CSG 2026 Pas d'Armes - Celebrating Geoffrey de Charny
Company of Saint George Pas d’Armes
Qui plus fait, miex vault
Celebrating Geoffrey de Charny, (~1305 to 19 Sept., 1356)
Oct. 17, 2026
On the 17th of October, 2026, the New Company of Saint George once again held the field in central Alabama. Many fine deeds were accomplished, with an exceptional number of novices accounting for themselves far above what one would normally expect. The weather was superb, and four full passes were accomplished. Much renown was won.
Companions, errants and men-at-arms came from as far away as Alaska, while the Atlanta branch of the Schola Saint George and the Red Wolf Martial Arts group from Opelika provided talented groups of combatants. 83 fights were conducted throughout the day in four passes, plus more in the intermezzi between passes.
While renown was won by all, Edward Price, Turner Duraski, and Alexander Foster were most often mentioned. All three were serious contenders for the de Charny prize, though it was won in the end by Edward, arrayed in his new fourteenth century plate elements in purple and black. Turner held the field and demonstrated prowess and a clear joi de combat, while Alexander stood tall and bold, an inspiring Arthurian-molded figure. All three demonstrated prowess, courtesy and respect for their opponents that manifest in unique ways.
Figure 1: Nearly all of the combatants remained in harness until the end of the fourth pass and into the fifth, which was curtailed into the Battle of Poitiers, where Edward took the Oriflamme out with a single-handed sword as the CSG held against everyone else.
The New Company of Saint George also recognized a new companion, Bernadette Tix, leader of the SSG’s Anchorage group, who earned still more renown on the day (including an amazing thrust made from her belly!). Arthur (Gene Arnold) traveled from Missouri with his son, and fought as Captain of the Lion’s side. The newest Companion present, Ed Wells, fought with copious Lione and Lynx, also twice reading the Great Charter of the Company, written by Gavin Danker in 1992. Stan Roberts brought prowess and chivalric splendor in his array of fifteenth century plate as Captain of the Lillies, while Wendy Price and I (Brian R. Price) hosted the tournament. I fought in transitional armour in deference to de Charny’s era (though in truth I prefer it, also!). The day began with four Companions present and ended with five.
Errants of the Company won further renown for themselves over the course of the day. The three who were the top contenders for the de Charny prize were all Errants (Edward, Turner and Alexander), while Josh marshalled in his fine raiment and using good judgment. Whitney fought in her new array, including a fine yellow angel-wing houppelande, William Frith won acclaim through his extremely chivalric attitude, in and out of the fight; Geoffrey Scott Morris, now squired to Stan, fought a number of tough fights and bore himself with strength and presence; JJ was able to take to the field in array for the first in many months, a feat to be celebrated in the face of a potent “Green Knight” of a health challenge;
Also pledging themselves to the Great Charter as Errants are Zander Cain, Eric Gilley, Nick Rochester, Derek Romanyk, Elisabethe Allen, John Burnet and Conner Eifert. We are enriched immeasurably as these errants join those already pledges, alongside the Companions, in earning renown for themselves, for the Company, and for the ideals to which we subscribe.
Renown was won also by the non-errant combatants, many of these fighting in a tournament for the first time. Standouts among these included Sir Garrison Morton
(SCA, Magistrato); Frank Livingston (SCA, SSG Montgomery); John Burnet (SSG Atlanta); Quinn Isom (Systeme d’Armes, New Orleans); Wyatt Kemp (Red Wolf/SSG Opelika); Natalie Reynolds (Red Wolf/SSG Opelika); Nick Rochester (SSG Atlanta); Eric Gilley (SSG Atlanta); Ash Miller (SSG Atlanta); Joseph Crapet; Bernie Montes (Red Wolf /SSG Opelika); Elizabeth “Ace” Knight (SSG Atlanta); Rob Knighton (SSG Albany); Miranda Meador (Red Wolf, SSG Opelika) and Scott Raymond (SSG Albany). From Alaska, from SSG Anchorage, Seth Hunter (his second pas here in Wetumpka), and Zander Cain.
Figure 2: Sir Garrison and Alexander face off in the fist pass with swords in two hands.
Seth was mentioned by several Companions for his potent prowess, while both Christopher and Zander accounted extremely well for themselves in each of their fights. Quinn fought beautifully, winning acclaim from his opponents and resulting in recognition from the Gallery in the form of the Rose Crown. Joseph chose tough opponents all day and yet accounted beautifully for himself. Nick emerged as a potent adversary and gentleman of rare grace. Ash did very well also, standing firm in all of his fights. Rob sported his new houppelande and fought very well, flanked by his fellow combatants from Albany, Scott and Cohen. All three accounted very well for themselves, even if Rob did incur an injury after the dinner that resulted in Geoffrey and Garrison. showing how far outside the medieval courtesy extends, passing the night in the ER while Rob’s knee was attended to. On that note, Ed and Eric transported Robert and the car back home. Ace fought as a lion, while Natalie had more than her share of challenges, leveraging her fencing experience and effectively emphasizing the use of the point. Both earned great renown for themselves and their respect groups. Wyatt Kemp fought far beyond his experience would suggest, a credit to himself and Red Wolf.
