Estrella War is an annual recreation of a medieval war between two sets of allied SCA Kingdoms (called Allied Realms). Which of the 19 SCA Kingdoms participate as Principal Kingdoms varies from year-to-year, and is based on requests extended by the Crown of Atenveldt around May of the year preceding each Estrella War.

The Crowns of SCA Kingdoms who agree to be Principal Kingdoms for Estrella War then assist the Crown of Atenveldt in planning and defining the combat and competitions held as part of the medieval activities at the event (these change from year-to-year). Once the Crowns of the Principal Kingdoms have negotiated and agreed on how, when and where medieval activities will be conducted, those guidelines are published in an Estrella War Treaty that governs the running of that year’s Estrella War.

When is the Estrella War Treaty Published?

The timeline for development of each Estrella War Treaty changes slightly each year based on the Principal Kingdoms involved, and the ability of the Crowns and Royal Heirs to attend an Estrella War Treaty Negotiations event. As a general rule, this is how it is done:

May of the Year Before the War: The Crown of Atenveldt instructs Their designated Estrella War Treaty Coordinator to send requests to other SCA Kingdoms asking whether they wish to participate as Principal Kingdoms for the next Estrella War. These requests outline the responsibilities each Principal Kingdom bears, including the requirement that the Crown or Royal Heirs from the Principal Kingdom attend Estrella War Treaty Negotiations. Kingdoms are asked to accept or reject the request by June.

June of the Year Before the War: Principal Kingdoms are selected, and the Crown of Atenveldt and the Estrella War Treaty Coordinator announce the date and location for Estrella War Treaty Negotiations. The Crowns and Heirs of the Principal Kingdoms are required to attend with their advisors.

July through August of the Year Before the War: The Crowns of the Principal Kingdoms consult with Their advisors, War Commanders, and populace to solicit ideas for medieval war scenarios and activities that could be included in the Estrella War Treaty. Minimally, this includes activities for heavy combat, rapier, archery, and the Arts & Sciences competition. These proposals are documented and sent to the Crown of Atenveldt for inclusion in a “draft” Treaty.

August through September of the Year Before the War: The Crown of Atenveldt and the Estrella War Treaty Coordinator compile the proposals into a draft Treaty that is sent to the Crowns and Heirs of the Principal Kingdoms for consideration.

3rd Weekend of October of the Year Before the War: The Crown of Atenveldt hosts Estrella War Treaty Negotiations. The Crowns and Heirs of the Principal Kingdoms and their advisors attend this closed meeting, and review, revise, and finalize the draft Treaty. At the end of this event, a joint Kingdom Court is held, so the Kingdom Alliances for the war may be announced, and the populace may watch the Crowns and Heirs of the Principal Kingdoms sign the Estrella War Treaty that will be used for the next war. Each Principal Kingdom takes copies of the finalized Treaty home, and it is published on this website and in other SCA publications.

November through February: The combatants, archers and artisans of the Principal Kingdoms train and prepare for Estrella War, using the scenarios and guidelines outlined in the Treaty.

 

What does the Estrella War Treaty include?

The contents of the Estrella War Treaty has expanded and changed over the years, just as the event and the number of people attending has changed. For example, the first Estrella War Treaty was negotiated and published for ESTRELLA WAR VII (Feb 16-18, 1991). It outlined a medieval war between two Principal Kingdoms (Atenveldt and Caid), with victory determined by “war points” earned in heavy combat scenarios and an Arts & Sciences Competition (rapier scenarios and target archery competitions were added in later years). In more recent times, the Treaty has moved away from the concept of “war points” and Allied Realms fight for “the Glory and Honor of bearing Estrella War Victory Standards”.

Generally, the Estrella War Treaty describes the following:

• The SCA Kingdoms that will be allied together to form the two sides in the war, i.e., the Kingdoms in each Allied Realm.
• The number of Victory Standards that will be awarded, and the rules and guidelines used to award those standards. Traditionally, standards are given in the areas of armored combat, rapier, target archery and Arts & Sciences.
• The dates, times, and locations that activities for Victory Standards will be conducted. For example, it will explain when and where the heavy combat and rapier scenarios begin each day, when the target archery competition range opens each day, when the Arts & Sciences Competition is held, etc.
• The rules that will be used to govern activities for Victory Standards. For example, the Treaty identifies the marshalling, fighting and armor conventions used for heavy combat, and the categories and rules used in the Arts & Sciences Competition.

Remember that the Treaty only outlines the official medieval competitions held as part of the war between Allied Realms. It is by no means a complete list of the medieval activities sponsored and scheduled at the event, and does not show the full diversity of the things you can do at an Estrella War.

If you have questions about the Estrella War Treaty, or the Estrella War Treaty Negotiations, please contact the Estrella War Treaty Coordinator. 

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