Spring Crown Tournament 2025
May 24th, 2025
100 Haddington St, Caledonia, ON N3W 2N4
Information
The Barony of Ben Dunfirth welcomes you to a bright new hall in Caledonia for the Spring Crown Tournament of King Gannicus and Queen Mægwynn on May 24th.
Most activities will be planned for indoors. There will be coat racks in the foyer, please store extra belongings there. There will not be space for personal presences in the hall, however, there will be space for consort and combatant presences and for the Royal family including landed Baronial Nobles.
Changing will be in the standard washroom facilities. The site is fully accessible and there is an accessible washroom. Please note that pets are not permitted, with the exception of service animals.
Weather permitting, there is a park next door where Rapier can take place dependent on the outdoor conditions (We are still trying to find out whether there will be a pickleball court construction project started in the park, our apologies).
Youth activities including crafts and minor combat will happening rain or shine. Some special outdoor fun, The Kids Highland Games, will be weather dependent.
New to the SCA?
We’re always delighted to welcome newcomers! For more information on what to expect, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section on our Who We Are page.
Entry
You must check in with the Gatekeeper when you arrive. You will also be required to sign a waiver if you are attending as a non-member. Pre-registration is not required.
Attending with Children
SCA events are open to people of all ages, but parents of children will need to sign a waiver at the Event Gate for their children.
However if you are bringing a child for whom you are not the parent or legal guardian, you will need to bring:
- A complete signed minor waiver (PDF) or signed blue card
- A complete signed minor medical waiver (PDF) (2 copies)
Please see Ealdormere’s Attending with Children page for more details.
Entry Fees
Adult
- $30 for non-members
Youth (under 18)
- Free for non-members
Adult
- $30 for non-members
Youth (under 18)
- Free for non-members
*Cheques must be made out to “SCA – Ben Dunfirth”
Schedule
9:00 AM – Site opens
10:00 AM – Children’s crafts
11:00 AM – Opening Court & Procession
12:00 PMish – Crown Tournament begins after Procession at Their Majesty’s Discretion
Note: All activities will pause when the Semi-Finals begin
12:00 PM – Fencing (weather permitting)
12:00 PM – Lunch table opens
1:00–4:00 PM – (or after Tourney) Her Majesties’ Reading Room & Ask an Expert
1:00–4:00 PM – Youth combat and more crafts
2:00 PM – Dancing
4:00 PM – Kids Highland Games (weather permitting)
5:00 PM – Court at their Majesties Discretion
6:30 PM – Feast
6:30 PM – Bardic Canadian Culture Filk Challenge
9:00 PM – Site closes
Additional Details
Her Majesty’s Reading Room & Ask an Expert
Following the tournament, guest “experts” from amongst those competed or were inspiration as consorts will be sharing some books on their areas of interest and taking turns at the “Ask me” table. Please feel welcome to join this area to peruse books and geek out on various topics. Countess Arlette and Her Excellency Lucia Prime will coordinate.
Teen Lounge
We invite youth to this bright, comfortable corner where you can sketch, read, stitch, or play games. This table is reserved for your use. Please note that this is not an organized activity, just space that you can use how you wish.
Dance
For those who haven’t tried English Country dance, and for those who fondly remember when we all danced in the SCA, Vicountess Genevieve la Flechiere will lead the dance. Her Excellency will teach the fun and simple steps before each dance. No skill is required. You are all invited to join in as the dance will take the list after the Tourney ends.
Bardic Arts
His Excellency Dietrich will coordinate bardic arts for the feast. Please contact Dietrich if you wish to perform.
Bardic Canadian Culture Filk Challenge
A special challenge has gone out for Canadian Culture filk. Take a Canadian song and make it fit in with our historical event, or take a historical song and sub in words that reflect the culture of Canada. Let’s see if we can amuse Their Majesties in a way unique to our Northern Kingdom.
Combatants
From their Majesties
- Duke Trumbrand the Wanderer for Duchess Kaylah the Cheerful
- Duchess Kaylah the Cheerful for Duke Trumbrand the Wanderer
- Sir Brand Thorwaldsen for Duchess Jocea Valente
- Duke Siegfried Brandbeorn for Mistress for Mistress Augusta Weyfare
- Master Kol Skatkaupandi for Mistress Wencenedl of Rokesburg
- The Baron Tanon for the The Honourable Lady Eeva the Restless
- Sir Tristham Ovinra I Groffa for the Baroness Anneke the Furious
- Master Gajin Suren(Bahadur) for the Lady Melanya Volodymyrova
- The Honourable Noble Bellatrix Hespeler for The Noble Fischer of Ben Dunfirth
- Noble Fischer of Ben Dunfirth for The Honourable Noble Bellatrix Hespeler
Tournament Format
Format A:
If there are 7 or less combatants, it will be a round robin with each Bout best 2 of three fights with weapons of choice. Once all combatants have completed the round robin the top two shall be our Finalists. If there are ties to decide the final two, those tied combatants will fight a deciding Bout the winners moving on to the Final.
