Festival AS48

Event Information

Rowany Festival AS48 was held over Thursday 17th to Tuesday 22nd April. It was the first Festival to be held at Camp Wombaroo (near Mittagong in New South Wales) and it was the second Festival to be run for 6 days instead of 5 (the first being Festival AS34).

The event timetable is available below. The Arts and Sciences timetables and class descriptions, compiled by TH Baroness Josseline de la Cour, are also available below.

• Rowany Festival AS48 Timetable
• Festival AS48 Arts and Sciences Timetable
• Arts and Sciences Class Descriptions

The site map for the event was drawn by THL Antoinette Travaillie.

Grand Procession

Inspired by the grand processions held at Pennsic War where the various Kingdoms of the Known Worlde declare their allegiances, Lochac held her first Grand Procession for the Barons and Baronesses, Shires, Cantons and Households of the Kingdom to declare their allegiances for the coming war.

The premise for the war at Festival AS48 was the debate between the Baron of Rowany and the Baron of Politarchopolis over the governance of the Canton of Okewaite. More information on this ongoing debate is documented on the Reign of Alfar III and Angharat I webpage.

Various groups of Lochac processed into court, one group at a time, and proclaimed their allegiances with either Rowany or Politarchopolis. The processions were colourful with banners and heraldry a-plenty, and some groups even processed in to music or chanting.

Allies of the Barony of Rowany

• Barony of Stormhold
• Barony of Aneala
• Barony of Mordenvale
• Canton of Okewaite
• College of St Ursula
• The Asylum
• The Abyss

Allies of the Barony of Politarchopolis

• Barony of Innilgard
• Barony of Saint-Florian-de-la-rivière
• College of Blessed Herman the Cripple
• College of St Andronicus
• The Whyte Companie
• House of Hurts
• House Descartes

Inaugural Lochac Olympiad

Different Baronies, groups and households of Lochac processed into opening court at Festival, proclaiming their support to one Barony or the other. Just when war seemed inevitable, the Oracle (played by Mistress Kiriel du Papillon) showed up crying out “this shall not be!”

King Alfar III took heed of the Oracle’s new message that war between Rowany and Politarchopolis would tear the Kingdom apart. In the place of such devastating war, His Majesty announced that Lochac’s first and inaugural Olympiad would be held to determine which Barony won the rights to govern the lands of Okewaite. To the winner would also go the perpetual trophy: a silk banner, commissioned from Lady Elizabet Hunter, depicting Nike the Goddess of Victory hoisted on a spear.

The Olympiad consisted of many rounds, including javelin throwing, discus, shot-put, running in armour, running out of armour, target archery and tug-of-war.

His Majesty announced that Rowany and her allies were victorious in the inaugural Olympiad, winning 93 points to 87 over Politarchopolis and her allies.

War

The war scenarios for Festival AS48 were recreations of battles between the Greeks and the Persians. Rowany and her allies represented the Greeks and Politarchopolis and her allies represented the Persians.

Scenarios included open field battles, hold-the-point unlimited resurrection scenarios, capture the flag and capture supply box scenarios, bridge battles and limited frontage defensive battles (including a Thermopylae battle).

Peerages

Festival AS48 saw four peerages, including three knighthoods and one laurelling.

Heavy Fighting

International Training

Every morning from 8am, Earl Master Ruslan Novgorodcev from the East Kingdom taught heavy fighting classes and giving a perspective from a different part of the Known Worlde.

Rose Tournament

The format of this years Rose Tournament, named after the ladies of the Order of the Rose who host it, was paired teams for a king of the hill. There were two hills run concurrently, and teams could hold the middle for a set number of rounds before they had to rejoin the line. During the tournament, ladies of the Order of the Rose gave out tokens to those who impressed or inspired them.

The far-travelling Barony of Aneala did noticeably well in this tournament, with Sir Nathan Blacktower and Lord Lokki og Galatia’s team placing first and Lord Galen Wulfric and Lord Richard Ferrowre’s team placing third.

Henri’s Polearm Tournament

At Festival AS47, Count Sir Henri de Montferrant established Henri’s Polearm Tournament, inspired by a similar tournament he observed at Pennsic War 41.

