Thirty five years ago, before the Kingdom of Ealdormere existed – let alone the Barony of Ben Dunfirth – a bunch of Scadians got together for the very first Murder Melee in the Meadow, where fighters squared off not as individuals, but in teams of ten, to experience and celebrate the dynamic of group combat as the great Pennsic War approached. This past weekend saw the 2018 Murder Melee in the Meadow, with good gentles camping and enjoying each other’s company, trading skills and stories, and, of course, many of them hitting each other with sticks. Behold, a selection of pics from yon event, and wish that you were there to enjoy events as they unfolded. You weren’t, but at least there’s pics, right?

Early in the day, Hespeler asked Sir Evander to take him on as his squire. Given that Evander is currently the Prince of Ealdormere, Hespeler’s going to have his work cut out for him over the next year 😉

Family photo. A family of knights and squires and more. Yes, including doggos.

His excellency Baron Brand addresses the fighters of Ealdormere. Possibly reminding them that, as this is a Ben Dunfirth event, they should all be nice to him on the field, cos it’s his territory and stuff.

Spoiler: They didn’t pay attention 😉

And then there was that moment that Baron Alexander commanded all the fighters…

… to stand in the corner so he could take pics, sure, but it was still a command moment.

Part of Melee is registering your team. Trouble is, none of the Barbarians can actually read or write. Jack the Pirate pretends reasonably well.

For the record, stabbery was also taking place – Melee is for more than just the Thwackers!

There may be some rule about the length of a polearm being proportionate to the height of the weilder. Or not. I just liked this pic.

My cunning plan to undermine the theory that the Barons of Rising Waters are incapable of smiling continues…

“Come back here so I can hit you!

“Noooo! You are doing me a heckin’ frighten!”

I ended up with a handful of pics like this, where a fighter has been eliminated and awaits their next opportunity to engage in thwackery. Somehow they all seemed a little pensive.

“You’re fine! Get up! I’m sorry! Don’t tell mum,okay?”

It just seems a little cruel to make one of the kingdom’s shorter fighters compete from his knees. Don’t get me wrong, he’d still kick my arse three times from Tuesday, mind you.

Something something importance of wearing deodorant something something.

Also, damn, this pic looks like it was posed… I love that the two eliminated fighters have rolled to watch the survivors in comfort.

“Someone come fight me? Anyone?”

“Sure, I’ll just hold this flank all by myself. There’s only multiple knights here, including Prince Evander…”

When “Got yer back!” has literal meaning.

Ealdormere is located in Canada, so it’s no surprise when the marshals start employing broom techniques mastered from years of Curling to clear fighters from the field.

Under the pavilion, Her Highness was running a calligraphy/illumination workshop.

Yup, outta my league… #SoPretty #SoPrecise

It’s important to teach the young ladies how to safely fend off a Norman invasion using whatever projectiles may be at hand.

I missed taking photos of the tug-o-war this year, but I did catch some hawt pinata action.

Why? What do kids hit pinatas with in your kingdom?

More Thwockery! I spent a little time on the range myself, and was promptly reminded how bad I am at this… but I had a great time. Love my axes.

Waiting for court with Baron Toymaker and Lady Merydyth 🙂

Not just court, mind you… a Grand Court! Their Majesties, their Highnesses (totally typoed that as Highmesses and almost left it), and the barons and baronesses of Ben Dunfirth, Rising Waters, Skraeling Althing AND Ramshaven were present.

(Her Excellency Ramshaven was absent, but His Excellency was the picture of grace and wisdom)

Their Majesties have instituted a thing where they give a chest full of toys to someone that the kingdom’s cubs then chase down. You know, for practice looting and pillaging, and stuff.

It was pointed out that His Highness had ran an event earlier in the day, but hadn’t actually done any running….

… a circumstance which was quickly resolved.

A wiggly tooth was a suitably momentous distraction.

A sauntering prince returns!

A sauntering baron to go with the last pic!

Okay, it’s out of sequence, but a sauntering Henry rounds out the Triumvirate of Saunter.

When the prize for winning the Melee tournament is an enormous pack of bacon, Royal inspection is required.

I just really liked this pic of Their Excellencies Rising Waters.

Grimroth and Tristham won the Holy Hand Grenade thrown weapons tournament and, though as Barbarians neither could read the documents they were awarded, tried to act like civilized gentles and hug each other in a congratulatory fashion. Being brutal savages, neither actually had any idea how to properly hug, but the effort was admired and appreciated by all.

“Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!”

“Actually, I think you’ll find it comes from this kickass axe…”

“Right you are, m’lord!”

His Majesty considers stealing Varrus’ cloak, for it doth add swagger.

I know I posted about it on Monday, but I’m still proud to have been involved in this Award of Arms

“I must go! My people need me!”?

In another moment, of coolness, Merydyth was awarded a Boar’s Tusk!

Behold its Baronial loveliness.

Tristam would later find someone to read the scroll to him. He was a little disappointed to learn that it didn’t give him sole rights to the Barony’s poutine supply.

House Blackstaff sings happy birthday to Arlette, while her dog rolls around on the spot where dead fish had been found earlier. I’m not sure who was enjoying themselves more.

Murder Melee in the Meadow was a wonderful day of hanging with friends, watching athletes in armour, and just basking in the glorious geekery that is the Society for Creative Anachronism. One of these years I’ll actually be able to camp out for the event and enjoy the late night Barbarian Court as well. Perils of working Sundays, I guess. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this event a success. Here’s to next year’s shenaniganry…