The Final will be best 2 out of 3 Bouts, with each Bout consisting of best 2 of 3 fights. The first two Bouts will be with matched weapons. The initial weapon choice goes to the fighter with higher precedence, the second Bout will be fought with the weapon of choice from the fighter with lower precedence. The third Bout, if needed, will be individual choice.
Format B:
If there are 8 or more combatants, it will be a standard double elimination tree.
With each Bout being a best 2 of 3 fights with weapon of choice. This will continue until there are two fighters on the winner’s side (side A) of the tree and two fighters on the side with a single loss (Side B). A cross over will then be done with every effort to ensure fighters who have not already faced each other are paired. If this is not possible pairings shall be randomly carried out by Her Majesty. Each of these Bouts will be best 2 out of 3 using weapons of choice. The fighter from side A will need to win one Bout best 2 out of 3 fights. The fighter from Side B will need to win two Bouts best 2 out of 3 fights.
The Final will be best 2 out of 3 Bouts, with each Bout consisting of best 2 of 3 fights. The first two Bouts will be with matched weapons. The initial weapon choice goes to the fighter with higher precedence, the second Bout will be fought with the weapon of choice from the fighter with lower precedence. The third Bout, if needed, will be individual choice.
Lunch
We have decided to make a lunch you haven’t seen at an SCA event. Something hardy and hopefully that most will like.
Uncle J is preparing a pottage for vegan eaters and splitting it to have portions available with chicken.
I am making hardy portions of baked mac’n’cheese as well as baked drum sticks seasoned with salt and pepper. The drum sticks can easily be changed into a home staple of mine, chicken wing flavoured drum sticks complete with celery and carrots. Post fighting food at the pub while you watch crown.
Please make sure you bring your own hand cleaning things… don’t blame me if you get it on your garb. :-). You will also need your own feast gear.
We will also have rolls, fresh fruits.
—Baron Alexander Gladstone
Lunch is $7 per person, first-come first-serve. Pre-registration is not required and your lunch token may be paid for at gate. Please provide your own feast gear.
The event is in town so local restaurants are also close by (see below for recommendations).
Please contact Baron Alexander Gladstone (photosbyalex@cogeco.ca) if you have concerns about any food sensitivities. A breakdown of ingredients including allergen warnings is currently pending.
Denotes Vegetarian
Lunch Menu
Feast
Feast will be $20 per person. Pre-registration for feast is REQUIRED.
We will be serving a four-course meal, cooked by Ren (they/them) and Gabriel Ryan (they/them) featuring Indigenous dishes and wild game meat.
A breakdown of ingredients including allergen warnings is also available below:
First Course
Three Sisters Stew with Bread & Garlic Confit
Second Course
Spring Salmon with Wild Rice
Main Course
Bison Meat with Roasted Roots and Masânâhtik
Wild Rice Sauté With Sweet Potato (by order only)
Dessert
Fruit Medley and Bannock with Sugar and Berry Compote
Denotes Vegetarian
Looking for local restaurants?
The Webminister recommends the following eateries in-town:
Fresh Cut Fries Chip Wagon: A few minutes walk from the event site. The Chip Truck serves excellent fish & chips with super generous portions. You’ll also find all the food truck classics—burgers, hot dogs, and crispy chicken.
Oasis Drive-In: This place has been open since 1927 and is likely the oldest drive-in in Canada. The menu features original recipes from 1927 including classic burgers, fries, and hot dogs, many with a unique spin. They also hit that sweet craving with a wide selection of ice cream.
Tastebudz Pizza: Take-out orders only, but the absolute best pizza in town. They offer a large variety of classic, signature, and gourmet pizzas. I highly recommend the Chicken Caesar for the most delicious, buttery crust you’ll ever have.
Argyle St. Grill: Cozy sit-down grill with indoor and patio seating what offers quality pub-style and fusion fare. Lots of variety in the menu so there’s usually something for everyone.
The Real Hammer Hogs BBQ: Lively sit-down barbeque restaurant that plays live music on Saturdays. A modest exterior hides a room full of colourful art murals on every wall.
Scoops Diner: Located in Caledonia’s Fairgrounds at the side of the Riverside Exhibition Centre. 25 flavours of ice cream and super generous scoops.