A regular fixture of the Stormhold calendar, Monthly Bash is a day filled with medieval fun of all sorts. Comprising of heavy and rapier tournaments, and members of the populace pursuing their own interests – singing, sewing, dancing and much more. Some months may have a particular theme or special activity, and there’s always something going on. This is a garbed event, and loaner gear is generally available. If you need to borrow gear, please contact the Hospitaller Lady Fionnghuala nic an tSionnaigh.
Bring a picnic, some craft projects, your armour… Whatever you want! Just be sure to bring yourself. Bookings are not required.

Water and toilets available on site.

The theme for the June Monthly Bash will be ‘Lindisfarne 793 AD’.
In June 793 AD (CE), Vikings attacked a monastic settlement on the island of Lindisfarne, just off the Northumbrian coast. This raid had such an impact across Europe that despite there being no archaeological evidence for it, only literary sources, it is still remembered today due to the shockwaves it sent through society at the time. Although not the first Viking raid on the island of Britain, it is considered to mark the beginning of the Viking Age. Today we associate Lindisfarne with the exquisitely illuminated manuscript of Christian Gospels which currently resides in the British Library. The artistic traditions represented by the monks on Lindisfarne point to the moment of conception for an exciting period of medieval English art which brought with it artistic cultural influences from the east combined with Celtic iconography of the British Isles. Styles combining influences from far flung places such as Rome and Egypt.

The Armoured Tourney will be either ‘Valhalla’ or ‘Holmgang’ style, depending on the number of fighters on the day.

The Rapier Tourney will be in ‘Round Robin Best of Three’ format.

The Arts and Sciences competition theme is: ‘Lindisfarne 793 AD’. Competitors are asked to submit an artistic work in any style which they consider relates to the theme ‘Lindisfarne 793 AD’. Entries will be judged with reference to the Lochac Arts and Sciences Judging Rubric which assigns points under the following five categories: Workmanship; Authenticity; Process; Complexity; and Documentation. A statement from the artisan on how they consider their item links to the competition theme of ‘Lindisfarne 793 AD’ should be included for judging as a part of the artisan’s creative process.

Image source: Gorleston Psalter, England (Suffolk), 1310-1324, Add MS 49622, f. 210v, held by the British Library.