
Deed of the Red Knight 10
This year is our 10th iteration of the Red Knight! We started this event in 2013, and though we missed a few years due to various circumstances, we have built it into something that I think is truly special and I look forward to seeing where we may take it in the future!
This year we want to really emphasize group combat. Since it’s something that we don’t get to do as often and we have a large, well trained and enthusiastic group of people in Toronto, ready and excited to hit each other safely with swords.
To that end, we are encouraging as many Hemaists as possible to come up for the Saturday, with your regular modern Hema gear ( historical gear is not required for this ) so that we can have larger and more complex combat scenarios.
Registration deadline for full event attendees is September 20th. ( I will not chase you, if you register late you will be responsible for your own food and will not be added to a mess group)
Registration for just the Saturday will be part of the general registration form at the bottom. Cost will be $25 We hope people who drive will arrange rides for those who cannot, and we will offer help where possible.
DAY TRIPPERS SHOULD BRING THEIR OWN LUNCH AND WATER BOTTLES ( we have water for refills on site)
PLEASE BE READY TO FIGHT BY 10 AM ( though we will be able to add new people who arrive late but they will have to wait until a marshal is available to check their gear to participate )
Please note, that if you wish to attend more then for just the Saturday, you must have appropriate medieval clothing.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THE WHOLE EVENT,
Market
Pay parade
Archery
Tavern
Group combat
One on One combat ( Sunday morning)
FIGHTING - All fights must be marshalled by an event-assigned marshal, and we ask that participants be patient with marshals and err on the side of caution in all martial arts events.
SAFETY GEAR - There are no historical gear requirements for unarmoured combatants. Modern fencing safety equipment is acceptable. We will do an equipment check before you will be allowed to enter the lists. If you do not have armour, but intend to fight, please register as a man at arms.
FIREWOOD AND WATER - Will be provided on site.
Since many of us are still at risk from COVID, we would ask that you stay home if you are sick. People who have to miss the event due to illness will receive a 50 percent return on fees.
Set up will begin on the morning of Thursday, and the event will end Monday at noon, for those still able to stay. But there is no rush to get off site. If you need to tear down and leave on Sunday that is fine.
If you are coming in with a car after Thursday, please come in on foot first and check in with Aurora so you can be guided to a set up area in the least disruptive way possible
SCHEDULE
Thursday - Set up
Friday morning 7 to 9 am Breakfast
Friday morning - 9 am - Archers muster for Inspection The archery captains will do a look over gear, and confirm that arrows, bows and other equipment is safe.
You can read about the archery safety regulations, including instructions for bows and arrows in combat scenarios, here
Friday morning - Archery tournament ( sharp arrows are used)
Friday Afternoon - Pay parade and market.
Saturday morning 10 AM - MUSTER
Battle of the Bridge - 3 fighters ( emphasis on armoured fighters) will battle a larger group of unarmoured fighters to hold a “bridge”
After this we will begin group combat scenarios.
Saturday 12:30 pm - lunch
Saturday afternoon - Group combat scenarios. ( blunt arrows and limited draw weight bows) These scenarios will include forest ambushes and a lot of walking around Use the amount of armour that seems appropriate to you.
Saturday evening - Tavern
Sunday Morning, ONE on ONE armoured and unarmoured fighting in the lists. ( Fights must be marshalled)
Official pack out will be on Monday, though we understand that some may need to leave on Sunday.
ONE NEW THING - every year I try to think of something in my kit to improve. Sometimes it’s a new garment, sometimes it’s something to improve the whole group experience. This year, since its the 10th anniversary, I hope everyone will take a look at their kit and see if there is one thing with low or poor authenticity that can be improved or replaced. I know it takes a long time to build a kit we are happy with, and it can feel overwhelming, so just choose one thing to focus on and then something else for next year, and eventually you’ll have a full kit you can be really proud of! If you are happy with all your gear, see if there’s anyone else in your group you can help with one item to improve. This way we all keep improving our impressions and staying focused on a really authentic and fun experience!
FOOD will be organized by mess-group. The Toronto mess groups have space for 20 people total, first come first serve.
If you would like to be in the Toronto messgroup, put that in the registration sheet and we will let you know if you get in.
If it is already full we will try to assign you to other mess groups ( Quebec, Ottawa, etc) if there is any space available. If there is no space available we will help you join with others who may be lacking a mess group so you can join forces if you want to.
Cost for the weekend will vary slightly from mess-group to mess-group and will be managed by individual mess groups.
If you do not want to cook historically, there will be space to cook on modern camp stoves by the modern camping area.
Everyone in a mess group is expected to be available for chores when meal prep is taking place and for clean up afterwards. ( Tasks will be assigned to you on site as needed)
TENTS - We expect most people to be sleeping in their own historical tent. We will have a designated space for modern tents a little ways from the medieval camp. If you have discussed borrowing Hoplologia tent space please make sure you speak with Aurora directly about this before the event, you can email me at hoplologia@gmail.com. we have limited space and it is first come first serve.
IT WILL BE COLD - be prepared for cold nights, with whatever sleeping gear you need to keep warm. It often goes down to freezing at night.
Event is open to Hoplologia members and members of our sister organizations.
COST - Adults $95
Youths under 19 - $60
Single day attendance - $25 ( this is for people who wish to day trip or just attend the fighting)
Sliding scale fee - $65.
If the regular site fee would be prohibitive for your attendance you may select the $65 option.
DOGS - dogs are required to be on leash while in camp, dogs may only be off leash outside the camping area. We appreciate your help in keeping the chaos in the camp to a dull roar.
MARKET - If you wish to vend at the market, please indicate as much on the form. Only historical items are allowed. Space will be limited, so vending space will be first come first serve. If you need a table, you will be expected to provide a historical one.
We will pay people in medieval coin during the market. Pay will be assigned only for attendance at this year’s Red Knight. To be paid, all members, including non-combatants, must be assigned to a lance. You may talk to any Knight in the company about joining their lance. Possible roles include – man at arms, archer, squire, page and cook. If you have no military role, you will be paid as a page unless you are a mess group leader.
T SHIRTS - T shirts will be be available by pre-order and will be announced in a few weeks. T-shirt fee is separate from the event fee.
PLEASE NOTE - pay parade is FOR FUN to simulate the use of medieval money, and does not reflect anyone’s actual value to the community.
Once you complete the registration form and pay, your email will be added a group contact list. We will use this to communicate, changes and other info about the event. you must WHITE LIST OUR EMAIL - HOPLOLOGIA@GMAIL.COM so the emails do not get routed to spam.
Unfortunately there is no way for us to send automatic confirmation emails for the registration form, but PayPal will give you one for your payment, so if you get an email notification from them you can be confident that you are registered.
All adults must register separately.
Payment is a separate action from filling in the form, so please make sure you do both. You can pay by clicking the Buy Now button below.
( My form wouldn’t let me have only one option on the waiver so either option counts as a signature)