CSG 2025 - LaLiang Part II

At the end of the second pass we took a break for lunch. Wendy, with Peter and Whitney, corralled everyone for burgers and dogs.

Some other call-outs also for helping the event be a success: Edward Price came in several days early, and worked to make the extended barrier and with the whole of both the set-up and takedown. JJ, Peter Hendrickson, Dennis and Wendy also helped a ton with setup!

Wendy Price arranged all of the food for the event, and of course did a huge amount getting the house ready for the pleasant invasion. Once again, thanks to Tofur for the photography!

On tear-down, especially helpful were Andrew, Sam, Gene, Julian, Edward, Wendy, JJ and Peter.

In the spirit of generosity, a number of folks gave extra funds to help offset the event expenses - which really does help and which is GREATLY appreciated! Especially generous in this regard were Bryan Johnson and Frank Giger, but every little bit helps!

As herald, JJ corrals the combatants to keep things running

The third pass was envisioned as taking place at the barrier, with poleaxes, stepping combatants into the weapon a plaisance.

Ace (SSG Atlanta) v. Julian (Errant, SSG Springfield);

Bryan (CSG, SSG Atlanta) v. Turner (Red Wolf/SSG Auburn);

Sir Garrison (Magistrata) v. Andrew (CSG, SSG Honolulu);

Wallace (Sellswords) v. Dennis (Errant, Gladiateur);

Sam (CSG, SSG) v. Alexander (SSG Albany);

Tres Bien L. (SSG Albany) v Bernie (SSG Atlanta);

Elisabeth (Red Wolf/SSG Auburn) v. Franklin (SSG Montgomery);

Ian (Ritterkunst, Gladiateur) v. Andrew (CSG, SSG Honolulu);

Joseph (Chimera) v. Edward (Errant, SSG);

Sawyer v. Julian (Errant, SSG Springfield);

Sir Alex (CSG) v. Miranda (Red Wolf/SSG Auburn);

Ed W. (CSG, SSG Atlanta) v. Turner (Red Wolf/SSG Auburn);

Gene (CSG, SSG Springfield) v. Geoffrey (Errant, Magistrata);

Clifton v. Franklin (SSG Montgomery);

Sir Cliff (CSG) v. Dennis (Errant, Gladiateur);

Sir Caleb v. Thomas (SSG Montgomery)

Brian R. Price looks on as Sam engages with Bryan J.

Intermezzo - Group Poleaxe at the Barriers

The fourth pass was a outrance with the poleaxe - which is only slightly different than is a plaisance with the same weapon - cuirass and lighter strikes aren't counted, and there is generally more grappling allowed.

Ace (SSG Atlanta) v. Miranda (Red Wolf / SSG Auburn);

Gene (CSG, SSG Springfield) v. Alexander (SSG Albany);

Bernie (SSG Atlanta) v. Ed Wells (CSG, SSG Atlanta);

Sir Cliff (CSG) v. Edward (Errant, SSG);

Wallace (Sellswords) v. Julian (Errant, SSG Springfield);

Sir Alex (CSG) v. Turner (Red Wolf/SSG Auburn);

Tres Bien L. (SSG Albany) v. Franklin (SSG Montgomery);

Dennis (Errant, Gladiateur) v. Sam (CSG, SSG);

William (SSG Atlanta) v. Geoffrey (Errant, Magistrata);

Sam (CSG, SSG) v. Sir Brian (CSG, SSG Montgomery);

Ian (Ritterkunst, Chimera) v. Ed Wells (CSG, SSG Atlanta);

Bernie (SSG Atlanta) v. Ed Wells (CSG, SSG Atlanta);

Sir Garrison (Magistrata) v. Bryan (CSG, SSG Atlanta);

Sir Caleb v. Edward (Errant, SSG);

Elisabeth (Red Wolf / SSG Auburn) v. Sir Garrison (Magistrata);

Sawyer v. Edward (Errant, SSG)

After the fourth pass, the bulk of the fighting energy had culminated, so we opened the list and a few other combatants held the field:

Ed Wells recognized Sir Caleb as the Viscount Michael St. Sever exemplar, and the two fought a second memorial bout for Michael:

Ed Wells and Caleb prepare for the St. Michael memorial exchange

Miranda orchestrated a melee between the Chimera Company and the Red Wolf Auburn SSG.

Edward Price (Errant, SSG) completes his Challenges of the Oak

Edward's Challenge Stack 2

Gene (CSG) and Julian (Errant, SSG Springfield) fought their Father / Son bout.

William (SSG Atlanta) held the field

The evening was capped by a dinner under the stars. This is the moment when gifts and recognitions are offered. We typically don't record these, but some were:

As host, I gave each combatant an enamel pin bearing the LaLiang device:

Jacques de Laliang pin given to combatants in the pas

And to Arthur / Gene: the De Laliang Prize for his overall stoutness through the course of the entire pas:

Jacques de Laliang pas d'armes overall Sponsor's Prize, given to Gene (Arthur)

With concurrence of the Companions, Bryan Johnson awarded Edward Price with the Errant's Prize, a fine chapel de fer, in recognition of his outstanding boldness throughout the day. He also awarded two axes, one to Wallace (Sean Wallis) and another to Turner Duranski (Red Wolf / SSG Auburn). Turner also collected a number of other gifts from impressed opponents, marking significant renown won on the day.

Ace Knight (SSG Atlanta) won a series of accolades for her first tournament, exhibiting special boldness, including the Gallery Prize, as the combatant who best impressed the gallery.

Elisabeth Allen also gathered a series of recognitions at the feast, including a "whopping great dagger" and a series of other gifts in recognition of her clear enjoyment on the field, expressed through actual giggling as she was struck on multiple occasions.

Alex Cooley (aka sca Duke Sir Baldar) graciously offered us as hosts one of his amazing Titanium Talhoffer-style bucklers, along with a whole series of fine words.

John "Dude" Allen made a presentation for his Black Feather group, focused on the problem of addiction.

The night was not yet over, however. We gathered the Companions, and Ed Wells once again read the charter. He was formally invested as a full companion, and we then heard deeds done by the Errants for the last year. Errants have the task of winning renown for themselves in order to seek recognition as a future Companion of the Company of Saint George. There are many ways of doing this, and each path is unique. During this part of the meal we hear from the errants about their experiences and plans.

Dennis Pritzel and Geoffrey Morris accomplished many deeds throughout the year, and Dennis became squire to Sir Caleb. Geoffrey carried Katie's favor for the tournament. Dennis' and Geoffrey's renown grew in the harnischfechten community generally, where they are now both well known fixtures. The other errants made their experiences and plans known, with Edward Price culminating his LaLiang-inspired Pas of the Oak with a presentation of tokens for those who faced him at the end of the pas.

As is traditional, we then opened the floor to those who would become errants. William Frith, Turner Duranski, and Alexander Foster all came forth to take up the task, and are now recognized by a plain red garter worn on the left calf; the letters "honestas supra omnia" awaiting the winning of more renown.

We noted also that the new Company of Saint George was working with some interested members of the gallery to create a supporting organization, "auxiliary" for now, as that's the medieval word, though the final form needs more discussion.

Finally, Sir Caleb was invited to join the ranks of the Companions, and he accepted. So the new Company of Saint George was increased immeasurably by five new members, two companions and three errants.

The floor remains open, however, for those who had to leave early but who still wish to take up the errant's path, and abide by the Great Charter of the Company of Saint George.