Dark Knight & 7 Deadly Sins History

Welcome to the Seven Deadly Sins Tournament. The theme of this Tournament, as in all of the previous five Dark Knight's Tournaments is the battle between good and evil. Again this year, the combatants will be on a Pilgrim's Progress against the Seven Deadly Sins. The Dark Knights, playing the Seven Deadly Sins, have always been the personification of evil, and they have, and will continue to tempt their opponents to fight at their level. This is the challenge that all Pilgrim's will have to overcome. The Pilgrims will be taunted, insulted and subject to all manner of unchivalrous behavior from their opponents, the Seven Deadly Sins. Only by retaining their chivalry and courtesy will the Pilgrims be able to overcome the Sins. Victory is important, but if victory becomes the driving force for the Pilgrim, the Sins have already triumphed. It is only through chivalry that a Pilgrim will be able to truly triumph over their opponents. 

Today's Tournament will begin with the introduction of the Sins and the Virtues. The Virtues will act as escorts for each group of Pilgrims as they undergo the Progress. The Virtues will be there to give encouragement and support as well as let a Pilgrim know if their behavior is threatening to drop to the level of the Sins. It is sincerely hoped that this part of the Virtue's job will not be needed at today's Tournament. In addition to the Virtues, there will be a Pilgrim's Conscience to assist with temptations. Today, Baron Sir Sten Halvorsen, chevalier sans reproche, is the Pilgrim's Conscience. Feel free to seek assistance from him at any time. 

After these introductions, each Pilgrim will be presented to the Royalty, Virtues and Conscience. As your name is called, come forward and be directed to the Virtue that will be your guide for the upcoming Progress. After all the introductions are done, the Seven Deadly Sins Tournament will begin. 

Each group of Pilgrims will be led by their Virtue to the first of the Sins that they will fight today. Each Pilgrim will have one combat with each of the Sins. A victory by the Pilgrim will earn them a token to be handed out at the end of the Tournament. A noble defeat will not earn a token, but the respect of one's peers. After all Pilgrims in the group have fought the Sin, the Progress will move to the next Sin. There is a five hour time limit on the Tournament and it is expected that all Pilgrims will have an opportunity to fight four or five Sins. Each group of Pilgrim's will be responsible for arranging for Marshals for the fighting from among group. There will be a head Pilgrim who will be responsible for organizing this task. All who marshal today will be honored with a token at the end of the Tournament. 

Victory in this Tournament will not go to a single individual. Each group of Pilgrims will select by secret ballot the Pilgrim in their Progress that best exemplified the virtues of chivalry and courtesy that are the point of this Tournament and honor this Pilgrim with a silver token. In addition, each of the Sins will select the most outstanding Pilgrim that fought them, and single out this Pilgrim for honor by presenting the Pilgrim with a silver token. As a final opportunity for honor, all Royalty who are not participating in the Progress will be given a silver token that they will present to the Pilgrim that most impressed them. All of this will occur at the Final Court that will take place at approximately 5:30 pm. After this Court, the Tournament will be over. The Shire of Canale hopes that all who participate will have had an enjoyable time and perhaps will leave a bit more thoughtful for the experience. 

Today's Seven Deadly Sins Tournament combines aspects of two forms of tournament that were popular from the late thirteenth through the sixteenth centuries. These were the Pas d'Armes tourney and the Round Table tourney. 

The pas d'armes tournaments were the first common form of tournament to develop after the rough and tumble tournaments of the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The earliest tournaments were essentially warfare with most of the bloodshed removed and used strictly for training for real war. With the addition of courtesy to the accepted virtues of the knight, as well as the desire for more personal recognition of the deeds done on the field, new forms of mock combat began to appear. pas d'armes was in many ways the simplest and most elegant form. In the basic form, an individual, or occasionally a small group, would agree to do battle with all challengers that would come against them in compliance with the conventions of combat laid down by the defenders, or tenans. These pas d'armes would frequently last for a month or more and could have as many as forty or fifty challengers, or venans, in an especially successful tournament. 

