, daytrip (no feast)	$ 4	$ 5
Indoor feast	$ 8	$ 8
Outdoor feast	$ 4	$ 4

Age 5-12: see Minor above.
Age 4 and under: no site fee if they do not take a bed.

Adult fee only: add $3 if you do not provide proof of current SCA membership.
Make checks payable to SCA Inc. / Barony of the South Downs
Family pricing follows Kingdom Law.

Reservations

 

Stephannie Kemker 1673 Avon Avenue Tucker, GA 30084

Lady Seonaid inghean William stephannie,,at,,kemker.org 404-713-7875

When you send in your reservation, please include an index card (or something similar) with all of that information you would write down at the event - modern name, SCA name, membership number, expiration date, and what you're buying (weekend, daytrip, indoor feast, outdoor feast) for who. Don't forget about letting her know if you want the other feast if your first choice is sold out.

Also, please include your email address so that Seonaid can send you a confirmation or contact you if she has any questions about your reservation.

Questions?

Send email to Yves at redtower35<at>comcast.net ... if I don't know the answer, I'll forward your question to the appropriate person.

Directions

Please note that everyone will need to purchase a parking pass for $3 to park their vehicle on the site - this is required at all Georgia state parks. (Unless you have a current annual pass, of course.)

From Atlanta or Augusta

Take your best route I-20 in Georgia.
Take Exit 105 (Newborn Rd) and go north about 2.5 miles.
Cross over US 278. [**]
That grocery store on the right may be your last chance to pick up any supplies.
The road will dead-end shortly.
Turn left, take the next right (Fairplay St), crossing over railroad tracks.
Go 3.1 miles -- during which you'll continue straight through town (watch your speed), and enter the State Park. Keep going straight and look for the SCA sign.
The road to the site will be on the right just before a bridge.
The road is about two miles long and about the first third is paved.

From Macon

Take your best route to US 129 northbound.
Once it merges with US 441, keep going north for 23.8 miles.
Looking for signs for US 278, bear left on GA 24 Spur (Ward Road) and go 0.5 miles.
Bear left on US 278 and go 8.1 miles.
Turn right at the light on Newborn Road and continue at the [**] mark above in the
directions above.

From Athens

Take your best route to Macon Hwy (US 129/441) at Hwy 53 on the north side of Watkinsville.
That's the starting point used here.

Go south on Macon Hwy for about 3.8 miles.
Pass GA 186 (High Shoals Road), turn right onto Price Mill Road. Go 6.6 miles.
Bear right on Wellington Road. Go 0.8 mile.
Cross over GA 83 (the main road through town).
The road becomes Malcolm St. Go 0.4 miles.
Turn left onto Fairplay Rd. Go 7 miles.
This will take you into the State Park.
The road to the site is a switchback on the left, just after the bridge.
The road is about two miles long and about the first third is paved.

Bostwick may be your last chance to pick up any supplies. They have a gas station. To get back on track, get on First Street going south and it will become Fairplay Road at the edge of town.

If you need something a gas station won't have, I know some people avoid 'em, but here they are:

Wal-Mart (Exit 93 on I-20); open 24 hours
10300 Industrial Blvd
Covington, GA 30015
(770) 787-8030

Wal-Mart (Exit 114 on I-20); open until midnight
1681 Eatonton Road
Madison, GA 30650
(706) 342-9988

Driving directions / maps online:  Yahoo .. Tobias Morgan's Google Map

 

Officers & Staff

Baron and Baroness	Cathal mac Edan na faelad and Caroljane Ravenridge
Seneschallate	Marie de Kerimure (previous) Roger-Luc Besson (current)
Reeve	Madelena da Firenze (previous) Rhydderch of Caerleon (current)
Event Steward	Yves de Fortanier
Reservations	Seonaid inghean William
Kitchener	Temair Céarr (she goes by Tara)
Traveller's Fare	Madelena da Firenze with her husband
Saturday Breakfast	Andrew of Theodford
Saturday Lunch	Putsha la Chiromancienne [Beau Fort]
Sunday Breakfast	Marco capitaneus [Rivermarch]
Feast Servers	Red Sword Company; lead: Cillian MacCauldwell [Owl's Nest]
Feast Cleanup	Aidan McKay
Marshal	Mikal Isernfocar
List Herald	Miramah bint Ibrahim [Talmere]
Field Herald	Oengus mac GillaDubain [Bryn Madoc]
Rapier Marshal	Cillian MacCauldwell [Owl's Nest]
Cut & Thrust	Jean-Michel d'Aix en Provence [Drakenmere]
Children's Activities	Elewyiss the Jew with Megotta of Thyme Keep and Elizabeth of the Laurel Wood [Talmere]
Concierges	Helga Gunnarsdottir & Ivarr Ulfasson
Hall Steward & Décor	Jadi Fatima with Isibéal inghean mhic Marcuis
Merchant Contact	Yves
Revel	Andreva Rigaldi
Royalty Liaison	Madelena da Firenze
Site Herald	Lucia di Padua
Sunday Clean-Up	Rodger fan Morvill
Teacher Hospitality	Muirenn Androusdottir
Waterbearing and Chirurgeonry	Tabitha of Erin & Finn O'Flaharty

 

. . . end of flyer information . . .

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Here's where I plug my Web site.

There are more pages on here that might be of interest to you:

• Barony of the South Downs (various historical information)
• Elspeth's book reviews
• Yves and Elspeth's calligraphy and illumination portfolio
• Yves' articles on heraldry
• Yves' pages on rapier
• Writing an award recommendation
• "Middle Eastern" drumming guide (doumbek rhythms and articles)

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My nifty email form stopped working ... but you can still send me email if you would like to.

Original page posted: July 10, 2007. Links tested: May 24, 2008. Last tweaked: July 3, 2008.

The address for this page is [ www.therotunda.net/event/07-redtower.html ]
 
Nothing on my Web site is the official publication of anyone else. Unauthorized use for profit is not permitted.