Two armored fighters approach each other and bow or put hand to heart. They turn and wave to the person who inspires them before turning to bow to their Baron and Baroness who are hosting this tournament to test the fighters’ prowess and find themselves a new Champion!
Spectators waver between holding their breath and cheering on their favorite fighters. Folk scurry to make sure the fighters are well armored and hydrated so they can do their best on the field of battle.
As you watch, you expect a staged fight, especially with the rattan swords and varying styles of armor, but then the fighters approach each other and begin trading blows and you can hear the impact and realize these are real fights and they aren’t staged. The fights go on until one opponent acknowledges a blow landed well enough and with sufficient force to have caused death if they were armed with more than rattan. The stakes are real as the fighters truly do their best to win the honor of becoming the next Heavy Armored Champion of the Barony of Aquaterra!
If you have always wanted to vie for knighthood, or watch as others give it their all, this is a sport that you, too, can take part in! If you have questions about SCA heavy armored combat, this is the event for you! Aside from the tournament, we will have some of the gear on display and folk ready and eager to answer your questions and help you find your way into the sport that can be played year-round.