Perhaps the earliest recorded tournament in the pas d'armes format was from 1227 when a German knight had a joust in which he would meet all challengers. If he was defeated he would forfeit his armor and a beautiful woman who was his companion. According to the chronicle, he successfully defeated all challengers and had a festival at the end of the tournament. After this date, more and more challenges of this type are recorded in various chronicles. They seem to have been particularly popular in Germany and the Low Countries, but there are literally hundreds of surviving accounts of this style of tournament from all over Europe. 

Over time, as the tournament became a form of entertainment as well as training for combat, more elaborate forms of the tournament were developed. This occurred with a renewed interest in the legends of King Arthur and Charlemagne and this new, more elaborate form became known generically as Round Table Tournaments. Among the first recorded tournaments of this format were the round tables sponsored by Edward 1 in 1279 which were based on the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Edward I was a great supporter and patron of tournaments in England, as well as an active participant in many of these tournaments. He also realized that tournaments could be very useful in raising one's political prestige. This use of the tournament for political purposes became a hallmark of English tournaments for the next 320 years. 

The round table tournament was popular in France and the Low Countries, where tournaments based on King Arthur and, not surprisingly, the Legends of Charlemagne were popular. This form of tournament lent itself well to other literary interpretations and soon many other themes were appearing in the chronicles. In addition to themes from the increasingly popular romances, many tournaments had themes that were based on history. Popular subjects included the crusades, the Nine Worthies, and events from the recently rediscovered history of Ancient Greece and Rome. It was also not surprising that religious subjects of sorts were placed into some of these tournaments. The Pope and His Cardinals was the theme of at least one round table, and frequently the tourneyers would disguise themselves as priest, abbots or even nuns. 

The Seven Deadly Sins made their appearance in a tournament in England in 1362. This was considered blasphemous by many, and floods and other natural disasters that occurred later in year were considered a sign of divine disapproval. This concept, however, seems ready made for the Dark Knights of the West, and was chosen by the Dark Knights themselves as the theme for last year's tournament. It proved so popular that it was brought back again this year. 

The concept of the Seven Deadly Sins made an earlier appearance in the literature of tournaments. Throughout the early days of the tournament, the Church would rail against tournaments as sins. This philosophy was summed up by Jacques de Vitry, bishop of Acre in 1240 when he declared that participants in tournaments were guilty of all seven of the deadly sins. They committed the sin of pride in their desire for praise, envy because the resent greater praise going to other tourneyers, anger because they struck out when tempers became frayed, greed because they desired other knight's horses and equipment, gluttony because of the feasting that occurred at the end of the tournament, sloth because of the reaction to defeat and lust because of their desire to please wanton women by wearing their favors in the list. These reasons pretty much explain the success of tournaments, both in the middle ages and in the SCA. 

The part of the Hermit as the Pilgrim's Conscience is derived from Ramon Lull's book Libre del ordre de cavayleria', (The book of the Order of Chivalry) which is considered one of the premier period sources on the values of a true Knight. In this book, a young squire becomes lost while riding through a forest and comes upon a hermit. This hermit, it seems, is a former knight who has forsaken the worldly life for a life of contemplation and writing. While in the forest he has written his book, which is compilation of all the characteristics that make up an ideal Knight. He gives this book to the squire with instructions to follow its instructions, and he will become a better knight because of it. This seemed an appropriate basis for the Pilgrim's Conscience, who will be giving advice to the Pilgrims as the fight the base sins today.

Let the following conventions be used in this, the Seven Deadly Sins Tournament: 

Item: All Pilgrims must hold themselves to the highest standards of chivalry on the field and courtesy off the field. Failure to do so shall result in the loss of honor. 

Item: All standard Conventions of Combat of the Kingdom of the West are in effect for all Pilgrims for the duration of this Progress. 

Item: All combats will be fought with weapons a la plaisance. 

Item: The Seven Deadly Sins Tournament shall last for five hours. 

Item: Let all Pilgrims be forewarned that their opponents, the Seven Deadly Sins, are not held to the Conventions of Combat except in the manner of blow calling. 

