Coronet Tourney 1

An Tir’s First Coronet Tourney

Held on 25 August 1973 at the Fallshire Renaissance Faire site, Fall City, WA.
Prince Frederick of the West Tower with Princess Anne of the White Tower.

The Fallshire Renaissance Faire

The Fallshire Renaissance Faire was a Renaissance Faire in the Pacific Northwest held at the Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater, just outside 36800 SE David Powell Rd, Fall City, WA 98024.

The first annual fair was held in 1972. In 1973 it ran three weekends: August 18-19, August 25-26 and September 1-2-3.

“A selection of the finest craftsmen and talented performers in the costumes of the period will gather for the three weekends. The Voice of the Turtle, the Cornish Consort, Balidi Middle Eastern Dance Troupe, the Seattle Madrigal Singers and the Goode Company Consort” were scheduled to perform. “It is supported by the Society of Creative Anachronism, Inc., a Medieval and Renaissance research group.”¹

Event Announcement

The Fallshire Renaissance Faire will be held at the Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater-just outside Fall City. Dates are Augusts 18&19, 25&26, September 1,2&3. August 25 is the date for our first Coronet Tourney. We will be working this event-Society official- within the framework of the Faire. More details next month. Early worriers may call Robert of Winchester.²

At the beginning of August, the name for the newly chartered Principality was still under debate.

The Crier in the August 1973 issue called the group the “Principality of the North” and announced “The first Coronet tourney is to take place on the 25th of August at the Fallshire Renaissance Faire.”

SCA members were encouraged to contact Gernot of Gallimaufry “for information and passes - which are vital.”

Of the Tourney, the Grand Procession begins at noon 25 August (Royalty has been invited) challenges and melees begin after court and end at 2:30. Coronet List matches begin shortly thereafter, Hopefully the Coronation and /final Court will take place at 6:00. For information: Robert of Winchester.³

Voice of the Turtle at the Fallshire Renaissance Faire in August 1973.

Even the local newspapers took note. The Daily Herald from nearby Everett covered the Faire the weekend before the Coronet Tourney.

“Next weekend, the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., a Medieval and Renaissance research group, will hold its Crown Tournament in competition for the title of Prince of Nordheim.

“The Principality of Nordheim includes the states of Washington (Barony of Madrone), Oregon (Barony of Three Mountains), Montana (Montfort), Idaho, Alaska and Western Canada.

“The tournament is based on Medieval field combat, using wooden broadswords and maces, heavy steel helmets, shields and armor. The sport will be less gentle, though equally gentlemanly, as Twealzie-whopping, and it is slated to be filmed as a feature for a nationally-syndicated adventure show.”⁴

The Crier also announced that all principality officers should be present for an important meeting to be held at 8:00pm on August 24th. Given that oral tradition says the name “An Tir” was chosen at the event, it is likely the name was a critical part of the important meeting on August 24, 1973.

Event Chronicle

Richard of Ravenwolf, one of the competitors in the first coronet tourney, at the Fallshire Renaissance Faire in August 1973.

On August 25 their Occidental Majesties, Henrik & Seitse were present to witness Baron Sir Frederic of the West Tower vanquish all others on the field from the Coronet lists and thereby become the First Prince of An Tir. [note: this is the first use in print of the name “An Tir” for this northern region of the Kingdom of thee West] During which ceremony King Henrik placed the Coronet upon Sir Frederic’s head to the cheers of those assembled. Sir Frederic’s lady, Anne of the White Tower, was chosen to become An Tir’s First Princess.

Royal Court presented Award of Arms scrolls to Anne of the White Tower, Barbara of Galloway, Maelen of Gamahel and Roger the Goliard. Their Majesties also presented the Principality Charter, so well as the charter for Motley and the Royal Appointment of the voice of the Turtle. Sir Jerald of Galloway was created Principality Herald. Gernot of Galimaufry was given a Grant of Arms and created Principality Seneschal. Awards of Arms were given to Margaret of Ashford, Richard of Ravenwolf, and Robert of Winchester.⁵

Citations

¹The Daily Herald(Everett, WA) 11 Aug 1973, page 49.
²The Crier July 1973, page 2. ³The Crier August 1973, page 1. ⁴The Daily Herald(Everett, WA) 11 Aug 1973, page 49.
⁵The Crier September 1973, page 1.