Deed of the Red Knight

On October 4, Signum Corvus had the pleasure of attending the Deed of the Red Knight – a historical reenactment hosted by La Compagnia della Rosa nel Sole in Hastings. In addition to a historical campsite with a roaring campfire and on-site armourer, the event reenacted group battles and several combat scenarios including a battle for a bridge, protecting a fortress and conducting a forest raid. The event was a massive success and those of us who attended had an incredible time. We had a truly memorable experience. We will certainly be attending again and encourage more of our members to take part next year!  Below is a recounting of the day’s events in a historical epic narrative style. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed taking part!

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October 4, 1370 AD

A violent campaign was raging in the far lands of Hasting. Two armies who had long forgotten their reason for war were locked in stalemate combat which seemed to have no end. The conflict was so bloody it was known to many as the “Deed of the Red Knight”. Desperate for victory, the commander of La Compagnia della Rosa nel Sole sent word to the ferocious condoterri - La Compagnia Del Corvo hoping to retain their services to turn the tide of battle. The Lord Commander of the infamous company, Condottiere Nicolucci Ginocchiaforti, reviewed the proposed contract from Della Rosa with glee and summoned his finest warriors – the company would accept the contract and set forth to battle. Among the ranks of La Compagnia included Andriy the Fell-Handed, Jeffery the Pipe Breaker, Nikola the Bald, Luka Blackmane, Matthew the Burred, Kevin the Short, John Sun’s Bane, and Gennadiy Ironshield.

The Company departed their ancient homelands in southern Ontario for the distant battlefield. Riding many an hour, they arrived in Hasting early in the morning on October 4. The land was laden with a heavy fog, hiding the battle-scarred fields. A red sun rose that morning – blood was to be spilled that day. 

The heroes of La Compagnia arrived at the Della Rosa camp. The horizon was dotted with several white tents. The encampment was lively with other adventurers, musicians and armourers – but tense with anticipation of the upcoming battle.  

Their captain mustered the company early and with a rousing speech readied them for battle. Fitting themselves with arms and armour, La Compagnia said their final prayers to their patron saint, Saint Maurice, and took to the field to join the two armies facing off against each other for a mighty pitched battle.  

The two armies stood opposite to each other.  Staring. Measuring one another. Waiting for the signal to march forward. A loud horn blew, and the armies threw themselves against one another in a clash of warriors that had not been seen since the times of Achilles and Hector.  

In the midst of frenzy, the brave commander Nicolucci, with spear in hand, moving nibbly as a nymph and strong as a satyr, made many a powerful (but elegant) thrust to the faces of his enemies – sending them instantly to an early grave and instilling fear among the enemy men-at-arms.

With a mighty roar, Nikola the Bald emerged from the ranks, taking his spear and throwing it like the thunder God Zeus hurling a lightning bolt from Olympus. As the spear hit, his foe bellowed in defeat and fell to the ground. His cries could be heard across the land. 

The heroes of La Compagnia pushed the enemies back to the bridge of Hasting, trapping them in a cauldron of fear. Andriy dropped his spear, unsheathed his sword and charged the captain of the other army. With one mighty cut, he knocked down the captain to the river. 

Despite the heroics of La Compangia, reinforcements of the opposing army arrived. La Compangia was pushed back and divided in two. To avoid being routed - Jeffery Pipe Crusher heroically took to the field to hold back the invading horde to buy time for his fellow warriors. “LA COMPANGIA!” he roared as he took a spear to his leg. In revenge, he took three enemies down  around him. This gave the company time to separate safely, regroup and continue the fight. 

The first half of the company fortified themselves in a nearby fortress for a more defensible position. 

Despite being outnumbered, Kevin the Tall, Luka Blackmane, and John Sun’s Bane from La Compangia, successfully overcame the opposing men-at-arms who surrounded them. One by one their enemies fell to their attacks. Like an impenetrable stone wall, they could not be defeated. A mighty victory indeed. 

The other half of La Campagnia took to battle in a forest. In the forest, they discovered a holy relic. Such an important relic needed to be protected at all costs, as La Compagnia could use this relic as leverage against the Vatican – a city the men of La Compagnia long dreamt of raiding. Despite the high chance of a surprise attack in the forest, the brave companions ventured through the on protecting the holy relic.  

The deeper the men walked into the woods, the more perilous it became. Out of the thick forest bandits emerged launching a volley of arrows. Gennady, with his mighty shield, blocked three arrows then charged into the forest taking out three bandits with his mighty sword.

John stood in the middle of a path in between his allies and enemies, and bashed his sword against his buckler, taunting them. Like a flash, he flew to an armoured knight, thrusting him in the neck between the plate, instantly killing him. But lo, the fallen knight’s body reacted uncharacteristically, and his undead fist punched John in the face, knocking him back. Yet John simply laughed, such a weak punch could not harm a man of La Compagnia! 

While forging for mushrooms, Matthew the Burred, positioned himself behind a tree as he heard a group of knights approaching him. Covered head to toe with burs from the forest, he camouflaged himself like a shadow in the dark of night. An unsuspecting knight walked past the tree and with the might of a thousand knights on crusade, Matthew repeatedly rained blows to the knight’s head. Once, twice, thrice… five strikes, yet his enemy did not fall. He continued to pummel his opponent, until the final twelfth blow, sending his enemy to the halls of the undead (for his enemy did not fight with courage and was not welcome in eternal paradise). And with that – the final enemy had been defeated. La Compagnia emerged victorious!

After the battles, there was much merriment and rejoicing. The heroic company of swordsmen enjoyed fermented ales, Serbian sausages and goat cheese. A glorious day for La Compagnia! The commander of Della Rosa was so impressed with their courage, bravery and skill at arms, that La Compagnia was invited to another campaign.