Item: The Sins will taunt, humiliate and physically abuse the Pilgrims who come against them in an effort to lower the Pilgrims to their sinful level. 

Item: Any Pilgrim who lowers them self to the level of their opponent shall be warned by their accompanying Virtue of their behavior. The Pilgrim will have an opportunity to repent their folly and refight the battle, using greater chivalry. If the Pilgrim fails to repent, they shall lose honor in the eyes of their Virtue and Pilgrim peers. 

Item: Each Pilgrim will have one combat with the Sin. If the Pilgrim proves victorious over the Sin, they shall receive a token commemorating this event at the Final Court. If the Pilgrim falls in honorable combat, they shall receive honor from their Virtue and Pilgrim peers. 

Item: After each Pilgrim has fought the Sin, their Virtue shall lead the Pilgrims to the next Sin. It is thought likely that every Pilgrim shall be able to fight four or five Sins during the day. 

Item: It is the responsibility of each Progress to supply Marshals for the fighting. There will be a Head Pilgrim in each Progress to organize this task. 

Item: Each Pilgrim should watch the actions of their fellow Pilgrims as the victors of the Seven Deadly Sins Tournament shall be decided by secret vote of the Pilgrims in each Progress. Each Progress shall have a victor, who shall receive a silver token to prove their worth on this day. 

Item: Each Sin shall select one Pilgrim that faced them during the Tournament for recognition due to their chivalry or courtesy. These Pilgrims shall receive a silver token to prove their worth on this day. 

Let all Pilgrims who undertake this Progress gain renown and honor from their deeds on the field. 

Long live the King and Queen of the West! 

The Dark Knights Tournament began back in A.S. XXV when Lords Malcolm McRaidh of Black Oak and Madoc Hawthorne Sinclair decided to do something different with the Southern Cynagua Summer Tournament. The asked Count Sir Christian du Glaive, Viscount Sir Gareth of Crawford and Sir David of Aragon if they would be interested in portraying the evil Dark Knights and fighting all comers at the Tournament. After varying amounts of hesitation, they agreed to do the Tournament, and thus were born Sir Lucifer, Sir Accolon and Sir Gustavus, the Bastard Brothers. 

It became obvious that the Bastard Brothers had gotten into the spirit of things on the very first fight, when Lord Tristan MacKendrick fought Sir Lucifer. Sir Lucifer closed, pushed Lord Tristan over, sat on his chest and beat him with his basket hilt. A tradition was born. At the end of the tournament, it was decided that this should become a yearly event, but that more Dark Knights would be necessary due to the number of fights that were being fought. A special notice and thank you must be given to Baron Sir Anton Hojen, Dark Knight Herald, who would announce all of the fights and attempt to control some of the Dark Knight's worst excesses for the first three Dark Knight Tournaments. This tournament began the tradition of the Dark Knight's selecting one of their opponents as worthy of recognition for their behavior on the field. The first prize awarded for the most worthy combatant went to Lord Malcolm McRaidh. 

The next year the Bastard Brothers were back and they brought their cousins. Sir Cybi di Elmhurst, Cynagua's newest Knight became Sir Vladimir, Viscount Sir Obidiah the Obstreperous became Sir Boris and Sir Wiglaf Wilfriding became Sir Malfeasor. Despite some rather ragged fighting by the forces of good, the tournament was a success. Lord Konrad the Bohemian was selected as the most worthy opponent by the six Dark Knights in this second edition of the Dark Knight's Tournament. 

A.S. XXVII saw the Dark Knight Tournament moving to Lord Tristan's Phoenix Hall for a year. The same six Bastard Brothers rode in to do battle with the forces for chivalry. The tournament occurred on the hottest day of the year, with the temperature reaching 106° in the shade. The fighting began outdoors, and sure enough, without fail, Sir Lucifer got the festivities off with a bang when he pulled out a black powder pistol and 'shot' Lord Thorfin Magnissen, who had the misfortune of being a squire to Sir Boris. 

