Tournament

A Tournament is a formal competition between combatants. Originally devised as a training method, it soon became very popular as a sport in the Middle Ages, with professional tourney circuits appearing throughout Europe. There were many attempts to ban tourneys, most of which failed dismally.

In the SCA tournament are run for heavy, rapier and light combatants. In Victoria, the best opportunity to see one in action is to pop along to Stormhold's Monthly Bash, held on the 1st Sunday of every month from 1pm at John Gardiner Reserve, Auburn Rd, Hawthorn.

There are many tournament styles, from the classic "tennis" style single kill, single elimination (where each bout consists of one fight, the loser is eliminated, and the winner advances to the next round), the common double elimination (Fighters are eliminated after sustaining two losses) and round robin (where every fighter fights every other fighter). Each round may be fought best of one or three fights (commonly) or more. Longer tournaments, such as a best of fifteen fights are sometimes seen. The running of the tournament is the domain of the Lists Officer, who determines who fights whom and records results, the Marshals who inspect the fighters' armor, ensure adherence to the Rules of the list and supervise bouts, and the Heralds who announce the combatants, introduce them to the populace, MC the salutes and announce the victors.

Usually the victor of the tournament wins a tassel for him/herself, and a token for his/her consort. There are often prizes for the Most Chivalric, Best Death or Most Entertaining fighter as well.

Tournaments are also a great opportunity to lounge around in pavillions or under sunshades, eat, drink, socialise and work on small projects surrounded by other people doing much the same thing.