Activities at Canterbury Faire

Canterbury Faire includes a remarkably broad range of activities. Please check this page regularly if you want to keep up to date with what sorts of things are on offer, as some details may not be added or finalised until a few weeks before the Faire.

If you wish to offer to help with anything noted here, or have ideas for other possible activities, please contact the  
Faire Stewards: THL Terese and Lord Gavin.

Field Archery

Field archery this year includes a wide range of options from novelty to formal shoots, including a Royal Round, Baronial Archery Challenge, Clout Shoot, Wand Shoot and the traditional Thorfyrd's arrow competition. For more information on any of these, or to offer help with rangemastering or any other area, contact Lord Dauid de Cochrane.

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Arts & Sciences

A&S activities for this Canterbury Faire are under development; there will be many classes or workshops, plus a A&ampS display. This is not a formal A&S competition, it is an opportunity to display your work, show of projects both completed and underway and enthuse and get feedback about new things you are learning. Documentation is heartily encouraged, but is not required -- in your notes, please do at least mention who you are and the nature of your entry!

For more information, please contact Lady Ginevra, our A&S coordinator.

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Ball

a tour of the known world (it being the end of the 16thC, an age of explorers and sea-farers)

The organiser of this year's Canterbury Faire Ball, Mistress Katherina Weyssin von Regenspurk, invites one and all to come dressed as one of your country would. A range of dances will be provided from the simplest to the most challenging, very likely accompanied by live musicians.

For everyone, including those who don't or won't dance, there's a light supper provided free of charge and, entertainers willing, there will also be live music, song and dance performances and other entertainments sprinkled throughout.

For those of you wanting to get in a little extra practice -- be it on your instrument if you're a musician and wish to play for the dancers, or as a dancer who wishes to brush up, there is a dance practice scheduled for Friday evening, and there may be other casual practices organised.

...and Lady Emma of Wolvercote writes: "Once again does Ordo Cygni hold the fabled tassled hat! And so, at this coming Canterbury Faire, during the most cultured and refined ball, we challenge you all to that most energetic and difficult of pursuits: the tassle kick!"

For the musicians, the dances below all have links to the arrangements that we will be using.

First Set: England

• The Old Measures, being as follows:
  - Quadran Pavan, Turkelone, Earl of Essex, Tinternell, Lorayne Alman, Old Almaine, Almande Bruijnswijck, The Queens Almaine, The New Almaine, Madam Sosilia Alman, and the Black Almaine
• Scot's Bransle
• A Galliard, during which gentles who wish it may dance La Volta.

Second Set: France

• A Pavane (Known World/Belle Qui)
• Branles: Double, Single, Gai, Burgundian
• The Gavotte (the improvised dance from Arbeau. We will use both gavotte and bransle de la Royne versions on the score)
• Regional branles - Poictou, Trihory (the Branle of Brittany), Maltese (the one from Arbeau, not Schiarazula Marazula)
• A Galliard (Mille Ducas)

Tassel Kick competition - (use galliard version of Belle Qui)

Third set: Dances of Antiquity

• Lybens Distonys
• Alenchon
• La Danse De Cleves
• Amoroso
• Rostiboli Gioioso, for two or three
• Eglamour
• Petit Riense

Fourth Set: Italy

• Ballo del Fiore, for two, from Il Ballarino
• La Caccia d'Amore, for many couples, from Le Gratie d'Amore
• Contentezza d'Amore, from Il Ballarino
• Gracca Amorosa, from il Ballarino
• Spagnoletta, for two, from Il Ballarino
• Chiaranzana, for many couples, from Il Ballarino

The reconstructions preferred by the Maestra di Ballo can be found at:
http://shell.world-net.co.nz/~katherpat/index.htm
But feel free to dance others - this is all about regional variation!

Costume Competition
An oufit or item than defines where you come from.
Clothing, or a piece of clothing, that would tell another renaissance person something about your origin. It could be "real" regional costume (such as the hat that says "I come from Nuremberg", or the sleeves that say "Ferrara" ) or theatrical costume (such as the outfit that an English actor wears to tell the audience "I am an Ethiopian king"; or the "Hungarian" costumes of the dancers in Negri's intermedio).

