Tres Pinos
– Members of the Kingdom of the West got together under
Saturday’s sun for a battle on a green pitch in the Barony of
Darkwood.
Tres Pinos – Members of the Kingdom of the West got together under Saturday’s sun for a battle on a green pitch in the Barony of Darkwood.
It didn’t take place in some faraway land. In fact, it happened at Bolado Park, just south of Hollister. The tournament and feast was held by the Society for Creative Anachronism, a group dedicated to re-creating pre-17th century Europe.
The society is a way for lovers of history and chivalry to create a medieval world, capturing battling knights on digital cameras.
“Who didn’t want to be a knight as a child?” asked Heather English, a Society for Creative Anachronism director.
About 250 members of the organization gathered at the park for the 20th White Shield Tourney and Feast. The tournament included battles in which combatants in heavy armor wield swords. The winners of the competitions were awarded three hand-made shields. The white shield is a blank on which the winner can design his or her own coat of arms, English said.
Dressed in medieval garb, members sat under tents and occasionally bowed to Society for Creative Anachronism royalty.
The White Shield Tourney and Feast was the first of 40 events to be held in the Kingdom of the West this year, English said. Others include such activities as horsemanship, archery, embroidery, calligraphy, and arts and science displays.
Members of the society make their own garb, armor and weapons.
“If it existed back then, someone in the SCA knows how,” English said.
Everywhere walked knights with heavy wooden swords, wearing up to 85 pounds of leather and armor. However, some fighters wear only a thin layer of chain mail. But William Ringer of Half Moon Bay suited up well before heading out to battle.
“I don’t like hurting, so I wear lots of armor,” Ringer said.
Despite the battle cries and clacking of swords, the event provides a day of chivalry and social etiquette for many of the members.
Brion Porter, 33, of Pleasant Hill, Calif., made the drive down Saturday.
“I was probably the first one born into it,” Porter said. “My mother was pregnant with me when she was queen.”
Porter said much of his social life growing up was found in the society. He said the social norms he learned could be applied outside of the society.
“It’s nice to have a place in this modern world that strives for chivalry,” Porter said.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected].