In this group, Frank won acclaim through his skill on the field, his appearance (bolstered by a new fighting houppelande), and his efforts beforehand to help combatants get to the field. Wyatt Kemp and Wyatt Galvin fought “for the right to keep their name,” a fight that appropriately ended in a draw. Sir Garrison piled up his renown, as is his habit, arrayed in full fifteenth century kit as his prowess continued to impress.
The lady combatants achieved something of a record for a pas d’armes, fielding seven women, including Red Wolf combatants Elisabethe Allen, Miranda Meador, Natalie Reynolds, Jessica Staggs, but including also Whitney Hood (Florida), Bernadette Tix, (Anchorage, AL) and Elizabeth (Ace) Knight (SSG Atlanta). Becky marshalled the ladies of the Gallery, who split their wreath of roses prize between Quinn Isom and Bernadette Tix. But the combatant ladies fought not as ladies but as combatants, each earning unique renown. Whitney has become a sort of roving ambassador for lady combatants, cross pollinating between SCA, Bohurt and the HEMA worlds. Natalie leveraged her fencing background to impress on the field, particularly in the fight with BJ using rapier and side-sword.
Prior to the day’s activity, a number of gentles kindly assisted us in setting up and in preparing the field. JT, in particular, was instrumental in helping to set up (and take down) both the list enclosure and Boucicaut’s Ladder. In dealing with the ladder, Nick and Alexander took the initiative to ensure it was erected and improved upon. During the day, JT registered combatants and captured the video record; Josh Beck marshalled the field for the entire day; Julian Arnold kept the list and took myriad photographs; Wendy Price coordinated the food and cooked the lunch—all of which came out precisely on-time.
Figure 4: The newest CSG Companion BJ Tix faces Companion Ed Wells in the third pass, where all fought sword and shield in honor of the memory of Viscount Sir Michael St. Sever.
While the field was set up a few days early, the weather front that brought the uncharacteristically cool temperatures was preceded by stout winds that dropped our pavilion and some elements around the field. Many helped to put up the tents again, the banners, lights and everything else that makes the day work. As at the end of the tournament, the chivalric spirit manifest through the uncommon willingness to lend a hand and, with many such hands, the field was quickly broken down and some major logistics challenges executed smoothly.
Some upgrades were made to the field. Lights were strung around the lists for Friday and Saturday evening, which created a soft ambiance but cut just enough of the darkness to enable the feast, socializing and business. We acquired three new banners – the de Charny three escutcheon one with his motto, and a reproduction of the French Oriflamme from that period, to be carried in the tournament by the winner of the de Charny prize, to be selected for his or her shining blend of knightly appearance, chivalric conduct, and joi de combat.
Figure 5: Upgrades to the field the night before the pas.
On the day, we were pleasantly surprised with the appearance of unregistered combatants; Jack Dubose (EMP), Elisabeth Allen (Red Wolf/SSG Opelika), Wyatt Galvin (EMP), Cohen Banner (SSG Albany), and Connor Eifert (SSG Montgomery) were among these. Wyatt earned extra renown on Boucicaut’s Ladder, where he finished it in his armour (minus helmet and gauntlets). Elisabethe Allen nearly finished the ladder, as did Edward Price (so close, both of you!). All were of course welcome but we did have to scramble a little to fill in with resources for lunch and dinner. It also swelled the lists larger than anticipated, for a total of thirty seven combatants. Many of these – about a dozen – were brand new and had never before fought in a tournament.
At the dinner, there were copious recognitions of renown. Some offered tokens, a tradition we have established, in a tradition begun back at our first pas d’armes in 1992, when Geoffrey Matthias made a silver ring, which he wore from the time he heard about the tournament until it’s completion. At the dinner that night, he told the story of how he came to make the ring, and the concept of cross-combatant largesse was born.
I (Brian R. Price) spoke about renown, how it is a function of others impressions of what one does. Therefore, it is more worthy to speak about others’ accomplishments, than about one’s own. Several of the combatants took this to heart and did precisely that; especially JJ, Nick, and BJ.
On the day, almost all of the fighting was excellent, but there were a few bouts where combatants failed to acknowledge strikes by their opponents, usually a function of a softer simulator against armour, but Josh as marshal did a very credible job trying to adjudicate sparingly. As a result, we’ve discussed the need for any Companion to be able to throw a white baton to end the fight, and we will implement this for next year. In such a case, the fight ends not as a draw but as “incomplete.”
