Actions

Golden Axe of the East

From EastKingdomWiki

The Challenge of the Golden Axe (shamelessly stolen from the Iron Ring of the East)

The Golden Axe is a symbol of prowess (and only prowess) in axe throwing within the bounds of a particular Kingdom. Currently there is one Axe active in the Society - in the East Kingdom. As the Iron Ring of the East has become a popular way to bring the Rapier community together, the Thrown Weapons community in the East Kingdom has decided to take a similar approach and create the Golden Axe of the East and Golden Spear of the East. Please don't confuse these with the Golden Lance of the East, which is an Award for prowess in the equestrian lists and demonstrated service to the Kingdom in marshalling, teaching, and helping to promote and expand the knowledge of equestrian arts.

Skeggjold1.jpg
Skeggjold2.jpg

History

In AS 53, Duke Brennan and Duchess Caoilfhionn (then King and Queen of the East) participated in King's and Queen's Thrown Weapons Championships at Panteria. In the final of the tournament, the outgoing Champion Bryon de Burgh, the King, and the Queen threw the Golden Spear and the participants in the final had to come as close to that spear as possible. Because this Spear was blessed by the King and Queen that day, we decided to use this to symbolize prowess with the spear within the Kingdom.

Once the Spear was created, members of the community were anxious to test their skill with the other two weapons that we throw. To that end, the Golden Axe was created in AS 54. The Golden Knife will be introduced in AS 55.

The second holder of the Golden Axe (Lord Arngeirr Refskegg) named the axe Skeggjöld. Skeggjöld is a Valkyrie mentioned in the Sagas and the Eddas and the names means "Wearing a War Axe". The name was drawn onto the axe's handle in both the Elder Futhark, as ᛊᚲᛖᚷᚷᛃᛟᛚᛞ, and Latin alphabets.

On October 5th of AS 54, the third holder of the Golden Axe (Lord Symon of Barnesdale) brought the Golden Axe to the Coronation of Queen Margarita. There Queen Margarita, who did learn to throw axes at Pennsic XLVIII (and added her contributions to the populace war point), laid hands on the Golden Axe and did bless it with her touch.

How to acquire the Axe

The only way to acquire the Golden Axe of your Kingdom is to challenge the current holder. The format of the challenge is fixed and shall be strictly followed to insure this does not alter from its original intent:

  • To declare the challenge the challenger declares 'I request the Challenge of the Golden Axe'.
  • The proper responses are 'I accept your challenge' or 'I am forbidden from accepting your challenge'.

The Golden Axe may only be exchanged once in any given day; if another challenger requests a Challenge to the new holder on the day they have won the axe from another, the holder is required to decline the Challenge. Otherwise, the holder may accept up to three Challenges in a given day, assuming the holder is the victor of each preceding Challenge that day.

The holder of the Golden Axe is required to accept the first Challenge in a day. The second and third Challenges are optional, and the holder should only accept those if they feel that they can show sufficient prowess and stamina after the exertions of the first Challenge.

Once the Challenge is issued, it should be taken up as soon as is reasonable. (And really be reasonable here - if the challenged holder would like time to warm up, that's acceptable. If they are called away suddenly by an important commitment or royal command, that is also acceptable. "Calling dibs" on a challenge immediately after the current one may be acceptable, but calling dibs for tomorrow and expecting that challenges be refused until then is not.)

A challenger for the Golden Axe may only issue a single challenge per day.

Terms for what the contest will be determined by the participants. The challenger, as part of the challenge, will name the terms of the contest at the time of the challenge. The holder of the Axe can change ONE of the terms (distance, number of throws, method of throw, etc.).

Throwers must comply to the safety standards of the Marshal in Charge of the range, the East Kingdom, and SCA rules.

Weapons must be SCA and East Kingdom legal. If it looks like an axe and throws like an axe, it's an axe. However, it is up to the competitors if weapons such as a double bladed axe or shovels will be allowed. Only the competitors can determine if something is fair or not.

The Golden Axe may not reside outside of it's Kingdom's borders. As such, it will revert to the previous holder if the current holder moves from the Axe's home kingdom or stops playing.

The Golden Axe shall be displayed prominently while at events and practices so potential challengers may know who is the current holder.

Lastly, it is the duty of the outgoing holder of the Golden Axe to make sure the incoming holder is fully aware of these rules.

Lineage

Lineage of Bearers

Name Event Date
THL Matteo Genovese (first bearer of the Golden Axe) Harper's Retreat 8/31/2019
THL Arngeirr Refskegg Falling Leaves 9/14/2019
Baron Symon of Barnesdale Carolingia Thrown Weapons Practice 9/29/2019
Lady Deirdre Grenewode Carolingia Thrown Weapons Practice 10/19/2019
Baroness Alanna of Skye Carolingia Thrown Weapons Practice 11/14/2020
Lord Ian Douglas Bhakail Thrown Weapons Practice 4/24/2021
Lord Ciaran Ua Meic Thire Bhakail Thrown Weapons Practice 5/1/2021
THL Mikael Melrakki Southern Region War Camp 6/5/2021
Baroness Alanna of Skye Bhakail Thrown Weapons Practice 9/9/2021
THL Safiya al-Naghira BBM Thrown Weapons Practice 9/16/2021
Melmyra aka 'Myra' BBM and Dragonship Haven Champions Day 10/23/2021
Baroness Arlyana van Wyck War of the Roses 5/28/2022
Lord Durin Bastian Sommer Draw 6/11/2022
THL Mikael Melrakki Northern Region War Camp 7/2/2022
Lord Durin Bastian Pennsic War 8/04/2022
Baroness Alanna of Skye BBM Thrown Weapons Practice 8/24/2022
Master Peter the Red Carolingia Thrown Weapons Practice 11/07/2022
Lord Ian Douglas Rusted Woodlands 100 Minutes War XXXII 11/19/2022
THL Mikael Melrakki Bhakail Thrown Weapons Practice 4/9/2023
Lord Ian Douglas Southern Region War Camp 6/3/2023
Kamejima Matasaburou Takauji -Dono River Wars 9/23/2023