Soon after this, the extreme heat drove the fighting indoors at Phoenix Hall, where Lord Tristan had several anxious moments as combats went bashing into and nearly through the walls of his hall. In the however, everyone and end, piece. highlights of the every thing tournament was a survived in essentially one brief appearance by one of the of the Bastard Brother's city cousins, Sir Gordy the Lawyer, as played by Sir Michael St. Sever. His brief appearance was an ominous portent of things to come. Lord Thorfin, recovered from his 'wounds' was selected as the most chivalrous opponent by the Dark Knights at the poolside court of Prince Caithan of Cynagua. When last seen, the Dark Knights were seen sulking off into the distance, except for Sir Boris who was attempting to empty Lord Tristan and Lady Brenna's pool with cannonballs. 

The Dark Knight Tapestry, seen in the center of this handout, commemorates this Dark Knight Tournament. This tapestry, designed and painted by Lady Katherine Goodpasture and Viscountess Ruarai Moriarty extends for over twelve feet and is one of the few records of a tournament that exists in the Kingdom of the West. 

At the traditional post tournament pizza feed, Sir Gareth and Sir Wiglaf concluded that the traditional Dark Knight Tournament of the last three years had reached the point of being routine and something new was needed. They suggested the Seven Deadly Sins, which would allow them to add a badly needed seventh Dark Knight and keep in the spirit of the previous tournaments. 

Thus was born the Seven Deadly Sins Tournament. The concept of a Pilgrim's Progress was added to give the challengers a part to play, and almost without realizing it, a very period tournament was developed. The Tournament returned to McConnell Boy Scout Camp were it had been held for the first two years, and fortunately, the temperature was much more pleasant for the Bastard Brothers, now the Seven Deadly Sins. 

The sins were Sir Lucifer the Angry, Sir Accolon the Envious, Sir Boris the Gluttonous, Sir Vladimir the Greedy,

Sir Malfeasor the Prideful, in a return engagement, Sir Gordy the Lustful, and the newest Bastard Brother, Sir

Loren of Berwick playing Sir Devon Deathdealer the Slothful. Each of the Sins had a Virtue paired with them to

assist the Pilgrims and watch out for the Sins. Last year the Virtues were Mistress Morgan Athenry as Prudence,

Mistress Katherine Goodpasture as Contentment, Baroness Brenna of Phoenix Hall as Temperance, Lady Keira

Lye d'Alessandria as Charity, Lady Katelyne Deveraux Simpson as Humility, Lady Cassandra Chernakova as

Chastity and Lady Fiona Mairi Galbraith of Misty Glen as Diligence. Their contribution to the success of the

Tournament should not be overlooked.  

The part of the first Pilgrim's Conscience was played by Earl Sir Brion Thornbird ap Rhys who appeared as the

Pope for the day. Also present were all six reigning royalty of the central Kingdom and even five fighters from

Lochac. 

In all, thirty five Pilgrims began the Progress, and in a chivalrous gesture that belayed their sinful nature, the Sins

agreed to fight all who would come against them, even if the time limit for the tournament had expired. Thus,

each of the Sins fought over thirty fights in the course of the day. This lead to the comparing of bruises the next

morning, which is one part of the tournament that many could do without. 

Victory was given to the Pilgrim who defeated the most sins during the Progress, and victory on this day went to

King Fabian and Earl Sir Philip Harlech, champion of Princess Anastacia of the Mists who each defeated all seven

of the Sins.  Princess Anastacia's guards were immortalized in the poem 'Ken Ye Well by Viscountess Wander

Riordan, then Bard of the Mists. Perhaps the most appropriate moment of the Tournament was when Sir Kane

Greymane of Lochac refused a victory over Sir Boris when Sir Boris pointed out that Sir Kane had lowered his

fighting to the level of the Sin, and thus did not deserve the fight. This fight symbolizes what the Black Knight

Tournament has attempted to stand for in all of its editions. 

