I have this Saturday eve past, partook of a Pas d'Armes of singular and excellent nature.

The Company of the Swan and Cross, God Bless them and their works, did host an affair at Edzell Castle in Scotland. The day having been filled with divers joyful Meleés and fanciful contests at arms, and of the early evening all the glad host there present given repast of a splendid feast, with noble entertainments and diversions aplenty, then did the company, as they have each year of these past ten, retire to the castle and at midnight, by light of many torches, hold their Pas d'Armes.

Those of the Company there present were Sir Michael de Brad, Master Rhys Terafan, and Master Aethstan, Captain of that Company.

Those other Lords present were Thorfinn Sigurdson, Thorkill Morr, Roderick de Preston Vallius Serebrekrovna, Thomas de Hampton, Brian O'Miurchu and my own self Robert of Canterbury There was also present a Foreigner by name of Kadakh Ba'atuur who having proved courteous and being accounted by his people's fashion of noble birth, the company were pleased to entertain him also.

Sir Michael did address those people there present and after his glad words did the Tenans make challenges unto the Venans. To a number of good blows or of blows attempted or other such as pleased both parties. Much play was made with Glaives, but the most was had with the tourney batons, those excellent constructs of some foot and a half of length, and goodly weight, whereby a man may get stout blows therefrom with scant chance of grievous harm. Much play was had in good spirit with many challenges joyful solemn and blithe. My fortune was to be challenged by Sir Michael de Brad, and I was pleased to meet him with the glaive, to play a bout with no hold or let in intent for a good slow count of twenty, by Master Aethstan's reckoning. Our salutes and remembrances made, did we lay on with a will, and right furious was the pass, and I had a good many stout and worthy blows of the good Knight, and was pleased to serve him in similar stead, each according to our station.

By time I had the honour to challenge Master Rhys Terafan, and to improve his excellent humour He and I were pleased to make play over a pollaxe held by his companions, and each man grasping the axe that we might be sure of our noble opponent. For this enterprise did we arm ourselves with the tourney batons, and at our mutual pleasure did we lay about each other for thirty of the count. By Saint Thomas, it was a hot affair, with blows beyond count and a great passion and joy of the enterprise in the both of us. Never have I known time to pass so long, and yet be so glad of it. At the Captains cry did we fall each into each others arms and cry our thanks. The lords and ladies there present were moved to give some small cheer to us, of which were we right glad. Soon after every comer having been challenged and made challenge in return did we all give thanks, and retire.

Grant you all the fortune to repair to Edzell in future years there to enjoy the pleasure of such a Pas d'Armes

Robert of Canterbury