Glory War

Glory War
King Giovanni and Queen Cainnleach II holding court at Glory VII
"Fight 'till you drop, Revel where you Fall!"
Group	Barony of Unser Hafen
Kingdom	Kingdom of the Outlands
First Held	July 17, 1998
Last Held	July 5, 2009
Primary Location	Buford, Wyoming (2000–2009)
Prior Sites	Pawnee Grasslands (1998) Encampment, WY (1999)
Typical Dates	Independence Day Weekend
Key Features	Heavy Combat, Rapier, Archery, Bards, White Rose Inn

Overview

Glory War (often referred to simply as Glory!) was a major multi-day, annual war and combat event hosted by the Barony of Unser Hafen within the Kingdom of the Outlands. First held over July 17–20, 1998 (A.S. XXXIII), the event was originally conceived as an intensive "fighters' marathon," famous for its ethos: "Fight 'till you drop, Revel where you Fall!"

Over its twelve-year run from 1998 to 2009, Glory War grew from an experimental martial retreat into one of the marquee annual gatherings in the Northern Region of the Outlands.

Evolution & Site History

Inaugural Year (1998): Debuted on the Pawnee Grasslands as a raw, high-intensity combat gathering.
Glory War II (1999): Briefly relocated to Skyline Camp near Encampment, Wyoming, which offered mountain shade and running water facilities.
Permanent Home (2000–2009): Beginning with Glory III, the event established its permanent home at the LCCC Vedauwoo Natural History Site (BLM property) near Buford, Wyoming. The primitive, high-altitude mountain site lacked potable water, requiring attendees to pack in all survival supplies while braving rapid mountain weather changes and thin air.

Immersive Themes & Traditions

Beginning in the early 2000s, Glory War adopted rich historical and narrative themes for each iteration—ranging from crusades and Silk Road caravans to Viking invasions and the Hundred Years' War—complete with multi-faceted team scenarios.

The event became renowned for several enduring traditions:

The Carnyx Horn & Blade of Glory: Headline tournaments where combatants competed for coveted perpetual awards and custom-crafted regalia.
Novelty & Field Scenarios: Creative tournaments such as the Breakfast of Champions (fought with foam and rattan food items), the Call of the Fiannan (fighting buried waist-deep in dirt), the Holmgang, and combined-arms battlefields involving heavy fighters, rapier fencers, target and combat archers, siege engines, and equestrian units.
The White Rose Inn: First introduced at Glory War V (2002) as a pre-paid meal plan kitchen, the Inn became a central staple of the event—offering legendary complimentary breakfasts and evening feasts. The effort laid the groundwork for The White Rose Inn, which remains the active cooking and hospitality guild of the Barony of Unser Hafen to this day.
Arts, Performance & Community: Hosted regional bards (notably the Northern Windhover Bard Competition), Middle Eastern drumming and dance circles, hands-on Arts & Sciences workshops, youth activities, the traditional Shrine Walk, and vibrant evening campfires without strict noise curfews.

Glory War I

The inaugural Glory War took place from July 17–20, 1998 (A.S. XXXIII) on the Pawnee Grasslands. Gwilim de Glamorgan & Galiana Fitzwilliam served as the event stewards.^[1]

Martial Scenarios & Activities

Heavy Weapons Scenarios

Coordinated by Deotrich Hiltipard, Saturday was designated as a true "Heavy Weapons Marathon."

Breakfast / Lunch of Champions: Tourneys utilizing novelty rattan weapons built to look like pub items or food (e.g., foam beer steins, roasting chickens on a spit).
Holmgang: Timed 1-hour traditional Norse bear-skin duel.
Celtic Battlemaiden Tourney: Timed male/female team scenario. The female fighter used her weapon system of choice; the male fighter was restricted to a center-grip round shield and short weapon. If the female died, the match was lost.
Station Tourney (The Gauntlet): Fighters carried a sack of grain through a course while battling "fiery darts of daemons," running a gauntlet, and facing a "two-headed giant" named Baldegrin. Each fighter had to wear the favor of a child as an entry requirement.
Challenge of the Green Knight: A retained-wounds bearpit restricted to 5-foot axes.
Buschazi: A team game involving capturing a prop sheep across the field.
Knife Circle & Torchlight Tourney: Proximity fighting in a circle, and night combat by torchlight using max 5-foot rattan with no shields.
Broken Field Melees: Ranked team melees using a point scale based on fighting awards (Authorized = 1pt, AoA = 2pts, GoA = 3pts, Chivalry = 4pts) with no teammates allowed from the same home group.
Fighter Games: Field challenges including Call of the Fiannan (fighting buried waist-deep in dirt).

Archery Scenarios

Coordinated by Eric Morrison of Thistlekeep, archers competed in novel precision and speed shoots:

Pattern Clout Shoot: Closest 4 of 6 arrows within 50 feet added for score.
Sterling Shoot: "Braveheart"-style clout shoot targeting ground areas marked by shields.
William Tell & Robin Hood Runs: Progressive-distance elimination shoots.
Timed & Wand Shoots: High-speed combat archer simulations.

Arts, Sciences & Hospitality

The Hungry Heroes Inn

An experimental meal program run by Meriel of Tay and Theresea die Tanzerin, offering full weekend meal plans for $15 or a la carte options ("Finicky Fighter Plan") paid via donations dropped in a brass spittoon.

Friday Dinner: Hearty Elk Stew or Minestrone with braided bread.
Saturday Menu: Meselede (scrambled eggs with bread) & Banbury cakes for breakfast; Turkey Rastons (loose-meat turkey sandwiches) for lunch; Moroccan Beef with couscous pilaf for dinner; late-night "Sugar & Spice" milk and cookies.
Sunday Menu: Pancakes and eggs; Turkey Rastons; leftover stew packaged for travel.

Arts & Bardic Competitions

Offhand Portraits of Their Royal Majesties: A 2-hour timed speed-art competition.
Alliterative Meter Poetry: Period poetry composition using Sir Gawain and the Green Knight-style alliteration and "bob and wheel" stanzas describing deeds on the battlefield.

Glory War II: The Heroes' War

The second annual event, subtitled Glory: The Heroes' War, took place over Fourth of July weekend, running from noon on July 2 to noon on July 5, 1999.^[2]

Site & Location

Glory War II moved to a new venue: Skyline Camp, a secluded mountain site near Encampment, Wyoming.

Site Features: Offered cooler mountain temperatures, spacious camping areas, and on-site shower facilities.
Site Rules: Discreetly wet. Due to local wildlife risks in the mountain area, no pets were allowed on site.

Martial Activities & Highlights

Organized by combat coordinators Lochlainn, Conchobhar, and Robert Stewart, the schedule was structured around morning tournaments and high-intensity afternoon melees across heavy, rapier ("light"), and archery disciplines.

Heavy & Rapier Scenarios: Included station tourneys, three-man team tourneys, and continuous afternoon field melees.
The Carnyx Prize Tourney: A headline tournament where combatants competed to win a handcrafted Carnyx (an ancient Celtic war horn) made and donated by Deotrich Hiltipard.
Legio Borealis Scout's Gauntlet: A featured endurance challenge designed to test the limits of even the most hardened fighters.
Archery: Dedicated morning tournaments and afternoon field scenarios running parallel to the armored combat tracks.

Glory War III

The third iteration, Glory III, took place over Independence Day weekend from noon on June 30 to noon on July 3, 2000 (A.S. XXXV).^[3]

Site & Location

Glory War moved to a new site located near Buford, Wyoming (24 miles west of Cheyenne off I-80 at Exit 335). Available documentation suggests that this became the site for all future iterations of Glory War. Situated at an elevation of 7,500 feet, the mountain site featured high-altitude camping among trees and rock formations, a pond for dipping, footbridges, picnic tables, and fire pits.

Site Fees: $10.00 site fee ($4 for children under 16; $30 family cap).
Site Rules & Logistics:
- Water: There was no potable water on site, requiring all attendees to pack in their own drinking water.
- Alcohol & Quiet Hours: Discreetly wet (pack-in/pack-out for containers) with no noise restrictions.
- Pets: Allowed on site, provided they remained on leashes.
- Altitude Note: Autocrats warned "lowlanders" to prepare for the 7,500-foot elevation with extra warm gear for cool nights and aspirin or oxygen for potential altitude sickness.

Activities & Martial Highlights

Promoted with a "Chirurgeon General’s Warning" that the event was only for those who wanted to fight until total exhaustion, Glory III continued the tradition's core motto: "Fight 'till you drop, Revel where you Fall!"

Heavy, Rapier & Combat Archery: Heavy scenarios were designed by "some of the sickest, twisted minds in Unser Hafen," paired with equally intense fencing and archery field challenges (with combat archers explicitly requested to bring armor and gear).
Equestrian Program (Inaugural Year): For the first time, Glory War introduced an equestrian track under Equestrian Marshal in Charge (EMIC) Lady Rosslin. Advanced riders served as mounted security and camp heralds to enhance medieval ambiance, alongside open equestrian competitions.
Bardic Culture: Open bardic circles around campfires without strict noise curfews.

Hospitality: The Inn

Food service was headed by Innkeeper Galiana Fitzwilliam:

Pricing: $15.00 for adults (16+); $10.00 for youth under 16.
Friday Potluck: The Autocrat and Innkeeper provided a central meat dish for an informal Friday night potluck.
Full Weekend Meal Plan: A pre-reserved meal plan covered all meals from Saturday morning through Sunday night, ending with a complimentary breakfast on Monday morning before site tear-down.

Glory War III Event Staff

Staff Role	SCA Name
Autocrat	Gwilim de Glamorgan
Innkeeper	Galiana Fitzwilliam
Equestrian Marshal in Charge	Rosslin Katrin von Hohenzollern

Glory War IV

No records are currently available for Glory War IV

Glory War V: The Crusade

The fifth event, themed The Crusade, took place over Independence Day weekend, running from July 4–7, 2002 (A.S. XXXVII).^[4]

Site & Location

Glory War V returned to the high-altitude site near Buford, Wyoming at the L.C.C.C. Campground.

Site Fees: $12.00 site fee ($5 for children 4–15, under 4 free; $35 family cap). Day-trip pricing was available at $7.00 ($3 for youth 4–15).
Site Rules & Logistics:
- Water: There was no potable water source on site, requiring participants to pack in their own supply.
- Fire Regulations: Open fires were strictly restricted to permanent fire rings or elevated off-ground containers.
- Alcohol & Pets: Discreetly wet site; pets were permitted provided they remained on leashes.

Activities & Martial Highlights

Framed around a grand "crusade" theme spanning Europe to the Middle East, the event featured a full slate of martial, arts, and family activities:

Martial Disciplines: Armored heavy combat, rapier fencing, target archery, and equestrian activities. The tradition of sounding the great Carnyx Horn and competing for the Blade of Glory continued.
Equestrian Track: Full equestrian facilities and activities were accommodated on site.
Non-Martial Activities: Dedicated non-martial programming offered for both adults and children, alongside evening drumming and dancing.

Hospitality: The White Rose Inn

Glory War V marked the official debut of '''The White Rose Inn''', which served as the event's dedicated meal kitchen. The White Rose Inn would go on to become a staple of future Glory Wars and remains the official title of the Barony of Unser Hafen's cooking and hospitality guild to this day.

Thursday Potluck: A site-wide community potluck feast was held on the evening of July 4.
Meal Plan: Operated as The White Rose Inn, offering a pre-paid meal plan (3 meals on Friday and Saturday, plus Sunday breakfast) capped at the first 150 reservations.
Pricing: $20.00 for adults; $15.00 for children ages 4–12; children under 4 ate free with an adult reservation.

Glory War V Event Staff

Staff Role	SCA Name
Event Autocrats	Rosalind of Wellmark & Mardanah al-Hindiyyah
Fighting Autocrat	Kynan of Wyre Forest
Fencing Autocrat	Justinian the Gentle
Archery Autocrat	Nikolaos Demetriou ho Toxotes
Equestrian Autocrat	Averick of Glen Rowany
Innkeeper / Reservations	Meriel of Tay

Glory War VI: The Caravans Crossing

The sixth iteration, subtitled The Caravans Crossing, took place over Fourth of July weekend from July 3–6, 2003 (A.S. XXXVIII).

Site & Location

Glory War VI returned to the L.C.C.C. Campground in Buford, Wyoming.

Site Fees: $12.00 site fee ($5 for children 4–15, under 4 free; $35 family cap). Day-trip fee was $7.00 ($3 for youth 4–15). Standard SCA non-member surcharges applied.
Site Rules & Logistics:
- Water: No running water on site; participants were required to pack in their own supply.
- Alcohol & Pets: Discreetly wet site; pets permitted on leashes; equestrians welcomed.

Activities & Martial Highlights

The event offered a full range of medieval martial arts, performances, and cultural activities:

Martial Tracks: Heavy combat, fencing/rapier, archery, and equestrian activities.
Arts, Sciences & Youth: Featured A&S classes and structured children's activities.
Bardic & Shrine Walk: The evening bardic circle and shrine walk were led by His Royal Majesty, Duke Irel Krist of Starry Inn.

Hospitality: Feasts & Pub Fare

Thursday Potluck: Opening night featured a traditional site-wide potluck, with the Barony providing stew.
The White Rose Inn: Operated by Mistress Meriel of Tay, serving breakfast on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and dinner on Friday and Saturday.
- Pricing: $16.00 for adults; $12.00 for children under 12.
Pub Lunches: The household of the Daughters of the Axe and the Moon provided cash-and-carry pub-style lunches during the day.

Glory War VI Event Staff

Staff Role	SCA Name
Event Autocrats	Arnden van der Aa & Sofia Kasca Maros
Merchant Autocrat	Mardanah al-Hindiyyah
Heavy Fighting Coordinator	Theopompos Leonidas
Fencing Coordinator	Justinian the Gentle
Equestrian Autocrat	Nicholas le Fauconer
Inn Steward	Meriel of Tay

Glory VII: The Luck and Love of Glory

As of July, 2026 the only available information on Glory VII: The Luck and Love of Glory, consists of a photo directory saved on the internet archive.^[5]

Glory VIII: On Wings of Glory!

The eighth event, subtitled On Wings of Glory, took place over Independence Day weekend from June 30 to July 4, 2005. This marked the second year that the event made information, schedules, and activity updates directly available through its dedicated website.^[6]^[7]

Site & Location

Glory War VIII was held at the LCCC campground near Buford, Wyoming.

Activities & Highlights

The event featured a traditional slate of martial and cultural programming, including:

Martial Disciplines: Armored heavy combat, rapier fencing, and target archery.
Arts & Sciences: A&S programming with a specific emphasis on hands-on activities.
Bardic & Performance: The Northern Windhover Bard Competition, formal and informal bardic circles, Middle Eastern drumming and dancing, and the return of the Shrine Walk.
Youth & Merchants: Activities specifically tailored for children and youth, along with a dedicated merchant area.

Hospitality

The Inn: Food and beverage service at the Inn was managed by Innkeepers Branwen and Taliesin.

Glory War VIII Event Staff

Staff Role	SCA Name
Event Autocrats	Deotrich Hiltipard & Leonora Kateryn de Provence
Registration / Troll Coordinator	Meriel of Tay
Arts & Sciences Coordinator	Maerwynn Coed y Cwm
Innkeepers	Branwen & Taliesin

Glory IX: On the Silk Road to Glory!

The ninth iteration, subtitled On the Silk Road to Glory!, took place over Independence Day weekend from June 30 to July 4, 2006.^[8]

Theme & Lore

The event was themed around historical trade and adventure along the Silk Road. The lore framed the weekend as a caravan journey from Rome to the Imperial City of Chang'an, where merchants gathered, guards defended trade goods, and combatants faced off against brigands in the Taklimakan Desert.

Site & Location

Glory War IX returned to the LCCC campground near Buford, Wyoming.

Activities & Highlights

The event continued many of Glory War's established traditions alongside themed martial and cultural activities:

Martial Disciplines: Armored heavy combat, rapier fencing, and archery field scenarios.
Northern Regional Windhover Bard Competition: Glory IX officially hosted the regional competition alongside formal and informal bardic circles.
Cultural & A&S: Hands-on Arts & Sciences workshops, Middle Eastern drumming and dancing, and the return of the Shrine Walk.
Youth & Merchants: Structured activities for children and youth, alongside a merchant bazaar along the "Silk Road."

Glory War X: The Seven Paths to Glory

The tenth anniversary event, subtitled The Seven Paths to Glory, took place over Fourth of July weekend from Wednesday, July 4 to Sunday, July 8, 2007.

The "Seven Paths to Glory" Challenge

To celebrate the event's 10th anniversary, the autocrats issued a special decathlon-style challenge open to all skill levels. Participants sought to "Walk the Seven Paths" by competing in six distinct martial and arts disciplines, plus completing a volunteer service before the deadline on July 7, 2007 (07/07/07):

The Path of Strength: Armored heavy combat.
The Path of Steel: Rapier fencing.
The Arrow's Path: Target archery.
The Path of Flying Daggers: Thrown weapons (axes/knives).
The Path of Knowledge: Arts & Sciences competitions.
The Path of the Word: Bardic performance.
The Path of Service: Volunteer service benefiting the event or community.

Site & Location

Glory War X returned to the LCCC Vedauwoo Natural History Site in Buford, Wyoming.

Site Fees: Pre-registered adult fee was $23.00 ($25.00 at the gate; $10.00 day-trip). Youth (6–12) were $7.00 ($10.00 at gate; $5.00 day-trip). Children 5 and under were free. Standard SCA non-member surcharges applied, and there was no family cap.
Registration: Pre-registration was offered both by mail and online via the ACCEPS system through the event website (`glorywar.org`).
Site Rules & Environmental Factors:
- Water: No potable water was available on site; attendees were instructed to bring at least two gallons of water per person per day due to the 8,000-foot elevation and summer heat. Potable water could be purchased nearby at the Buford Trading Post.
- Alcohol & Pets: Wet site; dogs were required to be kept on leashes at all times unless participating in approved coursing activities.
- Fire Restrictions: Fire policies were strictly aligned with local wilderness and state restrictions, with mandatory fire extinguishers required near any open flames.

