[Artemisia] Rose and Butterfly Tournament at Uprising 28

[Mike Bradley]

Unto the Ladies of the Rose and Ladies of the Papillion of Artemisia,

and to the Ladies of the Rose and Ladies of the various orders for former
Princesses in whatever grand Kingdoms and Principalities this missive may
reach,

and as well, to those that fight with rapier within and beyond the borders
of the Kingdom that will be attending Uprising XXVIII in the Splendid
Peacock Lands of One Thousand Eyes in the Noble and Glorious Sovereign
Lands of Artemisia

Does HL Conchobhar mac Michil, by the Grace of Their Gryphon Majesties,
Defender of the White Scarf, send heartfelt and warm Greetings and
Salutations.

As Uprising draws close upon us, so does the time for setting aside
fighting for personal glory and raise arms in honorable combat for the
glory of the Queens, Princesses, Ladies of the Rose, Papillion, Stag, and
Solar Leaf (and all of the other Orders for Viscountesses) who have
supported and inspired the rapier community for all of these years.  It is,
once again time for the Rose and Butterfly Rapier Tournament, now in it's
11th year!

As a quick side not before repeating the rules (that most people know by
now), I would like to say as we enter the second decade of this tournament,
it has been my utmost pleasure to have founded, sponsored and run (most
years) the Rose and Butterfly Tourney.  If anyone would like to make
suggestions on changes/improvements/whatever, please send them *privately*
to me via email - connor.mac.michil at gmail.com

Now, on to the rules...

Those fighters wishing to enter must have a sponsor. Said sponsor must be a
member of the Order of theRose (i.e., a Countess or Duchess), a Lady of the
Papillion[1] (Viscountess) or a currently seated Queen, Princess, or Heir
to one of those titles. Those Ladies eligible to sponsor fighters may
sponsor one fighter for each reign that they did serve; any variance from
that rule is at the whim of myself.  It should be noted that my whim always
includes reigning Queens and Princesses being able to sponsor as many
fighters as they wish, and to allow Crown Princesses and Tanistas (or
whatever Principalites call the Princess' Heir these days) to count their
upcoming reign when determining the number of fighters they can sponsor.
(For example, HG Renee could sponsor three fighters, twice Queen of
Artemisia and once Princess of Artemisia.) All fighters must have a letter
of marque from their Lady Sponsor, or be presented in person to the Marshal
of the Tournament (HL Conchobhar) on the day of the tournament before the
tournament starts.  My personal preference is for an e-mail from the
sponsor in advance, but hand-written and mailed or delivered by hand are
fine as well.  Even if you will have a hand-written letter (some of which
have been beautifully done and I love receiving) a quick email of intent
from the fighter or sponsor would be greatly appreciated (and by 'greatly
appreciated' I mean 'pretty pretty please?' as the more paperwork and
tourney prep I can get done before the tourney, the less time fighters are
waiting to cross blades while I get it all together).

The format for the Tournament will likely be, as it has in recent years, be
pooled fights, followed by a single elimination fight of the top fighters
from the pools.  Weapons are up to the fighter, unless the sponsor of the
fighter declares otherwise.  Meaning, fighters should bring their best, not
just match weapons with their opponents.

At this time, the list for the 11th Annual Rose and Butterfly Tournament is
now open.

In service to the Dream, the Crown of Artemisia, the Ladies of the Rose and
Papillion, and the Arte of Defense,
Don Conchobhar mac Michil, DWS Artemisia


[1] Or any one of the Orders for former Princesses.