The Company of the Grail has come to the current outline after careful study of other Tourney company practices, and historical research. Essentially the pas de'armes is a challenge of peace. One or more defenders, known popularly as the 'tenans', would make it known that they would hold a particular place on a particular day. Such challenges were designed to showcase the prowess, courtesy, and in general to celebrate the knightly virtues with a demonstration of prowess and Chivalry.
Within the SCA, The Company of the Grail will strive to explore and present the pas d'armes as a tournament format. We believe that this format is a useful tool for exploring all parts of the knightly character that which we expect of all combatants, whether belted or not. In the pas d'armes, combatants challenge one another for the pleasure of the combat-not for victory. They speak of their motives, their consorts, of the virtues of their opponent. All of this serves to set in their mind why it is they compete upon the field. In reality, renown is the coin of victory for the combatant, and renown is earned within the SCA lists not so much by 'winning' the list as by demonstrating skill (prowess) and the other knightly virtues: Loyalty, Courage, Generosity, Humility, Fidelity, and Faith. If a fighter displays these qualities people will remember them well. These qualities are what is best in men, and will define the means by which one is measured when on the field of honor.
The First step in having a pas de’ armes is establishing who is going to Autocrat the event, or which event the tourney will be run at. If the pas d’ armes is going to be run at an established event the Company Steward must contact and work with the Autocrat to insure there are no complications. If an event needs to be scheduled, the Baronial authorities must be contacted and consulted. However this document will not concern itself with event scheduling. Once a time, and place has been determined by the company for the pas de’ armes. The company can issue a Declaration to the Kingdom through the Kingdom newsletter, and Baronial publications. |