The legend of Colin the Dude is believed to date from the earliest days of the Society. The following history is based on a manuscript found in the archives of the Sons of Iniquity, although even the Sons are unsure of the history of this manuscript. Their best guess is that it was captured from the Caidians during one of the innumerable West - Caid Wars fought since the earliest days of the two Kingdoms. Stylistically, the manuscript indicates that it was written before A.S. V and gives the impression that the writer was an eyewitness to the events recorded, perhaps as a follower of the Dude. Therefore, for everyone's education and entertainment is the legend of Colin the Dude. 

Colin the Dude was a knight, philosopher, and surfer from the earliest days of the Society. Scholars believe that he was born approximately 20 years B.S. and was thus reaching his prime at the birth of the Society. It is likely that in these early years he developed his love for, and skill in, surfing that was to be both the source of his greatest fame and eventual martyrdom. Shortly after joining the Society, Colin became known for his skill at arms, chivalry and philosophical bent. He quickly became the leader of the surfing knights of the Kingdom, and set the standard in fashion for this group: hair jams, colorful Byzantium tunics, lace up sandals and a large redwood board for both fighting and surfing. It is unlikely that without the Great Schism, however, that he would have ever been anything except for a minor footnote in history. 

When the Great Schism occurred that separated Caid, with their unusual habits and beliefs, from the true believers of the West, Colin the Dude found his natural calling. He believed that he could take his skill with board and chivalry and attempt to convert

the Caidians to the right and in an old Woody wagon and began his long noble way of thinking. trek to the South. 

Thus Colin loaded up his gear 

Colin quickly established a routine for his talks in Caid. He would show up at one of the numerous surfing and fighting practices that were taking place throughout Caid and establish his presence through his outstanding skill on the board and with sword and board. After this time, he would gather the fighters around the campfire and regal them with stories of chivalry and courtesy, the legendary 'Colin Chiv Wanks'. In this manner his fame spread and frequently his arrival at a surfing and fighting practice became greatly anticipated, with the fighters of Caid waiting, as is the tendency of their ilk with their single large foot over their heads, shielding them from the sun. After an extended stay in Caid, Colin returned to the West and attempted to make peace between the warring factions of the Mist Cynagua War. It was at this event that the first miracle of the Dude is believed to have occurred. While at Lake Berryessa, Colin and a group of his surfing buddies wished to surf, but being a lake it was as flat as a mirror. Shortly after Colin paddled out into the lake, however, waves began to form that enabled all who wished to surf to do so to their hearts content. This incredible display was enough to bring the war to an end with just a brief speech about the importance of Western unity in the face of Caidian and An Tirian aggression. Shortly after this speech, Colin headed back south and was never seen alive in the West again. 

Shortly after heading south for this final time, word began to filter back to the West of a second miracle. It seems that Colin was at a surfing and fighting practice when it was discovered that no one had brought wax for the boards. Colin is rumored to have solved this problem by scraping the wax from one of his ears. This wax, in conflict with all known principles, was sufficient to wax everyone's boards and allow a day of surfing and fighting. 

Deeds like this and his Chiv Wanks, although greatly loved by the common fighter, roused the ire of the large and powerful Anti-Chivalry League of Caid. They decided that they would have to eliminate the Dude before all of Caid became Chivalrous and courteous. This lead to the Shooting of the Pylons, known in song and story throughout the Known World. The Caidians challenged Colin to a surfing and fighting contest to determine who was the true and right defender of Chivalry. Unknown to Colin, however, they were attempting a trap, in which the fighting would be first. They used one of their most powerful, and unchivalrous Dukes to fight and then they would substitute a second Duke for the surfing contest. As soon as Colin saw this arrangement, he knew that he was doomed, but in the best Western tradition, he would give it his best shot and let fate determine the outcome. 