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For Children

There will be organised activities for children at the Faire, though they are in great part self-sustaining, with the older children entertaining the younger ones to a significant degree, as in a medieval village. For the younger attendees, there will be some supervised play and period activities; older ones will have a boffer tourney and Court assistance/paging activities to keep them occupied, and are welcome to attend A&S workshops, archery etc. as they wish. And yes, there will definitely be a re-run of the popular "Knightback" boffer format which ran last year.

Please check out the requirements regarding supervision of children on site.

Boffer Tourney

Younger fighters will use pool noodles and optionally foam helms. Older combatants will be using the Crescent Isles Youth Boffer equipment being steadily refined in Cluain and Southron Gaard (see below). Head shots and thrusts -- to touch only! -- are permitted only if the helms provided are worn.

Boffer Tourney Rules

The Most Important Things to Remember:

• always participate with courtesy, respect and chivalry
• fight honourably and die well
• have fun and help others to enjoy it too

Other rules:

• Be ready to arm and take the field when you are called.
• Remember to salute your opponent, patron, parent and/or the throne when called upon to do so.
• Wait until the marshal calls LAY ON before you begin to fight.
• A blow can be counted as GOOD if it connects and is "purposely-delivered, in a fair and legal manner". (That means you don't have to hit hard or whack your opponent.)
• If you feel a legal blow to a target area (head, arm, leg or body), then call out GOOD.
• If you don't call it yourself, the marshal will call it for you.
• Any legal blow to the arm means you can't use it, and you should put your hand behind your back.
• Any legal blow to your leg means you can't use it, and you should drop to that knee.
• Any legal blow to the head or body, and you're dead. Die gracefully!
• No blows will count at or below the knee or wrist, or at the groin.
• No hitting from behind, or when your noble opponent is not ready.
• No grappling or wrestling, tripping, pushing, or touching the opponent in any manner except with legal boffers in a legal blow.
• Stop when you hear HOLD called, and when you hear WARE EDGE (beware of the edge barrier).
• The marshal has the final say. They may issue a warning, particularly if you are hitting too hard. Three such warnings and you'll be sent from the field.
• Demonstrate behaviour that is both chivalrous and respectful towards your noble opponent, the marshals and anyone else participating, and you will be thought a winner regardless of how well you do in the bouts or melee.

Youth Boffer

This year we are continuing the trial of the Youth Boffer equipment and approach under development in Southron Gaard and Cluain. Please note, participation in this will be restricted on the basis of age and/or experience, as it is designed to provide an intermediate form between the pool noodle and heavy combat.

The aim is to encourage the retention of the teenagers who typically lose interest in the long "gap" between kids' activities and being able to participate in the grown-up stuff. Retaining their interest makes it easier for families to continue to participate in the Society, so there are good practical reasons for doing this. And it also means that we give them an early start into developing an awareness of appropriate SCA fighting styles in a safe, controlled manner.

This is a process very much under development, so any comments and suggestions -- once you've had a chance to see it and what it involves -- would be most welcome.

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Combat

There will be plenty of combat-related activities, including heavy and rapier tourneys, field archery, war scenarios (mixed and heavy) including our new fort and siege weaponry.

Heavy tournaments planned include a formal Pas d'Armes, a Fighter Auction tourney (both are open to all-comers) and a Combat of the Thirty which will has a limited field based on certain heraldic and armour standards.

This year's war scenarios are once again being devised by Lord Miles Warde of Darton, from afar, for the pleasure of the participants, and run by Sir Vitale.

NB: If you require mesh for your helm in order to take part in the war scenarios, a limited supply of mesh squares will be available from Baron Bartholomew for $15 each.

Please check out the Combat section of the general Activities page for information relating to requirements and recommendations.

Fighter Auction Tourney

By popular request there will again be a Auction Tourney at Canterbury Faire, that all combatants might try their skill-at-arms on behalf of their patrons. Funds raised will be primarily marked for improvements for Canterbury Faire, including the bell and clock-tower.

In order to keep the auction attainable to as many gentles as possible, Subtle and Clever devices will be employed to somewhat limit the amounts to be bid. In particular, you will be bidding not for a combatant, but rather for a personal motto which they have each supplied or selected from a prepared list just before bidding commences!

