COMBAT ACVTIVITIES
Combat activities are traditionally a major feature of the Festival of St John in Cluain. This year we are hoping to return to this tradition with a variety of armoured, light-armoured, and field-target combat activities, for both single and group combatants.
Register your interest in combat activities when you book!
We will also be running a competition just prior to the Golden Peacock Tourney - THE RESPLENDENT PEACOCK. All assembled fighters will be assessed for a "fine appearance in armour and fighting apparel" - concentrating on clothing and armour, but with consideration given to shields, banners, and other accoutrements.
Please note:
Register your interest in combat activities when you book!
We will also be running a competition just prior to the Golden Peacock Tourney - THE RESPLENDENT PEACOCK. All assembled fighters will be assessed for a "fine appearance in armour and fighting apparel" - concentrating on clothing and armour, but with consideration given to shields, banners, and other accoutrements.
Please note:
- All combatants must be appropriately SCA-authorised in that particular combat activity. (If you want to fight at St John's, please check your authorisation status and/or arrange a re-authorisation ahead of time! YOU WILL BE CARDED - please have your authorisation card or copies of paperwork on hand at sign-in.)
- All participants must comply with current armour standards - check/repair your armour before the event for a quick and easy safety-check "pass"!
- Combat activities are dependent on numbers - if minimum numbers aren't reached, combat simply will not happen. If you would like to register your interest in a particular combat activity (to ensure it goes ahead!), indicate that on your booking, and/or tell the Stewards. The more participants we have, the spiffier the activities can get!
- Adverse weather cancellations are generally left to the decision of the Marshal(s)-in-Charge, with input from participants (i.e. "Willing to get wet? Let's go!").
HEAVY COMBAT
The Golden Peacock
The Golden Peacock is awarded to the victor of the single-combat heavy tourney. Its origins lost in the mists of time, this impressive trophy *cough* has become a traditional annual prize within the Canton.
The Battle for The Relic
Mêlée units from around the Crescent Isles have battled yearly to wrest the mysterious Relic from one another's grasp... Most recently it was seen in the hands of a viking crew, so if you wish to pry this cherished prize from their cold, temporarily-dead hands, raise yourself up a unit of 3 or more people and register!
LIGHT COMBAT
Light combat activities will depend not only on the number of participants, but also the availability of marshals.
Fencing
The noble Art of Defence is not a traditional feature at the Festival of St John, but nowdays we always try to run an informal tourney and/or training classes where numbers permit.
Combat Archery
It's rare we get numbers for combat archery, but we love it when we do! If you're interested in shooting during a mêlée or war scenario, register using the form below! (Participants must have minimum armour; combat archery will also depend on the number of heavy combatants with access to visor mesh.)
FIELD/TARGET ACTIVITIES
Target Archery
Target archery practice is generally included at St Johns, weather permitting. No formal tournament is held (archery tournaments are the focus at The Feast of St Sebastian, earlier in the year).
Siege Weaponry
Whilst siege machines have been a traditional feature at St John's in the past, the lack of authorised Siege Marshals means we must regretfully forego them this year.