The tent was then erected and he sat there in great delight, expressing his gratitude for the favour that God had shown him. Then he summoned King Guy, his brother and Prince Reynald. He handed the king a drink of iced julep, from which he drank, being dreadfully thirsty…

Baha al-Din Ibn Shaddad, The Rare and Excellent History of Saladin

There are several iconic moments of interactions between kings throughout the Middle Ages. For me, one that has no comparison is that between Salah al-Din and Guy de Lusignan after the battle of Hattin, in 1187. Recorded by a Muslim author, Salah al-Din offers drink and food to his prisoner, according him protection out of respect for station. Guy hands the cup to Reynald and Salah al-Din asserts that since he gave the cup only to Guy, protection is not extended to Reynald. Later that evening, Salad al-Din beheads Reynald for having attacked Muslim caravans. The sultan confirms to Guy that it is not custom for princes to kill princes, but that Reynald was deserving.

Now, I had no need of executing anyone, but this image of an iced drink being presented in the middle of a desert to the head of an army which had been destroyed after languishing without water, due to poor planning on the part of the Franks, is simply iconic. Of those moments I hoped to create during the reign, this particular image ranked first.

Quite conveniently, the Battlemoor site lies below the Collegiate Peaks in Colorado. Coming off of a long and snowy winter, Mt. Princeton – clearly the prince of all mountains – still held snow as late as the July event date. So, with some planning, it appeared as though we would be able to make the trip above tree-line (around 12000 ft) to collect snow, pack it into a cooler, and bring it back to keep on site until grand court, 3 days later. To obfuscate the purpose of the trip, it seemed only reasonable that we should take rapiers and hold a tournament upon Princeton.

While the site slept after the revelry of the first night, the company set out in the early hours Wednesday morning. Assembling at 3, we made our way to the trailhead on Mt. Princeton, electing to ascend with vehicular assistance as high as able, given a relatively short window for the trip. Also, we didn’t particularly want to carry a cooler heavy with snow back down the trail if unnecessary. Finding a most convenient patch of shaded snow, we packed the cooler and left it with our transport.

Eight of us set out with sufficient weapons and masks between us with the intent of making the summit, some 2300 feet above us, there to name the victor of this elevated ordeal. Bowing to the reality of a restrictive schedule, we determined that a saddle between Trigger Peak and the summit made for a suitable place for the tournament. At 13100 ft in elevation and providing stunning vistas to the north and south, the saddle was sufficiently epic.

There did skillful engagement commence, with certainly no more threat than a mere few hundred feet of drop to either side of the spacious 10 ft ridge. It might even be 12 ft wide. Passes commenced until all were well satisfied. After a few moments of rest, we descended back to transport and then to the site.

In camp, the cooler of snow was hidden away, with good hope that the snow would last for 4 days, until Grand Court. Fingers crossed and a bit of dry ice to assure things, we went about the business of the event.

Saturday afternoon arrived and preparations for Grand Court commenced, including transferring the snow from the modern cooler to a wooden chest – it had survived in good measure!

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We processed from pilgrimage into court that evening. Making note of the spirit of hospitality and the history of this story between Salah al-Din and Guy, an attendant brought forth the chest of snow. With goblets to Crown and Heirs of Artemisia, and so too to the barons and baronesses of the Outlands, we presented each with snow and welcome.

In this way did we fulfill the image of a medieval scene I hold most dear and will never forget.