[Ansteorra] Bjornsborg Welcomes All to their Ransom Tourney!!!

[karen moon]

--
[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
 Heed now this tale of William Marshal, acclaimed by all as the greatest knight who ever lived…
One time, in the years since William Marshal had won great fame and fortune, he attended a tournament to see how his fellow knights comported themselves.  He went into town to take refreshment at a tavern, and there found 2 of his friends, younger knights who had not yet won great fame, drinking ale and looking much dejected.  He asked why they were not fighting that day.  They told him, most sorrowfully, that they had lost their weapons, gear and horses as ransom to more skillful opponents, and thus could no longer take the field.  “What kind of friend would I be,” the Marshal announced to them, “if I did not help you at this time?”  His friends were delighted at his words, but instead of lending them money or gear, William Marshal strode out of the tavern into the street.  There he caught site of a well-dressed nobleman riding a fine horse.  The Marshal stepped up and seized the horse by the bridle and the nobleman by his cloak, and told him he was a prisoner of William Marshal.  The nobleman protested, to his sorrow, and was dragged from his steed, into the tavern, and flung upon the table before William’s friends.  “There,” he told them.  “This man is worth more than your horses and arms.  Take him and ransom your gear and return to the tourney!”  And this they did.
In honor of this great deed, the Most Noble Sir Emrys & and the Fair and Fierce Baroness Brianna, Ruling Nobles of Bjornsborg, shall oversee just such a tourney.  Let all noble warriors, worthy knights and gentle ladies join us at a our upcoming RANSOM TOURNEY to be held  February 22-24, 2002!
THERE WILL BE FIELDS FOR BOTH ARMORED AND RAPIER COMBAT -- CHALLENGE MATCHES, MELEES AND SCENARIOS -- FIGHTING AT THE BARBICAN AND BARRIERS -- RUNNING ROUGH-SHOD OVER THE PEASANTS' FIELDS (it's good for them, really!)   General mayhem may also be available.
HOWEVER ----  THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL RANSOM TOURNEY.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO BRING GIFTS OR GOODS FOR RANSOM.
The ransom value of each entrant (this could mean you!) will be assessed according to rank, and provided for you.  Warriors of all ranks are not only allowed, but encouraged to participate.  Even non-combatants may participate by sponsoring fighters.  Non-combatants may sponsor as many fighters as they can afford, or may simply settle all their worth upon a single champion.  But what if you are only an impoverished fighter, sadly lacking in both wealth and rich friends?  Well, as William Marshal knew, there’s more than one way an enterprising fighter can get back into a tourney.  Penniless warriors have been known to pawn family heirlooms (why there’s a pawn shop there!), sell their lands for horses (there are always horse-traders around), and even force rich widows and heiresses into marriage against their will  (although surely Father Dominic wouldn’t allow such a thing…)  Still, noble ladies and well-dressed barons might be well-advised to bring adequate guards.
Instead of a formal feast, we have opted to share the hospitality of the local Abbey of St. Seraphina, which invites all weary tourney-goers to warm their stomachs with hot stew, fresh bread and an array of local delicacies.   PLEASE BRING TABLES FOR THE FEAST!  The local village is said to have a fine tavern, as well, so come equipped for evening revelry.  There’s a terrible rumor that the Amazon household will sponsor another Kissing Auction on Saturday night to benefit the Kingdom coffers, so come prepared. On Sunday, the Viking Longship Company will provide their far-famed Omelet Breakfast – a mere $5, and good for what ails you!
 MERCHANTS ARE MOST WELCOME --  and with such a glory of nobles and gentles with silver jangling in their purses, what merchant wouldn't want to set up shop?
Have more questions?  Need more information?  Email Mistress Mari at karenmoon at msn.com, or visit the Bjornsborg website at www.rferrell.home.texas.net and click on the link provided for the Ransom Tourney.
Site opens Friday, February 22, at 3 pm and closes Sunday, February 24, at 5 pm.
Site fee is $12 (this includes stew and bread on Saturday evening.)
Please make checks payable to “SCA, Inc. – Barony of Bjornsborg”.
Showers and porta-privies on site.  The site is beautiful, but rocky, so wear sturdy footgear.
Lady Desiree Falconham is hosting a parents’ child-care cooperative on Saturday.
NO PETS PLEASE!!! There's enough wildlife on premises at any rate, and Heaven knows what might happen to your beloved companions.  So please, leave the mastiffs and lapdogs at home.
Event questions?  Email Mistress Mari at karenmoon at msn.com.
Feast questions?  Call Baroness Seraphina at 830/612-3202.
Please see the website for a map.  Written directions follow:



Written Directions
Take your best route to Loop 1604 North of San Antonio (probably I-35). Head West on 1604 North. Take 1604 to 471 (Culebra). Follow 471 South toward Taft High School. Stay on 471 for around 8 miles, until you reach a flashing yellow light. This will be the intersection of 471 and FM 1283. Bear to the right. This will put you on 1283. Stay on 1283 for 7 miles, until you come to another flashing light and a sign reading "Hilltop Market." Turn right at this intersection (i.e., stay on 1283). After about 1.7 miles, you should see a 'left turn only' lane. Turn right at this intersection onto CR 270 (the street sign may not be visible; it gets knocked down a lot). Continue about 0.2 miles until the road splits. Take the right hand fork (Savernake begins on your right at the split). Continue past several gates until you see the SCA sign on the right.