2009 Battle Pageant
New additions/changes are in RED!
Battle Pageant: Escondido Goldcoast Faire Generic
Note: Revised Draft: Comments are invited!


We will be having our usual 8 am battle meeting o the battlefield to go over preliminaries: Please make sure you have at least one representative there! The Battle Meeting and Muster will be at 1:30 PM, the battle itself at 2 PM, and the Captain’s Meeting following battle (approx. 2:45 PM).

All participants must have gloves and closed toe shoes/boots. All weapons must be live steel quality, with no sharp edges or points. Remove all burrs with a file.

Prologue: To take place earlier in the day.
King Phillip is in town to woo Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. The Rebels would rather be allied with Phillip as he has promised them freedom from British rule, etc. The Rebels have decide that they will approach the morning procession and demand to speak with Phillip. Her Majesty, not willing to show this embarrassing side of her Empire, refuses. This de-evolves into a street brawl between hot-heads in both camps. The Rebels withdraw while making threats to “Settle this in a military fashion”.
During the day, there should be street talk of the battle brewing between the Rebels, who have decided to ally themselves with the Spanish and the Royalist troops. The Shire Street Folke should be engaged in talk throughout the day discussing the merits of each side. Who shall win? What is to become of the defeated?
Act 1: The Call to Arms!
The Call to Arms is issued throughout the Shire. Heralds from all over the Shire are ringing bells and reading the official proclamation. The entire village should come alive. The Officers for each battle camp should bark orders and soldiers should be hastily gearing up for the upcoming battle. The Officers inspect the troops ranks and bark last minute orders, and they march to the assembly area. (McFionn encampment). The Baron's Captain confers with the various officers, and the order to march is given. There should be a great deal of fanfare accompanying all this. Drummers (if available) should be going at it, Orders shouted, etc… Each Unit should have their Battle Standard proudly displayed in the ranks. The army marches in formation to the site of battle….
The idea is to get the entire faire involved in this. All patrons by this time should know there is going to be a battle. It should be readily apparent where the battle is: Everyone is flocking to either fight or witness it.
Act 2: First Contact

As the Baron’s army advances to position, the lead elements move to engage the Renegades’ Forlorn Hope. (Each side sends about 2 troops for this, with minimal casualties). This should be a slow-retreating holding action, to allow the Renegades to retreat into the stronghold. Once The Baron’s troops reach position, the Renegades clear the field in retreat.

Act 3: The Introduction and the Challenge:
At this point, both sides of the field should be coalescing into battle positions: The Renegades behind their walls, and the Baron’s troops at the far end of the battlefield. The narrator will give a dialogue to the crowd to enlighten them as to the day's events and the ensuing battle.
The Baron's Captain steps forth and issues The Challenge: "By order of the Baron, you are to lay down your arms and surrender your leaders for judgment. Failure to do so will result in their being taken by forc of arms.". This should evoke a loud response from the Renegades.
The Baron’s Captain responds with a surly “Very well then: you have made your decision: die with it!!!” He then turns and marches back to his troops, as the Renegades yell challenges at his retreating back.

Act 4: The Battle Begins
The Captain arrays his troops out for battle at ¼ field. The Archers are ordered to fire arrows into the Keep's Courtyard (Clout shoot into designated kill zone behind the Renegades’ compound). (The Renegades and allies wait for the first 4 Arrow Flights under cover). After Arrow Flight 4, The Renegades pour out of the gate to assault the archers. The Viking Shield wall forms the vanguard with McFionn Pikes in the main body. Wild on the Rebels left flank along with McFionn skirmishers and Ravenstrike on the right flank. The Viking shield wall advances at a run as the Archers fire their lat volley (arrow #5). The Vikings are met by Rosenkeep’s pike line as the Archers backpedal to recover side arms. The Rebel lines advance at a slower pace in order to reinforce the Viking shield wall.


Rebels
RavenStrike McFionn The Wylde

Vesterfolke/Raiders from the North


Archers of Ravenwood

Rosenkeep

Stranglehold Hal’s new Spanish Shadow Kindred

Royalist Forces

The Baron's men advance in two lines: (Polearm line in front rank, Korsecks in rear rank, all light skirmishers on flanks). At the clash of the two armies, the outermost pair of pike men are taken out by the korseck/sword teams. The two sides engage at mid-field. The Baron's light skirmishers engage the pike line flank and any of the pikemen's skirmishers. As the Renegades’ Pike line is outnumbered in the initial assault, they incur the greater losses.
By the time the Renegades’ Pike Line fall back to join up with Renegade, the will have lost 50% pike and skirmishers. The Baron's losses at this point are approx 25%.
Renegade Pikemen, dispense with the pikes and draw melee weapons as they form up with Renegades. The heavies form the shock troops around which the lights and mediums flank. At this point it should be a fairly even battle between the two combatant groups. Casualties on both sides should be moderate: approx 25%.
The order is given to fall back and regroup at ¼ and ¾ field.
Act 6: Second Push
Rebels ground any polearms at this point and go to side arms only.
Once the troops have been rallied, the Rebel General calls for a wedge formation. The Viking shield wall forms the tip with The Wylde and McFionn forming the Rebel’s left flank, Ravenstrike forms the Rebel right flank. On the Baron’s side, Rosenkeep makes up a pike formation in the center with Ravenwood and Hal’s new group (unknown name) forming the Royalist’s right flank and Stranglehold on the left flank.
Both side advance in a measured pace to meet at ¾ field. Pikes hit the shield wall as the Rebel skirmishers perform a modified “Pincer Maneuver”.
*SATURDAY- The tip of the Viking shield wall punches through the pikeline and meets Shadow Kindred. SK cuts them down, forcing the Rebel forces to withdraw and reform.
*SUNDAY- Cutters from the Royalist side (2-3) punch through the shield wall and engage the Rebel rearguard only to be cut down. This causes the Royalist General to call for a withdrawal.
See next page for diagram.

Act 7: Champion’s Battle

A brief parlay and dialogue ensues calling for a champion’s battle to decide the here-to-fore indecisive conflict. The general gist will be an excuse for outrage and the calling of a “Cry Havoc” and the resumption of the battle.
Saturday; the Royalist Champion is unfairly cut-down by either Runt or Takhisis and Lady McFionn. Sunday; The Rebel Champion is unfairly cut-down by a Royalist.
Act 8: Cry Havoc
The Cry of Havoc goes up at which time all pole arms are discarded and personal weapons are drawn. Make sure that those still standing are the veterans, as the melee will become more intense and allow individuals to showcase skill and showmanship.
Both sides are already arrayed in one large battle line with the exception of the Shadow Kindred who are milling about at the rear of the Royalist lines and the Rebel Commanders at the rear of their lines. At the “Cry Havoc” The Rebel right flank breaks into a dead run and sweeps behind the Royalist lines to engage Shadow Kindred. At the same time, Ravenwood on the crowd side mirrors this move going after the Rebel Commanders. Outcome is determined by the day.

Resurrection and Closing:
The cry of resurrection is given. The groups form their ranks, and are introduced in turn. We all leave the field in triumph. NO MORE THAN 3 MINUTES OF DIALOGUE!