Seagirt Trials for Serjeants, Yeomen and Gallants

Persona Development
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All candidates are expected to have developed a persona. To this end, all candidates will submit a 200-word write-up to the Baroness one month before the trials. The SYG package will contain a list of questions that should be addressed in the write-up. In the opening court of the trials, all candidates will present themselves to the baroness giving a brief introduction in persona. Finally, candidates should choose one category ( i.e. bardic) that they will make appropriate to their persona. Suggestions will be offered in the SYG package.

Heraldry
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To display the candidate's knowledge of heraldry, when they present themselves at opening court, they shall wear or carry (any or all) a surcoat, banner, shield or buckler bearing their device which they have submitted to the heralds for registration. These items should be large enough to be clearly viewed at 20 feet distance.

If a candidate has been unable to register their device due to difficulties at the College of Heralds, they shall not be penalized; however, their name and device must be in submission prior to the commencement of the trials.

Each candidate shall be able to blazon his or her own device, the Barony's, the Baroness's the Kingdom's and one other selected by the judge. From a selection of devices chosen by the Baronial Herald (or representative) the candidate must identify the owner of 70% of the devices. The selection of the tester will be made from the list available in the Serjeantry package.

These will include:

1. The arms of the King, Queen, Prince and Princess and Principalities.
2. The personal arms of the Baron and Baroness.
3. The devices of the principal officers of the Barony.
4. The devices of the local regional groups and some of their prominent citizenry.
5. The devices of the Serjeants, Yeomen and Gallants of the Barony.
6. The arms of the Defenders of Seagirt.
7. The badges of offices such as marshall, herald, chirurgeon, etc.

Games
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To demonstrate the candidate's ability with games, they shall set up a chess board, name the pieces, describe their moves and be able to play at least 10 moves against the Games Tester. The applicant shall play a game of Nine Mens' Morris so that tactical ability may be tested. They shall also name five additional medieval games and be familiar with the rules for playing them. These may be active, board, dice or card games and the candidate should be able to verbally describe them and rules of play.

Dance
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During the trials a set of ten dances will be played. Candidates will be expected to dance a minimum of two dances, preferably one Court dance such as a Pavanne or Gailliard and one country dance such as a Bransle or a Montarde. The SYG package will list the testable dances. In addition, candidates will be expected to perform the Korobuschka in armour.

Bardic
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Seagirt is known for its bardic circles and feast entertainment. As was expected of a gentle of the Middle Ages, a member of the Serjeantry should be able to offer a song or story or in some wise entertain. These performances must be period or in period style; no modern music. They may be about any person, event, place or thing from either the Middle Ages or the Current Middle Ages with no mundane references or terminology. Any music performed should be on a period instrument. A candidate may have accompaniment with his performance. Group entries are also permissible but must be cleared with the Baroness ahead of time.

A period song, story or poem

An instrumental performance

An instrumental performance of an original piece of music

An original poem in period style

An original story written in traditional form.

A song fitted to a period piece of music

A dramatic performance Any original piece must have been written or composed by the candidate. This is a test of ability to perform a piece in public, a test of confidence; the judges aren't looking for professional-quality performances or writing.

Deportment
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Serjeants, Yeomen and Gallants are expected to be honourable, courteous gentles who embody the SCA ideals of chivalric behaviour. To examine candidates' conduct in these areas, their names will be given to the gentles of the Barony for their observation. On the Sunday morning of the Serjeants' Trials they will gather to comment on the candidates' performance not only during the event but also in general. These standards will help guide their observations:

• Courteous gentles know their worth. They have no false modesty, but will not thrust themselves forward continuously as the first of equals. They are quick to praise others but do not praise themselves untruly.
  
• Courteous gentles honour and keep their word and therefore give it not impetuously or in jest. They speak truthfully or not at all.
  
• They speak considerately and with respect to all, holding those of equal station superior and those of lesser station as equals.
  
• They are always quick to offer assistance by word and deed to any requiring it.
  
