Avacal Book of Armoured combat (current) can be found at the bottom of this page.
Note: A Scholars‘ (Newbie) Rapier tournament will occur Friday, 19:00 time at the Erics; hosted by Don Bjar the Blue; please see rapier activities page for more details.
Friday, June 27, 2025
Scholars’ (Newbie) Heavy Tournament (Friday, 19:00; inspection starts 18:30)
Hosted by Ademar Donadei di Pietro; Location: at the erics
Are you new & shiny and ready to get hit with sticks? Not so new, Slightly scuffed and ready to get hit with sticks? Kick off Quad War by fighting other new armoured fighters in a casual round robin (everyone fights everyone else at least once). Anyone with three years of less actual fighting experience (including those belted) are invited to join in the fun times. For further clarity or for questions, please contact Ademar. So much fun!
Saturday, June 28
Armoured Arcarius Tournament (Combat Archery; Saturday, 9:00; inspection starts 8:30)
Ran and sponsored by Sir Ellias Silver; location: at the Castle
This tournament is designed for the Arcarius of Avacal & Allies to showcase their combat archery skills to their inspriations, the populace, and Archos alike. All combatants will participate in full combat armour. In order to participate, combatants will need an Archos. Fear not! If you do not have one, there is an opportunity to sign up to be sponsored for the day by one of the Archos present. See the page on Target Archery & Thrown Weapons, under the Activities tab, for more information.
Intro to War Pike (Erics); by Shaikh Gabriel deLion, Northshield
This intro class will go over the basics of using a pike in SCA armoured combat fighting in war scenarios. Hands on demonstrations on handling and use of a pike. We will discuss strategies and some of the gamesmanship of the pike. Teaching style is very open and will work with what the class is interested in learning. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pike or borrow one. There will be limited number of 9-foot pikes available. A 6-foot pole arm can be used to get the basic handling portion. No Max attendance but limited extra pikes to pass around so bring one if you can. If you miss the class and would like to discuss or learn, the teacher is willing when they have time to do pick up classes.
no cost. No max. taught by Sheikh Gabriel De Lion, Northshield
Armoured Combat & Light Combat War (Saturday, 11:00; inspection starts 10:00)
Organized by Warlord Sir Hjalti the WonderViking, Warlord Sir Wernar Ivarson, & deputy Warlord Quon Jien; location: at the Castle
Hey Avacal – it is almost that time again. I look forward to seeing the great warriors of Avacal come together to test each other’s mettle, and to find ways to complement each other’s abilities – to that end here is what I have in mind for the heavy armoured war scenarios.
The 4 principal armies: Borealis Montengarde Myrganwood Everyone else ( shires, etc ) * IF there is an additional army in attendance and their numbers are greater than one of the principal armies, they may take the place of that principal army instead. Each army will be randomly assigned a number 1-4
Scenario # 1 – Open field battle: Armies 1&2 vs armies 3&4 – combat archery and siege included
Scenario # 2 – Bridge battle: Armies 1&3 vs armies 2&4 – combat archery and siege included
Scenario # 3 – Boat battle: armies 1&4 vs armies 2&3 – combat archery and siege included
Scenario # 4 – Castle battle: Army with most wins vs other 3 armies
At the end of these “points battles” the army with the most wins will earn the heavy combat war point. The remaining time could be used for people’s choice battles: e.g. ship battles, samurai battles, ogres vs dwarves, etc. ( post in this thread if you have a preference or idea )
It is my hope that this format will promote maximum participation, and allow all participants a chance to work together with each other and strengthen our forces. I am also putting out a call for marshalls to assist in running these scenarios. Please let me know if you are able to assist. Your help will be appreciated.
Sunday, June 29
Delaroche Armoured Combat Buy-a-life Tournament (Sunday, 10:00-12:00)
Ran and sponsored by House Delaroche. location: at the Erics
House Delaroche once again invites all to a Buy-a-Life Tournament as a Castle fundraiser
How does it work? There will be a tourney for each of armoured combat, fencing, and archery. In each tourney you can buy lives for $2 each. You lose a life each time you are defeated but you’re not out until you have no lives left. And even then, you can buy more lives to stay in.
