The Meridians are coming to conquer the kingdom
Last year’s rumors of war proved false, but this year is said to be the year of many battles. The Atlantian Army stands guard with swords and ancient weapons to defend its homelands against Meridian invaders.
Will the Meridians invade and takeover the kingdom at the battlegrounds of Great Smoky Mountains Event Park this Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.?
The Rumors of War event is hosted by the Society for Creative Anachronism. It is family-friendly and all ages are welcome to attend.
“Our goal is to look out and pretend we are in the Middle Ages, with all the fun parts,” said Joe Holt, Seneschal of Stormwall (president). “The goal is to live it. We do not want to see shorts and tank tops.”
People can dress for the festivities by wearing Medieval period clothing. If in need, costumes will be provided by SCA upon arrival.
The SCA world is divided into kingdoms. Western North Carolina is the Atlantia Kingdom, encompassing all of North Carolina up to Maryland. The Canton of Stormwall covers Clay, Cherokee, Macon, Haywood, Swain, Jackson and Graham counties. The Kingdom of Meridies surrounds Stormwall and covers East Tennessee, northern Georgia, northern Florida and Alabama.
According to “The Back Story” on the SCA website — “Canton of Stormwall is completely surrounded on three sides by the Kingdom of Meridies. It is logical that the Meridians would make their incursion into Atlantia through this sleepy canton nestled in the mountains. It could take weeks before news of this invasion would reach the ears of the Atlantian Crown and a kingdom wide alarm is raised. Stormwall must rely on their brethren from Hawkwood and their cousins from Sacred Stone and Nottinghill Coill if the invaders are to be slowed or dare, we hope, repelled. Gird up your loins, strap your kit to your steed and make haste to the west to prevent the invaders from gaining a foothold on our lands and hold off the invaders until the entire kingdom could be mustered and brought to bear.”
“We (SCA members) recreate Medieval times,” Holt said. “We do it by doing. We learn how to sword fight, blacksmith and make armor. It is a worldwide volunteer organization. We have local group which is the Canton of Stormwall just like in Medieval times.”
Rumors of war will include armored combat, melee fields, rapier battles, merchants, food trucks and science exhibits.
“It is not like a Renaissance faire with actors doing everything, we encourage participation in learning Medieval arts and sciences,” said Holt.
The SCA Rumors of War schedule is as followed:
• 8 a.m. – Troll Opens
• 9-10:30 a.m. – Throttled Cockerel Breakfast (cash donation only)
• 3 p.m. Troll Opens
• 10 a.m. – Rapier and Armored open for inspections and authorizations
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Food trucks serving
• 11 a.m. – Armored Titans Tournament
• 11:30 a.m. – Rapier Titans Tournament
• 12-4 p.m. – Armored and Rapier Melee Combat
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. – Arts and Sciences – Class – Finger loop Braiding
• 1:30-3 p.m. – Arts and Sciences – Design your own Shut the Box Board Game Class
• 12-4 p.m. – Game Area Open - Games of Skill
• Throughout the Day – Throttled Cockerel will have a dice tournament and a variety of near period games
• 5 p.m. – Baronial Court (for the Titan’s tournaments)
Attendees must register at the gate with trolls.
SCA members pay $10, as do those who wish to join SCA upon arrival. Nonmember admissions cost $20.
Kids ages seven to 17 cost $5 and kids six and under are free. All SCA nonmembers must sign waivers.
Visit the Society for Creative Anachronism website to get involved and learn more about Medieval events taking place in kingdoms around the world.