Willing combatants will be auctioned off to prospective patrons at the Ball on Sunday evening and will compete in the tournament the following afternoon. Prizes will be offered to the buyers of the winning combatants, with first choice going to the winning combatant's patron, second choice to the patron of the second place-getter, and so on, until all prizes have been allocated (thus, it is possible, buth not guaranteed, that every patron may have a chance to choose a prize).

Schedule
Fighter Auction: Sunday Evening, in the hall, immediately before the Ball
Auction Tourney: Monday 4pm, main list-field

Donations or promissories of prizes are earnestly sought: please contact His Excellency Bartholomew at your convenience, or prior to the Auction at the Faire itself.

Combat of the Thirty

As numbers and equipment permit, a small number of doughty warriors shall undertake a recreation of the Combat of the 30 at the forthcoming Canterbury Faire.

One of the goals in recreations of the Combat of the 30 is to encourage a high standard of equipment as befits the date of the original battle in 1351. Likewise the aim is to reproduce a stout passage of arms in which those involved might vigourously show thier mettle. Additionally, somewhat realistic ransom conditions as below, are proposed in an endevour in order to evoke a more earthy historic mindset.

The proposed rules are as follows, slight modification may be made between this date and the day of the event.

1. No basket hilts--all swords will have cross hilts. (NB: One handed weapons are going to be of very little use since you may only thrust with them.)
2. No unpadded polearms--all pole weapons must have an appropriately-shaped head of significant mass.
3. No polearm may exceed 6 feet, no spear may exceed 7 feet, no sword may exceed 4 feet.
4. Despite actual armour worn, there is an assumed-plate standard. Blows to the body and limbs have no effect. You will of course still feel such blows, so the wearing of armour to match the assumed standard is encouraged.
5. Thrusts to an open face (i.e., a bargrill), neck, armpit, all "kill" (or render you unable to continue--same thing). Whether this will disqualify you from subsequent re-runs will depend on numbers on the day.
6. Thrusts to the inside of the elbow, back of the hips, or back of the thigh are sufficiently disabling that after receiving them, you "must yield", if asked, as below.
7. Heavy blows to the head do have an effect, so any blow with a two-handed weapon will count towards a "stun". 2 handed thrusts to a closed face visor also count towards a stun. If you are thus struck three times to the head in any single engagement you are counted as stunned and "must yield". Ones common sense and a sense of honor shall be used to be realistic about what "a single engagement" means. If you get hit twice and then fighting breaks off, that's it, you start counting over. If three different foes hit you in the head one after the other with no real break in the fighting then you're stunned.
8. Anyone who gets beaten sufficiently hard they do not wish to continue may choose to yield.
9. Anyone who is completely unarmed "must yield" (note that even a dagger is enough to prevent this).
10. Anyone who touches the ground with anything other than the soles of his or her feet "must yield".
11. Capturing Prisoners: If you "must yield" (see above) or choose to do so then anyone (from the other side) can simply point his weapon at you and say something to let you know he's captured you (e.g., "you're my prisoner", "yield!", "I've captured you", etc.). If no one does this then you may continue to fight as though nothing had happened.
12. The captor must walk his prisoner off the field. While he's doing so, the captor may, of course, be forced to fight. If he is killed or captured himself then the prisoner goes free. During such fights the prisoner must stand quietly awaiting the outcome.
13. Prisoner's must stand together off the side of the field by the banner of their captor. If, subsequently, the person who captures them is "killed" (not captured, *killed*), then they are released and may return to the fighting as though nothing had happened.
14. Ransom: All captured combatants will be required to pay a token ransom (based on rank). The person who captures them will receive this amount at the end of the combat. All payments shall be made solely in coins of the realm. Rates are as follows (since there *can't* be any kings in this combat by its very nature, so any "kings" will simply count as Royal Peers): * Royal Peers $15.00 * Knights $10.00 * Barons $5.00 * Sergeants $3.00 (those with a kingdom fighting award) * Squires $2.00 * Footmen $1.00 (all others) Ransoms are not cumulative and are based on whichever is the highest applicable value.
15. Combat will last until all of one side are either captured, killed or have retired voluntarily
16. The winning side is the one in possession of the field at the end.
17. Participants are requested to bring a pole bearing their personal banner, plus some means of having it erected aloft by the field. Captured combatants shall stand by the banner of their captor.
18. At the conclusion of the combat, it may be repeated up to 2 further times, by all those who have not been killed in previous engagements (depending upon numbers).
19. No horses, even if you are French.