Even better, your friends can buy lives for you. Be an anonymous benefactor and discreetly buy lives for someone. Have fun with it. We’ll accept cash or e-transfers. These tourneys will be run Sunday afternoon one after another so you can take part in as many as you like and are authorized for.
There will be prizes. Anyone can win! Bragging rights go to the last competitor standing. A draw will determine who gets the prize.
Sir William Marshall Tournament (Sunday, 15:00; inspection starts 14:30)
Sponsored by Odin’s Bastards along with Alfheim & Adeline; hosted by Odin’s Bastards; location at the Erics
All armoured fighters in the Known World, regardless of rank or time fighting, are invited to come test themselves against all comers. Sir William Marshall was one of, if not the, greatest medieval tournament fighters of all time. His prowess is the stuff of legend. Come write your own legend in one of Avacal’s premier prize tournaments. Odin’s Bastards are proud to sponsor this tournament that has no job or work attached to it. You don’t even have to run next year’s tournament. We will do that for you. There with be a prize to keep and an awe inspiring chalice to drink from for the year. The bragging rights could be yours.
Bordergate Defender’s Tournament (Sunday, 15:00, inspection starts 14:30)
hosted by Volchok Vikingsson, & current Defender, Inga in hraustliga; location: at the Erics
This tournament will take place along with the William Marshall tournament. Participants can either choose to enter the William Marshall Tournament (no title awarded) or the Defender’s Tournament (becoming the heavy defender for the Shire of Bordergate).
Monday, June 30
Inspiration Tournaments (consecutively, one for Heavy fighters followed by one for Rapier fighters) (14:00 – 17:00)
hosted by Mu’allima A’isha Rayhana al-Karim; location at the Erics
Most tournaments focus on the fighters. In these tournaments, the focus is on the inspiration.
This will be a double-elimination tournaments, first a Heavy then a Rapier afterwards in the Erics. Each Inspiration brings 2 “prizes” per Tourney they are entering (in other words, if your Consort is fighting in both Heavy and Rapier, you need 4 “prizes” to enter.) Prizes can be anything at any value. They can be as simple as a bracelet, pretty necklace, hand fan, fabric pouch, etc.
Fight matches will be announced focused on the Inspiration: “Lady Asa’s Consort is fighting Lord Eric’s Consort”
The Inspiration of the losing Consort gives one of their prizes they brought to the Inspiration of the winning Consort when the fight is over. When your Consort is defeated 2 times, and you have given away the items you entered into the Tournament with, then you are out of the Tourney. BUT, you get to keep all the Prizes you received from the fights your Consort won. The only thing you give away are the 2 original things you enter into the Tourney with.
This was one of the first Tourneys I ever saw when I first entered the SCA, and I loved it, because it honored and shone a spotlight on the Inspirations. Plus, well, who doesn’t like getting ransoms, I mean, prizes. Lol. If you have any question, please feel free to ask me!
Tuesday, July 1
Heavy Scholar’s Tournament (runs concurrently with Rapier scholar’s Tournament) (10:00 – 12:00)
hosted by Ademar Donadei di Pietro: location: at the Erics
The western shires hungers for heavy fighters, golden roasted in the fires of the Eriks. New fighters of the knowne world, would you like S’more combat? Come fight in our tournament with the perfect blend of combat surrounded by the Graham cracker motivation of Secret prizes and opportunities to learn from some experienced heavy fighters. Anyone with three years of less actual heavy fighting experience (including those belted) are invited to join in the fun times. For further clarity or for questions, please contact Ademar.
Squires’ Tournament (heavy): (12:00 – 14:00 ish; inspection 12:00)
hosted by Duke Rorik Gunnarson; location: at the Erics
The format of this tournament will be two 30 minute periods with a short 5 minute break in the middle. Knights who have sought the Crown’s permission will be welcome onto the field to hold the corners for the second half. All legal weapon styles will be welcome.