Glory War X Event Staff

Staff Role	SCA Name
Event Autocrat	William de Kari
Registration / Gate Coordinator	Athelina of Oldenfeld
Reservation Clerk	Khalidah bint Yahya'a

Glory War XI: The Siege of London - Vikings vs. Saxons

Glory XI, subtitled 1016: The Siege of London - Vikings vs. Saxons, took place over Independence Day weekend from Wednesday, July 2 to Sunday, July 6, 2008.^[9]

Theme & Lore

The event was themed around the historical conflict of July 1016, when Viking invaders sailed up the Thames to lay siege to London following the death of King Æthelred the Unready, pitting Danish forces against the young Saxon King Edmund II ("Ironside"). Attendees were divided into Viking and Saxon factions to battle across field and timber scenarios.

Site & Location

Glory War XI returned to the LCCC Vedauwoo Natural History Site in Buford, Wyoming.

Site Fees: Pre-registered adult fee was $23.00 ($25.00 at the gate before Saturday; $15.00 on Saturday; $15.00 day-trip). Pre-registered youth (6–12) were $7.00 ($10.00 at gate; $5.00 on Saturday/day-trip). Children 5 and under were free. A $70 family cap applied ($60 if pre-registered). Standard SCA non-member surcharges applied.
Site Rules: Wet site; fire restrictions were subject to local conditions posted at the gate.

Activities & Martial Highlights

Glory War XI featured a heavy emphasis on combined-arms field combat alongside traditional event activities:

Martial Disciplines: Armored heavy combat, rapier fencing, target archery, combat archery, siege engines, and equestrian trails (including an equestrian demonstration on Saturday).
Featured Tournaments: The Carnyx Tourney, The Axe Tourney, a new Hammer Tourney, The Blade of Glory Tourney, and the classic Breakfast of Champions.
Archery Scenarios: Included moving targets, IKAC (Inter-Kingdom Archery Competition) rounds, and ICKAC (Inter-Kingdom Combat Archery Competition) rounds.
Cultural & Performance: Hosted the Windhover Bard Northern Semifinals, nightly bardic circles, the Drums of War, A&S classes, youth activities, and Middle Eastern drumming, music, and dance.

Hospitality & Dining

Complimentary Breakfasts: The White Rose Inn served free breakfasts Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings to all attendees.
Wednesday Potluck: Opening night featured a community potluck in the Inn with a provided pot of stew.
Special Dining Options: Included a Friday evening pig roast hosted by the Smiling Bull Tavern ($10 per seat) and a Saturday evening steak dinner ($10 per seat).

Glory War XI Event Staff

Staff Role	SCA Name
Event Autocrat	William de Kari
Equestrian Contact	Nesta verch Gryffry
Pig Roast Coordinator	Gabriella Rizo

Glory War XII: The Battle of Agincourt & One Hundred Years of Glory

Glory XII, subtitled The Battle of Agincourt & One Hundred Years of Glory, took place over Independence Day weekend from July 1–5, 2009.^[10]

Theme & Lore

The event was themed around the historical Hundred Years War (1337–1453) between England and France, focusing specifically on the iconic Battle of Agincourt. Scenarios and ambiance drew from the era's history of chevauchées, sieges, and royal rivalries.

Site & Location

Glory War XII returned to the LCCC/BLM Property in Buford, Wyoming.

Site Logistics: Pre-registration discount rates were available both by mail and online through the ACCEPS system on the event website (`glorywar.org`).
Site Rules: Wet site; pets were required to be kept on leashes at all times; no potable water was available on site.

Activities & Martial Highlights

The event offered a full spectrum of martial competitions, daytime activities, and evening revelry:

Martial Disciplines: Heavy weapons armor combat, rapier fencing, target archery, and thrown weapons tournaments.
Arts, Sciences & Youth: Structured A&S instructional classes and youth programming.
Evening Revelry: Evening social gatherings, themed parties, and bardic competitions.
Merchants: Merchant space was provided with prime placement assigned on a first-reserved basis.

Hospitality: The White Rose Inn

Complimentary Breakfasts: A free morning breakfast was included with every site fee purchase.
Evening Feast Plan: The White Rose Inn offered an optional evening feast plan capped at 80 participants.