As the fall winds start to blow and the leaves of the trees begin to collect on the ground this time of year, the hunt begins to prepare for the winter. As is our tradition, the Shire of Care Adamant hunts for its new Champions.
CHAMPIONS DETERMINED AT THIS EVENT
–Fencing Champion
–Gaming Champion
–Shire Champion (armored combat)
–Tournament Champion (armored combat)
View Champion Eligibility and History
CALL TO ARMS! ARMORED COMBAT TOURNAMENT
Come, all ye armored fighters, show your skills at arms in the Tournament of the Fallen Stag in the Shire of Caer Adamant. Gather your weapons and arrive prepared to fight in a Bear Pit style, timed points tournament for official bragging rights!
Fighters will spin our WHEEL OF DOOM to determine the weapon form(s) they charge into battle wielding. The Wheel of Doom could have sword and round shield, two weapons, great weapon or spear, so bring everything you own! There may be more slots for other weapons forms. Will axes show up? Broken Lances? Flailing Cats? Rats on a stick? Only the Marshal knows and we haven’t heard – yet. Bribery might work, depending upon the bribe. No one has tried it yet…
FENCING TOURNAMENT
The Rapier Championship will be fought in a round robin format, with the finals being determined by the number of fencers attending. If there is interest and participants, we will have a short cut and thrust tournament/display.
GAMES TOURNAMENT
Step away from the battlefield and test your wits at the gaming table! Join us for a tournament of historic medieval board games such as Alquerque, Fox and Geese, Nine Men’s Morris, and Glückshaus. All skill levels are welcome—whether you’re a seasoned strategist or just learning the rules. Come play like your life depends on it!
TOURNAMENT ENTRY (Food Drive)
The Tournament of the Fallen Stag is also our fight for a good cause! Entry for the tournaments is the donation of unexpired, nonperishable food items for donation to the Food Bank of Delaware. Every year, we strive to beat the total pounds of donated food from the previous year with the hope of helping those whose winter stores are yet to be filled.
POTLUCK LUNCH (please donate)
Everyone is encouraged to contribute to and partake of the Potluck Lunch. Please ensure your fully cooked dish to pass will serve 10-15 people, label it with its name & ingredients and cut it into individual servings. There are a limited number of electric outlets at the pavilion, please plan accordingly (bring your extension cord). Remember your serving spoon/utensil.
As with any potluck, foods offered may contain ingredients that are allergens to some, please plan accordingly; bring your own food, as desired.
SPECTATORS (come one, come all)
All are welcome and encouraged to watch the efforts of the combatants and the wearing of pre-17th century garb is encouraged. The Shire will have its Gold Key (period clothing that can be borrowed, free of charge, for the day) on hand and available.
Bring your favorite seat and personal feast gear (a bowl, plate, cup, cutlery, and a napkin would serve you well). Pop-up tents are welcome.
DATE
Fall of 2026
LOCATION
Delaware
SCHEDULE
TBD
REGISTRATION FEES
TBD. Everyone attending the event must either present a SCA membership card demonstrating proof that a signed waiver is on file at the Member Services office or sign a waiver at the gate.
LOCAL FOOD DRIVE
We will be collecting food donations to help feed the hungry in Delaware. Your donation can change a life. –Please consider bringing an unexpired, non-perishable food item and placing it in the drop-off area at the event. All donations will go to the Food Bank of Delaware.–
MORE INFO
Check back here as event information will be updated as it becomes available.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Event Steward:
TBD, use “Fallen Stag” in the subject line
Deputy Steward:
TBD, use “Fallen Stag” in the subject line
HOW IT CAME TO BE KNOWN AS THE “TOURNAMENT OF THE FALLEN STAG“
In 2011, whilst the warriors of the Shire did gather for their customary practice in the arts of armored combat, one among them espied a stag, fallen and lifeless, lying at the field’s edge. The noble beast remained there many weeks, undisturbed, as though in solemn vigil.
In that season, talk arose among the fighters of naming a new armored combat Shire Champion. One bold voice among them did propose the tournament be called the Tournament of the Fallen Stag, in remembrance of the creature who had, in stillness and silence, borne witness to their training. Thus was the name bestowed and a new tournament began.