Squires (and squires for the day) will have to announce their name, the name of their knight, the name of their inspiration at introductions. During inspection they will be asked to name one rule of the lists. Registration and inspection at noon; Tournament likely to start 12:30 and run until 13:45 ish, with the remaining time for host administration.
Heavy Open Field Pick-ups (16:00 onwards)
hosted by HRM Astrid
Join us on the war field by the castle for pick-ups. Anyone interested in providing 1-on-1 instruction, please sign up at Autocrat Point anytime during the event before pick-ups. Students who are looking for specific instruction or information may also sign up at Autocrat Point, with their request. Instructors will be able to look at those requests and decide if they can provide what is being asked. Not looking for 1-on-1 instruction, but rather just some good ole’ fighting? Don’t fear: there will be lots! Come pick a fight!
Guard Trials (20:00 onwards)
hosted by Odin’s Bastards
Interested in some fun competition? Come to the Guard Trials on the Erics, and prepare to compete in teams of 3. There will be three competitions: in the first two, all the teams will compete. The first challenge will be a 3-stage obstacle course that all the members will work together to complete. The winning team goes to the finals. The second challenge will remain a secret and all teams will be told at the same time. The final competition is best-of-7 (one on one) challenges between the two teams that made the finals. Come have fun by participating or cheering on these competitors!
Wednesday, July 2
Heavy and Fencing Double Breasted Round Robin Tourneys (10:00 onwards until completion)
hosted by HE Refr Bjarnarson; location: Castle
Prepare for an endurance challenge! You get to fight everybody twice, once defending the eric (you fight everyone in a row), and once challenging the eric. Grand prize for heavy is a custom gorget made by Duke Sir Elias. Grand prize for Rapier TBA.
Cost: Bring a prize, take a prize tourney
Senior Marshall(s): HL Donnan Sionnach and Duke Sir Elias Silver
Pick up fights with the Dukes; Coaching by Duke Sean (15:00 – 17:00)
hosted by The Dukes on site and Duke Sean; location at the Erics
Duke Sean and other Dukes on site will be available for individual, or group coaching. This can include evaluation, targeted instruction, demonstration/walk-through, and sparring. Coaching will be tailored to the individual, or group, pertaining to their needs.
Thursday, July 3
Heavy Fighting Class with Duke Sean (16:00 – 18:00)
hosted by Duke Sean; location at the Castle
Duke Sean will be available for individual, or group coaching. This can include evaluation, targeted instruction, demonstration/walk-through, and sparring. Coaching will be tailored to the individual, or group, pertaining to their needs.
Friday, July 4
Pick-up fights: (10:00 – 11:00)
location: at the Erics
These are informal fights with whomever is interested; come warm up before Duke Sean’s coaching session.
Heavy Fighting Class with Duke Sean (11:00 – 13:00)
hosted by Duke Sean; location at the Erics
Duke Sean will be available for individual, or group coaching. This can include evaluation, targeted instruction, demonstration/walk-through, and sparring. Coaching will be tailored to the individual, or group, pertaining to their needs.
Banner Tournament (15:00 – 18:00)
hosted by Duke Kvigr: location: at the Erics
This is a Double elimination format. All participants must have a banner on display while they are participating in the tournament. When you are out, you take your banner down. The last 2 participants will be in the finals.
Saturday, July 5
Heavy Fighting Class with Duke Sean (15:00 – 17:00)
hosted by Duke Sean; location at the Erics
Duke Sean will be available for individual, or group coaching. This can include evaluation, targeted instruction, demonstration/walk-through, and sparring. Coaching will be tailored to the individual, or group, pertaining to their needs.
Knights’ Retreat (14:00 – 18:00) [due to unforseen circumstances has potential to cancel – will be decided day of}
hosted by Sir Fergus; Location: at the Castle
This is a facilitated activity to promote team building amongst the chivalry. This structured activity will cultivate an effective chivalric culture amongst the knights. It is designed to improve communication skills, and to allow the chivalry to engage in small teams to hone the workplace skills required of a member of the order. The overarching goal is to create a more cohesive counsel for the crown by focusing on the togetherness part of our mission statement “together we conquer”. Please note that this team building is chivalry only; your understanding is appreciated.