Be it known,

by all to whom these words come that five good men of the Company of Noble Folly seek the pleasure and brotherhood of chivalrous combat.

This company whose names follow -- Count Sir Valarious Pencalvus, Baron Caer Anterth Mawr-, Master Cadwallen y' Rhudd, of the Order of the Laurel; Sir Corwyn ap Rhys Greyrider; Lord Saeric Scireharn, esquire; and Lord Urien Aflonyddwynt, esquire -- being desirous of performing noble feats of arms and wishing to achieve favour in the eyes of their ladies do make this challenge.

That on the Seventh Day of August, A.S. XXLX, in the shire of Falcon's Keep, these gentlemen shall appear armed cap a pied to defend passages at arms from all comers, in the manner of their noble ancestors.

The company, Knowing well the courtesy and prowess of gentles residing in the Principality of Northshield, seeks a symbol to represent those qualities. Therefore each member of the Company has pledged to wear upon the list a crest with a device which will embody the noble attributes of Northshield's citizens. The company invites all who witness the passage at arms to remark how well the various emblems exemplify the character of Northshield and how well the emblems embellish those who bear them.

Know that the Company shall cause to be set up beside the list a shield-tree which all desiring joyous and honourable combat may strike to signify a challenge to a member of the defendants.
And know that the appellants, those persons making the challenges, may choose from three forms of combat. The first shall be single combat as practiced in the Society. The second shall be single combat with counted blows wherein each combatant may throw only an agreed-upon number of blows -- usually five, seven or nine. The third form of combat shall be single combat with great weapons at the barrier.
And know that two times each day the Company will accept challenges for combat in melee from a like number of appellants.
Know that all combat is to be conducted a' plaisance, that is, with weapons of peace and for the joie de combat. Weapons which were used in Tournaments by our glorious predecessors, that is, broadsword, mace, axe, pole-axe, great sword, and spear may be used. Thrusts from swords and daggers, since they are intended to be lethal blows, will not be permitted. Thrusts from pole-axes, great swords and spears will be permitted, provided the heads of those weapons are sufficiently broad.

The Company of Noble Folly beseeches all who hear these words not to construe the intention of this challenge as proceeding from any presumption on their parts. The sole motive is to exalt the practice of arms and to encourage its chivalrous exercise and to make acquaintance by arms of all who would honour the company with their presence.

Written on the occasion of the Coronation of Their Most Royal Majesties, Dag and Ilsa, King and Queen of the Midrealm and Prince and Princess of Northshield.

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Updated on 16 October 1998