Next Year
I plan a second celebration of King Rene d’Anjou, but this time in the form of a blended pas d’armes / round table, where the theme is the Seven Sins. It will be a little different from what we traditionally do at the Fall pas d’armes, but ought to be both fun and educational. The weekend is set for 15-16 Oct., 2027, in Wetumpka.
In addition, a Spring pas d’Armes is being discussed to rotate between the groups, especially Springfield, MO and Atlanta, GA. Stay tuned for more!
List of Combats
Commencaille (single baton, “first blood,” to three good blows, 1x per opponent)
FIRST PASS
1. Stan* v. Alexander / spears (satisfaction)
2. Edward v. JJ* / poleaxes (3 blows)
3. Quinn* v. John / spear (5 blows)
4. Brian* v. BJ / longsword
5. Jack v. Seth* / spear
6. Ace v. Geoffrey* / longsword
7. Ash v. Derek* / longsword
8. Ed v. Turner* / spear
9. Eric v. Zander* / spear
10. Whitney* v. Natalie / spear
11. Arthur v. Wyatt* / dagger
12. Garrison* v. Nick / spear
13. Joseph v. Alex / longsword
14. Rob v. Geoffrey* / longsword
15. Arthur* v. Jacob / longsword
16. Elisabethe v. Cohen* / longsword
17. Jessica v. Geoffrey* / sword and shield
18. Miranda v. Frank* / longsword
19. Wyatt* v. William / sword and shield
20. Cohen* v. Bernie / longsword
21. Scott v. Joseph* / longsword
SECOND PASS
1. Brian v. Edward / sword and shield
2. Turner* v. William / longsword
3. Turner* v. Connor / longsword
4. Rob v. Derek* / spear
5. Alexander v. Garrison / longsword
6. Whitney* v. JJ / sword in one hand
7. Quinn v. Nick* / longsword
8. Bernie v. Jack / longsword
9. Zander* v. Wyatt / longsword
10. John v. Stan* / spear
11. Elisabethe v. Edward* / sword and shield
12. Scott v. Ash* / longsword
13. Geoffrey* v. BJ / spear
14. Wyatt v. Seth* / longsword
15. Stan v. Frank* / longsword
16. 3 v 6 – lions v. lilies
THIRD PASS (all sword and shield in honor or Michael St. Sever)
2. BJ* v. Ed
10. Cohen v. John*
11. Rob v. Nick*
12. Whitney v. William (poleaxe)
15. Wyatt v. Zander
17. Jacob v. Brian*
18. Ash v. Arthur*
19. Edward* v. Derek
22. Edward v. Nick
INTERMEZZO
FOURTH PASS
1. Natalie v. BJ* / rapier
2. Stan* v. Connor / sword and shield
3. Derek v. Garrison* / spear
4. Turner v. Nick / sword and shield
5. Quinn v. Bernie* / spear
6. Jessica* v. Seth / longsword
7. Elisabethe v. Eric* / sword and shield
8. Frank* v. Edward / sword and shield
9. William* v. Miranda / spear
10. Alex v. Turner* / poleaxe
11. BJ* v. John / longsword
12. Rob v. Zander* / longsword
13. Garrison* v. JJ / poleaxe
14. Edward* v. Geoffrey / spear
15. Quinn v. Ed* / spear
16. Stan v. Brian* / rebated sword in one hand
17. Arthur v. Jack* / spear
18. Jacob* v. Geoffrey / dagger
19. Cohen* v. Arthur / longsword
20. Alex v. Ash* / spear
21. Wyatt K*. v. Conner / dagger
22. Will v. Joesph / sword and shield
23. Wyatt* v. John / spear v. dagger
24. Whitney v. Natalie* / dagger
FIFTH PASS
The Battle of Poitiers: The de Charny prize was won by Edward Price, who carried the Oriflamme into the final battle. There, the companions and errants were outnumbered by the other combatants, and all fell, including Edward.
Figure 7: As they warmly greet each other, Sir Garrison and Cohen (Albany), epitomize the spirit of the day following their wonderful spear bout.
Lights were strung and tables laid out within the lists for the dinner, CSG business, and renown-speaking. Simple fare failed to distract from the positive gravity of the day, which saw the formal induction ceremony for Bernadette “BJ” Tix.
Combatants who fought in the tournament, and who were present for the renown-speaking, were gifted with a pilgrim-styled badge depicted the only known illumination of Geoffrey de Charny. Those who helped set up and fix Boucicaut’s Ladder – Nick, Alexander and JT – were gifted with Boucicaut pins. Alexander, having received one previously, paid the honor forward to TBD.