The fighting opened up, and against all odds, Colin triumphed in this phase, but he was so exhausted that he knew that he would never succeed in shooting the pier, particularly as the surf was at near record levels, with waves approaching four feet. There was no hesitation in Colin, however, as he grabbed his board and paddled out into the Great Western Ocean. The Caidian Duke went first, and in spite of being fresh, failed to shoot the pier, pulling up after just a couple of pilings. Colin had his chance, but instead of playing it safe, Colin went for it as only a Western Knight could. This, unfortunately, proved his undoing, as well into the pier, after reaching unheard of speeds and performing never before seen stunts, Colin was martyred on the piling. The Anti- Chivalry League of Caid was pleased to have eliminated such a threat, but even they realized that it was a hollow victory, for in defeat, Colin had shown all present what a true Knight stood for. Therefore, it was not surprising that Cults of Colin the Dude began to spring up where ever any fighter put on the armor or the jams and wished to understand the true meaning of Chivalry. To this day, pieces of the true piling can be purchased at most major events, and Baron Tristan believes that one of the pillars at his great hall, Phoenix Hall, is from the actual pier that saw the martyrdom of Colin the Dude.  

Please note that the above story is written in the spirit of satire and is not meant to insult or offend anyone. I apologize to anyone who may have been offended. OG. 

Ken ye well ye lords and ladies fine 

Ken ye 

Ken ye well for aye 

well the solemn deeds 

Ye maun do this day. 

Honor stern uphold thy skill and strength 

Let virtue be thy stay 

Against the fell and fearsome foe 

Ye maun meet this day. 

Anger, envy, May lead ye far astray 

pride and avarice 

So gluttony, sloth, lust also 

Seven deadly sins personified 

To strive against and pray 

For virtue such that stand or fall 

Yet ye maun win this day. 

Bronwyn sallied forth in virtues quest 

All steadfast in the fray 

Though ribbons only her reward Right well she fought this day. 

Mustafa hails from Antioch renowned 

His homeland far away 

Yet present purpose stood him well 

He honor won this day. 

Guenllian did stand her ground withall These sins all for to slay 

Repentance gives true pilgrims joy For two she slew this day. 

Richard, squire to our noble Prince 

And dressed in bright array 

Did to his lady tribute bring 

Of striving done this day. 

Claivelle strove bold and strong upon the field 

What sorrow to relay 

Though many were the battles won His favor lost this day. 

Geoffrey, captain, charged by his Princess 

All honor to display 

Did deal bright death e'en as he fell 

And held his own this day. 

Philip, knight and champion of the Mists 

His skill none may gainsay 

lone of all except the King Unfallen on this day. 

Ken ye well ye lords and ladies fine 

Ken ye well for aye 

Ken ye well the solemn deeds 

Right well done this day. 

Thank you to Viscountess Wander Riordan for the use of her commemorating the adventures and accomplishments of the Mist's Guard at last year's Seven Deadly Sins Tournament. 

The Sins 

Sir Lucifer the Angry Duke Sir Christian du Glaive 

Sir Accolon the Envious Sir Gareth Viscount Crawford 

Sir Boris the Gluttonous Viscount Sir Obidiah the Obstreperous, OL 

Sir Vladimir the Greedy Baron Sir Cybi di Elmhurst, OP 

Sir Malfeasor the Prideful Wiglaf Ridere, OL 

Sir Nicodemus the Slothful 

Viscount Sir Colin Dearg, OL 

Sir Rannulf the Lustful Viscount Sir Richard of Aldertree 

The Virtues 

Contentment Countess Elena of Beckingham, OL 

Chastity Countess Cyneswith aet Caldhaefan 

Temperance Viscountess Anastacia of Warwick 

Charity Viscountess Maeren Kaerling von Jorgensted 

Humility Viscountess Wander Riordan 

Prudence Mistress Anne of Alynwick OL 

Diligence Lady Bronwyn ferch Emrys 

The Pilgrim's Conscience Baron Sir Sten Halvorsen 

Autocrat 

Mistress Katherine Goodpasture, OP 

The autocrat wishes to thank the following persons for their assistance in this 

Tournament: 

The Barony of Fettburg 

Baron Sir Cybi di Elmhurst 

Baroness Victoria of Elmhurst Hollow, OP 

Wiglaf Ridere 

Mistress Morgan Athenry, OL 

Baroness Brenna of Phoenix Hall 

Le Confraternite de L'Epervier