Equipment standards:

• The combat of the 30 occurred in 1351, so all combatants must be wearing armour appropriate to that time.
• Helmet to be bascinet, great-helm, sugarloaf or other documented helm from 1351. Closed faced helms encouraged by not required, those with bar grills risk a quick death.
• Equipment should be in good condition that you are proud to wear in such a deed of arms. No exposed plastic anywhere. No exposed modern sports equipment, including hockey gloves. No duct-tape on any equipment except weapons.

Some quotes from a 14th Century tales of this deed

"Throw the dice, don't hold back, 
The luck will fall on you,and your life will be short." 

"Be certain and sure 
That Beaumanoir will be taken, him and his companions, 
Hardly a one will remain alive."

Hereon arose De Bosdegas, and brave Yves Charruel, 
And Tristan, who was hurt full sore, -- as erstwhile I did tell. 
To Pembroke, when he captured them, parole they gave all three, 
But Pembroke being slain, ye wot, they from parole were free. 
Their shields they dressed, their swords they gat, then to the fray did
hie, Burning for vengeance on their foes, vowing they all should die. 

"But fiercely yet the fight doth rage -- loudly the blows resound -- With
streams of blood from gaping wounds blusheth the trampled ground. "

Now pious Beaumanoir that day had fasted rigorously, 
--'Twas Mid-Lent vigil, and such fasts he kept religiously -- 
And being faint and sore athirst, for water he did cry. 
Hearing the cry, Geoffroy du Bois in accents stern did say, 
"Drink thy own blood, De Beaumanoir, thy thirst 'twill quench
straightway." 

Roused by these words of rough rebuke, and full of wrath and pain, 
The Baron good forgot his thirst, and joined the fray again. 

Please contact Sir Vitale if you have any questions regarding the Combat of the Thirty.

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Siege Warfare

This year will see the debut of a wooden fort, and you are also invited to bring your combat-legal siege engines and crews to Canterbury Faire to take part in the mixed warfare.

If you intend to bring an engine, please contact our Siege Marshal, His Excellency Bartholomew ahead of the event. Since the first war scenarios start on Saturday morning, formal engine trials and crew authorisations are scheduled from 4pm on Friday of the Faire, but an additional session may be scheduled for early on Saturday or Monday if you cannot be ready on the first day.

Note: if you have an engine but need crew, it's worth mentioning this to Bartholomew as some crewing offers have been received.

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Nocturne - Fri/Sat/Sun, Midnight (or thereabouts)

Nocturne Readings from the Idylls of the King (venue to be announced on the day, based on weather and opportunity).

Tales of love, betrayal and much combat, covering the travails of Geraint and Enid, Pelleas and Etarre, and Lancelot and Elaine.

To be read by katherine kerr of the Hermitage.

These readings are based on abridged versions from Tennyson's works, and will take 30-40 minutes apiece. Bring a cushion and the willingness to lend a courteous ear.

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Equestrian Activities

For the first time in our history, we will have an afternoon of period equestrian activities at Canterbury Faire. Full details and training information provided by the Lochac Equestrian Marshal, Lady Isabell de Winter, may be found here.

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Fencing/Rapier

An Invitation to the Baroness' Rapier Tourney

Unto the populace of Lochac does katherine kerr, Baroness of Southron Gaard, send greetings and a warm invitation.

Be it known to all gallant fencers of the realm that at Canterbury Faire in Southron Gaard this coming February shall I, in company with my fellow Baronesses and other persons of good quality, host a Tournament of the Rapier.

While the combatants are welcome to ply the Baronesses with delicious tidbits -- as happens elsewhere in the Kingdom at such meets -- of greater delight would be to see the exponents of the Art of Defence displaying their considerable charm and chivalric behaviour to the honour and enjoyment of all.

Also for the entertainment of the populace and the combatants, there shall be a Rapier Melee and Team Melee and a regular Rapier Tourney during the Faire.

In joyful anticipation of days well spent in the company of those who would applaud wit, honour and chivalry, I remain katherine, Baroness of Southron Gaard

For more information, contact the Captain of Rapier for Southron Gaard, Lord Martuccio Cavalcanti – 980 6732.