The Errants briefly recounted their deeds for the year, and their hopes for the next. Notable deeds were accomplished especially by Turner, who 85 fights in celebration of this thirtieth birthday inspired a similar deed organized by Josh as an Errant for the majority of the Errants present, to be accomplished over the next year. Edward was captured by EPIC FURY, leaving little time, while Geoffrey had a progress to a number of events, as did TBD. Whitney was active in Bohurt, situating herself as advocate and a sort of ambassador-at-large for lady combatants.
In the gravity of the moment, a wholes series of combatants pledged themselves as Errants, dedicating themselves to the pursuit of renown as advocated by the Company. The New Company of Saint George has thus been immeasurably enriched through the addition of
Quotes
“…it was amazing. Night and day comparison from other tournaments I've been in.”
Schedule of Deeds
· Commençaille (bâtons melee to ‘first blood,’ three good blows [traditional opening]
· Pass 1 – The Joust - À plaisance, with spears, to three or five good blows, in the field or over the banner.
o Holding the Field: TBA
· Pass 2 – The Tournament - À plaisance, sword and shield, to three or five good blows.
o À plaisance tournament melee: Random sides, single-handed baton and buckler or shield, 5x good hits (because
LUNCH
· Pass 3 – The Tournament - À plaisance randomly drawn weapons (dagger, sword, spear, poleaxe, mass weapon), 1, 3, 5, or 7 blows.
· Pass 4 – War – À outrance to satisfaction. While a good thrust can end the fight, more renown is won by capturing an opponent, rather than killing them. A thrust to a non-lethal zone results in the loss of that area for the remainder of the fight.
o Within the Walls of Calais: À outrance; but, the intent is the CAPTURE the invading force, while the invading force seeks to force their way across the passageway. Each combatant has only one life. Once inside, if the invading force must still subdue the remaining defenders to win, or force them to leave.
· Pass 5 – Tournament in England - À plaisance with spear, sword and shield, and poleaxe to three good blows per weapon, in remembrance of Sir Michael St. Sever.
o Defending the Oriflamme melee: À outrance A chosen small group of champions fights against everyone else
For today, fights a plaisance count any blow that strikes any portion of the body at the moderate or strong levels. In counted blows fights, however, thrusts to unarmoured locations can end the fight.
Fights a outrance are fought as “armour counts.” Strong blows to the head will count as a blow received—despite the common practice of not counting such blows in the harnischfechten community.
At this pas, the Companions of Saint George, may award any, some or all of five prizes:
· The “Boucicaut” prize, for the combatant who clearly reflects Boucicaut’s physical dedication and preparation in terms of strength and conditioning;
· The “Lalaing” prize, for any combatant who clearly evokes Jacques de Lalaing’s love of and skill in fighting à outrance, in full plate harness.
· The “King Rene” prize, for any combatant who excels, greater than others, embodying King Rene’s love of fighting à plaisance, blending grace and the whole of the chivalric virtues together with stout performance within the lists.
· The “Black Prince” prize, for the combatant who most effectively blends prowess, courage and loyalty on the field, emphasizing fighting skill across à plaisance and à outrance formats.
· The “de Charny” prize, for a combatant who most successfully demonstrates study of chivalric literature with performance on the field, à plaisance, à outrance or both.
The winners of these prizes can be recognized by any Companion at any deed of arms. They will be listed in plaques displayed at various deeds of arms and with a wearable token.
The tournament will once again take place in Wetumpka, Alabama, and limited camp space will be available. Additionally, bunk space in the upper part of the barn may be available for those who would like to save money. There will be a dinner following the tourney, held this year on the tourney grounds.
Entry for the tournament will be $20 to keep the floor costs low, though additional donations are warmly recommended for those who are able. The dinner will be $30, and a light lunch may be available for $10.
Stay tuned for more info!
Bibliography
D’Arcy J. Boulton, Knights of the Crown: Monarchical Orders of Knighthood in Later Medieval Europe, 1325-1520, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1987, 167-211 (discusses Charny’s Order of the Star, one influence behind the New Company of Saint George).
Geoffrey de Charny, Livre de Chevalerie, trans. Richard W. Keuper and Elspeth Kennedy as The Book of Chivalry of Geoffrey de Charny: Text, Context and Translation. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1996 (paperback, $28.07, recommended version).
______, selections from Livre de Chevalerie trans. Richard W. Keuper and Elsepth Kennedy as A Knight’s Own Book of Chivalry, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2005 (student version, selected content, $14.95).
Keen, Maurice. Chivalry. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1984, pp. 12-15 (excellent intro).
CSG Pas d’Armes Rules of the List
The 2027 CSG pas d’armes will celebrate King Rene d’Anjou with a Seven Sins Round Table; combatants will face challenges from each of the sins, and must drive to defeat them over the course of the day, earning renown or infamy as they go.
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