Ladies fighting in crowns (was RE: [SCA-AE] Crown fighting questions and a WNY storrm update)

[KaziBrionSCA]

<<Out of curiousity, M'Lady... how far did Lady Ariella get in the first
round? It's so rare to have a lady fighting for Crown, I'd love to know how
well she did in the battles.

Lady Kathryn MacLuing>>

Way back when the world was young, Brion and I fought for one another for
the first time ever, for the crown of the East.  At that time I was the only
lady in the list and had to fight in a borrowed helmet, since mine failed
inspection.  Upon inserting a spare knee-pad in the helm, I could actually
see my opponent from hips down.  My opponents were Sir Wulfstan and Master
Ruslan.  I almost legged one of them (a leg being the only target I could
see), but they got away.  It was a good time anyway, and the best part was
when I got off the field, I threw my  swords down and took off the pasta pot
off my head, two mundane teenagers who were watching gasped like stranded
fish:  "But...but...that's a GIRL!"  That was kind of fun.

The next royal tourney we entered was several years later, for the last
Coronet of Æthelmearc. Brion came in second to Kyle that year.  I
distinguished myself by being late into the list because I had to change a
diaper (fighting Havoc, I think), and then lots of people asked if they can
take a picture of me popping my breastplate, undoing my gambeson, and
breastfeeding the several-month old Miranda.  That was fun, too.

Then Brion and I fought for one another in several Crown Tourneys here in
Æthelmearc.  I lose count....  In one, Brion was in the finals and it rained
and his back was going out and he was in pain:  I remember asking TRM's
Christopher and Maruya if, since we are a *combatant couple*, I can go and
finish the other guy off.  No, I couldn't.  Darn.  I even had a target all
picked out.  

My height of accomplishment was to actually kill somebody in the Crown here
and there and not just be "2-and-out", and I even legged Sir Henri once, but
he didn't keep still after that :-)

Other women I have fought along with in the Crowns here in Aethelmearc were
Mistress Berengeria and Mistress Aiobhail, and Lady Sabina, and I think Lady
Eowyn.  I think HRM Morgen as well.  I am sure I am leaving people out.
Fighting as a part of a "combatant couple" was a special joy.  It was a team
effort.  The only drawback was not being able to watch one another's fights
in a larger list.  To those ladies who fight and who have their lords fight
for them in a Crown Tournament, I highly recommend that they consider
entering as well.  It’s a different tournament from any other, and even
though it's not exactly "scary", it's certainly a memorable experience.

Lady Kazi (who retired her blade some 2 years ago for health reasons, for
those of you who don't know)