This year was the second occurrence, and the rules of the tournament are as follows:

• Bear pit style (aka ‘king of the hill’) tournament;
• Entrants must fight without a shield;
• A fighter stays in the middle until they either lose or win 5 in a row (then they rejoin the end of the queue);
• 1 point per loss (or double kill) and 2 points per win;
• 2 x 20 minute time periods were run with a short water break between;
• Entrants join or leave the line at any point;
• Entrants tell the list keeper their score every time they left the field (minimum of 1 point, maximum of 10 points per round).

This year, there were eleven entrants and the victor of the tournament was Sir Stigh Joghensson (also known as ‘The Stigh’).

Final Placement	Entrant Name	Total Points Scored
1	Sir Stigh Joghensson	60
2 (tied)	Harry Ramsbottom	54
2 (tied)	Sir Tomas Askelson	54
4	Bjorn	51
5 (tied)	Baron Aonghus mac Griogair mhic Raghnaill	50
5 (tied)	Lord Mark Attignon	50
7	Baron Hanbal al-Barbari	43
8	Lord Benjamin the Undecided	36
9	MacBaron Andreas Reinhardt	28
10	Lord Miles Warde	25
11	Lord Wulfryk Greycloak	7

Heraldic Melee

The Herladic Melee is a teams tournament that encourages groups to bring out as much heraldry as possible. Teams are scored on prowess and heraldic presence on the field.

The victors this year were The League of Carnage, comprising team captain Duke Sir Aedward Steadfaeste (Captain America), Baroness Eva von Danzig (Wonder Woman), Count Sir Felix Arnett von Danzig (Batman), Lord Tristan (The Flash), THL Lucas von Ach (the Punisher) and Lord Clement Valentine de Spieler (Deadpool). Their team was dressed in heraldic outfits based on superheroes, an idea creatively taken from the medieval practise of knights adopting the costumes of classic heroes.

The teams included:

• The Royal Household
• Barony of Innilgard
• Barony of Saint-Florian-de-la-rivière
• Barony of Aneala
• The Abyss – Dark Ages
• The Abyss – Landsknecht
• The League of Carnage
• House Descartes
• College of St Ursula
• House of Hurts

Barony of Origin Tournament

Lochac’s first Barony of Origin tournament was run by Count Niall inn Orkneyskii. The concept was that it was a teams tournament where participants grouped in the baronies they were first authorised in.

Team Mordenvale were the victors.

Heavy Fighter Auction Tournament (H-FAT)

The H-FAT is the premier tournament in Lochac, attracting the largest pool of heavy combatants in a single tournament in the Kingdom. This year there were 74 combatants.

The first stage of the tournament this year involved splitting the combatants across five fields and completing a round robin. The top three placed fighters from each field were combined to one field for the second stage – a single kill, single elimination round. The finals were fought as single kill, triple elimination.

The victor of the H-FAT was Count Sir Theuderic Batavii, defeating Sir Lucas von Aych. Count Sir Henri de Montferrant placed third and Baroness Eva von Danzig placed fourth.

In previous years, a spear was the trophy for winning the H-FAT at Rowany Festival, however, this trophy had since been lost. This year, Baroness Blodeuwedd y Gath donated a new prize – an extant Roman military spur, dated 1-2nd Century AD, bronze, found in Burgundy, mounted in a frame.

Rapier

White Scarf Ceremony

Provost Gomez de Crecy was admitted into the Order of the White Scarf, becoming Lochac’s 22nd Don.

Guild Prizes

Lochac’s Guild of Defence had two prizes played at Festival:

• Free Scholar Liadan ingen Fheradaig fought single rapier, rapier and baton and rapier and dagger, successfully attaining the rank of Journeyman, and
• Free Scholar Ceara Shionnach fought rapier and buckler, rapier and baron and rapier and dagger, successfully attaining the rank of Journeyman.

Newcomers Tournament

The newcomers tournament was primarily run by Provost Lindoret of Bryn Myrddin with assistance from Provost Gomez de Crecy. The rules for entry were to have been authorised in combat (including heavy fighting) for under a year. There were six entrants with the victor being Lord Robin.

