Dedication

This annual Emprise of the Azure Rose is dedicated to our beloved Patronesses and Patrons who fight dragons for us every day so that we may think they do not even exist.

Introduction

                Noble equestrians, greetings from the Marshal of the Emprise of the Azure Rose, Baroness Aurora Danielle Trevelyan.  This Emprise is a tournament based on King Rene’s Book of Tournaments or a Joust de Plaisance (‘joust of peace”).

Our goal is to attempt to recreate the pomp and pageantry of a grand tournament of the late 13^th and early 14^th centuries with riders and their mounts in heraldic livery.

Requirements for Participation

The Emprise of the Azure Rose will be held in the style of the mounted portion of a Western European "Fete de Armes" of the 13^th through 14^th centuries. All Venants’ dress, be it human or horse, is expected to conform to the standards of that time and place, within reason.

• Each Lance may consist of one to four riders.  There will be  no maximum number of attendants regardless of title or station.  Presentations should be created to impress the judges.  Every Lance is required to have a Herald and at least one Valet. The Herald will introduce each Venant of your lance and will make all challenges and assist with your presentation.  Your Lance Herald will be required to provide a white baton to be used when striking challenges.  The Valet will hand you your weapons and see to you and your horses to free up the ground attendants that will be busied in the tiltyard. 

¨      A horse.  Each rider must make provision for their own mount.

¨      Riders are required to have full barding/trapper for their horse, of a heraldic nature. The arms displayed may be the rider's personal arms, device or badge of their Kingdom or home group, or those of a Tourney or other Company to which they belong. 

¨      Helms with crests are required to be for presentation to the berfrois.  A rider may wear the crested helm for the tourney if they choose.  Modern riding helmets will be allowed if well disguised.  Crests may be as tall or large as the wearer wishes, but may be no less than six (6) inches in height. Crests do not have to be made of period materials but should be made so as to conform to period heraldic practice with regards to appearance.  Anything not adhering to these standards will be rejected at the discretion of the marshals and that rider will not participate in the tourney.

¨      All entrants must make a "tourney billet".  On this billet should be the entrant's SCA name, device and crest. You may also include a motto if you have one.  The purpose of the billet is to be placed beside your helm/crest during the display of Crests, in order to help identify the rider.  The billets will also be displayed on the list tree where the heralds will strike challenges.  These billets should be no larger than 9”X12” and should have a short cord attached for the purpose of hanging them on the list tree.

¨      Each rider should attempt to have a banner with their device or badge to be carried by an attendant, in appropriate heraldic livery, during his or her presentation to the judges.

Challenges and the Lyst

Three martial activities shall be used in the Emprise of the Azure Rose:

¨      Quintain

¨      Ring tilting

¨      Spear throw

All martial activity equipment (quintain, ring trees, and spear targets) will in be the tiltyard.  This will be a triple elimination tournament.   Each Lance will need to provide their own spears and lances though many are often willing to share this can not be taken for granted.

                        Between the first and second rounds of the tourney, the judges will select two riders for a “Tilt de Plaisance.”  The judges shall choose the game.  These runs are for the pleasure of the judges only and will not count toward the scoring of the Emprise.

Glorious Prizes Shall Be Awarded For

¨      Emprise Champion Equestre

¨      Primus Equite

¨      La Meilleure Presentation De Heraldic

The Emprise Champion Equestre and winner of the Emprise shall be chosen by the judges based upon his or her chivalry, presentation upon the field and martial prowess.

The title of Primus Equite will be awarded to the rider displaying the highest score in feats of martial prowess.

The title La Meilleure Presentation De Heraldic will be chosen by the judges and go to the rider displaying the best heraldic presentation.

Outline for the Emprise of the Azure Rose

Each participant must submit a Letter of Venancy to the Marshal of the Emprise, THL Aurora Danielle Trevelyan by January 1, 2006.   This letter may be submitted by:

¨      Email to Rory07@aol.com

¨      Regular mail to Rory Williams, 1630 Rockerman Avenue Jacksonville Florida 32221

Helm and Crest Display

                Each Venant will take their helm, crest and tourney billet to the Venants pavilion at the tiltyard for display by 9:00 am on the morning of January 7th, 2006. 

Convention with the King of Arms

                Each participant should make effort to report to the King at Arms at a meeting to be scheduled the night before the Emprise to receive instruction regarding the Emprise.  If no Herald is available to you, you may present your introduction script with your name, blazon of device, chosen crest, motto, honors received and the lineage of the participant to be read by the King at Arms (This is a last resort) and every effort should be made by each lance to supply their own Herald as the King of Arms has many duties this day.

Emprise Procession

                There will be a procession to the field beginning one half-hour prior to the Emprise.  This will include the Marshals of the Emprise, the King of Arms, and all riders in order of precedence, with their mounts, banner bearers and all attendants.  Participants are asked to wear their helm and crest for this procession.