• They are hospitable, sharing whatever they have, no matter how little, and receive hospitality from others gracefully.

All of the candidates will be asked to present themselves individually to the courts and to answer 1-2 questions for the populace. Questions might be things like "Why do you want to become a Serjeant?" or "What do you expect to change in your SCA life after earning your Serjeantry?"

Military Expertise
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The military sciences offer the key to victory on the battlefield. As the primary training force in the SCA, the Serjeants, Yeomen and Gallants must have a level of expertise that will allow them to train others adequately. As they may be called upon to offer training in many periods and types of terrain, they must have a knowledge that spans centuries and continents. To successfully attain the rank of Serjeant-at-Arms, Yeoman or Gallant in the Barony of Seagirt, the candidate must show a good comprehension of military sciences. This includes castles and fortifications, siege weapons, tactics, arms and armour, and knowledge of historical battles.

Historical Battles
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The candidates must display knowledge of historical battles or wars by presenting a verbal presentation on a chosen historical battle. This should include composition of the opposing forces, terrain, reason for the battle, the leaders of the opposing forces, the outcome of the battle and its effects.
Candidates may choose from the list below:

Battle of Stirling Battle of Tours Battle of Agincourt Battle of Stamford Bridge Battle of Crecy Siege of Acre Battle of St. Albans Battle of Lake Peipus Heiman Campaign Battle of the Downs

Battle of Granada Battle of Hastings Battle of Bosworth Field Battle of the Horns of Hattin Battle of Bannockburn Crusades (pick one) 2nd Battle of St. Albans Battle of Manzikert Battle of Hokkaido Bay Defeat of the Spanish Armada

An alternate battle may be chosen with prior approval of the Baroness.

Castle Design
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Candidates must be able to explain the history of a castle; i.e., motte ==> motte and bailey ==> curtain wall ==> curtain walls and donjon with projecting towers, etc. Candidates must also show a working knowledge of the terminology associated with castles and fortification design, and be able to identify castle components. They must also be able to discuss how to attack and defend various types of castles, and give examples from history of sieges and castle defenses.

Siege Weapons
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The candidate must have a firm understanding of siege weapons and the laying of sieges. This will include identifying basic siege mechanisms such as tension, torsion and traction machines, and basic weapon types and how they were used in battle.

Combat Leadership
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All candidates must have SCA legal war armour and weapons appropriate to their discipline.

All candidates must be able to lead SCA forces in battle, and show their knowledge of tactics. Leadership will include proper usage of heavy fighters and other types of combatants, movement of troops and various styles of field leadership. Candidates must be able to actively lead their troops and utilize them in battle. Candidates will be expected to be able to take over groups of fighters on short notice and attempt to use tactics and leadership in battle. Candidates should also be able to show on the field how and where to use different types of fighters (shieldwallmen, pole-armers, archers, scouts, dragoons etc.). Serjeant applicants will be able to perform in a shield wall as well as in other parts of the army.

Arms and Armour
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Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of armour designs from before the 12th century through the Middle Ages. A handout for candidates will include pictures and descriptions of those various armour styles. Candidates should be able to identify different types of armour (construction and styles) of the most commonly worn suits throughout the above periods. Candidates must also be able to name the various parts of a suit of armour with both modern and period names; i.e., arm piece = vambrace, breastplate = plastron, etc.

The candidates must display familiarity with the anatomy of a sword, demonstrating knowledge of the evolution of swords through rapiers. They should also be knowledgeable of the various types of weapons used in the period, and be able to identify them and their parts.

The candidates should be able to name and discuss the use of a variety of period missile weapons. They should demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of missile weapons and their significance (i.e. bow - longbow - crossbow).

Tactics
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Candidates will be given a hypothetical SCA war scenario. They must demonstrate their knowledge of tactics by creating a battle plan and presenting it to the judges. Whenever there is more than one Serjeant applicant, they will be required to act as a team. An example will be provided on the prep-handouts.