Cut and Thrust Tournament

Baroness’ Rapier Tournament

The Baronesses’ Rapier Tournament included 33 combatants and was fought as a Defence Tourney style – meaning that combatants fight to 5+ points where a non-lethal hit is worth 1 point, a lethal hit is worth 3 points and a double kill is worth 4 points each. There was also a non-cummulative handicap system applied to the final tallies where White Scarves and Guildmasters started with 3 points, Provosts started with 2 points and anyone with the Order of the Rapier received 1 point.

The victor of the tournament was Don Angus Galbraith with only 6 points to his name (including 3 handicap points). He received the perpetual trophy of a buckler which had been repainted for this Festival by Baroness Eva von Danzig.

The Baronesses also traditionally award the Sword of Chivalry to an entrant in the tournament that inspires or impresses them. This Festival, the Sword of Chivalry was awarded to THL Ceara Shionnach.

Queen’s Glove Rapier Tournament

The Queen’s Glove Rapier Tournament included 29 combatants and was run as a challenge tourney. Don Angus Galbraith defeated Lord Timothy of Newton in the finals, winning the tournament. The Queen, Her Majesty Angharat I, took to the field herself to test the metal of the combatants.

As is tradition, Queen Angharat I awarded the Queen’s Glove to the one who inspired and impressed her the most on the day – that recipient being Don Sir Wolfram Flammenherz.

Teams Tournament

The Company of the Red Griffin crushed the Teams Tourney, to the point that the other three teams formed a Brute Squad and all attacked the Company at once. The victorious team included Don Owain Cantor ap Hughe, Lord Francesco di Falco di Petro Aviati vinattiere, Lord Lorccan Ruadh and Don Diccon Shorthand.

Rapier Torchlight Tournament

The Rapier Torchlight Tournament was themed as a cross-dressing tournament where entrants had to wear garb opposite to the gender of the garb they usually wore. It was fought at dusk by tiki torchlight.

The victor of the tournament was Lord Lorccan Ruadh.

Dawnlight Tournament

The Dawnlight Tournament was run as a ‘real life’ style tournament where deaths and wounds were final.

The victor, winning a voucher to the Alchemy coffee shop (on site during Festival), was Guildmaster Don Táriq ibn Jelal ibn Ziyadatallah al-Naysábúrí.

Heroes and Villains Tournament

The Heroes and Villains Tournament was jointly run by Provosts Lindoret of Bryn Myrddin and Gomez de Cressy.

Entrants dressed as a hero or a villain and could only be killed by very specific weaknesses. Heroes and villains incuded the likes of Batman, Wonder Woman, Dorian Gray and Iron Man.

The victor of day was Lord Timothy of Newton who was dressed as Puss in Boots.

Ladies Rapier Tournament

The Kingdom of Lochac held her first ever Ladies Rapier Tournament this Festival.

The concept was inspired by the Lady Rapier tourneys and the format was inspired by the Novice’s tourney, all from Pennsic War 42.

There were prizes for the top three places Lady rapier fighters, including jewellery, fencing gear (hoods, gloves, manual, etc) and free entry into a fencing training event.

Countess Liadan ingen Fheradaig, Journeyman in Lochac’s Guild of Defence, was the victor of the tournament. She won the grand final 2-1 against Lady Elysia Drifadòttir. Lady Raegan of Lunihawk defeated THL Ceara Shionnach to take third place.

Rapier Fighter Auction Tournament (R-FAT)

Lochac’s first ever Rapier Fighter Auction Tournament (R-FAT) held at Rowany Festival included 35 combatants and followed the format of the H-FAT.

Don Angus Galbraith defeated Don Sir Wolfram Flammenherz in the grand final 2-0.

Archery

The competition results for archery at Festival this year are as follows:

• Queens Round – Baron Jean le Horner
• Kings Round – Sir Agro Agwesi
• Clout – Robert McKenzie
• IKAC (children) – Ruby Newell
• IKAC (open) – Robert McKenzie
• IKAC (period) – Mistress Isobel le Bretoun

A chocolate easter bunny shoot was held for children’s archery with youth archers being divided into three skill divisions, with each division having its own chocolate rabbit target. Each chocolate bunny was named and despatched by a hail of well aimed arrows before the children feasted on the chocolate remains.

