The Grand Tourney of the Torque  Hosted By The Barony of Grey Niche   April 25th – 27 th 2008   Come join us in celebrating a Baronial Investiture & the 32nd Anniversary of the Silver Torque Tourney

at St. Columba Episcopal Conference Center – Gates Pavilion
4577 Billy Maher Rd., Memphis, Tennessee 38135
MAP with entry for directions from your starting point

GATE CODE: #2420

Feast Menu (sold out)
Event Schedule

In days of olde, it was a warrior’s duty to defend the honor of the one who’s token he bore. It was the consort’s duty to support and inspire her champion. That was especially true in the Grand Tournaments of the 14th century. Come join us for a day of competitions and tournaments leading up to the final battle to determine the best of the best and the Queen of Love and Beauty.

There will be elaborate pageantry before a gathering of distinguished lords and ladies with contests in Heavy combat, Rapier Combat, Arts & Sciences, Youth Combat, Live Weapons, footraces and bowling. Fighters bring your list shield.

Competitors will be a team of one combatant and one consort. They will earn points for participation or sponsorship in each activity. At the end of the day, the top 16 competitors will be allowed to enter the final tournament.

Contests & Patrons - Description of contests and rules
1. A & S – anything related to or depicting a tournament – Patron: Crystal of Tyson
2. Token/Favor Contest – Patron: Catherine Vallemont, THLady Juliana Bonnaire de Cherbourg, & Lady Beatirx de Montecassino
3. Heraldic Display Contest – to be judged throughout the day – Patron: House Mavi Nar
4. Best Tribute to a Consort Contest – Patron: Lady Amelia van Hemessen
5. Bowling/Bocce – Patron: House Telemark
6. Footraces– Patron: Lady Kathleen O'Ceallaig
7. Youth Combat – Patron: Duchess Heather of Tyson
8. Live Weapons – both archery and thrown weapons– Patron: In honor of Dame Brenna Lowri o'Ruthin by her protege's Lord Jakob Gempl von Essen and Viscountess Miriel du Bois
9. Best Period Encampment Contest – Patron: Shadowlegion
10. Rapier Combat – Patron: House Bearkiller
11. Best Period Crest Contest – Patron: House of Three Dragons
12. Crest Tournament– Patron: House of Three Dragons
13. Bear Pit Tournament – Patron: THL Dagan al-Mahdi ibn Yusuf ibn Hilal & THL Mahsheed Leily
14. Great Weapons Tournament – Patron: Haus Oliphant, Sable Serpent & Candlefort in memory of Sir Lee Fribrand
15. The Final Tournament of the Day – Patron: Chateau de RiBeaumont

 

In honor of Grey Niche's newest Baron and Baroness, and their elegant representation of the Middle Eastern personnae and arts, Al Mahala sponsors a contest of Muru'ah at Beltaine. The origin of European chivalry is in the Arabic concept of Muru'ah, or ethics of manly virtue. Far from brutishness and bragging, muru'ah was proven through grace and restraint, loyalty to obligation and duty, a devotion to do that which must be done, and a respect for women.

Check out the information below to be prepared for the event.  The more you know, the more fun you will have.
Event Preparation Classes: Notes with images of examples from local Arts & Sciences classes covering topics relating to the tournament will be posted soon. Watch for:

Heraldic Display (6.29MB .doc) – by Dame Brenna Lowri o’Ruthin
Favors & Tokens – by Countess Jane Falada of Englewood
         Asking for token/favor scenario
Tribute Poetry & Song – by Lady Amelia van Hemessen
The Period Tournament & the Role of Women in the Tournament (81KB .doc) – by Duchess Mary Grace of Gatland, taught locally by Duchess Linnet MacLeod

Resources & References:
• Barber, Richard and Juliet Barker. Tournaments. New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1989.
• Cripps-Day, F.H. The History of the Tournament. London: Bernard Quaritch, 1918; reprint New York: AMS Press, 1982.
• Duby, Georges. William Marshal: the Flower of Chivalry. New York: Pantheon Books, 1985.
• the Manesse Codex at http://www.tempora-nostra.de/tempora-nostra/manesse.php?id=203
• www.chronique.com
• King René’s Tournament Book at http://www.princeton.edu/~ezb/rene/renehome.html
• The Dialogue of Chivalry of Duke Finnvarr de Taahe
• Muhlberger, Steven. "Fighting for Fun? What Was At Stake in Formal Deeds of Arms of the 14th Century?" Delivered at Nipissing University, March 7, 2001.
• Clephan, R. Coltman. The Medieval Tournament Mineola: Dover Publications, Inc., 1995.
• http://mqh.cit.cornell.edu/~mqh/st-mikes/prizes.html

Watch this website for updates and information.

Non-Members: Add $3.
Meals: Add $7 for all meals or $5 for daytrip meals - Limited to 100 people

This is a wet site. ----- Sorry, No Pets except those that are papered assistance animals.

Send Reservations to :
Barony of Grey Niche
Attn: Beltaine Reservations
PO Box 11184
Memphis, TN 38111