Vision

The vision of the Emprise of the Black Lion is to adopt as many attributes as possible from King René's treatise and incorporate them into an event which is enjoyable for SCA equestrians, heavy fighters, archers, and spectators.

Judges

As to the makeup of the four judges, King René recommends:

And you ought to know that the appellant lord always ought to choose half the judges: that is, two from the country of the defendant lord, and the other two from his own country or elsewhere, at his pleasure: and he ought right willingly to choose the judges from the most notable, honorable and ancient barons, knights and squires that he can find, who have seen the most and travelled and who are reputed wiser and more knowledgeable about feats of arms than other men.

How the Emprise of the Black Lion is similar:

How the Emprise of the Black Lion is different:

Advertising

To advertise the tournament, King Rene recommends:

Hereafter follows the form and manner in which you should cry the tourney...

And to make this better known, all princes, lords, barons, knights and squires of the above marches, and others from whatsoever nations they are, not banished or enemies of the king, our lord, who wish to tourney to acquire honor, may carry these little shields that will be given out presently, so that everyone may know who are the tourneyers. And anyone can have them who wants: the little shields are quartered with the arms of the four knights and squires who are judges of the tourney.

How the Emprise of the Black Lion is similar:

Crests

All mounted competitors are encouraged to create a crest of a historically accurate size.

Heralds and Heraldry

Herald involvement and heraldic pageantry will be a major component of the Emprise of the Black Lion. Heraldry in all of its forms will be encouraged: banners, caparisons, pennants, and of course a tabard on your Herald.

Introductions

All competitors are encouraged to send a letter of introduction to the noble judges ahead of the tournament, using words stylistically similar to (or directly from) the King René text.

Dancing

For evening entertainment, King René recommends:

On the evening after the lords, knights and squires arrive, and the judges as well, all the ladies and damsels who have come to see the festival should assemble in a great room after supper...

Similarly, all other knights and squires should come at that hour to the hall. Then, by the order of the judges, dancing should begin...

And tomorrow, there is nothing else for you to do except that there is a dance after supper, as today.

After this has been announced, the dancing should begin again, and last as long as the judges like. Then they should bring out wine and spices...

How the Emprise of the Black Lion is similar: