Tales of Gulf War 2026

Vittoria Maggiore

My favorite thing was sponsoring a young gentle named Caroline in the Youth Rose tournament. She was lovely and fierce, honorable and kind. We spoke about dresses and training and how you don’t have to choose between being a fighter and a lady. I was bursting with pride that I got to be her Rose.

When I tell you that there are countless people to thank for the amazing time I’ve had for the past week, I speak truly. But I will try.

My entourage team was full of the most kind and caring gentles. They helped me bounce quickly from one thing to the next, handed me the things I needed, and generally tried to keep me from running myself entirely too ragged. Special thanks to Michelle Chantal de Charente and Nicaize Maupetit for being so on top of it all. Special thanks to Megan Flower del Wal and Christine Baucom who got me through some of the toughest physical struggles. Special thanks to Nessa Faulkner, Santiago Rodrigo Draco de Aranjuez, Miles Ridley, Bumi Fong, Floki Geirrekkson, Elizabeth Caton, and Mathias Grünwalt who were absolutely clutch at key moments. We would not be able to do this without you.

Thank you to Their Majesties and their team for being a guiding force. I particularly appreciated that Her Majesty Cristyana Lambrecht asked for me to fight for her in the Ansteorran Rose tournament, a tournament that holds a special place in my heart for what it means to the rapier community. I was happy to give honors to the assembled Roses, especially as the newest member of the Royal House of Ansteorra, because it is those that have come before who have paved the way. I am inspired by the Queens of Rowan’s and Tessa’s line, and have learned so much from all of them.

Thank you to the gentles I was able to sponsor in all the Rose events. You carried my honor on the field and made me so incredibly proud. I dream of participating in these events in future years, but you will always be my first. Jesse Guerrero, Áshildr inn Hárfagri, Runa Bjarki, Baudoyn de Lafayette, and especially Caroline- you have the thanks of a grateful Princess.

Finally, thank you to everyone who believes in the dream of the Middle Ages done the way they should have been. There were over 3 thousand people on site, but it is through the belief of everyone in the society that I got to live out the experience of charging into the fray as a true Warrior Princess. We lead because you believe. Thank you for believing in me.

Humbly, and with great joy,
Princess Vittoria Maggiore

Decimus Cornelius Scaevus

• In the fort battle, Hákon the Blacksmith spied a Trimaris archer taking vile aim at the Ansteorran forces. When that archer fired, Hákon deftly aimed with his own crossbow and fired! Before the Trimarin bolt struck true, it was intercepted by Hákon's own. Hákon sought no praise for this; to him he was just doing his duty to protect his fellow Ansteorran, but I saw a great feat of skill and will boast for him!
• In the ravine, where the forces of Ansteorra and Trimaris clashed, there was an especially dangerous foe who struck down many an Ansteorran. I knew there was only one person I could trust to slay this terror - Elise Green of the Free Company. I frantically searched for her! Upon reaching her, we quickly made our way back to the front line where I pointed out the monster ravaging our forces, his head adorned with a golden crest. Elise took aim with grim determination and deadly accuracy. She loosed her bolt and it struck true, right in his heart, ending his rampage.
• On the final night of Gulf Wars, I faced my most arduous task of the war, for I sought out to learn to dance. I was born with one left hand and two left feet. Fearing there would be none capable of teaching this brute I waited a dance or two before I worked up the courage to step onto the dance floor. That is when Lady Sorcha inghean Sheain mhic Lochlainn approached and offered to teach me, with her guidance I was amazed at my own gracefulness, I only tripped and stumbled fifteen or sixteen times. With calfs and thighs aflame I was able to dance the Amoroso.
• While in defense of the fort - after the rest of the war company was slain - we saw from the sidelines Domina Aurelia Scaeva fending off a Trimaran Knight armed with an axe with only her spear. Tis wasn't just a lucky fluke, either, as mere moments later she did it a second time!

Caterina Giovanni

During the fort battle, His Majesty Ansteorra Creppin asked me to go shoot the siege engineers running a ballista - so with the aid of His Royal Highness Northshield Axel Ulfgarsson as my shield, I went and took them out.

Drew Drake

Ansteorra rapier fighters won and ran a lot of the tournaments this war! Mathias Grünwalt won the Not A MOD tournament that was run by Tuhtal. Techali won the novice tournament that Fifi ran. John Drake won the Ansteorra rose tournament and the Schola Bedford Points tournament run by Orlando Giovanni and I (Drew Drake) won the Women and Gender Minority tournament that was run by Rixende de Rouen!

Escarlata de Granada

• The thrown weapons point was fierce but Dýrrfinna Orðlokarr got a *perfect* score in spears against targets that consternated other comers. She was awarded 2 royal tokens from visiting royalty for her epic performance. She then challenged for an won the Golden Spear after. During her golden Spear Challenge she managed to knock off all targets with 2 spears and used her third to stock a target in the ground for more points like a total beast.
• Ebergardis von Zell had a not perfect but perfectly awesome spears moment that utilized a tactical "missed" spear to knock off all the targets and pull Ansteorra ahead on our very last round.
• Sigrun Í Biarká ran Herald's Point for a third year in a row after a last minute change and for this received a Pelican's blood drop for her exceptional service to the heraldic community.
• Bryn Gwlad fought alongside his Majesty and was given the war banner for our cohesion, bravery, and looking good while fighting.
  

Hákon the Blacksmith

When we switched from defending to attacking the fort, I swapped my usual axe and shield for crossbow. While dueling with the Trimarian archers, a shield-bearing fighter kept me alive for 15 solid minutes. "Well, good job by them" you might say. But the fighter in question was Genevieve from Ironwood Company in the Steppes - a fairly petite fighter, whereas I am closer to a Sasquatch's portly cousin. Yet for 15 minutes, every arrow sent my way was blocked out. "Now THAT is impressive!" you might now say - except in addition to shielding someone four times her size for 15 minutes, she was ALSO protecting an Atlantian Mark (whose name sadly I did not catch) who had been legged out in the open and was shooting from the knees. So this injured Mark and I were alive and shooting down enemies for a solid quarter of the battle with no cover except for Genna, her hyper energy to keep that shield moving all over the place, and her willingness to stand in the open and risk herself to cover others instead of charging in and seeking glory.

Margery Gilroy

During the Champions Battle, Sir Magnus Creppinson was paired against a beast of a man, a Jarl who has not lost his champions bout in 15 years, a man who has felled Ansteorran legends year after year. With his swords blessed by Their Majesties of Ansteorra, Magnus did pick his opponent apart with patience and prowess. First, he took his opponents leg, then took his arm, and finally slayed Trimaris's Champion upon the field of battle, ending a winning streak that has lasted over a decade! Sir Magnus returned victorious to their Majesties having shown the prowess and honor of Ansteorra's fighters.

Andreas Bernay

On the way home from Gulf - It was amazing! I am glad to have been able to make it this year, camp and fight with the The Free Company of the Golden Wheat, it was a very good time, and I hope to make it to more events with y'all! This is a bit of a thanks/praise post:

• Runa Bjarki You were awesome on the battlefield, especially the Chiv Town battle where you commanded me and many more in the middle lane! You were instrumental to the victory there, and your command and vigor in executing it, was awe-inspiring! You have routinely encouraged me where I would doubt myself. And I cannot thank you enough!
• Sigwin Rotbart, I am glad to have been on the same side, it was a great to fight alongside you and Brywn Gwylad! Y'all were all awesome! You repaired my elbow cop mid Bridge battle when I had all but given up hope! It was good to spar against you as well!
• Sir Wulfgard Martel, I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done, you saved my butt, making it possible for me to get on the field with the Leather Demis, paired with the Strap Repair/replace you did, I cannot thank you enough, you were steadfast, calm, and patient, I could not have gotten on, nor remained upon the field without you, this Gulf, you are awesome!
  

Magnus Creppinson

During the opening field battle, the prowess and grit of our Army did cause great angst to the warring King of Seas. The chance of victory growing less and less with each second our forces clashed. Desperate to turn the tides The King of Seas did approach The Sable Star King demanding 1 on 1 combat between chosen champions.

Our King accepted.

Boastfully, the King of Seas did send out a ferocious fighter. A sinister tower of a man, who has claimed the title of unbelted champion, and who's blade was feared throughout the Tri Shore Kingdom. Whispers of his movements were so deadly, many claimed they were unnatural. The King of Seas did smile, believing victory was already achieved.

The Sable Star King look across the field and smiled. Because in his midst, stood the champion he knew to answer the call. A fighter born of his Majesties own Lineage. A fighter who not only studied the dark Sinister Arts, but mastered them. A fighter himself who not only claimed the title of Unbelted champion once, but twice. Called to the field was Centurion Decimus Cornelius Scaevus.

The fighters stood across each other. The Dark Sinister energy felt by the hundreds in attendance. Lay on called. Within seconds their champion fell to his knees after receiving a strike to the leg. Seconds later their champion felled. Our army did erupt in cheers as victory was claimed by The Sable Star King's Chosen Champion.

Violette of Bjornsborg

Christophe Fenrich of Bjornsborg outfitted Bjornsborg with band guns/rifles for rapier!

Genevieve Dethick

During the town battle I spent most of my time in the center lane house with my fighting companions. Ansteorra bravely held it for most of the battle - a feat that would not have been possible if not for the bravery and determination of Lady Svana Bjornsdottir. With her warboard, she alone held the left door for longer than any thought possible. She withstood onslaught after onslaught so that we might be safe inside. No castle wall or iron barricade would have been more impenetrable than her shield. I would want no other defender to have my back. We truly could not have done it without her, it was a feat I am truly glad I had the honor to behold!

Svana Bjornsdottir

it was my honor to hold the door for my fellow Ansteorran warriors. And while true, I held it alone for longer than even I thought possible, I also had the distinct pleasure to hold it with Centurion Decimus Cornelius Scaevus, Centurion Redbad of Glaslyn, whose full honorifics, alas, I do not know, and most notably, with Staberia of the Steppes. She saw me struggling alone, raced to trade her spear for a shield, and faced no small amount of danger to dash to the front line and navigate her way into the center house with me. She braced not only my shield, but my spirit, and together we repelled no fewer than three separate charges from our worthy foes.
In the ravine battle, Genevieve Dethick herself was the pinnacle of speed and endurance, returning again and again to emerge from behind our shield wall at the center house, slipping past the reach of enemy spears, and engaging in closer combat than any of our foes expected, thrust her dagger into the most vulnerable places, removing many of their shieldmen and creating openings for us to take the house. Having her and the rest of our noble company at my side was truly a shining example of the light of the Ansteorran star.

Dýrrfinna Orðlokarr

It was such an honor to challenge Master Facon du Pray for the Golden Spear, he displayed unmatched chivalry and honor steering the challenge in my favor. Thank you Escarlata de Granada for marshalling our challenge and documenting it so well.

Sigwin Rotbart

We're not yet home, but Das Vollblut and I are at our halfway point for the night.
BOY-HOWDY do I have a lot of feelings about gulf wars, absolutely overflowing with good. But first, acknowledgments to folks important to the journey.
Beginning with probably the most significant, Her Excellency Bryn Gwlad, hersikonna Kolfinna inn kyrra Óttarsdóttir, (and Barón, Orazio d'Assisi) . I have been very fortunate to do a lot of week-long group camping in my life. I have seen the irreparable damage a bad camp can do to an experience, and the incredible uplifting effect a good camp can do. To have a good hearth, welcoming friends, and frankly incredible food to come back to after a day of toil and fun was a treasure beyond compare, and it was all thanks to the efforts that Their Excellencies Bryn Gwlad put forth to make, truly, a home away from home. You made a diamond, unshakable foundation to build from for my first ever Gulf Wars, and that is a gift I will remember forever.
To Lady Rosalind, Lord Sigurd, Colin Darby, and Sir Maelgwyn, thank you all so much for the blood, sweat, and tears you put into training and teaching and leading the Bryn Gwlad war company. Being such a tenderfoot in the SCA and being so green to war meant that I truly didn't understand the benefit that training, cohesion, and just knowing which end of the shield wall was up would make to my /experience/ at war. Blundering in with no idea what I was doing would have been fun, sure. But charging in as a part of a unit, with friends at my back I trusted to do exactly what was needed to keep me safe, and a shield with a symbol the enemy grew VERY quickly to respect and fear? THAT was the stuff of LEGENDS. Thank you all for your part in giving me a deep, rich draught of the Dream.
I will extend the same praise to the Free Company! Under the command of D'mitrii Zinonovich, I grew VERY quickly to learn that I could rely on their skill, support, and speed as genuinely as my own war company. I wish I could say more than this: Free Company will have my respect for time immemorial. (Not that most of their members didn't already have it as individuals!)
Countess Elizabeth Caton, for the opportunity to fight for her honor in the Meridies Rose Tourney. I hope I fought with enough chivalry and skill to honor you, because I gave it all I had and had a blast doing it. Thank you so much for the opportunity, sincerely. It means the world to a new member of the SCA to even be able to be involved in something as grand as a Rose tournament.
I'll hit the character limit if I keep going, so LIGHTNING ROUND (or THUNDER ROUND if you're in Vindheim)
Centurion Decimus Scaevus Scaevola, and the rest of Ironwood! Not only were you incredible allies on the field like Free Company, but you guys also gave us a gift more precious than gold... A camp shower!
Sir Wulfgard Martel! For fixing an issue on my demi that had been plaguing me for months with speed, skill, and generosity.
Master Tuathal, Donã Nadiha Ramthumer, and the rest of the house, uh, *mumble mumble Fa Brodo! for being incredible friends, dear delights, and the absolutely incredible gift. I will address this more in a separate post, but ❤️❤️❤️
Mistresss Willoc macMuiredaig and Estienne De Bretagne, for being morning breakfast wenches with me often. I GUESS Sir Maelgwyn and Barón Orazio helped too...

AND ALSO: Within the Society, there are precious few traditions more sacred and widespread than our names and our devices. One may call themselves whatever they wish, put whatever paint they want on any wood or cloth, but it has no protections and no legitimacy until it is approved by the College Of Heralds. The road to a persona is a long, winding, and hard-to-navigate path, full of complicated research, paperwork, and the dreaded Rules Of Tincture. Thankfully, we are not alone on this path. There are those that carry lanterns to light the way, binders full of names and dates, and diagrams of all kinds. At Gulf Wars, these heroes gather under the fabled Herald's Point in order to help gently guide the wide-eyed would-be Vikings, noble courtiers of Venice, and many others besides to the noble goal of Approval. At this Gulf War, the Herald were very nearly left leaderless. I know not the reasons their original leader had to step down, but if I know the skill and heartiness of the Heralds, it must have been nothing short of the greatest beast or army the Known World has ever seen. Heralds point was nearly left in shambles. Their paperwork would be left at home to crumble to nothing, their ink left to dry in their wells, and their oh-so-lovely field division diagrams left in darkness and despair. But lo, it was not to be. For a hero would come! From Valhalla itself I reckon, for this individual led with a charisma and golden shine befitting a Valkirye. Mere months before Gulf wars, Sigrun Í Biarká took charge of Heralds Point.
I hear, when she stepped up, she gathered around the volunteers and her voice drew in the crowds beyond. "Today, the fresh-faced masses will not have to live nameless. No pauldron or tabard will remain unadorned, colorless or worse, inaccurate. NO, the populace need to be taught the difference between an Englishman's surname and a Frenchman's! They cannot be left to wonder what a family from Japan might be called! They must be informed what a Pantheon, a Fret, and a Schnecken are, for their ignorance does their creativity a disservice!"
For the entirety of this Gulf Wars, the crowd within the Heralds Tent was overflowing. From across the battlefields of armored and rapier combat alike you could hear the rustling of papers, the overexcited conversations, and the confused voices of heralds wondering why the blazon has "an upside down carriage" as a charge. I am not exaggerating when I say that HUNDREDS of new submissions were made. Everyone who worked at Herald's point deserves praise. But it would not have been possible without Sigrun leading the charge.

Francesca di Lucca

There’s a certain kind of magic that only exists in a field, under a canvas tent, surrounded by people who somehow feel like family after just a few days.

Gulf Wars isn’t comfortable. I'm fairly certain it's not supposed to be. It’s early mornings with dew soaking through your shoes on the privy run, late nights wrapped in cloaks against the cold, and afternoons where the sun decides to remind you who’s really in charge. It’s rain that turns roads into rivers, wind that tests every tent stake you swore was solid, and smoke that clings to everything you own.

And somehow...it’s perfect.

Because in the middle of all of that, there’s laughter. There’s the crackle of a fire and stories that stretch long past bedtime. There’s the quiet kindness of someone you just met handing you a cup (of something possibly drinkable), or helping you secure your camp when the weather turns. There’s armor being laced, songs being sung, meals shared, and moments that feel like they belong to another lifetime.

You go for the event—but you stay for the people.

For the friends who become your chosen family. For the strangers who don’t stay strangers long. For the feeling of stepping out of the modern world and into something more intentional, more connected, more real.

Gulf Wars isn’t just an event. It’s a reminder that joy comes from shared experiences, from showing up fully, from embracing the chaos and finding beauty in it anyway.

And I wouldn’t trade a single wet shoe, wind-blown night, or smoke-scented cloak for anything.

Already counting the days until we can do it all over again.

Koia Karasova

Thank you to My mom Kolfinna Egilsdóttir for being my travel buddy and tent mate. I had lots of fun with you.

This was my second and final year as Fighter Support Department Head. It was a good year for waterbearing. Thank you immensely to Sefa Hrafnsdottir and Sabiha al-Nahdiya for being my deputies and supporting me throughout the week. Your dedication and love fills me with joy. I cannot express enough thanks to you both.

Thank you Dimitri Zenonovich, Áshildr inn Hárfagri, Runa Bjarki, Siegmund Walter Von Wurtzberg, Ajax, and Ivan Calogero Antonius de Bellissimo di Costa di Castronovo (I'm forgetting people I'm so sorry) for helping with set up and tear down of the pavilion. We did that in record time and it was GLORIOUS.

I'm very proud that we were able to get double volunteer points for waterbearing for this year AND next year.

Also many thanks to Niko Penic for being a saint and spending your Tuesday with me and supporting all the fields that day. We'll always want your wet. <3

Many thanks to everyone who volunteered for waterbearing. I met so many lovely people and they all worked so hard.

One of the coolest things that happened was at the final Chiv war point, all of my team were called out onto the field by the request of Their Majesties Trimaris and Ansteorra. We were thanked and recognized for our hard work this war and then all of the armies cheered for us. It was a surreal and amazing moment. Baroness Rose got video, I believe <3

I'm excited to be stepping down and giving my body some rest. Thank you to everyone who helped keep me upright and fed (having Pho delivered to the field made me feel so loved, Run . Thank you).

I'm proud to say I did not have an ambulance called on me this year. So this war is a win in my books. Good luck, Sefa, and thank you for taking fighter support over for next year.

Fastrada the Furious

Thrown weapons at this years’ Gulf Wars was incredible! There were so many great tournaments and fun to be had by throwers of all levels. I am so thankful for wonderful members of the Thrown weapons community like Aki James who trusted me to be his deputy and to run the Thrown Weapons champions tournament he designed. Aki Seulf’s work on team tokens and cool scoreboard were amazing. Your Dungeons and Axes game was a hit as always!
Im grateful for exemplary folks like John of York who works hard and shares his prowess by teaching and encouraging others. The Roses and Doves sponsored Glow Throw you designed was fantastic!
Hard working and dedicated friends like Orlaith inghean Ui hUallachain and Phocas of Bordermarch who always contribute and assist and make the fun of Marshaling and throwing infectious. Thank you Orlaith for inviting me teach a part of your Thrown Weapons 101 class it was good experience for me.
A big thank you to Kolfinna Egilsdóttir for running a great tournament honoring multiple facets of the SCA and her lovely support of the thrown weapons community.
I just wanted to say a big thank you because your love of thrown weapons & camaraderie made my war really great this year!
Yeet with glee y’all!

Clauß Fuchs von Nurenberg

Now that I have had time to process everything(mostly), here is my Gulf Wars post Wow, that was an amazing week filled with fun, fights, great food, and amazing people. I thank everyone involved in helping to make such a large event possible and run so smooth y'all are the best.
The melees this year were most enjoyable and I had a blast, even though the Trimarans ripped out all of the improvements I made to the middle house in the field battle. I'm not sure shiplap deserves THAT much hate but hey different tastes. On top of already having the time of my life, I was bestowed a great honor in court. Their Sanguine Highnesses graced me with the Red Bowl of Vindheim. I have many strong feels about this because Vindheim has felt like a second home to me since I started playing and it is full of some of the most kind, amazing, and inspiring people. I am filled with gratitude to be considered worthy of being a Vind-homie and I will endeavor to continue being worthy of this.
I look forward to hearing all of the "no shit there i was..." and "what had happened was..." stories. And all I know is Hákon the Blacksmith definitely shot that arrow out of the sky on purpose and no one can change my mind.
(See Below for photo of scroll)

Asoph Hearts

Hear ye, hear ye! Be it proclaimed throughout the realm that the Ansteorran lands of Gulf War XXXIV were raised not by sorcery, but through the steadfast labor and noble dedication of these honored individuals:

• Rafe Slater of Moonshadowe Land
• Vincinti da Murano of Conex, Gate, and Namron Land
• Geoffrey de Gourney of Northkeep Land
• Gisele de Bier of Bjornsburg Land
• Daniel Shade of Eldern Hills Land
• Colleen O’Kelly of Glaslyn Land
• Kolfinna inn kyrra Otarsdottir of Bryn Gwald Land
• Orazio d'Assisi, Master of the Trash Wagon
• Catherine of Wessex of Ravens Fort Land
• Amelot Lisette of Elfsea Land
• Anne Harper of Ravens Fort Land
• Jean Paul de Sans, Sentinel of Infrastructure
• Gilyan Clonmacnoise, Dread Presence of Infrastructure
• Padraic of Kilkenny of Stargate Land
• Cian of Kern of Kasar Land
• Despoina Targovisti of Tutto Fa Brodo Land
• Sven Randulson of Hird Land
• William Palfrey of Skuldilid Camp

Through hammer and cord, flame and fellowship, they raised a camp most worthy of renown. More than eleven wagon-loads of brush were cleared from the grounds, and additional lighting posts were thoughtfully placed to better serve the camps and travelers of the night. Let these deeds be entered into the annals and remembered with honor by all who gather. May their labors be met with gratitude, their cups ever full, and their names spoken with respect throughout the Greatest Kingdom.
All hail, and our deepest thanks be given.

Gallery

• Gulf Wars Moments
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  Scroll by Elizabeth of Roxbury Mill