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Pirate Challenge

Ahoy me hearties. Aye, the Pirate Challenge; T'will be run o'er the course of the Faire to see if any of 'e bilge-sucking landlubbers or scurvy seadogs 'ave the stones and the wits tae serve yer King 'n country upon the high seas of Lochac.

The Challenge will open with the first Admiralty Court to be held at Canterbury Faire, on the Friday evening. Here the terms of the challenge will be laid out and the signing up of crews take place. Arrrrr.

Immediately following this, the first test will get under way at the Mangy Mongol, namely the Pirate Pub Quiz, where your wits and sea going savvy will be tried. A Treasure hunt and a Scavenger hunt, will be on going throughout the weekend. Arrrr.

Capitano Martuccio is now taking applications from those brave souls daring enough to fancy the station of Captain for the undertaking of this challenge. Ye’ll be obliged to assemble a crew of worthy mates, varied in skills and knowledge, and prepare to weather whatever devious trials may come t' pass. Put yer mark here if ye be willing.

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Drumming Sessions

There are likely to be short (30-minute or so) daily drumming sessions at Canterbury Faire, during the day or (early!) evening. Timing is to be as suits -- check with Lady Emma of Wolvercote or keep an ear out for the drumbeat. All welcome, with or without drums.

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Half-Circle Theatre

The right noble and virtuous Dramatikal Compagnie of Lord Lovel's Men doth array upon the stage The Half CIRCLE THEATRE, wherein shall be presented divers entertainments gathered out of the best approved players and musicians augmented with ne'er before seen interludes.

From the hour of SEVEN on Monday evening of Canterbury Faire next.

Seating upon the circle (bring your own cushion) or limited spaces for your own chairs may be reserved for the paltry sum of 4 gold pieces, whereunto shall be served conceitful refreshments during the performance, namely mulled wine, sweets, nuts and fruit. Pray you bring a drinking vessel for such. (The Compagnie reserves the right to fail to fill to the brim over-large tankards or horns.)

Groundlings may find such viewing places as luck and the passing of the hat affords them.

Seating at the Half-Circle Amphitheatre is limited, so reserve your place by contacting Lord Oswyn Carolus, Steward of the stage. Payment can be made at the Faire; non-payment of a promised seat may result in the Players being sent to perform loudly outside your Tent or Room at an inconveniently early hour of the morn.

Further offers to fill out the playbill from any singers, poets, jongleurs or other persons of an Entertaining Disposition are most welcome. We encourage Quality period or period-style poetry, stories, music or play excerpts. Said offers can be made to Lord Oswyn Carolus, Steward of the stage.

NB: Period and non-period singing and story-telling is welcome at the Mangy Mongol at any time, although it's usually appreciated if obvious filk is kept for the later hours.

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Market

Merchants of good standing are welcome to display their wares at Canterbury Faire.

The Faire Market will be held from 3pm Sunday third. All merchants are welcome and no faire taxes are charged for any who have goods to sell. As space in the hall is limited, those who are willing to set up just outside among the eager crowds are encouraged to do so.

Should you wish to let Faire-goers know of your fine wares, we would be delighted to provide you with space in this venue to post your news and announcements. This may prove particularly advantageous for those travelling from far afield, to both whet the appetite of potential customers and, possibly, to provide a point of contact for any who wish to arrange a pre-order so you can be confident of sales.

For merchants planning to make Canterbury Faire a regular stopping point, inexpensive storage on site is available for you to store your wares between Faires. More information on this can be seen here.

More general information on Canterbury Faire's Market can be found here.

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Fabric Shopping (before or after the event)

For the benefit of travellers to Canterbury Faire, we have prepared the following guide to fabric shopping in Christchurch (600KB Word document). It shows the location of key fabric stores in Christchurch, mentioning what fabrics, discounts and other arrangements may be of interest to SCAdians. For example, this year Global Fabrics are running a 30-50% sale during the time of the Faire, and are likely to be amenable to bulk shipping purchases to Sydney provided there is sufficient interest.

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Faire Stewards: THL Terese and Lord Gavin

Questions or corrections related to this page? Email Webscribe.
See also: So you want to go to Rowany Festival?

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