Children’s Activities

Childrens Boffer Auction Tournament

The children’s boffer auction tournament is a regular occurrence at Festival. Children use boffer weapons (i.e. padded weapons) to fight in junior tournaments without the need for armour. The victor receives a cloak that gets passed from champion to champion, with an embroidered patch sewn onto the cloak so that their victory is always remembered.

The victor for the older children this year was the young lord Tyran of Mordenvale and the tournament was hosted by Odonata.

Children’s Fort Battle

Every year at Festival, the children of Lochac defend the children’s fort against those “big, mean-looking knights”. Strangely enough, the children win every year…

Children’s Schola

Children’s Schola was run again this year, which is an A&S and entertainment program for the children of Lochac. It included hands on classes such as banner painting and entertainment such as storytelling of period classics.

• Children’s Schola Timetable Festival AS48

Other News

Roses Tea

Countess Liadan ingen Fheradaig and Countess Engelin Teufel hosted a Roses Tea, inspired by a similar event held at Pennsic War.

The purpose was for Ladies of the Rose (i.e. the former Queens of Lochac) and past and present royal consorts to get together in an informal setting for some drinks, fun and general catching up. It allowed the ladies to swap stories, advice and generally relax. There were champagne cocktails and mocktails, snacks (including rose cupcakes that were commissioned from Mistress Monique de la Maison Rouge) and entertainment. Baron Crispin Sexi performed the song ‘Ladies of the Rose’ by Drake the Bard, and THL Aillis and Lady Annabel performed background music throughout the evening.

Boars Head Theatre

Mistress Margie of Glen More hosted the Boars Head Theatre in the tavern on the final night of Festival this year. People volunteered to perform a variety of acts for the entertainment of the populace, and the performances this year included:

• Mistress Rowan and Lord Nicodemus performed a puppet play – the cautionary and hilarious tale of Cinderoger
• Lord Alexander a la Fontayne performed his own song titled The Battle Hymn of the Heralds
• Lady Elizabet Hunter performed a poem – The Lady of the Grove
• Lady Ilona performed the The Squire Song
• Lady Caitlin Dai and Lord Thomas van der Hove from the College of St Andronicus performed a short skit called ‘The Story of the Great Fruit’
• Lady Angel performed the song ‘The Queen and the Soldier’
• Lord Declan performed the 850 year old English tune titled ‘Saint Marie’
• Baroness Blodeuwedd y Gath told her own story – The Story of a Prick. Reminiscing on 20 years ago and the effect of simple comments on a newcomer. Including a presentation to Sir Brusi Anderson of the Shetlands.
• Lady Anna Felice Tavestoche sang the ‘Song of the Men’s Side’
• Countess Liadan ingen Fheradaig read her own poem – On Crusade with You – which was a love poem with a twist
• Lord Antonio performed a sea shanty – the short version of Spanish Ladies
• Lyssa llewn’s Daughter read The Last One Off. A poem by Master Snorri Blóðdrekkr ór Óðinslundi
• Lady Tatiana performed Lark in the Morning
• Master Pádraig Lowther performed a reading of “I do not like them, Sven I am” – a Scandinavian saga
• Lady Caitlin Dai performed her own award winning filk song “Tavern’s Mead”
• Mistress Katherine Kerr of the Hermitage and Master Bartholomew Baskin performed Shakespeare Sonnet 40
• Master Pádraig Lowther performed The Flame Tree Sonnet
• The Attican Squire Choir performed an amusing song about life as a squire
• Mistress Margie of Glen More directed the Macbeth in 32 seconds (two run throughs) with a cast of: Lady Helouys le Poer, Mistress Elayne Montjoy, Mistress Katherine Kerr of the Hermitage, Lord Wolff, Mistress Helene du Puy, Master Ruslan (from the Kingdom of the East), Master Bartholomew Baskin, Master Pádraig Lowther and Lord Thomas van der Hove
• And, the final act of the night was performed by Lord Kit Hackforth and co from the college of Blessed Herman the Cripple – the song Skeggi Where’s Ya Trewsers?

Andronicus Elevated

The College of St Andronicus was named incipient no more by Their Majesties, and upgraded to a full college in the Kingdom of Lochac.